August 12

Dear Fluttershy,

This is Gilda. I don’t know if you remember my hand writing.

Yesterday me and Rainbow Dash had a long and mostly uninteresting drive to the university. We had a minor delay form our radiator overheating. We had to reattach the fan. Then half an hour later we got stuck in traffic. That took two hours. All i can say is that it could have been worse.

Today was our first real soccer practice. Rainbow Dash was so pumped it was hysterical. The best part was watching her enthusiasm slowly drain as today we spent two hours doing conditioning and only a few drills at the end.

The thing is she has no sense of pacing. I advised her to not to go all out . save your energy and strength.I told her we were going to do hard core conditioning for most of practice. Don’t over exert yourself. She didn’t listen to me… She is going to be sore tomorrow! I can’t wait to rub it in. new bie.

It is so nice to be back. I really bonded with some of the women last year and it is nice to see them again. We have our first dinner on Wednesday! I am really excited. Coach calls them team functions but we call them team dinners. We start off talking serious and eating and then coach leaves and we party. No drugs though. We doing bonding games or other tell stores or dare each other to do stuff. The first dinner we play melting pot. I can’t wait to watch Rainbow squirm on the hot seat.

It isn’t all fun and games. First day and I’m already getting invasive questions about my condition. Freshman. It don’t get it! I don’t ask them invasive questions about their genitalia or hormones. Why should they be allowed to ask me?

Rainbow Dash is paying some video game that Applejack got her. She won’t shut up about it. I can hear her over my head phones. I think I’m going to go remind her she needs to use headphones for loud stuff like that.

Gilda Norton

Twilight woke up with Shake Your Tail stuck in her head. She sighed and got up.

She ate hash browns and sausages for breakfast and then headed out the door. Her drive to work was peaceful. The sky was overcast in a way that was beautiful. She pulled into the gravel parking lot of the dog training facility and parked.

Several dogs barked as she walked up to the door.

“Good Morning Twilight! Are you ready to work with Boomer?”

“Definitely!”

Twilight pulled out her staff key lanyard. And went to go get the dog. Boomer was a German shepherd pit-bull mix. Boomer was paired with a girl with downs syndrome and was nearing the end of his training. “Hey Boomer! Are you ready to start!”

Twilight took Boomer through all of the activities he needed to be able to perform in a different order then he did last time. He was a little slow on the push the elevator button command but was much better at the push the wheelchair button command. And he officially knew when not to walk across the street.

Twilight took off his harness and played with him after filing the paperwork. He loved fetch.

Twilight then swapped dogs with another volunteer. She did basic obedience training with a four month old golden Labrador puppy named Lacy. Lacy needed to grasp the concept of stay. She really wanted to play but Twilight was persistent. Every time the puppy left the spot she picked up the puppy and took her back and said stay. She was careful not to gesture at all. Eventually Lacy stayed and Twilight gave her a bowl of food which in excitement she spilled everywhere.

After that they moved on to sit. Lacy had already worked on this with a different volunteer and Twilight was making sure she remembered. Lacy mostly wanted to eat Twilight’s socks. Eventually Lacy remembered.

Twilight left work feeling happy. She loved working with the dogs and puppies and knowing she was helping people who needed them added a sense of purpose. True, all of the buyers were rich but, well there is only so much one can do sometimes.

Twilight drove her car to Sunset’s apartment. (She had returned her father’s car and picked up her own Sunday night.) She knocked on the door and got no answer. She stood there for a moment and then got her phone out. She was about to call Sunset when the sound of Sunset’s motorcycle caught her attention.

Sunset walked up the steps.

“Hey Twilight! Sorry my boss kept me a little late.” Sunset got her keys out and unlocked the door.

“No problem. My boss let me out a little early.”

The two of them walked into Sunset’s apartment. Sunset went to her kitchen aria and got a bag of chips out. “I can make nachos.” she suggested.

“Do you have anything else?”

“Lettuce.”

“Nachos it is.”

Sunset got out a plate and a can of beans. “How was work?” Sunset asked.

“It was wonderful!”

“Nice. My day was fine. I got to listen to music today! It made it less boring to filed paperwork and make copies.”

“Nice!”

After the nachos were done Sunset and Twilight sat down to eat.

“Wow. You are really good at making nachos.” Twilight commented.

“Why are you surprised?”

Twilight blushed “I guess I am just so used to gourmet that I forget that people can make amazing food with very little.”

“Well I am glad I can whip up something you like.”

Twilight's phone rang.

“Who is it?”

“Moon Dancer…” Twilight answered her phone.

“Twilight?” Moon Dancer’s voice wavered.

