Project Heartstrings [Alternate Ending]

>The tall horse takes her leave, along the path the guards took. You note a sun on her haunch.
>You stare into the portal, thinking.
>Your thoughts suddenly interrupted:
>"FREEZE! HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!"
>This was going to happen sooner or later.
>No. Your one chance to start anew.
>You've yourself in a rut. There's one way to escape the punishment the future holds.
>You reach slowly into your back pocket for the grenade that rests within, and grasp it.
>You make a break for the portal, and the men behind you open fire.
>Nearing the rift, you pull out the grenade.
>It's all figured out now. You would release the pin, throw the grenade to the lower supporting cylinder of the device and--
"AUGH"
>You fall on the ground, being shot in the leg.
>Seconds after collapsing, the guards cease fire.
>You begin to crawl, and you hear running footsteps behind you.
>One thing left to take care of.
>You bring the explosive up to your mouth and yank out the pin
>Tossing it over the hovering pathway to the portal, you look forward.
>As soon as it makes a sound on the metal floor, something grabs your leg.
>You begin to reach out to the portal with your arm.
"Just... a little..."
>Suddenly, you're engulfed in a rippling bubble, and your leg is released.
>You can feel grass underneath you.
>You begin to get up and run with the little time you have.
>Limping but a few yards from the portal, and suddenly a muffled explosion can be heard behind you.
>You turn around while beginning to pick up the pace, and see the portal beginning to recede.
>Slowing down, you realize the last small bit of it is nearing the ground
>It's beginning to emit a high frequency noise, increasing by the second.
>Suddenly, a bright light. Your ears give out, and a large invisible force is thrown upon you, sending you flying backwards.
>You're surrounded in a yellow glow, and stopped in mid-air.
>And that's the last thing you see before you black out.

Author's note: I was at a bit of a writer's block with typing out this ending, so it may not be the best. My sincerest apologies.

