“They're ponies...?” Dawn asked with a raised eyebrow. “From a T.V. show… for little girls…?”

“Yeah…” I replied, rubbing the back of my neck, “I didn’t expect you to believe me right away…”

“I’m starting to think you hit your head a bit too when you were jumped by the Trents and Professor Moore…” Dawn said immediately crossing her arms. “How do you expect me to-“

Suddenly a piece of hospital equipment began to levitate across the room, leaving Dawn speechless. I however, cast my gaze to the individual responsible for the sudden spectacle. Celestia was slightly flicking her wrist as her hand made elegant motions in the air, commanding the object like a true Jedi. (I swear to God, if she stays for a longer than a day I’m showing her Star Wars… even the first three)

“H-how… how are you doing that?” Dawn asked stepping out of her chair to back away. The only thing that stopped her was my hand and calm words.

“It’s alright Dawn…” I said, “Celestia is just showing you some of her magic.”

“This is one of the simplest spells where I come from Dawn…” Celestia said calmly, placing the object down at her side, “I doubt that there are any unicorns in my kingdom that cannot carry an item in this fashion…” She then began to twiddle her thumbs remembering a few unnamed individuals. “Well maybe there are a few… but they are very young…”

“So… you’re a unicorn?” Dawn asked, in even more disbelief.

“Oh, heavens no…” Celestia replied waving her hand in Dawn’s direction, which prompted a small flinch.

“Then what are you?”

“My sister and I happen to be alicorns.” Luna answered, to Celestia’s disapproval, “The most powerful kind of pony, we have the aspects of all three races, the magic of a unicorn, wings of the pegasi, and the strength of an earth pony.”

“But… you’re humans…”

“That’s magic.” I explained, “Just like Celestia had been doing to that… whatever you call it…”

“The I.V. irrigation pole?” Dawn asked; her tone flat and unamused.

“Yeah that…” I said, “Celestia can’t change into a pony in our world though… however… Luna can.”

“I’m still finding this very hard to believe…” Dawn said shaking her head, “I mean… Celestial somehow levitated the pole, but Luna being a PONY? Aedan I’m just finding this to be pretty farfetched…”

I looked to Luna, but her eyes were already on me. Nodding simultaneously, Luna turned back to face Dawn, her eyes a dazzling white. Soon after she became engulfed in an orb of light, everyone in the room covered their eyes as not to be blinded by her spell. Seconds later Dawn’s eyes fell on the dark blue creature that now sat where the beautiful young woman that was staying with me had previously been. I really didn’t know how she was going to react. Was she going to faint like Gordon? Was she going to scream at the top of her lungs? All the questions in my head were finally answered when the dead silence of the room was cut by the sound of Dawn’s voice.

“Aedan…”

“Yes Dawn?”

“That’s a unicorn… in a hospital bed…”

Luna sighed and unfurled her wings, “Alicorn…” she said disapprovingly.

“Ok… Alicorn…” Dawn said starting to get out of her chair, “I think I’ll just check myself into the psych ward now…”

She walked to the door but I managed to beat her to it before she could put her hand on the doorknob.

“You don’t need to do that Dawn…” I said laughing to myself; it was hard to believe those three weeks ago that I was having the same reaction she was right now. (At least she didn’t faint like Gordon did.)

“I’m seeing a freaking PONY Aedan!” Dawn whispered intensely, “And that amazon sitting next to her is moving metal like Magneto!” (Wow… didn’t know Dawn knew that much about comics.)

“Um… we can hear you…” Celestia said, her eyebrow cocked and arms crossed over her chest. Luna mirrored her sister, but on account she was a pony now it was absolutely adorable.

“And now they have super hearing…” Dawn whispered quickly at me.

“We wouldn’t be able to hear you if you were actually whispering…” Celestia replied, rolling her eyes, “Now please… sit with us, we haven’t given you any reason to fear us…” a small, devious smile grew on Celestia’s face, “yet…”

Dawn jumped out of her skin a little bit, but Luna’s hoof quickly met her face. “Forgive my sister… As royalty we rarely get a chance to have a small amount of fun at the expense of others.”

“See Dawn…” I said smiling, “Celestia was just messing with you… nothing more.” (I decided to leave out the details of my first interaction with Celestia, God knows what Dawn would’ve done if I told her about the whole ‘thrown up against a wall’ thing.)