“Yes it’s me Twilight. Are you okay?”

“No.” Moon’s voice broke. “Sunset is missing. She was kidnapped.”

“What!” Twilight almost shouted.

Sunset looked at her. Twilight put her phone on speaker.

“On Sunday. She went to lunch with her boss and never called me to pick her up. I went to the restaurant where she ate lunch and she wasn’t there. I went to the the police station and they said they had received a call from the restaurant for a woman who was panicking about strange men grabbing her. They played the recording and it was her. Also they found her phone at the site. They don’t know what happened!”

“That’s horrible. They don’t know anything about the people who could have taken her?”

“Well they have a guess. Several people called and reported a group of men dressed in medieval style armor carrying spears. They were wondering around downtown on Sunday afternoon. All the reports said they had bad balance but looked very strong”

“The Canterlot guards.” Sunset said.

“What?” both Twilight and Moon Dancer said. Twilight cleaned her glasses.

“Who is that?” Moon Dancer asked.

“Sun- Uhh… Dusk. I’m at her apartment.”

“Do you think you know who rook Rai?”

Sunset opened her mouth to speak but didn’t. After a moment she said. “Moon Dancer I need to talk to you in person.”

“In person? Why?”

“You’ll understand when we talk.”

“But I’m…” Moon stuttered. “Never mind where do you want me to meet you.”

“How long will it take you to get here?”

“Why does it matter?” asked Twilight.

“It matters because if I’m right about who took her and where we need to get the others involved. How long until you can get to downtown Canterlot?”

“Three hours unless I hit bad traffic.”

“Okay. Let’s see if Pinkie Pie can host a friendship meeting.”

“Uhh… Moon Dancer can we call you back in a moment?”

“Yeah. Text me with an address. I’m going to pack and start driving.”

“Okay. Talk to you in a moment.” Twilight hung up.

Sunset ran into her bed room and grabbed her journal. She opened up and began writing.

Dear princess Twilight,

We just received word that the other Sunset has been kidnapped the people suspected are a group of men spotted walking around in armor and carrying spears. This sound like the castle guards. Please let me know if you or Celestia ordered this. I won’t be mad if someone ordered me to get kidnapped. We need to know immediately.

If so you got the wrong Sunset.

Pony Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset closed the book and took a deep breath.

“What did you say?”

“I asked the princess to see if the kidnapping was on their end. I think the men are Canterlot castle guards. Most likely Princess Celestia wanted to see me and sent her guards to bring me back and they found the other Sunset.”

“Canterlot?”

“Yeah. Back home this place is the capital of an entire land. About half the continent.”

“Right. So you think Equestrian ponies came here and kidnapped your human counterpart?”

“Well yeah. Who else wears armor around town.”

“Fair enough. Let’s call for an emergency meeting.”

Two hours later at 6:30 Applejack arrived at Pinkie Pie’s house. Pinkie Pie immediately dragged her into the kitchen to help her cook. Applejack put an apple pie in the oven and cut up vegetables for salad while Pinkie Pie through toppings on to a pizza crust.

Almost an hour later Fluttershy walked in the door and sat on a couch. Sunset and Twilight walked in next. Pinkie Pie greeted then and offered everyone Popcorn. Applejack was watching the clock and counting down until the food would be done.

“So like I said this meeting will be different because we will have a guest. So do we want to change how we do things or not?” Asked Sunset.

“I think check ins would still be good for us. Someone might have news they want to share. She can chose weather or not she wants to check in.” said Pinkie Pie.

There was a knock on the door. Pinkie Pie bounced over to get it. Pinkie Pie took one look at Moon Dancer and knew she was in desperate need of smile. She looked miserable. “Come in! My name is Pinkie Pie. Welcome to my house! Can I get you anything? Food? Water? Soda? We are going to have pizza and apple pie. Do you have any allergies?” Pinkie Pie bounced up and down with excitement.

Moon Dancer looked at Pinkie pie with a mix of alarm and confusion.

“I’ll take a glass of water.” she said quietly.

Pinkie Pie zipped off to the kitchen.

Applejack pulled the Pizza out and set it down before bring out the Pie.

“The first Pizza is done.” she called out. She began cutting it into eighths. There was a general murmur of excitement for her friends. She carried the cut pizza out to the table and set it next to a stack of plates that Pinkie Pie had set out. She went back into the Kitchen and put the second Pizza in the oven. She checked the clock. 7:42. She set an alarm on her phone and then went back into the living room. The group was sitting on the couches all except Moon Dancer who looked like she felt out of place.

“Hey Moon Dancer. Do you remember me?”

