Day 8:
DH used his magic to unlock his door, then he unlocked Michael's door.
"Shh." He instructed as he freed Michael from his brace. When he got it off, Michael stretched his wings. DH quickly unlocked the other doors and removed Gavin's brace.
"We may have to take care of a few guards, but follow me. If we move fast enough we can hitch-hike on the train back." DH explained and led the way to the door, quickly and quietly unlocking the door. Turned and de a strong kick to the guards, who fell to the ground. "This way." DH said and turned down a corridor. A big earth pony stallion saw them.
"You there stop!" He said.
"Oh, I'm sorry, do you need identification?" DH asked.
"Come and show me." He said. DH walked over to him and signaled for the others to follow. DH looked him in the eye and quickly turned to Michael. In a blink of an eye Michael was in the air and diving to tackle the stallion. The only way Michael got him down was through the element of surprise. Michael punched him as hard as he could a few times to make sure he was knocked out.
"Thanks Michael. You may have to do that a few times." DH said.
"Whatever I have to do to get us out." Michael said. DH nodded and continued down the hall way. They had to take care of a few guards before DH stopped.
"Why did you stop?" Gavin asked.
"This window is able to be broken. Gavin, please use your magic to remove the bars on three." DH said.
"Alright, ready." Gavin said, ready to use his magic
"One...two...three." DH counted. On three Gavin took the bars off and DH stopped the alarm from sounding. "Okay, we'll be safe to exit here then...then get over the wall." DH said. Michael flew up to the window and kicked it open. Michael hoisted the others out the window. "Oh good, still night." DH said.
"We have bigger problems, how the fuck are we getting over the wall?" Ray asked.
"For Michael it's simple. Fly over. However, he can't go alone, so Michael, would you be willing to fly us over?" DH asked. Michael sighed and flew. He took DH first and flew him over the wall. Then he returned for Geoff, next Ray, and finally Gavin.
"Never thought breaking out of prison would be so easy." Gavin said.
"Never thought those words would come from anybody I know." Michael responded. He set Gavin down.
"So what's your plan, DH?" Ray asked.
"To break into the store and take the object." DH said. "Wait for me at the train station. I'll be there as soon as I can. Stay on the down low. We are fugitives now." DH explained.
"If you could have just broken into the store why did we go through the whole process just to get arrested!?" Michael quietly yelled.
"It would have been easier. Now go! The sooner the better." DH said galloping back to Bultimare. The guys calmly walked back to the train station a d one by one sat next to each other on a bench. After a while, DH returned and jumped on to the back of the train, only to be followed by the Achievement Hunter guys.
"Got it?" Geoff asked. DH levitated the object from his tail then placed it back. They all tried to fall asleep, but DH nervously made sure no one recognized them.
"You nervous too?" Michael asked DH. DH was silent for a moment.
"Yeah, it never gets easier. It only gets harder. Your notoriety goes up and you're wanted in every town, city, and back ways." DH responded. "Sometimes I wish I listened to my mother and lived a normal life."
"Man, DH. I know how you feel. Back in our world, we are famous." Michael said. "I'm mostly famous for my rage." DH smiled. "What?" Michael asked, slightly annoyed.
"Nothing, just thinking how our lives are totally opposite of each other's and we are depending on each other." DH said.
"What do you mean? Four people... Excuse me... Ponies, famous for video games, at least back in our world, can't possibly help a badass like you." Michael said.
"Oh, but that is where you are wrong. I am only and earth pony. I can't fly, like you, and I can't perform advanced spells, like Gavin could with some training. Even though Geoff and Ray are earth ponies, they have beneficial skills and talents that I don't possess. Even if Ray and Geoff don't decide to help, you two will help me greatly." DH said.
"Fine, I guess we owe you, what do we need to do?" Michael asked.
"That would be best discussed back home, and when the others are awake. You should sleep, it'll help." DH instructed.
"I'm fine; you need the sleep more than I do." Michael offered. DH was surprised.
"No, no." DH said.
"I'll hold on to it. I'll keep watch. Just rest." Michael said. DH thought for a moment and pulled the object out of his tail and gave it to Michael. Michael tucked it into his own tail. At first, DH stated awake, but he soon swiftly fell asleep. Michael shook the others awake when they arrived back in Ponyville.
"There already?" DH drowsily asked.