>...
>You open your eyes slowly.
"Oh... What is..."
>It seems as if you're in a hospital. The stars that fill the night sky shining into your room.
Why is everything so...
>Then it hits you.
Let's see... I jumped through the portal... Yeah... Then a shock wave from it and... darkness...
>That seems about ri-
"Wait. Through the portal..."
>You take a look at the cartoonist room.
>You made it through.
"I made it..."
>You look down at your hands, and recoil from the surprise it gives you.
>Not only were you in a cartoonist world...
"This... I mean... This has to be a... a dream..."
>You look over to a bathroom on the left side of your bed.
>Getting up, and accidentally unhooking the wires connected to you, you limp over inside the bathroom, leg still emitting pain from earlier.
>Entering the bathroom, you see everything you would find in a normal bathroom... except everything was shrunken a small bit.
>Looking in the mirror, a cartooned version of you was staring back.
"Ah... hahh... What the fu..."
>You rub your eyes to make sure your eyes weren't deceiving you.
>Nope. It's still there.
>You turn around, and lean on the small sink. It holds your weight, surprisingly.
>You slide down to the floor, observing your hands, arms, and every other part of you.
"Wait... I wonder..."
>You open the hospital robe and look down to your genitalia.
"Yup."
>A door suddenly opens to your room.
>A white pony with a nurse's hat another mark on her haunches; this time a heart.
>"What in the-- where's our primate patient!?"
>She looks from the bed to the bathroom, then down at you.
>"Ohh... S-sir, you must get back onto your bed, it's vital to your health." She looks away embarrassed.
"Right... Sorry, I was just... looking at something."
>Her face turns back to you and scrunches.
"No n-not down there, I was just looking at... at what I had become."
>"I... can understand, but... just call in a doctor the next time it happens. We'll be more than happy to bring you a mirror.
"Thank you, ahh...?"
>"Nurse Redheart."
"Right, Nurse. I'll be sure--"
>"Oh yes, the button to call them is on your heart rate monitor. It's icon is a... raised hoof."
"Well... alright then. Thanks again, Redheart."
>She leaves the door she came in through, closing it behind her.
>You get up, and leave the bathroom, back to your bed. You turn on a lamp for company in the night.
>As you're sitting down, Redheart opens the door again.
>"Excuse me, Mr...?"
"Anonymous. Anon for short."
>"Yes, Mr. Anon, it seems you have a..." she looks to her right, and back to you "...visitor."
>You hear she stuttered. This wasn't going to be good.
>She steps from the doorway, bowing to who was about to enter.
>It was that large mare you saw from the portal.
"Uh... H-hi... My name is--"
>"Anonymous, yes. I heard through the doorway."
"I'm... not entirely sure what to say."
>"Other than the fact that you invaded Equestria?"
>You look at her in shock. "W-what!? I didn't invade--"
>"That was an overstatement. 'Intruded' is a more valid term."
>You look at her with embarrassment.
"I can explain... Just give me a bit to recap, my head is killing me."
>"Please, take all the time you need."
>You begin to try remembering what had happened beforehand, and why you chose this universe over yours.
>Nearly an hour later, after piecing more and more memories together as you remember, you look back up to the white mare, who is now sitting on a pillow on the ground, hovering a cup of tea and magazine surrounded in yellow hazes, in front of her head.
"What the..."
>She looks up.
>"Hmm?"
"How do you do that?" you ask, pointing to her magazine and cup.
>She looks over to both items. "This?"
"Yeah... If you don't mind me asking."
>"Not at all. It's a long explanation, but the short answer is that we unicorns here possess a concept known as magic."
"You... You're serious?"
>"Yes, Anonymous."
"But you have wings..."
>"Anonymous, you're getting a bit off of track. You still have some explaining to do."
"Oh. Right, err... Sorry."
>"Like I said. All the time you need."
"I actually think I recall it now."
>"Do tell?"
"Of course, miss...?"
>"Princess Celestia."
"Princess?"
>"Anonymous?" she asks questioningly.
"Oh... Right..."
>You look down and exhale.
"Princess, you live in a castle, I assume?"
>"Correct."
"Have you ever felt you just wanted to... leave?"
>"At times. I leave the castle grounds to meet with subjects."
"No. Not that kind of leave. I mean... this universe."
>"Of course not. I wouldn't commit such a mistake."
"Look... I come from a universe with many of those 'mistakes'. And seeing how there was a rift between universes... I mean, this was a once in a lifetime chance! You must understand. I just wanted to..."
>She holds a curious look on her face.
"In other terms, where I come from, there is war."
>She speaks up, "No matter where, there is always war."
"I can understand, but my world had unthinkable amounts of wars. It ranged from equality between types of people, between owning large parts of land. And honestly, princess..."
>You look up to her.
"I was scared. I was scared of what was to come in the future. At the time of leaving my universe, countries were threatening one another. They were readying missiles."
>"Missiles?"
"Weapons far, far more powerful than the weapons you own here. Hundreds beyond hundreds of times larger than the explosion that portal gave off."
>She stares at you with disbelief.
"I didn't want to be in danger anymore. I didn't want to feel unsafe. I wanted to go to a safe place. I moved to the mountains to escape the ruckus of big cities, which is what countries would normally target for destroying first. But when I saw this universe, I just knew I fit in here."
>"But what about friends?"
"I... I had little--"
>"Family?"
>You look down in thought.
>You never realized this before. Never took those consequences into consideration.
"It was a quick choice I had to make, princess. I didn't have all that time to consider these things."
>A look of regret forms on your face.
"And... I'll never see them... again..."
>The sound of hooves slowly approach you.
>"Anonymous, I... I understand."
"P-princess?"
>She looks out the window.
>"I made mistakes before thinking them through entirely, and Anonymous...
>Her eyes shut, and her voice trembles.
>"I regret them ever... ever so much."
>Her eyes only open the slightest bit, and a single tear rolls down her cheek.
"Princess... I didn't... I mean... That is, I never realized that."
>She doesn't reply. Only stares out into the night sky. You along with her.
>Minutes later, she looks over to you and speaks up.
"Anonymous, there is no possible way we are able to send you back. You understand that, right?"
"... Yes, princess."
>"I can give you a home, and allow you to live among us. The ponies will adjust to you as time goes."
"Really?"
>"I would want nothing more than for you to become a resident in our society."
"What about rent? Or payments of the house?"
>"I will send you weekly payments of bits. Bits are divisions of gold, and are our currency here. But don't get too settled with that. Doing your part would be very helpful. In short, we will send you weekly payments of bits for your life, but just remember to do your part with the citizens."
"Yes, princess."
>"You don't have to call me by that. Refer to me as Celestia."
"Yes, pri--err, Celestia."
>She giggles.
>"Well, Anonymous, we will set you up with a home as soon as your final day in the hospital comes around. We will see each other once a month for check ups on your state of mind."
"Thanks, Celestia."
>"She tips her head, and begins walking for the door, when she turns around back to you once more.
>"Oh, and Anonymous."
"Yes?"
>"Welcome to Equestria."
>And with that, she is gone.
>You lie back in bed, and turn off the lamp.
>You close your eyes and begin to think of how life would be here.
>It could be interesting. I mean, you never know.
>Then something hits you like a sack of marbles.
Oh my God.
"Lyra."