“Applejack!” Moon Dancer said relieved.

“It is nice to see you again.”

“Definitely.” Moon Dancer took a plate and a piece of pizza.

The door opened and Rarity entered. “Oo! The food smells wonderful!” Rarity rushed to the table and got a slice.

She moved over and sat next to Fluttershy. Applejack led Moon Dancer over to the couch that Pinkie Pie was on. She sat next to Pinkie Pie and Moon Dancer sat next to her.

“So let's start our meeting with check ins. We say how we are feeling and any news we have. We normally go around clockwise. Moon Dancer you do not have to participate if you want.” Pinkie Pie informed her.

Moon Dancer nodded. She still looked a little apprehensive but not quite as uncomfortable.

“I’ll go first” Applejack volunteered. “I am doing well. The RSVPs for Big Macintosh's wedding all came back. All the people he wanted to come are going to be there. We have quite the guest list. Granny says this will be the most attended wedding she has ever been too. Big Mac and Cheerilee are trying not to get nervous. I’m happy for them.”

“That’s wonderful!” Rarity said.

Applejack turned to Pinkie Pie. “I am doing super duper awesome! I had a great day. I made birthday cakes all morning and frosted cupcakes all afternoon! Next!”

“My work day was relaxing. I got to listen to music and I didn’t have to deal with anything gross.” Said Sunset. “I am doing fine.”

The alarm on Applejack’s phone went off and she rushed into the kitchen to get the second pizza out of the oven. Applejack sliced it and brought it out. She dished herself and Sunset, Pinkie Pie and Rarity came for another slice.

Once they were seated they continued their check in.

“I and doing good as well. I had a great day at work. Boomer a dog I’ve been working will all summer is almost ready to go to his new home and I got to work with one of the lab puppies today which is always fun. Fluttershy?” Said Twilight.

“Oh. Umm… I’m doing great. Yesterday my dad announced that he got a raise. So that’s nice!”

“How wonderful!” said Rarity.

Applejack cleared her throat. “Is that all you want to share?”

“Yes.”

“Alright.” everyone turned to Moon Dancer.

Moon Dancer sighed. “I’m really stressed out. On Sunday my wife Sunset was kidnapped by strange people. I am really worried about her. I’m also worried about our baby. She is almost eight months pregnant. Just don’t want anything to happen to her.” Moon Dancer looked like she was trying not to cry.

“I am so sorry Moon Dancer. Can I give you a hug?”

“I’d rather not right now.” Moon Dancer’s voice cracked and she wiped her eyes. she didn't not want to break down in front of people she didn't know.

“So the other Sunset is missing. And that’s why we are holding an emergency meeting?” Fluttershy asked.

“Not entirely.” said Sunset. “I think I know who took her. But first we have some stuff to explain.”

“Wait are we going to tell her about you know what?” Asked Rarity.

“Yeah. I think the other Sunset was taken through the portal… she needs to know.”

“So do you know where my Rai is?”

“I think I have a general Idea and I hope the specifics will follow. But I can’t promise anything. Moon Dancer. What I am about to tell you is going to sound really crazy. I promise it is true and we can try to prove it. I am not a human. I look like one now but I wasn’t born like this. I am from another world populated by… well from your perspective, anthro promophic ponies. I am a horse of sorts.”

Moon Dancer looked at everyone's faces. “Your right that is very far fetched. You said you can show me some sort of proof.”

Sunset nodded and walked over to her guitar case. She checked it’s tuning and then started playing. After a minuet she found her groove and she began to glow. Her ears changed her tail grew and she floated in the air. She was in the moment playing. Applejack looked away. She was trying to get over her feelings.

Applejack looked at Moon Dancer who had an expression of awe on her face. After nearly twenty minutes of Sunset showing off she stopped playing and her equine features began to fade.

Sunset turned to Moon Dancer and smiled. Moon Dancer was speechless.

“In short magic exists.” Sunset summarized. “And we are capable of harnessing it.

After a moment of stuttering Moon Dancer managed to ask “we?” she looked around

“Yes. We can all access magic to some extent.” Applejack said simply. She can all transfer into the hybrid state you just saw and when directed we can create rainbows.”

“Also we have gained a second magic.” Pinkie Pie pointed out. Pinkie Pie showed of her necklace. “We have magical geodes that allow us to do something specific. I can make things explode. Applejack can lift super heavy things, Fluttershy can talk to animals and hear what they say, Twilight can move things without touching them and Sunset can read minds. Also Rarity can create temporary shields out of crystals and Rainbow Dash who isn’t here can run really fast.”

“Rainbow Dash… did you mention her at dinner?” Moon Dancer asked.