Dawn uneasily sat back in her seat, smiling awkwardly as she tried her best not to stare at Luna, but as everyone knows… the more you try not to stare at something the more your eyes fixate on it. I looked to Luna and nudged my head towards her awestruck audience, taking my hint, Luna changed back into the form that Dawn and I knew best. However, that didn’t stop Dawn from staring.

“Um… Dawn?” Luna asked with a sheepish grin, “Could you stop staring at me like that… it’s making it awkward for everyone here…”

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Dawn said quickly averting her gaze, “I didn’t mean to-“

“Jesus calm down Dawn…” I said rolling my eyes, “At least Gordon didn’t act like this when he first met Luna.”

“Gordon… knows?” Dawn asked, to which I responded with a nod. “Who else knows about… this?”

“So far… me… you… and Gordon,” I answered, resenting the last name on the list of the privileged few. “But I’m regretting telling the last one right now.”

“Gordon?” Dawn asked shocked, “but you two have been friends since preschool right? What could’ve-“

“He’s the reason Luna got kidnapped…” I replied coldly before she could complete her thought. “He’s the reason I got shot… the reason Luna almost died…”

Celestia’s ears perked at the last end of my statement. Leaning to my direction, she gave me one of those ‘I’m going to destroy you’ smiles as she placed a clinched fist under her chin.

“This ‘Gordon’…” She said, noticeable anger in her voice, “Is he… anywhere close by chance?”

“He’s been dealt with accordingly.” I said quickly, fearing what exactly she might do to him, (Given what she did to me because of assumption I could only imagine what she would do knowing that it was his fault that her sister nearly died.) “I’m sure that-“

Suddenly the doors opened again, and it just HAD to be Gordon. (I swear there has to be someone writing this shit somewhere, stuff like this isn’t supposed to happen in real life.) He froze momentarily, noticing that there was one more person than he expected in the room with us. Then he got a good look at the extra person, I doubted that he noticed that she looked an awful lot like Luna, because even from where I was sitting I could see his eyes travel downward.

“Is there something wrong?” Celestia asked, snapping Gordon out of his tata trance. “Why are you looking to these?”

Celestia pointed to her breast and inadvertently poked them, causing a small giggle to ripple through them. At that point even I was staring; she just had one of those bodies that you just had to look at. (Not to mention her choice of attire made it hard for anyone not to look in the first place.)

“What?” Gordon said, “Oh… I’m terribly sorry I’m-“

“DAVE!” Dawn yelled surprising everyone in the room, “His name is Dave! He’s a friend!”

Luna and I looked to Dawn dumbfounded, but then we put two and two together at the same time. If we told Celestia that he was Gordon, she may do unspeakable things to him in front of our eyes. Nodding to one another and then to Dawn, we decided to play along.

“Good to see ya Dave…” I said forcing a smile, “Been a little bit hasn’t it? Right Luna?”

“Oh… yes… Dave… it is quite nice to see you Dave.” Luna said through her teeth, “Because that’s your name… Dave…”

“Guys what the hell is going on?” Gordon asked looking to the three of us, “and why are you calling me Dave? Don’t you think the nice woman would like to know my name’s actually Gor-“

Dawn quickly drug Gordon down to her level and began to whisper something in his ear. At first he was very confused, but within a few moments his face turned into a mix of elation and sheer terror, the latter being the only one that remained when Dawn let him go.

“Well…” Celestia said; her eyebrow elevated out of anticipation, “What is your real name?” She rose her hand off her knee, causing Gordon to flinch out of fear.

“DAIVD!” He managed to squeak out, trying his best not to sound terrified (He failed miserably) “I-I let them call me Dave… but I like to be called by my real name when I meet someone new.”

“Well… I am pleased to have your acquaintance David.” Celestia said bowing her head. “I am Princess Celestia… I take it that you have already met my sister?”

“Yup!” Gordon responded quickly, “That’s why I let her call me Dave!”

Even a blind man could tell that Gordon was trying way too hard to convince Celestia of the falsehood that was his new name, but she just stared back into his eyes, almost as if she was looking into his very soul. A few tense seconds passed and the only thing that moved was Celestia’s brow. Finally she leaned back in her chair satisfied with what ‘David’ had to say.

“Very well then…” She said casting her gaze over to Luna, “I believe that you know what happens next.”

