At the Heart of it All

Chapters

A New World brings the chance of a New Life
A Fresh Start for a Young Heart
Making Friends Part One: A Rose of a Different Color
Making Friends Part Two: A Big Mac in the Big Apple
A Star Traveling Far

A New World brings the chance of a New Life

Chapter One

A New World brings the chance of a New Life

“Come on Star Dancer! It’s time to get up!” A voice called out from down stairs.

“I’m up Mom! I’m up!” Star Dancer yelled, rolling onto her back and letting out a huge yawn before rubbing her eyes a bit. Afterward, she sat up and scooched over to the end of her bed letting her hind legs drape over the side. It was still pretty early in the morning as the sun was just barely shining in through the window as Star Dancer took another few moments to stretch out her forelegs again.‘Mmm... what time is it?’ She wondered glancing over to the clock on her nightstand with tired eyes. It read 5:21am in bright red blurry numbers. Star Dancer yawned tiredly again before flopping back down on her bed drifting back off to sleep.

“You better not have fallen back asleep Star Dancer!” Her mother yelled back up stairs again.

“No mom,” she yelled, a little grumpiness in her voice. “Just resting my eyes for a second, that’s all.” She then tiredly sat back up and scratched her rump a couple times before hopping out of her bed, landing on shaky hooves. Taking a moment to stifle another yawn with a hoof, Star Dancer then sauntered over to her bedroom window and pushed it open. The warm morning breeze felt good as she sat by the window resting her forelegs on the windowsill, propping her head on a hoof. ‘Finally, twenty one. I can’t believe how time flies!’ she thought to herself looking out the window, watching the sun rise in the early morning sky.

It was once such a peaceful and quiet scene in the morning. But ever since the gateway to Earth had opened up, the peaceful sounds of her town were replaced by the sounds of bustling early morning activity. Vehicles rolling up and down the newly built road, delivering their goods to stores that had dotted up around the city. Humans and equestrians going about their early morning routine, some of them sometimes stopping to chat with and purchase goods from street vendors that had set up shop when the road was built.

Also in the distance, Star Dancer could hear occasional sounds of the local news helicopter buzzing around looking for a story to report on. It was definitely a change of times. Not that she didn’t like it, she actually loved the moment when she had heard about the connection being made to Earth. And it was then that a feeling began to form in her. A yearning to want to venture into the new land and explore it for herself, and possibly make a new life out of it.

But she knew that her parents would never go for it. They were always so protective of their daughter, and wary of the dangers that may lie on Earth. But the new land is still calling to her, and Star Dancer can no longer resist the urge to see for herself what lies on the other side of the gateway, but today is the day. Today she will confront her parents and tell them that she wants to go explore the new land, and nothing they can say will stop her. Sighing to herself, Star Dancer started to get up from the window, but stopped when she felt a pair of forelegs wrap around her chest.

“How’s my birthday girl this morning?” her mother whispered, pulling her daughter into warm hug.

Star Dancer smiled and leaned back into her mother nuzzling her cheek. “MMmm... Good Mom, just thinking.”

Star Dancers mother gently squeezed her daughter and kissed her on the head. “What about honey?” She quietly asked, looking down to her daughter.

“Just remembering when I used to sit at the this window as a filly watching the sunrise. It was just so different back then,” she sighed.

“Yeah, times have surely changed honey,” Star Dancer’s mother remarked looking out the window herself. She then returned her gaze to her daughter. “But I thought you liked all the new things happening in our town. Why so glum?”

“I do mom, I really do. But looking out at our home town and seeing all the new things happening get’s me thinking about that place.”

“You mean Earth, don’t you Star Dancer?”

She nodded, leaning forward resting on the windowsill again, and propped her head back on a hoof. “Yes mom, I mean Earth,” she sighed. “Sometimes I wonder how it looks over there you know? Like how do humans live their lives, what do their cities look like? I want to take it all in for myself and see everything there is to see! But...” She trailed off looking down to her hoof as it was tracing circles on the windowsill.

Star Dancers mother frowned letting go of her daughter and slid in next to her by the window. “But me and your father have been standing in your way.”

Star Dancer looked away from her mother letting her ears fall back. “You knew huh?” Her mother nodded.

“Mm hmm, We’ve kinda know it for awhile now honey.”

Star Dancer glanced over to her mother chuckling nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. “How could you tell?”

Her mother crossed her forelegs and leaned back to look back into daughter's room—to the walls, where scattered all about was news clippings of stories of the new land; of the gateway, and also the day it was opened to the public. She then glanced back to her daughter with a smirk raising a hoof. “Call it parental intuition,” she chuckled, watching her daughter press a hoof to her face. “But enough of this moping around honey, it’s your birthday!” She smiled, getting up to leave. “Get yourself ready because me and your father are taking you out to a surprise breakfast for your birthday.”

Star Dancer looked up to her mother, ears perking up as she raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? Where to?” She asked, curiosity flowing from her voice.

“Ah,ah,ah! It’s a surprise Star,” her mother said in a sing-song voice, waving her hoof in tune with the first few words. “But please, don’t keep your father waiting Star Dancer, okay?” Her tone getting little stern as she walked through the doorway. “You know he is not one to have much patience.”

“Okay Mom,” Star Dancer chuckled getting up from the window herself then made her way into the bathroom.

Hopping out of the shower a few minutes later, Star Dancer walked over to the mirror and began to regard herself. Her wonderful amber colored coat glistened in the light shining through the window. Her turquoise mane however was disheveled and tangled from her drying it out in a rather hasty, haphazard fashion. Letting out an exasperated sigh as she ran a hoof through her mane, Star Dancer reached up on the counter and picked up her mane brush then began to brush her hair, occasionally wincing in pain when she tugged on a particularly stubborn knot that didn’t want to come out.

When that problem was taken care of, she next went to work preening her wings, sometimes blushing briefly with a giggle when she touched a particularly ‘sensitive’ spot on her wing sending a tingly feeling through her body. Finishing up, Star Dancer let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding, and folded up her wings then returned to her room—walking over to her dresser, and opened it up. She then reached in and grabbed a pair of red colored panties and slipped them on then pulled her tail out through specifically designed hole till the elastic band wrapped snugly, but not too tightly around her dock, and next went looking for an outfit to wear. “Hmmm... what to wear, what to wear,” she said absentmindedly, swishing a hoof through the drawers while propping her head on another, looking for something.

“Ah ha! She chirped. “This will be perfect!” She smiled, pulling out a green pair of shorts then sat back on her bed and stuck her hind legs into the shorts and pulled them up. She then reached around and tugged on her tail pulling it out through a hole, and flicked it a couple times to get the frazzle out of it. After that was done, Star Dancer returned to her dresser and pulled out a matching green t-shirt with an amber star embroidered on it and slipped it on then stuck her wings out through a couple holes designed for a pegasus.

Closing up her dresser, Star Dancer headed on out of her room, but not before grabbing her saddlebag and a small tablet computer she had picked up at the local Wal-Mart that had popped up recently in her town.

“It’s about time you came down Star Dancer!” her father impatiently huffed, watching her daughter descend the staircase. “I swear... you mares take forever to get ready.”

“Oh dad... You need to learn to relax and not be so impatient all the time,” she giggled, setting her saddlebag down at the base of the staircase.

“Impatient?” He quickly glanced over to the clock on the wall. “It’s been almost an hour! What took you so long?”

“Girl stuff dad, you wouldn’t understand.”

“Yea honey, and besides, you yourself only just got out of the shower a few minutes ago too. So you have no right to complain yourself really.

Star Dancers father was about to say something, but his voice died in his throat. He instead let out a breath and picked up his saddlebag then slung it over his back. “C'mon you two, we’re going to be late for the train.”

Star Dancers ears shot up and she hopped up to her hooves then darted over to her dad wrapping her forelegs around his neck looking at him excitedly, her eyes almost sparkling. “Train!? Oh wow! Where are you taking me?”

“Now, now Star Dancer, it’s a surprise,” he chuckled, holding his daughter out at forelegs length, but she kept her gaze fixed on his and he started to feel a little nervous. “Don’t look at me like that. Please!” He begged, he was having a hard time resisting those pretty green eyes of hers. “A little help here Misty?” “He asked, glancing over to his wife.

“Alright now Star Dancer,” her mother began, pulling her off her father. “It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if your dad went and told you, now would it?”

“Alright...” She pouted, letting go and trotted over to get her saddlebag then slip it on. Her father meanwhile let out a sigh of relief.

“Thanks Misty, she almost got me there.”

“Don’t mention it,” she laughed. “Now lets not waste anymore time.” Her husband nodded and soon the three exited their home and headed for the train station.

****

“So mom, dad, you never told me where we are going,” Star Dancer said, looking out the window at the wide open plains and orchards as the train rolled on down the tracks approaching a small town. “What is so special that you can’t even tell your own daughter?” She asked, as the train started to pass through the small town eventually coming to a tunnel at the end of it.

“Patience Star Dancer,” her father replied, reading his newspaper. “We’re almost there.”

Star Dancer nodded and pulled out her tablet to mess with it missing the sign at the entrance of the tunnel as they entered it, but as the exited the other side, and to Star Dancers surprise, they were no longer in Equestria. They were now traveling down a railway passing sky high buildings blocking out the sun, criss crossing streets packed with vehicles and the bustling activity of individuals from all walks of life, Equestria and Earth alike. She was totally blown away at the sight in front her.

“Oh wow!” Star Dancer exclaimed, looking wide eyed at the city before her. “Where are we Dad?”

“New York, Star Dancer. Manhattan specifically,” he said, folding up his paper. “Me and your mother decided for your twenty first birthday we would take you on a trip to Earth and take in some of the sights. What do you think?”

Star Dancer smiled brightly leaping forward hugging her father. “You’re the greatest Dad!”

“Woah! Easy there Star,” her father chuckled, wrapping his forelegs around her, patting her on the back. “This was your mother's idea too you know,” he said, holding her out at forelegs length.

Star Dancer turned to her mother, quickly wrapping her forelegs around her “Oh thank you so much Mom! You have no idea how happy this makes me!” she happily said smiling, squeezing her mother.

Her mother smiled returning the embrace and wrapped her wings around her daughter, giving her a nuzzle on the cheek. “Anything to see my little girl smile.”

Eventually the train came to a stop in the station and the doors opened allowing the passengers to depart. Star Dancer and her parents grabbed their belongings, strapped their saddlebags on and headed to the exit stopping at a kiosk along the way to pick up a few tourist pamphlets and a map of Manhattan before making their way out of the station.

“Okay Dad, where to?” Star Dancer asked, stopping just outside of the train station. She then sat down on her haunches and held a hoof up to her eyes to shield them from the sun as she peered around at the city before her. “Dang it, I should've brought a hat. By the way, what's the name of the place?”

“The Astro Lounge,” Star Dancers father replied, while fumbling around for a little bit with his bag trying to get everything sorted, and then pulled out his map to take a look at it. “Well Star Dancer, it doesn’t seem to show where the restaurant is. “Maybe we can ask someone here?”

Misty Star looked over to her husband a little surprised raising an eyebrow, “My husband asking directions and not just blindly bumbling off into the unknown?” She remarked, crossing her forelegs. “Now there’s a first.”

“Hey! I have asked for directions before Misty!” He snapped back displeased.

“Oh you mean like the last vacation we went on as a family, and ended up getting lost somewhere in the Griffin kingdom before you decided to stop and ask directions?”

“Umm... Mom? Dad?”

“Hold on a second Star Dancer,” Her father said, waving a hoof to her. “That’s not fair Misty! I got us back on track now didn’t I?”

“Yes you did. After we wasted like three days wandering around the Griffin Kingdom ticking off the locals.”

“But Dad! This nice man here told me where the restaurant is,” Star Dancer said, tugging on his shirt trying to get his attention.

“Hang on Star Dancer,” he replied shrugging her off and returning to his argument with his wife.

“Do your parents normally argue like this when asking for directions?” A young man asked leaning down to Star Dancer.

Star Dancer pressed a hoof to her face and nodded. “Unfortunately ...” She groaned.

Misty Star glanced over to her daughter for a brief second when she seen her waving goodbye to the man. “Star Dancer, who was that you were talking to?”

“His name was John, and he just told me where the restaurant is.”

“Alright! Now we are getting somewhere.” Star Dancers father said. He then pulled out his map and showed it to Star Dancer. “Okay Star, show me where we need to go.” Star Dancer nodded and walked back over to her father sitting down beside him and looked over the map.

“Right here dad,” She said, pointing to the location on the map.

“Looks like its a few blocks away. What time is it by the way?”

Star Dancer dug into her bag—pulling out her tablet and turned it on.“A little after eight Dad.” she replied stuffing her tablet back into her bag. “So we got plenty of time to get there before they stop serving breakfast.”

Smiling her father nodded folding up his map and stuck it back into his saddlebag. “Alright Kiddo–”

“Dad! I’m not a kid anymore!” Star Dancer whined, interrupting her father.

“Yeah, I know,” he chuckled, ruffling her mane. “But in my eyes you’ll always be my little filly.”

“Yeah, yeah. Jeez Dad, lets just go!”

Smirking, Star Dancers father shook his head and followed his excited daughter down the street with his wife. Walking down the street, the three ponies began to take in the sights of the big city as they made their way to the restaurant.

“So where are we at the moment?” Star Dancer asked, looking across the street at the park.

Pulling the map back out, Star Dancers father took a moment to look at it. “Looks like the Upper East Side Star Dancer, and that park over there,” he said pointing to it. “Is called Central Park.”

“Want to go walk through it? She asked glancing back to it briefly.

“Maybe later Star Dancer. For now, let’s head to that restaurant. I am anxious to try some of the food they serve on this world.”

“Ok Dad,” she nodded, walking back over to him.

****

Arriving at their destination the three ponies stepped inside and were greeted by a familiar scene. The place must have been recently renovated to welcome Equestrians as pictures of locations ranging from Canterlot to Cloudsdale were displayed on the walls. Some of the seating in the building was also built specifically to accommodate ponies more comfortably. Even Equestrians themselves were working for the place.

“It feels like a home away from home.” Star Dancer remarked walking up to the front counter with her parents. A sign was posted letting the three know an attendant will seat them.

“Greetings! And welcome to The Astro Lounge!” A mint green unicorn cheerfully said walking up to them. “How can I hel–”

“Lyra? Is that you?” Star Dancers mother quickly said interrupting her.

“Misty Star! Well whaddaya know! It’s be what? Five years now?”

“About that,” she smiled, walking up to give her a hug.

“And hows the family doing?” Lyra asked.

“Doing good Lyra, just taking the birthday girl out for her special day.”

“Awesome! Well where is the little lady at?”

Misty Star smiled and held out a hoof motioning for her daughter. “Come over and say hello Star Dancer.”

She smiled and walked up waving a hoof. “Hello Lyra! long time no see!”

“Hiya Star!” She smiled walking over to the amber mare. “Boy, look at how you have grown! Lastime I saw you, you were just a filly! You had not even gotten your Cutie mark yet.” She looked down to Star Dancers hip and saw the two stars swirling together on her shorts.

“Cutie mark? What is that?” Star Dancer asked raising an eyebrow?”

“Oh, I’m sorry... I meant Mana mark.” She sighed. “Hanging out on earth has cause me to pick up some of that brony lingo. By the way... Where’s your father at?”

“Right here you crazy mare.” He chuckled walking up to her, giving her a quick hug.

“Dusty Trail! You knucklehead! It’s good to see you again!” She smiled, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. “How’s my favorite earth pony doing?”

“Doing good thanks,” He smiled. “So Lyra, what brings you here?”

“Oh, just taking a part time job here. It’s pretty nice as it lets me meet the people of this world.”

“I bet you’re the popular type with them brony fans aren’t you?”

“Hehe, yeah. Sometimes I even give a shake of my rump just to tease the older ones.”

“Eww... You’re weird Lyra!” Star Dancer giggled.

Lyra smirked and pulled Star Dancer away from her parents for a moment. “Nah... Actually some of them are quite handsome Star Dancer.”

“H-have you ever wanted to you know... Date any of them?” Star Dancer asked, looking at Lyra a little curious.

“Why the sudden curiosity Star Dancer? Looking to find a special someone?” Lyra chuckled, nudging Star Dancer with an elbow while waggling her eyebrows.

“M-me? N-no! I mean... That would be weird,” she shyly responded looking away. A little blush appearing on her cheeks.

“Still haven’t let that flower blossom yet eh Star Dancer?” she didn’t reply. Well not verbally, but the apparent growth in her blush was answer enough. “Don’t worry Star, you’ll find someone eventually.” She patted her on the shoulder. “Come on, lets get you guys seated so you can get a bite to eat.”

Returning her to her parents, Lyra then led the three to a nice booth and passed them out some menus.

“Ok guys, What would like to drink? We got soda, orange juice, milk, coffee and ice tea.”

“Can I have a glass of chocolate milk please?” Star Dancer asked, Lyra smiled and scribbled it down on her notepad.

“And what would you two like?” She asked looking at Star Dancers parents.

“Coffee please.” dusty Trail replied, looking over the menu.

“And I’ll take a glass of orange juice please,” Misty Star said.

“Okay, I’ll be right back!” She quickly shot off to get their drinks.

“So Sweety, what did Lyra pull you aside and talk to you about?”

“Oh nothing Mom,” She absentmindedly replied waving a hoof in the air. “Just some girl talk.”

“With Lyra, theres no telling what kinda ‘girl talk’ she was on about” Dusty Trail chuckled, running his hoof down the menu scanning the items on it.

“Oh hush you!” Misty Star giggled, hitting him on the shoulder playfully. “She’s not that bad.”

“Pfft... Okay.” He looked up from his menu and looked at his daughter. “Well... What did she talk to you about Star?”

Star Dancer’s eyes shrunk and she blushed furiously. She began to speak, but only managed to stumble over her words. “Umm... Well you see... Uhh... It wasn’t really... Umm... Her that had asked a question. It was Uhh...” she trailed off chuckling nervously rubbing her foreleg.

Misty Star, looking at her daughter expression and bashfulness, knew exactly where she was going with this. So, she decided to stop her daughter before she embarrassed herself. “I think thats enough prying Dear, have you decided what you wanted to eat?”

Looking to his wife, Dusty Trail raised an eyebrow at the sudden change of topic. But he relented and nodded. “Yep, this meal here.” He pointed to a selection on the menu. “Scrambled eggs with bacon and hashbrowns,” he said licking his lips.

“Really Dusty? Scrambled eggs and bacon?”

“Yeah so? I like eggs and bacon.”

“We’ve come to a new world with all kinds of exotic foods and you order something you can get just as easily back home.”

“Actually Misty, the food here on Earth is pretty much the same as back home. They just eat more meat than we do,” Lyra said walking up to the table. “Here are your drinks by the way.” She set the tray on the table and pulled out her notepad scribbling down Dusty Trail’s choice. “Are you two ready to order too?”

“Yes, Lyra,” Star Dancer said closing up her menu. “Can I have the pancake breakfast with sausage and potato fries please?”

“Sure thing!” She happily replied scribbling it down. “And you Misty Star?”

“I’ll take this omelet with a side of hashbrowns please. No meat is on it right?”

Lyra looked at the menu item and shook her head. “No Misty, there is no meat on that one. It’s a vegetarian omelet. It has eggs, green and red peppers, celery, american cheese and onions.”

“Ohh, sounds pretty good! I’ll take that then,” she smiled and passed the menu to Lyra.

“Alright! I’ll be back as soon as your food is ready, should take about ten to fifteen minutes.” Lyra scooped up the menus and walked off back into the kitchen.

“So Dad, after we’re done here what's next on the list of things to do?”

“Well Star Dancer, how about we do a little sight seeing? I was thinking we’d take a ferry to Liberty Island and check out the Statue of Liberty. Then we can swing on over to Ellis Island and see the new Equestrian Immigration center. The humans have renovated and reopened the building and island as a gateway point for immigrants of Equestria wanting to come live on Earth. After that we can head on down Broadway and see Times Square. Sound good to you?”

“Oh it sounds awesome! I can’t wait to see it!” She excitedly said, tapping her hooves together.

“Well that’s good Sweety, we figured you would like to see it. Seeing as how you’ve been so interested in Earth ever since the gateway opened.”

“It shows doesn’t it?” Star Dancer chuckled.

Dusty Trail held up a hoof. “Just a tad,” he replied with a smirk. “Oh! Here comes our food!” He smiled, rubbing his hooves together.

Lyra smiled as she walked up levitating the tray holding their food, and gently set it down on the table. “Breakfast is served!” She said, passing the food around to the three. “If there’s anything else you need don’t hesitate for a second to give me a call.” She then walked off tending to some other customers.

“Boy, this stuff smells good!” Dusty Trail said, reaching for his utensils. He was surprised to see that the restaurant had gone the length to get custom made utensils that had a ring and cup attached to it. This allowed a pony to slip their hoof into it and hold it properly. And not wasting anymore time, he promptly slipped on a fork and went to work gobbling up his food. Misty Star however was not impressed with his manners and promptly glared at him.

“Why are you looking at me like that Misty?”

“Really Dusty... Show some manners! We are in a public place you know! Imagine how these people would think about you seeing a you like a slob!” She snapped. She then held a hoof out to Star Dancer. Think about how your daugh...” She trailed off, her hoof dropping to the table with a *thud* as she turned to look at her daughter—who had now just noticed her mother looking at her. She then looked up from her food with a piece of mushed pancake still hanging from her mouth.

“What?” She innocently asked, slurping it up quickly with her tongue afterward.

“Nevermind...” Her mother replied, holding her head in her hooves. “Sometimes I wonder if the non-sentient ponies of this world have better table manners then you two.”

“Mahff table manners are perfffectly fffine Misty,” he mumbled with a mouth full of food, some particles flying out as he spoke.

She looked at him rather disapprovingly furrowing her brow, while one of her ears twitched irritably. “Yeah... I can tell... Your daughter seems to have learned from the best.”

“Well she is daddy's little girl!” He smiled.

Misty Star rolled her eyes. “Forget it...” She sighed, shaking her head. “How do I put up with you two?”

“Because you love us Mom!” Star Dancer cheered, throwing a hoof up into the air, accidently flinging a piece of sausage that was on her fork across the room. “Oops...” She blushed chuckling nervously, lowering her hoof. “My fault.”

Misty Star rested her head in her hooves then began rubbing her temples. ‘Celestia save me...’

After the three finished eating their breakfast, and opting to have some dessert. They said their goodbyes to Lyra and headed back out into the city. Their bellies full for a days trip sightseeing.

“So how do we get to Liberty Island Dad?”

“Hang on a second Star Dancer, let me check.” Dusty Trail reached around to his saddlebag and pulled out his map again and took a moment to look over it. “Well it seems we need to get to a place called Battery Park,” he said, returning to his map for a second. “And in order to get there we have to take the One train to South Ferry station.” He then folded the map back up and stuck it in his bag. “So lets hail a cab seeing as the station we need to board the train is rather far away.”

“Okay I’ll get one!” Star Dancer happily replied, quickly dashing off to the curb and stood up on her hind legs to flail her forelegs attempting to get a cabs attention. The effect worked, and soon after a yellow van with a ‘taxi’ light rolled up to them and the side door slid open.

“Where to?” The cab driver politely asked.

“Battery Park sir,” Dusty Trail replied ushering his family into the cab. The driver smiled and nodded flipping his meter on as Dusty Trail closed the door, and soon after they sped off to their destination.

“So how are you liking Earth so far?” The driver asked.

“Oh it’s been a wonderful experience so far,” Star Dancer replied, shifting in her seat finding it surprisingly easy to sit up comfortably and allow her hind legs to dangle over the edge. “We are going to go see your Statue of Liberty, and then Ellis Island.”

“I’m guessing you three are going to take the ferry out to Liberty Island then?” The three ponies nodded. “Well I just came from Battery Park, and the ferry had just departed. So you’ll have a little wait a little bit till it comes back. Shouldn’t be too long though.”

“That’s alright,” Dusty Trail replied, shifting in his seat to get comfortable. “We planned to go sightseeing for most of the day, so we’ll just check out the park until it arrives.”

“Then how would you like if I took a slight detour down Times Square on the way?”

“Oh cool! Can we please Mom? Dad?”

“Sure, I don’t mind.” Misty Star replied.

“We won’t miss the ferry will we?”

“No, it’s pretty much on the way to Battery Park anyway. Plus we can avoid some of the side streets. They can be rather packed this time of the morning.”

“Okay then,” Dusty smiled. “Take us down Times Square.”

The cab driver nodded with a smile and clicked on his turn signal turning onto the next street.

****

“Here we are guys,” the cab driver said as they turned off the side street and pulled on to Broadway.

“Oh my Celestia! Look at this place! It’s incredible!” Star Dancer was overtaken in awe. She had never seen a place so alien, so artificial. Everywhere she looked was technology. Billboards as long as buildings flashing neon lights. Huge signs displaying advertisements ranging from beverages to clothing were strewn about. People and equestrians alike were going about their day to day business shopping, mingling, and some taking photos. She could barely contain her excitement as they traveled down the street. She wanted to see more!

“You should see this place at night,” the driver said turning off Broadway heading to Battery Park. “It’s almost magical when all the lights are lit up.” Star Dancer looked at him a smile forming on her face.

“You humans have such a wonderful world! I wonder what it would be like to live here.” Star Dancer remarked, while look up tapping her chin.

Misty Star enjoying the sights herself, shivered when she heard what her daughter just said. A cold feeling shooting down her spine, rocking her to her very core. She turned to look at her husband, who had a similar look upon his face. She leaned up to him holding a hoof up to her mouth. “You don’t think she really means that do you?” She whispered, looking back over to Star Dancer.

Dusty glanced over to his daughter taking notice of her excitement as she continued to peer out the window, and then returned to look at Misty and gave her a nod. “She’s been like this for awhile now Misty. You know as well as I do that she has wanted to come over here ever since the gateway was opened a couple years ago.”

“Yeah I know...” She sighed looking down, rubbing her hooves together. “It just makes me nervous every time I hear it. I don’t want to see her getting hurt.”

Dusty smiled sitting up, and wrapped a foreleg around his wife pulling her close. “You know Misty, there comes a time when you have to start letting go. Because if you hold onto her too tight, you’re going to smother her, and Star Dancer will eventually have to start looking out for herself.” He gave her a gentle squeeze with his foreleg. “Because although it really hurts, the biggest thrill is seeing her fly all by herself.”

Misty Star smiled, leaning in giving her husband a kiss. “You always know how to make me feel better don’t you Dusty?” She whispered breaking from the kiss and leaned on him resting her foreleg on his chest and nuzzled his cheek.

“You guys are missing out on this...” Star Dancer trailed off looking back on her parents. “Why are you two being so mushy all a sudden?” She asked looking at her parents as the two held each other tightly.

“Oh no reason Sweety,” Misty Star replied sitting up and looking back out the window. “Now what is it you wanted to show me?”

Star Dancer raised an eyebrow at her mother’s sudden change of demeanor, but she just shook it off and shrugged. “Over here mom, check out these signs! They’re amazing!”

Sliding over to sit with her daughter, Misty Star marveled in the sights herself all the while Dusty Trail had pulled out a piece of paper from his saddlebag and started reading over it, occasionally looking up at his daughter with a smile on his face.

“Here we are guys, Battery Park,” The driver said pulling up to the curb. “And it looks like we arrived just in time too.” He pointed out to the bay at the ferry as it was approaching the dock.

“Sweet!” Star Dancer chirped hopping out of the cab, followed shortly after by Misty Star then Dusty Trail after he paid the cab driver their fare.

Once they got into the park the three made their way down the sidewalk towards the pier where the ferry docked, but stopped along the way and leaned up on the railing to look out over the bay while they waited for the ferry.

“Hey Dad, can I have some change for that binocular looking thing?” Star Dancer asked, looking over to him. “I want to look out at the Statue of Liberty.”

Dusty Trail nodded and reached around grabbing his saddlebag then fumbled around for a moment inside it before pulling out a couple coins. “Here you go Star.” He hoofed her the coins and she smiled hopping off the railing and trotted over to the device a little ways away then stood up on her hind legs and draped her forelegs over the stand and popped the coins in.

“Oh what a view!” She remarked, looking out over the bay at the ships passing by, but sadly as she turned to look at the statue the image became all blurry. “Bah! I can’t see anything, it’s all blurry! What the heck is wrong with this thing?” She leaned back for a moment rubbing her eyes then leaned back in squinting, but the image still didn’t get any better. “I think it’s broken,” she sighed looking down, kicking at the ground.

‘Boy it’s such a nice day out here today,’ Alex thought to himself, leaning on the railing while looking out over the bay. Everything was just so different from his old home back in Nebraska. He was so used to open fields and sprawling plains, but ever since his family decided to move to New York, the simpleness of his hometown was replaced by the artificial feeling of technology; of concrete and steel. Sighing to himself, Alex glanced around at his surroundings taking notice of an individual with greenish blue colored hair wearing what looked to be a pair of green shorts that had a pair of stars swirling on it with a matching t-shirt struggling with some binoculars.‘Well I guess I can be helpful at least,’ he thought pushing back from the railing and walked over to the person.

But as he got closer, he slowed his approach and noticed the individual was not a person, but an equestrian, a pony to be specific standing up on it’s hind legs with it’s greenish blue tail twitching irritably. ‘So this is what they look like up close,’ he thought,as he continued closing in on the pony struggling with the binoculars. It then leaned back from the eyepiece to rub its eyes and Alex marveled at how easily it went about reaching up with it’s front forelegs to rub at its eyes while keeping itself balanced on it’s hind legs. It seemed almost human. He then took a few minutes to look over the pony and noticed a set of amber colored wings tucked snugly against its sides. ‘Wings? That’s pretty cool. I wonder if it can fly.’