>You get up out of bed, and begin for the doorway.
>You open the door and look outside of your room.
>To the left, an empty hall.
>To the right, a couple of doctors down the hall, conversing. Their heads turn toward you.
>They all stare at you. One mouths "Oh my gosh..."
>One suddenly opens their mouth to speak.
>"Uh... C-can I help y-you with... something?"
>Good question. What were you even going to do?
"Yeah... You wouldn't happen to know where Redheart would be?"
>A voice from your left startles you, "Yes... Anonymous?"
"Hi, uhm... I'm..."
>You're not sure how to ask it.
"I'm looking for a patient."
>She raises her eyebrow. "A patient?"
"Yes. Her name is Lyra?"
>She tilts her head down.
>"She won't be available to leave her room for quite some time..."
"Can I speak with her? Maybe?"
>"No. I'm sorry, but her current condition is too unstable."
>A worried thought strikes your mind.
"Will... she be alright?"
>She goes silent and looks up to you with a concerned expression.
>You hear her loud and clear.
"Just... Just give me a call when she's able to have visitors again. Okay?"
>She inhales, then nods slowly.
"Thanks, nurse."
>"You're welcome, Anon. And since you don't have anyone else to talk to... I'm just letting you know that I'll be here if you need anything..."
>She's blushing a bit.
"I appreciate that, Redheart. I'll call you in if I have any difficulties."
>"Take care, Anon."
"Y-you too."
>She takes her leave, and you move back into your room and shut your door.
>You walk back over to your bed, and lie back in the darkness.
>Twisting and turning, you can't get sleep.
God I hope Lyra will be taken care of... I would give anything for her to live... I would give her my life...

>Over time, you became acquainted to the hospital staff. They were very nice ponies.
>At lunches you sat with other patients. They were unsure at first, but noticed you had a very liking personality.
>And sometimes, you just felt sad or depressed. You called Redheart in on these times, and she was a big help through this experience.
>Other times, you would lie in bed and read. There were no phones or electronics in this universe, so you had to get used to reading books as your new source of entertainment.
>A fellow purple coated librarian provided these books for you. She had literally tons of them.
>Soon the day came for you to leave the hospital.
>You were escorted by Celestia to your new home.
>A bit 'small', but it still made you happy.
>Enough room to move around at least. And to store items.
>Ponies sometimes gave you surprised looks, due to the fact word had gotten out of you entering Equestria the second you made it to the hospital. Yet, when you introduced yourself to them, they were surprisingly calm with talking to you.
>Soon, they died down, from funny looks on their faces, to nothing but quick glances.
>You had finally fit in with this community.
>Periodical bits were still being sent to you. You struggled to find a job, but there were jobs you had never seen before. You trained a bit at home sometimes in order to become more familiarized with these jobs.
>All was well, yet...
>A single thought grew on the back of your mind.
>And that thought lingered back there ever since you made it out of that hospital.

Three Months Later

>You sit in a chair, reading a newspaper, in the hospital.
>It's been hours since you were called in by Sweetie Drops through mail.
>Lyra had come to, and Sweetie Drops had spoken with her a bit. But further tests were still being made. It didn't matter, you wanted to see her as soon as possible.
>You tap your foot to the beat of the clock.
>Tick tock.
>You then realize you haven't even bothered to read any articles. You've just been staring at the magazine, thinking of the future.
>A voice startles you "Hi, Anon."
>You stare wide-eyed at Redheart, and exhale. You set down the newspaper on the table to your left.
"Oh, hey Redheart! How's life been treating you?"
>She scoffs at the stupid remark. You then realize what you said.
>"It's been all the same around here, really. Summarized, nothing new. At least since you left."
"I suppose having a new organism is a big deal for anywhere."
>"That seems to be the case. So, are you here to see Lyra?"
"If she is available, yes."
>"She is available, but she may be asleep, cause being testing on her earlier."
"I understand. Shall we proceed?"
>"Let us!"
>And with that, you two proceed down the hallway off to the right.
>The hallway is not that long, but she soon branches off to her left, into a staircase.
>You both ascend up two levels, and back into a hallway like the one you were in previously.
>Not but a quarter down the hall, Redheart comes to a stop at a door. She looks inside.
>"Yes, she seems asleep. If you want to wait inside for her to wake up is fine. Just don't sit too close, as she may be scared by your form."
>You chuckle.
"I can understand that. Thanks, Redheart."
>"You're welcome, Anon. Take care!"
"You too!"
>She leaves down the hall, and disappears into the staircase.
>You take a breath, and enter the room.
>The door creaks a bit as it opens. Opening it slower doesn't help but extend the length of the noise.
>You slip in through a crack of it, and turn around closing it. You quickly push it shut, but try to keep it steady as you hear the handle 'click'.
>As soon as the door shuts:
>"H-hello? Who..."
>You turn around and see Lyra. Except her head is secure onto her body, and all technology has been removed out of her. You stare in astonishment.
>She rubs her eyes with her hooves.
>"Are you... Anonymous?"
"That's me. You must be Lyra?"
>Her large eyes finally adjust and blink multiple times. She recoils her head a bit at the sight of you.
>"I... Yes, it is. D-do you want a chair to sit in?"
"If there's one here, yes, please."
>She points her hoof to her left.
>You walk over, and take a seat.
>"You can move... that chair up next to me if you want."
"Oh. Alright then."
>You pull the chair up to the left side of her bed.
>She looks down, and fumbles with her hooves.
>"... So, uh... yeah, I just--"
>You're then swooped in her hooves, and she hugs you tight.
>"Thank you..." Her words falter, and she begins a gentle cry.
>Your hands are raised forward, surprised from the action.
>You slowly bring them down on her back, rubbing her fur.
>She can hardly work out any words through the sobbing. "I-I owe you my... m-my life..."
>You put your left hand on the back of her head and stroke her mane.
>That hug lasted for minutes.
>You then hear that her crying has stopped. You hear intermittent heavy breaths from her.
She fell asleep.
>You lie her back on her bed, and you sit back in your chair.
>You continue to hold her hoof.
>You shut your eyes, and worry no more about what the future holds.
>Because Lyra is alright.
>And to you, that's all you ever wanted.