Luna looked to Celestia with confusion for a second, but with the nod of her big sister’s head I saw her eyes well up, ready to burst. I placed my hand on her shoulder, ready to ask her what was wrong, but Luna managed to beat me to the punch.

“But…no…” She whimpered, “Not yet… I just-“

“What are you talking about?” I interrupted, “What happens next? I think you’ll have to be a bit clearer on that topic.”

“I thought my presence would be an indicator to my goal.” Celestia said with a long sigh before looking to me. “I’m here to take Luna home.”

“WHAT?!”

“Luna doesn’t belong here…” Celestia explained, “She belongs in Equestria, with her kind.”

“You can’t just do that!” I said, “Who the hell do you think you are?”

Celestia looked to me with a raised eyebrow, (She’s been doing that quite a lot since she’s showed up) but fortunately she remained calm at my little outburst.

“You know very well who I am.” She said taking a deep breath, “And you know who my sister is… that being said you know that we both have duties to attend to in our world.”

“Yeah I know… but…” I tried to think of something to say to convince her otherwise, but arguing with a God-like deity from another universe is a rather difficult task. Then I remembered something from the one episode of that show I did watch.

“You can do both!” Gordon suddenly shouted, saying exactly what I was thinking.

“What?” Celestia asked, tilting her head much like a dog.

“You can do both…” he repeated, smiling to himself, “For one thousand years, it was you who raised the sun AND moon… That alone proves that she doesn’t need to go back to Equestria.”

I looked back to Celestia, who had to process the information for a moment, not that she didn’t understand what he said, I think she was processing it on a more emotional scale than logical.

“David…” She began softly, but you could feel the anger in her voice as she continued. “Though I can do both, it is very taxing on my body, not to mention the added strain of my duties as a princess… Luna and I share an equal load, without her… my life would become far more difficult. Not to mention-”

“But you still don’t need her.” Gordon reiterated, at that statement Celestia stood up and walked over to Gordon taking a deep breath she continued.

“I may be capable of accomplishing our duties alone…” she began, “but she is, and always will be my little sister… she is my blood… and I do need her, there are so few of us left… without her…” Celestia’s initial anger was suddenly replaced with sadness as she turned her attention back to her sister, “I refuse to live without her… not again.”

There were some heavy emotions running through the room at that moment. Celestia was furious at Gordon (or David in this case) for saying that she didn’t need her, but she was also full of sorrow, anyone could tell that she absolutely loved Luna with all her heart. (Especially given the whole ordeal that I saw just before Dawn walked in on the three of us.)

“Tia…” Luna said, bringing everyone’s attention to her, “I-I don’t want to go…”

Celestia and I’s jaws dropped, her big sister had the keys to the kingdom and she was denying them. Hell the whole reason I took her in was to help her get back, and now she wanted to stay? (Not like I wanted her to go, but seriously, why she would possibly deny the opportunity to go back blew my mind.)

“I have traveled across dimensions…” Celestia said awestruck, tears welling up in her eyes, “I have nearly died to save you… are you not grateful for the sacrifices that I have endured to bring you home?”

“Words cannot describe how grateful I am to you sister…” Luna said, “but-“

“Why would you deny your only chance at going home?” Celestia interrupted, placing her hand on Luna’s head, “Did you develop Stockhoof Syndrome in your time here?”

“No I didn’t…” Luna said brushing Celestia’s hand away, “Something else happened.”

Celestia looked to her sister confused, not exactly sure how to react to her sister’s revelation. To tell you the truth, I really didn’t know how to react either, there were only a few reasons that I would decline returning to where I belonged. Then it hit me harder than one of those Acme anvils in the loony tunes. I told her something three days ago and before I came to, she managed to get out the first few words of the most feared and desired sentence in all of humanity.

“What else happened?” Celestia asked, her interest peaked, “Whatever it was it must be important for you not wanting to go home.”

“I think I could explain…” I said raising my hand to get Celestia’s attention.

“Please do.” She replied before I could continue, “My sister was never very forthcoming with important information.”

“Well…” I began looking to the far side of the room. (How was I supposed to explain this to a powerful God-like pony? ‘I love your little sister and she loves me too’? Sounded to blunt, but then again it was better than what some people would say. Given my options I really saw no other way of explaining it.)