“Yes her going away party was that night.”

“You are taking this very well.” Rarity said.

“Umm… I think I am mostly in shock. Once that wears off I’ll probably freak out.” said Moon Dancer.

Applejack stood up and everybody looked at her. “Keep going. I’ll be right back.” she walked back into the kitchen and found her backpack.

Twilight began explaining the magical events of the friendship games and how they had successfully covered them up.

Applejack got out her therapy rice pad and put it in the microwave oven. She got out her thurmouse of tea and drank. She had made ginger tea before she came over to help Pinkie Pie cook. The microwave oven timer went off and she put her tea away. She got the pad out and walked back to the couch.

Applejack placed the bad at the very bottom of her spine and sat down so the pad was trapped between her back and the couch.

“What’s wrong?” asked Twilight.

“Cramps.” Applejack admitted. Everyone gave her sympathetic looks. Applejack sighed in contentment as her muscles relaxed.

“Let us know if there is anything we can do for you.” said Rarity.

“I’ll be fine I just want to ease the tension.”

“So how does all this magic and pony stuff relate to Suns- Rai going missing?” Moon Dancer asked.

“Because I think the people who took her are from the pony world. The armor and spears are the uniform of the royal guard and went me and another pony we know came through for the first time we couldn’t walk too well. It just fits. They were probably after me which brings us nicely the the subject of counterparts.”

“Counterparts?”

“It is why me and your wife have the same name and look so similar. Everyone has a counterpart in the other world. We all know Twilight's counterpart. And Twilight’s counterpart is friends with all their counterparts.” Sunset gestured.

“Wait does that me there is another me?”

“Yes.” said Twilight. Twilight took her glasses off and thoroughly cleaned them.

“Another person named Moon Dancer who is a horse?”

“Yes.”

“Can she talk?”

“I would imagine so.”

“I’m a pony? In another world I’m a pony?” Moon Dancer put her head in her hands and massaged her forehead.

“I know it is bizarre but it is true.” Said Fluttershy.

“And you think Sunset has been kidnapped and taken to this world of ponies?”

“Yes.”

“She she is a human in a world of horse people?”

“Not exactly.” said Sunset. “First of she will have transformed into a pony. Specifically a unicorn.”

“Wait there are unicorns now” Moon Dancer sounded stressed out.

“The ponies in the other world come in four races all with unique magic. There are earth ponies, pegasusi, unicorns and alicorns. Earth ponies don’t look special but they do have unique powers. Pegssusi can fly and unicorns can cast spells. As can alicors.” Said Sunset.

“Right and how do you know that my wife is a unicorn now?” Moon Dancer asked.

“To be fair I guess I can’t promise anything but I am certain she is. I am on the other side and I think that the portal tries to be consistent. also I think human Lyra was turned into one and the princess says her pony counterpart is a unicorn.” Sunset said.

“So my wife is a unicorn in another world. Lovely.” Moon Dancer massaged her skull again. “So how do we get her back.”

Sunset got up and walked over to her backpack. She unzipped it and got her journal out. It was glowing. She walked back to her seat.

“This is a book that has a magical twin. They are enchanted to always have the same thing inside them. I use it to write notes back and forth with my friend Princess Twilight. The book’s magic is somehow strong enough to cross the barriers between the worlds. Right after we hung up this afternoon I wrote to the Princess to see if she knew anything about our missing friend and she seems to have written back.”

Sunset opened the book and turned to the correct page.

Dear Sunset,

I have received both your message and Twilight’s. As soon as I noticed your letter I wrote the other princesses. Luna got back to me right way and said she didn’t know anything. And Cadence is on a vacation and I haven’t heard anything. Celestia has not gotten back to me. I asked a guard and they said she was in a very important closed door meeting.

I will transcribe her latter or conversation when it arrives.

Luna said you should not cross over here unless and until we are certain she is over here and I agree. Is there anyone you can think of who might have had it in for Sunset? Either of you. We have to explore that possibility. I am going to try to make some other enchanted journals in case you come over hear. Don’t go through without notifying me first.

Best wishes Princes Twilight Sparkle

There was a moment of silence.

“So have you made any enemies?” Pinkie Pie asked Sunset.

“Uh... no.” said Sunset. “Moon Dancer?”

Moon Dancer had tears in her eyes again. “Who would want to hurt Sunset?” she cried.

“Oh moon Dancer.” Applejack hugged Moon Dancer.

After a moment of crying in Applejack’s arms Moon Dancer pulled back. She wiped her eyes and sniffed.

“I don’t think Sunset ever made any enemies. She is pretty good with people.” Moon Dancer said.