He was broken from his thoughts when the pony leaned forward to take another look through the binoculars, but then leaned back letting out a sigh kicking at the ground. And then to his utter amazement, it spoke in a language he could understand. He then walked up and reached for the focus knob. “It’s not broken, you just have to turn the knob at the top.”

The amber colored pony jumped back losing it’s balance as Alex reached over it to turn the knob a bit. “OW!” The pony yelped after falling back onto it’s rump with a *thud*.

“Are you alright?” He asked a little concerned, leaning down to the pony. He didn’t intentionally want to injure it after all.

“Yeah... I’m okay, you just startled me thats all,” the pony mumbled, rubbing it’s sore rump.

“Here, let me give you a hand.” He smiled extending a hand down to the pony. It looked up to him and hesitated for a moment then shakely held out a hoof. He took it and pulled the pony up, but didn’t let go right away. Instead, he held on marveling again at the softness of its furry appendage; it feltincredibly soft, and warm. The hoof or what he thought should have been one, was equally covered in the soft amber colored fur except for a small portion of nail exposed at the front. But strangely enough, that too was amber in color and freshly manicured to boot! The underside of it’s hoof was another story altogether. As to the best of his knowledge it kinda resembled the skin (or footpad one might call it,) of a cat here on Earth.

The pony looked at Alex a little nervously tugging back with its foreleg. “Umm... Can I have my hoof back please?”

Alex immediately let go chuckling nervously while rubbing the back of his neck. “Heh... Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it,” the pony began nervously darting its eyes back and forth while rubbing the back of its neck too. It was an awkward scene to say the least. “Thanks by the way,” the pony finally uttered breaking the tension and then began brushing itself off. “My name is Star Dancer by the way, what’s yours?” The pony asked looking back up to him.

He froze when the pony finally turned to look at him, and took a few minutes to study the features of it’s face. The fact that it resembled a pony was apparent as he took notice of it’s muzzle, and snout as well as its ears, and the way they twitched occasionally as if they were tuning into a sound he couldn’t hear himself. But then he also noticed the human aspect as well, when he looked into its oversized green eyes and seen the curiosity flowing from them as they too were trying to read his own making him feel a little uneasy.

“Helloooo! Equestria to whoever you are,” The pony said waving it’s hoof in front of his face.

Alex shook his head a couple times. “Oh... Eh, sorry. I kinda zoned out there,” he chuckled. “My n-name is Alexander, but you can call me Alex,” He replied.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Alex.”

“Same here. But to be honest, this is the first time I’ve ever talked to an Equestrian.” He scratched his head and chuckled nervously. “So pardon me if I ask a stupid question, but are you a girl or boy?”

“I’m a girl silly.” She giggled, “but I guess the voice wasn’t proof enough was it?”

“Sorry, but it’s not like I talk your kind everyday. I mean you gotta admit, a talking pony is a lot to take in for the first time.”

Star Dancer looked at him crossing her forelegs and tilted her head sideways with a smirk while raising an eyebrow. “You know I could say the same thing about you human.”

Alex laughed crossing his arms. “You know you’re absolutely right,” he said and looked away. “I never thought of it that way.”

“Don’t worry about it,” she laughed, waving a hoof “I was only teasing you.” He looked back at her, a smile tugging on his lips. “So you were saying that if I turn this knob here.” She pointed at the knob just above the eyepiece. “It will bring the statue into focus?”

Alex nodded and walked up to the binoculars. “Yup, go ahead and give her a look and I’ll adjust the focus for you.”

“Alright.” Star Dancer again rested her forelegs on the binocular stand and peered through the eyepiece, “Uhh... It’s still all blurry.”

“Is this any better?” Alex reacher over her greenish blue forelock and twisted the knob.

“Oh yes, that’s much better now. I can see the statute clearly. Thank you!”

“It’s such a pretty view isn’t it Dusty?”

“Sure is Misty, I can see why Star Dancer like this place so much.” Dusty Trail replied briefly glancing over to his daughter, and then back out over the bay. Then it struck him, and he quickly snapped his attention back over to his daughter again. “Who is that?”

“Who is who Dusty?” Misty Star asked.

He stuck his hoof out pointing to his daughter. “That is who I am talking about.” Misty Star looked over to her daughter squinting her eyes.

“I don’t know, but I’m going over there right now to find out.” She then hopped off the railing and quickly trotted over to the two. “What are you doing with my daughter!” Misty yelled, startling the two by the binoculars making Star Dancer again lose her balance and fall backwards.

“Don’t worry, I got you Star Dancer,” Alex said, quickly catching her before she hit the ground again.

“Get your hands off my daughter!” Dusty Trail yelled galloping over to them. “What do you think you're doing!” He snapped, skidding to a halt in front of Alex, poking him in the chest with a hoof.

“Whoa dude, calm down!” Alex hastily replied standing up, taking a few steps back. He also took notice that even though Dusty Trail was standing on all fours, he was still as tall as him. “I was only showing her how to adjust the focus on the binoculars there thats all,” He calmly replied hold up his hands.

Misty Star leaned down to her daughter. “Are you alright?” She asked, a bit of concern in her voice.

“Yeah Mom, I’m alright, but you two need to lighten up! I mean, he was only showing me how to focus the thing.”

“Oh, was that all?” She looked up to Alex and saw Dusty Trail was staring him down. “Honey, you can relax, she’s alright. All this guy was doing was showing her how to operate the focus.”

Dusty Trail took a step back and nodded then returned to Alex. “I’m sorry Sir, I was just looking out for my daughter. My name is Dusty Trail by the way, and this fine mare here.” He raised a hoof to Misty. “Is my wife Misty Star. And I see you’ve already met my daughter Star Dancer already.”

Alex let out a breath and let his hands fall to his sides. “Perfectly understandable Dusty. My name is Alexander, but you can call me Alex if you like.”

“Nice to meet you Alex.” He held out a hoof.

“The pleasure is all mine.” He took his hoof and shook it. “So, what are you doing in our fine city today?”

“Just taking our daughter out on her 21st birthday for a little sightseeing,” Dusty Trail replied.

“That’s cool.” He then turned to look out at the bay and saw the ferry had docked. “You guys going to go see the Statue of Liberty?”

Dusty Trail nodded. “Why yes, yes we are. We were just waiting for the ferry to arrive.”

Well it just docked, but you better hurry up, it tends to fill up fast.”

“Thanks for the heads up.” Dusty Trail then turned and walked back to his wife and daughter. “Ready to go girls? The ferry is here.”

“Ready and willing Dad!” Star Dancer then hopped to her hooves and trotted off to the ferry.

“Have fun guys!” Alex said waving goodbye.

“Goodbye Alex, and thanks for helping my daughter out.” Misty Star said with a smile following her husband to the ferry.

After they were out of sight, Alex leaned onto the railing and stared out into the bay thinking to himself. ‘Talking ponies... Who would’ve thought.’

****

“Now arriving on Liberty Island. All passengers please wait till the ferry has come to a complete stop before disembarking,” A voice announced as the ferry pulled up alongside the dock, and a second later some of the crew hopped off tying the ferry to the dock afterwards pulling a ramp up for the passengers.

“Well that didn’t take long,” Star Dancer remarked, looking at her tablet. By now it was reaching noontime and people and equestrians alike were crowding around the monument taking pictures, some were looking out over the bay while lounging on the railing or benches provided, and some had even stopped to grab a bite to eat at the concession stands.

“Come over here you two,” Dusty Trail asked, pulling a camera out from his saddlebag. “I want to get a picture of you two in front of the monument.”

“But then you won’t be in the picture Dad.”

“Well I didn’t bring a stand, so who will take the picture then?”

“Why don’t you ask someone here? I’m sure there is someone who wouldn’t mind snapping a picture for you.”

Dusty Trail nodded. “Alright, I’ll be right back.” He then spun around and began looking through the crowd of tourists. After a few minutes of searching, he spotted a lone white unicorn with a curly purple mane wearing a pretty red dress with what look like a few diamonds emblazoned on each side of it. She was leaning on the railing while holding a camera with her telekinesis, snapping a few pictures of the city on the opposite side of the bay.

“Excuse me Ma’am, but could I trouble you to take a picture of me and my family?”

She hopped down off the railing and stuffed her camera back into her saddlebag then spun around to face Dusty Trail. “Why sure darling, it would be my pleasure. Where are they at?”

Dusty Trail smiled and pointed behind him to the two pegasi standing by a plaque reading it. “Them fine mares over there Ma’am.”

The white unicorn smiled. “Well let’s not keep them waiting shall we darling?”

Dusty Trail nodded and hoofed her the camera then returned to his family by the plaque. “Hey, I found someone to take a picture for us.”

“Oh? Who?” Misty Star asked. Dusty Trail smiled and pointed to the white unicorn trotting up to them holding her husbands camera with her mana. “You know I have this feeling that I know that mare from somewhere.”

“Really?” He glanced over to her for a second, then back to Misty Star scratching his head. “I’m drawing a blank here Misty.”

“Did you even bother to ask for her name?”

Dusty Trail looked away chuckling nervously while rubbing the back of his neck. “Guess it kinda slipped my mind.”

Misty Star pressed a hoof to her face. “You knucklehead.” She then walked over to the unicorn. “Hello Ma’am, my name is Misty Star, and it’s nice to meet you.”

“Pleased to meet you Misty Star, my name is Rarity.”

“Rarity!? As in the famous equestrian fashion designer Rarity?”

“The very same one darling.”

“What brings someone like you over to Earth?”

“Oh, I’ve been invited to a fashion show here in Manhattan, but it’ not until tomorrow so I thought I’d take in the sights, and who knows, maybe I’ll get some inspiration for some new designs. but enough about me.” She beckoned the three with her hoof. “Stand over by that miniature statue of Liberty and I’ll snap a picture of you three in front of it.”

Misty smiled and nodded, then went back over to her family and corralled them around the statue, Star Dancer sitting on her haunches in front of it, Dusty Trail sitting to the left of her with his foreleg draped over her back, and finally Misty sitting to the right of her daughter with her one wing draped over Dusty and Star Dancer. *Click* Rarity lowered the camera from her view and levitated it back over to Dusty.

“You three looked simply marvelous!” She smiled.

“Thanks Rarity.” Misty smiled.

“It was my-” Suddenly she was cut off by a sudden *CRASH!* Snapping her head around to look when she heard the sound, she spotted three silhouettes slipping through the crowd. “How did I get talked into bringing them,” she groaned, pressing a hoof to her face.

“Problems Rarity?” Star Dancer asked.

“Nothing I can’t handle dear.” She then quickly trotted off in the direction the commotion was coming from. Afterwards Star Dancer and her parents slipped off into the opposite direction exploring Liberty Island as the went.

****

“What do you mean Ellis Island is closed?” Dusty voiced in a displeased tone

“Sorry sir, but renovations for Ellis Island are not completed yet.”

Dusty kicked at the dirt and spun around walking back to his family head hung low.

“What’s the matter dad?” Star Dancer asked.

“Sorry Star, but Ellis Island is closed for renovations still.”

“That’s okay dad,” she replied holding a hoof to her mouth stifling a yawn, afterward pulling out her tablet to check the time. “Why don’t we head back home? It’s getting pretty late and I am getting a little sleepy.” Again she held her hoof up to her mouth to stifle yet another yawn.

“Never thought I’d hear you say those words first Star Dancer,” her father chuckled. “Come on you two, Let’s head on home.”

The trip home was indeed quiet most of the way as Star Dancer slept during the ferry ride and subsequent taxi ride, even missing the lights of Times Square as they passed through it. But as they boarded the train Star Dancer stopped at the platform and turned around briefly to stare back of into the city, to the lights glowing in the distance, and thought to herself ‘I now know what this feeling is inside me, and it’s time to move forward with my life.’

Misty Star stepped onto the train and tossed her bag on the seat then looked back out and saw her daughter staring off into the distance looking at the lights of the city as they glowed in a neon light, and knew inside her daughter had made her choice. She then walked forward—slowly slipping in next to her daughter and reaching out with her foreleg to pull her daughter close wrapping a wing around her. Star Dancer smiled resting her head on her mother's shoulder and let out another yawn as the two sat there in silence for the next few minutes.

“The train will be leaving soon you two.” Dusty whispered, quietly walking up them. Misty Star craned her head back holding a hoof up to her mouth.

“Shh...” She pointed down to Star Dancer who had fallen back asleep and was quietly snoring into her mother’s chest. Misty then looked back down at her daughter brushing at her mane to push some hair out of her face. “Just give us a few more minutes ok Dusty?” He smiled and nodded then trotted back off to the train leaving the two alone for a few more minutes. “Come on honey,” Misty whispered rubbing her daughters shoulder. “We got to get going, the train will be leaving soon.”

“MMmm... Whaa? Oh! I’m sorry,” she yawned, sitting up to stretch. “I must have nodded off there for a moment.”

“It’s okay honey,” her mother smiled, standing up “Let’s go home.” Star Dancer nodded and followed her mother onto the train, and shortly after the Train whistle blew and it pulled on out of the station.

“So how did you like your birthday present Star Dancer?” Dusty asked getting comfortable in his seat.

“I loved it dad! Thank you two so very much for doing this for me.”

“Well we’ve got one more gift for you Star.”

“Oh? What is it dad?” Her father smiled hold out a hoof.

“Hang on a second let me find it.” He then pulled his bag around and went fumbling around inside it eventually pulling out a piece of paper, and passed it to Star Dancer. “Happy Birthday Star Dancer,” His daughter looked at him perplexed raising an eyebrow as she took the paper and began reading it.

“Is this what I think it is?” She asked looking back up to her father with bit of excitement. He nodded.

“Yes Star Dancer, it’s the application for your green card.” He stopped and looked over to his wife and the two held hooves and looked at their daughter.

“We’ve decided that if we can’t stop you, we might as well help you out in anyway that we can.”

Star Dancer smiled her eyes tearing up and lunged forward wrapping a foreleg around each her parents necks. “Thank you two so much for this. I can’t even begin to express how happy I am that you're giving me this chance.”

“Well Star, let’s wait till we get home, and then we can get you ready for this.”

“Alright dad,” She then sat back in her seat now too excited to fall asleep and went to looking out the window as the train entered the tunnel bound for Equestria.

****

A few weeks later the three were standing outside the building containing the Equestrian gateway leading to Ellis Island and the the newly constructed Equestrian immigration center.

“Ok Star Dancer you ready for this?” Her father asked standing beside her.

“Ready as I’ll ever be dad.” She shivered involuntarily shaking off some early morning jitters.

Her father then reached into his pack and pulled out a laptop and hoofed it to his daughter. “Me and your mother got this for you.”

“Oh awesome dad!” She took the laptop and stuffed it into her saddle bag.

“We also found you a place to stay on Earth just outside of Manhattan, and we’ve paid up three months rent for you too.” Her mother said walking up next to Star Dancer.

“I’ve managed to get you a job at The Astro Lounge Star Dancer,” Lyra added, walking up. “My boss there is a close friend of mine and said it would be no problem having a geosus like yourself on the team.”

“Thanks Lyra, I think I will like working there.”

“Take this too Star Dancer.” Her father then hoofed her a small pouch and a phone.”

“Please call us when you arrive and get settled in,” her mother added.

“Alright mom, I’ll do that.” She then looked at the pouch. “What’s this?” She opened it up and inside was about twenty five hundred dollars in US currency.

“We figured you may need some money to buy some stuff for your new place,” her mother smiled. Star Dancer hopped forward hugging her mother.

“Thanks mom!”

“Well we can’t have you living in an empty place now can we?” Her dad chuckled.

“Also Star Dancer, me and your mother went and got internet access, and found out through Lyra that the humans use this thing called Skype to keep in contact with one another.”

Star Dancer nodded. “Yup, I know all about it, and I’ll make sure to chat with you at least once a week alright.” She then walked over giving her mother a hug then her father. “Guess this is it.” She let out a breath and turned, slowly walked toward the building.

“Safe travels Star Dancer!” Lyra said, waving goodbye.

“Take care of yourself honey, we love you and wish you the best of luck.”

“Thanks mom and dad, I love you too!” Star Dancer then turned around and disappeared into the building starting onto the path to her new life.

A Fresh Start for a Young Heart

Chapter Two

A Fresh Start for a Young Heart

Stepping down from the gangway, Star Dancer smiled happy with the notion of the adventure she was about to undertake as she trotted merrily down the hallway with a little bounce in her step, humming happily to herself as she neared the exit to the Equestrian Immigration center on Ellis Island. But just when she was about to walk through the doorway, a man dressed in a blue uniform stepped out from a booth startling her, causing her fall back onto her haunches.

“Follow me please,” he said in a flat tone.

“W-where are you taking me?” She asked, looking at the man questionably.

“All equestrians entering the greater New York area for the next few weeks are required to a have a simple check up and health exam taken before they are permitted to enter Earth through this gateway entry point. If you do not agree to the screening process, you will be promptly escorted back to Equestria, and denied further access to the New York area until the situation is alleviated. Do I make myself clear?”

“Y-yes sir!” She quickly replied nodding a few times rather hastily and followed the man feeling a little nervous as she was led into a room just off to the side.

“Please take off your bag Ma’am and go sit on the bed over there,” he said, pointing over to it. She nodded again, swallowing down the lump in her throat and made her way over to the table—slowly—then tossed her bag aside and hopped up on it, but then hopped off just as quickly after making contact with it.

“C-cold!” She cried, rubbing her rump. But, a second later though her ears snapped up, and she thought she heard what sounded like giggling coming from the room. ‘Is he laughing at me?’ She wondered looking up and took notice that the very man that had brought her into this room was now holding a hand over his face trying to hold back his laughter. “H-hey! It’s not funny!” She snapped, stomping one of her forelegs. “That table was cold!”

“S-sorry Ma’am,” the officer chuckled, then coughed clearing his throat. “Let me get something to make it more comfortable for you.” He then walked over to a nearby cabinet and pulled out a couple sheets and set them down on the table for her. “That should be more comfortable now.”

“Thanks...” She muttered, hopping back up on the table. “Now why did you bring me in here? I’m not sick.”

He didn’t reply—only shrugged, but stopped and turned around just before he walked out the door. “The doctor will be in soon and she will explain everything, so please be patient.” He turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Crossing her forelegs, Star Dancer took a few moments to scan around the room at the various medical equipment and supplies while kicking her hind legs nervously as she waited for the doctor to come.

“Hi there!” The doctor cheerfully said opening the door—walking up to her. “My name is Stacy Hardin and you are?”

“S-Star D-Dancer.” She nervously stammered. “Why am I here? I’m really starting to get nervous Stacy. I feel like I am being treated like I got some kind of infectious disease.” Stacy smiled and reached forward resting a hand on Star Dancers shoulder.

“That isnot the case Star Dancer.” Stacy smiled, easing some of Star Dancers anxiety.

“Then why am I here? Can you please tell me?” She timidly asked, with a pleading look and reached forward with her hooves to hold Stacy's hand.

“It’s for your safety honey.” Stacy answered with a warm smile, squeezing her hooves gently.

“M-my safety?” She weakly replied, her voice cracking a little bit.

“Mm hmm.” Stacy nodded. “You see, due to a recent small outbreak of the flu here, we are inoculating all equestrians coming into our lands. It’s merely a safety precaution for you guys. The medicine is perfectly safe I assure you, and has no side effects... Well maybe a little drowsiness, but a mare of your age should have no problem handling it. Or, should I say... hoofing it?” Star Dancer looked at Stacy rolling her eyes, but at the same time a small smile crept onto her face, and she managed a weak laugh.

“Do I have to get a needle?”

“Yes sweetie, but don’t worry, it’ll be over before you know it.”

Star Dancer sighed. “Good, because I really hate needles.”

Stacy laughed, walking over to a cabinet and pulled out a vial plus a needle then returned to Star Dancers side. “Afraid of needles huh? That soo reminds me of another equestrian I helped out a few years ago,” she said, then picked up the package containing the needle and opened it up. “Pull up your sleeve please Star Dancer.” She asked, sticking the needle into the vial and pulled back on the plunger, filling the needle with the medicine.

Star Dancer nodded, reaching over with her foreleg and slid the one side of her blue t-shirt up. “Please make this quick,” she meekly said, looking away not wanting to see when the needle was stuck into her. Stacy leander over taking Star Dancers foreleg with her free hand and started to brush gently at her fur eventually parting enough of it to reveal her skin underneath.

“Ok sweetie, here goes.” She then stuck the needle into Star Dancers shoulder causing the young mare to wince a little squinting her eyes closed—forcing a tear out, and pushed down on the plunger sending the medicine into her shoulder. A cool feeling rushing down shortly after as the medicine made it’s way into her body. “There now, that wasn’t so bad now was it?” She smiled rubbing Star Dancer gently on the back.

“Is that all I’m gonna need Stacy?” She asked glancing back over to the doctor, rubbing her shoulder.

She nodded picking up Star Dancers saddlebag. “Yup, you're all set. Stand up and I’ll help you with your bag.”

Star Dancer smiled and hopped down off the table, relieved that she was finally gonna get out of here, and stood still as Stacy ran the straps around her tummy and secured the buckle making sure it wouldn’t fall off. “Thanks,” Star Dancer smiled coming back down onto her hooves.

“Don’t mention it sweetie. Now let’s get you on your way shall we?” She went over to the clipboard the man before had left and scribbled something on it then handed it to Star Dancer.

“What’s this?” She asked taking the paper.

“It’s proof you have received your inoculation, and are clear to enter the New York area through this gateway entry point.” She said, walking over and opening the door, beckoning Star Dancer to follow her. “Just show it to the guard and he’ll let you through alright?”

“Okay, I understand now.” Star Dancer replied, walking over to the door then back out into the hallway.

“Good luck, and be safe Star Dancer.” Stacy smiled waving goodbye then closed the door.

“Glad that’s over with.” She sighed, and headed off back down the hallway until she came to the same checkpoint and the guard stood up once again. “Please, I need to see your slip from the doctor stating that you have received the proper inoculations.” Star Dancer nodded and hoofed the man the slip. He took the document—quickly reading over it for a moment, then handed it back to her. “Okay, you’re free to enter.” He walked back into his station then pressed a button opening the gate. “The Equestrian Immigration center is through them doors,” he said pointing off to a pair of distant doors. “Welcome to Ellis Island.” He then stood out of the way to let her pass, and after she walked by he returned to his station taking a seat to fill out some paperwork.

Waving goodbye, Star Dancer headed down the hall eventually coming to the doors and pushed them open exiting out into the courtyard. Stopping she took in a deep breath of fresh air filling her lungs and exhaled. “First day of my of my new life. Better get started!” She smiled and started off across the courtyard heading to the Immigration center, stopping along the way a few times to admire the piece and quiet of the centers courtyard before entering the building.

Once she got inside however, the quietness and serenity of the courtyard was replaced by the sounds of equestrians of all types making their ways through lines to the counters. Figuring she was in for a wait, Star Dancer stepped up to take her place in line and pulled out her tablet to pass the time while she slowly made her way forward.

****

“Next”

Star Dancer looked up from her tablet seeing a man behind the counter with a computer next to him waving his hand for her to come up and take a seat. Stuffing her tablet back into her bag as she walked up and took a seat, sitting her saddlebag along side her incase she needed to show the man anything then sat back up resting her forelegs in her lap. The man noticing she was ready to be taken care of clicked his mouse and started typing on his keyboard, then a moment later he turned to look at Star Dancer.

“Name?”

“Star Dancer, sir.”

He nodded and clicked on his mouse. “Age?”

“Twenty one, sir”

He glanced back to his monitor clicking on his mouse a few times then looked back to her again. “Sex?”

“Female, sir.”

Again a few clicks of his mouse then he returned his attention to her. “Breed?”

“Geosus, sir.”

Nodding to her once again he returned to his screen and with a few clicks of his mouse he entered the info then began typing something, and afterward he returned to her. “May I see your Equestrian Immigrant transfer forms please?”

Star Dancer nodded and leaned over opening her bag pulling out a folder containing all her important documents, and went to going through them looking for the document the man requested. “Here you go sir.” She slid the document across the counter and he glanced over to it reading it for a few minutes, and then began typing again.

“On moment Ma’am.” He then stood up and walked over to a printer grabbing a few papers and returned to the counter and slid them across to Star Dancer. “I need you to initial in the boxes with an ‘x’ by them please.” He said, and laid a specially designed pen that was attached to a cup so she could pick it up. Star Dancer reached forward and pressed her hoof into the cup then slid the document over to her signing her name in the areas specified.

“Here you go sir.” She slid the document back over to him and he picked it up and examined it then slid back on his chair opening a filing cabinet beneath the counter and placed the document into it.

“One more moment Ma’am,” he said, standing up from the counter once again and walked off into the back disappearing around a corner. Meanwhile Star Dancer sat in her chair looking around as other Equestrians were being checked in. She then glanced back and saw the man returning from around the corner with a card in his hand. “Welcome to Earth Star Dancer,” he smiled handing her a piece of paper. “This is your new identification slip. Please head around the corner there.” He pointed off to the right. “And a person will take your picture and issue you your new personal identification card. She took it and stood up from her chair grabbing her bag and slipped it onto her back.

“Thank you sir.”

He smiled waving her on and pointed out to the next equestrian in line. “Next.”

Star Dancer then made her way around the corner and stopped at booth with a lady standing beside it talking to someone behind the counter. “Excuse me?” Star Dancer spoke up tapping the lady on her waist. “I this where I get my picture taken?”

The lady spun around and smiled nodding. “Sure is sweetie.” she then held out a hand. “Please have a seat.”

Star Dancer nodded and slipped off her bag setting it down then slid into the booth taking a seat in front of a camera stationed directly opposite of her, and soon after the lady slipped in taking a seat behind the camera. “Okay just hold still for a moment honey and we’ll have you on your way in no time. Star Dancer nodded and sat still while the lady focused the camera then snapped a picture of her. “Is this good?” Star Dancer leaned forward to inspect the image.

“Yes, that will be fine Ma’am.”

“The lady nodded and clicked her mouse a few times producing a card from the machine in front of her. “Here you go.” She handed her the card. “You’re all set!”

“Thanks.” She took the card and stuck it into her bag, and waved good bye making her way out. “Okay... Now where is that apartment at that my parents got for me.” She stopped and reached back into her bag pulling out a piece of paper and a map, then laid it out on a table in front of her and began dragging her hoof over the map searching for the location of the apartment. “Now where are you at,” she said to herself, resting her head on a hoof while continuing to scan for the place. “Ah ha! There you are.” she leaned in squinting her eyes looking at the location. “Oh my Celestia! It’s on the other side of the Island...” She sighed. “It’s going to take me all day to get there... unless.” She smiled glancing back to her wings then up to the sky.

It was a bright and sunny day with a little breeze coming in off the bay. She then snatched up her bag and made sure her belongings were secured then strapped it on making sure the buckle was on snugly but not too tightly, and flared open her wings flapping them a few times to work out the kinks. “Alright, time to take the scenic route.” She concentrated for a moment, letting mana flow through her body until her marks begin to glow and she felt herself getting lighter. Feeling that she had reached her optimum flight weight, she dashed forward—legs pumping—picking up speed and then leaped into the air letting her wings take over and shot off over the bay heading towards her new apartment; her new home.

****

Not wanting to waste any time settling in, Star Dancer shot off over the bay quickly covering the distance, rapidly approaching the city and eventually she found herself flying at about tree top level watching the pedestrians go about their business, some looking up to her taking pictures, and some for some odd reason looking at her—shouting at her—waving their hands. But the noise from the traffic and wind blowing in her face all but canceled out whatever it was they were saying. That is until she heard someone shouting over a loudspeaker.

“You up there!”

Startled, Star Dancer immediately snapped her attention down to direction the noise was coming from spotting an officer standing by his car holding a loudspeaker. “Y-yes sir?” She nervously asked, coming to a hover above him.

“Please land immediately!”

Star Dancer quickly nodded and shot down to the officer, flaring her wings just as she approached him and flopped down onto the sidewalk then folded up her wings and walked over to him. “Did I do something wrong officer? I’m not in trouble am I?”

“You’re new here I take it?”

She nodded quickly a couple times. “Mm Hmm.”

“Well I’ll let you go with a warning this time, but for future references, pegasi are prohibited from flying within city limits.”

“Why?”

“A city ordinance was enacted over a year ago, because of a series of accidents—some serious—with equestrians not paying attention to where they were going and colliding with vehicles. And there was also some trying to landing on power lines.” He leaned forward holding hand to his face. “Not very bright if you ask me.” He then stood back up and tossed his loudspeaker back into his car. “And also there was the numerous car accidents from drivers taking their eyes off the road when a pegasus flew over top of them. And a major instance of some kind of sonic boom happening over central park scaring the living hell out of citizens, and breaking a lot of windows. So the mayor enacted the ordinance for safety measures and to cut down on incidents.”

“Is there anywhere we can still fly at?”

“Central park you are permitted to fly, but no higher than 100 feet, and you must stay within the boundaries of the park.”

Star Dancer, sighed nodding to the officer. ‘Looks like I’m walking.’ She thought relaxing her concentration letting her weight return to normal and started walking down the street. But as she came to the intersection and looked up watching the signal—waiting for it to change, the same policeman she had met only a moment ago pulled up in his car and rolled the window down.

