When she had first learned of the true function of the Crystal Mirror, on the day she lost her place, Sunsets mind had been filled with possibilities. A world beyond the one she'd known.

Beyond the castle halls, and familiar faces. Beyond the gardens, and the cluttered streets. Beyond the repetition that had plagued her life. Beyond the isolation, that acted as her lone companion.

Infinite possibilities, projected onto an object, promising her a future of glory and splendor. Promising she could become everything she had hoped to be. That she could make her 'mentor' proud of her. That was how she viewed it, and the temptations on the surface.

Yet, it was in this moment she realized how narrow her imagination had been. When she was standing in the middle of a field of dancing grass, shifting between hues of reds, yellows, and orange. Almost illuminating in instances where she budged it, the scent in the air like that of a passing cinnamon treat. Welcoming, and non-oppressive.

Beyond even the grass, there were trees that were not trees. They were like flowers, only massive, and blooming. Casting brilliant shades and hues of many colors, some sparkling like their petals were made of diamonds, crystals. Others matte, and flat in their own.

Her eyes however, found their way to the sky. To the setting sun, a brilliant thing that was blue in color, and far smaller, seemingly than the one she'd known back home. But, she knew that was merely a factor of distance, a fact that hardly registered her. Watching as day and night bled together, in an exchange of colors like liquids flowing. The Moon, a lush thing full of green, far closer, and more visible, rising to take its place.

"It's a beautiful world, isn't it?" The Professor asked, stepping away from The Tardis.

She brought with her a small variety of things. Drinks, some food she imagined would be suitable given the equine physiology. And a cushion or two, which she placed down. Her direction was a bit off, but it worked out.

"It's like a painting." Sunset observed. "I didn't...imagine something like this."

"Admittedly, so far, this is one of my favorites." The Professor admitted, adding. "Also, I brought cushions if you wanna sit down."

Sunset did, and then said. "Hey, watch this." She stepped on the red grass, darkening it. "Even the grass is different. It's...somehow I thought that would be the same."

The Professor nodded, and took a seat beside her. "Your universe is...it's magical, peculiar, but marvelous. It tends to buck the trend, defy the rules, and conventions of how things are meant to act or be. Simply so it can spin together something stunning, as it out of defiant drive alone."

Sunset commented. "My universe...you said that before." She noted, adding. "Are you...not from this one?" Her eyes seemed to shine. "Did...did you come through the mirror?"

"Surprised you didn't ask sooner." The Professor replied. "I didn't come through the Crystal Mirror, no. But I am aware that it is evidently a gateway to a different one." She hummed. "No, admittedly, my being here is mostly accidental." She took a breath. "I was fighting in the war when it happened."

"A war?" Sunset inquired, noticing The Professor flinch. "You were a soldier?"

"Everyone was." The Professor replied. "It was...less a choice of wanting to fight. And more, that you had to, if you wanted to see another day." She got quiet for a moment. "It just...happened."

"Were you a conscript?" Sunset asked her.

"Something like that." The Professor hummed. "I uh...I was an exile of sorts beforehand. Left alone in some village to rot." She snapped from her thoughts. "Sorry, rambled a bit. What I was getting at, is that, foolish me, I went and dragged myself through a dimensional wound during a battle. Notably, not a gateway like the mirror, no...something far less organized. Far more...painful."

"And...that's how you ended up here?" Sunset asked her.

"Yup. And, believe it or not, before I was a pony, I was a bipedal simian in structure." The Professor replied.

"Simian...like, an ape, or a monkey?" Sunset inquired, adding. "Seriously?"

"Minus the tail, yes. And mostly hairless as well. Only had the uh-hair, or mane rather." The Professor said. "It was functionally the same, with similar facial features. Expressive features, less uncanny or static. Which is odd to me."

"And why is that odd?" Sunset asked.

"Welll, there were equine in that universe. They just weren't sentient like you. And their facial structure was far more dull." The Professor indicated. "None were what I would call intelligent, or honestly, truly, sentient."

"Weird. I think that's true in reverse here." Sunset said. "I've never heard of an intelligent monkey, ya know?" She smiled a little. "Wonder why that is?"

"Different universe, different rules." The Professor suggested.

"Oh c'mon. You have to be at least a little curious, right?" Sunset inquired, before asking. "What does your version of like...Celestia look like?"

"Don't have one. At least not that I've ever met." The Professor replied, shrugging. "But were I to imagine, I'd suggest she'd be an older, taller woman. Perhaps appearing in her mid thirties. Likely be a bit gorgeous."

"How could it...not have her?" Sunset asked, confused.

"Well, it doesn't have magic. Not like here." The Professor considered. "Actually, it did once, but it functioned differently. Far more restricted, and demanding."

"Once?" Sunset inquired.

"I haven't met a being who could use it, since the start of the war." The Professor told her. "Don't think...there are any left now. Just their memories."

Sunset frowned. "It sounds like it was awful. I'm sorry."

"Ah, I went and overshared. My mistake. Please don't apologize. It's fine, promise." The Professor cleared her throat. "Anyways, as per your original inquiry. I am, of course, fascinated in how things deviated, and why. But the why also doesn't matter as much as the where." She added. "After all, it's a brand new universe. New stars, galaxies, and planets. A whole new history to explore and experience. And, a whole new me to see it all."

"I guess that's fair." Sunset thought, before adding. "Sorry for uh...prying."

"You weren't, and it's alright." The Professor assured.

No elaboration was provided, though the unicorn made a mental note of it. Likely the source of The Professors belief she had done worst. Sunset turned her focus back to the sky, watching as the last bits of sunset became night. She couldn't recognize the stars within it. Couldn't place them.

"Where are we...in the universe, I mean?" Sunset asked.

"A little corner, off the cuff of three galaxies." The Professor said. "Just disconnected enough to be it's own little world, peaceful and isolated." She added. "Fun-fact, the people are moth-like equine. Isn't that marvelous?"

"Yeah." Sunset admitted with a little smile. "Hey...does it have a name?"

"Name's rubbish honestly." The Professor replied.

"Really?" Sunset pondered. "Just bad, or-"

"No the name is actually Rubbish." The Professor grinned in amusement.

"You're kidding?" Sunset snickered.

"Really not. It's marvelous." The Professor replied, the two exchanging a little laugh. "Imagine, looking at all this and thinking. 'Garbage that. Utterly.' Oh my giddy aunt."

"W-what?" Sunset covered her mouth laughing. "What was that?"

"Ahhh, yeah, yes, yup. Sorry." The Professor looked embarrassed. "That's left over from an older me. A couple back. Please forget I said it."

"Not for a moment." Sunset replied, giving her a nudge.

"Oh no, my own terrible catch-phrases. My one, true, weakness." The Professor remarked in dramatic fashion, plopping down onto the grass.

Sunset observed this, and snickered. "So dramatic."

The Professor got comfortable. "Nothing wrong with a little drama. Keeps things exciting, I think." She considered something. "Oh, right, I totally forgot to ask...did you wanna visit the spa still, or no?"

"Honestly, Valeyard...I think I'm okay to just sit here for now." Sunset suggested. "It's been awhile since I felt this...comfortable." She admitted. "Maybe we could just hang out, eat food?"

"Enjoy the view?" The Professor gave a nod. "That could be nice."

"Oh my giddy aunt, wouldn't that be nice?" Sunset replied.

"Noooo~" The Professor replied, prompting her companion to laugh once more.

The two rested there for a time, beneath an alien sky, in the peace the world provided. It wasn't quite what had been planned, but in a way, it was much more. Everyone needed a break now and then, after all.