Only Oliver could grasp what Johnny was pointing out, "If this is Earth…"

"An Earth at any rate." corrected Johnny.

"And assuming they track years in the same way…"

"Then this is an Earth of the 53rd century." finished Johnny, "The technology levels to make all this possible seems right. None of us are allowed outside the convention area, so we have no idea what the rest of the planet is like."

Twilight absorbed all of this and realized something, "So you're not in charge of all this?"

"Oh no, I'm a guest just like you, but I'm also a volunteer that helps newcomers such as yourself to become acclimatized to their situation."

Oliver then asked the next question, "So have you ever seen the inhabitants of this Earth?"

"Nope, nobody has. Not even the organizers of the exhibits and the various panels who are also guests that have been brought in via the Invitation."

"What about maintenance staff, and the workers for this place?"

"The refugees fulfil that role."

"Refugees?"

"Yes," explained Johnny, "some of the invitee's come from post-apocalyptic worlds, and they have no interest in returning to their worlds, at least in the short term. So there are refugee camps set up for those not wanting to go back, and from that group convention workers are hired."

"So what do this Earth's inhabitants get out of all this?" wondered Oliver.

"Don't know," replied Johnny, "perhaps entertainment. Maybe they're observing us to see how we interact with one another."

Twilight posed the next question, "What do you get out of all this?"

Johnny laughed, "Well we get to meet new people, swap interesting stories and learn about different realities and cultures. Occasionally we get to swap tech and merchandise. It's often a much needed vacation and it's also a great party as your pink companion seems to have discovered."

Twilight quickly realized Pinkie had wandered off and looked in the direction that Johnny was motioning to. There was a small stage that featured a band composed of some beings, basically bipedal for the most part but looking vastly different from the main human hosts of the convention, playing music that seemed like a strange fusion of jazz and techno-dance. She could see Pinkie hopping madly to the beat, entranced by the hypnotic sound. "Darn it," grumbled Twilight, "we have to stay together!"

"Don't worry Twilight," reassured Applejack, "Rarity and I will bring her back." And with that the two of them hurried off to retrieve their wayward companion.

Johnny motioned to the remaining trio, "Come on, while they catch up, let's continue on through the exhibition area, and I'll try to answer any questions you might have."

Twilight started to tune out the discussion as she looked at the various booths they passed. She read the banners at each booth: Venture Industries, Solving Tomorrow's Problems Today! Consider a Career in Starfleet and See the Universe and Beyond, To Begin Your Education Book Your Space at Starfleet Academy Today! The Empire Wants You!

"…but now it's any work of fiction. In fact there is several convention halls devoted to just Sherlock Holmes…"

Another banner read: For All Your Security Needs, Call ISIS! Twilight noticed something hastily written on the edge of that booths banner: WE'RE THE ORIGINAL ISIS NOT AFFLIATED WITH THESE GUYS. And an arrow pointed to the booth next to them which had a sign that read: ISIS: submit or be beheaded infidel!

"…has caused the aging process to stop. You can stay here for as long as you want and you will still be…"

Twilight noticed that Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack caught up with the group, but she was still engrossed at reading the signs and looking at the strange inhabitants of each booth. The rival ISIS booths seemed to herald a series of acronym organizations: SHIELD, ARGUS, UNCLE, SPECTRE, FIFA, which were all looking for recruits.

"Well some refugees go to other universes, but most eventually return to their own worlds." "I suppose even immortality must get boring…"

They came up to another booth that seemed to be inhabited by robotic looking beings with domed heads and a single eyestalk jutting from it. From a distance they could hear an inhuman, mechanical chanting of "Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!" the sign above them read: Ask us on how we can EXTERMINATE you! As they drew closer, the chanting stopped and all their collective eyestalks suddenly swivelled and focused directly on Twilight tracking her as she passed. The rest of her group took no notice of what was happening and continued their discussions with Johnny regarding the nature of the convention. Twilight continued to look back at the robotic creatures who continued to track her and once she seemed to be far enough away their chanting resumed. Twilight gave a shudder at the strangeness of the event.

Suddenly she heard screams and felt the ground shake. She turned around and saw another group of ponies running towards her being chased by a large creature that roared with seeming rage. It had a large head with a large mouth filled with sharp teeth, a long tail, large powerful legs, but very tiny insignificant forearms. Despite its size, it moved fast with each step shaking the ground beneath them. As they approached, Twilight braced herself, with each of her companions, including the normally skittish Fluttershy, forming up behind her, each similarly braced for a coming battle. As the other ponies raced past, Twilight's horn glowed bright with magic.

"No! Don't!" warned Johnny, with an edge to his voice.

It was in vain. The glow of Twilight's magic burst forth enveloping the rushing creature's head causing it to scream in pain. It stopped dead, with sparks starting to emanate from it. Its reptilian-like hide started to peel away revealing a mechanical entity, with its machine parts giving a horrible whine in distress. It collapsed and fell onto its side twitching, sparks still exploding from its metal exoskeleton.

Johnny stood over the fallen creature in amazement, "How were you able to do that?"