"Yep." Michael responded. DH stretched his forelegs out and stood up. He kicked Ray and Gavin's chairs to wake them up. They woke up instantly and jumped to their feet. It wasn't long before they noticed that DH and Michael were leaving the train. Thy used the night to cover their movements and quickly returned to DH's house. Michael returned the object to DH. DH led them to a large thing covered by a sheet.
"This is the machine that will take you home." DH said as he removed the sheet to reveal a complex machine. Its most prevalent feature; a container that could hold all of the guys.
"Well put it in and let's get out of here!" Geoff said.
"Could I ask just one more thing of you all?" DH asked. Geoff sighed.
"What is it?" Ray asked.
"I need a pegasus and a unicorn to go a mile north of here to retrieve a package for me. It contains some important supplies for not only my survival but for the survival of all of my machines." DH explained. Michael walked past Gavin and used his wing to drag Gavin along. "Hang on, Gavin, you need to know the spell that will activate the lock." DH said and explained to Gavin how to cast the spell and made him test out his new spell on a simple lock, and he opened it. Michael dragged Gavin away again and started to parade north.
"So, you still like ponies?" Gavin asked Michael.
"Of course! Just, how about we don't talk about this... Thing... Ever. I'm sure Geoff and Ray can agree." Michael said.
"Yeah... I just hope this isn't real. Maybe it's just a dream. Like that sphere did something to us and we are just having a collective dream." Gavin said. Michael gave Gavin a quizzical look.
"That's some deep shit." Michael said. "Come on, I think we're almost there." Michael said as he turned and ran into stone building.
"Found it, Michael." Gavin sneered.
"Fuck you, Gavin. Stay here, I'll be right back." Michael said as he quickly flew up and looked for something on the stone building. He saw a magic lock. He flew back down.
"Didn't find anything?" Gavin asked.
"I did, but I need your magic." Michael explained and picked Gavin up. "Holy shit Gavin! You're fucking heavy!" Michael complained as he held Gavin to the magic lock. Gavin stuck his horn into the lock and casted the spell. His yellow aura spread through a section of the wall. Once Gavin removed his horn, the lock turned and the wall pushed back and opened. Michael quickly put Gavin into the area and landed himself. He panted for a minute before he gathered his breath and headed deeper. Gavin somehow managed to cast a light spell to light the area up. Michael found a place for him to fly up, so he did. Michael found a box and he brought it down for Gavin to unlock the box. Gavin's light died off and he opened the box, then recasting the light spell. Michael took the contents with his mouth and they left. They quickly returned back to DH's house as Celestia's sun began to rise.
"We're back!" Gavin announced. DH quickly took the supplies and set them aside.
"Thank you, now to get you home." DH said as he placed the object in to the machine. The machine roared to life, but quickly shut off. "I almost forgot. It needs unicorn magic. Gavin...just place your horn in this and let it take your magical energy." DH explained. Hesitantly, Gavin did as he was told. At first, the machine started the process, and soon again felt a burning sensation and he was blown out of the machine and thrown against the wall, knocking him out.
"Gavin!" Geoff, Ray and Michael yelled in near unison. Geoff ran to Gavin first.
"Gavin!? Are you okay?" He asked, but he got no response. DH inspected the machine.
"Aren't you going to help!?" Michael yelled. DH turned.
"He's fine. The machine probably detected that he didn't have enough energy and warned him to leave. When he didn't leave it ejected him. It should have given a warning. I'll ask him when he wakes up." DH explained.
"How about we get Twilight to help out." Ray said. "After Gavin wakes up, of course." As if on cue, Gavin woke up.
"What just happened?" He asked.
"The machine rejected you, as you don't have enough magical energy. Did you have a burning sensation before you were ejected?" DH said. Gavin thought for a moment then he nodded. He tried to stand, but Geoff pushed him down.
"Gavin, just lay down for a while." Geoff said. Gavin nodded again and sat back down.
"So now we need Twilight to get the machine started." Ray said.
"Why the fuck did you make this fucking machine so hard to fucking use!?" Michael yelled at DH.
"Transporting between universes requires a lot of magical energy; I can't just put electricity into the machine and POOF! You're home." DH fought back.
"Then how did the sphere get us here!?" Michael nearly screamed at the top of his lungs.
"Sphere? Oh my Celestia. That's where it went." DH said. Michael's face went red in anger.
