"… It's been three days now, but I can't shake what that vulture said to me."

" 'Go back for what?' He makes a convincing argument. After all, what am I really leaving behind? Coworkers? It was a rag-tag group, great bots and all … but I wasn't part of their regular group, either. Not at first, anyway."

"I was only with that group for about a month, before getting captured. I was able to escape, only to end up … here. Out of the frying pan and into … dare I say, 'paradise'? I still wonder if all this isn't a dream."

"Dreams … that's the really weird part. When I was a maximal … that is, in my robotic form, I still had visions of an alternate life. I chalked it all up to unique programming. How I had visions of living on a planet of humanoids. I know, you wouldn't know what a 'humanoid' is. But all that … felt real, for so long. Like I lived a whole life in a matter of weeks, before waking up in a whole new place, with a whole new identity."

"And now? Now, I feel like I have to start over. Live my whole existence was just another dream. Unless, of course, this is the dream. But this feels so real, so right … I just don't know what to think."

"So, any thoughts?"

"Uhhh … we're primarily experts with cutie marks," replied the small yellow pony with the red mane and pink bow."

'Maybe you should talk to the Cutie Mark Crusaders', she said. Could've warned me they were only foals, Twilight.

The coyote sits up from the couch he was lying on. "I'm sorry, maybe this was just a mistake to see you three. Not that I don't appreciate you listening to my ramblings; I do thank you for that."

[Sc] " 'Sorry'? That was an AWESOME story!"

[SB] "Yeah. I'm seeing why Miss Cherilee suggested pony psychology for a possible occupation."

[AB] "Come on, you two." *turning to the coyote* "Well, the way you say it, it sounds like that vulture did want to be friends."

"I'm sorry, maybe I didn't make myself clear. He. Was trying. To blast me."

[AB] "And did he attack you when he saw you the other day?"

"Well, no, but—"

[AB] "Did he threaten to attack you?"

"I guess not, but then—"

[AB] "Did he vow revenge on you for everything you—"

"OK, OK! I get it! … All right, so maybe he has changed. But that doesn't mean that either of us belongs here."

[Sc] "Why is it such a big deal that you don't 'belong' here. What does that even mean?"

"We're not from this world. Our very presence could have unforeseen, catastrophic consequences."

[SB] "Like what?"

"Like … well, that's why they're 'unforeseen'. I can't predict what effect my being here will have on this world."

[AB] "Are you plotting to take over Equestria?"

"Well no, of course not."

[Sc] "Are you a crazed lunatic who could go on a rampage at any moment?"

"NO!" I sure hope not, anyway.

[SB] "Are you a mad scientist with wild inventions."

"That wasn't really my thing either, no."

[AB] "Then why does it matter how or why you came here?"

Well

"I … I don't know. Maybe it doesn't matter. It just feels so … so unnatural, everything I've seen here."

[Sc] "I'll tell you what's 'strange'; that world you talk about."

[SB] "Were there really no towns or villages where you came from?"

"It was just a peaceful planet. Kinda like this world, but with two moons. There were forests, plains, deserts, mountains … but only animals. Not animals that could talk or think like we do; more like the animals that Fluttershy looks after."

[SB] "So, squirrels and rabbits?"

"No, big animals too. Apes, cheetahs, rhinos, rats … I was only a coyote because that's what was scanned when I woke up from stasis."

[AB] "What's 'stasis'?"

"Basically a hibernation of sorts. I must have been offline … er, 'sleeping' … for a couple months. And in that time, I lived an entirely different life. Of a world similar to this one."

[Sc] "So this would be what, a third life for you?"

"I suppose this would be, yes."

[SB] "Good things do seem to come in threes, don't they?"

[AB] "Yeah, just look at us!"

All three foals grin.

"You're adorable, all of you. And this world is so … peaceful, and serene. Is it always like this?"

[SB] "Mostly … buuuut, we have had the occasional owlbear attack."

"Owlbear?"

[AB] "Yeah, but there ain't much to say about that. Not compared to the rabbit stampede, anyway."

"I'm sorry, a 'rabbit' stampede?"

[AB] "Ate everything in its path."

[Sc] "And don't forget the time that Snips and Snails lured an Ursa Minor to Ponyville."

"Ursa what?"

[AB] "How about the parasprites?"

[SB] "Don't remind me! My sister's place was ruined by those things!"

[Sc] "The whole town was destroyed."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa … the whole town of Ponyville was destroyed?"

[AB] "Took our barn out, too. Then again, the barn's been destroyed and rebuilt so many times, I've lost track."

[SB] "But those are just isolated incidents. Minor things, actually."

"They don't sound minor."