“I never caught your name by the way.”

“It’s Star Dancer sir.”

“You here sightseeing?” She shook her head.

“No officer, I’m coming over to make a life for myself in your world.”

“That's cool, so where are you headed?”

“My apartment, but its on the other side of the city, and that’s why I was flying because it is going to take me all day to get there now that I have to walk.” She slumped her head, her ears falling back as she let out a breath.

“Hop in, I’ll give you a lift, by the way, names Elliott.” He then leaned over opening the door for her. She looked up at him, a small smile tugging at her lips.

“Thanks Elliott.” She then hopped into the car closing the door. Soon after the two sped off into early morning traffic.

****

“So Star Dancer,” Elliott began as he turned off onto the main road. “What made you want to decide to come live on Earth? If you don’t mind me asking.”

Star Dancer looked up from her map and smiled “Oh no, I don’t mind, and to answer your question.” She shifted in her seat getting comfortable and leaned back crossing her forelegs still holding onto the map, then looked up and sighed. “Ever since our worlds have been connected to each other I have been truly fascinated with your world. The culture, the technology, the way you humans can make such huge machines fly so gracefully. It’s just so amazing!”

Elliott smiled “Seems like you’re out for adventure there.”

“Heh... you could say that,” she replied, looking back out the window as they turned off the main road and on to a side street. “Where are we going anyway? It seems like you know where you’re going.”

“I kinda do. Check your map again, I think this is your street.”

“Really? Well okay... let me take a look.” She uncrossed her forelegs opening the map and quickly began scanning over it, then back up at a sign at the intersection. “Oh you’re right.” She smiled, sticking the map back into her bag. “It’s the last house on the right.”

Elliott nodded and headed off down the street. It was a pretty nice neighborhood actually Star Dancer thought to herself. Trees were neatly planted alongside the street on the sidewalk. The road was split with a center median with beautifully designed wrought iron lamp posts set decently apart. The row homes seemed to mostly be populated by equestrians with a few of them also containing human residents. Pulling up to her home, Elliot smiled and pointed out the window.

“Is this the place?”

Star Dancer looked at the paper given to her by her parents then back to the mailbox hanging off the fence. “Yes Elliott, this is it.” She stuck the paper back into her bag and was about to open the door, but before she could open it Elliott stopped her.

“Star Dancer, Before you go I need to tell you something.”

“What is it Elliott?” She asked, turning back to look at him

“Be careful please.”

She raised an eyebrow and looked at him questionably. “Excuse me? I... I don’t understand.”

“There have been reports of some hate groups popping up around the upper Manhattan area, spreading a lot of anti-equestrian propaganda around.” Her look of question was now replaced by one of worry.

“S-should I be concerned Elliott?”

“At the moment. No. The groups as far as we can tell are peacefully protesting, but knowing human history well enough, I can honestly say things never stay peaceful with these types of demonstrations.”

“W-what should I do?”

“Fly away if you ever feel threatened.”

“But you said flying in the city limits is illegal Elliot.”

“I know what I said Star Dancer, but in a situation like this forget about that and fly away. I know most if not all officers will look the other way if they knew you were only trying to keep yourself from getting harmed.”

Star Dancer looked at Elliott for a moment taking in everything he just said—then nodded. “Okay Elliot, I’ll remember.”

“Good.”

Star Dancer hopped out of the car and closed the door waving goodbye as Elliott drove off down the street, and turned around pushing open the gate to stroll on down the walkway towards her new home. It was actually a pretty nice place. It wasn’t like the other row homes settled along the street. The apartment was set back in a good sized yard with some trees set along the walkway and a few strew about in the yard, plus they also seemed to have been taken care of too. Walking up the steps to the porch, Star Dancer stopped at the door and reached into her bag pulling out the key with her mouth and stuck it into the lock. ‘Bleh! This tastes horrible! Why couldn’t of I gotten a place with touch pads instead of keys?’

She was at least thankful with the thought that the door had a lever instead of a knob as she turned the key and pushed down on the latch opening the door. She then trotted on into her new home kicking the door closed with a hind leg. “Hmm... this place seems pretty nice.” She said to herself looking around at the small living room. Only a couch sat in the corner with an end table next to it. So she walked over to it unbuckled her bag—tossing it by the foot of the couch, and flopped down onto it, coughing as she landed kicking up some dust. “Wonder what I should do now.” Just then her phone began to ring. “Oh! That must be mom and dad calling!” She quickly sat up on the couch and grabbed her bag then set it down beside her—digging through it for a moment till she found the phone.

“H-hello? Mom, dad, is that you?”

“Hey honey, have you made it to the apartment yet?”

“Yeah mom, I just arrived a few moments ago.”

“Well how is it? Me and your father only got to see it from the few photos that were on the website.”

“Dusty... to say the least,” she chuckled, waving a hoof in front of her face. “But it’s a pretty good size, and it has it’s own yard too!”

“Well that’s nice. Oh, heres your father.” There was a brief silence then some fumbling noise.

“Hey Star, hows my little lady doing?” For a moment Star Dancer rubbed her shoulder wondering if she should tell them about the inoculation she was required to take, or about what Elliott had told her. But, after thinking it over for another moment she felt it would be better if she left them out. No need to have her parents freaking out over it after all she reasoned. “Hey Kiddo, are you still there?”

“Yeah dad, I’m still here, and I’m fine.” She rolled her eyes. ‘Celestia, I hate it when he calls me that!’

“Lyra called us a little while ago and said that the owner of The Astro Lounge wanted to talk with you.”

“Oh really? What about?”

“I think she said they wanted you to come in and get orientated.”

“Jeez dad! The want me to start work already!? I just got here!”

“No Star Dancer, They just wanted to meet you and say hi.”

“Oh... Well that’s fine. I’ll head on down there after checking out this place a little bit more.”

“Sounds good. Anyway, we just wanted to give you a call to see if you got to the apartment yet.”

“Thanks dad, I appreciate that.”

“Well I’ll let you get back to what you were doing. Give us a call later on and let us know how it went okay?”

“Alright.”

“Take care Star Dancer, we love you, and we are so proud of you.”

“Thanks dad.” She teared up a bit. “I love you guys too.” She then hung up and stuck the phone back into her bag and got up heading into the bedroom, and to her surprise, it was actually furnished (somewhat). “I didn’t expect this,” she smiled walking over to the bed and jumped up onto it, bouncing a few times after landing—giggling to herself. “Nice and soft.” She then hopped off the bed and strode over to the closet, sliding it open. And again, dust bellowed out causing her to sneeze knocking her back onto her haunches with a *thud*. “Well at least the bed wasn’t dusty,” she remarked, wiping her nose.

Afterward she walked over to the dresser and stared into the mirror, making a few goofy faces at herself, then left the bedroom and went back out into the living room heading into the kitchen. Inside it was a refrigerator tucked snugly into a cove under some cabinets with a stove sitting just off to the side, and a dishwasher placed under the counter just by the sink. “Just need to get a table and microwave for here. Not too shabby!” She was happy she wouldn't have to spend a lot of the money her parents gave her to buy furniture and appliances. She then went back into the living room and scooped up her bag and headed back into the bedroom to put her clothes she brought over into the dresser and sat the laptop on the nightstand next to the bed.

“Alright, I guess I’m all set here. Might as well go and say hello to the people down at The Astro Lounge, and get orientated with what I’ll eventually be doing.” She then slipped a smaller bag on and stuck her phone, tablet plus some cash (she didn’t feel comfortable carrying so much money around with her) into her bag, then grabbed her apartment keys and left closing the door behind her—locking it—then made her way out to the street to hail a cab.

****

“Taxi!” Star Dancer yelled, flailing her foreleg trying to get the attention of a cab. Eventually she succeeded as a small yellow sedan with a taxi light on top of it pulled along and stopped beside her.

“Where ya headed my little pony?” The cab driver chuckled.

“Uhh... Midtown sir.” She answered a bit confused at his remark.

“Hop in little lady, or should I say mare?”

She looked up to him raising an eyebrow while trying to getting comfortable in the back seat. “Umm... My name is Star Dancer, Sir, if you don’t mind.”

“Star Dancer eh? Thats a pretty name, mines Bobby. By the way, where are you headed?” He asked pulling out into traffic.

“A place called The Astro Lounge, Bobby.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of that place! It’s one of the few places in Manhattan that allows equestrians to work there right?” She nodded.

“That's right Bobby, My friend got me a job there. She’s friends with the owners.”

“Oh that’s cool,” he replied, turning on to a small expressway. “Who is she if you don’t mind me asking?”

Star Dancer looked up from her tablet for a moment and smiled. “Her name is Lyra, Bobby.”

“LYRA!” Bobby suddenly shouted, accidentally stepping on the brakes causing Star Dancer to lurch forward bonking her head against the back of his seat. “Oh! I’m sorry Star Dancer.”

“It’s okay Bobby,” Star Dancer said, rubbing her forehead. “I should of been wearing my seatbelt.” She then leaned back buckling her seatbelt incase of anymore ‘sudden’ braking. “Why the sudden interest in Lyra if you don’t mind me asking? I didn't think she was that famous.”

“Shes my favorite pony on the show... well favorite background pony anyway. Rainbow Dash is my favorite.”

“Who is Rainbow Dash, Bobby?”

Again Bobby suddenly applied the brakes and abruptly pulled off to the side of the road scaring Star Dancer a little bit, and then leaned around to look at her completely surprised. “You don’t know who Rainbow Dash is?”

“N-not really...” She nervously answered, fearing she had said something wrong. “Should I?”

“Well... Yeah! She’s only the Element of Loyalty and everything! Fastest flyer in all of Equestria!”

“Funny... I thought the Fastest flyer in all of Equestria title belonged to Dainty Dish.”

Bobby reared his head back raising an eyebrow. “Dainty Dish?” Who the heck is that?”

“She’s this pegasus that flies really, REALLY fast! And high.”

Bobby shook his head and rolled back in his seat mulling over what she just said. “Well have you at least heard about the Element of Loyalty?” He asked leaning back over to look at her.

Star Dancer nodded. “Yes Bobby, but only from stuff Lyra has told me about them.”

“And she never told you their names?”

“No she did, but that was years ago and I was only a filly. I do however remember a couple of their names. Like Twilight Sparkle and Applejack, but that’s only because they were the first two Element holders that came over to Earth to set up the gateway.”

“Well Rainbow Dash was the element of loyalty Star Dancer.” He smiled. “Just a heads up for you.”

“Thanks Bobby, I’ll try and remember that.”

Bobby nodded and rolled back into his seat then sped off back into traffic.

****

“Here you go Star Dancer, The Astro Lounge.”

“How much do I owe you Bobby?” She asked unbuckling her seat belt. Bobby glanced over to his meter.

“Nine dollars even Star Dancer.” She nodded and reached into her pack pulling out her money and began flipping through it, but she wasn’t really accustomed to earth currency and Bobby immediately took notice of it. “Just give me nine of those bills that have a ‘one’ printed on the corners of them Star Dancer.” She looked up and nodded then pulled out the bills and hoofed them to him.

“Sorry about that Bobby, I am still not use to everything here on earth yet.”

Bobby returned the smile while waving his hand. “Perfectly alright Star Dancer, we all have to start somewhere ya know. But I would strongly recommend you getting someone to teach you about how our currency works before you get ripped off alright?”

She nodded and opened the door “I will, and thanks for the lift Bobby.”

“Anytime Star Dancer.” He then waved goodbye and pulled back out into traffic. Afterwards Star Dancer spun around and headed on into the restaurant.

“Good afternoon is the manager here?” She asked, standing up on her hind legs to lean on the counter. The attended nodded and pointed upstairs.

“Sandy is upstairs in the sports bar honey. You can go ahead and head on up.”

Star Dancer nodded and trotted on past the counter, making her way through the tables and chairs wondering why the place was so quiet. After all, it was a little after noon time and figured places like this would've been packed by now. But, she simply shrugged it off and continued on up stairs eventually coming to another counter, but this time the place was rather packed. Human’s and equestrians sitting at the bar chatting with one another, some off in the distance playing pool, and some sitting in booths just relaxing while listening to the music.

“You must be the geosus Lyra was talking about,” a lady said walking up to her. “You’re Star Dancer right?”

Star Dancer nodded. “Yes ma’am, and you must be Sandy?” The lady nodded with a big smile and knelt down in front of Star Dancer.

“You heard right! Sandy is my name, and drinking is my game.” She leaned forward holding a hand up to her face. “Only when my husband lets me though,” she whispered. Star Dancer couldn’t resist a chuckle hearing that.

“So what did you guys want? Lyra called my day and told him you wanted to talk to me about something? Orientation I think it was.”

“Well that, and we wanted to know if you would feel like working for a little bit today.”

“I just arrived on Earth today Sandy, you do know that right? I kinda wanted to venture around a bit.”

“I know Star Dancer, but it’s just we had something come up and we are kinda short staffed, but I tell you what. If you work for me today, I’ll pay you double overtime. How does that sound?”

“What will I be doing Sandy?”

“Mainly clearing tables and bringing customers their drinks. It’s only for a few hours. So what do you say?”

Star Dancer looked down holding a hoof to her chin thinking over it for a moment. On one hoof, she really wanted to look around the city, and maybe do a little shopping to buy some things for her apartment. But on the other hoof, she really couldn’t turn down such a good offer like double over time. And doing this would also show Sandy she was willing to work when they needed her. So she looked back up and smiled. “Alright Sandy, I’ll do it.”

Sandy stood up and smiled. “Great! Come with me Star, we got some things in the back that will make it easier for equestrians—like you—to work here.”

Star Dancer nodded and followed Sandy behind the counter—through some hallways then back into a employees lounge where a few employees were chatting with one another. Sandy then walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a sizable box and sat it on the table.

“Come over here please Star Dancer, I have something I want to show you.” Star Dancer nodded and trotted over to the table then pulled up a chair and flopped into it.

“What are these things Sandy?” Star Dancer asked, eyeing over a bunch of rings that were double packed and set neatly into the box.

“Mana Tech bracelets, Star Dancer. Straight from your home land of Equestria.”

“What do they do?” Star Dancer asked.

“Why don’t I just show you?” She said, “But before I do, What color would you like?”

Star dancer took a moment to scan over the bracelet then finally settled on the set she liked the most, “Those there,” she said, pointing to a set that matched her coat color. She wanted them to somewhat blend in after all. Sandy nodded and took the package out and opened it up.

“Let me see your hoof please.” Star Dancer compiled holding a hood out for her and Sandy took the bracelet and slipped it on.

“Okay...” She looked down at it. “Is something supposed to happen?” Star Dancer impatiently asked, looking back up to Sandy.

“Hang on a moment. You didn’t give me chance to configure it.” Sandy then pressed a small button on the bracelet and a second later it came to life constricting down onto her hoof, but not too tightly of course. “Okay give it a moment now to boot up and configure itself to your body.” She said sitting back in her chair. “Oh, and you’re going to want to stand up for this also.”

“Stand up? What for?”

“Well when the bracelet begins to configure itself to you it ‘pings’ you for lack of a better word.” Star Dancer looked at her somewhat confused.

“Pings me?”

“It sends a small bio electrical current through your body stimulating your nerve endings and synapses,” a stallion sitting at the table added. “And you may inadvertently tense up, so standing up is strongly advised.”

“Does it hurt?” The Stallion shook his head.

“No Star Dancer, well... You will feel a prick at first. This is the bracelet sticking you with a few needles–”

“NEEDLES!?” She quickly spoke up cutting him off. She was now feeling very nervous about all this. “I don’t like needles!”

“Relax Star Dancer,” the stallion said, and stood up to walk over to her. “Hold out your hoof please.”

“What for?” She asked, He sighed and sat down next to her.

“Because I am going to show you what it feels like when the bracelet pricks you,” he said, picking up a plastic fork up off the table. “Your hoof please.” She gave him a perplexed look not really seeing where he was going with this, but relented and held up her hoof. He then took it and started to prick at it with the fork. “Okay you feel that?” He said continuing to gently poke at her hoof with the fork.

“Yes,” She said watching him. “Is this what it feels like?” He nodded and let go of her hoof.

“Pretty much yeah, then it will sent the pulse through you, and this is where it feels pretty weird. It kinda makes you feel tingly all over your body. But don’t worry, once it pings you and maps out your nerves and synapses, plus how you channel it throughout your body, it doesn’t have to do it again.”

“Oh, well alright.” She hopped up off the chair and stood in the center of the room. “I’m ready.”

Sandy nodded and walked up to her then kneeled down beside her and pressed a button on the bracelet to start the process. A moment later, Star Dancer felt the prick as the probes touched her skin, then it sent it’s pulse causing Star Dancer to tense up, her muscles going taut; her fur standing on end as the pulse of electricity quickly shot through her body—flaring her wings—then finally running down her hind legs. She stood there for a moment with her head hung low panting a little bit trying to get her heart to calm down.

“Pretty weird feeling isn’t it?” The stallion said, laying a hoof on her shoulder. Star Dancer raised her head up to look at him and nodded, then wiped a bead of sweat from her brow.

“You’re telling me,” She said, panting in between breaths. “Glad I don’t have to do that again. That felt really weird.”

“Well now that you’re all set there Star Dancer, go ahead and charge it up! It should be ready now.” Sandy said, Star Dancer then nodded.

“Alright, here goes.” Star Dancer said. She then held her hoof up to her face and looked at the screen on the bracelet, afterward she closed her eyes for a moment and focused, allowing mana to build up around her and flow threw her body causing her marks to glow slightly, and then concentrated, sending the force towards her hoof. *BEEP* The bracelet sounded, and Star Dancer opened her eyes looking at it as a meter was being displayed slowly filling up. “Thats pretty cool,” she said, continuing to watch as the meter was filling up until it reached max and beeped again signaling that it was fully charged. “Guess I’m all set?”

Sandy nodded. “Yup, give it a try. Oh and take the other one too.” She handed Star Dancer the other bracelet. “So you can use both hooves if you need to.”

Star Dancer smiled taking the other bracelet and slipped it on then walked over to the table and reached over for a fork and picked it up. “Wow! This is really cool!” She said, marveling at how it actually felt like she was somehow grasping the fork with her hoof. “How long will these bracelets hold a charge for?” The stallion held a hoof up to his chin in thought.

“About five to six hours,” he reckoned. “After that it will beep letting you know you need to charge it up again.”

“Alright that sounds good. Is there anything else I should know about these things?”

“Well the bracelet will also keep track of your vital signs, and warn you if you are too close to dangerously pulling from your lifeforce.”

Star Dancer looked at the stallion rather quizzically. “Pulling from my lifeforce? I’ve never heard of that before.”

The stallion’s expression took on a dark tone as he stared her down. “Be glad you haven’t. It’s not something you want to experience.”

“Umm... Okay.” Star Dancer nervously replied, shivering involuntarily from the way he was staring at her. “So, Sandy...” she began, looking over to the restaurant owner “What else do I need?”

Sandy pushed down on her knee and stood up then walked over to a locker and pulled out a funny looking harness. “This is a cup holder we’ve designed in house for our pony employees. It will strap around you just like your little pouch you have there,” she said, pointing to Star Dancers little side bag she was wearing around her waist. “But the nifty thing is that it can swivel on a pivot while you’re walking around, but when you stand up it will slide on this track here.” She pointed to a small track on the harness. “And rotate to allow you to serve customers their beverages.”

“But won’t the drinks spill as I am walking around though?” Star Dancer asked. Sandy shook her head.

“Nope. We’ve also had a custom set of cups with seal tight lids so nothing spills out.”

“Well thats pretty cool.”

“Indeed it is.” Sandy smiled. “Please sit down and lift your forelegs up and I'll show you how it goes on alright?”

Star Dancer returned the smile and sat down on the floor then raised her forelegs up. “All set. Just please be careful not to tighten it too tight around my wings please.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.” She then kneeled down behind Star Dancer and set the harness on her back then ran the belt with the track around her belly. “Honey, what hoof are more dominant with?”

“My left hoof Sandy.”

Sandy nodded and slid the cup carriage to Star Dancers right side. “Honey please raise your right wing for me. I need to get this strap properly connected so it doesn’t slide around.” Star Dancer nodded, extending her wing and Sandy ran the strap around then clipped it together. “There we go all finished.” She leaned back from her. “Go ahead and walk around with it a little bit Star Dancer, to see how it feels.”

Star Dancer nodded and stood up then trotted around for a bit getting a feel for the harness, and the added weight of the carriage on her right side. “Well it feels alright Sandy. A little uncomfortable for my wing, but I’ll manage.”

“Sorry sweetie, we are still working out the kinks. You’re one of two pegasus we have working here, so we really haven’t had a chance to adapt them to you guys yet. But we should have a better harness in a few weeks.”

“Guess I am gonna be the test subject,” Star Dancer chuckled.

“Well if you don’t...”

Star Dancer held up a hoof. “No Sandy. It’s perfectly fine honestly,” she smiled. “We all have to do our part to bridge the gap am I right?”

“Very true,” Sandy said returning the kind gesture and stood up making her way for the door, “Come on,” she beckoned with her hand. “Let’s get you out on the floor and orientated with what you’ll be doing.”

“Sounds good!” Star Dancer happily replied following Sandy out the door and back into the bar.

****

‘Sandy was right! These bracelets and this harness really make this job a cake walk!’ Star Dancer thought, trotting around the various tables serving customers drinks, and taking the empty glass away to be washed. She went through this little task for the next few hours easily dashing through the tables sometimes heading down to the section where the pool tables were to snatch empty glasses, sometimes receiving tips and praise from happy customers.

“You doing such a great job Star Dancer!” Sandy happily chimed in patting her on the back as she trotted up. “Lyra was right when she said you were a hard worker.”

Star Dancer smiled wiping some sweat from her brow. “Well I try my best Sandy.” She then glanced back over to the pool tables and spotted a few empty glasses by some guys playing pool. “Be right back Sandy.” Star Dancer said, trotting back off to collect the glasses.

“Alright Derrick, watch as I break this rack, I bet I can sink the nine ball on the break” The one young man said taking aim at the cue ball.

“Oh yeah? How much you willing to bet on that Alex?” Derrick said reaching into his pocket.

“How much ya got?” Alex smugly shot back, not taking his eyes off the cue ball.

“Twenty bucks says you miss the whole lot and scratch.” Derrick laughed slapping a twenty on the pool table.

“You're on!” He then resumed sliding the pool stick back and forth carefully sizing up his shot, never breaking his concentration that he never even noticed the amber pegasus slipping in behind him and stand up on her hind legs to reach the cups on the table just behind him. “Alright here goes!”

“I’m waiting,” Derrick replied, watching.

Alex then took a few more moments lining up his shot and was about to take a practice stroke to, but he felt the stick press up against something soft when he slid it back. ‘What the heck?’

‘Did someone just bump into me?’ Star Dancer wondered, looking from left to right mistaking the brief contact as someone just passing by. “Must be my imagination,” she said to herself, shrugging as she grabbed the last cup still sitting on the table and hopped off coming back down onto her hooves to head back to the kitchen to drop off the glasses. But, just as she was about to turn and leave, a really weird feeling surged through her body causing her to shudder involuntarily.

It felt like something was gently caressing her causing her to blush embarrassingly. She then looked down between her forelegs—completely ignoring the sudden *poomf*— and peered back to her hind ones, and to her utter shock and surprise, there was a pool stick sliding in between her hind legs, sometimes rubbing up against her inner thigh. ‘What the hell?’ She quickly spun around knocking Alex off balance just as he was taking his shot—sending the cue ball promptly into the corner pocket missing the entire rack completely, and slapped him.

“Fuck!” Alex cried out as Star Dancer’s hoof collided with his cheek ‘Goddamn them hooves hurt!’ He thought rubbing the side of his face. “What the hell did you do that for?” He snapped.

“I could ask you the same mister!” Star Dancer quickly retorted, glaring at him. Alex looked at her confused scratching his head.

“What did I do to deserve a slap? And for the record, those fucking hooves hurt!”

“Well first you poked me in my butt with your pool stick, and you didn’t even turn around to apologize! But, I’ll let that go since I didn’t realize it. That was until after you though it would be cute to stick that thing between my legs and rub it up against my thigh.”

“Is that what I did?” He asked looking at her dumbfounded, and she nodded still feeling pretty upset over it. “Well I’m sorry... wait...” He leaned forward squinting his eyes and scanned over the pony standing in front of him. “Star Dancer? Is... is that you?” She reared her head back from the sudden question pretty much forgetting about what just happend.

“How do you know my...” She trailed off, stopping herself as the gears in her head began turning. “A-Alex?”

“Long time no see, and I am really sorry for what happened a moment ago.”

Star Dancer smiled and waved a hoof. “Ahh don’t worry about it Alex, it was an accident after all. You meant no harm.”

“Star Dancer are you alright?” He asked, causing her to stare at him cocking an eyebrow in confusion from the question that seemingly came out of nowhere.

“Yeah, I’m okay, you said you’re sorry.”

“No I mean are you alright?”

“Uhh... Didn’t I just say I was okay?”

“Then why are your wings standing up like that? And why are they trembling slightly?”

“What!?” She immediately snapped her head around and saw her wings standing promptly at full mast trembling ever so slightly. In her haste and anger she must have completely blocked out the sudden feeling of her wings shooting up. “Oh my!” She blushed deeply taking a few steps back, then quickly spun around and shot off to the bathroom. “I’llberightback!”

Alex stood up from the table scratching his head. “I wonder why she looked so embarrassed?”

****

Later on after calming herself down, Star Dancer return to the employees lounge to drop off her harness, then said her goodbyes to Sandy and her new co-workers and left heading out to the street. She never did return to talk to Alex again. She just felt so embarrassed over what had happened that she just wanted to get out of there and go someplace quiet to blow off some steam. “I can’t believe I did that! What is wrong with me?” She said, berating herself as she stopped and flopped down onto a bench at a bus stop, then leaned over to the person sitting next to her. “Did the bus come yet?”

“Yes it did pony,” he rudely replied, standing up from the bench. “Looks like you're walking.”

“You don’t have to be rude about it sir, I was only asking.”

“Pfft.. Whatever,” he said walking up to the curb, and whistled hailing a nearby cab. “Why don’t you just flap them freakish looking wings and fly away now?”

Star Dancer blinked, watching the man hop into the cab then take off into traffic. “I wonder what that guy's problem was?” She said scratching her head. She then hopped up herself and trotted out to the curb to hail a cab, but just as she did, a rather large blue colored pickup pulled up in front of her and stopped.

“Hey Star Dancer.” Alex said, rolling down the passenger window. “I never got to say goodbye after you left.”

She looked away from him, her ears falling back as she did. “Yeah...” She sighed. “Sorry about that.”

“Was it something I said?”

“No...” she whispered.

“Was it your wings? Was there a problem with them?”

“Ahh... Umm... Errr... Kinda. I don’t really want to talk about it alright?”

“Alright, I won’t pry. Where are you headed by the way?”

She looked back up to him. “Central Park, Alex. I want to go someplace quiet for a little bit.”

“Would you like a lift?” He asked.

“You’re not going to try and stick a pool stick up my butt again are you?” She sarcastically remarked, giggling a little bit. He just looked up rolling his eyes.

“I said I was sorry! Jeeze... I can’t catch a break for a second can I?”

“Relax Alex, I was only kidding,” she smiled. “And yes, I would appreciate a ride there please.”

Alex returned the smile and opened the door for her. She hopped in getting comfortable and soon after the two sped off into the early evening traffic. The ride was pretty short however as the park was only a few blocks away. And once the got there she hopped out and turned around to thank him for the lift. “Thanks for the lift Alex. Would you mind coming to pick me up and later to give me a ride home?”

“Sure Star Dancer, do you want my phone number so you can call me? Or shall I just meet you at a certain time?”

“Give me your number please Alex. I don't know how long I’ll be here.” He nodded and told Star Dancer his number. “Thanks, and I’ll see you later.” She turned and walked off into the park as Alex pulled back out into traffic.

Walking along the path Star Dancer pulled out a camera she had picked up earlier and started taking pictures of the park. Stopping a few times to look at the various statues and works of art people had put on display, especially one that looked like a wolf standing on a rock. She then decided she wanted to stretch out her wings and do a little flying. This was better to she thought, since she could also take some aerial photographs while keeping her wings in shape. So, she snapped them open, then took a moment to draw some mana to lighten herself enough for flight and took off running, gaining some speed then leaped into the sky keeping herself just above treetop level so she could take some nice photos to send back to her parents.

But as she flew from treetop to treetop, she stopped suddenly, coming to a hover when she heard what she thought was crying coming from the pond just below her. She then quietly floated down coming to land behind some bushes and pushed the branches aside to look out over to the pond, and she saw an earth pony slumped over sitting by the pond wearing a red miniskirt with black lining and a black shirt. Her coat could easily match the color of a rose, her mane and tail as best as Star Dancer could figure was jet black in color. Her Mana mark seen easily on the side of her miniskirt was of a rose. A white rose as a matter of fact.

‘I wonder why she is crying?’Star Dancer thought, quietly stepping out from the bushes to make her way over to her. Now as she got closer, she was starting to hear her talking to herself, saying things like she was all alone and nobody loves me. This of course made Star Dancer feel really bad, she hated to see a pony down on their luck berating themselves. Pretty ironic she thought, since just a little ago she was doing the very same thing to herself. ‘She really sounds upset.’ Star Dancer again thought slowly trotting over to her. She then heard what sound like something plinking into the pond, probably just a rock she figured.

