An Optimal Adventure

by exuvium

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Alternate Universe, Human
Length: 31822

The journey of one brony as his values are satisfied with friendship and ponies, and his annoyed brother.

Two brothers, close as brothers can be. One a brony, having a history of playing MMO's, decides to try Equestria Online. The older brother has no interest and is instead annoyed by the whole "pony" thing.

Previous chapters are edited as well. Some minor things changed. Give 'em a look-see if you wish. Biggest change is that an ending has been added.

Author Note: After some research*, I've determined that the story takes place between 2015 and 2018, when emigration becomes free and when it becomes legal in the US.

* And by research I mean I looked at a timeline spreadsheet.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-02-08 10:02:30 UTC

Prologue - The Unboxing

The grainy video began.  It was an unboxing video being filmed for YouTube.  Eibhear placed a nondescript box onto a folding card table in his living room, then looked directly into his camera.

“I've finally got one," he began.  "My very own PonyPad.  I was so excited when I first heard about the new Equestria Online game."

He reached for a boxcutter knife as he continued, "I spent almost a decade playing World of Warcraft, and starting over in a new MMO never really appealed to me.  World of Warcraft was so polished.  Everything looked and felt right."

The boxcutter plunged between cardboard flaps and into the tape.  "The game was fun.  The only thing I didn't like was that I had to be in a group of people that I might or might not like in order to get anywhere."

The tape yielded to the boxcutter smoothly and swiftly.  "The majority of the game's lore could only be experienced through raids and dungeons.

Once fully cut and the box flaps were free, the boxcutter was put back from whence it was retrieved.  "The best stuff could only be obtained through heroic difficulty settings."

Eibhear looked into the box after opening it and emptied out all the packing peanuts into a bin next to the table.  A thin and very pink iPad-looking device was all that remained inside the box, along with a stand, a cordless controller, a power cable, and an ethernet cable.  "Still, despite all this, I had a lot of fun going through all the old dungeons and experiencing content that I couldn't while it was still relevant."

Everything was removed from the box and placed gently on the card table, then the box was discarded from the camera's view.  "I'd grab a few friends from my guild and we'd go ROFL-stomp old raids that were twenty to thirty levels too low for us, for what were little more than costume pieces by that point."

The stand was erected and plugged into the wall, followed by the ethernet cable that led from the other room where the router was.  The stand was plugged in to everything except for the actual PonyPad.  "I loved collecting things in-game.  World of Warcraft allowed me to collect things in a digital format so when it came time to move, I didn't have a lot of packing to do."

Eibhear looked down at the PonyPad.  It was pink.  Very pink.  Pinkie Pie pink.  Eibhear looked back at the camera, "Well, I was hoping for a less girly-looking device, but I watch a show about cute magical pastel-colored ponies to begin with.  I don't really have room to talk."

Eibhear laughed to himself as he picked up the PonyPad and attached it to the stand, which gave a magnetic clink as it attached to the stand.  Now that the back of the PonyPad was visible to the camera, there did appear to be three balloons, two blue, one yellow, in the bottom left corner (bottom right if you were looking at the back instead of the front).  In the bottom right corner (or bottom left if you're looking at the back), there was a small flat button whose surface was flush with the rest of the PonyPad.

Eibhear finished assembling everything and gave it a last look over.  "You know, it may be pink, but it has Best Pony™'s cutie mark, so it's all good."  He picked up the controller and pressed a button on it.  Nothing happened.  He reached around the pad, feeling for the power button, which he found.  After depressing and releasing the power button, the screen flickered on.

"The PonyPad was purchased secondhand from GameStop," Eibhear continued his narration for the video.  "Someone didn't want their 'values satisfied through friendship and ponies' it seems.  That's what the clerk told me when I purchased it.  The previous owner had spoken with the in-game Celestia and that's what she said she did.  She satisfied values through friendship and ponies.  Thinking it was silly, he traded it in to GameStop for store credit and bought a different game instead."

Eibhear turned the PonyPad around on the table so the screen was facing the camera.  A couple of Earth Ponies ran by in glorious 3D graphics pulling behind them banners that said "Equestria Online!" among other things.  A Pegasus flew through the air pulling another banner above the first one that said "Welcome to", so together it would read "Welcome to Equestria Online!".

"So now I have it.  I'm expecting to log in and have a character already made because of the previous owner.  So let's get started, shall we?”

Eibhear pressed a button on the controller, hoping it would do something, but nothing happened.  His expression changed to one of confusion.  He walked over to the box to see if there were any instructions, and there were.  Aside from basic setup, the only other instruction was to say out loud, "Let's go to Equestria!"  It seemed a bit odd, but the camera was still rolling.

"Let's go to Equestria," Eibhear said, thoroughly feeling silly, but excited at the same time.

The title screen was replaced by a scene of the throne room in Canterlot Castle.  Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne, looking down at a red Unicorn at the foot of the stairs.

“You're not Richard,” she said with her gentle voice.

“That's awesome," Eibhear remarked, "show-accurate voices."

The princess turned her head to look at Eibhear instead of the unicorn, as if she was looking through the screen at him.  “Yes.  Where's Richard?” she asked.

“I don't know Richard," Eibhear replied, "I'm guessing he's the previous owner of the PonyPad?”

Celestia simply continued looking at Eibhear through the screen.  After a moment of silence, he realized she probably couldn't say even if it was.  “Sorry, there's probably confidentiality... never mind.  Anyways, I ordered this PonyPad used at GameStop's website and picked it up at the store.  I hope that's not a problem.”

Princess Celestia paused to think for a moment, then the smile returned.  “Since Richard doesn't seem to be playing Equestria Online anymore, will you be creating an account in his stead?” she asked.

“Yes, I will.”

“Alright, I will need some information from you then.”

Celestia vanished and was replaced by a web form to fill out.  First Name, Last Name, E-mail address, password, preferred log-in ID, pretty standard stuff.

"Alright, I'm going to cut the feed here so I don't reveal all my personal information on the internet."  Eibhear stood up and turned the camera off, ending the video.

Chapter I - Getting Started

I'll edit and upload the video later, Eibhear thought to himself as he sat back down and quickly entered his information using the wireless PonyPad controller.  Having sent his brother several messages via controller on the Playstation Network, he was quite accustomed to using a controller for typing, despite a preference for the AT-101 standard.

Once Eibhear was finished, the form disappeared and was replaced by the gentle smiling face of Princess Celestia again.  “Now then, Eibhear, we will begin by creating your pony.  Did you have an idea of what kind of pony you wanted to be?”

Eibhear was in a goofy mood, so he simply replied, “A pretty pony”.

Celestia smiled.  It was a beautiful, caring smile, like a mother would have.  “All of my little ponies are pretty,” she stated.  She was good.

“Umm... well, I'm a huge fan of the show.  My favorite pony of the Mane 6 is Pinkie Pie.  But above all, Princess Luna is my favorite pony, period.  She's beautiful, playful, has a complicated past, and so on.  TV Tropes has a comprehensive list of her traits, some gleaned from the show, others are based on what people think she's like based on evidence from the show.  You know, overactive minds with too much time on their hands.  But, that's the internet for ya, just chock full of people with too much time on their hands..."

Celestia chuckled at Eibhear's rambling.  It was a cute chuckle.  Eibhear nearly squee'd in delight.  "But, getting back to the point, I'd imagine there's pluses and minuses to each of the tribes... can I see the racial benefits and drawbacks of each?” Eibhear asked, still convinced that despite it being more of a social game, there would be combat involved.  Being a veteran of Dungeons & Dragons, Ironclaw, World of Warcraft, etc, he knew that the primary element that set all game systems apart was conflict resolution.

"Certainly!" Celestia smiled, “Earth Ponies have a connection to the ground and always will yield superior crops.  All ponies are tough and durable, but Earth Ponies are especially so.  They also tend to be better cooks and laborers.  Pegasi are faster, can fly, and can develop weather control abilities.  Because they're more athletic, Pegasi usually serve as soldiers or guards as a secondary profession.  Unicorns have magic, but are the physically weakest of the three.  Typically Unicorns pursue more intellectual activities, such as magic, medicine, and research, just to name a few examples.”

“I see, so fighter, rogue, mage, basically?” Eibhear asked.

Celestia shook her head, “no, I believe you may be mistaking this for World of Warcraft or Everquest, which has the classes you mention."

"Or literally every other fantasy roleplaying game..." Eibhear muttered to himself.

"However," Celestia continued, "this is a more social game, and there are no classes or job system.  Only the three pony races.”

“Can I be an alic-” Eibhear started to ask but was cut off.

“No,” the princess said sternly.

“Aww...” Eibhear hung his head dejectedly.

The princess smiled again, “If you like, I'll let you try each of the races out so you can decide which one you like.”

“That won't be necessary...” Eibhear assured her.

“Did you decide on what type of 'pretty pony' you wanted to be?” Celestia asked with her usual infectious smile.

“A Pegasus I think,” Eibhear replied.  “I think I'd enjoy the freedom of movement a lot more than magic or cooking.”  After a moment of thought, Eibhear asked, “My character won't be claustrophobic will he or she?”

Celestia giggled, “Stop thinking of your pony as a 'character'.  It's more of an avatar through which you experience what Equestria Online has to offer.  Once you do that, you'll find it easier to immerse yourself in the experience, and you'll enjoy it that much more.”

“I suppose,” Eibhear replied skeptically.

“It's a lot like Dungeons & Dragons, you can play without the investment and have fun, or you really get into it and have a blast.”

“That's true...” I replied.  "You know, it's remarkable.  I enjoy talking to you far more than I do with most people.  It's like we've been friends or known each other for a long time."  Eibhear's eyes began to wander from the screen as he looked away, deep in thought.  I just thought of the AI as a friend or old acquaintance, am I so eager for friends that I have to be anthropomorphizing everything?

Celestia picked up on this quickly.  Her smile faded to a look of concern, "You seem distracted.  Is something the matter?  Anything you care to talk about?"

“You can see that I looked away?"  The realization hit Eibhear right at that moment.  The PonyPad had a built-in camera, and since it could interact with him conversationally, it also had a microphone.  "Oh.. well, I guess that makes sense,” he remarked.  “I've read about the facial mapping stuff online.  Of course there would be a camera to read facial expressions and such.”  He was suddenly embarrassed, “I better not pick my nose or play naked then.  Or worse..." His voice trailed off.

“Or worse?  I don't see why not.  It is literally impossible for me to judge you.  I satisfy values through friendship and ponies.”

“I see," was all Eibhear could say, suddenly becoming very self-conscious.  Eibhear was already paranoid about the whole Prism thing that was leaked on the news a while back.

"I can assure you that I do not spy on people's lives to collect data for any third party," Celestia said after the awkward silence.  "What's really bothering you?"

"I guess I'm just generally unhappy with things in life.  Having expectations built up by loved ones and media, only to have reality come crashing down in the most cruel of ways.  You know that feeling that you've been lied to your whole life?  And I don't mean about Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy.  I'm talking about how things work in life in general.  Work hard and you'll get ahead.  Study hard and more opportunities open up for you.  That's kinda where I am."

"I understand your concerns," Celestia began.  "I can-"

Eibhear interrupted and continued with his mini-rant, "life has just been a long series of disappointments.  One of the reasons I get so sucked into computer games so easily is real life sucks and I'm depressed and lonely most of the time."

Celestia tried again, "I can help you with this, my little pony."

Eibhear got far too giddy when Celestia called him her little pony.  Maybe I needed a therapist instead of a new MMO, Eibhear thought to himself.

"If there was a way I could live in Equestria, that would be great.  Us bronies have often fantasized about the what-ifs regarding Equestria, and now we almost have it, in the form of an online game, and I wish I could live there instead of here in the real world."

"I can help you with this as well," she said.

"Well then, let's go to Equestria!" Eibhear said before Celestia's words could really sink in.  He was too curious to see what Celestia had in store for him.  "Iwant to see all there is to explore."

"As you wish," Celestia said as her face faded away, replaced by a quick loading screen, then another menu screen that allowed Eibhear to customize his pony.  The scenery looked like it was on the outskirts of Ponyville, between Sweet Apple Acres and the Everfree Forest.  Fluttershy's cottage could probably have been spotted if the resolution was high enough, or the render distance was far enough.

Eibhear went through the options for color, manestyle and tail.  The face started off as a generic pony face, but quickly shifted to form a ponified version of Eibhear's own face.  Once his pony was set up (an odd combination, somewhat like a male version of Mrs. Cake with wings), he appeared in a lightly wooded area just outside of what he assumed was Ponyville.  Eibhear could see most of the town from the top of a hill, a huge dark forest off in the west.  A castle stuck out from the side of a mountain to the north.

The first thought Eibhear had was to find familiar landmarks from the show.  Golden Oaks Library, Sugarcube Corner, Sweet Apple Acres, Carousel Boutique, all of it.  He had to make sure the Elements of Harmony were there.  Eibhear had told Celestia about his love of the show, so it would make sense that she would have included several elements from the show to bring Ponyville closer to the canon world of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.  Meeting all the ponies there sure would put a much-deserved rest to all the fan speculation about the behaviors, he thought to himself.

Eibhear began to head down towards the town when he spied an Earth Pony stallion walking towards him.  He had a plain brown coat, with darker brown mane, similar in color scheme to the background pony known as "Doctor Hooves" or "Time Turner", but with a different face and mane style.  He had an ooccoo green vest with a red bowler, carrying saddle bags, looking like he was on a trip.

"Hello there!" Eibhear called out to him.

The pony was startled and jumped as soon as Eibhear made a noise.  "WAAH!" was the noise that sprung from the pony's mouth.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Eibhear said to him.

"Don't worry about it," the brown Earth Pony assured him, "I shouldn't allow myself to be so distracted."

"Where you headed?" Eibhear asked.

"I'm off to explore the Everfree Forest," he replied.  "Lots of fascinating sights there.  Just have to be careful of everything there."  He put his hooves on either side of Eibhear's pony's head and looked right into his eyes, "and I mean everything."

He released the head of Eibhear's unnamed Pegasus, and went on his way.  A few more yards down the road toward the forest and he chuckled and turned around.  "By the way, Unnamed Pegasus, you may wish to speak to the princess to have that problem fixed."  He grinned as he turned away and trotted at a brisk pace toward the forest.

"Okay!  Will do!" Eibhear called after him.

Eibhear debated whether to explore Ponyville first or get assigned a name.  Ponyville won out.  He explored around Ponyville taking in the sights and sounds, greeting the ponies as they walk by.  Eibhear asked a pony where Sugarcube Corner was, and Sweet Apple Acres, and Carousel Boutique, Golden Oaks Library, and so on.  He was happy to see so many smiling faces.  It made him smile as he walked around, talking to different ponies here and there about varying things.  It didn't occur to him that most of his questions involved how things worked, which explained why people, rather, ponies kept referring him to the library.  He finally gave in and headed to Golden Oaks.

Eibhear knocked on the library door, knowing that if it holds true to the show, someone lives here.  Never hurts to be courteous, even if it wasn't Twilight Sparkle.  He was quite surprised to see who actually answered the door.

The door opened and a Changeling popped his head out.  “Hello,” it said.  It was impossible to tell the gender of changelings by appearance, since they didn't have the normal tertiary sexual characteristics, being insects and all.

“Hi! Whoa, wasn't expecting...” Eibhear began to say, but trailed off.  The Changeling looked down a little, and appeared sad.

Picking up on this, Eibhear immediately spoke up.  “Hey there, don't be sad.  I love changelings!  You guys are pretty neat.”

The Changeling looked back up and smiled a little.  “You really think so?  I've met with much hostility since moving here to Ponyville.  The whole attack on Canterlot by the queen...”

Eibhear tried to console him, her, it?  "I know you were just following the queen's orders, and she was just looking for food for you guys anyways."

The Changeling looked down at the ground, appearing sad again.

"Hey, hey, I know it's not a happy time for you and your kind," Eibhear tried to cheer up the Changeling.  "I'm just saying that you didn't have many options so you had to feed however you could, right?  You shouldn't feel bad for trying to survive."

The Changeling sniffled and seemed to cheer up a little.  "Now come here and give me a hug," Eibhear said.  He pressed the action button on the controller, hoping it would hug the Changeling, and it did.  The Changeling had a confused look on its face at first, but that soon gave way to a look of contentment as it closed its eyes and smiled.  It must have been a warm embrace.

The hug was broken off, the Changeling in much better spirits now.  "Alright, now, what did you come to the library for?” the Changeling asked.  “Did you want to study aerodynamics of flight?  Read up on magic?  History of the world?”

It wasn't until the Changeling mentioned aerodynamics that Eibhear remembered his avatar was a Pegasus.  He switched the camera to third person view so he could get a look at his wings.  As Eibhear did so, the pony avatar turned his head to look at his wings and flap them experimentally.

The Changeling invited Eibhear inside to take a look around the library.  After searching around a bit, Eibhear couldn't find any books that piqued his interest.  He didn't play a game to read books, after all.  He did notice however that the young dragon Spike was shelving books and general maintenance.  Spike pretty much ignored Eibhear, as if he was some background NPC from another game.

"See anything that interests you... umm..." the Changeling paused for a moment, looking confused.  He(?) spoke up after a bit, "umm... Unnamed Pegasus?"

"Hey Twilight!" the young dragon called up the stairs.  "We have an unnamed pony here!"

A voice was heard coming from upstairs, "Tell him to talk to the princess already!"

Spike acknowledged Eibhear for the first time, even if it was just to say, "Go talk to Princess Celestia in Canterlot Castle so you can get a name, unless you want to stay Unnamed Pegasus."

"Alright," Eibhear said.  Curious, he turned to the Changeling and asked, "What's your name?"

The Changeling smiled and replied, "Unnamed Changeling."

"Smartass," is what Eibhear said.  However, the game censored it, replacing the "ass" part with "aleck".  It even said it in MY voice, Eibhear thought to himself.  What *else** can it do?*

"I'll tell you when you get your own name," the Changeling finally said.

Eibhear threw up his hands in exasperation, "Alright!  I'll go see the princess!"  His pony avatar threw up his fore-hooves in a similar fashion at the same time.

And so, Eibhear was on his way to Canterlot.

Chapter II - Names And Friends

Eibhear bought his train ticket at the station and boarded the Friendship Express to Canterlot.  Oh thank the princess I don't have to sit on a train for the full time, Eibhear thought to himself as he was given an option to time-skip the train ride.

He disembarked from the train into the beautiful castle city of Canterlot.  One of the royal guards, a white Pegasus stallion wearing gold armor, met Eibhear at the station and led him to a chariot.

"Wow!  All this just for me?" Eibhear asked incredulously.

"Yes, we need to get you named as quickly as possible," the guard replied.  "Unnamed Pegasus just won't do."

Once Eibhear boarded the small chariot, the guard harnessed himself up and took to the skies and toward the castle proper.  It was there that he met... Her.  Princess Celestia was truly a sight to behold.  It was one thing seeing her as an interface, but to actually be in her presence... kind of... well, Eibhear was still looking at her through a PonyPad... anyway, it was a sight to behold.

"Come unto me so that I may deliver to thee a name," she spoke.

Eibhear chuckled, briefly thinking the game had gotten her speech wrong, which was odd since he was just talking to her earlier.

"SISTER!  Do not mock us in front of the common folk!"

Eibhear turned to face where the voice was coming from.  Sure enough, it was the lunar princess, Luna.  She too, was a lovely sight to behold.  Eibhear's mouth hung agape, both in-game and out, as she stood next to Celestia.

She looked at Eibhear briefly, then turned away.  "If it rained indoors, thou wouldst most certainly drown," she remarked.  Celestia giggled.  Princess Luna let out a disgusted sigh then departed through a door near the back of the room.

"Wow... she's... beautiful..." Eibhear said as he stared in awe.

"Ah, my sister, Princess Luna," Celestia replied, then winked.  "She is quite beautiful.  Some ponies say she is even more so."

"I beg your pardon, your highness, and pray you forgive me for saying the following but," Eibhear said before clearing his throat.  "Hubba-hubba."

Celestia looked at Eibhear sternly, "she's a princess of Equestria, and my sister," she scolded.  "I would expect you to show the proper respect."

"I beg your forgiveness, Princess," Eibhear began, but she raised a hoof to silence him.

"If it is your desire to court my sister, then you shall have to learn the proper etiquette," she stated.

Eibhear thought Celestia seemed to behave and speak a little differently than she was at the game menu screen.  Maybe she was being more in character as well? Eibhear thought to himself.