[Sc] "You want major? How about Nightmare Moon blocking the sun from rising?"

[AB] "Or the changelings crashing the royal wedding."

[SB] "Don't forget King Sombra trying to reclaim the Crystal City."

[Sc] "And how about Tirek siphoning the powers of every pony in Equestria?"

[AB] "And then there's Discord!"

[Sc & SB] "Yeah, Discord!"

"WHOA-WHOA-WHOA! 'Blocking the sun?' 'Siphoning power?' What the heck goes on in … wait, did you say 'Discord'?"

[AB] "He was one of the first. Turned all of Ponyville upside-down and inside-out."

[SB] "But he's good now. Although he did betray his friends that one time."

[Sc] "Selling out to that monster Tirek? Yeah, ain't nopony gonna fully trust Discord after that."

"Girls … er, fillies, wait. Discord's name came up a couple days ago, as possibly creating the rift that brought me here. Do you think he's actually capable of doing that?"

[AB] "From what we've seen? He's probably capable of anything."

Can any individual really yield so much power, in any universe? Interesting …

[SB] "… but overall, it's very pleasant here."

[Sc] "Yeah, I can't see why you'd want to return to a world with no towns and a life of war."

When you put it that way …

"You three have certainly given me a lot to ponder on. You're all wise beyond your years."

[AB] "Hey, it's what we do."

[SB] "It's how we earned our cutie marks … even if you don't actually have one."

Yeah, about that …

"Actually, I've been meaning to ask someone about those. What exactly is a 'cutie mark'. Seems like every pony in town has one. What are they, some form of tattoo?"

[Sc] "What's a tattoo?"

[SB] "They're markings that one puts on one's body. I think Zecora has some."

[AB] "Well, a cutie mark comes naturally. It indicates what your destiny in life is gonna be."

I'm not gonna pretend like I understand that, but I don't think I want to belabor the issue either.

"I see. And I take it that only ponies get these marks."

[AB] "So far as anyone here knows. Why? Did you have a cutie mark before?"

"Well no … at least, not by that name. But I did have an insignia, in a similar location on the body. It resembled a canine's skull, I guess. It basically signified that I was a maximal."

[Sc] "I don't see any markings on you."

"Exactly; that was the first thing I noticed when I came to this world. It was the first proof that … I'm no longer a maximal. I'm basically a coyote."

[SB] "After all we went through to get our cutie marks, I couldn't imagine losing mine."

The other two foals nod in agreement.

[AB] "Well, take it from those who went so long without: it really is just a mark. It doesn't define who you are. From what we've all seen, you're a decent fellow; you don't need some 'insignia' to tell the world that."

[Sc] "Wow … listen to us now. We needed to tell ourselves that years ago."

"You know, I think this conversation really helped. Thank you again. Well … it is getting late. Guess I should be returning to the barn."

[SB] "If we're done here, could you help me return the couch to my sister Rarity. I still haven't told her that I joined an after-school crochet group, and she'll probably need it."

Well, that would explain the ball of yarn on the ground. But why is it glowing all of a sudden …

Without warning, the yarn quickly unwinds and wraps around the coyote, bounding him to the couch. At the same time, a black circle forms at the entrance to the clubhouse, growing in size until it completely blocks access to the outside. The three foals scream as the couch floats off the floor and flies into the circle.

WHAT'S HAPPENING … Wait, I know this place. How did I get here? And who is THAT?

The coyote, still bound to the hovering couch, looks around Fluttershy's main foyer. Seated on the sofa in the room are Fluttershy and …

"Who … what … are …"

"Oh I'm sorry, did I catch you at a bad time. Were you all 'tied up' at the moment?"

[Fs] "Now Discord, what have I said about treating friends like that?"

So that's Discord. Aptly named, I suppose.

[Ds] "He's not my friend, now is he." *turning to the bound coyote* "After all, friends don't accuse other friends of dragging them from their own universe!"

"I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!"

[Fs] "Oh, I told Twilight Sparkle that this wasn't a good idea?"

[Ds] *turning to Fluttershy* "Wait, this was her idea?" *turning back to the coyote* "Well then, perhaps I overreacted a bit."

A bit?

[Fs] "I didn't think you would do such a thing, but … it's just that … well, you 'could' do such a thing."

[Ds] "Fluttershy, could I have a few minutes alone with this individual?"

[Fs] "Well … yes, of course. I need to feed the animals anyway. I'll be back in a jif."

Wait, you're not just gonna leave me alone with this guy are you? ARE YOU?

Fluttershy leaves the tree, closing the door behind her. Discord turns his attention to the coyote, still bound to the couch and hovering.