Taking one last quiet step, Star Dancer reached forward and gently laid her hoof on the mare’s shoulder. “Hey-” She was cut off instantly when the mare quickly spun around falling back onto her rump and began trying to scramble away, flailing her forelegs out in front of her.

“Don’t hurt me please! T-t-take whatever you want!” She pulled off her small pouch and threw it at Star Dancer’s hooves and stood up trying to run away, but only managed to stumble over her hooves and fall back down again letting out a painful cry when she hit the ground.

“Whoa! Whoa! Calm down Ma’am.” Star Dancer pleaded walking up to the stricken mare slowly. She was now really worried why she was acting like this. “I’m not going to hurt you. I just heard you crying while I was flying around overhead, so I came down to see if you were alright.”

The mare rolled over onto her haunches and sat up looking at Star Dancer, with part of her jet black mane hanging over her face covering up one of her light silver colored eyes. She sniffed a couple times rubbing some tears out of her eyes while looking away timidly. “Y-you're not going to hurt me?” Star Dancer smiled softly and shook her head. “Wha... What’s your name?” She meekly asked.

“Star Dancer.” She then trotted back and picked up the mares bag then walked back over to her. “I believe this belongs to you?” She smiled holding the bag out to her. She looked up nervously and shakily reached out to take her bag back then looked at Star Dancer smiling weakly.

“T-thank you.” She clipped it back on around her waist, then sat there for a moment pawing at the ground.

“Never caught your name by the way.” Star Dancer said.

“It’s Rose, Black Rose.”

“That’s pretty unique.”

‘That sounds like me alright.’ She then stood back up standing a bit shaky on her hooves. “Well... Guess I should be going. I don’t want to keep you from whatever it was that you were doing.” She turned to walk away, but fell back down again.

“Are you alright Rose?” Star Dancer asked, trotting up to her. She seemed really weak.

“Just a little hungry thats all. It’s been awhile since I last ate something.”

“Awhile? How long is a while? You don’t get that weak that you are unable to walk unless you haven’t eaten for days.”

“You’re right Star, I haven’t eaten for a couple days now,” she admitted turning to look away.

“WHAT!?” Star Dancer said in a quick outburst causing Black Rose to flinch. “Well why not?”

“I...” She stopped, and tried to hold back her tears, but couldn't and started to cry again. “I... I don’t have any money Star. I don’t have nothing! I am all alone!” She collapsed on the ground and began sobbing. The whole scene was really tugging on Star Dancers heart. She felt really bad for Black Rose and felt compelled to help her in anyway that she could. She then smiled and leaned down to place a hoof on her shoulder.

“Let’s go Rose, you’re coming with me tonight.”

Black rose looked up to Star Dancer wiping a tear from her eye. “W-where are you taking me?”

Star Dancer stood back up and reached into her bag for her phone. “Back to my apartment. You look like you could use nice hot bath and more importantly, something to eat.”

‘Food sounds good, and I really would enjoy a nice warm bath,’ she thought sitting up. “O-okay.”

“Great! Then its settled.” She put the phone up to her ear. “Alex? You there.”

“Hey Star Dancer, what’s up? Ready to have me come pick you up?”

“Yes please Alex, me and my friend need a lift back to my apartment.”

‘Friend...’ Black Rose thought to herself. It had been a long time since she heard that word. It made her feel good inside hearing someone call her that.

“Alright Star Dancer, I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“Okay see you in a bit.” She ended the call and stuck the phone back into her bag, then turned around to look at Black Rose, only she noticed Rose was looking at her too. Well not at her, but at her hooves as she held the phone and stuck it back into her bag.

“How are you doing that Star Dancer?”

“Doing what?” She asked.

“Holding that phone in your hoof. It’s amazing! How do you manage to channel mana into your hooves to hold onto objects like that? And can you hold anything else?”

Star Dancer was taken back for moment at how Rose’s demeanour had suddenly changed from one of depression to now one of curiosity. Not wanting to see her fall back into self-doubt again, Star Dancer indulged her by showing Rose the bracelet. “This is how I am able to grasp things Rose.” She said raising her hoof to display the bracelet. Rose’s eyes sparkled and she almost cracked a smile as she stumbled over to Star Dancer and carefully took Star Dancer’s hoof to examine the bracelet.

“Are these Mana Tech?”

“Yes they are. Directly from Equestria.”

“Really? Thats interesting.” She let go of it and sat down thinking to herself for a moment. “C-can I try one of these on?”

“Well sure, but I have to tell you before hoof that the first time you put it on it feels really weird.”

“Weird?”

“Yes. See, the in order for the bracelet to work properly it has to map out your body. Specifically your nerve endings and synapses.”

“And to do this it will have to send a small bio-electrical pulse through my body to—in effect— ‘ping’ me to stimulate my nerves and such correct?”

Star Dancer blinked again taken back by Black Rose’s intelligence. “Y-yeah... That’s right. How did you know that?”

“I read a lot about Mana Tech after the gateway had opened up. It was some pretty interesting stuff.”

“Well if you’re comfortable with the shock to your system you’re about to get, then I guess it’s alright.” She slipped off the bracelet and hoofed it to Black Rose.

“I think I should be alright,” she said taking the bracelet and sliding it onto her right hoof. “So I just push this button here right?” She said pointing to a small button on the bracelet.

“Yeah, that’s the one. Then I would stand up if I were you as the sensation is pretty weird.”

“Alright.” She pressed the button then stood up taking a deep breath as the bracelet constricted around her hoof, and pressed its probes into her skin making her feel a little nervous. But, the time for second guessing had passed as the pulse from the bracelet shot through her body causing her to tense up as it felt like every nerve and synapse in her body fired all at once forcing her muscles taut, her head shooting up clenching her teeth as she squeezed her eyes shut groaning in pain. Since in her weakened state this effect caused more pain than tingly feeling as most if not all her muscles were already tired and worn out from malnutrition. “Tha... that was interesting, if not painful.” She weakly chuckled as her legs gave out under her—sending her promptly to the ground, knocking the wind out of her as she landed on her belly, leaving her legs sprawled out to her sides.

“Are you alright Rose?” Star Dancer asked, a little worried about her.

Black Rose for a moment didn’t answer only remained still as she tried to catch her breath, the bracelets alarms going off warning its wearer that her heart rate was dangerously high and that any attempt to draw mana would result in a dangerous pull on her lifeforce. “Well...hah... Well that’s pretty cool,” She weakly said, taking in long even breaths to calm herself down. “I didn’t think it also acted as an instrument to monitor my vital signs.”

Star Dancer had to laugh now. Even though this mare had nearly knocked herself unconscious, she still was fascinated by the device now attached to her wrist. She then went over and helped the tired mare to her hooves. “Boy that looked like that hit you pretty hard Rose.”

Rose looked up at Star Dancer and laughed, waving a hoof. “I’ve had worse.” Just then Alex pulled up and hopped out of his truck.

“Hey Star Dancer, is this your friend here?” He asked, walking over to them.

“Yes Alex, her name is Black Rose.”

“Interesting name.” He kneeled down to her. “Hello Black Rose, My name is Alex and its nice to meet you.”

But she didn’t respond. Gone was the confidence Star Dancer has seen from her a few moments ago, replaced with the shyness and timid demeanor she had first come to notice out of her. “Oh... Umm... H-hello,” she timidly whispered, turning her head to hide behind her mane.

“She’s a quiet one now isn’t she?” Alex commented leaning up to Star Dancer while holding hand up to his mouth. Star Dancer looked at him shaking her head.

“No I don’t think that’s it Alex.” She glanced over to Rose who looked over to her smiling unconvincingly trying to put on a brave face. “She’s just a little shy that’s all.”

“Fair enough.” He looked down bringing his arm up to look at his watch. “Let’s head on out girls, It’s not a good idea to hang around in central park after dark.”

“I agree with him Star Dancer. I’ve heard some scary things going on in this place after dark.”

“Okay.” She walked back over to Rose and helped her to her hooves and soon the three hopped into Alex’s truck and sped off heading to Star Dancers home.

****

Pulling into Star Dancers driveway about a half hour later Star Dancer and Black Rose hopped out of the truck then made their way to the front door just as the lights on the street came on. “Welcome to my humble abode.” Star Dancer giggled opening the door and standing aside to let Rose in then went back out to talk with Alex for a moment. “Hey, thanks for the life Alex.” she said stand up on her hind legs to lean on the trucks windowsill.

“No problem Star.”

“You think you could help me tomorrow?”

“Sure no problem. I still owe you anyway for embarrassing you back there in the restaurant.”

Star Dancer rolled her eyes shaking her head. “Please don’t remind me.”

“Anyway...” He coughed clearing his throat. “What did you need?”

“Well I wanted to do a little shopping tomorrow to buy some furniture and stuff for my apartment, and seeing how you got this nice big truck...” she trailed off, looking at him smiling.

“Seem like I am obligated now,” he smiled. “I mean how can I say no to such a pretty face like that?” He said holding a hand up to her cheek. She blushed and hopped of the side of the truck.

“J-just be here around ten o'clock okay?”

“Ten o'clock, I gotcha.” He then sat back in his seat waving goodbye as he pulled out of the driveway and back into traffic. But just when he made it to the corner it hit him.

‘You realize you just flirted with a pony don’t you?’

He shook his head at the realization of what just happened. “Holy crap! Did I actually just do that?”

‘Oh you sure did! What the hell were you thinking!? We can’t do this man! She’s not even our species! Think of what your family or your friends will think! Think of what otherpeoplewill think if they found out you may have a thing for ponies.’

“No!” He yelled to himself slamming his fist down onto the dash. “Shut up brain! It’s not what you think! It was just a simple mistake.”

‘Sure dude... You keep thinking that.’

Shaking his head to clean his thoughts, Alex rolled all the windows down and opened his sunroof to let some air in and sped off into traffic.

“See you tomorrow Alex!” Star Dancer yelled, then turned around and made her way back into her apartment only to stop at the door when Rose stepped into the doorway.

“I didn’t know you liked humans Star Dancer.”

“What do you mean like humans?” she asked. “I only asked him for some help tomorrow and then waved good bye.”

“And the part where he held a hand up to your cheek making you blush?”

Star Dancer stopped in her tracks, her eyes going wide. “T-that was just a reaction that’s all. Nothing more nothing less. We’re just friends Rose.” Star Dancer snipped back, a little aggravated.

“I... I’m sorry... I wasn’t trying to imply nothing,” she weakly replied, slowly backing away from the door.

“Don’t worry about it Rose, and I am sorry for snapping on you like that. It’s been a long day.”

“Yes it has.” Just then her stomach started to growl and she looked away blushing. “Sorry... I... I couldn’t help it.”

Star Dancer laughed closing the door behind her and locking it. “Come on, lets get you cleaned up and then how about we order out?”

“Sounds good.”

“Bathroom is in the back,” she said pointing down the hallway. “First door on the left.”

Rose nodded and stumbled on back to the room closing the door behind her, and flicking on the switch. She then hobbled over to the tub and ran some water while holding her hoof under the stream until it got nice and warm then slipped out of her clothes and set them on the counter then returned to the tub and waited for it to fill up. She then turned her head around to face the door when she heard knocking. “Y-yes?”

“Hey, Give me your clothes and I’ll wash them for you.” Came Star Dancers voice from the other side of the door. Rose stood back up from the tub and went over to the counter to collected her clothing then went to the door and opened it just a smidge to pass them to Star Dancer.

“Here you go.” Star Dancer smiled and took them then trotted back off down the hall. Rose returned to the tub afterwards shutting off the water then slowly slipped into the tub sighing in relief as the warm water soaked into her fur and skin soothing her aching muscles. She stretched out her hind legs letting the hooves poke out from the surface of the water, and rested her head back against a soft headrest. “Mmmm... Feels so good.” It had be a very long time since Black Rose was able to take comfort and relax in a warm bath. The water felt amazing, like it was slowly melting away weeks of aches and pains brought upon by living out on the street; out on her own—alone.

But now at least she had a friend. And it felt good for a change to know that she wasn’t alone anymore. So she pushed aside the negative thoughts and rested in the tub quietly. Eventually drifting off to sleep.

“Are you alright in there Rose? It’s been almost an hour.”

“Y-yeah...” She sleepily replied, rubbing her eyes then climbed out of the tub feeling so much better albeit a little tired. “I’ll be right out.” She said pulling the cork and reaching for a towel to dry herself off.

“Do you have anything else to wear Rose? It’s going to be a little while before your stuff is washed and dried.

“No Star Dancer, That’s all I have.”

“Well when you’re done come on out and to my bedroom. I may have something you can wear until your stuff is dry.”

“Okay... Just give me a moment her,” she said, as she was finishing drying herself off. she then slowly opened the door and slinked down the hallway to Star Dancers room keeping her tail pressed closely up against her backside, with a towel draped over her rump. When she finally got to Stars bedroom she saw Star Dancer had pulled out a bunch of clothes and set them on the bed.

“Oh hey Rose,” Star Dancer smiled beckoning her over with a hoof. “Stand still for a moment now.” Star Dancer then walked up beside Rose and looked her up and down making Rose feel really uncomfortable, and then she trotted back to her bed. “I’ve got these pajamas here Rose, they will probably fit you fine.” she said grabbing the top and bottoms to hoof over to Black Rose. “My dad got them for me last year, but he forgot to take into account that I am a pegasus. So there is no holes in the top for my wings, but that isn’t a problem for you.” She then hopped up onto the bed. “Try them on.”

“In... in front of you?”

“Well yeah silly. We are both mares ya know.” She then stopped herself when she saw Rose looking down pawing at the floor. “Oh... I’m sorry, I should respect your privacy.” She then hopped off the bed and left the room closing the door.

Rose sighed feeling better now and went to slipping into the pajamas then sliding her tail out through the small hole in the back. “These actually fit pretty well,” she remarked, looking at herself in the mirror. She also liked the way they looked. Dark blue with a bunch of stars scattered around on them, and one big one set right over her chest. “Alright Star Dancer, you can come in. I’m dressed now.” And a second later the door swung open and Star Dancer trotted up to look at her.

“Wow... they fit you pretty well.”

“That they do,” she smiled. “So... What’s for dinner? I’m starved.”

“Well that’s up to you. What do you want? Would you like something with meat in it? Or do you not like meat?”

“Well actually I would like to try something with meat in it.”

Star Dancer smiled. “Alright, how about I order out for some pizza?”

“Oh that sounds really good! Maybe you could order a few with pepperoni? I always like the smell of that stuff when I walked past a pizza place.”

“Sounds good to me!” She reached into her bag and pulled out her phone then called down to the local pizza place putting in an order for a few pepperoni pizzas. “Alright lets head back out the the living room and wait for the food to arrive.” Rose nodded and followed her back out into the living room then flopped on the couch getting comfy, and after about twenty minutes there was a knock at their door.

“Boy them guys are fast,” Star Dancer remarked trotting up to the door opening it, and standing there was a brown pegasus with a tan mane holding up a bag containing their food. “They let you fly outside of Central park?”

“Only when I am working Ma’am. Otherwise I am restricted like you to Central Park. Anyway, the total comes out to $33.68.”

Star Dancer nodded reaching into her bag and pulled out a couple twenties and hoofed them to the stallion. “Keep the change,” she smiled taking the food and setting it down on a stand next to the door.

“Thanks Ma’am!” He happily replied then took off down the walkway and soon after leaped into the air disappearing into the night sky.

“Foods here Rose! Come into the kitchen.”

“Be right there.” Rose said from the living room and soon trotted into the kitchen then hopped into a seat at the table taking in a long sniff of the food in front of her “MMmmm! It smells so good!”

“Well here you go!” Star Dancer passed Rose a paper plate and a glass with some soda to wash down the food.

Black Rose wasted no time flipping open the first box grabbing herself a slice of tasty pizza and taking a bite of the cheesy goodness. She loved it! And wasted no time wolfing it down then grabbing another slice.

‘Boy she really was hungry...’ Star Dancer thought taking a slice of pizza herself eating it at a much slower pace though.

Eventually after almost an hour had passed the pizza boxes were empty, and Rose was leaning back in her chair rubbing her now pudgy belly. “Ahh... That hit the spot.” She sighed, then burped unexpectedly. “Oh my! I’m sorry!” She squeaked, covering her mouth afterward. But it was too late, Star Dancer was already giggling while waving a hoof at Rose.

“Don’t worry about it Rose. It’s just your tummy telling you it’s happy now.” But that didn’t stop Rose from turning her head to hide behind her mane bashfully. “Anyway, You don’t mind if I ask you some questions do you Rose?”

“Not really. What did you want to know?”

“Well my main concern is are you over here on Earth legally or illegally? And have you had your inoculations yet?”

Black Rose hesitated for a moment looking down to her hooves tapping together, but she could at least be truthful about this. “No Star Dancer, I am not here legally, and I never had an inoculation before I came over.” She looked away again. “I kinda snuck over,” she said softly.

“Okay... Well then its settled.”

Black Rose looked up to Star Dancer nervously. “Y-you’re not going to turn me in are you.”

“No. Black Rose, but we need to get your immigration stuff taken care of so you’re over her legally. It would make me sad to see you get deported. After all, us friends have to look out for one another.”

‘Friend... There was that word again. And again that lonely feeling in her heart seemed to fade away a little more.’

“So what are we...” She stopped and a thought suddenly popped into her head. ‘We... I can’t believe I am finally able to say that! It feels so wierd.’ She was then cut off from her thoughts by Star Dancer waving her hoof in front of her.

“Hey, Rose, you stopped in the middle of what you were saying there.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. What I meant to say is what are we going to do?”

“Well tomorrow I’ll give my dad a call. He helped me get my immigration stuff take care of, I’m sure he will have no problem helping you too.”

“And after that?”

“Well... we need to get you an appointment to go see a doctor to get your inoculations taken care of.”

Black Rose leaned back and yawned. “Okay. Well I think I am gonna turn in for the night.”

“Oh, wait upa second.” Star Dancer quickly hopped up from the table and shot off to her room. She then returned a moment later with some blankets and a few pillows. “Here take these,” She hoofed them to Rose as she was heading out to the living room.

“Thanks Star Dancer. I really appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

“It’s no problem Rose. I always like to try and live by the golden rule.”

“Do onto others as you would have done unto yourself.” Rose smiled. “I like that Star Dancer.”

Star Dancer turned to head back to her room yawning herself. “Go and get some rest Rose, I’ll see you in the morning.” She then disappeared down the hallway. Black Rose then headed over to the couch and spread a few blankets down on it then set the pillows at the top—fluffing them up a bit—and then eased herself onto the couch pulling the blankets over her and snuggled up under the covers. Her last thoughts before she drifted off to sleep was of that one word that kept replaying in her head.

‘Friend.’

Making Friends Part One: A Rose of a Different Color

Chapter Three

Making Friends

Part One:

A Rose of a Different Color

Star Dancer yawned rolling over onto her back and opened her eyes as the alarm went off. It had been hot last night, and she had forgotten to turn on the air conditioning before going to bed; causing the apartment to heat up rather uncomfortably; forcing her to kick off her covers and strip down to just a light t-shirt and panties to keep cool. ‘What time is it?’ She wondered, rolling her head to glance over at the clock still blaring away. 6:15 it displayed as she pressed down on the snooze button silencing it. Yawning one last time, Star Dancer rolled over sitting up and hopped out of bed—stretching a little bit, then headed to the bathroom to take care of her early morning routine.

Afterward she returned to her room; she slipped into a fresh set of clothes—a blue top with matching blue trunks—then grabbed her laptop plus her Manatech bracelet and headed back into the hallway, making her way towards the kitchen; stopping in the living room briefly to glance over to Black Rose who was still sleeping peacefully on the couch—snoring a little bit. She seemed to have rolled over in her sleep last night, and was now laying on her belly with one of her hind legs protruding out from under the blanket hanging off the side of the couch. Star Dancer smiled at the scene then headed into the kitchen to make herself something to eat.

Setting down her laptop she flipped it open then went over to the cupboard pulling out a couple glasses and setting them on the table. She next walked over to her cabinet and grabbed a pan and some cups setting them on the counter then she went back over to the cupboard and pulled out a box of pancake mix and set that next to the pan. Afterward she returned to the refrigerator, but stopped when she heard a creaking sound. Spinning around she saw Black Rose leaning up against the door frame with a hoof over her mouth stifling a yawn.

“Good morning sleepy head, sleep well?”

“Mmhmm, better than I have in a long time.” Black Rose said trotting up to the table and taking a seat next to the laptop. “You don’t mind if I look around on the internet with your laptop do you?”

“Go right ahead,” she said, glancing back to Rose momentarily. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Orange juice please,” she said taking a moment to charge up her bracelet so she could pick up a pencil sitting on the table to type with. “Hmm... what do I want to look at.”

“How about you do some research on that brony thing Rose. I hear they’re pretty keen on us.”

“Never heard of them before, you say they are interested in us?” Rose asked. Star Dancer turned around and nodded then went back to what she was doing at the counter. “Interesting,” she said, looking at the screen thinking for a moment—tapping on her chin. “Well why not.” Black Rose then went to typing ‘brony’ into the search field, and low and behold a ton of hits came up. “Well this is going to take a while.”

“Take your time, I still need to get things ready for breakfast. Oh, here’s your orange juice by the way.” Star Dancer said filling up the glass next to Black Rose. She looked up nodding in thanks reaching for the cup to take a sip of the tangy juice.

Afterward she went back to searching the internet taking the next couple minutes narrowing down her results till a name popped up “FIMFiction.net. Hmm... Well why not.” She clicked the link bringing up a page with a picture of two naked mares cuddling with one another, their snouts touching giving Black Rose a weird feeling. “Yeesh! Didn’t think they saw us like that.”

After wiping that image from her mind, she pressed on scrolling down the page looking at the various stories and blog posts displayed in a neat manner until she came across a story that caught her eye. “Wild Rose, Hmm... looks interesting.” She clicked the link and took a moment to read over the synopsis. “Fetish? Flower Clopping? What do you think that means?”

“Maybe they have a thing for us stomping on flowers? I don’t know. I’ll call my friend Lyra later on and ask her about it.”

“Lyra? That’s a nice name. From the instrument I take it?”

“Thats right. Her Mana mark is of the lyre itself, but she is more in touch with things pertaining to humans for some reason. It’s like an infatuation of hers, but she’s harmless, and she really enjoys hanging out with them.”

“Does she live here on Earth or back in Equestria?”

“She still lives back in Equestria, in a town called Ponyville. It’s just outside of the Lunestial Palace, and the Imperial city of Canterlot.”

“Ponyville!?” Black Rose responded somewhat bemused. “Well that’s pretty cheesy. It sounds like a name one would have for a town on a childrens cartoon.”

“Because it did come from a children's cartoon show Rose,” Star Dancer replied. “The town’s name was changed as a service for the fans of an Earth kids cartoon show called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.”

“But I’m not little!” Black Rose whined, “I’m nineteen! I’m almost a full grown mare! Heck, I’m practically the same height as a human female is when I stand up on my hind legs.”

“Relax Black Rose,” Star Dancer chuckled. “I think you’re blowing this a little out of proportion. And I think the other reason they did it was to increase the amount of annual income the town brings in with tourism.”

“Oh... well that sounds like a pretty good idea actually.” Afterwards she looked away from Star Dancer feeling a little embarrassed by her outburst. “So you say Lyra would know about this brony stuff?”

Star Dancer looked back from what she was doing at the counter and nodded. “Yup, she knows a lot about the whole brony fandom thing.” She then went back to what she was doing at the counter grabbing the box of pancake mix and poured some into the bowel then stopped and laughed. “I remember a few weeks ago when I saw her here on Earth she referred to my Mana mark as a Cutie mark.”

“A show reference I take it?”

“Yeah, I guess in that cartoon our Mana marks are called Cutie marks, and get this! The shows creators think they’re on our flanks and not our hips!”

Black Rose glanced down for a moment looking at her white rose Mana mark emblazoned on her Pajamas just over her hip, and wondered what it would look like if her mark was on her flank instead. “I guess the term ‘blank flank’ was coined for equestrians not having a mark yet.”

Star Dancer stopped for a moment taking in what Black Rose just said and then laughed. “Thats pretty funny Rose, I like that!”

Black Rose smiled and returned to the laptop to begin reading the story. “Hmm... Pony seemingly afraid of human seems like something that would've happened during the early days of the gateways opening.”

“Are you talking to me?”

“No Star, I was just mumbling to myself,” Black Rose remarked, bringing an elbow up to the table so she could rest her head on a hoof; while continuing to scroll down the page with her other. That is until she came to a point in the story that particularly caught her attention. “What the heck?” She leaned forward squinting her eyes to carefully scan over the next few lines of text.

“Something drip onto the floor?” She went back to reading. “Oh my...” She sat back blushing, but strangely, she felt compelled to continue reading. Stopping again a little while later as the mare in the story was just about to prepare her ‘special’ set of roses for her human customer. It was at this point she almost decided to close the link, but something in her mind—possibly curiosity—compelled her to continue.

So, she refocused on the story, and slowly continued on reading one word at a time until she hit the part where the mare in the story began to play with herself, this is when the odd feelings started to surface within her. Shifting in her seat a little bit to get more comfortable—allowing her tail to hang out through the opening in the back, Black Rose focused with rapt attention on the next few parts of the story; her heart rate slowly rising as a sudden warmth began to bloom from within her.

“Is it getting hot in here?” She spoke aloud, looking around at nothing in particular while tugging on the collar of her pajamas. Her tail now beginning to slightly twitch involuntarily.

“Yeah, it is a little warm,” Star Dancer remarked, taking a moment to stop mixing the pancake batter to wipe some sweat from her brow. “But that's mainly because I forgot to turn the air conditioning on. Let me go and do that now before the sun comes up.” Star Dancer said setting the bowl she was mixing the pancakes in back down on the counter and pushed off it, coming back down onto her hooves, and headed off back into the hallway to set the thermostat.

Meanwhile, Black Rose had gone back to reading continuing on through the intimate little session this mare in the story was going through, the warmth within her still slowly growing. But now it was beginning to feel slightly uncomfortable, like something was aching. So again she shifted in her seat absentmindedly spreading her legs apart to get comfortable, easing the throbbing feeling somewhat then rested a foreleg on the table to lean up to the screen; letting the other fall to her side to rest on her hind leg, and sighed. But, right after—when the realization hit, she shook her head and blinked. “Why did I just do that?”

“Do what?” Star asked looking at Black Rose as she returned from the hallway. Rose realized she said that out loud and looked at Star with a worried look. She couldn't tell her friend that she was becoming aroused because of this story.

“I refreshed the page and lost my spot, nothing to worry about.” A feeling of embarrassment set into Black Rose. She felt utterly stupid for being aroused. So she reasoned now would be a good time to stop before things escalated. But, just as she closed the page someone spoke up.

‘Quitting so soon? We were just beginning.’

“Who said that!?” Black Rose blurted out snapping her head around frantically.

“Who said what Rose?” Star Dancer asked.

“I... I...” She trailed off looking down thinking for a moment. She knew she heard someone talking; but who?

‘Forgetting us so soon?’

“Who... Who are you?” she whispered this time.

‘Who am I you say? Well it's simple... I am you, and you are me. Together we are one, just you and me. You see?’

“I... I don't understand.”

“What don't you understand Rose? What are you talking about?”

‘Ditch the pegasus and go to the bathroom. We will then show you who we are.’

“Black Rose are you alright?” Star Dancer asked, turning around for a moment to look at her.

“Yea-Yeah, Star. I'm fine, and it's nothing. I was just hearing things.” Black Rose then hopped off the chair—coming down on her hooves—and started to head off out of the kitchen. “I’m going to go take a shower Star, I need to clear my head.”

“Alright.” Star Dancer turned back around returning to stirring the pancake mix “By the way, your clothes are clean and dried. I set them on top of the dryer for you.”

“Thanks,” she said putting on a weak smile, then headed off down the hallway to collect her clothing.

****

‘Close the door and lock it. We do not want to be disturbed when we reveal our-self.’Black Rose nodded slightly shutting the door; the lock engaging shortly after with a click.

“Okay now where are you? Show yourself!”

‘Go to the mirror.’

Black Rose complied trotting up to the counter—standing up on her hind legs, while using her forelegs to prop herself up on it and stared into the mirror. A rose red colored pony wearing blue colored pajamas with jet black hair and light silver eyes stared back at her mimicking her in every way.

‘We are you, and you are me. Together we are one. Now you see?’

“No...” Realization now dawning upon her, she reeled back in shock scrambling backwards away from the window—the pony in the mirror doing the same, until both pressed up against the wall, looking at one another never taking their eyes off each other.

‘Ah... So we have not been forgotten, we are happy! But why are you so frightened? We assure you we have not come to bring harm, but to help you.’

“H-Help me? H-How?”

‘With yourself, that is how. We have seen how you have become aroused, but now it seems you are reluctant to indulge it. Why is this?’

“B-Because it's wrong!”

‘Why is it wrong you say? Is it not natural to feel these emotions? To feel desire? Or is it fear itself that troubling you?’

Black Rose didn’t answer, only looked away from the mirror.

‘Ah... Now we see. But, we do not understand. Fear is just a feeling like any other Black Rose. You feel hot. You feel hungry. You feel angry. You feel afraid. Why do you hide from feeling desire? Why do you hide from yourself? Your body is calling Black Rose, and it is time to answer it. Now let’s begin.’

“No! I can not. I will not. Please! Do not make me do this.”