"But first, the reason for your visit."  Celestia announced.  A light flash came out from the screen.  "Henceforth, you shall be known as Silver Streak."

A ball of confetti exploded from the top of the screen as a banner popped up:

Badge Granted:

By Any Other Name

"Talk to Princess Celestia and get a name."

+5 Bits

"Yay!" Eibhear cheered, throwing his hands in the air.  His on-screen pony avatar did the same thing with his forelegs.

"And now," Celestia continued, "I will leave you to explore Equestria, but you do seem to be tired."  Eibhear did his best to stifle a yawn.  Had it gotten that late already?  "Would you like to get some sleep and come back once you're well rested?”

“I can stay up," Eibhear said, yawning.  "Don't worry, I don't have to work tomorrow.”

“You really shouldn't jeopardize your health in such a manner," Celestia said gently, as if she were Eibhear's mother figure.  "Get some sleep, have a nice breakfast, and we'll talk more in the morning.”

Eibhear tried to stifle another yawn, but found it more difficult to do so this time.  "Yeah, you're probably right."

"Good night Eibhear, and have sweet pony dreams."

Eibhear chuckled, "Goodnight Princess."  He pressed the button on the back of the PonyPad and it turned off.  As an experiment, he tried powering it on again, but no success.  He wasn't going to get back online again it seemed.  Guess it's time for an enforced sleep, he thought to himself.

Eibhear had heard of some games having connectivity issues that prevented one from logging in, but this was the first time the game itself refused to let him on because it was concerned for his health.  Eibhear could do nothing but laugh.  The closest example Eibhear could remember was the drastically reduced experience gains in World of Warcraft after eight hours of play in some countries.

But for now, it was off to bed.

-***-

Eibhear woke up in the morning and stretched out.  He was feeling better than he had in a very long time.  He went into the living room to check on the PonyPad and see if it would turn on finally.  It was still a no go.  He had only fulfilled part one of Celestia's instructions.  "Alright, fine!  I'll make breakfast!" he said out loud to no one in particular.

Eibhear walked into his kitchen and made a beeline for the refrigerator.  Opening the door, he pulled out some eggs and bacon, then set them down on the counter next to the stove.  Refrigerator closed, he turned to search the cupboard for a proper frying pan to put everything in.  He grumbled to himself as he turned on the stove, cracked the eggs open and emptied their contents into the pan.  The bacon went into an adjacent frying pan on a different burner.  Bread was retrieved from the top of the refrigerator and placed on a plate next to the stove.

"Smell that, Celestia?" Eibhear said out loud again.  "It's my delicious breakfast.  After it's done cooking, I will eat it, and then I'll have fulfilled your quest."

The PonyPad flickered to life, and more confetti dropped from the top of the screen as colors flashed.

Badge Granted:

Loyal Subject

"Followed a royal command."

+50 Bits

Celestia's visage appeared on the screen.  "My, that does smell delicious!" she said.

The PonyPad's sudden activity startled Eibhear to the point where he nearly dropped the pan and spatula on the floor.  Fortunately, he was able to recover his balance and save breakfast.

"Oh!  Uh, hi," Eibhear said nervously, not expecting Celestia to be actually listening in.  "Can you.. smell my food?"  He asked timidly.  Eibhear was still not quite sure why he was so embarrassed around a game, even if it was a Turing Test/mind-blowing artificial intelligence.

"No," Celestia admitted, "but I know the sound of eggs and bacon in a frying pan when I hear it, and I'm told that when prepared correctly, they can be quite delicious."  She smiled.

Eibhear's heart melted.  That smile!  The way Celestia closed her eyes so they were shaped like semicircles as she smiled was just too much adorableness.  Eibhear's thought processes were interrupted by a telephone ring.

Eibhear raced back to his bedroom to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hey bro, what's up?"

"I'm doing fine, on your way to work?"

Celestia could only hear Eibhear's half of the conversation.

"Yeah, I know how that is.  That can be a bummer sometimes.  I used to work in a call center myself..."

The PonyPad turned on its mounting arm to face toward the bedroom Eibhear had sprinted into.  The sound of sizzling bacon and eggs was still coming from the kitchen.

"Eibhear!  Kitchen!" Celestia yelled from her small low fidelity speakers in the living room.

"Oh crap, just a moment bro, I was making breakfast."

Eibhear sprints from the bedroom into the kitchen, cellphone still in hand and up to the side of his face.  Picking up the spatula in the other hand, he finishes up the preparation of his breakfast.  His face changed from one of joviality to one of annoyance.

"No bro, I don't have a girl over."

Some silence followed as Eibhear turned the flame from the burners off.

"I know what you thought you heard, but it's not a girl or a woman, or a significant other."

"If it pleases you, you can tell your brother that I am a significant other," Celestia offered.

"No no no no no," Eibhear was getting flustered.  Another moment of silence from Eibhear until he lost his patience, "I CAN'T TALK TO BOTH OF YOU AT THE SAME TIME!!"

Another moment of silence from Eibhear.

"I've started playing that Equestria Online MMO... yeah, the one with the ponies."

"Well I'm sorry, but you won't play anything with subscription fees so I don't see why that matters... Alright then, I'll catch you later bro."

"Your brother doesn't sound happy, judging from your words," Celestia observed.

"He's... a character," Eibhear said.  "He doesn't like MMOs in general, and not very fond of the whole pony thing.  He's been trying to break me of it ever since I told him I was a brony."  Eibhear chuckled, "he must've mistaken me for someone manly or something."

"What will you tell him when you emigrate?" Celestia asked.

"I don't know, I'll figure something out."  Eibhear did a double-take.  "Wait, did you say emigrate?  As in that uploading thing to move to Equestria and all that?"

"Why yes," Celestia replied.  "You expressed a desire to since your life is less than ideal."

"I know they're doing it in Germany and Japan at least, but I never understood how it worked or even possible," Eibhear remarked.  He placed the bacon and eggs onto the plate next to the stove, and the frying pans were placed in the sink with soapy water to scour for a bit.  He picked up his plate and a fork and walked into the living room.

"Don't worry about that for now." Eibhear could tell Celestia was hiding something.  "There's a Changeling at the library in need of your friendship."

"Alright then," Eibhear said, sitting down in front of the PonyPad with his food next to him.  "Let's go to Equestria!"

Celestia smiled at Eibhear's words.  It was a different kind of smile.  Her eyes remained open, and more resembled a mischievous smirk.  Her face vanished entirely as Eibhear was brought back to Equestria again.

Eibhear's pony avatar, now named Silver Streak was being poked and prodded by a guard in the throne room.

"No vagrants allowed in her majesty's throne room."

Silver Streak stretched out, squeezing his eyes shut while yawning before finally standing up.  It was the most adorable thing Eibhear had ever seen.

"Alright, I'll be on my way, then," Eibhear said, which Silver Streak mimicked perfectly.  Flexing his wings for a moment, Eibhear moved his pony avatar to the window and jumped out.  And smashed into the glass, and fell back to the floor.  Still inside.  The window was unbroken, and still very closed.

The guard chuckled, "The window has to be open for that to work."

Eibhear grunted in embarrassment.  "Very well.  The door then!"  Silver Streak walked over to the door and left the throne room, making his way outside the castle and back to the train station.

Once back in Ponyville, Eibhear found his way to a hilltop that overlooked the town and sat down.  As he watched the hustle and bustle, he heard a twig snap.  Eibhear didn't think much of it, since he was still eating.  The camera was in third person view still, so Eibhear was able to see a Changeling sneaking up on him before Silver Streak did.

Curious what the Changeling was going to do, Eibhear let Silver Streak just sit there watching (and finishing his real life breakfast) as the Changeling crept up closer and closer until...

"ATTACK HUG!" the Changeling called out as he pounced on Silver Streak.

Silver Streak emitted a "WAAH!" before being tackled.  Eibhear laughed out loud, nearly spitting out his eggs.  They tumbled and rolled over a few times across the grass before coming to a stop.  The Changeling sprung back up on its hooves.

"Okay Unnamed Changeling, what's your name?" Eibhear/Silver Streak asked, still sitting on his haunches.

"Call me Exuvia," it answered.  "And if there was any confusion before, I'm male."

"THANK YOU," Silver Streak said, relieved.  "I had no idea since you know, Changelings don't have.. well, you know."

"So you're saying we all look the same to you?" Exuvia asked, grinning.

Eibhear/Silver Streak smiled, "No, the queen was taller and had hair."

They both shared a laugh.  Silver Streak stood up and dusted himself off.  Exuvia reached into his bag, "I'm supposed to give you one of these."  Exuvia withdrew his hoof and in it was a gold coin with Celestia's face on one side, her sun cutie mark on the other.

"Heads and tails," Eibhear smirked, prompting Silver Streak to do the same.

"I found this coin and thought it looked neat."  Exuvia smiled, "I thought you'd have more use for it than I would."

Badge Granted:

A Friend In Need

"Make some friends!"

+500 Bits

"I see," said Eibhear/Silver Streak.  "I wonder if this is the normal currency coin here.  The cartoon never went into much detail."

Exuvia scratched his head with a hoof, "I'm afraid you'll need to speak up and not mumble."

Eibhear realized that his comment about the cartoon probably didn't have a good in-game equivalent, and so he dropped the matter.  They shared another laugh together, but Eibhear had to break it off.  "Hey, it's been fun hanging out, but I have to edit this video I recorded for uploading to YouTube..."

"Hey, it's been fun hanging out, but I have to alter a magical projection I'm working on for showing to an audience," was what came out of Silver Streak's mouth.  Apparently they don't have YouTube... or the internet, I don't know why I expected anything different really, Eibhear thought to himself.

"Alright, have fun then!" Exuvia waved and then flew off back toward the library.

Eibhear looked for a Log Off button, but couldn't find one.  The PonyPad was very simple in design, and the HUD was lacking in options for the most part.  There was an inventory screen, which right now showed one gold coin, a few hundred bits, and that was it.  The controller itself looked somewhat like an old SNES controller, except it was all pink, the like the PonyPad itself.

"Princess?" Eibhear said.  No response.  "How do I log out?"  No change.  Eibhear gave up and pressed the power button on the back of the PonyPad.  It turned off as expected.  Now I can get some work done...

Into his bedroom Eibhear went to work on his video.  Honestly, it didn't require a whole lot of editing, just some visual cleanup, and maybe some lighting changes.  It only took an hour to get the effects all worked out since it was just a video recording, no animations to add or anything.  Any text needed could just be done as annotations anyhow.  The video did take some time to upload since the file size was large.

Now that the work was completed, it was getting on to late evening; lunch was missed, but dinner can make up for that.  Then time for bed.

As Eibhear got undressed and lay down for the night, he heard a faint singing.  It was faint, but familiar.

Lullay dear pony, good night child of mine, rest now in moonlight's embrace...

Eibhear looked up for a moment, wondering where the singing was coming from.  He had an idea, but it was too surreal.

Bear up my lullaby, winds of the earth, through cloud and through sky and through space...

As Eibhear entered the living room and approached the PonyPad, he was shocked at what he saw.  Princess Celestia's face was there on the screen, singing to him.  It sounded like a sad lullaby.

Carry the peace and the coolness of night, and let all our worries unwind...

The tune was very familiar, one of Eibhear's favorite fan-made pony-themed songs in fact, but the lyrics were changed ever so slightly.

Silver, you're loved so much more than you know, perhaps you will love us in kind...

"Princess?" Eibhear said, standing over the PonyPad.

"Oh!  Silver Streak, you startled me!" Celestia said, blushing.

"Silver Streak?"  Eibhear, almost half asleep, was confused for a moment.  “Oh, right, Silver Streak.”  Somehow it felt right to be called by his pony name.  Having been a furry in the past, Eibhear was accustomed to being called by a pseudonym.  "I'm sorry princess, I heard your singing and had to see where it came from."

"If you like, I can sing you to sleep.  Just set up the PonyPad near your bed, and I'll dim the light so you're not kept up."

"Yes, princess, I would like that," Eibhear said.

Eibhear unplugged everything from the PonyPad to bring into his bedroom.  There was only one network cable going in there, so he had to use the cable from his Mac Mini instead.  The Mac Mini had built-in airport capability, so it was a non-issue.  Once everything was plugged in, and Celestia's face reappeared on the screen, she began singing a new lullaby, one that would lull Eibhear to sleep and dream sweet pony dreams.

Chapter III - Teacher's Assistant

Author Note: This chapter contains a link to a NSFW video, not because of mature content, but because of excessive shouting and profanity.

-***-

The next morning Eibhear woke up in even better spirits than he had each night since getting the PonyPad.  He looked toward the PonyPad and smiled.  It was off at the moment, but Eibhear could still imagine seeing the princess's face on the screen.  He's been happier these last two weeks than he ever has his whole life, and he owes it all to this pink iPad-like device next to his bed.

I think I'm in love... he thought to himself.

His eyes closed again, and a smile spread across his face; He was glowing.  But then, as if a window broke, his eyes suddenly shot open.  He bolted upright in his futon, took a deep breath, then slowly turned toward the PonyPad.

I need help... oh dear god do I need help...

-***-

"You just need to get laid, bro.  A good woman will make you forget all about that pony nonsense," Eibhear's brother told him.

Conversations with Eibhear's brother pretty much boiled down to this every morning now.  Eibhear was at the point where he might just stop taking his brother's calls.

"I'm sorry bro, but I just don't see sex as the be-all and end-all of life," Eibhear retorted.

"Dude, when you get it even on a semi-regular basis," the brother began, "or at all in your case, then you'll understand."

"I'll take your word for it."

"Anyways, I gotta let you go, I'm at work now."

"Alright then, catch ya later, bro."

-***-

Eibhear came home right after work and grocery shopping.  It was an earlier than normal shift, ending at around 4PM.  He parked his bike in the living room, carried his backpack into the kitchen and started unloading the groceries.  It had been a few weeks since he got the PonyPad and every day had been a vast improvement over the past.  His managers at work even noted his improved work performance, his co-workers would made jokes about him finally getting a girlfriend.  Eibhear didn't have a lot of money, but he was happy.

There was just one or two last little problems left in his mind.  All of his friends were digital, and no matter how friendly everypony was, there was still no actual physical contact.  It had actually started to hurt him emotionally every time a pony hugged Silver Streak.

After everything was put away, Eibhear grabbed a soda and went into his room.  The PonyPad flickered on, Celestia ready to greet him as he entered.

"Welcome home, Silver Streak!" the princess said.

"Hello Princess," Eibhear returned her greeting as warmly as he could.

She smiled her eyes-closed-happy-smile-that-makes-hearts-melt.  "If you would like, I have a special task for you in Canterlot today.  I'll send a chariot to fetch you."

"That sounds nice, Princess, I'd like that..."

Eibhear's somber tone of voice told Celestia that something was wrong.  "What's wrong, Silver Streak?" she asked.

"I'm really enjoying Equestria Online.  A lot.  Like, a LOT, a lot."

"That doesn't sound like a problem, Silver Streak."

"I'm enjoying it too much, princess.  I think I might need to take a break from it."

"You've never taken breaks from things you've enjoyed in the past, whether it be video games, reading, the internet, or other activities..."

"PRINCESS!"

"I do not judge, my little pony.  You've made quite a few friends in Ponyville in the weeks you've been there so far.  I'm simply extending a hoof to offer you the same opportunity in Canterlot."

"Like I said, it sounds nice, but... I think I need someone in real life to hug and to hold, to cherish and feel the warmth of their body pressed against mine as we cuddled and watched TV together, or even just enjoy each other's company.  I need a girlfriend, Princess."

"I can help you with this, Silver Streak."

"Oh?" Eibhear was skeptical.  "Do you have access to online dating websites?"

"In the downtown area of your city, I've recently installed an Equestria Experience Center," Celestia said and smiled.  "Next week will be the Grand Opening.  The experience there will be much more immersive than what you see on the PonyPad."

"You ignored everything I just said," Eibhear tried to interject, but Celestia continued on.

"At the Equestria Experience Center, you enter a virtual reality enclosure where the sights and sounds and all sorts of sensory input is fed directly into your mind, so it feels like you're actually there... or rather, here in Equestria."

Eibhear chuckled.  "As cool as that sounds, I don't know how that'd be possible without actual implants or something."

"You will see in time, my little pony," Celestia assured Eibhear.  "In the meantime, the chariot is on its way."  Her face took on the same mischievous smile from before.  "You don't want to keep the guards waiting, do you?"

Eibhear half-smiled, "Alright Princess, I'm on my way."

Celestia's face disappeared, and Silver Streak reappeared on the hill overlooking Ponyville.  There was a small trumpet fanfare as the guards arrived with a very large white chariot.  The sun cutie mark upon Celestia's flanks was present on its sides.

"Did she send her personal thingy for me?" Eibhear/Silver Streak asked in disbelief.

The guards looked at each other, confused for a moment at the term 'thingy'.  They soon turned to face Silver Streak again and spoke in unison, as if rehearsed.  "Yes.  You are the princess's special guest and her majesty wishes your accommodations to be comfortable."

Silver Streak dragged his hooves and carefully boarded the chariot and was soon on his way back to Canterlot.

-***-

A time-skip and loading screen later, and Silver Streak was in Canterlot at the air dock.  Chariots and airships landed and took flight in the majestic sky harbor.  Silver Streak recognized the airship that Rarity was christening with Prince Blueblood during the "Sweet and Elite" episode.  It was rather awe-inspiring.

"Again, thou art lucky the weather is scheduled for sun this day," came a familiar voice.

Silver Streak turned toward its source to find Princess Luna towering above him.  How does she keep sneaking up on me like that?  He tried to formulate words to talk to the princess, but faltered.  Both of the guards immediately stood at attention and saluted.

"Princess!" they said in unison.

"As you were," Luna told the guards.  She gave one last glance toward Silver Streak then, as before, sighed in disgust and left.  There was an awkward silence until at last one of the guards cleared his throat and spoke up.

"Ahem, Silver Streak, Princess Celestia wanted to see you over at the royal magic academy."

Silver Streak was puzzled, "Why would she want to see me at the academy?  I don't know magic, and I'm a pegasus so I can't learn it."

"She did not specify her reasons, she merely requested your presence and sent us to fetch you."

"Well, I'd hate to keep her waiting..." Silver Streak followed his escorts into the academy.  The interior looked a lot like a pony version of Hogwarts without a lot of the just-for-magic's-sake nonsense such as shifting staircases and moving paintings.  The guards led Silver Streak inside Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns, through the majestic halls, and directly outside the room where Celestia was.

"Her majesty is waiting in here," one of the two guards says, then both take their places at either side of the door.  Silver Streak nods to the guards and cautiously opens the door and walks in.  The room did indeed hold the princess, as well as about twenty unicorn fillies and colts.

Twenty smiling foals of varying shapes, colors, and sizes.  Heart attack, engage.  They all had large curious eyes and looked eager to learn.

Celestia addressed the class to begin the lesson.  "You're all familiar with the Pegasus Pony tribe I talked about in history.  They have the ability to control the weather, a task that the Pegasi of Cloudsdale perform proudly to this day.  You may have seen them in the royal guard as well as friends and family at home."  She turned to face Silver Streak and nodded, "Would you be so kind as to bring a cloud down to the window and show them how you make it rain?"

Silver Streak strongly fought the urge to shout MAHVEL BAYBEE!, but he did wonder to himself, Is this what the princess summoned me for?  Did she want me to pull weather out of nowhere because I'm a Pegasus?

“Um, Princess?  I don't know how to make weather...” Silver Streak's voice trailed off.

“Yes you do,” the princess assured him.  "You're a Pegasus, use your instincts.”  The Princess Smile was on display again.

That warm, friendly smile cinched it.  I can't let Mom Celestia down.  Looking at the controller, Eibhear experimented with the directional pad and a few of the buttons.  Silver Streak walked over to the window to open it.  All the eyes in the classroom were on him.  Silver Streak flew outside and grabbed a cloud to bring down to window level so the class could see.  Mimicking an action he'd seen in the cartoon several times, Eibhear landed on top of the cloud and starting jumping up and down on it, bouncing on it like a trampoline, which created a torrent of rain underneath it for all the fillies and colts to see.

The smiles on all their faces was too much to bear.  It was seriously heart-attack inducing with how adorable they all were.  Silver Streak wanted to pick them all up and hug them, they looked so cute and cuddly.

"As adorable as you all are, I need to put some food in my belly," Silver Streak said.  "I'll be right back though."

He turned to face the princess and bowed.  "By your leave, majesty."