“Three weeks ago, we ran into one another, literally…” I continued, “I decided to take her in… and during that time, I’ve been embarrassed, insulted, threatened, arrested, assaulted… even shot.” I stood up from my seat and walked over to Luna, her face was slightly red upon remembering most of those moments. “Hell we’ve been through more than most people go through in a lifetime, but no matter what it’s turned out alright, because she’s been right there with me, Luna’s had my back… and I’ve had hers... because of that we’ve gotten very close… closer than I could’ve ever imagined…” I placed my hand on Luna’s shoulder and looked back to Celestia with a smile, “I love your little sister…”

Celestia, Gordon and Dawn’s jaws unhinged themselves from their skulls. I guess that was quite a surprise for all of them to hear, Luna on the other hand had a completely different reaction. Her eyes and smile became twice the size, a single tear forming on either side of her face. She jumped out of the bed wrapping her arms as tightly around me as she could and then she tightly pressed her lips against mine. This time it didn’t last long, the sound of opening doors made sure of that. I looked to the door, only to see several people behind the three that had just seen me confess my feelings for Luna; only two of them were nodding in approval… my parents. (Ok God and/or writer… if you do exist… stop it… stop it right now…)

“That’s my boy.” May dad said starting a slow clap, “Working that ol’ Ryan charm… even here no woman is immune to it.” (Why me? Will this cruelty ever stop?)

“Leave him be Jack…” My mother said elbowing his side, “He finally admitted that he likes her, let him have his moment.”

Celestia was the first to come out of her dumbfounded trance, but instead of addressing me or Luna she turned to face the small crowd behind her. Instantly everyman in the crowd, including my dad’s, eyes shot directly to Celestia’s chest. She looked to all of them for a few seconds then followed their eyes to what they were staring at. Letting out a long sigh she shook her head.

“Why are the males of this world so infatuated with these?” She asked grabbing them to get a better look at them. Needless to say it didn’t help them to stop their staring. “For the life of me I see no reason for such ogling, the only thing I notice is how they send pain through my back.”

“We can talk about that later…” I said to get her attention. “The fact of the matter is that-“

“I love him too Tia…” Luna said sheepishly, “He has given so much to me without any need for reward other than a thank you… He has shown his willingness to even pay the ultimate price to protect me and there is no garter love than the one that makes you willing to give your life to save another.”

Celestia looked to the two of us and shook her head, (not exactly a good sign) “I’m so sorry sister…” she said sadly, “but you cannot be with him.”

It was Luna and I’s turn to have our jaws drop, we’d finally admitted that we felt something for one another, (though I’m sure it had been there for a bit longer than I’d admit) and she tells us that we can’t. Who the hell is she to tell her sister who she can and can’t fall in love with? I was about to say something, but someone I never expected spoke out in protest first.

“You think my boy isn’t good enough for your sister?” my dad growled, it was very rare to see him that angry, but when you did see it you knew that you insulted either him or his family.

“No…” Celestia replied calmly, turning back to face him. “He is worthy of my sister, far more so than her previous suitor, and given the stock of potential mates I have seen in my short time here, Aedan clearly stands above the others when it comes to physique and looks.”

(Ok… Celestia thinks I’m hot… for a human.)

“But I mustn’t allow such a union…”

“And why not?” I asked, “Don’t you want to see her happy?”

“I do… more than anything I’ve ever wanted.” Celestia replied looking back to me, “But you know she doesn’t belong here.”

“What are you talking about?” My mom asked, “If Luna doesn’t belong here then where does she belong?”

“In a land far too alien for the likes of your species…” Celestia answered, “I simply can’t-“

“How…?” Luna whimpered, fighting back tears.

“What?” Celestia asked turning back to face her.

“How… how could you…” she continued, sniffing. “HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!” she roared, her eyes glowing the purest of whites, “This is the first time I have EVER felt this way about anything! And YOU want to take it away from me?!”

“Luna…” Celestia whispered, “Please…”

“NO!” She roared back, the flow of tears “I finally found someone to care about who feels the same way! He doesn’t want any power or money he loves me because I’m ME!” A brief silence fell on the room, prompting everyone except the three and my parents to leave us to our devices. “How… how can I even call you my sister?”

Anyone could tell that her last sentence cut through Celestia like a lightsaber through warm butter, but she maintained her calm. (Don’t really know how she managed to do so, maybe just a lot of practice.)

“Luna…” Celestia said softly to her sister, “Do you really think I would do something so cruel to you?” she tried to turn Luna’s face so she could see her, but Luna was having none of it. Taking a deep breath she sat next to Luna, who instantly twisted her head in the opposite direction.