‘It is alright Black Rose, we have anticipated this, and we are ready to guide you. Now stand up.’

Black Rose pushed off the wall coming back down to her hooves, but not by her own accord. It was as if her body was acting on its own free will, and not of her own. Scared and terrified of what was about to happen, Black Rose opened her mouth to scream, but only silence was her new voice as she watched the mirror image open and close its mouth repeated times trying desperately to scream.

‘Take off your clothes and get into the shower. This is going to be fun!’

Again Black Rose found herself helpless as she began undressing herself, removing her pajama top then sliding out of her bottoms—discarding the articles of clothing to the side, then made her way towards the shower, taking one last glance at the pony in the mirror.

And for a brief second, she could've sworn that the pony in the mirror grinned at her before disappearing out of her sight, sending a shiver down her spine. Afterwards she hopped into the shower—and stood there. Petrified. Her hind legs tightly held together; her tail pressed firmly up against her backside.

“P-Please... S-stop. Don’t make me do this. I beg you!” She cried out, but no tears came, and her voice was but a whisper.

‘You seem so tense Black Rose, you need to loosen up! Run some water, but not too hot. We don’t want to see you get burned.’

Acting again against her will Black Rose reared up on her hind legs and propped herself on the wall. Her fear was driving her body wild as her heart rate started picking up, and a all too familiar warmth was again blooming between her hind legs. Reaching forward with a hoof, Black Rose pushed down on the lever starting the shower; sending a torrent of cold water rushing down over her body causing her to shiver momentarily until the water became warmer and warmer. Eventually reaching the point where she could almost no longer handle the heat.

Standing there for a few moments letting the warm water soak into her body, Black Rose eventually began to unwillingly relax. Her hind legs loosening up and spreading apart letting the warm—almost unbearable—water run down between her thighs and over her swollen marehood, causing her to cringe and begin to tremble uncontrollably. Tears began to stream from her eyes only to be lost when the water from the shower washed over her face.

“Please... Let me go! This is not fair! I don’t want this.”

‘No Rose, but your body does and it’s calling. We are here to answer it.’

“You can’t f-force me to do this!”

‘We don’t have to force you to do anything Black Rose, your body has already chosen for you.’

Just then one of her forelegs lifted up off the wall and began to trace a path down the side of her body, making Rose shiver from the feeling until it stopped just above her throbbing nethers.

“Please...” She pleaded, her eyes red from crying. “Please oh please... just let me go. I promise I’ll never mention this to anyone.”

‘Your repeated denial to fulfill your bodys most basic need disgusts me. We have come to help you in achieving bliss, but yet all you do is resist! It stops now! We will no longer tolerate your defiance! Prepare yourself Black Rose.’

Her hoof then move forward pressing against her sensitive nethers tracing a line around the outer edge of her folds, then began pushing itself against her entrance parting her lips, making her cry out in pain as her hoof was many more times the size of her tight marehood.

“S-stop! You’re hurting me!” She cried. “Please stop! It h-hurts so much!”

‘We cannot hurt you Black Rose, because we are one of the same.’

In a desperate attempt to end this now extremely painful experience, Black Rose summoned up whatever ounce of inner strength she had left, and screamed as best as she could calling for help.

Setting the pan down on the stove Star Dancer turned on the burner to a low heat and poured in a portion of the pancake max smiling as she leaned forward smelling the yummy goodness as it slowly began to take shape. “Boy I sure can’t wait to dig into these babies! They smell so darn good!” Star Dancer said, then went to over to the cabinet and pulled out a couple plates and set them on the table returning to the pan momentarily to flip them then opened a drawer and grabbed some utensils and was about to set them down next to the plates when she heard a scream.

“HELP! Star Dancer, please help me!” Dropping the utensils and switching off the burner, Star Dancer bolted out of the kitchen flying down the hall and came to a screeching halt by the bathroom door.

“Rose? Are you alright?” She reached up and turned the latch finding it had been locked. “Please unlock the door Rose.” She leaned up against the door and heard the shower running. “Rose are you okay? I thought I heard you scream.” Still nothing but silence. Quickly she shot back to the kitchen returning a second later with a glass and held it up against the bathroom door pressing her ear against it. Amongst the sound of the water running she could hear the sounds of movement and the faintest sounds of... “Oh my Celestia... Is she crying?”

Not wanting to wait any longer, Star Dancer quickly spun around planting her forelegs on the ground and bucked the door with all her might smashing it open. Spinning back around she quickly ran in. Unfortunately the steam was so overwhelmingly hot and dense she had to back off, returning to the door to reach over and flick the switch for the fan and waited a second for it to clear. And to her utter surprise, she saw Black Rose standing on her hind legs in the shower soaking wet with a hoof propping her up against the shower wall, the other forcing itself into her marehood.

“Oh my!” Star Dancer took a step back covering her eyes. “I’m sorry.” But strangely enough, Black Rose didn’t even recognize her. It was as if she was in a trance. Taking a few cautious steps up to her, Star Dancer had to take a few seconds to take in the scene, it was just too much. Black Rose was staring forward her eyes seemingly disconnected, as if she was staring into nothing. She was crying, her eyes sore and red from the heat of the water.

And she was talking to herself, pleading someone to stop and that she was in pain. Not wanting to witness anymore of this, Star Dancer grabbed the hoof prodding Black Rose’s marehood and yanked it out spinning her around causing her to lose her balance and slip—falling down in the shower; smacking her head against the wall. “Rose? Are you alright? Please talk to me! You’re scaring me.”

Bobbing her head around for a few times Black Rose finally steadied herself and looked out to Star Dancer her eyes still sore from the steam.

“No! Get away from me! Leave me alone!” She tried scrambling to her hooves, but the shower floor was just too wet and she slipped smacking her head on the wall again—this time knocking herself unconscious.

“Rose NO!” Star Dancer was now scared out of her fur. She hopped into the shower shutting off the water—not giving a shit if she got soaked, and leaned down to Black Rose’s chest listening for a moment. “Thank Celestia, she’s still breathing.” She then tried picking Rose up, but the entire area was soaking wet giving her absolutely no traction or balance “I’ll be right back Rose I promise,” she said and bolted out of the bathroom going into her bedroom and grabbing her phone then quickly returning to Black Rose’s side. “Come on pick up!”

“Hey Star Dancer, what’s up?” Alex said.

“How fast can you get here? I have an emergency! Rose is hurt!”

“I'm out the door now. I'll be there in about ten minutes.”

“The door is unlocked just head on in. Please hurry.”

“Understood.”

Star Dancer hung up and went over to get a towel to dry off Black Rose then laid it over her backside to give her at least a little privacy, and sat down next to her calling her parents.

“Hey sweetie. How are you doing?”

“Mom! I have an emergency here!”

“What’s wrong Star Dancer? You’re not hurt are you? Please tell me you are not hurt!”

“No Mom, I’m fine. But its my new friend here she’s an earth pony, and I think she’s had a psychotic episode. But then she slipped in the shower and knocked herself unconscious.”

“Is she still breathing Star Dancer?”

“Yes Mom, she’s still breathing.”

“How is it?”

Star Dancer laid her head against Black Rose’s chest for a moment listening. “Steady Mom.”

“That’s good.” There was some silence and then the sound of pages flipping. “Star Dancer, did she injure herself in any other way beside when she fell?”

“Yes, Mom. When I first entered the bathroom she was delusional like she was in a trance or something. But I was able to snap her out of it. However when I did she slipped and hit her head on the back of the wall.”

“Check the back of her head for bumps or cuts Star Dancer.”

“Ok Mom, one second.” She leaned back over to Rose and gently ran her hoof through her mane feeling ever so gently for any protrusions. “She has a small bump on the back of her head Mom.”

“Sounds like she may have a concussion. You need to get her to a hospital Star Dancer. Do you have any way to move her?”

“Yes Mom. A human friend of mine is coming over.”

“Human friend?”

“You remember Alex?”

“Oh it’s him? Well that’s nice. Anyway, when he arrives, have him take you to Ponyville Medical. I will call your father, he works in Ponyville, so he meet you at the hospital when you arrive.”

Just then the sound of the front door opened and closed. “Star Dancer? Where are you?”

“Back here Alex!” She yelled. “Mom I’ll call you when we arrive, and thanks a lot.”

“Just get her there safe Honey.”

Star Dancer hung up her phone after saying goodbye just as Alex walked through the doorway.

“Oh my, is she alright?” He asked kneeling down next to Star Dancer.

“We need to get her to a hospital Alex.”

“What hospital? I don’t think there's any here that’s set up to deal with ponies yet.”

“We are taking her to Ponyville Medical in Equestria. There’s a gateway entrance a few miles from here that allows vehicles to pass through it.”

“Alright sounds good lets go.” He bent over next to Black Rose and gently picked her up cradling the unconscious mare in his arms and headed out to the living room. “Get a blanket so we can cover her up for now and her clothing for later, so when she wakes up she has them.”

Star Dancer nodded scooping up her clothes then went out to the couch and grabbed a blanket and brought it back to Alex. Afterward she went to her room grabbing her saddlebag—some cash—then went back out to the living room where Alex was. He had just finished wrapping Black Rose up in the blanket and was heading out the front door. Star Dancer took one last detour into her kitchen to toss the burnt pancake into the trash, and drop the pan into the sink. She then grabbed her laptop and headed out locking her apartment.

****

The ride through the city was pretty much quiet as only the sounds of early morning traffic was heard. Inside the truck Star Dancer had chosen to ride in the back sitting next to Black Rose in case she woke up.

“What happened Star?” Alex asked.

“I really don't know. When she woke up this morning she seemed perfectly fine. Then after she read something on the internet she just...” Star Dancer trailed off glancing down to her unconscious friend, and gently brushed some of her mane out of her face. “Well I just don't know what happened.”

“Maybe something repressed being triggered by what she read?”

“That could be a possibility, but I can’t be sure, I’m not a doctor,” Star Dancer replied returning to looking out the window. “How far are we from the gateway junction?”

“About fifteen minutes I would guess,” he said turning off onto a mini-expressway. “It would be sooner, but the traffic is pretty backed up.”

“Uhhh... Wh...where am I?”

“Oh she's awake Alex!” She said, glancing back over to Black Rose. “Hey Rose! Glad to see you're with us again.”

“My head really hurts Star, what happened?”

“You mean you don't remember?”

“Remember what? Last thing I remember is walking to the bathroom to take a shower,” she said then tried to sit up, but this only led to the blanket slipping off her as she rolled over to sit up on her haunches. “Wait... Why am I naked!? Where are my clothes?” She reached over to grab the blanket to cover herself, but the way she reached by leaning sideways caused her to constrict her muscles in her thighs to support her—sending a rather discomforting feeling through her. ‘Oww! What was that?’ She tried to reproduce it again by leaning to the other-side, and sure enough, the moment she reached the same extension the discomforting feeling yet again arose causing her to wince a little from it. ‘There it is again. What is wrong with me?’

Biting her lip she decided to try and clinch the muscles around her marehood, but as soon as she did she cried out in pain—falling back against the seat.

“Are you alright Rose?” Star Dancer asked.

Black Rose looked at her friend then away. She really felt embarrassed. What did she do in that bathroom? Why was she naked? Why couldn't she remember? And how come her ‘special area’ hurt so much when she tried to tighten up the muscles around it.

“Rose...” Star Dancer began softly tilting her head forward to look at her while bringing a hoof up to her shoulder. “Do you want to know what happened? D-Do you want to know how I found you?”

Black Rose glanced over to Star Dancer then back to herself, and to the blanket covering her naked body. She then gripped it; pulling it tighter around her, and looked back to Star Dancer nodding weakly. Star Dancer breathed in deep leaning back against the seat and sighed.

“Well... Here goes.” She slowly began to explain the events of what happened only a short while ago. The part where Rose was still at the table talking to herself, the part when she told her she was going to ‘clear’ her head. The frightening scream; how she had to break down the door, and the position Black Rose was standing in the shower. Including what she was doing while she was standing there.

Black Rose felt utterly embarrassed, dirty and disgusted. She felt violated. “Star Dancer... I am so sorry you had to see that...” She trailed off, beginning to cry. She felt terrible knowing that the only pony that considered her a friend had now witnessed her in one of the most insecure positions she could have ever been in. “I’m sorry Star Dancer! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry...” She ducked back into the blanket—curling into a ball, and pulled it over her head to block out the light. To block out the shame. “I’m a disgusting little whore! I can't even control my own body!” She scrunched up tighter, her breathing becoming erratic; her voice hitching as she continued to put herself down.

But just as she was sinking into the deepest pits of her self-doubt, she felt something slide under her and pull her up. She pushed her head out into the light and saw that Star Dancer had pulled her into a hug and was looking at her with a soft gentle smile.

“Shh... there, there now Black Rose, it’s okay. And you don’t have to apologize to me, you did nothing wrong.”

“You’re wrong! I am a dirty little whore that doesn't deserve a friend like you!” She snapped back pushing away from Star Dancer, but she would not let go, she only squeezed tighter keeping a firm, but gentle hold on her friend as she flailed about. “Let me go... Star Dancer let me go!”

“Rose please don’t do this to yourself. You’re better than this, I know it.”

“No I’m not! I’m a disgusting freak that can’t even keep my hooves off myself!”

“You’re not a freak, you’re a wonderful pony. A pony I would love to have as a friend.”

Black Rose stopped her flailing and slowly turned her head around to face Star Dancer, her eyes red with tears running down her cheeks. “R-really? Even after all that has happened?

“Yes Rose. I still want to be your friend if you’ll be mine.”

Black Rose smiled turning herself around and returned the hug. For the longest time the only company she had in her life was that of loneliness, that of despair. But now because of this pony she had something new. Something she has been yearning for, for a long time. Something that was just out of her reach. Until now. And it made her feel happy—if only a little bit. But still, that was enough for her.

“Yes Star Dancer,” she said softly, her voice a little hitched as she gently squeezed her. “Yes I want to be your friend. And Thank you. Thank you so much! You don’t how long its been since anyone thought of me as a friend.”

Alex mainly focused on getting Black Rose to the hospital as fast as possible couldn’t help but smile at the site in the backseat of his truck. He never thought these equestrians were capable of so much emotion; so much feelings. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts over this, he completely missed the sign saying ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ as the truck passed it speeding on down the tunnel heading towards the gateway junction entrance.

Making Friends Part Two: A Big Mac in the Big Apple

Chapter Three

Making Friends

Part Two:

A Big Mac in the Big Apple

“So where are we going?”

“To the hospital Rose,” Star Dancer replied while continuing to look out the window. “You got a pretty nasty bump on the back of your head after you took that fall in the bathroom, and we just want to make sure you are not seriously injured okay?” She said turning back to look at Black Rose for a moment.

Black Rose looked down to her hooves fidgeting with the blanket wrapped around her for a moment. “Do... do I have to go?” She said rather quietly, glancing up to look at Star Dancer. “I know I said my head was hurting a little bit, but I don’t think it’s bad enough to go see a doctor though.”

“Why are you so apprehensive about going to see a doctor Rose?” Star Dancer said now looking at Black Rose somewhat confused.

“They just give me the heebie jeebies,” Black Rose nervously replied shivering slightly. “All them needles, knives and pointy things they stick at you. I just don’t trust them.”

“I know right! I totally despise needles myself Rose. I can’t stand the sight of them!” The two of them chuckling slightly afterward at their shared resentment. “But, all that aside, you really should have that bump checked out Rose, I am only concerned with your well being.”

Black Rose smiled leaning back to rest against the seat and sighed. “Alright Star Dancer, you win... I’ll go. But can we please stop somewhere first and get something to eat? I’m really hungry.”

“I think thats a great idea Rose, I’m a bit hungry myself. But, might I suggest something if I may?”

Black Rose turned to glance up at Star Dancer, a questionably look now residing on her face. “What is it?”

Star Dancer smiled reaching around to her side and grabbed her bag then brought it around to set it down in front of her. “May I suggest a change of attire?” She chuckled opening up the bag revealing Black Roses freshly cleaned clothes. “That blanket totally clashes with your coat.”

“Thanks Star,” Black Rose said, chuckling slightly while taking the bag. “I really appreciate all that you’re doing for me.”

“Don’t mention it,” Star Dancer said. “Now go ahead and get yourself dressed, I’ll hold the blanket up to give you some privacy.” She then looked forward to the driver. “And you Alex, no peeking now! I’ve got my eye on you mister!”

Alex laughed waving his hand at her. “My eyes are set firmly on the road Star Dancer.” He then laid his hand back on the steering wheel and thought to himself for a moment. ‘Why would she say that to me? It’s not like I was going to take a look.’ But, for some reason a nagging curiosity had crept into his mind. ‘I wonder why they wear clothing anyway? Their bodies are covered in fur. It’s not like they walk around naked, or is it? I think I’ll ask her about that once we get everything settled.’

For the next few moments Alex thought to himself about how he was going to ask Star Dancer about it; all the while hearing the shuffling sounds of Black Rose trying to slip into her clothes. Occasionally hearing a grunt or two as she struggled to wiggle into them.

“So Star Dancer, where did you two want to stop and eat at?”

Star Dancer looked back over to Alex then out the window. “Get off here Alex,” she said pointing to a sign rapidly approaching them. “I know a place in Ponyville that we can stop and get some breakfast.”

“Alright Star,” He said with a nod then clicked on the turn signal and veered off, heading down the country road leading into Ponyville.

****

“Where are we headed by the way Star?” Alex asked turning off the long country road to head into the town itself. Morning was still apparent to the trio driving down the road as most of the small city was still waking up. Vendors were preparing their stalls for the days business, equestrians and humans alike heading to work; some browsing the stalls that had opened, while others had stopped at the various restaurants to get a bite to eat.

“There’s the place over there Alex,” she said leaning forward to point in the direction of a small building with a pink and blue awning providing shade for a few tables strewn about in front of the building. “Park over there.”

Alex nodded, swinging the truck into the small parking lot set alongside the building. Afterwards the trio hopped out and made their way over to to the restaurant. “Hey girls why don’t we sit outside? It’s mighty nice outside today, and it would be a shame to waste it being cooped up inside.”

“I don’t mind do you Rose?” Star Dancer asked looking over to Black Rose. She was still fidgeting with her skirt trying to get it on straight.

“Oh no... thats fine with me to Star. I prefer to stay outside anyway.”

“Then its settled!” Alex cheerfully chirped clapping his hands. “After you my ladies,” he said bowing with a smile while holding out his hand. Black Rose trotted on past still fiddling with her skirt. Star Dancer however had seemingly stopped briefly to look away after hearing the comment. “You alright there Star Dancer?” She looked up at him nodding quickly a few times.

“Y-yeah... I’m fine,” She said, quickly clearing her throat then trotted quickly on past and took a seat next to Black Rose at the table. Alex looked at her a bit perplexed scratching the back of his head.

‘Did I say something wrong?’ He wondered glancing over to the two ponies sitting at the table. Black Rose was simply eyeing over the menu that was sitting on the table, while Star Dancer was looking a bit apprehensive trying to downplay a slight flushed look that was on her face. ‘Blush? Why would she be blushing?’ He took a moment to think about it, but nothing really came to mind. At least nothing that really made any sense. So, he pushed it to the back of his mind and made his way over to the table to take a seat himself, but all the while he felt like he had forgotten to do something.

“I think you left your lights on Alex.” Black Rose said pointing over to his pickup. Alex swung his head around to look back himself and nodded pressing a hand to his face.

“Dammit... I knew I was forgetting something,” he grumbled pushing himself up from the table. “Be right back.” He then walked off heading back to his truck.

“Hey Star?”

“Yeah Rose?”

“Are you feeling ok?” Rose asked, a bit of concern coming from her voice.

“Yeah I’m fine. Why do you ask?” Star Dancer replied looking up from the table to Black Rose.

“Your face... it's all flushed. I'm surprised I can actually see it through the color of your fur.”

“Oh t-that?” She chuckled nervously. “It’s n-nothing...” She lied, but Black Rose could tell she was trying to dodge the question, but instead of trying to draw it out and possibly embarrass her new friend, she opted to switch the topic over to something else.

“Well alright. Anyway, what are you going to get for breakfast? I am really liking this pancake breakfast with hashbrowns and a biscuit.” She then slid the menu over to her friend.

Star Dancer let out a breath finally shaking off her flustered look and took the menu then opened it up. “Well let me take a look see Rose. I haven’t eaten here in years,” she said eyeing over the meal choices. Oddly enough, sausage and bacon were also items offered in the breakfast lineup. “Wow... I didn’t think meat would have managed to make it’s way into the menu in a town like this,” she said aloud not really speaking to anyone in general.

“Why is that Star?” Black Rose asked still fidgeting with her clothes. “Also, I think you shrunk my shirt. It’s a little tight.”

“Hmm?” Star Dancer hummed looking up from the menu. “Oh... I don’t think it shrank Rose, I think they were just so dirty that the fabric probably loosened up from you wearing it too long. And to answer your first question.” She laid the menu down closing it for a moment. “True most equestrians are omnivores, but for the most part ponies tended to stick to a mostly vegan diet. Especially around here. Now from where I come from, ponies and other equestrians like griffins, diamond dogs and dragons all lived together in the same city. So eating meat was pretty much seen as a common thing. No one really disapproved or shunned us for our dietary habits.”

“Well that makes sense... on both parts actually,” she remarked tugging on her shirt collar noticing how the fabric tended to now stay more taut than before. “Who owns this establishment by the way?” Star Dancer was about to speak up when an all too familiar voice came from the entrance of the building.

“Hiya Star Dancer!”

“Hi Lyra how are you...” She trailed off after seeing Lyra emerge from the front doors not wearing any clothing, casually trotting up to the two of them.

“So what brings you back into Ponyville? And who is this? A new friend of yours?”

“Y-yeah. Her name is Black R-Rose, Lyra.” Star Dancer stammered trying her best to remain focused on Lyra, and not draw any attention to her discomfort of seeing another mare out in public without clothing. Black Rose on the other hoof was staring—mouth agape—as the minty green colored pony strolled on up to the table. She did have a small side pouch with a tablet in it however.

“Something wrong? Lyra asked taking notice of the two acting rather nervous at her arrival.

“LYRA! Put on some clothes for Celestia’s sake!” Came a sudden shout emanating from the inside of the restaurant. Shortly after a cream colored mare with a curly pink and blue colored mane and matching tail, wearing a pair of tan shorts with white t-shirt came trotting out of the restaurant entrance. Her mana mark: three pieces of candy emblazoned on the sides of her shorts. “You’re obviously shocking these two judging by the looks on their faces.”

“What?” Lyra replied looking over to the cream colored mare somewhat confused. “I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong Bon Bon.”

“Well you’re not as far as equestrian law is concerned, but obviously these two are affected by it.”

The two mares continued to argue over the subject for the next few minutes; both forgetting completely about the two younger mares still sitting at the table staring at them. That is until Alex returned from his truck. He stopped at the table and looked over to the two older mares arguing over whatever it was they were arguing about and decided to butt in.

“Hey ladies, I hope I am not interrupting something important here am I?”

The two immediately stopped their bickering and looked over to Alex.

“Oh a human!” Lyra smiled trotting up to him, her tail wagging slightly as she approached him. “Hey there handsome what’s your name?” She said with a bit of a sultry voice.

“Heh... It’s Alexander, Ma’am. What’s yours?”

“LLLLrya Heartstrings,” she purred stopping just a few inches from him. “So... What brings you to Equestria, Alex?” Her voice still flowing with a touch of sultriness. “Come to check out the mares?” She then winked at him while giving him a playful nudge with her elbow.

Meanwhile Star Dancer had returned to her menu trying to find the meal she wanted. Satisfied with her choice, she laid the menu down closing it up. But, when she was about to ask Alex if he wanted anything, she looked up and noticed how Lyra was actively flirting with her new friend. Her new malefriend. Immediately her smile vanished; replaced with a scowl as she scrunched her face. Then without conscious, or rational thought, Star Dancer sprang up from her seat slamming a hoof down onto the table.

“He is here with ME Lyra!” Star Dancer quickly—and again not taking the precious few seconds to think about it, blurted it out as if she was protecting something of hers. Lyra looked back to her smiling.

“Oh, you two are dating? That’s so cool! I knew you would find someone eventually Star Dancer! Way to go!”

Star Dancer immediately reeled back—her wings flaring, while blushing a deep shade of pink. It was so apparent you could even see it through her amber colored fur. She instantly regretted the way she phrased the remark, however, at the same time a small feeling had again begun to well up inside her, one that had been slowly building ever since she first met him. Alex meanwhile had simply laughed waving a hand dismissing the remark.

“We’re not dating Ma’am, we just came to Equestria because this mare here,” He pointed over to Black Rose. “Had a little accident and bumped her head on something. We just stopped here first on the way to the hospital.”

“Y-yeah... that’s all.” Star Dancer added letting out a breath; happy that Alex didn’t pick up on her nervousness. She was half right. He didn't really understand why she was acting so nervous. It was just a simple mistake after all. But that is not why he didn't pick up on it. It was because he was more curious as to why her wings had suddenly shot up again.

‘Huh... There go her wings again. I wonder why they do that? It's like her wings are tied to her emotions somehow.’ These equestrians were just getting stranger and stranger as he continued to learn more and more about them. More questions he figured he would ask her once things had calmed down and he could get some more time to spend with her. But once that line of thought crossed his mind it abruptly came to a halt. 'Wait... Did I really just think about wanting to spend more time with a pony?'

‘Yep, you sure did buddy. I was against this, but it seems like you're curious about this, so I guess I can go along with it for now...’His mind was right. He was curious. Even if he had only spent a little time with her, he still liked it. He was then ripped from his thoughts a moment later as Bon Bon quickly rushed up to the table.

“Oh you poor thing!” Bon Bon said coming up along side Black Rose. “Are you alright? What's your name?”

“Black Rose.”

“Why didn’t you go to the hospital first?” Bon Bon asked taking a seat next to Black Rose. “Head injuries can be pretty serious believe me.” She looked up to Lyra shooting her a stare.

“What?” Lyra asked confused at why Bon Bon was staring at her.

“Nothing...” Bon Bon replied shaking her head. “Anyway.” She resumed her gaze back onto Black Rose. “You never did answer my question Honey.”

“Geez Bon Bon! You're acting like her mother for Celestia's sake! Give her a break already. She looks like a tough mare, she’ll be alright.”

“Girls?” Black Rose said trying to interject to no avail.

“This coming from a pony that comes running to me crying when she gets a papercut?”

“Hey! That was only one time!” Lyra quickly retorted crossing her forelegs while turning to look away from Bon Bon. “And I had accidently spilt lemon juice in it after I had cut myself.” She finished with a huff.

“Oh sure... I believe you.” Bon Bon shot back with a quick roll of her eyes. “What about the time you came running to me crying and wanting a hug after you had stubbed your hoof trying to come out the front door last week?”

“Thats different!” Lyra snapped back spinning around to glare at Bon Bon. “And I wasn’t wearing my hoof boots either!”

“Girls, can I...” Rose said still being ignored from the two arguing.

“You mean like right now right?” Bon Bon returned, staring back at Lyra. “Kinda making the same mistake twice you big dummy!”

“I only came out like this because you said you liked it when I didn’t wear clothes!”

“Would the two of you shut up already!” Rose yelled at the two arguing mares. Everything went quiet, and everyone’s eyes were on her. This made Rose duck down, trying to get out of sight. “I just...oh.”

“What’s all the commotion goin’ on over here?” A southern sounding voice said. Immediately the group spun around to be greeted by two advancing ponies. One was an orange colored mare with a blond mane and matching tail wearing a brown stetson with a matching green top and shorts. The other, a red stallion with the same blond colored mane and tail—albeit a slightly darker shade. He was wearing a white t-shirt with a pair of brown cargo shorts.

Both of them displaying apple like mana marks on their shorts.

“Oh hiya Applejack! Hey Big Mac! What brings you two out here today?”

“Takin’ mah brother ta the Immigration Center Lyra. He wants ta go an' make a life for himself on Earth. But we dun figured we’d stop an' grab a bite ta eat before we went to the center.” She then trotted up to the table and dropped her bag by it and took a seat. “Tarnation that bag was heavy! What did ya bring Mac?”

“Hey, ya offered ta carry it Sis, and Ah did tell ya it was gonna be rather heavy.” Big Mac chuckled taking a seat at the table himself. “Nice ta meet y’all by the way. Mah name is Big Macintosh, but y’all may call me Big Mac if ya want.” He then scanned around the table at the ponies and human there stopping on Black Rose briefly for a moment—their eyes locking with one another—causing her to look away afterward, but she briefly glance back over to him after he had took his eyes off her.

“Hello Big Mac, My name is Star Dancer, and it’s nice to meet you!” She cheerfully replied smiling at him.

“Names Alexander, but you can call me Alex.”

Big Mac returned his gaze back on to Black Rose. “And what’s your name?”

“Rose Black....Black Rose...I mean...Hi.”

“Black Rose, Eh? Hmm...” He thought to himself for a moment keeping himself fixated on her causing Black Rose to begin to fidget nervously. “I like it. Beautiful yet mysterious, just like a real rose,” he replied smiling at her. Black Rose looked away, a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks.

“T-thanks,” She said softly feeling a slight bit of happiness well up inside her. She never had a stallion compliment her before. “S-so where are you going to be visiting Earth at?” She asked once she had regained some of her composure.

Big Mac put a hoof to his chin and thought for a moment. He hadn’t really planned ahead that far, he was still working on going to the immigration center. “Well Ah dunno really... Ah never thought about where Ah was gunna head to.” Star Dancer looked at Rose with a curious look.