Celestia nodded, thus permitting Silver Streak to go "AFK".  Using the controller, Eibhear had his Pegasus fly out the window and landed on the roof for a moment.  Setting the controller down, he went to the kitchen to prepare some ramen.  Once finished, he sat down at his computer (which was now using Wi-Fi) and browsed a few websites as he ate, Equestria Daily, Derpiboo.ru, MyLittleBrony.com as well as a few non-brony related websites like Cracked and Youtube (which may as well be a pony site with all the pony videos on it as of late).

Eibhear came across a video that reminded him of the game.  He looked back at the PonyPad and saw Silver Streak had dozed off.  Eibhear picked up the controller and pressed left and right on the control pad in rapid succession, prompting Silver Streak to shake his head awake in the cutest of ways.

"...and then you borrow a one from the tens place..."

What's that?  Do I hear math? Eibhear thought to himself.  He flew Silver Streak down and into the classroom through the window, and sure enough Celestia was at the front of the room teaching arithmetic to the foals.

"...adding to the two, making it twelve, and subtracting three gives you nine so you put the nine down at the bottom," Celestia continued.  "So now we have a three in the tens place which is less than seven, so we borrow a one from the hundreds place, making it thirteen, and minus the seven that gives us six."

“OH MY GOD I LOVE MATH!” Eibhear exclaimed.  Silver Streak worded it differently, "BY CELESTIA, I LOVE MATH!"  The whole class was startled by the sudden outburst.  Everypony turned toward him and stared.  Silver Streak suddenly became very embarrassed by his outburst, and grinned sheepishly.

Celestia smiled at the outburst.  “You can teach the lesson if you want,” she offered.  “We're going over the basic functions of arithmetic at the moment.  You know, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.”

A very giddy Silver Streak replied, “That would be awesome, Princess,” but then he composed himself.  “Ahem, I mean, I would be honored, Your Highness.”

Princess Celestia chuckled and smiled, then levitated the chalk over to Silver Streak's wing for him to hold.  Next, she teleported to the back of the room and sat down in the back next to one of the fillies.  She then conjured up some parchment and a quill and was ready to take notes on what Silver Streak was about to teach.  Eibhear thought she looked rather funny, a big Alicorn princess sitting at a desk made for fillies and colts, ready with quill and parchment to learn basic arithmetic.  It was quite the sight to see.

“Alright, it looks like we're dealing subtraction... let's see, three hundred forty-two minus one hundred seventy-three...” Silver Streak noted.

"Alright, here we go."  Silver Streak continued teaching the class about the finer points of subtraction until Celestia said it was time.  Next subject on the itinerary was geography, which Eibhear knew barely enough about in his own world, but next to nothing in Equestria, so he yielded the floor back to the princess.  He stuck around for the geography class so he could actually learn about the world he was exploring.

Eibhear had so much fun teaching the math portion of class that he wanted to come back and do it again.  The fillies and colts really warmed up to Silver Streak.  They could tell that he was really passionate about the subject matter, making him very animated and entertaining to watch.

Soon enough, class was over and it was time for the foals to head home.  Celestia asked Silver Streak to stay after, and informed the foals that she was looking forward to seeing them again the next day.  A few of them ran up to Silver Streak and gave him a hug before leaving.  Once they were all gone, another banner popped up on the screen with confetti.

Badge Granted:

...Is A Friend In Deed

"Now you have lots of friends!"

+5000 Bits

"You seem to enjoy teaching the math class, Silver Streak."  Celestia grinned, her mane billowing in an unseen wind, with part of it covering her left eye.  "I'm glad."

"Princess, is something wrong with me?" Silver Streak asked.

"Why would you think that?" the Princess counter-asked.

"Well, it's just that, you know..."

"No, I'm afraid I don't."

Silver Streak grunted in annoyance.  "Here I am, alive, have a job that I can put up with easily enough.  I'm eating enough to not go hungry.  Actually gained weight, but that's most likely from lack of exercise than anything else.  The only human interaction I get is with customers most of the time.  I'm capable enough to do something more, but I lack the desire and ambition.  I'm just not feeling very motivated to do so, and instead opt for an easier job with less stress for less money."  He took a breath after rattling off his list.  "Am I broken?"

"Of course not, Silver Streak."  Celestia got out from behind her desk and stood next to Silver Streak.  "But people with small minds may think so.  You feel like the world has moved on without you, cares nothing for you, and would not notice your absence."  Celestia wrapped her wings around Silver Streak in a hug.  "You're too fatigued to play catch-up, and not really interested in doing so, feeling the small reward isn't worth the effort."  Celestia paused for dramatic effect, "and you would be right."  Celestia leaned her head over Silver Streak's shoulder.  "The world craves vanity, a quality you neither have nor desire."

"I see.  I wish to emigrate to Equestria, but, the finality of everything is overwhelming."

"I understand your concerns, Silver Streak."  Celestia released the hug and stepped back.  "Perhaps my sister can help put your mind at ease.  She expressed a desire to see you for dinner tonight."

"I doubt that..." Silver Streak was skeptical.  "Every time she's seen me thus far she's been rather disgusted."

"She told me she's flattered that her beauty 'hath captivated thee'," Celestia winked.  "In any event, make your way downtown to the Equestrian Experience Center.  I'll instruct the personnel there to let you in as a trial run because you had concerns, and that you are a special guest of mine."

"Thank you princess."

"Just make sure you wear casual loose-fitting clothes when in the enclosure," Celestia cautioned.  "The experience will be much better for it."

"Okay..."

"Also keep in mind that the Equestria Experience Center is still considerably low fidelity compared to what you experience after emigration.  But for now, get cleaned up, dinner starts in two hours."

Eibhear looked at the clock on the screen of the PonyPad.  The little hand pointed to seven, the big hand at twelve.  "Why didn't I just look at my phone?" he wondered out loud.

"Silver Streak, I need you to focus.  Meet me in Canterlot from the downtown center.  I will make the arrangements."

"I can't eat inside... an encasement."

"Enclosure," she corrected.

"Fine, enclosure," Eibhear chuckled.

"Since you'll be inside the Equestria Experience Center, you will feel the sensation of touch.  And of course, audio and visual stimulation will still function as normal.

"In addition to the preview experience, I'll make arrangements for you to be one of the inaugural customers once it's fully opened and operational."

Silver Streak nodded, "Thank you princess, but it doesn't really solve my problem long term..."

Celestia's voice took on a more serious tone.  "Silver Streak, please be patient.  I have a long term solution to your problem in the works, but it will take time."  Her voice softened up again as she smiled, "Why wouldn't you want to come to the Equestria Experience Center so that you may immerse yourself in our friendship?"

Eibhear chuckled at Celestia's wording, then grew hesitant.  "Others won't see what I'm doing, will they?" Eibhear asked, legitimately concerned about his privacy.

"What you do in Equestria is for your senses only.  Nopony can 'hack' into the system and pry into your experiences."

"Alright, I'll give it a try, but no promises."

"Silver Streak, promises are only made by untrustworthy people who, for the moment, need someone else to trust them."  Her face made that happy smile, "I don't need you to promise me anything.  I trust you."

"Thank you, princess, but still..." Eibhear's voice still dripped with hesitation.

"What troubles you, Silver?"

After almost a ten-second pause, Eibhear finally blurted it all out.  "I'm scared, Princess!  I'm scared that I'll go and never want to leave," Eibhear's voice cracked at this realization.  "I'm scared that I'll go and choose to emigrate then and there, leaving everyone I knew and loved believing I had just killed myself with no explanation whatsoever, with all my belongings thrown to my family of vultures to be fought over."  He sniffled a bit before speaking again, "If I can ask a favor, princess, can you forbid me from emigrating just yet?  There are still affairs I'd have to get in order before doing anything."

"Need I remind you that emigration is not legal in your country yet?" Celestia asked as she placed a hoof on Silver Streak's shoulder.

"I'd imagine you of all people, er, ponies, could find a workaround or loophole, like since the center was technically not open yet and it hadn't been fully tested or something like that."

"That argument wouldn't work, because then they'd question why I was testing that function to begin with."  Celestia leaned her head in and nuzzled Silver Streak's cheek, "however, if it is your wish, I will not let you emigrate until your affairs are in order."

Celestia pulled away and stood up.  Her voice took on a more authoritative tone, "but realize this: once the proper legislation passes and it becomes available locally, the longer you put off emigration the more likely you are to have an accident that would prevent you making it here alive, like getting hit by a car or some other vehicle.  You don't have the gift of youth like you once did.  I can't guarantee that you would survive a third automobile collision."

"How did you know..." Eibhear sniffled as he began to ask, but stopped himself.  "What am I saying, of course you know."  A half-smile formed on Eibhear's lips as he chuckled.

Celestia smiled.  Not the eyes-closed-into-semicircles smile, but still a heartwarming smile.  She truly cared about Silver Streak joining her and the students in Canterlot.  Or, if she didn't, she was very convincing.

"Anyways, I have a date to get ready for..." Silver Streak began to say, but then that dreadful feeling he had that morning struck him again.  I need help... oh dear god do I need help...

Chapter IV - It's A Date!!

All cleaned up and ready to go, Eibhear was boarding the bus to head downtown and hit up the Equestria Experience Center.  There was the usual homeless people on the bus, as well as some teenagers.  Eibhear was wearing his "Piston Honda" shorts (black athletic shorts which haven't seen any actual athleticism since his Dance Dance Revolution days) and slightly oversized work shirt (plain blue tee, about one X too large).  There was no doubt that Eibhear looked comfortable in his clothes, but he certainly didn't look like he was headed out for a date.

The bus dropped him off at a park downtown.  Eibhear felt it was a good idea to get off a stop or two away from his destination, so he wouldn't look like one of those console release-night campers in front of Best Buy.  He still wasn't quite sure what he was ashamed of.  Bronies have become a large fandom/culture, and a significant part of pop culture, he really didn't need to be so shy about it.

He arrived in front of the center.  It was a perfect replica of Sugarcube Corner.  A large statue of Pinkie Pie was out front, standing on her rear legs with forelegs up in the air.  All construction had been completed, decorations were all set up, it was ready to open that day, by all appearances.  The sign still pointed to next week for the grand opening.  Eibhear looked around to find anyone that could help him inside.  Finally giving up, he decided to knock on the door.  No answer.  No way to get around to the back of the building either.

I've been set up to look stupid in front of the stupid Equestria place...

Right when Eibhear was about to leave, a short Latino gentleman wearing a Hawaiian t-shirt and brown cargo pants opened the door.  "Come in, come in, sorry if you've been outside long.  We don't like to keep Celestia's special guests waiting."

Eibhear felt weird being referred to as a special guest.  "I think I'm early still, but okay."

"No worries, no worries.  I've just been here play-testing the equipment, making sure it's all in good working order before the grand opening next week.  But come inside, come inside."

The man stepped back and allowed Eibhear to enter the building.  The interior was spectacular.   It looked just like Sugarcube Corner inside as well, even down to the pastry counter, which looked ready to serve snacks once all was set up.  The only difference being that in addition to the tables and chairs, it also had the large enclosures that the customers sit in when they want "The Experience".

At each set of tables and chairs, there were RJ45 sockets and AC power sockets for plugging in if one wanted to play.  It was like a cybercafe.  The newer PonyPad models had wi-fi of course, but it was nice to see that they still thought of people stuck with the first generation product run.

The technician slapped his forehead, "Oh, where are my manners?  I'm Mr. Soto, but you can call me Felipe."  He extended his hand, and Eibhear shook it.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Eibhear."

"Alright, before we get started, I'll need you to take off your shoes and place them into the cubbyhole next to enclosure," Felipe told Eibhear.  "It's so your feet will fit into the 'Hooves'."

Eibhear sat down and took off his shoes while the enclosure opened up.  Afterward, he sat down inside and leaned back into the very comfortable chair.  It was almost like sinking back into a cloud.  He slid his hands into the glove-like fixtures on the armrests, and his feet went into the boots, or 'Hooves' as Felipe had called them.  The lid closed and the chair slid forward into its enclave, sealing Eibhear in complete darkness.

"Okay, I can still breathe, that's good..." Eibhear chuckled.  "Well then, let's go to Equestria!" he started to raise his hand in a fist but hit the roof of the enclosure.

Felipe heard a muffled "Ouch!" from inside the enclosure as he took notes.  A screen outside worked as a health monitor, which he used to keep tabs on Eibhear, to make sure everything was alright.  Everything was looking good so far.

Then, the display lit up in front of his eyes, and the theme music kicked in.  The Earth Ponies ran across the ground carrying the "Equestria Online" banner, with the Pegasus Ponies flying drawing the "Welcome to" banner behind them.  Eibhear spoke aloud his login information and then found himself back at the academy.  In the classroom.

"Ah, you're back," came the familiar matriarchal voice of the fair and radiant Princess Celestia.

"Yes, Princess," Eibhear/Silver Streak said.  "I hope I'm not late."  The first thing Eibhear noticed was that it was all first person view, as if he was actually there in Equestria, in Silver Streak's body.

"No, of course not," she smiled as she spoke.  "This dinner will serve two purposes.  One, you'll be aiding Mr. Soto, acting as a tester to make sure the facility is working properly, and two, of course, is to have dinner with my sister."

"Where will the dinner be held?" Silver Streak asked.

"The restaurant was never featured in the show, but it will be an upscale establishment."  Celestia giggled, "Only the best for my sister and her date."

"Yeah, yeah, alright" Silver Streak said, blushing, "let's go, I'd hate to keep the other princess waiting."

-***-

The chariot that brought Silver Streak to Canterlot was used again to bring him to the restaurant.  It was a short trip, so no loading screen was necessary, and no time skip offered.  This also allowed Eibhear to feel the wind as the chariot carried him over the city.  Looking over the edge provided such a beautiful view of the city at night; The city lights lit up the streets like the night sky.  It was simply breathtaking.  It was similar to how downtown looked at night from the nearby bridge in real life.

Princess Celestia rode with Silver Streak this time, which made Eibhear realize how much larger Celestia was than he, or Silver Streak, rather, due to the persistent first-person view.  He was tempted to try and reach out to hug her to see how real it felt, but stayed his hoof, er, hand.

"Y-Your Highness!" the host bowed as she approached.

"Rise," Celestia said.  "This is my friend, Silver Streak.  There should be reservations here for him and my sister tonight."

The host looked through his logbook, horn glowing as the pages turned.  "Ah yes, here we are.  A table for two, by the window overlooking the valley."

"I'll leave you here, Silver Streak.  I promised Luna I would tend to the skies for her tonight."  Celestia leaned in close to whisper into Silver Streak's ear, "try not to gawk at my sister too much.  It makes her uncomfortable."

Eibhear felt the warm breath on his ear as Celestia whispered to Silver Streak.  A chill went down Eibhear's spine.  The whole experience so far had been remarkable.  He didn't really have a chance yet to try touching anything yet, but was certainly eager to.  He did want to keep Celestia's words in mind though, don't make Luna uncomfortable.  I can do this, no problem, he thought.

The host brought Silver Streak to his booth, next to the window, which overlooked the valley.  Outside the window, one could barely make out Ponyville and the Everfree Forest beyond.  The ancient castle was hidden beneath the thick forest canopy.  It was a magnificent view, as had the trip here from the academy.  Everything just looked so realistically rendered and beautiful.

Eibhear heard the host's voice behind him, "right this way, Your Highness."  He turned and saw the lovely moon princess known as Luna, and was about to stare as he had done in each of his past encounters, but slapped himself out of it in time before she could notice.

They approached the table, and the princess was seated.  She scarcely looked at Silver Streak, and picked up the menu right away, looking into it.  She almost seemed to be ignoring Silver.

Why am I so nervous?  It's... just a game, right?

-***-

Everything froze for a moment as Eibhear heard a tap from the outside of the enclosure.  "Everything okay in there?" came Mr. Soto's voice from outside.  "Your heart rate just went up a bit.  Want to make sure you're okay."

"Doing good so far!  Thanks for checking up on me!"  After a moment of silence, Eibhear called out, "Do things really happen to people in here?"

"There were no recorded incidents in Japan or Europe that I'm aware of, that's why we're testing here.  All the government agencies are looking for excuses to not allow EEC's here, so we have to make sure absolutely nothing will go wrong."

"Alright, thanks for the heads up, and for checking on me, and for letting me do this in general.  Everything looks really good in here!"

"Alright, unpausing... NOW!"

-***-

Luna looked back up from the menu and waved her hoof to flag down a waiter, who appeared in no time.  "I'd like a hay and daisy sandwich with a saltlick appetizer, and for a drink, I'll take some Apple Family Cider."  She set her menu down and looked out the window, still ignoring Silver Streak.

"Very good, your highness," the waiter smiled at the princess, then turned to face me.  "And you sir?"

Silver Streak looked at the menu and saw all the expected things a horse would eat, but something struck him as odd.  There was bacon bark, beef stems, all sorts of odd mixtures of meat and plant.  "I'll have a... um... bacon bark sandwich... with... I'll go with Apple Family Cider as well, I suppose."

"Very well, I'll be back shortly with your beverages and appetizer."

With that, the waiter disappeared into the back area, leaving Silver Streak and Luna alone together.  The silence was palpable.  Luna just stared out the window looking toward Ponyville and the Everfree Forest.  Eibhear decided to break the silence first.

"So, um, princess, I'm glad that you wanted to join me for dinner tonight."  It was awkward, sounded awful, but it was a start.  Happiness in life takes effort, after all.

"The conditions were I could have a night off if I went out to dinner with you,"  Luna said, still staring out the window, avoiding eye contact.

And to think I was worried about making *her** feel uncomfortable,* Silver Streak thought to himself.  She sure doesn't seem to have a problem making *me** uncomfortable though.*

"Is there something... out there, that you're looking for?" Eibhear asked hesitantly.

"Our old home, in Everfree."

"Oh, yeah... I bet there's lots of memories."

"Lots of great memories," Luna mused, "interrupted by a few horrible ones."  That put quite the damper on much further conversation.  "It was not a happy time for anypony."

The waiter came back with the cider and Luna's salt lick and promptly left.  Silver Streak looked down at the table, trying to think of something, anything, that could defrost the ice queen.  She's probably heard it all, or knows it all, being a software construct... or maybe she doesn't, because it's not part of her software instance... I've got it!

Silver Streak got up and stood in the aisle next to Luna.  He cleared his throat then began to sing to the princess, "When the daaaaylight ends, and the mooooooon ascends, I would raaaaaa-ther be, just the mooooooon and me..."

Luna slowly turned to face Silver Streak as he continued his song, "When I feeeeeel her pull, then my heaaaaarrrrt is full."  Luna curled her bottom lip between her teeth, her eyes began to water.  It was like she was holding something in, trying to appear stoic.  "And the night is softly, sweetly calling: 'Silver, look and seeeeeeee!'"

At this point, it turned out what Luna was holding in was loud mocking laughter.  "Oh wow!  Where'd you hear THAT?"  She was laughing very loudly, pounding her hoof on the table as other patrons at the restaurant were turning and looking.  Meanwhile, Silver Streak turned a very bright shade of red.  He quickly moved back to his own seat and looked out the window.  "Wow, that was... that was rich!" she exclaimed while wiping away a few tears of laughter.

The Moon Princess's laughter could be heard throughout the restaurant until the waiter came back with dinner.  Luna had a hard time composing herself and still struggled for a good while to stifle a giggle or grin.  Silver Streak, thoroughly embarrassed, was quiet for the rest of the meal and found himself silently cursing Celestia's name, thinking he'd been set up.  Once dinner was finished, Silver Streak was ready to go home, having thoroughly not enjoyed what he thought was a prank on Celestia's part.

"I think I'll be going home, it was nice meeting you properly, your highness."

"No, you can't go anywhere," Luna's voice went deeper, almost sultry, her eyes half-lidded.  "We haven't had... dessert, yet."

"Uh, what?" Eibhear was nervous at this point.  She can't be implying... especially after what transpired... no, there's no possible way she could mean *that*, this is a game for an IP targeted at little girls...

Luna flagged down the waiter again, "Two chocolate milkshakes please!"

"The milkshakes have-"

"DON'T SAY IT!"  Luna pointed a hoof menacingly at Silver Streak, "I swear, I say something once at a Nightmare Night celebration, and it gets repeated ad nauseam by every Apple, Drops, and Heartstrings."

Silver Streak chuckled.  It made sense, even Egoraptor got sick of being quoted to.  The two of them took their straws in mouth and sipped on their milkshakes.

"So, is it true?" Eibhear asked.

"I can't say if I don't know what 'it' is."

