They stand around the vortex, it's swirling light casting their faces in light and darkness rhythmically. They stare, waiting for the portal to reach it's maximum before venturing closer. One to many tragic mishaps with such anomalies have taught them an uneasy patience. He has his shoulders weighed under the heavy backpack, while she has her saddlebag draped over her back. Her wings are tucked tightly against her.

He looks at her. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

She looks back. "I'm sure. You got to see my world, so I want to see yours."

He sighs, and looks back at the vortex. "Alright, if you're sure."

"I'm sure." She looks at the vortex. Given all that's happened, the other ponies weren't particularly up to the task of seeing them off. Even Princess Celestia had opted out, leaving only Princess Luna to see Twilight Sparkle and her companion off. Luna was obviously distraught, despite her best efforts to appear in control of her emotions.

"You promise to take care of her?" Her voice wavered faintly. She had long ago stopped using the royal form of her language in the presence of Taylor, and had also long ago stopped pretending to be an emotionless robot. "You promise she'll be safe?"

Taylor looks back at her. "Yes, she'll be safe. Hell, she'll probably be safer than me." He looks at Twilight, and he chuckles. "Probably."

"This is not a joking matter," Luna said sternly. Beside her sits a filly, looking at the clouds. The filly looks just like Twilight Sparkle, sans cutie mark and wings. "Twilight has responsibilities back here at home."

Twilight looks back at the filly. "I know," she coos. She trots over to the filly, redirects the filly's attention to her. "Listen, Mommy is going to go away for a while, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy," The filly looks sad. Although the filly doesn't fully seem to understand what is going on, she seems aware enough to be sad, and slightly. "You'll come back?"

"Yes, Mommy will come back."

Luna looks at the man. "And you? Will you.... come back?"

The man looks at the vortex, then back at Luna. The rhythm of light-and-darkness plays off of her flowing mane, which suddenly seems to have lost volume. He sighs. "I don't know. I want to come back, but honestly.... I just don't know."

While Twilight plays with her filly one last time, Luna walks over to the man. She looks at him, eyes equal, her vision blurring with tears. She forces them closed. A tear runs down he cheek.

She steps closer to him, forcing her head against his chest. She nuzzles him, fighting back tears. "Please don't go...." she whispers between silently flowing sobs. "I'll miss you so very, very much."

He rubs a hand down her neck, his fingers intertwining themselves in her hair. "I have to."

Luna doesn't respond. Twilight looks back, meets his eyes before blushing and looking back at the filly, playing again.

The man places his free hand on Luna's head, still stroking her mane. He holds her close to him. "Shhhh....." he hushes in her hair. Her ears fold back, her body trembling.

The silent sobs subside, but her body is still trembling. Enough sleepless nights are enough for the man to tell that the lunar princess was falling apart inside. He knew. The princess, the younger of the two sisters, had always been more emotional, and ever since his arrival in Equestria had had a very deep affection for him. Many sleepless nights he had held her while she wept over her ruined past.

Perhaps it is fitting that now, as he leaves, he is holding her again as she weeps. Finally, she is in control enough of herself to pull herself from his chest, to open her eyes and look at him. "Just promise me you'll be safe. Please."

"I'll be safe. We'll both be safe." The man looks at Twilight. The vortex light reflects from her eyes. He kisses Luna's forehead, then nods to Twilight. "It's time."

Twilight kisses her filly goodbye then joins the man at the edge of the vortex.

"Here we go," the man says.

"Here we go," Twilight echoes his thoughts.

"Come back to me," Luna says behind them. "Both of you."

Together, the man and the alicorn step through the vortex, leaving Equestria behind them. Next Chapter: Intelligence, Part 1 [Raptor Red] Estimated time remaining: 13 Minutes