“Rose has been to Earth a little bit Big Mac, and she too still needs to go to the Immigration Center as well. Maybe the two of you can explore Earth together? I mean, that is after you two get your immigration paperwork taken care of.” A cold chill ran up Black Rose’s spine, she looked at everyone. Star and Applejack seemed to have an inspired glow.

“Thats a great idea!” Applejack said happily. “Y’all two can go together, that way Ah won’t have ta go and Ah can get back ta the farm.” Applejack hastily got up and began pushing the two in the direction of the Immigration Center.

“Wait, what about breakfast?” Black Rose cried out, her tummy screaming for nourishment, but to no avail as both Mac and her were pushed away from their respective friends. With no breakfast, and sadly because of Applejacks insistence, with no choice either.

“I could have given them a ride,” Alex said as the three walked away. “I did drive us here after all,” he said as he stood up from the table. “I’ve got plenty of room for you and your brother.”

“That’s an even better idea!” She happily chirped now leading the two over to Alex’s pickup truck; stopping at it for a moment to give it a quick look over. “Nice truck Alex, Chevy Silverado right? ”

“How did you know what kind it was Applejack?” Alex asked looking at her somewhat surprised. She turned back.

“Ah was driven around in one during mah stay on ya world Alex. Ah was one of the first equestrians along with three others ta make the very first gateway entrance between Earth and Equestria.”

“Shes one of the Elements of Harmony Alex,” Star Dancer added trotting up next to the truck. “The ones responsible for finding your world.”

“Wow... Thats pretty cool! It’s an honor to meet you Applejack!” She smiled and tipped her hat. Alex couldn’t help but smile at the mare. Applejack settled her hat back on her head and looked at all of them. Soon her expression changed to a confused one. “Are we going or not?”

“We were going to catch breakfast before we went.” Star Dancer said with a bright smile. She looked at Alex and he smiled back, nodding in agreement. Star Dancer’s wings pomfed up slightly and her expression became a little distorted. Returning to a more bashful look as she quickly returned to her menu.

“Ah gotta admit Sis, Ah am a bit famished mahself,” Big Mac said returning to the table. “You can go ahead and take off if ya want ta Ah’ll be alright.”

“Well alright Mac.” She then walked up to her brother and gave him a hug. “You take care of yerself now, ya hear me? And don’t forget ta give me a call every now and then.”

“Thanks AJ, Ah won’t forget. Ah’ll even send ya pictures from time ta time, how does that sound?”

“Ah would very much like that Mac.” She smiled. “Well... Ah am gonna head back ta the farm now. Gotta get ready fer mah date with Steve tonight.”

“Have fun Sis!” Big Mac smiled breaking from the hug to return to his place at the table. “Where are y’all two going by the way?”

“Well he was saying something about going ta another one of them Brony conventions.”

“Ah bet you’re going ta be the life of the party there eh?” He said with a chuckle.

“Yeah... Ah do get bombarded by the fans, but Ah kinda like the attention. And it’s a good way ta bring tourism back ta Ponyville too. Well... that’s what the princesses think anyway.”

“Ah hope Ah don’t get all that attention on mah trip over. Ah just want ta have a fun time experiencing the world without havin’ ta be harassed by them bronies.”

“Aww come on Mac, they’re not that bad.” Applejack said with a chuckle. “Matter a fact, most of them are pretty darn friendly.”

“Well... if ya say so AJ.” He said and then turning back to face the group at the table. “Could someone pass me a menu please?” Black Rose looked over to Mac smiling slightly.

“You can have my menu Big Mac,” she softly replied sliding it over to him. Big Mac returned the gesture and reached over to take the menu from her, but as the exchange was made the two ponies hooves came into contact with one another causing the two to freeze and gaze at one another for a moment.

Black Rose slowly and absentmindedly started to tighten the hold all the while her mind was screaming. ‘What are you doing? Let go of him already. We are not interested in this stallion!’ But, at the same time another feeling was compelling her to continue the embrace. Torn between her two emotions, Black Rose continued to keep her gaze fixed on Big Mac who at the moment had taken his attention off her and was looking over the items on the menu. But, after still feeling her hoof on his—still continuing to tighten its grip, Big Mac looked back up to her. “Can Ah have mah hoof back Rose?” Black Rose immediately broke from her trance and snapped her hoof back, a look of pure embarrassment spread completely over her face.

“I am SO sorry Big Mac, I... I didn’t mean to. I-I just kinda...” She trailed off looking away.

“Don’t worry about it Rose, come on, don’t be like that.”

“Ah think ya went and flustered the poor mare Big Mac,” Applejack quietly whispered while giggling softly into her brothers ear.

“What?” He snapped his attention back over to Black Rose who was still keeping her eyes off him, a slight tinge of pink showing through the fur on her cheeks.

“Just teasing ya Mac,” Applejack chuckled while giving her brother a playful nudge with her elbow.

“Shouldn’t you be heading back ta the farm? Ah thought ya had ta get yerself ready for yer date with Steve?” Applejack reared her head back in shock, quickly pulling her phone out of her bag.

“Oh crap yer right! Bye Mac! Take care of yerself!” Applejack yelled as she galloped off back down the dirt road leading to Sweet Apple Acres. Meanwhile Big Mac returned to his menu picking out a simple meal of pancakes with hashbrowns and a biscuit.

“So are you all ready to order?” Lyra asked returning to the table.

“Can I have the scrambled eggs with sausage and toast please?” Star Dancer asked setting down her menu.

“Sure thing Star, what would you like to drink?”

“Orange juice please?”

Lyra smiled jotting down her selection. “Anyone else?”

“Can I have this Southern Equestrian omelet with a side of breakfast fries?” Alex asked. looking up from his menu. “And I’ll take a cup of coffee please.”

“Sure thing handsome,” Lyra replied teasing him with a wink. Star Dancer responded to the gesture herself by looking over to Lyra giving her a slightly upset look, but quickly wiped it from her face—replacing it with a smile—the moment Alex had glanced over to her.

Lyra caught the look she had gotten from Star Dancer and returned it with a smirk as she tucked her tablet back into her pouch. “Well if there isn't anything else?” The four looked up shaking their heads. “Okay.” She turned around to face her cream colored friend. “Let's go Bon Bon,” she said holding out a hoof. “We've got food to make, and hungry customers to feed.” Bon Bon simply stood back up and trotted past.

She was still a little upset at Lyra from their recent argument. “Geez Bon Bon, you need to lighten up a little bit. You're so tense.” She then smiled deviously. “Here maybe this will help loosen you up,” Lyra said reaching forward to give Bon Bon a soft slap on her rump as she trotted on pass.

Bon Bon instantly spun around after the soft contact was made and glared at her minty green friend. “Lyra! I can't believ- Mmmff!” She was cut off mid sentence as Lyra quickly closed the gap and pressed her muzzle up against Bon Bon’s; pushing her tongue inside her mouth afterward just for extra measure.

Bon Bon’s eyes went wide in shock; her irises shrinking to the size of pinpricks shortly after as she felt the warm silky appendage slide into her mouth. She recoiled a second later breaking from the kiss, falling back losing her balance; coming crashing down onto her rump with a yelp shortly after. She then looked back up to Lyra—her face bright red.

“Wow Bon Bon, you sure have some color there!” Lyra giggled holding out a hoof to help her friend back onto her hooves. But, Bon Bon refused swatting Lyras hoof away then righted herself and hastily shot off back into the restaurant. Her tail twitching the whole time as she disappeared into the building.

“Lyra! Inside! Now!” Bon Bon demanded popping her head out from the entrance. Lyra gulped figuring she was in for a huge argument seeing as how she had embarrassed Bon Bon right out in front of some customers. But, strangely enough, Bon Bon’s expression was not one of anger. And as Lyra closed in on the restaurant entrance she thought she heard... Giggling?

“I'll be out with your food in a little bit alright?” The four at the table looked to Lyra and nodded. Still a little taken back by the display they had just witnessed.

“Well that was.... Interesting,” Big Mac said aloud. “Can't say that Ah didn... Ow!” Big Mac looked down after being cut off from finishing what he wanted to say, and saw a red hoof sliding away from his own. Following the hoof up the length of the leg (for some odd reason), Big Mac eventually found himself staring at Black Roses white rose Mana mark on her skirt.

“You're weird.” Came a familiar females voice just above him.

Realizing he was now staring at Black Roses butt (technically her hip), Big Mac quickly tore his eyes off her Mana mark and looked back up to face her. “Heh... Sorry about that,” he softly replied, smiling meekly, while rubbing the back of his neck. He was about to apologize, but just as he was going to speak a sudden crash sound came from the restaurant. “Sounds like Bon Bon is laying into Lyra.”

“Does Lyra always act like this?” Star Dancer asked.

“Pretty much,” said Big Mac. “Ah’m surprised Bon Bon puts up with that crazy mare.”

“Puts up with her? You mean like a relationship?”

“Yup. Bon Bon and Lyra have been dating each other fer sometime now. Ah’m surprised ya never knew Star Dancer. Y’all two are friends right?” He said. Shortly after some more commotion could be heard from the restaurant. It sounded like Bon Bon and Lyra were talking to each other, however from the distance the group wasn’t able to make anything out of it.

“I never knew she was...” Star Dancer trailed off.

“A lesbian?” Big Mac finished for her.

“Yeah that’s it.”

“Well don’t call it that Star Dancer. Here in Ponyville we don’t look at equestrians like that. We simply see them as lovers... as partners. Companions in life if you will.” Just then some more commotion came from the restaurant. This time however a voice was heard. It sounded like Bon Bon’s.

“What do you think you’re going to do with that?” After that the sounds of giggling could be heard and some more commotion; sounds of movement. Then silence. “Oh... My... Celestia.” The four whipped their heads around when they heard that.

“What they heck are they doing in there?” Black Rose asked.

‘Each other it sounds like,’ Big Mac thought, looking over to the restaurant entrance with smirk on his face.

“Hey Star Dancer.”

“Yes Alex?”

“You wouldn't mind answering a few questions I have would you? I mean now that I’ve had time to learn about your kind a little bit there is a few things kinda bugging me.”

“Not at all Alex.” She smiled. “What is it you wanted to ask?”

“Well I had a few questions actually Star. My first question... Well it's more liked I wouldn’t have expected it.”

"Well what is it?”

“I never figured your kind would eat meat. Honestly though my reasoning is purely based off Earth equines... the limited knowledge I have on them anyway.”

“Wikipedia I take it?” Star Dancer calmly replied.

“Heh... That obvious?”

She nodded with a slight twist of her head, giving him a knowing look. “Mmhm... That silly grin you're giving me right now kinda gave it away.”

Alex leaned back in his seat and smiled rubbing the back of his neck. He felt a little embarrassed by how fast she had picked up on his lack of knowledge on this matter. But, after letting the gears in his head turn for a few moments to let everything process he quickly sat back up looking at Star Dancer surprised. “Wait... you equestrians know about Wikipedia?”

Star Dancers ears fell back as she rolled her eyes and sighed. “No offense Alex, but have you been living under a rock or something? We have been hooked into your internet for over a year now. It’s an interesting place to say the least.”

‘Indeed it is,’ He thought to himself. “So what have you been looking up on if I may ask.”

“Oh nothing much really. Mainly I’ve been reading up on this cultural phenomenon currently happening on your world. It’s a bunch of humans calling themselves Bronies or something.”

“Oh really? What is a Brony? I’ve never heard of them.”

“It’s not a ‘what’ Alex.” Big Mac said adding to the conversation. “It seems we are pretty popular back on y’alls world. It all stems from some cartoon show called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.”

“Wow...” He stopped for a moment, his expression a little bemused. “Umm... it sounds like a show for little girls.” Alex said chuckling to himself.

“Apparently not judging by the HUGE fan base that has risen from it. They even changed the name of mah hometown ta Ponyville ta honor them. But, Ah just feel they went and done that ta simply boost tourism.”

“Makes sense.” Alex figured. “So umm... back to the question.”

“What? Oh, right.” Star Dancer relaxed in her chair clearing her throat. “Well to answer your question Alex, yes, we can and do eat meat... well those wanting to anyway.”

“Oh so your kind is omnivores then?” Star Dancer nodded.

“Correct Alex, but like you earthlings we equestrians also sometimes follow stricter dietary habits and lifestyles.”

“Oh, so some are vegetarians ?” Star Dancer nodded again.

“And some are simply vegan only,” Star Dancer added. “But, they have to supplement what they can’t get by eating veggies and plants alone.”

“So I take it you’re?” She nodded.

“I eat meat myself Alex, and I very much enjoy it.” She turned to look at Big Mac “How about you Mac?”

“Ah eat meat as well Star, mainly because Ah dislike the thought of havin’ ta take dietary supplements ta stay healthy. And it’s not so bad honestly. Although at first Ah thought the citizens of Ponyville felt Ah was crazy after they saw me stopping at the griffin vendor ta buy it.”

“You had to sneak it?” Big Mac looked at Star Dancer and nodded.

“Yup. Ah had ta go to the neighboring city of Calamity Junction ta shop for my meat products. Ah usually got spotted on the way back by Ponyville residents, since most that wanted ta get meat had ta go there also.”

“How did your family take it?”

“Well Star, at first they kinda looked at me rather disgusted. Mah Grandma used ta call me a monster.” He looked down, his ears falling back as he frowned. “Said it was disgusting fer us ta eat another animal. Said Ah was a monster. She even went as far as wanting ta throw me out on the street fer it.”

“Oh wow...” Star Dance said, shocked. “Is that why you are going to Earth?”

“Kinda Star Dancer,” he replied. “It’s not as bad as it used ta be seeing as there is actually a few vendors now selling meat products right here in Ponyville. Mah granny however has not changed her fundamentalistic way of thinking sadly, but nowadays she keeps it ta herself.”

“What about your sister Big Mac?” Black Rose asked joining into the conversation.

“She is accepting of me and of the other residents that eat meat Rose, and Ah think she too occasionally sneaks a chicken salad or sandwich since Ah have caught her leaving the recently opened human restaurant called Chick-fil-A. Plus her new boyfriend is a human, and me and him have had a few barbecues together.” Big Mac looked over to Alex. “Y’all humans have some pretty good tastin’ alcohol by the way. Me and mah sister Applejack love that stuff called Woodpecker Cider.”

“Never tried that stuff Big Mac,” Alex replied. “How is it?”

“Well needless ta say Ah found mahself wakin’ up in the morning in his bathtub.”

“And your sister?” Big Mac crossed his forelegs and looked at Alex with a smirk.

“Lets just say she wasn’t the only one feeling good the next morning.”

Star Dancers mouth dropped open. “No... You mean she and her boyfriend?” Big Mac simply nodded, his expression was dead serious. “Wow...” She trailed off, completely blown away by the scope of what she just heard. But, a second later a thought had occurred. “Big Mac.”

“Yea Star?”

“How did you know?”

“Lets just say mah sister can get a bitnoisywhen properly... stimulated.” He reinforced that last part by adding air quotes to it. Alex mentally one upped the guy for having the nerve to add that notch to his bedpost. Star Dancer having processed the information went quiet, and returned to her laptop, her mind now swimming with all kinds of weird thoughts. Occasionally though she peeked up to glance at Alex when he was not looking in her direction.

“Well since we are on this subject I might as well ask it.”

“What would you like to know now?” Star Dancer asked looking up from her laptop.

“Well...” He trailed off chuckling nervously, not sure if this was the right time to ask.

“Come on Alex, tell us what is is you want to know already.”

“Why is it you guys wear clothing? I mean, it must be really hot in them things.” He then stopped for a moment to think. “How do you even put them on? You don’t even have hands!” The mood at the table became eerily silent as the three ponies stared at Alex. Each one looking at one another unsure how to answer this without offending him or embarrassing themselves. “I didn’t mean to offend any of you, it just seems odd. You are all covered in fur and your tails can cover your...”

“Stop Alex.” Star Dancer quickly replied holding up a hoof.

“What? Is it something about your tails?”

“Umm...” Star Dancer mumbled, her face starting get a little flushed as her eyes darted around trying to think of a way to answer this. “Let’s just say I don’t like the idea of having to keep my tail pressed up against my butt all day long Alex.”

“I like to wear clothing Alex, because it makes me feel...” Black Rose said trailing off unable to finish her sentence.

“Pretty?” Big Mac added looking over to her. She nodded slightly, looking away from him. “Ah have ta agree Rose, Ya do look awful cute in that outfit of yers.” He said smiling at her. Black Rose after hearing the complement let out a quick girly laugh as her face turned a shade of pink, but a second later after catching her slip up she gasped, quickly throwing a hoof over her mouth as she looked away blushing. “Was that a smile Ah saw on yer face there a second ago Rose?”

Black Rose turned to look back at him bringing a hoof to her mane moving it out of her face and blinked revealing both of her startling silver eyes to Big Mac for the first time. She kept her gaze on him and nodded meekly. Big Mac however was entranced so much so with her eyes that he completely missed the gesture, and opted to continue keeping his own eyes fixed on hers as he watched her sometimes glance around slightly—as if she was looking for something. But what he wondered? It was as if there was a conflict going on inside her. Like there was another part of her trying to escape.

“Ahem...” Big Mac and Black Rose broke from their gaze at the sound of someone clearing their throat. “You two alright?” Star Dancer asked looking over to them. Big Mac sat back in his chair nodding.

“Y-yeah...” He then glanced back over to Black Rose who had returned to looking down at her hooves on the table, but then a second later she glanced up briefly to look at him. Their eyes quickly met, but this time he looked back in shock when he saw an image of another pony glaring at him. She looked like Rose, but something was different. Something just wasn’t right.

‘We don’t like you. We know you are trying to take Rose away from us. We will NOTlet you!’

Big Mac looked at Black Rose in utter disbelief. Her lips were not moving and her expression unchanged, but... he did infact hear it. Or was it just in his mind? ‘Did Ah just hear her say something ta me in another voice?’ He wondered as he looked back to Black Rose, but strangely enough, the image he had seen a moment ago was gone. Black Rose was back to herself (figuratively speaking).

“What’s up with them two?” Alex asked, leaning over to Star Dancer with a hand up against the side of his mouth. Star Dancer shrugged looking over to them.

“I... I don’t know Alex. It’s strange you know? It’s like they’re talking to one another simply by looking into each others eyes.”

“FOODS READY!” Lyra yelled appearing from the entrance of the restaurant; Bon Bon following shortly after. Both now looking rather sweaty as the trotted forth with a noticeable pep in their step. Also noticeable as the two mares approached the group (besides the smell of sex), was their manes were a little frazzled. Unkempt one could say. Lyra being the first to make it to the table, leaned over to set down a large plate she was carrying with her telekinesis. “Who ordered the pancakes with hashbrowns and a biscuit?”

“Ah did.”

“I did.” Black Rose and Big Mac looked at one another. “You got what I got?” They both said in unison, afterward looking away from each other. Lyra looked at the two gigging.

“Great minds think alike right?” Big Mac and Black Rose looked at Lyra nodding while taking their food. They decided not to continue this, and just let it go as a simple coincidence. Next Bon Bon came trotting up to the table bringing her forelegs up onto the table to balance herself.

“Got you guys your meals. One Southern Equestrian omelet with breakfast fries, and one scrambled eggs platter with sausage and toast.” She then took the plate from her back and set it on the table; passing out the meals to its respected individual. However, as Bon Bon was hoofing Star Dancers food over to her, Star Dancer had noticed something different. Something out of place. Squinting her eyes to scan over the cream colored mare, Star Dancer found what is was, and promptly reared her head back in shock blushing in embarrassment.

“Umm... Bon Bon?” Star Dancer whispered tugging on her shirt.

“What is it Sweetie?” Star Dancer replied by tilting her head downwards to point at Bon Bons shorts, and to the fact they were unbuttoned. Unzippered too. Revealing the top of her white colored panties with a cute little red bow set right at the middle of her waistline. It almost resembled a piece of wrapped candy. Bon Bon looked down and blushed. “Oh drat!” She face hoofed.

“What’s going on over there?” Lyra asked, as she set the plate down onto the table. She then walked over to see for herself. And laughed. “Geez Bon Bon! You forgot to close the barn doors! You’re letting all the heat out.”

“Guess I almost let the cat out of the bag there... eh Lyra?” Bon Bon chuckled pulling up on the tab with a quick *ZIP*.

“Oh my Celestia! I can’t believe you said that!” She then stopped, realizing what she had just said herself. “I can’t believe I just said that. Because you said that jus...”

“WHA HEYYY!!!” Bon Bon quickly hopped over to Lyra pressing a hoof to her mouth silencing her. She then leaned up to whisper into her ear. “Have you ever heard the phrase ‘if you don’t have anything good to say keep it to yourself’?”

Lyra held a hoof up to her chin as she looked up thinking to herself for a moment. “Nope, never heard of it.” Afterward she scooped up the plates with her telekinesis and trotted off back towards the restaurant, her tail wagging from side to side not caring for one second about who may have been watching.

“Celestia Lyra! Control that tail!” Bon Bon yelled racing over to her friend to pull down on it to keep it from swaying. “You’re going inside right now to put some clothes on,” Bon Bon said as she pulled the minty green mare back into the restaurant with her.

“Enjoy your meals.” Lyra smiled as she disappeared into building leaving the four to eat their food in peace.

“Yet another reason why I myself prefer to wear clothing Alex.”

“I can see that...now,” he said quietly while in his mind he was yelling. ‘What was seen cannot be unseen!’

****

Finishing up their breakfast and paying the tab, the four said their goodbyes and hopped back into Alex’s truck heading off to the hospital to have Roses head looked at. The drive to the hospital hadn’t taken them no more than twenty minutes or so since Ponyville medical was just on the outskirts of the town. Once they pulled up they found a place in the parking lot, they made their way inside. The lobby of the hospital was rather big, open too, as there was a skylight letting the warm morning sun blanket them in its glow.

“Might as well get this over with,” Black Rose grumbled as the three ponies trotted across the lobby. Alex had decided to stay outside, as he wasn’t one for hospitals. Something about the smell of antiseptic and hospital food made him queasy.

“Come on Rose, it’s not so bad,” Star Dancer remarked as they made it to the receptionist's counter. A light green colored unicorn mare wearing a white blouse with matching skirt was sitting at the counter scribbling something onto a tablet. She looked up and smiled at the three.

“Hello there, what can we help you with?” Star Dancer pulled Black Rose up beside her and looked at the receptionist.

“My friend here slipped and bumped her head this morning. She also needs her inoculations so she is allowed to return to Earth.” The receptionist nodded and scribbled something on her tablet then looked up to Black Rose asking her some simple information like her age, where the injury was located, and if she was allergic to any medicine. Answering the questions as best as she could, the nurse smiled and scribbled them down then slipped a bracelet around her hoof.

“The doctor will see you shortly Honey. Please have a seat in the waiting room until then.” Star Dancer and Black Rose nodded then trotted off into the adjacent room leaving Big Mac at the counter.

“And you Sir, what is it I can help you with?” The receptionist asked.

“Ah need mah inoculations too Ma’am. Going ta be headin’ off ta Earth mahself aswell.” The receptionist nodded and scribbled his information down then asked that he too wait in the waiting room until the doctor would see him also.

“Black Rose?” A voice asked.

“Yes?”

“The doctor will see you now,” a white colored Earth pony mare replied. “Please come with me.” Black Rose nodded hopping up off the couch she was resting on, and followed her back into a small room just behind a large set of double doors. “My name is Nurse Redheart, what seems to be ailing you today?”

“I slipped in the shower this morning Ma’am.”

“Please call me Redheart dear, no need for formalities.” Black Rose smiled, nodding slightly. “Anyway let’s have a look at this bump.” She went over to a the small bed in the room and patted on it. “Hop up please.”

“Okay.” She said making her way over to the bed and hopped up onto it, then pulled on her skirt so she wasn’t sitting on it. Afterward Nurse Redheart trotted around behind Rose and reared up on her hind legs, resting her belly against the bed as she gently ran her hooves through Black Rose’s mane trying to find the injury. Black Rose gasped and ducked back like someone was about to hit her. Nurse Redheart looked at her with confusion.

“Everything okay dear?” She asked Black Rose. Rose realized what she did and blushed, showing a little pink covering her face. “Does it hurt right there?”

“No, no thats not it. I’m just... well.” Black Rose felt embarrassed, admitting she was cautious of others made her feel like a bad pony. “I just don’t like anyone touching me is all.” She said looking away from the nurse. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to be difficult.”

“No, it’s fine dear. We will take this nice and slow, you have show me what hurts and where alright. I will ask before I do anything sudden, sound good?” Rose looked at her and smiled, nodding in approval and turned around moving her mane away from the spot she had hit her head.

“It hurts around right here.” Rose said briefly touching where the bump was. She winced a little from the pain that shot up from touching the bump. Nurse Redheart leaned in to take a look. This time Rose stayed put.

“May I touch to see how bad it is. Looks can be deceiving.” Rose took in a breath and nodded her head. When she felt her hooves on her skin she jumped a little. “Feeling alright?” Rose nodded and kept still. “Well it doesn’t look too bad, icing should do the trick.”

“I knew it wasn’t bad.” Black Rose sighed with relief. She turned around to face the nurse again.

“I would suggest some medication if you experience any headaches. It is a possibility, but nothing serious.” Nurse Redheart said with a smile.

“Like Tylenol?” Rose asked, Nurse Redheart looked at her with confusion. At first Rose wasn’t sure why she was looking at her funny.

“If that’s what they call medication on Earth, than yes.” She said with a smile. “Now comes the bad news Rose.”

“Bad news?” Nurse Redheart looked at Black Rose with a bit of a frown.

“You are going back to Earth correct?” Rose nodded. “Well then I need to give you a shot before you can return.”

“A needle!?” Black Rose almost squeaked, her face becoming pale. Nurse Redheart nodded making her way over to a cabinet to pull out a package with a sterile needle then she went over to a refrigerator to grab the medicine. “It’s not a big needle Rose, but you will feel it nonetheless.”

Black Rose looked down resting her hooves on her thighs and sighed. She knew from the get go this had to be done, but she had hoped she could have avoided it. However now she had no choice. If she wanted to go back to Earth, back with Big Mac, she had to. So, she steeled herself and looked up to Redheart. “Okay I’m ready.”

Nurse Redheart smiled and hopped up next to Rose on the bed. “Pull up your sleeve and hold still sweetie, you don’t want to move while I inject you with the needle.” Rose nodded, sliding up her sleeve, then took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. Nurse Redheart gently took her foreleg and pressed the needle into her shoulder, injecting the medicine into Black Roses body. A cool feeling running down her foreleg as the medicine was making its way through her bloodstream. “All done,” Nurse Redheart smiled rubbing her back a little, cautious to keep things small as to not startle her. “You can open your eyes now.” Black Rose slowly opened her eyes and looked over to Redheart, her eyes a little misty.

“I’m sorry.” Rose said turning her head the other way with more tears showing. Redheart smiled and reached over to get a towel then gently wiped the tears from Rose’s face.

“Don’t be Rose, I know you’re nervous about this. You’re a lot better than some of the little ones that come in.” Redheart giggled. Black Rose rolled her eyes.

“Thanks... I guess,” she remarked, feeling a little embarrassed. Redheart smiled then booped her on the nose and hopped off the bed.

“Don’t mention it.” She then trotted over to the counter sitting down by a clipboard that she had brought in. “Okay, I am just gonna fill out your form stating you had your inoculations and then you can head on out. Sound good?” Black Rose nodded hopping off the bed herself, and adjusted her skirt for a moment after she had come down onto her hooves. “All set Rose.” Red Heart turned around and hoofed her the paper. “Take care of yourself dear, I don’t want to see you getting hurt again okay?”

“Yes Ma’am... uhh I mean Nurse Redheart.” She smiled opening the door and led Rose back out into the waiting room. Big Mac and Star Dancer were still in the waiting room. Star Dancer was laying on her side with her head resting on a hoof while the other typed away on her laptop, while Big Mac was simply relaxing on a chair rubbing his shoulder.

“Ready ta go Rose?” Mac said when he seen her enter the waiting room. Black Rose nodded, and soon after the three headed back out into the parking lot where Alex was leaning up against the side of his truck chatting on his phone.

“Hey fellas! All set?” He asked looking up from his phone.

“Yup, time ta head back over ta Earth.”

“Where are we headed?”

“Back to my place Alex,” Star Dancer said. “I got a call from my job asking me if I wanted to work for a few hours today.”

“Okay. Hop in.” The three smiled climbing into the truck, and soon after they were heading off back down the country road heading towards the gateway junction leading back into New York.

****

Stopping at Star Dancers home about an hour later the four climbed out of the truck and made their way into her house. Star Dancer headed to her room to get herself ready for work while Black Rose and Big Mac headed into the kitchen to decide on what they were going to do today.

“So Big Mac, what would you like to go and see?”

“Ah dunno Rose, Ah am still taking in everything Ah have seen so far.”

“You’ve never been to Earth?” She asked. Big Mac replied with a quick shake of his head.

“Nope. Ah never came over. Ah heard about a lot of what goes on over here, but Ah never truly imagined the scope of what lies just beyond the gateways. Maybe we can start somewhere more... natural?”

“We can head to Central park,” Black Rose suggested. “It’s a nice place and it lets you take in a lot of the city from there.”

“Okay, let’s go there.”

Black Rose nodded pushing herself away from the table and went back into the living room to grab her bag and strapped it around her waist. Now just as she was about to return into the kitchen she was stopped by Star Dancer as she made her way out of the hallway.