“There is always a reason behind what I do Luna…” she continued, “I’m not acting out of cruelty, I’m doing this to protect our subjects.”

“In the same way you did so long ago?” Luna added; her tone soaked in anger.

“Luna if you stay here then Equestria will be left without its night guardian… as well as losing one of its best defenses… You know very well that current events have been spiraling downward… who knows what ancient threat may arise at any given moment these days.”

“Then I’ll just come with you.” I said without thinking, “From what I’ve seen your guard could use better training.”

“What the hell are they talking about?” My dad asked. “Subjects, guards, Equester… I don’t get it…”

“Dawn… please explain.” I said keeping my eyes on the other two. Luna’s sorrow was replaced with a small smile at my suggestion, but the elder just shook her head.

“I couldn’t allow that either…” She said sadly, “The risk is too great.”

“What risk?” Luna asked, finally facing her sister. “What harm could possibly come out of him traveling to our world?”

“He may tear it apart our reality.” Celestia answered much to our surprise.

“What do you-“

“He is from this dimension,” Celestia explained, “there is a risk that when he enters ours that me may tear it apart just because of his presence there.”

“I came into this world!” Luna replied, “No ill came of it!”

“And you have no idea how lucky we are for that…” Celestia said softly, “That was another reason why I never wanted Twilight to test her theory… she may have murdered countless life forms in alternate realities, it was only when I knew you were still alive that I mounted this rescue mission.”

“So there is a chance that he may be able to come with us?”

“Only if you want to risk every living soul in Equestria…” Celestia replied, “Is that something you really wish to do.”

Luna froze for a moment. I personally couldn’t believe that she may have even considered taking a risk like that. I did the only thing I could think of.

“No…” I said for her, “I won’t risk that many lives…”

“Aedan…” Luna whimpered, her eyes were unable to produce tears anymore, “But I-“

“I’ll be fine Luna…” I said, bringing her close, “I’ve lost loved ones before… I can do it again…” (I was lying of course, the thought of losing her tore my entire being apart.)

“If ya love her…” A voice said from behind me, “Then you shouldn’t have to lie to her like that…”

I turned around to see my dad standing right behind me with a smile I hadn’t seen since I was eight years old. Pulling me into himself he gave me a bear hug that would’ve crushed a normal man.

“Dad…” I managed to say. “Dad I-“

“Now you listen here boy.” He said releasing me, “Your mother and I have been married for nearly twenty seven years, but there was a time that I’d thought I’d lose her.”

“We were just out of high school…” My mom continued, “I was about to go to college, and he was getting ready to go to boot camp. We didn’t think that we would be able to stay together… we did only start dating a few months prior to graduation.”

“We both called it off, saying that it was for the best…” My dad added, “But it didn’t take long for us to realize that we were lying to each other.”

“Four years…” My mom said placing her hand on his shoulder, “Your father traveled the world for four years while I ran around the world trying to become a better architect…sure we tried to stay in touch, but we never did anything else.”

“I’m not seeing the point of this…” I said looking back to Luna.

“Let us finish son…” Mom said, “the years passed… we were both about twenty-eight… I finally found a nice apartment in Kansas City… and guess who my neighbor was?”

“Dad?” I asked.

“You bet your ass I was.” He said proudly pulling mom in close. “We got married a few months later… and the rest is history.”

“I’m still not understanding all of this…” I said scratching my head.

“What we’re trying to say son…” my dad began.

“Is that if you love someone… and I mean really love someone…” My mom continued, “The universe has a funny way of bringing you back together, even if she’s… well a… pony.”

“You believed that?”

“We saw her do that ‘headlight’ eyes thing…” Dad said with a smile, “I’m inclined to believe in just about anything right now… even a weird hybrid bat/bird/horse/lion/lizard/eagle that acts like Q from Star Trek”

“Oddly specific…” I said raising an eyebrow. “But she’s a pony… I’m a human… the only…”

The little wheel in my head began to turn. It may have been a long shot but it was worth at least asking.

“Celestia.” I said to gain her attention.

“Yes Aedan?” she replied, “What do you need?”

“Luna can turn into a human right?”

“Yes… that’s how she was able to hide herself…”

“And then back to a pony… right?”

“Correct.”

Then the wheels started turning in side Luna’s head as well. “I could change him into a pony!” she said excitedly, surprising Celestia a bit. “Would that work?”