Epilogue

>A whole year. It had been a whole year.
>She was finally released from being kept captive in that hospital.
>"Good lord, Anon, you're so slow!" she calls to you.
Damn, it's a dark night... Where am I going again? At least the stars are trying to help.
>You're huffing and puffing up the hill after her.
"Just... Give me... Can we... Redo?"
>She giggles. "But we're almost the-ere!" she pouts.
>You catch up to her about two thirds up the hill.
"Whoo... That was... a--HOOT!"
>You push her and make a run for it to the top.
>"Wh- hey! That's not fair! Ooh, if you ruined my new hoodie!"
>She suddenly gallops past you, and makes it to the top.
>"Hah! Beat you!"
"You recover fast, you know that?"
>"I know. I was in that hospital for only a year! Can you believe that!?"
>You shake your head, chuckling.
"So, what was it you wanted to bring me up here for?"
>"Oh! Close your eyes..."
"Okay then." you say, shutting your eyes.
>"No peeking!"
"I'm not peekin'!"
>She's shuffling around in the picnic basket she brought with her.
>"Alright! Almost... got it... Okay, you can open them!"
>You open your eyes and are presented with a lyre that Lyra is holding with her magic.
"Wow. Is that... what your cutie mark meant? I thought it meant you could play instruments of the such."
>"I can play some others. But my main talent is playing a lyre."
"I can't say I've ever heard one."
>"They can produce lovely sounds!"
"Nothing as lovely as you."
>She blushes madly, "Oh, cut it out!"
>She tunes the small harp.
>"Do you want me to play it?"
"I would love nothing more."
>And with that, she begins playing one of the most soothing music pieces you've ever heard in your life.
>You lie back, and look up at the sky.
>Lyra lies alongside you, her still playing the lyre.
"What do you think the future holds?"
>She looks down at her belly in thought.
>"I'm not sure. You never know, right?"
"Yeah..."
>You exhale.
>"I hope you're in it though."
"My exact thoughts of you." you say, reaching over and scratching her ear.
>She lets out an adorable breath.
"A random thought--What are your beliefs on the multiverse theory?"
>"You mean, a specific amount of universes? Or infinite?"
"Infinite."
>"It's very possible. But if there were really infinite, can you imagine the chances of our two universes ending up crossing?"
"One in a quadrillion."
>"One in an infinite."
"Oh... That would make far better sense."
>"And it does. But I would give nothing up to change the fact of our two worlds crossing over." She snuggles up to your chest.
>Silence but the lyre continues playing.
>"Anon..."
"Yeah?"
>"Promise you'll never leave my side?"
>You put your arm around her waist, and pull her in. She tilts her head up, and you look her in the eyes.
"As God is my witness."
>She mumbles quietly:
>"I... love... you."
>The lyre ends its tune, Lyra lies her head on your chest, and drifts off to sleep.
>You recall that final moment you saw her in this world, and a tear falls down your face.
>You look back up into the night sky, and whisper to yourself.
"I love you too."
>And the world fades as your vision falters to black.

End.