“Take these Rose.” Star Dancer hoofed her a phone and her ManaTech bracelets.

“You’re giving me these?” Star Dancer smiled and nodded.

“Yes, but don’t worry, I’ll grab another pair at work tonight. Plus, I am gonna ask Alex to stop somewhere so I can get another phone.”

“I-I...” Black Rose trailed off, her ears falling back as she looked down at her hoof scuffing at the floor. But, before she could speak back up, Star Dancer interjected holding up a hoof.

“Don’t be like that Rose, friends help friends. Thats just how I am.”

Black Rose smiled looking back up to Star Dancer. “Thank you... you’re a good friend.”

“So are you Rose, you just haven’t realized it yet.” Black Rose looked at Star Dancer confused, her head twisted to the side a little bit with her one eyebrow raised up questionably. She didn’t understand what Star Dancer meant. “Have a fun day with Big Mac!” Star Dancer cheerfully said as she trotted on past. “Oh here take this too.” She tossed a set of keys to her.

“Keys to your home?” Star Dancer nodded.

“In case I am at work and you want to go out to do something.” She then headed on out the door with Alex closing it behind them.

“Ready to go Big Mac?” Black Rose asked trotting back into the kitchen, then over to the fridge to grab a bottle of water, and stuffed it into her bag.

“Yup all set Rose,” he replied hopping out of the chair. “Wait... Don’t we gotta register at the Immigration Center?”

“Tomorrow. Star Dancer set up an appointment for us so we don’t have to stand in a long line all morning.”

“That was nice of her.” Black Rose nodded in agreement smiling.

“She’s a good pony, I am lucky to have a friend like her. Anyway, let’s head on out.”

“Right behind ya!”

Soon after the two left the home and headed off towards the park. The sun now sitting high in the early afternoon sky.

****

It only took Black Rose and Big Mac about twenty minutes to reach the park, stopping along the way a few times to browse the wares of vendors selling stuff outside their businesses. By the time they had reached the park it still was relatively quiet. A few patrons sitting on benches around a fountain feeding the birds, some taking an early afternoon jog through the paths winding throughout the park. None though really paying any attention to the two ponies casually strolling into the park.

“It’s nice here Rose,” Big Mac remarked looking around at park. “Kinda reminds me of home actually.” He stopped and looked ahead for a moment thinking to himself. “Rose?”

“Yes Mac?”

“What was your home like?”

“Strange.” Big Mac looked at her confused raising an eyebrow.

“Strange? Ah don’t understand? What do you mean? Ah don’t mean ta pry Rose, ya don’t have ta tell me if ya don’t want to.” Rose looked at him and then at the sky. Taking in a deep breath and then slowly letting it out.

“My mother was very strict with me, never wanted me to leave the house. Said it was dangerous if I did. I didn't see much of my father, since he was hardly ever home. Wasn’t sure how to deal with my life growing up. I felt something in me change, especially when I ran away from home.” Rose said closing her eyes feeling the light afternoon wind starting to pick up.

“Change?”

“Yeah, I don’t know how to explain it. I just felt different once I had left home. When I met Star Dancer, I felt lost. But I’m not quite sure what I’m missing. I didn’t have much of a life, was just a shut in, I felt just like another face in the crowd—a nobody if you will.”

“You know Rose, Ah too once felt like that. It was when Ah was being ridiculed by mah granny and family when Ah was caught eating meat. Even the townsfolk during the early days looked at me as if Ah was a murderer or something. Sometimes Ah would just hide or try ta live off only vegetables like the others, but it made me really sick sometimes, making it hard ta perform mah duties on the farm. Ah felt so bad cause Ah was making mah sister pick up so much of the slack when Ah was trying to recover when Ah was sick.

“But thankfully she stuck with me. Even when she herself was being insulted and ridiculed by them fer defending me. Ah feel that’s what ya need in yer life Rose. Someone you can rely on. Someone you can go to when yer feeling down and just need someone ta give ya some comfort, someone ta make you feel safe and secure.”

“I don’t know Big Mac, I just don’t feel right around others. I just don’t trust anyone, it’s just hard. I feel so scared in a crowd or even alone with someone.” Black Rose said looking at Mac. Big Mac gave her a small smile. But then something occurred to him.

“How do you feel around me?” Black Rose was taken back by the question. She hadn’t thought of that.

“I feel calm, not quite sure how I feel.” She said with a nervous chuckle. Big Mac smiled and began to trot on forward looking back to Rose for a moment.

“Don’tcha worry none Black Rose, a mare as pretty as you should have no trouble findin’ someone you can trust. It just take some time. Eventually ya will learn ta get over this hurdle. Come on, let’s keep going.” Black Rose nodded following Big Mac down a short path under the canopy of some trees into an open field, but just as the two entered they could hear the sounds of commotion coming from a rather large group of people sitting around a few benches.

“Dude, I really never liked that episode man. Way too cheesy. I would’ve never thought Big Mac would fall so easily to that Cheerilee.”

“He was under a spell you know,” another fan stated rather flatly. “Honestly, he was better in the Applebucking Season episode, even though it was a small part.”

The two went on bickering for the next few moments. Others within the large group were cooking food on the grill, some were throwing a frisbee around while others were simply enjoying the sunny day outside.

“Throw me the frisbee! I’ll catch it.”

“Here it comes!” One of the people in the group said as he whipped the frisbee as hard as he could launching it off towards its intended target, but sadly the person trying to catch it failed horribly as he dove for it; landing hard—face first—into the grass getting a mouthful of the green goodness. The frisbee however still continuing on at its projectile like speed smacked right into the side of Big Mac's head. He yelled out in pain as he collapsed down onto his side rubbing the impact spot on his forehead. He actually yelled loud enough for the group to hear him as well.

“Was that Big Macintosh I just heard?” One of the members of the group said.

“I heard it too. It can’t be, can it?”

“Nice job throwing that frisbee like a frigging missile pal,” the one person said as he spit the grass out of his mouth. “Now go and apologize to the person you just hit with it.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know.” The other said waving a hand as he walked off to find the person he had almost beheaded with the frisbee, but as he walked around the rock to apologize, he stood back in shock as what was before him. “HOLY SHIT!” He took off running back to the group. “Guys! you will never guess who I just saw!”

“Well out with it man, and where is my frisbee?”

“Fuck the frisbee, I just saw Big Macintosh!” He yelled. Everyone in the group stopped what they were doing and immediately snapped their attention onto him.

“Where is he?” The guy turned around and pointed off to a rock sitting in the distance.

“He’s sitting behind that rock with another pony. A mare.”

“How can you tell?”

“I doubt guys wear a skirt.”

“Let’s all go and say hi to him! And give him a big brony welcome to New York!”

Meanwhile Big Mac and Black Rose were still sitting behind the rock. Rose having went up to Mac a little concerned after seeing him getting clocked with the plastic projectile.

“Are you alright Mac?” He nodded stand back up onto his hooves.

“Yeah... Ah’ll live Ah suppose. But what the heck was that?”

“Looks like someone hit you with a frisbee.”

“A what?” Black Rose looked at him and was again about to say what it was, but just then they heard voices approaching them. LOTS of voices.

“He was just behind this rock here...” They stopped. Most looking on in shock at the two red earth ponies standing beside one another.

“Dude you were right! WHAT’S UP BIG MAC!”

Big Mac looked up his eyes going wide as he saw the rather large group standing before him and Black Rose. “Umm... hello?” He said waving his hoof with a nervous smile. The group exploded into sound as they cascaded down onto the two ponies. Suddenly Big Mac was bombarded with a hundred questions, requests and the occasional touching of those in the group.

“Who’s your friend here Big Mac?”

“She’s just a pony Ah met in Equestria.”

“Is she your marefriend?”

“What!? No!” He let out a sigh while pressing a hoof to his face.

“How’s your sister Applejack doing?”

“She’s fine.”

“Is it true she is dating a human?” Big Mac nodded, then briefly glanced back to Rose. She was lying down on the grass with her hooves over her head—shaking. Her tail tucked tightly against her backside.

“What’s wrong with her?” The one fan said. Another walked up and leaned down next to her to lay a hand on her back. Rose squeaked in surprise, her body becoming tense as she started to shake. The fan who place his hand on her took it off and stepped back. “I don’t think she’s alright.”

“Oh she’s fine, she just looks a little nervous.” Another fan said going up and stroking Rose’s mane. Rose shot up and collided with Big Mac.

“She’s freaking out man, back off!” The fan said pushing the other one. “It’s alright, no one is gonna hurt you.”

“Breath Rose! It’s alright.” Big Mac said, Rose wasn’t coherent at first. “Rose look at me!” She did as he said and looked him. The uncontrollable shaking started to die down, but the heavy breathing didn’t waver. “Ah won’t let anyone hurt you.”

“Please...” Rose shuttered with tears in her eyes.

“Everyone, can y’all take a step back please?” Big Mac said to the group. Everyone shuffled on their feet feeling uncomfortable. “Now just take a breath and let yerself calm down.” Rose took in a breath and held it. Her brain wasn’t working properly so all she did was hold her breath. “Rose let it out, don’t go and kill yourself.” She exhaled with a big gasp.

“Is that mare handicapped or something?” One of them asked quietly.

“How should I know dude?”

“You gonna to be all right?” Big Mac asked her. Rose nodded her head. She looked around and took in the big group.

“Their not so bad from a distance.” Rose said with a nervous chuckle. Her breathing was still a little shallow and she shook from time to time, but she was as calm as she could get. Big Mac looked at her then out to the group, he knew what had to be done.

“Sorry guys, but Ah have ta take her home. She’s a might bit shaken at the moment and needs some rest.” He looked back down to Rose. Her eyes were easily telling him she wanted nothing but to get out this. “Ready ta go Rose?” He asked, whispering quietly to her. She looked up and nodded. “Can ya stand?”

“Y-yeah,” she quietly replied, slowly pushing herself up onto her shaky hooves. He then allowed her to lean up onto him as the two slowly walked off the field leaving the bewildered fans to wonder what exactly just happened.

****

Returning to Star Dancers home a few hours later Mac and Rose lumbered into the house, closing the door behind them. Exhausted from the ordeal in the park, and the subsequent walk home afterward.

“Woo... glad thats over with.” Big Mac said. “Feelin’ alright Rose?”

“Yeah...” She said walking over to the couch, her hooves sliding weakly along the floor. “I think I am gonna go and take a bath Mac. I need to relax.” She then took off her bag and tossed it beside the couch.

“Okay, I think Ah’ll just go an...” He was cut off as Rose leaned up into him hugging him. Big Mac was at first shocked by the sudden move, but shortly after he sat down slowly bringing his forelegs up to wrap his hooves around her—squeezing her gently. The two remaining silent for the next few moments.

Rose broke from the embrace a moment later to look up to him. Her eyes weary, carrying a tired and exhausted look. “T-thanks Mac.” She then turned and walked off down the hallway disappearing from Big Mac’s sight.

‘Yer welcome,’ he thought, as he brought a hoof to his mouth, muffling a yawn. A small smile tugging on his lips afterward as he made his way over to the couch.

An hour or so later Black Rose awoke from her nap feeling a whole lot better than before, though she was still very tired. Stretching for a moment, she climbed out of the tub and grabbed a towel from the rack to dry herself off. The scene of chaos from earlier this morning was gone. Alex and Star Dancer must have returned after they had left and cleaned it up. She even left Black Roses pajamas neatly folded on the basket by the newly replaced door.

‘She is so nice to me. I have to find a way to repay her for all her kindness.’ Black Rose didn’t bother to look into the mirror this time. She just slipped into her clean and warm pajamas then headed out, tossing her clothes into the hamper. She would wash them later, she now just wanted to get some sleep. So she headed back into the living room only to find Big Mac sleeping on the couch. He must have passed out while Rose was taking a bath.

‘I don’t want to wake him up. He looked so worn out after that ordeal in the park, but where am I going to sleep?’ She looked around the room and there wasn’t much. A small uncomfortable looking chair, the floor, but that was out since it was hardwood. All that left was the couch, but Big Mac was sleeping there. ‘He wouldn’t mind if I slept with him. It’s not like we’re dating or nothing. There’s just no where else to sleep.’

Her reasoning sound, Black Rose slowly got up onto the couch and laid down next to Big Mac, stretching out her hind legs, trying her best to ease herself in next to him without waking him up, and eventually after a few moments she had managed to slide in comfortably next to him.

Strangely enough, she felt completely at peace lying next to him. Her heart beating calmly, her breathing slow and relaxed while her eyelids continued to grow increasingly heavy. Taking one last glance at Big Mac as her eyes slowly began to close, she smiled; a quiet content sigh escaping her as she drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

****

“What a night Sandy,” Star Dancer remarked a little out of breath. She had figured the place was busy since her boss had asked her to work some extra hours, but that thought was quickly dismissed the moment she trotted through the door. It was actually so busy she had a hard time just snaking her way through the large crowds.

But thankfully now the night was almost over, and all that was left to do was to clean up the bar on the second floor of the restaurant.

“Can you finish up here Star Dancer?” Sandy asked. “I need to head down stairs and finish tallying up today's sales and drop them in the safe.” Star Dancer turned around from the table she was clearing off and nodded.

“Sure thing Sandy.”

“Thanks Star,” Sandy smiled then spun around and headed back down the stairs into the cash room. Star Dancer meanwhile had returned to cleaning the tables, her new set of Mana Tech bracelets allowing her to easily pick up the empty cups and deposit them in her cup holding harness.

“It's too quiet in here, I need some music to work to.” She then headed over to the juke box sitting in the corner and stood up on her hind legs so she could see the screen ‘Hmm... What do I want to listen to now?’ She started to go through the selection. A lot of if though was older generation music, but she figured as much seeing as the bar was for the most part occupied by older people, most looking to be mid twenties to early thirties. Def Leppard, Van Halen, Linkin Park, Ozzy Osbourne, Evanescence... The list went on and on, but nothing really caught her liking.

She just wanted some easy listening, something that would make this mundane task of cleaning up this mess more pleasent.

“What is this here?” Looking down at the screen a band finally popped up. “Fleetwood Mac? Sounds interesting.” She tapped on the band and a bunch of songs popped up. “Hmm.. This one sounds interesting.” She clicked the song, Track number three,

“Hello? Anyone in here?” Alex asked walking into the restaurant. It was late, probably around ten or so. The place was pretty clear. Only a few patrons were still there, most sitting at the small bar having a few last drinks before it closed up. Alex continued on through the back until he came to a lady sitting at a booth. She seemed to have been sorting some paperwork and filling out some deposit slips.

“Can I help you Sir?” She asked looking up from her paperwork.

“Yeah, I am here to pick someone up.”

“Oh?”

“Well not so much someone, it's more like somepony.”

“I see... Well most of the equestrians that work here have left for the evening already. One is still here though. She's upstairs in the bar finishing up.”

“What's her name?” Alex asked.

“Star Dancer, you know her?” Alex nodded.

“Yes Ma’am. She’s a friend of mine.” Sandy sat back in her chair and smiled.

“Oh, well if that’s the case, why don’t you go up and say hello? She should be almost finished by now.” Alex smiled.

“Thanks Ma’am.”

“Names Sandy, and it’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. Names Alex. ” He then walked on past, heading up the stairs. Now when he came to the top, the sight he saw was rather interesting. Star Dancer was cleaning up the few remaining tables, dancing all the while to the music playing from the jukebox. Alex stood in the doorway watching her impressed by how well she could balance herself on her hind legs.

It seemed like she was using her wings as a counterbalance of sorts, shifting their positions occasionally to keep from falling over, sometimes a gentle flap here and there to give her a little extra boost with some of the spins and twists she was doing. But that was not the only thing that caught his attention. His eyes had began to drift, going from watching her dance, to actually watching her, and he had to admit, she was actually pretty easy on the eyes.

That body, not overly athletic, just physically fit. Just how he liked it. She even looked cute in that outfit of hers. A light green t-shirt with a pair of green denim shorts. The ends of them cuffed up just below her Mana mark. Letting his eyes linger on her rump a little too long earned him a brief chance to her panty lines when she bent over to come back down onto her hooves.

‘Enjoying the view?’ His mind mentally reminded him. ‘I’m curious just how long we’re going to continue staring at this pony's butt before she realizes we are here.’Alex afterward immediately realizing his actions lost his balance momentarily and stumbled into a chair, knocking over a bottle sitting on the table startling Star Dancer.

“Wh-who’s there!” She squeaked spinning around to meet her visitor face to face. “Oh... Alex.” She let out a breath. “D-don’t sneak up on me like that. You scared me.”

“Sorry.” He stood up his face still a little flushed from what he was looking at just a few moments earlier.

“You alright Alex? You got a little color there.” Alex smiled letting out a nervous laugh.

“Yea-yeah. Just fine. By the way, are you free tomorrow?”

“Pretty sure. Why what’s up?"

“Got a call from my parents, they would like for me to come up and visit them, and I was wondering if you would like to come.”

“Sure Alex, I would love to go with you and meet your family.”

“Great!” The two went quiet for a moment not looking at one another. “Do you need a ride home?”

Star Dancer smiled and nodded, but asked Alex to wait downstairs for a few moments while she was putting her work stuff away. Eventually she met up with him in the lobby and the two waved goodbye to Sandy as they exited the restaurant.

****

About thirty minute later Star Dancer and Alex pulled up in front of her home. The sun having set long ago. The evening moon was just now reaching its apex in the sky.

“Ok Star, I’ll pick you up around noon time alright?” She nodded and hopped out of the truck.

“Okay Alex, see you then.” She closed the door and made her way down the short sidewalk towards her home as Alex took off into the evening traffic. “Hmm... Lights are off.” Star Dancer remarked trotting up to her front door, she had guessed that Mac and Rose had gone to sleep so she slowly engaged the lock with a quiet *click*, and opened the door slowly. Afterward she made her way towards the hallway, but she stopped when she took notice of the two ponies resting together on the couch. “Aww... Thats sweet.”

Star Dancer smiled at the two sleeping on the couch peacefully. She was happy to see Black Rose finally open a bit more. She went to her room and grabbed a blanket then returned to the living room and draped it over them. “Good Night Black Rose, I’ll see you in the morning.” Star Dancer held a hoof over her mouth covering her yawn. Afterward she returned to her bedroom. A good nights sleep was just what she needed after a hectic day such as this.

A Star Traveling Far

Chapter Four

A Star Traveling Far

Star Dancer awoke the next morning feeling a bit stiff in her shoulder. ‘Must of slept on my side the wrong way last night,’ she thought as she rolled out of bed and made her way into the bathroom to relieve herself. Afterward she headed down the hall towards the kitchen. A nice cup of hot tea was just what she needed, and some Tylenol to numb the soreness in her shoulder couldn’t hurt as well.

Since now a slight headache was also beginning to cause her some mild discomfort as she tried to work out the knot in her shoulder as she hobbled on down the hallway heading towards the living room. But she stopped at the hallways exit when she noticed the two ponies still on the couch sleeping peacefully.

Black Rose was cuddled up next to Big Mac snoring quietly. Her tail flicking occasionally as she slept, possibly from a dream she was having. Big Mac on the other hoof was lying on his side. His head resting on a pillow with his one foreleg up underneath it as he too snored, albeit a little more loudly than Rose. Star Dancer smiled at the sight as she started back towards the kitchen, but was stopped again by a knock at the front door.

“Who is it?” She quietly asked as she hobbled up to the door.

“It’s me Alex.”

“One sec.” Alex stood back from the door as various locks could be heard being disengaged, then the door opened. He looked down to the pony standing by the entrance, her one hoof still on the door latch. She looked so cute standing there in her pajamas with a sleepy smile on her face, her mane all frayed and frazzled. She must of just woken up. “Come in, come in,” she said taking her hoof from the door latch to cover her mouth, stifling a yawn. “I was just going to make some tea. Would you like some?” Alex nodded as he walked in and closed the door behind him.

“Sure,” he replied. Star Dancer smiled and spun herself around to head back into the kitchen, Alex following closely behind as they made their way through the living room. It was still pretty quiet. The morning sun was only just now starting to peak its warm rays of light through the window. Pretty much the only sounds coming from the room were from the two ponies still fast asleep on the couch, and the faint whir of the central air coming from the vent. “Is that Big Mac and Rose I see sleeping together on the couch over there?”

“Mmhmm.” Star Dancer nodded. “I was surprised when I saw it too.” She glanced back over to the two on the couch briefly. “I guess she really does have a crush on him.” Alex glanced over himself looking at the two on the couch. They looked so peaceful sleeping together. Afterwards they headed into the kitchen. “You hungry?” She asked as she propped herself up on the counter to look through the cabinets. However as she did, Alex caught notice of her rolling her shoulders seemingly out of discomfort.

“Are you alright? You seem tense.” Star Dancer turned her head around to face him and nodded slightly.

“I think I may have slept on my side the wrong way last night. My shoulder is a little sore, and it’s giving me a headache from it.” Alex smiled getting up from the table, an idea popping into his mind as he made his way over to Star Dancer, whom had returned to rummaging through her cabinets looking for some tea. “So did you...” She stopped herself short, her body tensing up when she felt a pair of hands rest themselves on her back.

“A-Alex! Wha-what are you d-doing?”

“Just a simple massage, you seem like you need it.” He then helped her down from the counter and guided her into a seat at the table. “Lie forward please, this will only take a few moments, and you’ll feel a lot better afterwards.”

Star Dancer looked back to Alex. She was a little nervous, she had never had another person touch her before... Well that is if you don’t count her mother and father, but thats different. Strangely though, she felt her pang of nervousness subside. Her body relaxing as she slid her forelegs forward onto the table, and then afterward she let her head rest on them.

“O-okay Alex, but please... be gentle.” Alex smiled, bringing his hands together to crack his knuckles, the sound of which caused Star Dancer to lift her head back up to look at him questionably.

“Just cracking my knuckles, I need to loosen up myself.” Star Dancer continued to look at him for a moment, a bit of nervousness returning. “Relax, it’s nothing to worry about, I promise I’ll be extra careful, and if at any time you feel uncomfortable just tell me to stop and I will okay?” Star Dancer smiled. She felt better knowing she would always be in control, and if he did something during this that made her feel uncomfortable she could always tell him to stop.

Even though secretly she was very interested in finding out how this was actually going to feel. So with a slight nod she again rested her head back onto her forelegs. Afterward Alex settled his hands onto her back just above her wings where they protruded out from her pajama top.

This was going to be a lot different from the past experiences he had giving massages to his previous girlfriends. Mainly because she wasn’t human, but her body did have some distinct features he could still clearly recognize. Her shoulders for one were a lot more evolved than a regular pony. You could even say they somewhat slightly resembled the shape of human shoulders, though less pronounced and covered with fur. There was just enough difference to give her a much wider range of motion, but at the same time still allowed her to walk on all fours without difficulty.

Her hind legs however still clearly resembled equine anatomy, though her thighs were slightly larger, and the joints in her hind legs were a lot more flexible. Probably so she could stand up on them and support her weight. The only part of her that was ‘alien’ to him was her wings. Those two large feathery amber appendages that were tucked up along her sides.

She was definitely a unique being that's for sure. No Earth born horse (sorry pony) that he had ever seen was capable of the range of movement and motor skills that she was capable of. Although now that he thought about it for a moment... He felt a little bad comparing her to an animal here on Earth. It was degrading to say the least.

Shaking his head a moment later to clear his thoughts from rambling on trying to figure out these equestrian ponies physiology, Alex began to gently apply a light amount of pressure on what he believed was the bones and muscles of her shoulders. He was right on target—and boy was she stiff. “My god Star, you’re pretty tight up here. I can practically feel the knots in your muscles.” He then resumed kneading the muscles by gently working his fingers around the areas with the most stiffness, and eventually he felt them loosen up; releasing the built up tension. “Feeling any better?”

She didn’t reply... well not verbally. She just nodded, letting out a quiet humming noise as her eyes slowly began to close while Alex continued to work the muscles in her shoulders.

“Mmm... little higher.” She hummed with roll of her shoulders. Alex complied, sliding his hands up to just the base of her neck, just above the collar of her pajama top, and onto her amber colored fur, and boy was it soft. He simply couldn’t believe how soft it felt as he slowly ran his hands down along the sides of her neck, letting his fingers draw lines in her fur as he drew them back to her shoulders.

Black Rose woke the next morning feeling completely refreshed. No bad dreams or nightmares; just a peaceful nights sleep. So with a tired yawn she pulled herself up to sit on the couch and stretch her muscles, cooing softly as she reached her limbs out to their furthest extension. Afterward she let them fall back to her sides to scratch an itch on her rump, her eyelids still fluttering as she tried to shake off her sleepiness.

She then hopped off and glanced back to the other pony still sleeping on the couch. Big Mac had now rolled onto his back and was still snoring a bit, his mouth hanging open slightly, his one foreleg still up under the pillow. The other now hanging off the side of the couch. Rose didn’t notice at first but her gaze went a little lower than she had thought. This is when she noticed the rather large bulge in his shorts. Her face grew hot, and her mind started to wander; her mouth now hanging open. ‘You like it don’t you?’ An all too familiar voice chuckled in her head. Rose nodded her head slightly. Her whole body was starting to grow hotter, even her tail was beginning to slowly rise; twitching erratically every now and then.

After that a sudden heat began to bloom between her legs equaling the rest of her body. However unaware to Rose, Big Mac had stirred a little as if someone had talked to him. ‘You want him, we can see it. Don’t lie to yourself again Rosie. Your body is calling.’Again Rose nodded her head slightly. Her legs started to feel shaky as the urge took over, a slight moisture beginning to form between her legs. ‘You want him inside of you, don’t you Black Rose?’

“I... I...”

“Mornin’.” Reality hit Rose like a ton of bricks. She immediately snapped from her trance and fell back onto her rump upon hearing the sound of his voice. Big Mac wanted to say something, but what? Waking up to see a mare you just met yesterday staring at your morning wood with her mouth open was awkward to say the least. So he decided to simply try and play it down. Black Rose seemed upset enough judging by the frown on her face. “So what’s up Rose?” Rose’s eyes darted to the side.

‘Yeah... what isup Rosie?’

“Shut up you!”

“Sorry!” Big Mac now felt stupid. He wanted to downplay this hoping she too would simply drop it so they could enjoy the rest of the morning, but no. The first words out of his mouth pretty much managed to put his hoof into it. But oddly enough, when he was about to apologize again, Rose had already beat him to it.

“Oh Mac, I didn’t mean you!” She looked away.

‘Smooth Rose, who were you talking to then?’

“Be quiet! You’re making me look weird!” She looked back up to Mac. He was staring at her questionably, scratching his head. ‘Great... Now he probably thinks I’m some perverted nutjob that ogles over stallions, and argues with herself.’

“Uhh... Apology accepted?” He said. It was still too early in the morning, and he really didn’t want to find out right now what was going on here. His bladder, and it contents was more important, and the fact that he had been holding it now for the past thirty or so minutes didn’t help either. So with a quick smile he hopped off the couch and quickly trotted down the hallway to relieve himself. Leaving behind a stunned and confused Black Rose. Until her bladder too began to inform her that it was time to do the same.

Feeling so much better (and slightly lighter) as he left the bathroom, Big Mac headed back down the hallway towards the kitchen, a nice cup of coffee would hit the spot right about now. But as he was about to come to the hallways exit, he saw Black Rose running towards him.

“Gotta pee! Gotta pee! Gotta pee!” She squeaked, practically slamming him against the wall as she galloped past to the bathroom. A second later he flinched as the door slammed shut behind her. Chuckling to himself as he shook his head, Big Mac afterward headed on into the kitchen.

“Oh howdy y’all two.” Big Mac smiled as he trotted up to the table to take a seat. “Sleep the wrong way last night Ah take it?” Star Dancer looked up from her forelegs as Alex was continuing to gently massage her shoulder and nodded slightly.

“Mmm... Yeah,” she said as she laid her head back down. “But thanks to Alex, I am feeling much better now.”

“Glad I could help,” Alex smiled as he took a seat next to her. Afterward Star Dancer hopped down from the table and trotted back over to the counter.

“Did you want anything to drink Mac? I have tea or coffee.”

“Coffee please.”

“Any particular way?” She asked turning around to face him briefly.

“Na...” He smile waving a hoof. “Just as long as it wakes me up is fine.”

“Right.” She then spun around going back to her search eventually finding her box of tea and some coffee. “So when are you and Rose gonna head out the the immigration center?”

“Probably around noon time Star,” Black Rose said trotting into the kitchen then plopped into a seat at the table “By the way...” She paused for a moment to glance over at the human sitting at the table reading a newspaper. “What’s he doing here so early?” Alex looked up from his paper.

“Taking your friend here up to see my parents.” Alex replied with a quick nod to the amber pony pouring some water into a coffee pot.

“Oh...” She looked over to Star letting a small smile onto her face. Star simply rolled her eyes shaking her head.

“Would you like something to drink Rose?”

“Orange juice please.”

“Okay, get ya some in a second.”

Later on after the four finished planning and talking about how their days would play out, Star Dancer went to her room to pack for the days trip upstate to Alex’s parents place. Rose and Mac had since left for the Immigration Center an hour prior. Though as Star Dancer went about packing her things for the trip, she once again started feeling a little bit nervous about meeting Alex’s parents. For one thing Alex told her they had never met an equestrian before. Which was kinda odd considering the gateway’s have been open for a few years now.