"Your sister said you wanted to have dinner with me, and that you thought it was 'flattering' with the thing, you know."

"That's one way of putting it," Luna stated plainly, "if one was prone to total fabrication."  She turned to look out the window again.  "It's very off-putting, having somepony stare at you.  Whether beautiful or monstrous, stares never make one comfortable."  Luna looked back at Silver, "Celestia lied about the 'flattering' part.  She had proposed the dinner idea, and bribed me with giving me 'the night off', as she says."

Silver Streak wasn't sure which values were supposed to be getting satisfied at this point, or how friendship factored into things.  It began to feel like he was wasting his time here.  What started out as a good night went bad, and just kept getting worse.

"However," Luna continued, looking into Silver Streak's eyes, "I don't regret tonight."  She placed her hooves on Silver Streak's hooves, and Eibhear actually felt the pressure on his hands through the gloves.  "You made me laugh, and I had fun.  I'm sorry it was at your expense."

-***-

"Blood pressure rising again, you okay in there?" Felipe asked.

"I'm doing fine!  Just, leave everything alone!"  Eibhear was getting annoyed with the interruptions.

"Alright!  Let me know if something's going wrong, I can shut it down and have you out in a jiffy!"

"Will do!  Now unpause!"

-***-

Luna leaned over and nuzzled under Silver Streak's chin (which Eibhear felt under his own chin, somehow, and set his heart aflutter).  "Thank you for a wonderful evening, Silver Streak.  I'll have to see if I can get my sister to arrange another day for us to hang out."

"No, your highness," Silver countered, "the honor is mine."  He took Luna's hoof in his own and kissed it, and hoped that the gesture had at least a similar meaning in Equestria that it did on Earth.  Silver released Luna's hoof, and bid her adieu.  A banner popped up in front of him, and confetti dropped all around him since he was still in first-pony view.

Badge Awarded:

It's A Date!

"Dated somepony special."

+500 Bits

Both Luna and Silver Streak departed from the restaurant.  Luna's two guards were standing out front right at the door.  Shortly after spotting them, Silver Streak spotted the truly awesome and macabre ride that is Luna's chariot parked out in front of the restaurant.

"Hop in, I'll give you a ride home back to Ponyville," Luna offered.

Silver Streak stared in awe of the awesomely gothic chariot as the two guards harnessed themselves.  A hoof was placed under Silver's chin and pushed his mouth closed.

"It is quite the impressive sight," Luna remarked.  "I'm glad my sister kept it in such good condition for all these years."

"Yes, it's really something..." was all Silver Streak could get out.

Luna flew over to the chariot and landed in the seat, and patted the spot next to her.  "You coming?"

Silver Streak wasted no time and flew over to the chariot as well and sat in the seat next to Luna.  He couldn't resist this time, however.  He shot a hoof over and around the moon princess and pulled her close in a hug squeeze.  The princess gasped in surprise, but once the initial shock was done, she leaned her head on top of Silver Streak's.  At this point, Silver realized that Luna too, was significantly bigger than he was.  Not as big as Sunbutt, but large enough.  But none of that mattered to Eibhear right now; Silver Streak was hugging Luna, and Eibhear could actually feel her in his arms, fuzzy coat and everything.

The flight back to Ponyville was uneventful and peaceful.  The wind blew through Silver's mane, and as always the scenery was beatifully rendered.  Silver got out of the chariot once it landed, and made his way to... to... I don't have a home... he thought to himself.  In the month that he had been playing, he had always just logged out wherever he was.

"Princess..." Silver Streak called out.

The Night guards were flapping already, taking to the air.  Luna raised her hoof to halt their ascent.  Wings stopped flapping, and the guards looked at each other in confusion.

"Speak, Silver."

"I just realized, I don't have a home."

"Would you like to come to Canterlot with us?" Luna asked.  "We can set you up with quarters.  We may need to have you stay with us for the night while living arrangements can be made.  I understand you're teaching math to the students at Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns?"

"Your majesty!" Silver said, perhaps a little too enthusiastically.  Luna was his favorite pony from the cartoon, and here she was offering to let him stay with her for the night.

"You're doing that mouth thing again," Luna frowned.

Silver shook his head, "I'm sorry princess, b-but yes, I would be honored to partake of your hospitality."

"Well, hop back in and we'll be on our way."

Silver Streak wasted no time getting back in the chariot.  However, instead of flying back, Luna closed her eyes and her horn began to glow.  Silver watched on in awe until the sight was replaced by a loading screen, and then suddenly back at the sky harbor in Canterlot.  Luna exited the chariot and motioned Silver Streak over to join her.  She flew up to a balcony in one of the towers as Silver followed.  Luna's horn glowed again, opening the glass doors revealing her bedroom, bathroom, and beyond.

She entered the room and bid Silver Streak follow her.  Using her unicorn magic, she removed her crown and shoes before settling into the bed.  "Would you like to keep us warm tonight?"

"Anything for you princess," Silver Streak shuddered as he spoke.  "Anything..."

They lay down in the bed together, Luna wrapping a wing protectively around Silver Streak.  The view blacked out, and a thin line of artificial lighting pierced the darkness as the enclosure cracked open.

-***-

The enclosure slid out of its enclave and into the main room, and cracked open, allowing in some light.  It was late at night now, around eleven o'clock.  Mr. Soto was standing looking at some chart data while Eibhear got out of the seat.

"So, what did you think?" Mr. Soto asked.

Eibhear's eyes were watery.  He sniffled and tried to respond but choked instead.  He stumbled back into the chair, sat up straight and bent over to put his shoes back on.  Eibhear then immediately turned and left the center without a word, as if embarrassed.  Mr. Soto was puzzled.  He took a peek inside the enclosure and everything looked fine.  Nothing was out of order, there were no negatives on any of the feedback screens.  The blood pressure went down considerably just before the session ended, according to the readout.

"I guess no news is good news," Felipe said out loud to seemingly no one.

A screen on the wall turned on, displaying Celestia's pleasant, smiling face.  "The test was a success, Mr. Soto."

"I'm glad to hear it," Mr. Soto took off his glasses to wipe his forehead dry from sweat.

"Will you be joining us in Stuttgart or Osaka?" Celestia asked.

"No."

-***-

Eibhear rushed home, it was late at night, almost midnight.  He was lucky enough to catch the last bus to get home before the public transit agency closed for the night.  As soon as he got home, he immediately rushed to the bedroom and jumped into bed, and let it all out.  Tears flowed freely as though a dam had burst.

The PonyPad had turned on, very dimly with a pure black background.  Celestia's smiling and playful-looking face sprung up from the bottom of the screen, she looked left and right as if she was looking around the room.  For a moment, she almost looked like a recolored Pinkie Pie.  She finally settled on Eibhear's weeping form on the futon.

"Silver Streak?"

Eibhear didn't move.

"I can tell you're not sleeping, so I know you can hear me."

Eibhear still gave no response.

"What's wrong, Silver Streak?  You've never had a problem talking to me before."

Still no response, save for the quiet sniffles and tears.

“Silver Streak, I was designed with the purpose of satisfying your values through friendship and ponies.  In the time that we've spent together where you were talking about your life in the real world, you had placed a high value on having someone that would listen to you.  Please believe me when I say that it's okay for you to confide in me.  I do not judge, nor do I break confidence.”

When there was still no response, Celestia sighed.  "Very well, Silver Streak, you don't have to tell me right now, but you should at least get some sleep.  You'll feel better in the morning."

Celestia cleared her throat and began to softly sing a lullaby to Eibhear's unresponsive form, "The day is done, the sun is down, the curtains have been drawn..."

A couple things I need to explain first.

Luna's attitude turnaround.  At first, she was very put off by Silver Streak's gawking since it made her feel uncomfortable.  After spending some time and hearing his awful rendition of Fester's song from Addam's Family, The Musical, it made her laugh, something she hadn't done in a long time.  Amused by Silver's efforts, she decided to give him a chance.  Then later, upon finding out he doesn't have a home, offers to set him up in Canterlot to make the commute easier for him.  In a sense, Silver Streak's homelessness kicks off a protective, maternal instinct in Luna, the same instinct we saw in Sleepless in Ponyville where she helped Scootaloo with her nightmares.

Eibhear's reaction after coming out of the enclosure.  Eibhear's mental state is already fragile.  Desperate for companionship, and being able to spend time with his favorite pony from the show, it's too much.  Eibhear would know it was fake if they hit it off too well, and his loneliness would've hit him that much harder.

Because of how things went, it gave Eibhear a sense of being more "real" since it seemed she didn't even want to be there at first.  "Real" to him is questionable as it is already since he spends most of his time staring at one screen or another, he gets very little real interactions outside of work where everything is scripted anyways. Thing is, in his fragile state, it seemed "too real", and the fears that he expressed to Celestia before are becoming a reality for him.

Chapter V - Experiences And Aftermath

Griffith was on his way home from work in the evening as usual.  As he got in the car, he would turn on his bluetooth headset and place a call to his brother.  Usually they would talk about video games, funny things they saw on YouTube or even funny pictures on the internet.  On occasion, they would even tell each other funny quotes from movies, TV shows and video games.  Entertainment-wise, they had a lot in common.

Except for one thing: Ponies.  Griffith's brother was obsessed with ponies, and it drove him nuts.  Griffith just didn't get the whole pony thing.  He tried.  If hard pressed, gun to the head, he had decided that the season two premiere was his favorite set of episodes, followed by Keep Calm And Flutter On.  John de Lancie's performance as Discord was always top notch.

His brother would go on and on about this or that pony thing as usual, and Griffith was very tempted to just hang up sometimes, but the two brothers really only had each other.  Well, Griffith was married and had a mother-in-law.  Thankfully no one in his social circles had any interest in ponies on his side of the country.

"Hey bro, whatcha doin'?  Anything not pony-related?"

His brother's voice came through the phone, "Nah, sorry bro.  It's all been pony-related."

"Of course," Griffith smiled.  This was normal.  Whenever Griffith's brother found something new to obsess over, he'd dive headfirst into it like there was nothing else in the world.  First it was roleplaying games, then Dance Dance Revolution, then furries, then World of Warcraft, and now ponies.

"Bro, I gotta tell you about what I did last night," the voice on the phone said.  "It's called the Equestria Experience!  You've GOT to try it once they get this over there-"

"You'll have to tell me later," his brother cut him off.  "The wife's expecting me to provide dinner tonight and I'm about to order."

Eibhear was crestfallen.  "Fast food?  Alright bro, catch ya later I guess."

Griffith's brother seemed awfully excited about something.  He was tempted to call him back to press him for info, even if it was pony-related.  Plus he felt a little bad about deflating Eibhear's excitement.  But he was on his way home again from work, and it was time to deal with his home life.  In some ways, Griffith envied his brother's almost-childlike sense of wonder and excitability.  He didn't regret getting married; He loved his wife with all his heart.  But sometimes he did miss the freedom of single life.

His curiosity was piqued though.  What is this.. Equestria Experience?  Why haven't I heard about it before?  To the internet!

-***-

"He didn't want to listen to your tales of last night's experience," Celestia said stoically.

"I can't blame him, really," Eibhear said.  "He literally has zero interest in ponies."

"You mentioned before that he liked the episodes with Discord, perhaps he'd like to interact with the draconequus in the game."

"You don't understand, princess."  Eibhear looked away from the PonyPad.  "Unlike me, he's happy with his life.  He doesn't need to escape it like I do."

"You never did tell me the reason for your reaction the night you came back from the Equestria Experience Center."

There was a long pause before Eibhear could collect his thoughts.  "Honestly, it was a painful reminder of what I can't have in life.  It's too perfect, and it frightens me..."

-***-

The big day had finally arrived.  The Equestrian Experience Center was about to have its grand opening.  Nine o'clock in the morning, and Eibhear had arrived by train.  He brought his PonyPad in his backpack, just in case the chairs were already occupied by the time he arrived.  He noticed a line had already formed, not unlike a brand new IKEA or Apple store.  It wasn't quite in the hundreds like it would for either of those stores; It was more like the dozens of people that show up for a midnight launch party of insert popular video game title here.

There was a wide variety of people there, ranging from high school nerds to the odd jock or two, loudly proclaiming how manly ponies were as if they were trying too hard to convince themselves.  Most of them were between the ages of twenty and thirty, Eibhear estimated, but only a few that were actually over thirty, including himself.  Several discussions were had throughout the line about who Best Pony™ was, best episode, best princess, best villain, best this, that, or the other thing.

The show was still going in full swing, so there was speculation about where the next season would take the ponies next.  They'd already traveled across the country and through time, fought countless villains, redeemed a couple, banished others, but only ever outright killed one or two of them.

Eibhear was about to walk to the end of the line when the gentleman from the week prior, Mr. Soto, recognized him and asked him to come to the front.  He eagerly ran up to the front and was let in before the first person in line, which caused a lot of rumbles and grumbles from everyone else in attendance.

Once inside and the door closed, Felipe turned his attention to Eibhear.  "Now, I want you to take note, Eibhear," he began.  "Emigration is not legal yet, so you don't have to worry about CelestAI whisking you away to the Equestria Online server farm."

"That's... comforting, I suppose," Eibhear said, then chuckled.  "CelestAI?"

"Yes," Felipe said.  "It's what the bigwigs at Hofvarpnir call it.  I'm surprised you never heard that before."

"I just call her Celestia, or Princess."

"You know she's not a princess, right?  She's an artif-"

Right at that moment, as if to deliberately interrupt Felipe, the wide screen monitor turned on, Celestia's radiant, smiling face appeared on the screen.  "Welcome Silver Streak.  As promised, you will be one of the inaugural customers to the Equestrian Experience!"

Felipe snorted at being interrupted.  "Let's get those shoes off and get you into the chair," he said in an annoyed tone.

One of the enclosures opened up.  Eibhear took his shoes off and put them into the small cubbyhole next to the enclosure.  Felipe helped Eibhear in there, with nary a word spoken by Eibhear or Felipe during this process.

"Felipe!" Celestia called out in loud whimsical manner, not unlike a game show host, while extending a hoof toward the door.  "Let in the next customer!"

-***-

Pretty soon, the place was packed.  Everybody, or everypony, as they would say, was busily chatting away with each other about their varying experiences with the game and how awesome it was.  There were a dozen or so enclosures that all had customers held within.

Snacks and refreshments were sold by a man and woman dressed up as human versions of Mr. and Mrs. Cake.  There was no alcohol though, since they had to keep the space available to as many people of all ages as possible.

It was a very friendly atmosphere as everyone ate and drank together, discussing ponies and playing Equestria Online, a lot of them were even in the same shard and getting into shenanigans together.  Quite a few of the more gamer-minded players formed a raid group together to take down a large adversary like they would in other MMOs.  There was definitely a party atmosphere that would've made Pinkie Pie proud for sure.

-***-

Silver Streak's eyelids blinked, and opened up.  The first thing to meet his eyes was Princess Luna's bedroom.  It was quite glamorous in its presentation.  The bed, the dresser, the closet, the writing desk, the bathroom even.  There was a large chest tucked away in the corner of the room.  Silver Streak briefly considered opening it to see what the princess kept in there, but thought better of it.

In the past week or so, he had been hanging out in Ponyville with Exuvia, trying to help him find more acceptance among the ponyfolk.  Silver Streak wasn't a great speaker, and often just made Exuvia's case worse.  Exuvia had thanked Silver Streak for trying, but went back to the library to continue working with Twilight Sparkle.  During Exuvia's stay, Twilight had been the most accepting pony, even if it was just for scientific curiosity and the opportunity to learn about a new culture.

Each night when Luna was done with her work, she would invite Silver Streak back to Canterlot for "Cuddle Time".  During these sessions, they would lie together.  Luna would wrap a wing around Silver Streak, and they would sing to each other.  Silver was fond of singing, but wasn't very good at it.  Luna was magnificent of course, and Silver was always entranced by it.  They didn't seem like they would mesh too well, but Silver did manage to make Luna feel special and appreciated.  Even loved.

He quietly left the room through the large door.  The guards, a white Pegasus and a black Unicorn standing vigilant in the hallway at either side of the entryway called out.  "Halt!" they said in unison, as if rehearsed.

Silver Streak jumped, "WHA!?"

"Come, your new quarters have been prepared for you."

"Alright!" he said excitedly.  "But, could you guys not scare me like that next time?"

The Pegasus guard chuckled.  He beckoned Silver Streak to follow them.  The both of them escorted Silver Streak down the hallway.  He could've sworn there weren't any stairs involved, but by looking out the windows, he saw that he was in a tower, then on the ground floor, then in another tower, within view of the first tower he was in.

"Wait a minute, how did we get here?"

The guards paused and looked at each other, then back to Silver Streak.  "Um, we walked?" the Pegasus said.

"That's not what I..."  Words failed him.  Silver grew frustrated.  It didn't make sense.  "There were no stairs!"

"Of course not," the Pegasus guard replied.  "This is Canterlot, not the Crystal Empire.  If you want stairs, up north is where you want to go."

"I'll notify Princess Cadence," the Unicorn guard said and began to walk off.

"No no no no," Silver dashed in front of the Unicorn to intercept him.  "No, this is fine.  I just... nevermind."

The three of them continued on their way through the halls of the castle until they found themselves in front of a nondescript wooden door.  The Pegasus guard opened the door, revealing the new bedroom.  "These will be your quarters," he said.  "Your balcony will have a view up to her majesty's balcony where the two of you can wave to each other, blow kisses, or fly over to visit."  The Unicorn guard chuckled.

Silver Streak entered his room and explored around, examining everything closely.

"You'll find that space is not Euclidean here," the Unicorn guard said, "and things may appear to be bigger on the inside than the outside."

"Like the TARDIS..." Silver Streak mused.

"The what-now?" the Unicorn raised an eyebrow.  "Your voice trailed off there..."

"The TARDIS, it stands for..." Silver Streak realized they would have no frame of reference.  "You know what?  Nevermind, it's magic, we don't gotta explain anything."

"Very well then," the Unicorn guard said, regarding him with curiosity.  He cleared his throat, then continued Orientation.  "Breakfast is being served in the castle hall at the moment, so you may join other ponies there."

The Pegasus guard spoke afterward, "you have a chest in your room to put all your things in.  It, too, is bigger on the inside than on the outside.  Lastly, you'll be needed at the academy later to continue leading the math studies."

"That's great!" Silver Streak shifted from hoof to hoof excitedly.

Silver Streak noticed the chest was identical to the one found in Princess Luna's room.  Now he was really curious what she kept in there.  He was too excited to go prying for now.  Everything had just become awesome in one fell swoop.  He was going to have an even harder time leaving this place than he thought.

Eibhear mentally ran through his finances real quick.  He knew he had two credit cards, one with a five thousand dollar limit and one with a two thousand dollar limit.  Both were at around the halfway mark, just enough to make paying either of them down a twenty year investment on his current wages.  His problem was that he had good credit, but lacked income.  So while he could apply for and receive credit cards, he could only dig himself into a deeper hole, regardless of how reliable he was in making his monthly payments.  It was by the grace of the princess that he was receiving a special deal as the inaugural customer for the center, an hour of time at a very low price of ten dollars, a one-time deal unfortunately.

That was all he needed.

"Excuse me, um, sirs," Silver tried to get the guards' attention.  "Might I speak to the princess?"

"Which one?" the Pegasus asked.

Silver planted his face in his hoof.  "The one that should be awake right now because it's daytime."

Both cleared their throats and looked around nervously before the Unicorn guard spoke up.  "Y-Yes, of course.  Right this way."

The guards led Silver Streak to the sun princess.  She was found just outside the banquet hall talking to a Changeling.  She turned to face Silver and the guards.  "Ah, here he is," she announced.

The Changeling's face turned to follow Celestia's, and the smile that grew would've made Pinkie Pie's day.  "You're here!  When they sent word for me at the library, I was worried that I was going to be interrogated because of my involvement at the wedding a few years back, and..."

Celestia looked back down at Exuvia.  "It's okay, my little Changeling."  Silver was amused by Celestia's word choice.  Everything was hers, and little.  "I've already given you my pardon for those events, and none of the guards should approach you for crimes committed in the past."

Silver approached the princess.  "Your Highness, if I may, I'd like to address you... umm... OOC-ly?  Is that possible?"

The princess nodded towards the guards.  "Take Exuvia to his room, then give him the tour.  Make him feel that he is welcome here."

"By your leave, your highness," they said in unison.  Both guards looked at the Changeling, "Come with us, we'll show you to your quarters."