"YOU FUCKING GOT US HERE!? YOU DUMB FUCKING SON OF A BITCH! I'LL FUCKING BEAT YOUR ASS!" Michael screamed and flew up in the air ready to attack DH. As he lunged forward, Ray caught his tail in his teeth and dragged him outside.
"Michael fucking Jones, do you want to get home or not?" Ray asked angrily.
"Yeah..." Michael muttered.
"Then don't kill our free ticket home." Ray said.
"We've been arrested, forced to party, forced to beat each other up to cause a distraction, knocked out, stuffed into suits, went to a chick's dream place, woken up in the dead of night, hell we even broke out of fucking jail. We're wanted, fugitives! This is a fucking free ticket home!? Bull shit!" Michael yelled.
"Doctor Hooves is our only way home in a hurry. So like it or not, we are doing whatever he wants us to do." Ray responded.
"Did you not see Gavin? Do you not remember how long you were knocked out? Do you not remember jail?" Michael questioned.
"Yes, Michael, I fucking understand that we are in a bad situation, but we both know that we aren't going home unless you calm down and listen to DH." Ray said. "So let's just go get Twilight. You and I both know what Twilight will be, so let's just go." Ray said.
"Fine." Michael said. "You go tell him." Ray trotted back to DH.
"Michael and I are going to get Twilight." Ray said. DH gave him two black robes.
"Wear these. If anypony asks you your name, just make up a name related to your cutie mark. Please be back soon." DH said. Ray took the robes and put them on his back.
"We will, we'll be back as soon as possible." Ray said and returned to Michael. He threw a robe at Michael.
"What's this for?" Michael asked
"To stay incognito." Ray responded, pulling his own robe on. Michael put his on and they were off to Twilight's library.
Michael uneasily knocked on Twilight's door and patiently waited for Twilight to answer. At first there was silence, and then Twilight opened the door. She was surprised by their presence.
"What are you two doing here? Where are the others? I thought you died back in Canterlot." Twilight continued, but Ray finally stopped her.
"Twilight, could we please speak inside?" Ray asked. Twilight nodded and let them in.
"So tell me, I heard something about five ponies being arrested for theft, then breaking out over the night. They are offering 1000 bits for any information leading to their arrest, who is the fifth?" Twilight asked.
"DH." Ray said.
"DH?" Twilight asked again.
"Doctor Hooves." Michael said. "He's an earth pony that can perform very basic spells."
"He lives right outside of town. How'd you get to Bultimare and back?" Twilight asked.
"Train." Ray said. Twilight nodded.
"So why are you here?" Twilight finally asked.
"We are almost going to be getting back, but we need magical energy to get us back. Gavin tried, but he didn't have enough magical energy. We know you have a lot of energy, and we need you to help." Ray explained. Twilight thought for a moment.
"Okay." She said. Meet me there; it would be best to travel separately." She said. Michael nodded and he led the way back to DH's house.
"Oh, good, you're back." DH said. "Where's Twilight?" DH quickly realized.
"She'll be here any second." Michael said. A few seconds past and then Twilight came in the door.
"So, Doctor Hooves. We meet again." Twilight said.
"Come on Ms. Sparkle, can't you put our past behind us and help four male humans get back to their world?" DH said.
"Oh, this isn't about us. Of course, how could I be so stupid?" Twilight said sarcastically. "And quit calling me Ms. Sparkle. Call me by my name, Twilight Sparkle or Twilight." She said.
"Twilight, please, the longer we delay the longer they are stuck here." DH begged.
"Of course, DH." Twilight teased. "Nice little name you've accrued." Twilight said and looked at the machine. "So, what do I do?" She asked.
"Place your horn here. The machine will work, but if you are to feel a burning sensation, remove your horn immediately." DH explained. Twilight nodded and put her horn in and started the process. She was able to stay in the machine longer than Gavin, but she soon too felt the burning sensation. She took her horn out quickly and rubbed it.
"I'm sorry, Hooves. I guess you'll need an alicorn." Twilight said.
"There are only three in existence! I can't go to two of them and the third is in the Crystal Empire. That takes a day on the train!" DH yelled.
"You forgot that I am related to the one in the Crystal Empire." Twilight said.
"Umm guys." Gavin groaned.
"Still! A day on the train. One! Day!" DH responded to Twilight.
"Waiting a few days for an alicorn from the Crystal Empire than being locked up forever in Canterlot!" Michael yelled.
"Hey guys." Gavin said a little louder.