“I suppose I made some enemies in high school but I don’t any of them still hold a grudge.” said Sunset.

“Hold on a moment…” said Twilight. “At dinner you said someone tried to rob you. What was that about.”

“Oh. there was some scammers. Sunset’s work booked a fancy suite for us so they probably expected us to be rich. These two guys showed up in suits and pretended to be official inspectors. They tried the trick where one distracts you with meaning less questions and the other runs around looking for valuables to take. Then the leave abruptly.”

“My parents had that happen to them. They took my mother’s favorite necklace!” said Rarity.

“Meanie pants!” declared Pinkie Pie. “if I ever meet people like that I’d tell them no more! There are other ways to get stuff you want.”

“So how did you avoid getting robbed?” Asked Fluttershy.

“Well as Rarity pointed out this is not a uncommon trap. One of Sunset’s colleges was a victim and he spread the word to everyone he knew. Sunset answered the door and she felt a bad vibe from the men and she is good at judging people. I locked myself in the bathroom and called security. Worse case it was a real inspection and it would be an embarrassing mistake. It wasn’t a mistake. Sunset stalled them. She used to be really into improve and she pulled out her training to pretend to be gullible. At the end the men got tired of her antic and pulled out a gun. I knew the security people were on their way but I didn’t know if they would get their in time. It was so scary.” Moon Dancer took a shaky breath. “The security head them until the police got there and took them away. They had a suitcase full of stolen valuables from several people.”

“Did the cops recognize them? Were they repeated offenders or a new team?” Asked Applejack.

“I don’t know. Why?”

Applejack hesitated. “Well it is not uncommon for a gang to send new member out to do basic scams to make some money. While the important members do other things.” everyone stared at her.

“That makes scene” Said Rarity slowly. “And if they were affiliated with other people then those other people may be upset because now two of their own are in jail. This would create a motive.”

“We should definitely look into this. But I still think my original idea is right. I still think it was the guards.” said Sunset.

“Well I guess meeting adjourned until we know more?” asked Pinkie Pie.

“Sure.”

“Great! I call the first slice of pie.” Pinkie Pie shot off the couch and sprinted into the kitchen.

Twilight stretched and walked over to Moon Dancer. “So what is your plan for this evening?”

“I don’t know. I could drive back… I could try to find a motel. I’d rather not spend a bunch of money…”

“You can stay with me.” Applejack offered.

“Really?”

“Yeah! We have a nice guest bedroom and plenty of space.”

“Don’t you have to check in with your family first.”

“They are not going to turn you down.”

“Okay. thanks.”

“Definitely.” Applejack got up and stretched. “Let’s get going. You can have apple pie at my house.

Applejack and Moon Dancer walked out. Applejack had parked down the block to avoid getting stuck in the driveway. “I am driving my big brother’s truck. You can just follow me.”

The two drove to the farm. It was a long drive that Moon Dancer enjoyed. The sky was clear and the stars got brighter the farther out they got. Finally the sign for Sweet Apple Acres appeared in Applejack’s headlights.

Applejack helped Moon Dancer grab her stuff and carry it to the house. Winona’s bark could be heard the moment they opened the door. She rushed to greet them.

“Good evening… ladies.” said Big Macintosh. He eyed moon Dancer for a second.

“Good evening Big Mac.” Applejack smiled. “Moon Dancer is going to be staying with us.”

“Okay.”

“We have a guest!” Apple Bloom said from the top of the stares. She came down. And smiled at Moon Dancer.

“Moon Dancer, this is my brother Macintosh and his fiance Cheerilee, my sister Apple Bloom and Granny Smith is…”

“Already in bed.”

“Right. You can meet her tomorrow.”

“Let’s set you up in the upstairs guest room” Applejack walked over to the stairs. “So this is going to be your room, this room is Apple Bloom’s and this room is the upstairs office and the room at the end of the hall is mine. Over hear is the bathroom.” Applejack pointed. “There is a downstairs bathroom. I don’t recommend using it.”

“How come?”

There was a pause and Applejack and Apple Bloom exchanged looks. “I don’t recommend using it. Trust me. Don’t go in there.” Apple Bloom nodded seriously.

“Okay.”

“Cheerilee, Apple Bloom and I use this one. It is much cleaner anyway.” Applejack said cheerfully.

Applejack opened the door of the guest bedroom. “This room used to be Big Macintosh’s until he moved into our parents old room.” Applejack took the bead cover off. “Well here you go! Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. This really means a lot.”

“No problem!”

Author's Notes:

Another chapter! I am so exited for the next one! I don't know when it will be cause I got homework.

I would love feed back.