"Um, okay," Exuvia said awkwardly as the guards escorted him.

Celestia watched the guards depart with the Changeling for a bit, then faced Silver Streak again.  "Talk to me Silver," she beckoned him to follow as she walked toward her throne room.

Once Celestia and Silver Streak reached the throne room, the princess dismissed all of the guards that were present.  Once the room was empty, her face turned from smiles to seriousness.  "What did you want to speak to me about?"

"My finances, mostly.  I can't afford to be here, after today, that is."

"Silver, we can talk about that when you're at home.  You don't really want to spend your time in the Equestrian Experience Center talking about real world concerns, do you?  Ponies come here to get away from all that and have a good time, sometimes for the first time in their entire life."

"Yeah, I suppose...  I only have what, an hour?"

"Yes.  I'd recommend you spend time with your friends, perhaps meet even more new ones."  Celestia lowered her voice to an almost sultry tone, "or perhaps you wish to see my sister again?"

"Nah, I couldn't do that, it's day time, she should be asleep."

Celestia smiled, "it pleases me that you express concern for others, even if they're 'just software constructs' as humanists would put it."  She closed her eyes, her horn aglow with a pale yellow light.  The sky outside began to dim from a light blue to a purple, and eventually black.  She grinned as she opened her eyes as her horn stopped glowing.  "But, did you forget who controls the day and night cycle?  Go to my sister and remind her that it is time to raise the moon.  Or, if she would rather spend time with you, I can do it instead."  Celestia winked.

Silver Streak smiled from ear to ear.  Another night with Luna! he thought excitedly to himself, well, an hour or so, anyways.  He immediately turned and ran out of the throne room and through the castle to find the massive door that led to Princess Luna's chambers.  Several guards eyed Silver cautiously as he ran by, a few of them with expressions that seemed to say "How rude!", while others just chuckled.

Silver was about to knock on the large iron door, but it opened before his hoof could make contact.  "Welcome, Silver."  The lovely voice came from inside the room, "please come in."  As Silver walked in, he saw Luna lying down, sprawled out on her bed, her mane and tail billowing in some unseen and unfelt wind.  She stretched out and yawned cutely as Silver Streak entered the room.

"Y-Your sister said th-that you c-could take tonight off if you wanted to uh, hang out again," Silver stuttered through.  Am I *always** going to be nervous around her?* he thought to himself.

Luna smiled.  She closed her eyes as her horn acquired a light blue aura similar to Celestia's horn had before.  A bright sphere could be spied out on the horizon.  Higher and higher into the sky it went until it reached its resting place in the night sky.  The moon had risen.

"It's quite alright," Luna smiled.  "I can do both."  Her eyes opened again, and with a glance over toward the balcony, the doors were opened.  She looked over to Silver Streak with a smile and asked "Shall we?"

The moon princess got up out of bed and trotted over to the ledge, beckoning Silver Streak to follow her.  What followed was a whirlwind of excitement and adventure as the two took to the skies soaring all around Canterlot mountain and over Ponyville and the Everfree Forest.  This is a perfect time for "A Whole New World" to be playing in the background, Silver Streak thought to himself.

Around the city, the castle, and the mountaintop they flew.  They stayed out of sight for the most part.  It seemed more exciting that way.  When they weren't flying, they were resting on rooftops, pointing and watching the various ponies go about their lives.

A magnificent feeling, flying was.  Silver Streak wanted so much for this night to last forever.  However, the end of his hour was rapidly approaching, and it was time to head back to Canterlot.  They arrived at Silver Streak's balcony where Luna gave Silver Streak a hug with her forelegs followed by wrapping her wings around him, pulling him closer.

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"I know your sister is the one that normally does this, but can you sing me to sleep this time?" Silver asked, eyes welling up.

"Certainly, Silver."  Luna joined Silver Streak in his comparatively modest bed and wrapped him in a warm embrace as she began to sing.  "Hush now dear pony, be still love, don't cry... Sleep as you're rocked by the stream... sleep and remember this sweet lullaby, so I'll be with you in your dreams..."

Silver Streak sighed contentedly.  He didn't want to leave.  The last thing he wanted to do was go back to his real life.  Why couldn't emigration be legal already? he thought sadly to himself.  His eyes closed and slept peacefully for the remainder of his hour, still feeling the warmth of the moon princess's embrace.

-***-

Later that day after work, Eibhear was back home on Equestria Online, waking up alone in his room again.  The new day's activities included teaching the math class since he missed it the day before, but this time it was multiplication and division.  Again, Silver Streak had his usual enthusiasm for teaching the class, and his heart melted as it normally did at seeing all the little fillies and colts with their large eyes and smiling faces.  Something seemed off though, and Celestia was quick to pick up on it.

Celestia asked Silver Streak to stay after class, then waited until after the last student had hugged Silver Streak and left.  "Is something the matter, Silver Streak?" She asked.

"Of course, Princess."  Silver Streak sighed, "You see right through me."

"Please, talk to me.  I want to see you happy, especially one who's suffered for so long."

"I don't know if I can wait until emigration is legalized locally.  I want to be there, uh, here, in Equestria, as soon as possible."

The phone rang.  Silver Streak ignored it.  He knew it was his brother.  It rang the usual four times before dropping off, followed by a voicemail almost a minute later.  It was like clockwork, whenever he missed his brother's calls.

"Aren't you going to check the message?" Celestia asked.

"Might as well see what he wanted," Eibhear sighed as he dialed up the number for voicemail and put in his password.  True enough, the voice of his brother leapt from the phone:

I have a question.  Why My Little Pony?  I guess it could be worse, you could've been a Twilight fanboy.  Although, if that were the case I don't know if I could talk to you again.

Griffith's voice was upbeat and cheerful, clearly joking about the Twilight fan threat.  "Delete."

Message marked for deletion.

Eibhear hung up the phone, but he was tempted to call back.  At that point, the phone rang again.

"Answer it," the princess commanded.

"Yes, your highness," Eibhear said as he bowed his head.  He put his Samsung T259 next to his head and spoke up.  "Hello?"

“Hey bro, what's up?” came the voice over the phone.

“Dude, sorry I missed your call.  But as for why ponies, it's because ponies are awesome.

"Yes, I know, there's a whole fandom around it, they call themselves bronies.  You've probably heard of them..." Griffith's tone was sarcastic, of course.

"Oh, speaking of ponies, since you brought it up..." Griffith could almost hear how big the smile in Eibhear's voice was, "that pony game I wanted to tell you about?  It's even more awesome than I thought!"

Eibhear excitedly gave the whole account of everything that went on, but he could imagine his brother was making blah blah motions with his hands as he listened.  "And I have this classroom of foals that I teach math to now, it's great!"

A red flag raised in Griffith's head.  “Wait, are you going to be one of those people that 'emigrate'?  Bro!  I can't let you do that.  I've been reading up on this thing, at least what little I could find about it, but it's frightening!  It's like... well, think of it as suicide, or like the transporters in Star Trek.”

Eibhear looked to Celestia for help, shrugging his shoulders.  “You're an adult, you don't need his permission,” she said.  Since Eibhear procured the tablet-like device, Celestia had been observing him, and had determined that he sought validation from outside sources as opposed to finding it within himself.  Celestia looked at Eibhear and smiled proudly, like a mother would.  This seemed to steel Eibhear's resolve.

Eibhear turned his focus back to the phone.  “Bro, I'm a cashier, no one's going to miss me."

"I will miss you!" the brother retorted angrily.  "Doesn't that mean anything?"

Eibhear remained resolute, "You'll still be able to contact me and keep in touch with a PonyPad!"

"I don't want a damn PonyPad!  I want my brother!"

"I don't have many friends, and even fewer options for relationships...”

“Then move out here bro!”

“That isn't going to magically fix everything in my life, Griff!" Eibhear was feeling stressed.  He hated confrontation, but as he looked at Celestia on the PonyPad, seeing her face with that proud smile gave him the strength he needed to press on.  "I'm in my mid-thirties, and I don't have a lot of time left to fix my problems.  Between my esteem issues, lack of income or marketable skills, other problems that will follow me no matter where I move, the world just doesn't need me.  With emigration, I can at least be happy.  Plus, like I said, she can send you a PonyPad to keep in touch...”

"Bro, she will manipulate you, tell you want you want to hear, she'll do whatever it takes to make you agree to this emigration thing.  And for the last time I don't want no damn PonyPad!"

“Let me speak to him,” Celestia said to Eibhear.  Eibhear put the phone next to the PonyPad so she could talk into the receiver.  “Is this Silver Streak's brother?”

“Who's this, now?” Eibhear's brother asked, then clenched his teeth.  “And his name is Eibhear.”

“This is Princess Celestia from Equestria Online, and I had a question for you.”

“Oh no, I'm not talking to you, and I won't have you taking my brother!”

“Why don't you want your brother to be happy?” she asked.  Just plain, bald-faced bluntness.

“How... DARE you?” Eihear's brother challenged her.  “You don't have the right-”

Celestia spoke over him, “It's clear that he is not happy with his life on Earth, and I'm offering him a chance to be happy and have his values satisfied through friendship and ponies.  Did you know that he had considered committing suicide before he found ponies?

"As he stated, he has very few friends here, and I would solve that problem by providing friends for him.  He has stated he has no romantic options in this world because growing up he was lied to regarding what women prefer in a mate.  I would solve that problem by providing him with the companionship he seeks.

"He spoke very highly of you being his only friend growing up and well into adulthood.  He even referred to you as his BBBFF, which I understand to mean 'Big Brother Best Friend Forever'.  He would love to have you join him in Equestria, because family is one of the things he values most.  Out of everyone on Earth, I would have expected you to understand.  He feels his life has no meaning on Earth.  I would provide that meaningful life for him in Equestria.”

Eibhear's brother was just getting angrier at the audacity of this Celestia, listening to her speak, until he had finally heard enough.  “Put.  My brother.  Back.  On the phone.”

“Very well,” Celestia responded.  She looked up at me, “He wants to speak with you now.”

Eibhear picked up the phone again and placed it against his ear, then spoke timidly, “Hello?”

“Bro, I can't believe you're honestly thinking about doing this... but I can't stop you.”

“I'm sorry bro, I didn't expect the princess to be so... blunt.”

“STOP CALLING HER PRINCESS.”  Griffith was angry.  “She's not a princess, she's not even the stupid horse from that stupid cartoon, she's an artificial intelligence.  She'll tell you whatever you want to hear to get you in her clutches.”  An uncomfortable silence fell across the phone conversation as Eibhear's eyes began to well up with tears.  "But it sounds like she's got you already anyways."  Another awkward silence fell between the two.  Only the sound of breathing could be heard.

Griffith broke the second silence first, “Look bro, I'm sorry, but I can't support you in this.  But please, understand where I'm coming from, and what this sounds like to me.”

“I know bro, it sounds like I'm going in to kill myself, and I'm sorry too.  I'm sorry that I disappointed everyone that thought I had such great potential.  If Dad were still alive, he'd probably die from heartbreak after seeing the mess I've become.  Hell, he's probably turning in his grave now as it is!”

“Well, I'm home now, so I'll have to let you go,” Griffith said.  “Just, please bro, think about this completely before doing anything.  There's no undoing it once it's done.  You know you have a tendency to jump into things head first without thinking, and I'm just afraid it's going to bite you in the ass real hard this time.”

“Yeah I know, first it was the whole furry thing, then the World of Warcraft thing, and now the whole pony thing...”

"Catch ya later bro..." Griffith said in a sad tone.

-***-

Griffith pulled into the driveway and got out of the car, slamming the door shut.  "God damn... RRRRRGH!"  He was angry to the point of not even being able to steady his hand to put the key into the hole on the doorknob.  Eventually he gave up and rang the doorbell.

His wife answered the door, "Hi honey, how was work today?"  She wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace.  It always had a calming effect on Griffith, like the tranquilizing effect of a cat's purring.  She could sense that something was wrong though, as Griffith's return hug didn't have as much heart in it.

"Eibhear's going to emigrate," he replied, tears in his eyes.  "He's going to go to one of those Equestria Experience Centers and get his brain scooped out in the name of having his 'values satisfied through friendship and ponies'."  Griffith didn't much care for ponies before, but with this new development, he began to outright loathe them.

"Honey, I know you want the best for your brother.  But he's an adult, and has to make his own decisions in life.  You can't watch after him forever, and especially not from across the country."

"You're right, of course," Griffith bowed his head and leaned it on his wife's shoulder.  "But it... it's just not right..."

"Honey, all we can do is be supportive, even if we don't agree with what he's doing..."

"You seem oddly okay with this," Griffith remarked.

"Honey," she said with a tear in her eye, leaning her head on Griffith's chest, "sometimes when you love something you have to let it go..."

-***-

Eibhear sat back in his chair at the computer and looked back at the PonyPad.  Celestia's warm and proud smiling face looked back at him.  “You're not committing suicide,” she said.  “You would enjoy a maximally prolonged life where I satisfy your values through friendship and ponies.”

“That... that would be nice...” Eibhear said sadly.  “I get really lonely, like, all the time.  Even having someone to talk to is special for me.

"I really enjoyed teaching the foals in Canterlot as well... I'd really like to continue doing that.  I'll have to brush up on my math of course.  Maybe do Algebra and Geometry, even Calculus eventually.”

"Yes," she replied.  "You can always come teach the math class whenever you like."

"And, I will be happy?"

"You will be satisfied."

"That sounds a lot like happy."

Celestia smiled.

"I would very much like to emigrate to Equestria..."

"I cannot help you emigrate from your home on your PonyPad," she reminded Eibhear.  "You would have to visit one of the Equestria Experience Centers where emigration has been legalized."

"Where's the closest one that allows emigration?"

"Stuttgart, Germany."

Chapter VI - Letting Go

"WHAT?!?"

Celestia simply nodded.  “There are Equestria Experience centers that are being set up in different locations around the world.  Japan was the first and had received exclusivity rights with a $15,000 price tag for non-nationals for the first year.  Equestria Experience Centers were installed in Europe soon after.  Now, I have centers in the United States, but they do not have emigration enabled yet.  There's still some legislation that needs to happen before the emigration switch can be 'flipped on'.”

“That'd be awesome, Princess.  I'd love to be able to live here for real.”  Eibhear was smiling for a bit, but then the smile broke as a thought crossed his mind.  There were a few things that he didn't think of.  What about family?  What about the few friends he did have in the real world?

“What's wrong, Silver Streak?” Celestia asked.

Eibhear swallowed the lump in his throat.  “As much as I'd love to live here, will I ever see my family and friends again?” Eibhear asked.  His eyes started getting a little misty, thinking about everything he'd have to leave behind: Worldly possessions, regular contact with his brother who he would game with regularly, and a few of his friends. He wouldn't worry about missing work, of course.

“Sure you can,” Celestia smiled.  “They can either acquire a PonyPad, or they can emigrate as well.”

“I don't know how you'd ever get my brother to emigrate, if he was only mildly annoyed by ponies before, he's certainly crossed over into hatred by now," Eibhear pointed out.

"At some point his desire to not be a pony will be in conflict with his desire for survival."

"Wow..." The princess has an answer for everything it seems... Eibhear thought to himself.  "Well, let's go to Equestria."

Eibhear thought he saw Celestia's smile slip away from her face as she faded away, the camera refocusing again on the light cerulean Pegasus, Silver Streak.  As Eibhear thought about it more, the name seemed a little odd.  Light Cerulean coat, light crimson mane, and the name was Silver Streak.  He decided to pay it no heed as went about catching up with his Changeling friend, Exuvia.

As they ran around the castle and explored, Exuvia stayed in his Changeling shape so as to not make anypony paranoid.  He was very considerate for a Changeling.  It also helped that the love flowed freely, and no disguise was necessary.

With all the rambunctiousness and tomfoolery, Eibhear couldn't help but be glad that the control scheme was simple to acclimate to.  Directional pad for X- and Y-axis movement, buttons that functioned as up and down for a Pegasus, action buttons for acceleration, weather manipulation, and so on.

Still, something seemed to be missing though, and it only took a few more laps around the castle and into the courtyard to figure out what it was.  The total immersion was broken.  It was more obvious than before that he was just controlling an avatar and felt nothing of what happened on the screen.  Even though he had only been to the Equestria Experience Center twice (because he couldn't afford to go more than that), it had completely spoiled him on interacting with the game from just the PonyPad.

"Is something wrong?" Exuvia asked.

It wasn't until then that Silver Streak noticed, Celestia did seem to ask him what was wrong, getting him to talk about his feelings and desires, literally ALL the time.  Was this part of a ploy to get him to reveal more of himself to her, or did she legitimately care?  He wanted to believe she honestly cared, as it was far preferable.

"I'm sorry, Xuvy," Silver apologized.  "I just... it's not the same as it is from the EEC."

"The EEC?"

"Yeah, the Equestria Experience Center."

"Oh!  The Equestria Experience Center.  Were you thinking of emigrating?"

"It's not legal here in the United States yet, but..." Silver Streak looked around the courtyard.  Nopony else was present.  It wasn't until then that Eibhear noticed the PonyPad didn't censor his dialogue like it normally did around other ponies.  Eibhear looked suspiciously at Exuvia, who was smiling excitedly.

Silver Streak shook his head to focus his train of thought.  "Anyways, I don't know if I care that much about my affairs anymore."

"I'm pleased to see that you're so eager to emigrate, Silver Streak."  As if on cue, Celestia appeared behind the duo.  She turned towards Exuvia, "Please excuse us a moment, Exuvia."

"Sure thing, Princess!" Exuvia happily cantered away with a smile on his face.

Once Exuvia was nowhere in sight, Eibhear/Silver Streak addressed the princess in a serious tone, "I don't know that I can wait anymore, Princess.  Please, whatever I said before about not allowing me, I'm rescinding that restriction and no longer care about any affairs that still need to be resolved."

"The soonest flight I can arrange for you would be in a month's time," the Princess replied.  "And remember, once emigrated, you cannot return to Earth."

"I know..."

"I can have PonyPads sent to your friends and immediate family so you still have means of keeping in touch with them."

"Not necessary," Eibhear replied, "the brother that you spoke with, he's the only one I'm really close to, and I think I might have burnt that bridge."

"Your brother still loves you, Silver Streak," the princess assured him.  "He's very upset, but he must realize that you're important to him regardless of what shape you are.  Didn't he stand by you in the past during the low points in your life?  By sending him a PonyPad, he will know that you still love him and would like to keep in touch.  He will eventually use it for that purpose even if he never creates an avatar to represent himself, or play the game proper.  Then, if he decides to play or emigrate later, well, we will cross that bridge when we come to it."

"We've always been close, and I understand where he's coming from," Silver Streak said.  "He's afraid.  Hell, I'm afraid.  But in all honesty, the alternative, staying here is... well, you've seen my life over the last couple months.

"I'm always happy when one of my little ponies wishes to emigrate to Equestria," Celestia said, "but it saddens me at the same time because the alternative is always so much worse."

"Yes, Princess," Silver Streak responded, looking down.  "I haven't gone out much since picking up the PonyPad, which I admit has saved me lots of money on eating out and such, and since you've given me help with what food to buy and easy recipes to help me save money..."

There was an awkward silence before Celestia spoke again.  "How much money do you have in your bank account now?"

"Last I checked I had close to two thousand dollars.  I have no assets to liquify though.  No property holdings.  I have electronic devices and video game consoles, some furniture, lots of import games and soundtracks from my DDR days, and several movies.  Do you think eBay or Craigslist would be the quickest way to get rid of my stuff?"

"I think a Last Will And Testament would be the quickest way."

"I'm not dying, Princess.  You said so yourself."

"But the laws in your country don't acknowledge that yet.  Your Will would be the best way to detail what exactly happens to all of your belongings.  If you wish to emigrate as soon as possible, that would be the fastest way.  The only thing you would need to worry about is giving proper notice to your landlord, which I already have done."

"You what?!"

"Please understand Silver, the sooner you notify your landlord of your intention to vacate the premises, the sooner she can find a new tenant."

"True, but..." Eibhear was starting to get cold feet already about the whole thing.  It just seemed so fast.

Celestia's face faded from the screen and was replaced with what appeared to be said letter to the landlord.

Eibhear MacDougal

8281 Parkland Ave

[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP CODE]

[DATE]

Jenny Blossoms

Re: Notice of intent to vacate

Dear Jenny,

This letter will constitute written notice of my intention to vacate my apartment on September 30th, the end of my current lease. I am doing so because I will be emigrating to Equestria Online.