“That may decrease the chances greatly…” Celestia said pondering, “But you would still run the risk of destroying the world.”

“You did the same thing coming here.” I said, “I guessing you turned into that human before you came here as a precaution?”

“Yes but…”

“Your world didn’t end when you took that form in your world…” I said rising an eyebrow.

“That’s different!” She replied, “I already belonged there!”

“And Luna was a pony when she came here…” I pointed out, “One could stand to reason that the same effects would happen in your world.”

“Well yes but…” Celestia said worried. “Are you willing to risk everything for just one?”

“I think I’ve proved that already…” I said throwing one arm around Luna and placing my free hand over my newest scar.

“What about your life here?” Celestia asked, “Are you willing to give up everything you have? Your friends? Your family?”

Honestly I hadn’t thought of that until she brought it up. Was I really willing to leave the one place I had ever called home? Sure I was living an average life, nothing really special about it, but I had great friends in Dawn and formally Gordon. I had parents that even though made most of my recent meetings with them ungodly awkward, but I still loved them.

“I…” I was trying to find an answer to the unanswerable question. Either choice would break a heart, if I chose Luna then everything I once knew would be gone and everyone who cares about me would lose me forever. Yet if I chose to stay, Luna’s heart would shatter, along with mine. As I debated it inside my mind the answer came from one of the other people in the room.

“If you love her…” My dad said. “Then stay with her… I couldn’t think of a better reason to leave.”

“I’ve made plenty of people disappear…” Gordon said with a smile, “After all that’s happened… it’s the least I could do.”

I was still upset with him, (after what he did I’m sure that anyone would be) but he was willing to wipe my slate clean so I could go to God knows where with someone I’d meet three weeks ago. (Love makes you want to do stupid things… I mean REALLY stupid things.)

“Follow your heart…” Dawn added, rubbing the small diamond on her hand, “It’ll always lead you to happiness.”

I didn’t know what to say, the people that were closest to me were telling me that if there was a chance to go with this girl that I should take it and not look back. That was a big revelation, sure they may have not wanted me to go, but they were willing to let me chase my feelings. My mix of elation and terror were soon cut off by Celestia’s calm, understanding voice.

“Even if we WERE considering the thought of Aedan coming to our world…” She said rubbing her chin, “There would still be some moral implications…”

“Moral implications?” Luna and I asked simultaneously.

“Absolutely,” she continued, “There is a significant age gap between you two; you are far too young-“

“If you look at her records I’m technically older by eighteen months…” I said sarcastically. That prompted a small giggle from Luna and a cocked eyebrow from her older sister.

“Very well…” She said crossing her arms, “What of your feelings? You are a ‘human’ or so you say, my sister is a pony… is this not an issue to you?”

“Well… honestly it was at first…” I answered, slightly ashamed that my once mighty moral code was torn to shreds by a girl that I’d known for three weeks. “But as the days passed, I saw that there was a lot more to her than just a misplaced pony… I saw a young woman who was just as lost as I was in this world, she taught me to open up, she showed me that there was more to life than what I had and oddly enough… she showed me how to be more human…”

Celestia along with everyone else looked at me somewhat dumbfounded, (More than likely wondering how the hell a pony posing as a human could teach a human how to be human) but it was the truth. In her short time here she had taught me a lot about things I already thought I knew, compassion, humility, humor… Not to mention reminding me true loyalty and the meaning of sacrifice, which after I left the military I seemed to have all but forgotten.

“Even if you truly feel that way, there is still one problem…” Celestia said, “My sister and I may have survived is because we are in essence immortal…”

“She sure as hell wasn’t immortal when she got shot.” Gordon said.

“Perhaps the longer you spend in this world the more you become like the inhabitants…” Celestia explained, “but that being said an Alicorn can’t die my normal means, and on our reality… magic is normal, under most circumstances that is… Aedan may not survive if we were to take him.”

Luna’s eyes shrank, but I remained adamant, “I’ve proven how far I’m willing to go for her…” I said looking to Luna and then my parents and friends “They have already given me their blessing, all I really need is yours.”

There were several moments of silence, most of it consisting of Celestia looking over Luna, myself and the rest of the crew. Finally she let out a deep sigh.

“Very well…” she said shaking her head, “if you are willing to risk so much… and if the risk of our reality being destroyed by your arrival there is at the absolute minimum I suppose we could endeavor in taking you with us…”

Luna and I instantly lit up, and within seconds we were in each other’s arms but before we could continue our celebration we were cut off by Celestia yet again.