"For fucks sake Gavin! What!?" Michael finally said to Gavin.
"I'm not feeling too great." Gavin said and sat down. He was dizzy and had a horrible headache. He closed his eyes for a second.
"Look at me, let me see if you are concussed." DH said. Gavin slowly lifted his head and DH got ready to check his eyes. He had a hoof right under his chin. Gavin opened his eyes and a bright light blinded DH momentarily.
"That isn't a concussion Hooves, that's arcane magic poison." Twilight said. "I wonder how he got it."
"Possibly the machine." DH said. "Gavin, tell me what you feel."
"Dizzy, about to throw up, bleh." Gavin said and immediately threw up.
"Just relax. We will figure this out." DH said calmly. Suddenly, Twilight collapsed.
"Twilight!" Ray called. DH turned to Twilight who also had the arcane magic poisoning.
"This isn't good. We can't go now." DH said. "I'll be back in a second." DH ran to a closet and got two cots, blankets, and pillows and made two makeshift beds near each other. "Here, just relax, you two and we'll figure this out."
"Let me write a letter to Cadence. Take it with you." Twilight muttered. DH hurried off to get a paper, ink and quill. He gave the supplies to Twilight, and she began writing quickly. She sloppily wrote:
"Dear Cadence,
I require your assistance immediately. I am not able to come because I fell ill. Please leave the kingdom under the hooves of my brother, Shining Armor. I am sure he can handle it. The three stallions are close friends of mine.
I'll see you when you arrive,
Twilight Sparkle."
"No Michael?" DH asked.
"I thought that Michael would like to stay, along with Fluttershy, you two could take care of us." Twilight offered.
"I second Twilight's idea." Michael said.
"Then it's settled. We leave as soon as Michael returns with Fluttershy." DH said. Michael took the black hooded cape and put it back on. He swiftly flew to Fluttershy's cottage and knocked on the door.
"One moment!" She called. Michael nervously waited. She opened the door. "Oh Michael! I never expected to see you again. I've hadn't seen you since the Gala." Fluttershy said.
"I'm sorry, I don't have time to explain. I just need you to trust me and come with me. Twilight and Gavin are sick and I need you to help me take care of them." Michael said.
"Oh dear! Come on, where are they?" Fluttershy said.
"Follow me." Michael instructed and flew above the clouds.
"So why are you wearing that hood?" Fluttershy asked.
"I'll explain when we get there." Michael responded.
"What is Twilight and Gavin sick with?" Fluttershy asked.
"I'll explain when we get there." Michael responded.
"Where are we going?" Fluttershy asked.
"You'll see when we get there." Michael responded with obvious stress.
"Where have you been?" She asked.
"Fluttershy, I can't explain anything right now, but I promise to answer every question you have." Michael finally said. Fluttershy was quiet the rest of the flight. "Here we are." Michael said, diving down to DH's house.
"Is this your house?" Fluttershy asked. "It's pretty deep in the Everfree Forest."
"What? No I don't have a house here. I live in an apartment with my fiancé." Michael said.
"Apartment?" Fluttershy asked.
"It's like...it's like a small house in a very large building. And when I say small, I mean it is the absolute minimum size to live in." Michael explained. Fluttershy was confused, but she still nodded. Michael quickly got into the house. "Guys, you can go now, we're here now." Michael announced. Geoff walked over to Michael and put his right hoof on Michael's shoulder.
"Michael, I am so sorry that you have to do all the hard work. Please, just make sure the Brit doesn't die, he's looking just horrid compared to the purple one." Geoff told Michael.
"its fine, I mean... We gotta keep Team Nice Dynamite. Right?" Michael said, slightly choked up. Geoff gave a warm smile as DH went outside. Ray stopped to talk to Michael as well.
"I can't believe this is happening. He was happy and skippy a few days ago, now he's, well, this!" Ray said.
"I know, Ray. Everything will be alright. It has to be." Michael reassured Ray.
"Yeah...giggle at those ghosties." Ray referenced. Luckily, Fluttershy didn't hear Ray as she was busy attending to the sick unicorns. Michael nodded.
"Come on, Ray! We don't have all day!" DH yelled. Ray rolled his eyes and galloped over to DH. Michael quickly flew to Gavin.
"How are you?" Michael asked Gavin.
"Absolutely horrid." Gavin admitted. Michael sat down next to him.
"Just hang in there, Gav. Just hang in there." Michael said softly.