Harmony forever

We’re a long way from home.

Home’s a long way from us

-Bruce Springsteen

**********

             It had been dreary all day in Wappinger Falls, but it hadn’t started to rain. That was, until there was a crack of thunder loud enough to shake the mirror at Marcotte’s bar of the wall. It shattered as soon as it hit the ground.

“Damn it! Just what I need, more bad luck” muttered Marcotte’s owner, Will. His bar, which was his father’s at first, had been going downhill for years, on most days he served less than a gallon of even the cheapest beer. Will tried so hard to keep the bar running after his father passed away soon after his return from the army, but despite all his hard work, the bar’s only regular customers were his friends, Todd and Alan.

             “I’m telling you bro, just torch the place and collect the insurance” Uttered Todd with surprising clarity, as he had already had six beers. He then let loose a loud obnoxious belch.

             “Damn it Todd, He’s getting evicted next week. If he started a fire, they would know he did it, dumbass.” slurred Alan, who was well above the legal limit. “And the only thing I want to light is some you-know-what and start a party.”

             “Well on that note, I’m out. You two lock up when you’re done.” As his friends waved goodbye, Will left his bar and began to walk home

************

             Applejack woke up coughing water out of her lungs.  She quickly looked around to figure out her surroundings.  She was on the shore of river, which was getting considerably rougher due to a storm that was quickly getting worse.

“Oh thank Celestia you’re awake, Applejack!”

Applejack quickly turned around and was enveloped in a tight hug. This hug was given by Rarity, who looked like a completely different pony. Her coat was soaking wet and dirty, and her mane was in no better condition.

             “Rarity, what’s going on? Said Applejack, unaware of her where she was.

             “We can’t worry about that now, we must get the others to shelter, before this storm gets worse than it already is.” Said Rarity

“Others?” asked Applejack, confused. She looked past Rarity and saw the four unconscious forms of her friends. “Have you found somewhere where we can wait this out?”

“Well, There is a small house a short ways upriver…”

“Then let’s go” said Applejack, hoisting Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie onto her back.

After a few minutes of walking, the duo arrived at the back of a small, two-story house

“Applejack, as i told you several times on the walk over here, the door is locked. we can’t...”

CRACK

Rarity jumped. Applejack had bucked the door, which was now lying just inside the house.

“APPLEJACK! You can not  just break into somepony's house! What is the matter with you?”

“I was ponynapped.” said Applejack flatly, walking into the house. The door led into the house's kitchen. It was clean, with only a few dishes in the sink. She walked through the doorway into what appeared to be the living room. She carefully set her friends onto the couch in the center of the room and began to look around. the room was mostly barren, save for the couch and a few strange machines, a black box and what looks like a black mirror. in front of the couch there was a fireplace. Applejack knew from the fresh ashes that somepony lived here. I guess i have some explaining to do, Applejack thought to herself.

“Applejack!” yelled Rarity from upstairs. Applejack ran to her friend to see her standing by a bed, looking horrified.

“What is it...” Applejack stopped mid-sentence.

in the picture, Applejack saw the strangest creature she had ever seen.

**********

it was now almost 7:00, and the sun was barely a line on the horizon. Will began to jog to ease his mind. With the bar and his dad, he was under a lot of stress. He stopped worrying himself about these things when he arrived at the end of his driveway. He noticed two things. First, his upstairs bedroom light was on. Second, he noticed a figure in the window.

Will was not the type for company, and he had no immediate relatives. So these intruders were cause for alarm.

He reached for the handgun in his coat.

***************

Applejack picked up the picture frame. The creatures in the photograph were unlike any she had ever seen. They’re snouts were short, as were their ears.They appeared to have manes, but the did not have a fur coat. At the end of their arms were what looked like long, slender dragon claws, but not as sharp. The older creature, who appeared to be a stallion, was wearing a strange green uniform. In his arms was a young colt. Applejack would almost call him cute.

“Rarity, I think we’re farther from home than we think”

***************

Will quietly opened his door, his gun ready to fire, should he need it. He walked into his living room, and froze. Laying on the couch, was what looked like a small horse. until it yawned and opened its wings.

Oh my God... its a pegasus. Will was understandingly confused as to why there was a mythical creature on his couch. He began walking to investigate.

“HI I’M PINKIE PIE!” Yelled a pink pony who was hanging upside down from the ceiling.

Will fell with a scream and hit his head on a table, losing consciousness.