[Ds] "I must ask for you apology, I really thought this was your accusation."

Oh! … oh … well, that was surprising.

"If I say 'apology accepted', would you untie me and let me go?"

[Ds] "Oh, good heavens no … but I will send you back to where I got you and let you go there. But I did want to speak to you about your recent … trip?"

"Well it's not like I'm going anywhere soon. I'm listening."

[Ds] "Excellent. Now Fluttershy tells me that Twilight Sparkle told her that you told Twilight Sparkle that you're from … another dimension?"

"Uh … yes?"

[Ds] "And you're wondering exactly how it came to be that you arrived here, correct?"

"The thought has crossed my mind."

[Ds] "And it occurred to Twilight Sparkle and the rest of the pony-be-gooders that I was responsible for the rift that opened up into your world."

"Actually, it was Applejack that proposed the idea."

[Ds] "Ah yes, our down-home country lass. I shall have to speak to her about that."

"Well judging by me hanging off the ground, tied to a couch and pulled from another location via some portal … I can't same I disagree with her."

D'OH! … yeah, great job: antagonize the demigod!

[Ds] "My omnipotent powers notwithstanding, I swear by Fluttershy's friendship that I had nothing to do with your being here!"

That sounds … sincere.

"… In that case, I believe you."

[Ds] "So long as you're here, can I confide in you a little secret?"

"Uh, sure, why not?"

[Ds] "The other ponies here … don't trust me."

NO. WAY!

[Ds] "They believe that I betrayed them all. That I sided with Tirek in order to rule over Equestria by his side."

"So I've heard."

[Ds] "IT'S A LIE. I never betrayed those ponies! Everything thing I did, I did for them. But they can never know this."

"I really don't know any details, so I can't judge. But I trust Twilight and the others. Even Fluttershy believes you to have betrayed them."

[Ds] "Did they mention how it was I who steered them towards finding the Keys to five of the six Locks?"

"… I honestly have no idea what you're talking abou—"

[Ds] "They know that part, of course. They conveniently forget that part, but they know that to be true. What they don't know is, I knew they needed that sixth Key. Twilight's Key. I knew she needed to earn that Key, and I knew that would require a test of her beliefs on friendship."

He seems rather passionate about all this. Just nod your head and agree with the guy.

[Ds] "So when Tirek approached me with an offer to betray my friends, I knew what I had to do. To ensure that Twilight would earn that sixth Key. I had to test her. And I knew she would pass. She passed with flying colors! A truly remarkable pony, she is!"

Wow … what do I say to a demigod who's pouring his heart and soul out to me?

"OK, but if all this is true, why not just let everyone know? Why keep a secret?"

[Ds] "Oh, they'd never believe me. And honestly, they shouldn't believe me. When Twilight forgave me, she did so with all the sincerity that one would need show to someone who truly betrayed her. She can never know that it was all an act … NEVER."

I don't know what to say … but I do believe him.

"As long as I am in this world, I swear to you that your secret is safe with me."

[Ds] "Thank you. I've been harboring that for so long, it just feels so good to get it off my chest. It was most fortunate for me that you were brought here, even if not by own design."

"So … theoretically, if you could bring me into this world, then you probably could send me back to my home world, right?"

[Ds] "Have you any idea how many worlds there are in existence? Try infinity to the power of infinity. I really wouldn't know where to begin. I suppose I could send you to another world, but to 'your' world. Highly unlikely, to say the least."

"Well … do you have any idea how I got here, then?"

[Ds] "Twilight and her friends are so focused on what I'm capable of; they should look to one of their own, instead."

"One of their own?"

Fluttershy re-enters the tree. "I'm back, everyone."

[Ds] "Oh, perfect timing; our guest was just leaving."

Immediately, the couch-bound coyote is sent back through the portal, ending up back in the CMC's clubhouse. The couch lands gently on the ground, and the yarn untangles itself and rewinds back into a ball. After a moment of stunned silence, the CMCs approach the coyote.

[SB] "Are you OK?"

[Sc] "Where'd you go?"

"Oh nowhere in particular, just popped into Fluttershy's place to say 'Hi' to Discord."

[AB & Sc & SB] "DISCORD?"

"Well … seeing is believing, I guess."

[AB] "You don't seem particularly phased by all this."

"I guess I'm just … gaining experience with this world. So, you still need help with the couch?"

[SB] "Just in case I drop it."

Sweetie Belle's horn glows, and the couch levitates.

[SB] "Still getting the hang of this."

Yeah, same here.

"OK, is there anything else that I should be aware of with this world?"

[SB] "Well, we do have a lot of singing here."

Yeah … maybe not while I'm around. Just sayin'.