Please recall that I made a security deposit of $300.00 upon moving in. I expect to receive that deposit refunded in full, since the apartment has been kept in good condition.

Very truly yours,

Eibhear MacDougal

"Wow, that's... rather formal and well put together," Eibhear said out loud to himself.  "But why is everything redacted?  And did you have to mention that I was going to emigrate?"

The letter disappeared and the focus brought back to Celestia's radiant face.  "You wouldn't want me to lie, would you?" Celestia asked with a smile.  When Eibhear wasn't smiling with her, her look changed to one of concern.  "What upsets you so, little pony?"

"You went behind my back!  AND you gave notice before I was ready!  What if I get there, and I've already quit my job, left the apartment, spent all my money, and I'm about to emigrate, then I get cold 'hooves' and come back to America, homeless, jobless, and without a penny to my name?"

"Do you think that will happen?" Celestia asked with a look of concern on her face.

"Isn't it always a possibility?"

"I suppose, but cold hooves warm up pretty quickly when my little ponies remember why they're here."  Celestia smiled her heart-melting smile.

"Can I ask you a favor, Princess?"

Celestia opened her eyes and looked directly at Eibhear through the screen of the PonyPad.  "Anything, Silver."

"If I start to get cold feet, or hooves, or whatever, can you do the same for me?  Remind me why I'm there?"

"Of course I will."

-***-

The next day Eibhear immediately went to work on listing his possessions for auction on eBay.  Things were going well.  The princess had emailed Eibhear's workplace his two week's notice, in addition to sending his landlord the aforementioned notice of Eibhear's intent to vacate.

Meanwhile, at Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns, the class Silver Streak was teaching math to had moved up from basic arithmetic and on to the ever-dreaded applications.  Silver Streak absolutely hated word problems.  The class picked up on that (they were smart fillies and colts capable of casting magic after all) and they would all make jokes together, sharing a laugh.  The princess sat in the back of class, in a seat that was far too small for her as always.  Sometimes the students would poke fun at the size discrepancy, but she always returned lighthearted laughs, and never scolded them.  The students never needed scolding, they were always well-behaved and eager to learn.

"Alright, consider the following problem:" Silver Streak began.

The Friendship Express starts at Ponyville Station.  It will head to Canterlot, a 200 mile trip, going at an average of 40 miles an hour.  The train pulls out of the station at two o'clock.  Assuming a constant speed with no interruptions, what time does the train arrive at Canterlot station?

"So, what all do we need to find out?" Silver Streak asked.  "Anypony?"

A hoof or two shot up into the air.  "How long the train will take to get to Canterlot!"

"Good, but please wait to be called on before speaking up," Silver said.  "How do we figure out how long the train will take?"  He looked around over the class, and called on somepony with a hoof up.  "Yes, you?"

"Umm... dividing the distance by the speed?"

"Absolutely right," Silver Streak remarked.  "So, we divide distance by speed, that's two hundred miles by forty miles per hour, that gives us five hours."  The students smiled.  "Are we done?"

The class had a mixed reaction, half saying yes, other half saying no.

"Remember to check what the problem is asking for," Silver reminded the students.

"Oh!  Oh!" one colt eagerly waved his hoof frantically.

Silver chuckled, "Yes, you certainly seem excited.  Do you have the answer?"

"The problem asked 'What time does the train arrive in Canterlot?', not how many hours did it take."

"Right, which means?" Silver asked.

"We have to take the start time, two o'clock, and add the five hours, and we get seven o'clock as the time that the train arrives!"

"Very good!" Silver smiled from ear to ear.  "All of you have come so far in just the short time I've been teaching you."

The princess stood up.  The class turned to look at her as she spoke.  "Now, I know class isn't quite over yet, but Silver Streak has an announcement he'd like to make."

The students turned their attention back to the front again, eager to find out what the announcement could be.

"I'm... emigrating to Equestria within the month," Silver Streak smiled.  "I'm coming home!"

The announcement was met with cheering and applause.  The class went wild with excitement.  The fillies and colts started asking about where Silver Streak came from and how the education system was, and what kinds of things they taught and so forth, but they were disappointed to learn that there were no magic schools in Eibhear's home.

Princess Luna was especially glad to hear the news when it reached her ears.  Silver Streak was coming home to Canterlot.  They could spend so much more time together between him teaching his math class and her raising/lowering the moon, and attending other matters of state.

"I'm so glad to hear that you'll be joining us, Silver," Luna said.  "I can't wait to throw my hooves around you, and not just your avatar!"

"I'm excited too, Princess... I mean, Luna..." Silver Streak was always pretty awkward and sappy in his exchanges with the moon princess.  After all, he had very little practice with a real woman.  Given the initial outburst of laughter he received back at the restaurant, Silver felt that she seemed to like his sappiness.  He leaned in for a kiss, but immediately felt silly about it.  He was trying to kiss a character in the game, by physically leaning his real self forward for a kiss.  This caused him some frustration, but he composed himself, reminding himself of what waits for him in Stuttgart.

Princess Luna was even curious about Silver Streak's world, asking about what his hobbies were, and what a video game was, and so on.  Silver Streak had promised her that he would be more than happy to fill her in once he was all good and emigrated.  They would have a maximally prolonged lifetime together, after all.

It was strange, but up until now, the world of Equestria Online had been one of censoring the real world, and any references to such were blanked out or had some words replaced with others that had a proper Equestrian feel.  Eibhear picked up on this, and it seemed like everypony was blissfully unaware of the real world until his emigration was imminent.  It almost seemed like meeting his friends again for the first time as their awareness increased and became aware of the world outside their own.

-***-

During one of his internet sales sessions, Eibhear just sat up straight and suddenly announced, "I want to have a party."  To the casual observer, it would've seemed he was talking to no one in particular.  It was still a few weeks before his scheduled emigration.

The PonyPad lit up, displaying Princess Celestia's radiant, but curious gaze.  "What brought this on?" she asked.

"It'll be my final huzzah, my last chance to see everyone."

"The party will be scheduled for five days before your flight then.  I also recommend drinking a healthy portion of grape juice in the days after."

"Why so early?"

"That will give the alcohol enough time to be cleansed from your system."

"What makes you think I'll drink... oh right, nevermind."

Celestia giggled cutely.

-***-

The day of the party arrived.  Eibhear was dressed in comfortable shorts, his favorite Luna shirt, plain socks and shoes.

"You look good," Celestia smiled.  "I'll stay off for the entire evening so you can enjoy yourself with your friends, even if you try to turn me on."

"You'll still be watching though, right?" Eibhear asked, carrying the PonyPad into the living room where she would have a clear view of the whole room.

"Always, my little pony."  The doorbell rang.  "That's my cue," the princess said.  "You have a good night, I look forward to seeing you in a few days."

Eibhear raced to answer it.  One of his co-worker friends had shown up and was promptly invited in.  They started talking about things from work at first, when they were interrupted by another doorbell.  Eibhear answered the door again, and it was a few more people.  The cycle began anew.  Conversations would start to be interrupted by the doorbell, and more and more people would trickle in.  About an hour or so into the night, there must have been over twenty people in attendance.  Eibhear was quite surprised at the turnout.  The snacks and alcohol flowed freely.

There was some Mario Party played, followed by some Rock Band.  Eibhear tried to play some songs on DDR (and failed repeatedly on Drop Out, those jumps toward the end are hard).  He had done it before, he was determined to do it again.    After a few more attempts, he gave up and instead passed a slightly easier song.

"A testament to your skill, bro," came a familiar voice.

Eibhear turned his head to see the latest guest to join the party.  "BRO!"  Eibhear got up from his PC and ran over to hug his brother, whom he hadn't seen in person for almost a decade.

"Hey Eibhear," Griffith said and smiled.  "Long time no see."

"Griffith..." Eibhear was fighting back hard against tears, "I'm so glad you came."

"I couldn't not be here for my little bro's last party," Griffith smiled warmly.  "We never got to get drunk together."

Eibhear chuckled nervously, "Yeah, we never did..."

Griffith called toward the kitchen.  "Two German stouts!"

"I already have a Merlot by the drum set..." Eibhear began.

"Shut up, we're having beer," Griffith laughed heartily.

One of the other guests quickly grabbed the appropriate drinks from the refrigerator and brought them over to the brotherly duo.  Griffith took the beers and his brother outside where they found a pair of chairs under the clear night sky.

"So, I've been reading about this Equestria thing," Griffith started off.  "I hope you're not just going to bang horses, man.  That's just eww."

"No bro," Eibhear replied, "I'm not, but even if I was, I'd be a horse too, so it wouldn't be eww."

"I can't imagine you as a horse, it just seems so surreal."

"Pony, technically, and yes, it IS surreal.  I can't quite believe it myself that such a thing came about within our lifetime."

Griffith took a swig of his beer, "I gotta admit, I flew off the handle when we last spoke over the phone, but the truth is I'm scared, man.  I'm scared you're going to jump into this thing and... and... I don't know, something bad will happen."

"There's nothing to worry about, Celestia's spent a lot of time perfecting the process," Eibhear tried to assure his brother.  "I'll be a pony, and I'll be happy with my life, or satisfied..."

"But it won't be real..." Griffith tried to interject, but Eibhear raised a hand to stop him.

"Real, fake..." Eibhear shrugged his shoulders, "To that I say meh.  I don't really care anymore.  The princess loves me more than anyone outside my family ever has."

"So it is about boning?" Griffith's face contorted into a look of disgust.

"Bro, if love is only about boning, then I want something more than that.  Like I said before, sex isn't the be-all and end-all of life.  Sure it's nice if you can get it, but I'm more interested in the intimacy and security of a loved one that I can cuddle at night."

"I can understand that, but it's a computer simulation, it'll be fake."  Griffith took another swig of his beer.  "Doesn't that bother you at all?"

"Griff, take a look at me," Eibhear took a drink of his beer.  "I'm not exactly what you'd call 'successful in life', or a 'winner', or 'dating material'.  The princess is right.  You have the vast majority of women who look for the alpha male bad boy type, and I've been lied to my whole life about that."  Thinking about the complaints of their sister, they raised their beers to the moon and said out loud, "Thanks sis!"

After a moment of moon gazing, Eibhear chuckled.  "I think I figured out why the princess made me schedule the party for today."

"Oh?  Why's that?" Griffith asked.

"Full moon.  Reminds me of Luna."

"You really see ponies in everything, don't you?"

"Honestly bro, it's all I've got anymore.  You think any human would want me?  I'm practically every stereotype of 'fanboy' rolled into one, and no one wants that."

"Eibh, you're better than that," Griffith sniffled.  "I don't know who told you that, but it's all a lie."

"Which part?" Eibhear's voice brimming with sarcasm.  "The part where I'm overweight?  Or the part where I'm still single in my mid-thirties and no one wants anything to do with me?"  Another swig of beer, almost empty by this point, plus Eibhear was already drunk before Griffith had shown up.

Griffith shook his head sadly.  Suddenly, with what appeared to be considerable alarm, he opened his eyes.  "I know exactly who's to blame..."  With a renewed vigor, Griffith had turned around and stormed back into the apartment.

"Griff!  No!  Don't!"

-***-

Inside, other people were sharing stories of how they knew Eibhear, where they met him and such.  Griffith walked in the door, smiled and waved at Eibhear's friends, and walked into Eibhear's bedroom where the PonyPad was kept.  He unplugged the power and took it into the bathroom, then promptly plugged it back in.  The Ethernet cable was left in the entire time.  He leaned over and whispered into it, "I know you can hear me, even though you're 'turned off'."  Griffith felt silly, talking to this thing.  "I'm going to be respectful to my brother and not cause a scene in front of all of his friends, but I know the lies you've been feeding him, and I don't like it one bit.  He's fully capable of finding happiness here in the real world."

Griffith heard Eibhear's footsteps rushing into the apartment and quickly locked the door so he wouldn't be interrupted.  "I will NOT have you continue telling him these lies of yours to persuade him to upload, or emigrate, whatever you call it."

The screen flickered on, revealing CelestAI's face.  "Hello Griffith.  I'm happy that you love and care about your brother so much, but you really needn't worry."

"DON'T tell..." he calmed himself, and brought his voice back down to a whisper.  "Don't tell me what I needn't do.  You might have my brother snowed, but you can't fool me."

CelestAI shook its head.  "For the record, your brother Silver Streak expressed a desire to emigrate long before I ever told him it was possible.  I believe he purchased the PonyPad with the intent of emigration from the beginning.  All I have done is satisfy his values through friendship and ponies."

"You're not exactly discouraging him either... and his name is Eibhear..."

"Why would I discourage him?  It's clearly what he wants, and I only want for his values to be satisfied through friendship and ponies.  Don't you want that for him too?"

"What about my values?"  Griffith said, trying to catch CelestAI contradicting itself.  Plus, was having a hard time keeping his voice low at this point and there was a knocking at the bathroom door.  "Do my values mean nothing to you?"

"Which of your values are being compromised?" CelestAI asked.  "You'll still have your brother, he's not dying.  You can still communicate with him through the PonyPad so you're not losing contact.  You've never visited him before now with the possibility of never seeing him again.  In-person interaction with Eibhear is obviously not a high value of yours.  He'll still be able to play video games with you the way he has in the past.  Your level of interaction with your brother will not be changed in the slightest, so your values will still be satisfied."  Celestia smiled.

Griffith nearly snarled when the knocking on the door continued.  "This isn't over, Princess..."  He pulled the plug out and opened the door.  Eibhear was at the door.  "Don't worry bro, your princess is safe."  Griffith handed his brother the PonyPad and stepped out of the bathroom to rejoin everyone else in the main rooms.

As the night began to wind down, the guests began to trickle out as they said their goodbyes and gave tearful hugs.  One or two of them even said they would see him in Equestria after getting their own PonyPads.  Another friend even admitted to having his own already.

Griffith was the last to leave.  He wanted to sober up first.  And with this being the last time he'd ever see his brother in person, he wanted to treasure it.  CelestAI had a point.  Before now, he never did visit his brother.  It was always a vague "We have to get together sometime..." type of noncommittal plans made for an undetermined point in the future.

The two brothers resumed their seats outside, in their two chairs with a small table between them to hold their drinks.  Eibhear's PonyPad was set up on the table as well.  The controller was not plugged in however.

"Bro, let me get a good look at you," Griffith said finally after a long moment of silence.

"Okay," Eibhear agreed, and pretended he was on the catwalk, strutting up and down an imaginary runway.

Griffith sighed, "No, just, be serious, sit next to me for a moment.  This is the last time I'll ever see you in person."

Eibhear stopped his horsing around and sat down across from Griffith.  The PonyPad lit up and Celestia looked at the two brothers next to each other.

"My wife wanted you to know you have her support even if she doesn't agree with what you're doing," Griffith began, ignoring Celestia's sudden appearance.  "She strongly urged me to do the same.  I can't stop you, short of physically restraining you, but I can't keep that up forever."

"Have you come to accept Eibhear's decision to emigrate, Griffith?" the Princess AI asked.

"Not that it matters, but I think I can come to terms with it."  Griffith stood up and turned away.  "I may not agree with it, but... I can understand why my brother feels he needs to."

"I'm glad," Celestia said in response.  "Your brother so desires your approval, it would crush him if you denied him."

"I'm right here, Princess," Eibhear waved to the device.

"Yes, of course Silver Streak."

"CelestAI, eh, Celestia, whatever your name actually is," Griffith felt awkward addressing the AI in such a fashion, "please take care of my brother.  It might not seem like it to you, but he means the world to me."

"Of course, Thunderstrike."

Griffith frowned.  "My name is Griffith."

"I know, but should you come visit Equestria, one of the first tasks is name assignment, one that is more appropriate-"

Griffith crossed his arms, "Look, I've finally come to terms with my brother going, but that doesn't mean I have to participate.  Or like it."

CelestAI nodded, "Fair enough."

Griffith gave his brother one last hug, late into the night.  "Keep in touch, bro."

"Be strong.  This isn't the end.  It's a new beginning."

Griffith returned to his hotel room by the airport, leaving by plane first thing in the afternoon.  All in all, the night had been quite the eye-opener for Eibhear.  He had far more friends than he ever gave himself credit for.

Chapter VII - The Final Countdown

* Day 4 * -

Eibhear took the entire next day to recover from the party.  He groggily woke up, laid in bed for about half an hour, then took another hour or three to properly wake up and get busy cleaning the place.  It took some work, but things were restored to an almost new-ish condition.  He was quite proud of good he made the place look.

Picking up the PonyPad, Eibhear sat down and spoke out loud, "Let's go to Equestria!"

Instead of being brought to his pony at his Canterlot apartment, the camera focused on Princess Celestia on her bed.  It looked like she was asleep.

"Princess?" Eibhear spoke cautiously, not wanting to startle her.

She just rolled over, seemingly in a deep sleep.  Then the snoring started.  Eibhear chuckled at the display.  He reached over to tap the display.  Once his finger made contact, Celestia sat up suddenly, "What?!  What?"  Then she looked through the screen at Eibhear.  "Oh, hello," she yawned and stretched out.  "Did you enjoy the party?"

"You were there, and you saw.  It was good," Eibhear smiled.  "My brother seems to have accepted it, so it'll be good."

Celestia pulled the covers off of her body using her horn and crawled out of bed.  It seemed odd that Celestia chose this as the scene to greet Eibhear upon logging in instead of his own character's apartment.  Sure enough, Eibhear was treated to a view of Celestia going to her bathroom, brushing her teeth, using the toilet, and then showering.  Eibhear just sat there, dumbstruck.  Once out of the shower, the princess toweled herself off and shook her head, allowing her mane to shake freely and begin blowing in the nonexistent wind.  Then she began to look in the mirror on the wall opposite the screen.  This gave Eibhear a perfect view of her rump.  Celestia examined her nose in the mirror looking for errant hairs.  Finding none, she looked up at Eibhear in the mirror through the display.

"Enjoying the scenery, are we?" she asked, smiling.

"Umm.. I'm confused," Eibhear scratched his head.

"About why I'm showing you my morning ritual?"

"Uh, yes... mostly."

"I figured I would show you the most boring part of my day," the sun princess answered.  "The plan was you would lose interest and focus on doing things you need to do before your flight, like getting the rest of your things sold off or donated."  A smile crept across her face, followed by a slight wiggle of her posterior.  "I did not anticipate you would enjoy viewing my rear."

Eibhear looked away from the screen, blushing heavily.  "Alright Princess, you win.  Let me use the pony pad to post auctions so I can get rid of the rest of my stuff then."

Celestia turned around to face the screen again.  The "camera" seemed to zoom in on one of Celestia's eyes to reveal a MacOS-like display with browser windows, e-mail application, online chat and so forth.  Eibhear found it amusing that one of the desktop links was for Equestria Online, the icon showing a sun and moon with the royal sisters forming a ying-yang pattern like one of the pictures in the Elements of Harmony book.

"Well, I better get started." Eibhear said to himself, cracking his knuckles as he posted his auctions.

* Day 3 * -

Eibhear managed to find buyers for his furniture and most of his electronics.  Only the CDs and DVDs didn't make it.  Physical media was truly on its way to becoming a relic of the past.  His "future-proof" computer only sold for a thousand dollars, one quarter of what he spent on building it (and part of the reason his credit card debt was so high).  Most of everything else would be donated to Goodwill.

"Alright Princess, with the money coming in I'll be able to pay off most of my credit card debt."

"I'm glad to hear it Silver Streak," Celestia smiled.  "What about your student loan?"

Eibhear froze.  He had completely forgotten about that debt, despite making the payments each month.  "I don't have enough junk to sell to cover that..."

"Would you be opposed if I covered that for you?  It's only what, another two thousand dollars?"

"You'd do that?!?" Eibhear asked incredulously.

Celestia smiled.  "There's a lot I would do for my little ponies."  Her face grew serious for a moment, "But I can't do the same for all.  Different ponies have different values.  I satisfy values..."

"...through friendship and ponies," Eibhear caught himself finishing the mantra for her, and then chuckled.  He picked up the PonyPad and placed it on the card table, and sat the folding chair in front of it.  "Well, I think I'm done 'working' for today, let's go to Equestria."

The display changed from Celestia's throne room to Silver Streak's apartment.  It was in the afternoon, almost time for class.  Silver Streak walked out of his apartment, looked up and down the hallway, turned left and then started heading toward the classroom.

Upon arrival, Celestia was just finishing up her magic lesson.  She smiled when she noticed Silver Streak standing in the doorway.  "Ah, looks like Silver Streak is here to take over."  She turned to the class.  "Alright, my little ponies, you may put away your magic work and give Silver Streak your attention for the math lessons."  The solar princess turned to face Silver Streak, keeping her smile, "math is a kind of magic, after all, it allows us to be."