“But I should bring up one last thing…” she said, you could almost feel the chill in her words as she spoke, “You are mortal… Luna, in our reality at least, is not… your lifetime will be nothing but a moment… a blink of an eye to her…”

“Then let me make that blink the best she’s ever had…” I replied, “Let me make that single ‘moment’ in her life the most unforgettable moment she’ll ever have… let me love her.” (God I sound SO cheesy right now.)

My thoughts were cut short my Luna jumping onto me like a spider monkey and squeezing me so tightly that I couldn’t breathe. The fact that I was going to die someday seemed to be overshadowed by what Celestia and I had just recently said, but I just returned the embrace and pressed my lips against Luna’s. (Hell, I’ll worry about the future when it gets here, I’ll be happy with Luna now)

The act was enough to even let a small smile to run across Celestia’s face as he watched her sister pretty much grope some guy she didn’t know very well. (Different cultures I guess) After a few more seconds of Luna testing her grip on me she finally granted me a few moments to breathe.

“I guess it’s settled then…” I said with a smile, “I’m coming too.”

“If that is truly what you wish…” Celestia said, “I pray I’m wrong…”

“I’ll get to my computer in a few minutes buddy…” Gordon said patting my shoulder, “You won’t be needed ‘round here anymore.”

“Thanks Gordon…” I said, before I could catch myself. Dawn. Luna, Gordon and I all covered our moths and looked back to Celestia with terror, expecting her to go postal or at least force choke him, but she just stared him down with her ever so present raised eyebrow. (Granted if she was looking at me like that I may have been intimidated)

“So… YOU are this Gordon I have heard about?” She asked, her shadow enveloping him completely.

At that moment Gordon hit his knees and wrapped his arms around the one leg that was exposed in her dress. “I DIDN’T MEAN TO!” he begged, “FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY DON’T SEND ME TO THE MOON!”

It was pathetic to see a grown man groveling like that, (in truth it was also a bit funny, though I’d never admit it) Celestia however continued to stare at him, her expression unfeeling.

“You are the one responsible for the near death of my sister…” she said coldly, commanding him to rise, “You are the reason that I may have lost my sister… forever…”

Gordon continued to cower in her presence while the rest of us looked on, our curiosity beating out any fear we had. “It’s your fault that she’s here; it’s your fault that I nearly lost MY life in order save her…”

“I’m so, SO SORRY…” Gordon whimpered, “Please… don’t-“

“Silence…” She said sharply pushing her finger against his lips with her eyes beginning to glow, “You nearly cost Equestria not only it’s co-ruler, but my one and only sister… one of the few that still carry the bloodline of my father… I must think of a punishment most fitting of your crime…”

She paused for a second as wind began to whip up around her causing loose objects and her hair to sway from side to side. Then in a flash of light everything stopped swaying, Celestia’s hair fell flat on her shoulders and her eyes stopped glowing. I expected to see an ash pile, but to my surprise Gordon was still standing there, tears still pouring out of his eyes.

“I… I…” I said, still noticeably shaken from the experience, “I don’t-“

“But I must return to Equestria with haste…” Celestia interrupted, “so your heartfelt apology will have to suffice…” Before Gordon could let out a sigh of relief however, Celestia pulled him in close to issue one last warning, “But if you EVER do it again…” she growled, her eyes glowing.

“Never again!” Gordon replied quickly, the terror in his eyes returning.

“Good…” Celestia said with a smile as she turned to Luna and I once again, “Are you ready for our journey?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I said, Luna nodding at my side.

“Then let’s not waste any more time.” Celestia said waving her hand at the wall, causing a tear between realities.

I was expecting it to look more epic, but it was just a simple archway that was glowing in with bright blue light. (No lightning, no gale force winds, no Kurt Russell… overall it was very disappointing)

“I can’t wait to show you the world I’m from.” Luna said with a smile tugging at my hand, (I guess it still hadn’t registered that I might DIE because of this.) but before I could take another step I was spun around by my dad one last time.

“I… I guess this is it…” He said, forcing a smile, “I guess we gotta say goodbye…”

“I guess so…” I said, having the realization hit me harder than ever, “I guess-“

“Let me just say something first…” he interrupted, “I know that your mother tells you stuff like this all the time, but you’re my son too…” his eyes began to water, fighting back a torrent that he’s been keeping pent up for nearly a quarter of a century. “I’m proud of you Aedan…” he managed to say before a single tear fell from his eye, “I love you.”