Was it because they were a bunch of speciesist? Did they not like equestrians? Or felt threatened about them taking jobs or something? Maybe it was just because they lived farther out in the country where no gateway had been constructed yet. She actually got so caught up in her thoughts that she stopped packing for the trip and just laid on her bed thinking about how she was gonna break the ice with his parents.

Eventually though she shook the thoughts from her mind and went back to packing, but just as she was about to close her saddlebag she froze up when she felt something on her shoulder.

“Ahh!” she screeched, accidentally throwing her bag across the bed, dumping its contents onto the floor. Afterward she spun her head around to see what it was. “Oh Alex, it’s only you.” She breathed out a sigh of relief then hopped off the bed to collect her things that had spilled across the floor. “You could have knocked you know.”

“Sorry! I saw your door was open and just thought I would check up on you. By the way, thanks for the feather dusting by them wings of yours.”

“It’s a natural reaction for them to snap up like that when you scare me like that. One that you could have avoided if you didn’t sneak up on me.”

“Yeah… I’ll remember that. But I thought you said you were a geosus?”

Star Dancer dropped her head down and sighed. “Pegasus and geosus are same thing, just different breeds. Sometimes we kinda just call ourselves pegasus’s or pegasi. It’s a lot easier and it also avoids confusion.”

“Well that makes sense,” Alex said nodding in agreement. “So what’s been taking you so long? It’s been over an hour.”

Star Dancer looked down at her bracelet to check the time. “Oh wow… I didn’t even notice how much time had passed.” She said as she finished folding and re-packing her clothes that had fallen out of her bag. “Guess I spent more time worrying about your parents than getting myself ready.”

“My parents? What about them?”

Star Dancer sat up swinging her bag around her back and snapped the clasp around her stomach, then looked up to Alex and sighed. “Well I was worried about what you had told me.” Alex look at her raising an eyebrow. “You know… you told me your parents never met a equestrian before. I just felt they may not like me.” She felt a little bad saying that and promptly looked away as her ears fell back. Alex smiled chuckling slightly.

“Is that what’s been bothering you all this time?” She nodded. “Oh Star Dancer,” He chuckled then sat down next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “You needn't worry one bit about that.” She looked up to him a bit surprised, her ears standing up. The effect causing Alex to laugh to himself. “You know its kinda cute when your ears flip up like that.” She looked away again. Though this time she was trying to hide the blush on her face.

“Anyway.” He stood back up and walked over to the door. “Shall we get going? We’d best hurry if we want to beat the morning traffic.”

Star Dancer nodded and got up to follow him as they made their way out to his truck.

****

The morning traffic they had hoped to avoid sadly slammed them full force as Star and Alex turned off onto West 96th street heading towards the Henry Hudson parkway.

“Heh… guess today’s not our day huh?” Alex chuckled as the two slowly inched forward with traffic.

“Sorry Alex…” Star Dancer said a little upset.

“Aww don’t worry about it. We’ll get there.” He reached over and patted her on the back. “Hey, don’t look so pouty. It’s not your fault. Traffic was crammed even before we left the driveway anyway. And you know what? I should actually thank you.”

She looked up to him, her ears again flipping up. She was surprised to hear that. “Thank me? For what?”

“Well for one thing.” He smiled and reached over to boop her on the nose. “You just gave me that cute little surprised look again.” She smiled and looked away blushing. “And the other was since you took the extra time getting ready, we’ve managed to beat most of the early morning rush.” He pointed ahead as they were turning onto the ramp for the parkway. “See?”

She looked out the window and smiled when she saw they were now speeding down the highway. “How long is it going to take us to get to your parents house?”

“About four hours. I hope you brought enough clothes. I was planning on staying the night and coming back tomorrow morning.”

She nodded patting her saddlebag sitting in her lap. “I kinda figured we were going to spend the day out then and come back tomorrow. So I packed an extra change of clothes and some other things.”

“Well that’s good. Better prepared than not right?”

Star nodded smiling. The rest of the time spent on the parkway went rather quiet. It was only when they turned off the freeway, and onto the ramp leading towards the George Washington Bridge, when Star Dancer ask him to pull over so she could snap a photo of it.

“Wow this thing is huge! I am simply blown away by the size of the structures you humans have built.”

“Don’t you have bridges back in Equestria?”

Star Dancer shook her head then stuck her camera back into her small pack she kept on her and hopped back into the truck. “We have bridges, but nothing compared to the scale of this. The only thing I can honestly say that compares to these large structures is the gateway entrances, and some of the cities back on Equestria.”

“But I thought you guys were pretty advanced with your technology.” Alex said as he pulled back out onto the highway. “I mean look at that bracelet you have, and the fact you guys can use magic is pretty damn amazing as well.”

“Mana Alex… Not magic.”

“Theres a difference?”

“Well yeah,” she said rather flatly. “Magic is some fictional power mages use. It’s also the stuff used in that show you humans created about us.”

“You mean that children's television show you were telling me about before?”

“That’s right.” Star Dancer nodded. “Mana however is a real world force that we equestrians are able to channel through our bodies and use in a multitude of ways. Here let me show you.” She took a moment and closed her eyes then focused, her mark on her shorts starting to glow slightly as she channeled some mana into her wings causing them too to glow ever so slightly as well.

“So you guys use mana to make your butts light up?” Alex chuckled. Star Dancer sighed relaxing her concentration and then looked at him a little displeased.

“No.” She responded bluntly. “But now I have a question for you.”

Alex glanced over to her raising an eyebrow wondering why she was looking at him with a smirk. “Oh yeah? What is it?”

“Why are you looking at my butt?”

“Well I… uhh… umm.”

Star Dancer laughed punching his arm playfully. “Relax… I was only teasing you. No need to get all flustered.”

Alex relaxed letting out a breath as they got off the bridge heading into New Jersey. It was a short trip through town as they traveled down route 4 passing by a mostly residential area. Star Dancer was actually surprised to see a number of equestrians living in the homes dotting the highway. But eventually as the turned off route 4, and came onto route 17, the quiet neighborhoods gave way to commercial complexes, shopping centers and a myriad of fast food establishments.

“Are you hungry? We could stop at one of these restaurants and get something to eat.”

“No, I’m okay.” Star Dancer yawned, then returned to looking out the window.

The trip afterward fell silent. The two of them now back in New York State, a couple hours having passed as they were now traveling down Interstate 87. Alex decided to check up on Star Dancer, since now traffic had pretty much lightened up to only an occasional car or truck passing by them every now and then. She had been quiet for the past hour or so, so he was wondering how she was doing. But when he finally saw her, he found out she had since fallen asleep.

She was quietly resting in her seat snoring peacefully as one of her ears twitched occasionally. Probably from a dream she was experiencing. He smiled at the sight then reached down to turn down the radio so he wouldn’t disturb her, and then went back to focusing on the road. But just as they passed by the nearby town of Schenectady, Star Dancer stirred, then raised her forelegs up, arching her back as she stretched them out, and let out a huge yawn.

“Mmm… Could you pull over please?”

“Why what’s up?” Alex wondered.

“I need to get out and stretch my hind legs. Also I’ve been sitting on my tail for the past few hours, so it’s pretty sore right now.”

“Yeah I kinda need to do that as well. Stretch my legs out that is. Not the tail thing obviously.”

“Obviously.” Star Dancer chuckled.

Shortly after they pulled off onto the shoulder Star Dancer hopped out. Her legs really felt stiff from sitting in that position for such a long time. So much that she simply stood there for a few moments until everything loosened up. Afterward she trotted off into the open field beside the highway to get the blood circulating through them again. It felt good to just run around in the grass, kinda reminded her of the open fields back on Equestria. Once her legs felt pretty good she decided to open up her wings and flap them a few times. But as she did the muscles felt really sore, so she decided to just let them hang open limply by her sides to allow a little time for them to loosen up.

“Hey, what’s wrong with your wings?”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Star Dancer asked.

Alex walked up to her pointing at her wings. “Your wings are kinda hanging limply at your sides. Are the okay?”

Star Dancer looked at them, then back to Alex and nodded. “Yeah, they're fine. I was just letting them loosen up a bit. let’s the blood circulate through them ya know?”

“Make sense... I guess. Anyway, I’m gonna head back to the truck. Head on back when you…” Alex trailed off when he spotted Star Dancer staring off into the field, her eyes squinting. “What are you staring at?”

“That.” Star Dancer said pointing off towards the farm. Alex returned to her side to see what she was pointing at. But felt a little confused since he couldn’t see what she meant.

“You mean the farm?” He asked.

“No,” She said, seemingly a little upset. “I mean that thing!” Again she pointed off towards the farm, but this time Alex kneeled down so he could better follow where her hoof was ponting.

“You mean that horse grazing out in the field?”

“Is that what it is?" She said sounding a little surprised. “Wow… it’s so big. I didn’t expect it to be that large.”

“Well compared to you or me yeah.” He then kneeled down beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you go on up and say hello?”

“Do they actually talk?” Alex shook his head.

“No. It’s only an animal after all. But doesn’t mean they can’t understand what we say.”

“I don’t understand?” Star Dancer replied a little confused scratching her head. “You say they can’t talk, but they understand our voice?”

“Yeah, it’s kind of a feel thing ya know?”

“Okay you’ve lost me here.”

“Well it’s not really that they can understand what we are exactly saying, but I get the feeling they can understand us by our tone of voice, and the actions we make towards them. Does that make a little more sense?”

“Yeah, kinda.”

Alex then stood up and crossed his arms thinking for a moment. But then an idea came to mind. “Why don’t I show you what I mean?” He said and then began walking towards the fence.

“Uh... okay,” She said giving him a perplexed look. She really didn’t understand how he was going to do this. But might as well see what he was talking about. So with a sigh she trotted on over to the fence and propped herself up against it. “So what did you have in mind?”

“Hang on a moment, let me see if I can get her to come over here.” He then turned towards the horse and started making clicking sounds while waving its hands trying to get the horses attention.

“Umm… How do you know its a female?” Star asked looking at the horse as well.

“These guys don’t wear clothing, so you know…” He nodded his head looking towards the horse—Star Dancer glancing over as well—just as the animal turned to walk away. Her tail now wagging back and forth swatting at some flies. This gave the two pretty much a front row seat as the horse went about nibbling at the grass.

“Gah! Celestia Alex!” Yelled Star Dancer as she threw a foreleg over her eyes looking away. “You could have just told me! I didn’t need to see that!”

“Well I did say the horse was a female.”

“I’m going to be permanently scarred now, thanks a lot.” She hopped down off the fence. “I’m heading back to the truck. I think I’ve been down on the farm long enough.”

Alex glanced over to her cocking an eyebrow at the comment, and then shortly after broke out in laughter shaking his head. “That's a good one! I like that!”

Star Dancer groaned at the realization and pressed a hoof to her face. ‘Stupid brain… you’re not helping!’ After shaking off her little slip up, she started back to the truck, but stopped and turned around when she didn’t hear him following. “Are you coming?” Alex didn’t respond. He just sat there staring off into the field. It looked like he was thinking about something. “What are you thinking about?”

“Hmm? Oh nothing really,” Alex replied pushing off the fence.

Star Dancer looked at him questionably, her eyebrow slightly raised as he passed her, but after a moment to think about it (properly this time), she really didn’t want to know. Especially given the context of what they were just looking at. So with a quick exhale of breath she quickly caught up to Alex and hopped back into the truck. Sadly though in her haste she accidently sat on her tail the wrong way crinking it, causing her to bounce up crying out in pain.

“Are you alright?” Alex asked a little concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Star Dancer replied running her hoof through her tail straightening it out then gently eased herself back down onto it. But just as she tried applying weight onto her tail, she hissed to herself. Her dock was still very sore from when she had crinkled it. So instead of sitting in the front seat—which would have just caused her more pain, she opted to hop into the back and lay on her side. “Ahh… much better.”

Alex shook his head rolling his eyes, and then shifted the truck into gear and pulled back out onto the highway.

****

A couple hours later Star Dancer was stirred from her sleep by someone shaking her shoulder trying to wake her up. “Mmm… too early,” She groaned pushing away whoever was trying to wake her up then curled into a ball trying to fall back asleep. But was again pulled from her sleep by someone blowing into her ear. “You know that’s really annoying,” she said flicking her ears irritably. But whoever it was, wasn’t very nice. Since they continued doing it. That is until she finally got fed up with it and rolled over onto her back to see who it was.

“Wakey wakey sleepy head.” Alex smiled leaning back to let the afternoon sun in through the open door. Star Dancer immediately closed her eyes and threw a foreleg over her face to block out the light. “You’re not winning any popularity points with me by blowing into my ears.”

“Sorry, but you’re a real heavy sleeper. I’ve been trying to wake you up for the for at least five minutes. Thought this might get your attention.”

“Well you got it.” She sat up stretching while letting out a yawn. “How long have I been out?”

Alex looked down to his watch. “About two hours.”

“Why have we stopped?”

“Well we just got off the interstate and are now just outside a town called Utica. I stopped because I though you may be a little hungry. I know I am.”

Star Dancer looked down rubbing her stomach. “I could use something to eat. What have you got in mind?”

“Well there's this place called Top of the Morning Cafe a little ways from here. Wanna stop there?”

“I’m okay with it if you want to stop there.”

Alex smiled again closing the door, then hopped back into the truck and pulled back onto the road. The restaurant itself wasn’t very far just like he said, and soon they were pulling into the parking lot. Once inside Star Dancer started feeling really nervous, since the moment she had stepped through the door all eyes had been focused on her. But after a few awkward moments of people staring at her—some snapping photos with their phones, most simply went back to their meals just as a waitress strolled on up.

“Hello! Welcome to top of the Morning Cafe! My name is Abby, how can we help you?”

“Table for two please Abby.”

“A booth please if one is open.” Star Dancer added.

Abby looked down to the amber pony taking notice of her request then smiled holding out her hand. “Right this way please.” She said as she grabbed a couple menus from a small nook in the wall then led the two back to booth in a corner of the restaurant. “Is there anything I can get you two to drink?”

“Can I get a coke please?”

“Sure can!” She smiled. “And what can I get you Ma’am?”

“Do you guys have apple juice here? And you can call me Star Dancer if you want. Ma’am makes me sound old.” The waitress smiled and nodded.

“Okay! And I like your name by the way, it’s pretty adorable. Just like that little star on your cheek.”

Star Dancer brought a hoof up to her face blushing. “T-thanks.” She said a little sheepishly, a small smile now starting to tug at her lips.

“There we go, that’s better, and yes, we do have apple juice here.” Abby said scribbling it down onto her tablet. But it was what she said first that confused Star the most.

“What do you mean that’s better?”

Abby looked at Star as she stuck her notepad back into her apron. “Well when you first came in here you looked really tense—nervous even.” Star couldn’t argue with that. “So I just felt you might have needed a little cheering up. Hope I didn’t upset you. I’m sorry if I did.”

“You didn’t, and thank you. I feel a little better now.”

“Well that's good. Anyway, I’ll be right back with your drinks.” Abby nodded to Star one last time smiling softly, then walked off back into the kitchen.

“She’s a nice waitress don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I think it was really sweet of her to make me feel a little less nervous.”

“Why are you feeling nervous all of a sudden? You seemed to be fine up until now.”

Star Dancer stopped looking at her menu for a moment to look up and glance around the restaurant. “Notice anything odd about this place?”

Alex looked up from his menu as well to try and see what she meant. But nothing really seemed out of place or odd to him upon first glance. Most people were simply eating their meals, talking amongst themselves or sitting at the counter watching the tv. Though upon further inspection he did start to notice some of the customs, even the employees themselves were occasionally stealing glances at the two.

“Now I see why you’re feeling a little bit nervous. Being the only equestrian in this area must make you feel like a thousand eyes are constantly watching you.”

“Pretty much.”

“Well don’t worry about it Star Dancer. These are good people up here, and they are pretty welcome to newcomers. So just try and relax and enjoy your meal.”

“I’m trying, and I hope you’re right.”

Alex smiled trying to reassure her, then went back to looking for something to eat. Eventually Abby returned with their drinks then went about taking the two’s orders. Alex settled with a roast turkey sandwich with some french fries, whereas Star Dancer decided to try the chunky chicken salad. The waitress smiled scribbling down their orders and then took their menus and hurried off into the kitchen. Afterward the two pretty much sat in silence as they waited for their meals to come. The place offered WiFi so Star spent the time browsing the net on her laptop, whereas Alex decided to grab a newspaper from the counter to read.

“Here’s your orders guys!” Abby cheerfully said as she stepped up to the table. “One roast turkey sandwich with fries for you sir.” She placed the food down in front of him. “And for you Star, a chunky chicken salad.”

“Mmm… smells good,” said Star Dancer as she leaned in to take a sniff of it.

“You know I never thought you guys would eat meat,” Abby said as she set the plate of food down in front of her.

“Oh no, us equestrians are for the most part just like you guys. We have a very similar diet as you humans.”

“How do you guys use utensils If you don’t mind me asking. Sorry about asking so many questions, but you guys are just so fascinating. I’ve never met a being such as yourself.”

“Never met one of my kind before? Really?” Abby nodded. “But the gateway network had been open for a few years now. Surely some equestrians have ventured out here right?” Abby shook her head this time, a slight frown on her face.

“Sadly no. I feel the main reason none have ventured this far up north is simply because none of them gates have been erected out here yet. It’s that or there are just many more interesting places to go to. Round these parts its mainly open farmland and sprawling countryside. Nothing really of interest compared to the big cities or shoreline.”

“Oh… Well if its any consolation my father also works at a farm back on Equestria. He used to sometimes take me to it when I was just a filly. Though I will admit it was rather boring.” Star Dancer said, chuckling a little nervously.

Abby laughed. “A city girl eh?” Star nodded. “Well that's okay. It’s not for everyone. Anyway, I have to get back to work now. Enjoy your meal, but if you need anything just give me a call okay?”

“Will do!” Star Dancer smiled. Abby returned the gesture and walked off to tend to another customer.

The food tasted great and the two wasted no time finishing up their meals. Star was the first to finish as she sat back from the table to rub her now pudgy belly. Alex however was still a little hungry and opted for a little dessert. But just as Abby walked off after taking his order, a couple girls sitting at the counter watching the two for some time now decided to walk on over and introduce themselves.

“Hey there hot stuff. What’s your name?”

“It’s Alexander Ma’am,” He then held out his hand. “And this is my friend. Her name is Star Dancer.”

“Hmm… didn’t think they allowed pets in this place,” the one girl muttered under her breath.

“Excuse me? Did your friend just say something?” Alex asked.

“I said I didn’t think they allowed pets in this place.”

Star Dancer gave the girl a dirty look. “Umm… I’m not his pet.”

“Oh wow, it talks.”

“I take it you two are a couple locals right?” The one girl nodded.

“That's right. My name is Alicia, and this is my friend. Connie.”

“Pleased to meet you two, but please, I ask that you treat my friend with a little more respect. I realize mistakes can be made, and I am willing to forgive as long at you two are.”

“Oh sure, we understand, and we’re sorry. Right Connie?” Said Alicia giving Connie a slight wink.

“Hmm? Oh! Yeah... we’re sorry. We didn’t mean it.”

Afterwards the two decided to take it upon themselves to sit down in the booth with Alex and Star. Though when Connie slid in next to Star, she purposely bumped her enough to again crinkle her tail against the back of the seat causing the poor mare to lurch forward suddenly to alleviate the pain.

“Are you alright Star?”

“No, I kinked my tail again. I need to go to the bathroom for a moment to check and make sure it’s alright. Could you please move Connie so I can get out?”

“Yeah, okay.” she said sliding on out of the booth.

Star Dancer then scooched out carefully, making sure she didn’t further agitate her already sore rear end, and then headed to the bathroom. Leaving Alex with the two girls for the time being while she went to go check on the condition of her tail. It was worse than she had expected. Because as soon as she went to inspect the area she winced, hissing in pain as she slowly lifted it up revealing a rather nasty looking bruise on her dock.

But as she began to fumble through her pack, she noticed she hardly packed any medical supplies. Just a few band aids and some tape. It would have to do. Hopefully once they got to his parents place she would be able to find some proper medical treatment. With her tail now wrapped up and secured, Star Dancer decided to splash a little water on her face to clear her mind. But just as she was about to return to Alex, she noticed those same two girls that introduced themselves to her earlier were now approaching the bathroom.

Unfortunately Star Dancer could tell just by the looks on their faces that the two obviously weren’t coming to have a friendly chat. And with no way of getting back to Alex without having to go through them first, she decided a little hastily to just dart back into the bathroom. Though looking back on it, it probably wasn’t the best idea. Because now she was cornered.

‘Okay… settle down Star Dancer, they’re probably just going to bully you a little bit. Maybe a few harsh words. Nothing you haven’t handled before. Just walk on out there and ignore them.’ Her little mental pep talk complete, Star Dancer let out a breath and walked back up to the door. She could do this. Just ignore them and head back to her friend waiting for her at the table. But just as she steeled herself to head on out, she saw that the two were even closer now.

Alicia was seen pounding a fist into her hand, where as Conny was seen making yanking motions while laughing. To Star Dancer this could only mean one thing. ‘My tail!’ Quietly she eased the door shut as she backed up into the bathroom—her tail now tucked between her legs.

“No, no, no, no!” Star Dancer frantically said as she nervously scanned around the room for a place to hide. If there was anything that made her scared the most, it was physical confrontation. But where to hide? The stalls? No... that would be the first thing they would check. What about the window? Yeah! She lunged for it, but sadly it was a solid pane. No way to use it unless she broke it. With her options running out as the clock in her mind rapidly counted down to their eventual entry, Star Dancer began to cry. She couldn’t help it.

She desperately wanted to scream for help, but she was starting to have an anxiety attack, and when she did try to scream, the only thing that came out between her quick breaths was but a quiet whisper. She glanced around the room one more time, but this time she spotted something off in the corner. A door. A small one probably containing cleaning supplies for the janitor. And luckily for her, it was slightly ajar. Though when she opened it up, sadly it wasn’t very big. Just enough room for a small mop bucket and some toiletries.

But given the circumstances, she really didn’t have a choice. So with a quick sense of haste, Star Dance forced herself inside the tiny closet. She was able to squeeze herself in by standing up onto her hind legs and sliding in sideways. It was pretty uncomfortable needless to say. The shelf behind her holding some supplies was digging painfully into her back, and the mop bucket was causing her grief since it was unevenly jammed between her legs. And to add insult to injury, her tail was laying in the dirty water still in it.

She finally managed to squeeze the door shut just as the two girls stepped into the bathroom.

“Come out, come out wherever you are freak!” Alicia growled stepping into the middle of the room. “Check the stalls.”

“On it!” Connie chirped then quickly began kicking open the doors. “It’s not in here!”

Alicia looked around the room spotting the closet in the corner. “It must be in there!”

Star Dancer quietly gasped throwing a hoof over her mouth. ‘Oh no! They’ve found me!’ She began hyperventilate as another anxiety attack started to take control of her. But with a little calm and quiet breathing she was able to calm herself down and remain quiet.

“The door is locked Alicia. There’s no way she could have gotten into here with them freakish hooves of hers.”

“She? Her? What the fuck Connie?! You sound like that damn freak of nature is equal to us or something!”

Conny waved off her friend as she forcibly kicked on the closet door. Unfortunately Star Dancer’s fetlock was also pressed up against the door Connie just kicked as well. She squinted her eyes shut gritting her teeth to force down the pain so she could remain quiet. She couldn’t handle much more of this.

“The nerve of that guy.” Alicia fumed walking up to the mirror to take a moment to regard herself. “Asking me of all people to check on that fucking pony friend of his.”

“Hey don’t forget he dragged me into this as well!” Connie quickly added as she walked up next to her friend. “You think I like to go around searching for this guy's freakish talking pet?”

“Well it’s not here. So let’s head on back and try to convince this fool to ditch that piece of trash and hook up with a pair of human girls instead.”

Connie smiled and nodded in agreement. A moment later the two left leaving a dirty, wet, battered and bruised Star Dancer to fall out of the cramped closet onto the bathroom floor. She lay there for a moment curled into a ball shivering and crying. She honestly couldn’t believe these humans could be so cold and uncaring towards her kind. And to make matters worse, they were going to try and drag her only human friend away from her.

Her mind now blank and emotionless; her body feeling sore and broken, Star Dancer limped out of the bathroom back to her… well back to the only human she hopefully could trust. And to her utter shock and disbelief, just as Star Dancer rounded the corner, her mouth fell open when she saw Alex laughing and joking with the very two responsible what just happened only a few moments ago.

Her heart broken; her self esteem shattered, Star Dancer sighed quietly and started to limp towards the door. Alex on the other hand was having a good time talking with the two girls. The restaurant having pretty much cleared out leaving only a few patrons along with the small crew of employees tending to their duties. But all the fun and laughs came crashing immediately to a halt when Alex spotted his equestrian friend limping out from around the corner.

“Star Dancer are you okay?” Alex yelled shooting up from his seat, knocking over his drink into the lap of Alicia sitting next to him. The stricken mare looked up to him emotionlessly as he came sprinting down the aisle to her aid. “Oh my god! What happened to you? Are you hurt? Who did this? Star Dancer... talk to me! Please!”

She glanced up to him, her eyes red from crying—her body aching from being jammed into that closet, and simply collapsed onto him, wrapping her forelegs around his neck embracing him tightly, then pointed over his shoulder. “Those two girls Alex…” she sobbed. “You wouldn’t believe the things they said about me. What they wanted to do to me… It was awful. I was so scared.”

Alex gently wrapped his arms around her picking her up, then carried her over to a different booth and gently set her down onto the seat. Abby as well now seeing Star Dancer’s state, quickly rushed over with a few towels and some water.

“You two should be ashamed of yourselves!” Alex angrily snapped, spinning around to face them. “I can’t believe for a second! I even thought you two were trying to be me or Star Dancer’s friend.” He turned around taking a towel from Abby to wipe some of the dirt and tears from his friends eyes. “Are you okay Star Dancer? They didn’t hit you did they?” His fist starting to clench. “So help them if they did!” He was having a hard time containing his anger as his clenched fist slammed down onto the table.

But just as he was about to spin around and yell at the two again, he stopped when he felt Star’s hoof rest itself on his hand. “Please Alex...” She said quietly. “No more. I don’t want to see anyone else getting hurt. Just let it go. For me okay?”

Alex smiled returning his attention to Star Dancer, and helped her sit up straight so she could quench her parched throat with some of the water Abby brought over. “Feeling better?” Star looked up to Alex smiling slightly and nodded weakly.

“Disgusting…” Alicea muttered under her breath after turning back from watching the scene.

“Before you know it, he’ll be fucking that goddamn pony out in his truck,” Connie said as she continued to watch Alex care for his injured friend. “It’s just sick. Fucking freak.”

“I think that’s enough from you two!” Connie and Alicia snapped their heads around to see the owner walking out from his office, and judging by the look on his face, he was not very happy. “Get out of my restaurant right now! And don’t ever let me catch you in here again!” The two girls wasting no time quickly scrambled to their feet and walked out. Both sneering at Star Dancer as they left. Afterwards the owners expression softened as he turned to the group sitting in the booth. “Are you going to be alright Miss? That ankle looks pretty swollen.”

“I’ll manage,” Star Dancer said wiggling her hind leg. “It’s only a little sore thankfully. Nothing a little soaking in a hot bathtub won’t fix.”

“Well alright,” The owner smiled standing back up. “I’m sorry for the problems. Them two have been known to be troublemakers, but I never thought they would stoop this low.”

“That’s alright, you couldn’t of known they would have tried something like that.” Alex said while he was helping Star get to her hooves. “Thankfully no one got seriously hurt.”

“Well if its any consolation your meals are on the house, and if you’re ever back in the area again just come and see me and I’ll make sure you’re taken care of, sound good?”

“Thanks mister! You're too kind.” Star Dancer smiled as she and Alex made their way out of the restaurant. The owner returned the smile while opening the door for them.

“Names Henry, and it was a pleasure to meet you. Have a good day now!” Henry said, waving goodbye as Star Dancer and Alex were walking out to his truck. “And be sure to get that leg checked out!”

“I will! Goodbye!” The owned smiled one last time as he returned to his restaurant leaving Alex and Star out in the parking lot.

“Well this was a rather interesting stop now wasn’t it? Star?” Alex turned around and was met by Star Dancer. She had stood up on her hind legs (unbelievable seeing as how her ankle was sore), and wrapped her forelegs around his neck hugging him.

“Thank you Alex.” She whispered continuing to hold onto him for a couple minutes. He was a bit stunned by the gesture, but eventually he wrapped his arms around her rubbing her back.

“Ahh don’t worry about it Star, I would have never let them two or anyone for that matter get in between you and me and our friendship. And that's a promise.” She leaned back for a moment to look at him smiling after he had said that. Alex returning the gesture. Then she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. Afterward she leaned back again placing a hoof on the same cheek and smiled, nodding slightly then let go and climbed into the back seat of the truck leaving a stunned Alex standing outside.

‘Wow… That was…unexpected. Kinda felt good,’ Alex thought to himself as he made his way around to the drivers side, a hand pressed against the same cheek Star Dancer had kissed. For the rest of the trip to his parents place the two were quiet. Star Dancer had since fallen back asleep, probably due to being exhausted from what had happened earlier. But this was fine since it gave Alex time to think. About a lot of things actually. About their friendship and where it was going. About what was going to happen when they finally arrived at his parents. And mostly about Star Dancer herself.

Only time would tell he figured as the two turned off the main road and headed down the long country driveway leading to the home of his parents.