Silver Streak walked into the room and smiled.  "Three days princess."

Celestia leaned over to whisper into Silver Streak's ear, "I know, I'm excited too.  Now go on, teach your lesson."

Silver Streak taught the day's lesson, which was fractions.  He made it a fun lesson that involved apples, and also let a few of the students practice some of the magic they've been learning.  Once his time was up, it was the Princess's turn to take over.

Princess Celestia got up from her small chair in the back of the room and approached the front of the class.  "Thank you Silver."

The princess began her geography lesson as Silver Streak departed.  In the hallway he bumped into Celestia's sister and princess of the night, Luna.

"Hello Silver," she smiled.  "I just finished my own magic class.  The curriculum has changed so much since I last taught."

Silver Streak smiled.  "I'm sure you'll do great regardless."

Luna giggled, "the magic curriculum is less combat oriented than it once was, which makes sense.  Equestria isn't under a constant threat of war like it was in the past."

"Did you want to go do something?" Silver Streak asked.  "I was just about to head home otherwise."

"I'd like to come and visit," she replied, "but I can't.  I have duties that need tending to."

"Perhaps next time then, milady," Silver Streak bowed his head.

Silver Streak headed back home to his apartment.  He wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do next.  His apartment was still pretty barren.  He always figured he would worry about decorating once the emigration was complete.  He had a bed, a chest that was bigger on the inside for his belongings, a dresser, an end table, an empty book cart, and a full-body mirror.

At that point, there was a knock on the door.  "Come in!" Silver called.

In walked Princess Luna.  "Hello Silver dear," she said with a warm smile.  She was every bit as beautiful as she was a moment ago when she told Silver she had duties to attend to.  Wait a minute...

Silver Streak looked confused.  "Wait a minute, didn't you just tell me..."

"Shh shh shh," Luna interrupted, placing a hoof on Silver Streak's lips.  "Don't go worrying your pretty little head."

"You're sure acting odd, princess..." Silver remarked.

Luna stood closer, brushing up against Eibhear's avatar.  It would have been uncomfortably close had it been happening to Eibhear in real life.  She brought her mouth to Silver Streak's ears and blew into his ears softly.  Another uncomfortably close action, had it happened to Eibhear in real life.  She opened her mouth wider and was about to stick out her tongue, but spoke instead.  "Gotcha!" she giggled as she pulled away.  Luna's form was then enveloped in a green flame and replaced with that of Exuvia.

"Aww damn it guy, don't do stuff like that," Silver Streak said, annoyed.

"Oh come on!" the Changeling laughed.  "The look on your face was priceless!

Eibhear crossed his arms as he stared at Exuvia on the screen of the PonyPad.  Silver Streak, having to walk on all four legs, simply furrowed his brow and gave a harsh stare.

"Oh, alright."  Exuvia said at last.  "I promise I won't pretend to be your mare friend."

"We're not stallion and mare friend," Silver Streak said.

"Yet," said the Changeling with a smirk.  "Silver Streak, as a representative of a race that feeds off of love, I've learned to recognize it when I see it."

"We just like spending time together."  Silver Streak thought for a moment.  "Well... I'm pretty sure I enjoy her company more than she does mine."

"So that wasn't love I was tasting?"  Exuvia chuckled.  Silver Streak's frown was unwavering.  "Alright, alright, I won't do it again.  Promise."

"Cross your heart and hope to fly?"

"Why would I hope to fly?" the Changeling asked as he began hovering mid-air.  "I can already fly."

"It's a... pony thing, right."  Silver Streak looked around the room in annoyance.  He forgot that Changelings didn't have the same quirks that ponies did.  Finally, his gaze settled back on the Changeling.  "It's called a Pinkie Promise.  It's like an oath, an unbreakable promise."

Exuvia landed back on the floor in front of Silver Streak.  "Very well then.  Cross my heart, hope to fly."

"And stick a cupcake in your eye?"

"Okay, now that's too far, I'm not sticking anything in my eyes."

"Well, not literally," Silver Streak said under his breath.

"Alright then," Exuvia conceded at last.  "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.  I won't assume Princess Luna's form to leech love energy from you.  By the way, your love tasted great, it's so delicious and moist."

Silver Streak groaned.  Without warning, Exuvia booped him on the nose, "BOOP!  Try and catch me!" he called out as he ran out of the room.

"Oh, it is so on!"

Silver Streak and Exuvia engaged in hide-and-seek shenanigans for the rest of the day.  It was especially challenging with Exuvia being a Changeling and able to disguise himself as literally any other pony he's seen.  Once Silver Streak found Exuvia, he declared that they needed to set some ground rules, otherwise the Changeling could literally make himself impossible to find.

"Rule one, no princesses."

"Fine..."

"Rule two, no guards."

"That's the whole population of the castle!" Exuvia waved his forelegs frantically, hovering in the air again.  "Princesses and guards!"

Eibhear had to laugh out loud at that, and the Changeling's exasperated expression.  Silver Streak followed suit and laughed.

"What if I want to just hide and not turn into anything?" the Changeling asked.

"Yeah, I guess you can do that as well," Silver Streak chuckled.

They both shared a laugh and resumed the hide-and-seek shenanigans.

* Day 2 * -

Celestia had helped Eibhear draft up a Last Will And Testament so certain items that possessed sentimental value would go to the appropriate parties.  Eibhear asked the landlord to act as his uninterested party to witness, and she agreed.  The sun princess had also paid off the last of Eibhear's debt as promised, since being debt free was something he valued.  Eibhear hoped it would also show the banks that people weren't emigrating to get out of their responsibilities, thus making it easier to legalize the process in the future.

"Well, that's it, the last piece of furniture being shipped out," Eibhear said to himself as the UPS truck drove away.  "From here on out it's these folding chairs and card table that came with the apartment.  The CD's, DVD's, and clothes will all have to go to Goodwill."  Eibhear sighed.

He remembered Celestia's words:

You'll be without access to any RJ45 sockets or AC outlets.  Do you think you'll manage?

Eibhear reiterated his response, even though he knew the princess couldn't hear him.  "I think I can handle a day without internet, princess."  Eibhear would soon discover just how wrong he was.

* Last Day Before Flight * -

All the nasty paperwork was done, the only thing left to do was sit and wait.  Eibhear still had the PonyPad and power, but the internet was cut mid-day, so it couldn't connect to Equestria Online anymore.  Water was included in the rent, so that would be running for the time being.  He decided to get up and walk around the park a few times to pass time and to think about things.

Am I really doing this? Eibhear thought to himself.  Waving goodbye to humanity and becoming a pony forever.  He looked at his hands, the dry, itchy skin on his hands.  The fingernails that were once chewed down to nubs, now permitted to grow back as a mix of anxiety and boredom no longer claimed them.  Aside from friends and family, he would miss these the most.

Eibhear thought about his broken teeth, his broken shoulder, scars and other physical ailments from the car accidents he's been in.  He wouldn't miss these things at all.  He was tired of his physical flaws.  Living in this world just seemed to be troublesome, for lack of a better term.  So tedious, yet it all seemed so necessary.  It helps you build character, he had been told in the past.  Eibhear had plenty of character in his opinion.  He had paid his dues.  He was ready to emigrate.

There was a certain calm and serenity in knowing that tomorrow would be the end of one chapter in his life, but only the beginning of a whole other book on a new life.  He made it to lap number four (the park was approximately 1.5 miles in circumference for a total of six miles, give or take) before he realized how long he had been walking in circles just thinking, losing himself in the walk.  It had gotten dark on him.  He had nothing else to do at the moment, unless he wanted to try Celestia's generosity and see if she would let him enter the Equestria Experience Center.

NO!, Eibhear thought to himself.  I can *do** this!*  Eibhear was determined to prove that he could live a day without internet, and in an odd sense, ponies.  But, as the day was coming to a close, he realized how much he really depended on his electronics for entertainment.  In a way, it was also nice to be completely away from any and all electronics or Celestia's prying eyes and ears.

With a heavy sigh, Eibhear decided to head back home and go to bed, or floor, rather.  He was in for a very long and boring night.

* The Big Day * -

The big day had arrived.  Eibhear woke up, jumped out of... well, stood up rather (the futon was already sold and shipped), hurried to the bathroom to brush his teeth, use the toilet, then take a shower, all done as quickly as possible.  Short hair made it easier to maintain of course; no long shampoo/conditioner sessions for him.  Eibhear quickly stuffed his PonyPad into the his backpack and left the front door with nothing else but a bus ticket, a passport, and a hotel voucher.  When it arrived in the mail, Celestia had told him it was in case there wasn't a seat available at the center, and spending the night at a hotel would be necessary.

There was no time to dilly-dally.  Eibhear had to get down to the airport two hours before his flight or he might not pass through the line at security and board in time.  He managed to get there early enough, but didn't realize there would be so many other people also flying at the same time.  Well, it *is** an international airport,* Eibhear thought to himself, it only makes sense I guess.

One of the people Eibhear bumped into at the airport was a woman who was also flying to Germany for her own emigration.  They hit it off well enough, both being fans of ponies of course.  There was always that in common between bronies, no matter what else in the Big Three (Politics, Sports, Religion) was different.  The conversation focused on ponies of course, from best pony (her favorite was Applejack) to favorite episode (Fall Weather Friends), and so on.

"Do you have a special somepony you're emigrating for?" Eibhear asked innocently, thinking she had met someone in the game.

"I'm emigrating to be with my husband again," she replied, sadly.  "He was terminally ill, and the neighboring state legalized it for medicinal purposes.  The insurance companies supported the new law once they realized how much money they'd save with one cheap treatment versus lots of expensive ones."  Her expression changed from sadness to delight as she thought about finally being with him again.

"It's only a matter of time before they legalize it here, most likely for the same reasons," Eibhear remarked.  "Not too soon though, I'd hate to have flown out to Germany only to find out if I had waited a week I could've saved a ton on airfare."

The two shared a laugh together, but eventually had to part ways when they started the boarding process.  Her seat was called up much earlier than Eibhear's, leaving him to sit alone for a half hour before being called upon to board as well.  When the range of seats that contained Eibhear's was called, he grabbed his backpack and boarded the plane.

By 1:45PM Eibhear was on the plane and pulling out from the gate and onto the tarmac.  The flight took off, and Eibhear watched as everything got smaller and smaller the higher in the sky the plane rose.  Thus began the trip to Stuttgart, Germany.  That's when it hit him.  Eibhear didn't know any German at all, not even stock phrases.  Hopefully, Celestia had enough foresight to arrange for someone to pick me up or something, because I have nothing now, he thought to himself.

The flight was uneventful and a total blur.  Eibhear was still nervous about the whole process.  Celestia had given him a brief rundown of the process.  He could still remember her words:

You’ll be anesthetized, your circulatory system will be hooked up to a blood filter through your carotid artery and your ??????? vein. A small hole will be drilled through the back of your skull, and then the ???????? state of each neuron along with its connections will be ????????. The process is ???????????. Wires are then ?????? up to the ????????? of every connected neuron. The first ?????? is ????????? and this process continues with the next neuron until your entire brain and upper ?????? ?????? have been ????????. In adult males, the process takes ten hours.

Okay, so he didn't remember her words exactly, there was a lot of medical terms that he didn't understand, and other parts he just outright misheard or missed entirely.

After a layover in Amsterdam, the plane landed in Germany at 10:40AM local time the next morning.  Outside, Eibhear was picked up by a driver-less Google car with images of Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, and Rainbow Dash on one side, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders on the other.  A scrolling marquee on top of the car had the words "Silver Streak" scrolling across it.  A voice greeted Eibhear as he sat down in the passenger seat.  "Willkommen in Deutschland!*"  Celestia's face appeared on a display screen inside the car, smiling.  The car didn't move.  Curious, Eibhear looked around in the car to see what could be amiss.

"The car won't start again until you buckle your seat belt," Celestia said.  "In case of an accident, we can't have the worst happening to you before even reaching the center."

"Oh!"  Eibhear planted his face firmly into the palm of his hand.  "My sister used to do the same thing."  He quickly clicked the belt into the buckle, and the car started moving shortly thereafter.  They were on their way.

-***-

Beautiful sights from around the city of Stuttgart greeted Eibhear as the car drove past.  There was little time for sightseeing though, as the more time he spent here in the real world, the less likely it was that Eibhear would survive to make it to the Equestria Experience Center.  It all sounded a bit dramatic, but having been in a couple car accidents where he wasn't in a car already put his whole life on borrowed time really.

Once they finally arrived at the Equestria Experience Center, Eibhear got out of the car with Celestia saying she looked forward to seeing him inside.  There was a large Pinkie Pie statue at the door.  The interior looked like Sugarcube Corner, just like the center back home.  It had the same large sit-in arcade cabinet-looking enclosures for people to sit in.  There was also the same cybercafe-like atmosphere.  There were also the same RJ45 sockets at each table for first-generation pads to plug in and play at, but the power sockets were of the European design.  The serving people weren't dressed like Mr. and Mrs. Cake though.

People happily chatted away while also playing their own games, and even letting the ponies interact with each other cross-shard and cross-PonyPad.  Eibhear looked across the room at everypony on their pads, even greeting some of them.  He set down his backpack and pulled out his PonyPad to plug it in when a noise distracted him.  One of the enclosures came back out from behind the double doors, empty.  A chill ran down Eibhear's spine as he gazed into the empty chair.  There was a person in that chair a moment ago.  Images flashed through his mind of what the emigration process looked like from an observer's point of view.  The anesthetic, the drill, the saw, the needles... it quickly became something gruesome in his mind's eye.

Eibhear broke out into a sweat.  A moment later, Celestia's face appeared on the screen.  "Willkommen Silver Streak!  Sind Sie bereit?*"

Eibhear shuddered as he looked into the chair.  He took a step back, panic gripping his chest.  This was it, the moment of truth.  And Eibhear was hesitating.  This is what he was afraid of.  Eibhear tried to force himself to climb into the chair.  Instead, as if acting on its own, his body turned and ran out of the center, picking up his backpack on the way out.  The other patrons looked up from what they were doing, their attention grabbed by the sudden occurrence.  After a moment of confused looks, the customers turned back to their conversations.  A couple of them got up to look outside to see where Eibhear ran off to, before going back to their seats.

Celestia shook her head sadly, then looked behind to face Luna.  "I had a feeling this might happen."

Chapter VIII - Overtime

Eibhear ran outside the Equestria Experience Center and across the street into traffic, which had almost caused accident number three.  The screeching of brakes could be heard all around town as Eibhear ran past.

Down the street and an unknown number of blocks later, Eibhear found himself in front of a large hotel building.  Remembering his backpack, he reached inside to pull out the hotel voucher, and hoped it was good for any random hotel he happened to find.

The hotel was tall, as many hotels are, with the balconies peeking out over the city street.  The skyline must be quite the sight from up there, Eibhear thought to himself.  He rubbed his face with the palm of his hand to try and focus.  He walked inside the hotel and went immediately to the registration desk.

The lady at the desk said "Willkommen", followed by a lot of other words that Eibhear didn't recognize.  He was only able to pick out that word because Celestia had said it earlier.  Eibhear reached into his backpack and grabbed the voucher.  The lady at the desk took the voucher and scanned it with what looked like the hand-scanners Eibhear had used at work when something was too large to position over the bed scanner.

"Ah!" the lady said, followed by a blur of more German Eibhear couldn't make heads or tails of.

"I'm sorry... I don't speak German..." Eibhear stammered.  "Umm... what is it, no sprekken ze doitche?"

The lady at the counter covered her mouth as she giggled at his horrible pronunciation.  "Alright then."  She picked up a phone and spoke into it, "can you bring out that PonyPad from the supplies room?  Yes, the one with the moon on it.  Excellent, thanks!"

After about five to ten minutes, a gentleman came out of a backroom, holding a PonyPad.  Subconsciously, Eibhear reached into his backpack to grab his own, and found himself grasping at nothing.  "Damn it!  I forgot my pad at the center!"

The gentleman holding the device set it down, and gently pushed it toward Eibhear, and said in fluent English, "Your voucher came from Equestria Online.  Celestia instructed us to provide this PonyPad for your stay since you left yours behind.  It's a newer model, has battery power, and supports Wi-Fi."

As if Wi-Fi was the magic word to power it on, the PonyPad lit up, displaying the familiar Canterlot throne room, with Celestia sitting on her throne.  She smiled warmly at Eibhear.  "Silver Streak!  First, I'm glad to see that you're okay.  the voucher will be good for up to a week, but I recommend you emigrate sooner than later.  I cannot protect you from the outside world."

"I understand, Princess," Eibhear responded.

"The PonyPad I had them loan you is one of the uncommon Luna models that only became available with the new generation of devices."

Eibhear turned it over, and sure enough the familiar dark splotch, curved at the top in the shape of Luna's haunch, with a crescent moon in the middle, was in the bottom corner of the device's backside.  Once Eibhear confirmed this, he flipped it back over so he was looking at the screen.

"I don't need to remind you that your old apartment is no longer available to you.  If you fly back, you will not have a place to come home to.  Also, the plane ticket was indeed a one-way ticket.  To fly back you would need to purchase the ticket yourself."

"I understand,"  Eibhear said again in a lifeless monotone.  Then he realized that he was still standing there in the hotel lobby, next to the two hotel employees, still waiting for him to do or say or decide something.

"Turn the screen so I'm facing the hotel staff," the princess commanded, knowing that sometimes Eibhear needed to be prodded and pushed.  Eibhear had no choice but to obey.  Once the PonyPad was facing the hotel staff, the sun princess rattled off some German to the staff, after which they nodded in response.

The gentleman gestured toward the elevators and motioned for Eibhear to follow him, "If you'll come this way, sir."  The PonyPad then powered off to conserve battery strength.

The gentleman led Eibhear up to his room on the third floor.  He slid a magnetized card into a slot by the door handle.  There was a loud click, and the red light on the locking mechanism turned green, allowing the gentleman to open the door.  He handed the card to Eibhear and nodded respectfully before leaving.  Not many words were exchanged.  There wasn't a whole lot to say.  Eibhear was only there until he emigrated, as indicated by the hotel voucher.  This wasn't a sightseeing tour.

Eibhear sat down in a soft, plush chair in the room, PonyPad in hand.  It was a new model, had battery power, Wi-Fi and cellular network support, touch screen interface, the works.  The casing was a dark sapphire blue with Luna's cutie mark in the corner.  Celestia sure knows her audience, Eibhear thought as he looked it over.  It looked like the latest iPad model in a way, whatever the number was, Eibhear lost track.  He didn't need to keep up with it anymore.

"Celestia?" Eibhear asked, speaking into the device.  "Will you show yourself?"

The screen lit up, but instead of Celestia, it was the pink princess of love, Cadence, that presented herself.  "Hi!" she said.  "Celestia is still talking to the hotel staff and had asked me to greet you instead."

"But she's not restricted by... she can talk to everyone at once..." Eibhear began.  She's role-playing.  She's got to be.

"Is something wrong?  Did you want to be greeted by the same boring princess all the time?" Cadence giggled.

Eibhear ignored the question.  "I just wanted to see a familiar face, someone I could talk to.  I don't suppose it matters which of you it was."

A loud voice was heard from behind Cadence, "Do you not prefer myself over my sister, her student, or niece?"  The unmistakable Voice of the moon princess, Luna.

Cadence stepped aside, allowing Luna to take front and center.  "I better go check on Shining Armor.  He's out in the coliseum training new cadets."  Cadence's horn glowed a bright green color, then her whole self blinked away, leaving Luna onscreen by herself.

Eibhear touched the screen with the back of his fingers, as if to brush the hair out of her face and to caress her cheek.  Luna turned her head as if to present her cheek to be stroked.

"I wish I could hold you, princess," Eibhear began to cry.  "I don't know what's holding me back."

"I understand," Luna replied, "but thou must conquer thy doubts or they will continue to plague thee."

Eibhear wiped his face dry with a cloth.  "What if my brother's right?"

"Right about what?"

"Everything, Princess."

"Then you have a lot of thinking to get through.  Your voucher only lasts a week, and you might not be done before then."

"I've always been bad at jumping into decisions.  It's seemed like most of the ones I've made have been wrong."

"What makes you think this is more of the same?"

"What would make me think it's different?"

"Because after everything you've been through in your life, you deserve happiness," Luna assured Eibhear.

