I rush into my bedroom, and close the door behind me. Snatching up my cell phone from its place on my night table, I bend one of the slats in my window shade to take a look outside. There’s nothing suspicious, just a small black cat running by.

“Hey, Pete, what’s up? Did something happen?”

My heart hammering, I stammer, “The government is covering up the bang this morning, I think the FBI is on its way.”

Just then, I hear the telltale hum of a car motor. Risking a peek through the blinds, I see a standard black car stop by my house.

“What!?”

“Yeah, I’m gunna try your idea if they do.”

“Peter, don’t do anything stupid!”

I hang up, and drop the phone in my pocket.

I hope this works, because if it doesn’t...

Well, I don’t want to think about that.

I begin to pace, and glance over at the ponies.

Fluttershy is staring up at me from the sock drawer, her front hooves dangling over the edge of the wooden drawer. Somehow, she can tell that I’m on the verge of hysteria, as she calmly, and cutely, holds up her hooves to me with a small smile.

Smiling back, I pick up the yellow Pegasus and cradle her gently. She presses her hoof to my hand, covering a large portion of the center of my hand's dorsal. Smiling up at me, Fluttershy pats my hand, as if to say, “everything will be alright.”

Which gives me an idea. As I hear the car door slam shut outside, and the black shoes pad across the sidewalk, I quickly review the plan in my mind.

When I’ve decided that it’s the best choice, I kiss Fluttershy on the forehead, and whisper to her.

“Daddy has to do something a bit risky. I might have to let another man hold you, if everything goes okay. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe.”

In response, Fluttershy nods, and presses a hoof to my cheek, as if to say, “I trust you.” She can perfectly understand me, and so can the other ponies. It’s just a matter of time until they finally speak...

The doorbell rings, and I gently set the filly down on my bed.

“Mr. Mactylan, my name is Agent Brown, of the Federal Bureau of Investigations. May I have a moment of your time?” The well-dressed man at my door says.

“Yes, yes,” I sigh. “Come on in. Would you like some coffee?”

“No, thank you,” he dryly states as he follows me into the hallway, stopping just past my doorframe. Straightening his black tie, interlaced with blue stripes, he gets right down to business.

“As I have already said, my name is Agent Brown, of the FBI.”

I nod him on, wondering why he felt the urge to repeat himself...

“We have reason to believe that a nuclear weapon was transported to this area early this morning. Would you happen to know about any such activities, Mr. Mactylan?”

I take a deep breath. “Follow me.”

He raises an eyebrow with a smile, and follows me into the bedroom.

And his jaw drops.

“These fourteen ponies were somehow teleported to my house this morning, in cardboard boxes,” I explain as I sit down and pick up Fluttershy, cradling her gently in my arms. “I took them in, and my friend and I are going to care for them.”

Agent Brown shakes his head in disbelief. “These are unprecedented species. Pegasi? Unicorns? I don’t know much about science, but I do know that we’re going to need to size them, and experiment on them.”

I shake my head in response, wondering why he’s being so...Lenient. As in, why doesn’t he just take them? I decide not to question it, and instead say, “no, you’re not.”

The agent of the Bureau simply raises his eyebrows. “Oh?”

I take a deep breath, and look down at Fluttershy, and then divert my gaze to the sock drawer. A few of the babies have begun to stir, (namely Twilight, Celestia, Luna, and Derpy Hooves,) and are watching Agent Brown with curiosity.

Focusing on the image of Derpy Hooves gumming away at my sock for strength, (and reassurance that I’m doing the right thing,) I make an offer.

“If they are granted full U.S. citizenship, I will adopt them, and, as their parent, I will put them through school, and...” I falter, and take a deep, shuddering breath as I steel my nerves. “And, I will donate their bodies for when they...Pass away.”

Agent Brown raises his eyebrow in surprise.

And, something happens, something that I don’t notice at the time.

The investigative, questioning spark in his eyes...Disappears.

“You...” He begins. “You’re a stronger man than I. you obviously love these...Ponies, as your own daughters, to risk everything for them.” He sighs, and pulls out his cell phone. “Besides, my brother would never forgive me if I risked Fluttershy’s life...”

I smile, and Fluttershy begins to clap her hooves at my regained confidence. “So, you understand that they’re intelligent? And basically human?”

He nods, and pockets the Smart Phone. The blank look in his eyes still remains unnoticed by me. “I’ll ask the Director, and the President, about it,” he states, smiling down at Fluttershy despite himself. As he turns to leave, the man shoots one last comment over his shoulder.

“Good luck.”

Suddenly, curiosity grips me. “Hey, wait,” I urge him. Agent Brown quickly reappears in the doorframe of my bedroom door, raising his eyebrows. It’s now that I notice the blank look in his eyes.

But I make nothing of it.

“Hm?”

“Why did you think that there was a nuclear weapon here?”

He straightens his tie, and clears his throat. “We have Geiger counters stationed all over America, just to ensure that there are no radioactive weapons being handled. The Geiger counter here sent a spiked signal, and we reacted, pulling the bang that supposedly occurred from local news, so as to cover up a potential lapse in security.”

I nod, but have another question. “Why are you so forthcoming with this information?”

He shrugs. “Because I trust you, I guess.”

I raise my eyebrows, and that’s when I notice the blank look in his eyes.

And when I hear the voice of the alicorn, hypnotically erasing any and all questions from my mind.

Why is he so willing to help me? Why isn’t he just freaking out about the ponies from a cartoon show coming to life?

Don’t question it, little one. Let all your questions, slip away.

Yeah, but why didn’t he question it?

Because I told him not to.

So, you changed his mind?

Yes, and all to help you, little one-

At that moment, the soothing, feminine voice is replaced with a rough, masculine voice.

Don’t listen to her! She doesn’t want to help you, she only wants to –

The voice immediately fades, and the alicorn’s voice returns.

Don’t listen to him. He’s someone who would see the world I am in returned to chaos...

Who was that? And what do you really want?

Don’t question it, little one...

Just tell me what in the hell is going on!

Young one, there is much more going on here than you could possibly understand at the current time. I will tell you, but only when you are ready. So, until then...Have faith in me, and don't, question, anything I do for you, and your ponies.

And I don’t.

I decide not to question it, as it will get me nowhere.

My will to question things slip away, and I feel a new will to play along with events, and to revel in my recent success.