That took me back, nearly so much that I could feel my legs buckle under his words. Dad was never the one to show emotion, he was the typical Irish dad in that aspect. (As well as the drinking and church going but that wasn’t the point here.) He finally said what I always knew, it was exactly like all those sappy movies and T.V. shows. I wrapped him up as best I could, knowing that it might just be the last time I could ever get the chance.

“I love you too… dad.” I said back, finally letting him go. “I always will.”

“That’s my boy…” he said forcing that smile again as he patted my shoulder, “Now run along… the girl’s waiting for ya.”

“I will dad…” I said, “But-“

“You can’t leave without saying goodbye to your mother!” My mom said, constricting me without warning.

“Goodbye mom…” I said with a tear in my eye. (Both from her squeezing me so tight and my sadness.)

“You better write when you can.” She said half-jokingly, “I don’t want to go months without a peep again.”

“Will do…” I said laughing a bit.

I then turned to Dawn and Gordon, who were fighting their own emotions at the moment. First I went to Gordon, he was still shaken, his blood dried onto his shirt after I punched him a few hours ago. He turned away, ashamed for what he had done and possibly fearful for what I was about to do. The slight fear became very noticeable when I sent my hand in his direction for a solid shake.

“You’ve been that best damn friend I’ve ever had Gordon…” I said wrapping him up without warning, “A few hours of being tricked isn’t going to change that…”

“Just be good out there man…” he said pushing away with a weak smile, “You’re fulfilling the fantasy of over thirty million people right now.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I chuckled.

Finally I turned to Dawn who just shook her head at me with a smile. “You’re a crazy bastard…” She said standing on her tiptoes so she could hug me better.

“Would you like me if I were any different?” I asked lifting her up so she could look me square in the eyes.

“I guess not…” she said rolling her eyes, “Now put me down, you’ve got places to be.”

I nodded and took my place next to Luna and Celestia, ready to take the next big step in my life, but before I could my dad just had to say one last thing.

“Take care of him Luna…” He said wiping the tears out of his eyes, “That’s my son you’ve got there… that’s MY son…”

“I will Mr. Ryan…” She replied nodding before looking back to me with loving eyes, “I’ll return the favor tenfold…”

Luna then planted one of those kisses on the cheek that the moment you get one you know what happens next, but that had to wait. Now we needed to go through a portal that could easily kill me or send the world on the other side straight to hell. Needless to say I was nervous, but when I felt Luna’s fingers entangling mine I knew that I had to take it on faith and with one last deep breath I took that step into the portal, and no matter what happens… I know at least that Luna would be at my side… and that’s all I could really ask for.

Author's Notes:

I'M SO SORRY THAT THIS TOOK SO LONG! (but then again you can't make a writing schedule when you're a Marine)
At least it's 2,000 words longer than the longest chapter right?
Dawn has seen... but she does NOT believe...
Celestia put those thins away... they're distracting!
Oh hey Gor-uh... I mean Dave! Yeah! DAVE! (Aedan goes head to head with the forth wall here )
Is he gonna say it? Is he gonna SAY IT?! IS HE GONNA SAY IT?!?!?
ERMIGAWD! HE F&%$ING SAID IT! x infinite!
Oh... hai... mum... and dad... (DAMN YOU AWKWARD WRITER!)
We will ALL fall at the sight of Balloonestia!
AWWW They love each other ... ... WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY CAN'T BE TOEGHTER?!?
Stay away from Aedan Tia... Luna might go Nightmare on your ass.
Wow... that's a really REALLY good reason...
Oh... an idea! Go with the idea!
Aedan's dad?! With life lesson advice!?!?!
Aedan dropped his code... for the girl that ran into him... awww
Aedan with the cheesy feels!
AW S&%# Tia know about Gordon!
A good ruler is a merciful one... even when she has to give mercy because she doesn't have much time.
A portal to another dimension and Kurt Russell isn't there?!?! BLASPHEMY!
Aedan's dad with the FEELS! (Insert every sad looking pony pock here)
Now that we've said our goodbyes... we must take our leave... wait... oh GOD... THEY FORGOT TO TURN HIM INTO A PONY!
You know the drill people... get to it!