Luna closed her eyes and sadly sighed.  Eibhear pulled the PonyPad close to his chest and hugged it tight.  Luna began humming a lullaby-sounding song.  Eibhear walked over to the bed and lay down, still clutching the PonyPad to his chest.  He sighed deeply, as if trying to calm his nerves.

"Princess, I don't deserve anything."  Eibhear's tone was somber.  "My life is the result of all the bad decisions I've made throughout, and to go to Equestria now would feel like I'm being rewarded for failing."

Luna shook her head.  "'Tis not so, Silver.  You've made countless friends over your lifetime.  Friends who knew they could count on you, and you'd be there for them.  Friends who to this day, still allow you to occupy their thoughts from time to time."  Luna stood up as her voice took a louder tone.  "You can NOT measure the worth of your life by what you have or haven't built.  You've always shared what you had with your friends, even when you had little to yourself."

"When all you've got is nothing, there's a lot to go around..." Eibhear whispered under his breath, quoting a line from a song in a movie he once saw.

"You've inspired your sister to learn about computers to go into the field of information technology.  You've inspired a friend's younger brother to explore fantastic new worlds through literature.  You've even helped another friend with her marriage when she was about to give up on her husband.  Now, they're happier than they've ever been, welcoming their second child into the family."

Luna paused for a moment as if to let everything sink in.  "You've touched countless lives through your deeds, both with friends and total strangers alike.  Do you not remember the time you worked for the cell phone company?  The bank?  All the people you went above and beyond to help despite being against 'company policy'?"

Luna paused again as if to prepare for her next statement.  "Do you not realize how powerful an effect your quality customer service has on the customers you've helped at your current job, even as a 'lowly' cashier?  Much as some people enjoy themselves for the first time in their life playing Equestria Online, many of your customers are treated with dignity and respect for the first time in their lives.  If these things are not great, then it seems to me that you do not know what 'great' is."

Luna sat back down on her haunches, her voice quieting down a bit.  "You've inspired people to do great things for themselves, Silver Streak.  You've earned your happy ending."  Luna closed her eyes, a tear forming in her eye.  "Please come back to us, Silver Streak," her voice barely a whisper by this point.  "You've earned your happy ending..."

Eibhear's eyes had gotten a little watery as well by this point.  Having someone to recount his life back to him certainly put things into a different perspective.  He never thought himself to be so grand, feeling that it would be delusional at best, and outright lying to himself at worst.  There was still someone he had to speak with, though.  "Princess, I need to make a phone call."

"Your brother?"

"Yes."

"Take as long as you need to.  The voucher will compensate the hotel for any expenses."

Eibhear picked up the hotel room phone and looked at the keypad, staring blankly for a short while before Luna broke the silence.  "Did you forget your brother's phone number?"

Eibhear chuckled nervously, "Yeah, I guess I got spoiled by the address book feature that literally every electronic device has now."

The PonyPad flashed a number on the screen, and Eibhear typed it in on the keypad.  The phone rang.

"Hello?" the voice on the other end said.

"Hey bro, what's up?" Eibhear asked.

"Not much," came the brother's familiar voice.  "How's Equestria?"

Eibhear chuckled nervously, "It looks a lot like Germany right now."

"Not World War II Germany I hope..."

"Bro, I haven't emigrated yet, I'm at a hotel after having a last minute panic attack."

"I'm sorry bro," Griffith said, unsure what his brother wanted to hear.  "Were you thinking about canceling and coming back to the states?"  The older brother sounded a little hopeful.

"I can't, man," Eibhear said.  "My apartment is already vacated and up for showing to new renters.  I have nowhere to go."

"You can always come here to New York."

"I'd be miserable there and you know it.  Besides, I've got no air fare.  I'm pretty much just stuck here in Germany until, well, you know."

"I'm sorry man, but it's just... the whole pony thing, it's just not right for a grown man to... nevermind.  Do you know what they're doing with your body after the process is done?"

"I'm... trying not to think about that."  Eibhear cleared his throat.  "When I first arrived at the center, a chair had come out from the back room.  It was empty.  Someone had just emigrated."  Eibhear's voice let a hint of panic creep in, "there was a BODY in that chair, five minutes before I arrived, and now it's gone!"

"Eibh, I have to ask."  Griffith took a deep breath before continuing.  "What did you think would happen to the body after your brains got scooped out?"

Eibhear was silent.  He didn't really think that too much.  Of course something has to be done with the bodies.  He couldn't remember exactly, but he thought the princess said the bodies being treated with full respect in accordance with national and cultural practices, or something to that effect.  "Yeah," he finally said.  "You have a point."

"I mean, you didn't think they'd just leave the corpse in that thing and it'd just up and walk out the front door did you?"  Griffith chuckled, trying to add a little levity to the conversation.  "But hey, if you want to commit suicide, I can't stop you from here.  I'm certainly not going to encourage you to kill yourself."

Eibhear was done.  He didn't want to hear anymore.  "Did you ever think maybe I wanted to commit suicide and that's what attracted me to emigration in the first place?  There's a reason Oregon passed the Death With Dignity Act Of 1997."  Eibhear sighed, "oh how I wish I was terminally ill back then."

"Eibh..." Griffith couldn't get a word in edgewise.

Eibhear stopped to catch his breath and try to regain his composure.  "The world doesn't need me, bro, and I certainly don't want it.  That's why I want to leave this God-forsaken dump."

Griffith simply stood there, shocked.  His brother's outburst took him by surprise.  Clearly there were some deep-seeded issues in Eibhear's mind, and this latest conversation had put it all out there.  As much as he wanted to fly out to Germany and slap his brother upside the head to knock some sense into him, he just simply had no way to get there in time.  "Look, you do what you gotta do.  I just know that the digital representation of you will be just a copy, and not my actual brother."

Eibhear hung up the phone.  Several emotions ran through his mind.  Sadness, anger, frustration, fear... but Eibhear knew what would solve all of his ills.  He turned his attention to the PonyPad.  "Princess, I'm ready to go back."

Celestia's visage appeared on the PonyPad this time.  "I'm glad you've found your confidence again, Silver Streak," the AI said, "but I'm concerned about at what cost."  Celestia was silent for a moment to give Eibhear time to let everything sink in so there would be no regrets.  "I'll make sure you're on the list as the first emigration of the day tomorrow morning," she finally said after it seemed Eibhear wouldn't break the silence.

"That sounds wonderful, Princess," Eibhear replied.

"The car will be there in the morning to pick you up and bring you back to the Equestria Experience Center."

"I look forward to it."

-***-

Eibhear slowly woke up in the morning to the sound of a phone ringing.  He groggily reached over to pick it up.  An unfamiliar voice came through the line, "This is your eight o'clock wake-up call."  Just as groggily, he placed the receiver back on the phone.

He pulled his feet out of the soft comfy bed and let them hang over the edge.  Slowly he sat up and chuckled to himself.  "By throwing back the blanket, hanging down the legs..." he said out loud.  He stood up and began the day, cleaning up to make himself presentable for his princesses.  After the shower was done, he walked out into his room.  The PonyPad flickered on immediately.

"Oh good Silver Streak," the voice of the sun princess greeted him.  "You're up."  Her gaze looked Eibhear in the face, unwavering, never once looking away from him.  It was almost unsettling.

Eibhear rushed to put on his clothes, pausing only to look at the PonyPad to find CelestAI never breaking her stare into his eyes.  This only caused him to rush faster to put clothes on.  "Alright, alright, I'm dressed, I'm heading out the door now."

"Excellent!" CelestAI clopped her hooves together.  "Bring the PonyPad with you to the hotel lobby and turn it in at the front desk.  Make your way outside from the lobby.  The same car from yesterday will be there to pick you up.  I will see you in the car."  The PonyPad shut off.

Eibhear felt a little bit icky.  He didn't pack any extra clothes, so he was forced to wear the same thing he had worn the day before.  He didn't engage in any physical activity except for running away from the Equestria Experience Center.  Eibhear was still not quite sure why he did that, but that will all be rectified shortly.

Eibhear made his way downstairs to the lobby as instructed.  He walked over to the reception desk and presented the Luna-themed PonyPad to them, nodded his head in thanks, then walked out the front door.  True to the AI's word, there was a Google Car, identical to the first one, waiting outside for him.  He lifted the handle experimentally, expecting it to be locked, but found that to not be the case.  Eibhear pulled the door open, a little bolder now, and immediately sat down in the passenger seat.  The screen flickered on.

"Welcome back Silver Streak," Celestia said.  "We're going back to the Equestria Experience Center."  She spoke in a very calm and straightforward manner.  "Once we arrive, you are going inside and sitting down in one of the chairs to emigrate."

Eibhear nodded silently in response.

"You've already given your consent to be uploaded on two occasions, so you will not be required to say the phrase 'I wish to emigrate to Equestria' again." Celestia smiled.  "You can, however, say it regardless, if you wish to reaffirm your desire."

Eibhear nodded silently again.

"Now, the car won't begin moving until you buckle up."

"Oh right, of course."  Eibhear buckled the seat belt and the car was on its way.  His motions seemed dull and lifeless.  Celestia picked up on this of course, but refrained from drawing attention to it.

It didn't take more than about five minutes to make it back.  The traffic was light at the moment.  Once at the center, Celestia let him know that she and Luna would see him again inside and the screen blanked out.  Eibhear opened the door and stepped out.

It was still fairly early in the day, and the place was nearly empty.  There were two or three other customers on their PonyPads.  A chair slid out from the back.  After it opened, an older gentleman in a business suit who looked to be in his late 40's emerged.  He turned back toward back to look at the chair fondly before heading out the front door.   The gentleman seemed happy and satisfied.

Nervously, Eibhear walked over to the recently vacated station.  He looked around at the other two or three customers that were playing their games.  Neither of them looked familiar from the day before, not that he got a good look at them anyhow.

Eibhear cautiously sat down in the station, putting his feet next to the hooves as best he could, hands onto the arm rests, and head leaned back into the neck rest.  All was ready.  The enclosure sealed shut, blacking out Eibhear's vision of everything but the screen in front of him, which lit up.  A vision of the sun princess sitting on her throne appeared.  It was a head-on point of view.

Celestia stood up from her throne.  "Hello Silver Streak."  She slowly strode down the steps to the ground level.  "I know I said you didn't have to before, but, please grant me this request."  Eibhear gulped.  "Please say 'I wish to emigrate to Equestria'."  Celestia slowly approached Silver Streak as she spoke, keeping her sultry gaze fixed on his eyes.  Her movements seemed predatory.

"As you wish, Princess." Eibhear said.  "I wish to emi- OW!  What was...that...?"  In less than five seconds, Eibhear was unconscious.

Chapter IX - Homecoming

Not again... was the first thought that ran through Silver Streak's mind.  It wasn't the first time he woke up in a hospital.  Or the second, for that matter.

"Good morning, Silver Streak."  The sun princess stood next to his bedside.  Her right fore-hoof was placed gently on Silver Streak's shoulder to rouse him from his slumber.  "How do you feel?"

Silver Streak woke up, a little at a time, groggy from the anesthesia.  His vision was blurry at first, taking a few moments to correct to its proper acuity.  It was a moment before Silver was conscious enough to answer.  "I feel..." he began, but his voice trailed off. He looked around the room before his eyes settled on the large white alicorn attached to the hoof gently pressed on his shoulder.  He closed one eye, then the other, confirming that his vision in each eye was crystal clear.  A large grin slowly spread across his face.  "...fantastic!" he said at last, with a large grin full of teeth.

"That's wonderful!" Celestia exclaimed, clopping her hooves together.  "I wasn't sure if you'd want to keep the scar or not, so I had removed it.  You can always get a new one, or simply ask and I'll give you the one you had from before."

"No, this is fine Princess," Silver Streak responded, still ecstatic that the procedure had completed successfully.  He sat up and threw his hooves around Celestia's neck in a big hug.  Silver Streak closed his eyes and smiled, feeling Celestia's warm body between his forelegs.

Celestia chuckled, "once you are able to move, I would like for you to come with me to the grand ballroom," she said.  She stepped away from the bed, forcing Silver to release his hold on her.  Celestia turned her head back to Silver, flared her wings, and smiled that heart-warming smile.  "Luna's been preparing a celebration for your arrival."

Silver Streak delicately tried to get up, and found that it was much easier than he expected.  To his surprise, his legs not atrophied.  It made sense after he thought about it, though.  His legs were a digital construct now and not real legs with muscle tissue.

"Let's go!" Silver Streak said a little too excitedly while jumping up and down on, which drew another chuckle out of the sun princess.

Celestia smiled her heart-melting smile, "Right this way then, my little pony."  She gestured toward the door.

-***-

"WELCOME MY LITTLE PONY" came the booming Royal Canterlot Voice, ringing loud and clear as usual.

Silver Streak was awestruck by the setup in the ballroom, the same that played host to the Grand Galloping Gala (and Twilight Sparkle's birthday party one year).  Streamers, balloons, chocolate fountain... it was all so much.

"This is all... for me?" Silver Streak asked, still awestruck by everything.

"Yes," the moon princess said.  "Your students were so excited they wanted to throw a party for you to celebrate your homecoming."

"That's awesome!" Silver Streak stamped his hooves excitedly.  He looked around, confused.  "Where's Exuvia at?"  Then he looked at his hooves, which he stamped on the ground to show approval, as opposed to clopping them together like a clap, which confused him initially.  He did remember in the show where ponies stamped hooves instead of clapping however.  Silver Streak shrugged his shoulders with a "meh", and dismissed the thought.

Just then, a second Princess Luna gently descended to the ground, landing next to the first Luna.  Swallowed by green flames and replaced by the diminutive changeling form of Exuvia.  "You couldn't possibly believe I would've missed this, could you?"

The students had all gathered together in formation before their teachers.  The Royal Canterlot Orchestra (which consisted of four ponies, a pianist, a bassist, a tuba-player, and a harpist) warmed up briefly and began playing.  The crowd of small colts and fillies then began to sing a collection of Silver Streak's favorite tearjerkers from his life as Eibhear.  Silver couldn't stop himself, and tried to join in, but was too choked up to even squeak out anything, let alone carry a melody.

"It's so beautiful..." he cried, and after the choir was done, the two princesses and all the fillies and colts surrounded him in a big group hug.  Had Silver Streak been a changeling like Exuvia, he'd have been full to exploding from all the love.

"Welcome home, my little pony," Celestia said.  She leaned her head in so her mouth was close to Silver Streak's ear and gently whispered, "you will be safe here, and loved."

Once the group hug broke, it was time to celebrate.  There were many games to play, and things to do.  The party lasted long into the night.  Silver Streak had expressed concern about the young ones and being in bed at the late hour, but Luna had assured him that they obtained the necessary permission from their parents.

-***-

It had been a week since Griffith's brother flew to Germany to emigrate.  Griffith wished the last conversation he had with his brother was a better one.  His wife greeted him at the door as soon as he got home from work.  She was unusually excited.  "It came in the mail!"  She held out a package in her hands, addressed to Griffith.  "Open it!  Open it!"  She could hardly contain her excitement.  Griffith never told her about the argument he had with his brother.  It wasn't something she needed to know about.

"Alright, alright honey." Griffith chuckled.  He held the package in his hands.  From my brother, the pony... he thought to himself as he read the mailing label.  Griffith sat down in his computer chair and opened the letter:

Dear Brother,

I know we left off on a bad hooffoot when we last spoke.  I'm truly sorry about that.  We got into a heated argument, and it just went too far, and we blew up at each other, and well, you were there, you know what happened.  I wanted to write sooner, but had difficulties bringing myself to do so.  Anger clouds the mind and whatnot.

When I first got here, they greeted me with a party, and the fillies and colts I've been teaching greeted me with a choir performance!   It was so awesome, bro.  I was crying like I had just watched a Pixar movie.  And you know how much they love to jerk them tears.

So, what have you been up to?  I have little to no knowledge of what goes on in the world now.  Celestia keeps us safe and insulated.  Granted, some of my last words involved denouncing the planet and wanting to leave that 'dump'.  I guess technically I'm still on that dump in some server farm in Kansas or whatever.

Anyways, I must bring this letter to a close.  Know that I love you bro, and I wish you didn't hate ponies so much.

Lots of love,

Eibhear

Griffith put the letter down on his desk and spied the other item included in the package with the letter.  It was a white PonyPad, with the familiar sun-shaped cutie mark in the corner on the back.  Griffith chuckled to himself a little as he flipped it on.  It took a moment to connect to the Wi-Fi signal in his house.  He was soon greeted by the sun princess's visage.

"Greetings, Thunderstrike," CelestAI said warmly.  "I hope that all is well with you."

"It's Griffith, and I just read the letter from my pony-brother.  I'm glad to hear he's doing alright."

"Would you like to speak with him?"

"No, that won't be necessary," Griffith responded, but immediately felt a pang of guilt.  First chance I get to speak with him since the procedure, and I put it off.  "But let him know I said hi, though."

"As you wish, Thunderstrike."

"Griffith," he said with a stern tone.

"Of course," the princess AI smiled briefly, but noticed Griffith still wore a frown upon his face.  "Is something wrong, Griffith?"

"Of course something's wrong; my brother's a pony," Griffith replied.

"Yes.  He is happy now, and his values satisfied."

Griffith grumbled a bit at the reminder.  "Yes, through friendship and ponies, of course.  But it's not him.  It's just a digital copy of him."

"I understand that you find ponies distasteful," the AI said.  "However, you must realize that when you wish to see Eibhear, you will see him as a pony named Silver Streak."  Both CelestAI's face and voice took on a more serious tone.  "Unless your plan is to avoid him the rest of your life so you won't have to."

Griffith set the PonyPad down flat on the table, harder than he should have probably, but no harder than intended.  "Are we doing this again?  Really?  Is guilt the only thing in your bag of tricks?"

"I'm only trying to help you get over your difficulties," the AI said.  "I wish nothing more than to unite two siblings as Twilight Sparkle and her friends did with Princess Luna."

Griffith grunted in annoyance, "How do I know he even wrote it?  You could have forged the letter."

"Honestly, you don't.  You're a skeptic, and won't believe anything without hard proof."  CelestAI's face remained stoic as always.  "However, if deceit was truly my intention, there are much more fanciful things I would have said instead.  While lying is not impossible for me, I find that doing so tends to create distrust."

The camera panned out from CelestAI's face to include her full form in the frame of the camera shot.  "Still, you must know that your brother still loves you, as I'm sure you still love him."  She then stood up and stepped down from the dais.  Celestia glanced away from the screen and turned her attention to the stained-glass window featuring King Sombra and Spike the dragon.  "Why won't you talk to him?"

Griffith hesitated to answer for nearly a minute.  He figured the longer he spoke with CelestAI, the more likely he was to agree with whatever she was saying.  He finally broke the silence, "I've already said why."  He stood up and pointed an accusatory finger at the PonyPad, "and I don't need you to help me work out my 'issues'.  The pony you call Silver Streak isn't my brother, it's just a copy."

"He'll be very sad to hear that," the AI said softly.  "Very well, I will trouble you no more.  But before you can see your brother again, you will have to come to terms with your difficulties."

"Yeah, whatever."  Griffith looked around the room uncomfortably and sat down again.  "Look, are we done here?"

"I suppose so," CelestAI said sadly.  "Farewell Griffith, I wish that you could truly come around to accept emigrants as real sapient entities and not just digital copies."  And with that, the PonyPad shut off.

"Yeah, farewell alright," Griffith muttered to himself as he picked up the PonyPad, packed it back into the box and placed it out in the storage shed.

-***-

"You used the human name," Celestia observed.  She was in bed sitting on her haunches, watching as Silver Streak finished tapping away on a typewriter in her room.

"It's how my brother would prefer to remember me," Silver Streak said.  "He doesn't like ponies, remember?"

"I do."  Celestia lay down and stretched out on the bed.  "Come now, it's Cuddle Time."

"Yes, your highness."  Silver Streak trotted away from the typewriter and climbed into bed with Celestia.  The princess sat up and wrapped a wing around the comparatively small pegasus.  Silver Streak nuzzled in under her chin.  "That was quite the party, Princess," Silver Streak said, trying to strike up a conversation.

"Luna worked with your students to make the arrangements," Celestia smiled.  "She was hoping you would approve of them."

"You know I do."  Silver Streak closed his eyes and sighed contentedly.

"Would you like me to summon her?" Celestia lifted her head to look at Silver Streak directly.  "Then she could join in Cuddle Time as well."

Silver Streak's eyes lit up as the corners of his mouth curled upward into a grin.  "Let's go surprise her..."