The universe has a beginning, but no end. — Infinite.
The Pheonix Temple, a Reality class spaceship, named after a historical captain, came across a space anomaly. This is not uncommon, as many Reality class spaceships find these on the regular as it is literally their purpose. However, space anomalies could range from a star being hotter than it should be to three blackholes in close proximity, and since those on the right of the spectrum are seldom seen, many worthwhile discoveries aren't that newsworthy.
The biggest anomaly that was found, was a nebula that could produce feelings and emotions. The Crimson Jasmine Den was thought lost until it reamerged a year later and the crew became smarter in the nebula.
"Give me a reading!" Captain Mad Scientist ordered. A skinny earth pony, thick white coat and a short spiky mane. His eyes gleamed with a certain madness, a madness that his crew have come to understand as normal.
"Aye!" 'The Assistant' cried, before tapping at her console. Second in Command Chestnut, the unicorn had a white coat that went into beige legs, her long mane was red. "Sir! It appears it's a wormhole. Should we investigate?"
"Engineering, what's our status on our engine?" The Captain instead asked through his intercom.
"Everything is in peak condition, sir." Chief Barrel. A sturdy earth pony, dirty green coat and a short, greasy, brown mane. Very reliable when it came to engineering and, supposedly, mares. Nopony ever comes to him for mare advice.
"Very well, take us forward Officer Upa." A dainty unicorn, baby blue coat and a similar black mane as the captain, tapped at her console, speeding up the spaceship.
Then, it was at that moment, the wormhole spat something out, something small and cylindrical.
"Wait!" The Captain paused dramatically. "Engineering, bring out Future Gadget 14."
"Aye, bringing out the tractor beam."
There was a click, a loud thud, then a soft whirring as a green light protruded from the side. When it hit the cylindrical object, it started moving towards the spaceship at a faster rate. Not even 10 minutes passed when the object was safely stored behind a quarantine barricade. Another five was all it took for the Captain and the Second to make their way down.
"What are we looking at?" Chestnut asked, her horn sparking, no doubt probing for any magical residue.
"Is it harmful?" Scientist queried, eyeing every corner of the capsule.
"My readings have indicated it is safe. As for what it is…" Professor Shining trailed off for a bit. The others gave her a few moments to collect her thoughts. "I think it's a box. Something you can open. What's inside, I can't tell you."
The Professor, a white pegasus with a blonde mane. She is also never seen without her glasses.
"Alright. Let's open it." Before anypony could stop him, The Captain stepped through the safety field and promptly opened it. He did not expect the box to be empty nor be so easy to open. "Well…that was disappointing."
Then an audio recording started playing…
***
In another place, in another time, a group of friends huddled around a newest invention. It was a strange looking contraption, boxy, had lots of pipes and wires running through it, several enchanted crystals seemed to power it.
"What is it, darling?"
"Ah reckon it's some sortin' system. The dewey whatchimacalit."
"The Pony Decimal System!"
"Yeah, that."
"Well, I think it's gonna be totally awesome! Whaddya think, Flutters?"
"Oh…I don't know. Whatever makes Twilight happy, I suppose."
"It's a portal that leads to outerspace in a different timeline where cupcakes don't exist. I should know." Pinkie Pie nodded sagely.
"However do you know?" Rarity asked, not entirely surprised, but still felt the need to ask. Pinkie just smiled.
"Well, ya know Pinkie. One mysterious mare." Applejack chuckled before circling the strange device that lounged in Twilight Sparkle's castle.
"Oh, I really hope it's not dangerous." Fluttershy tried to inch her way out but Rainbow Dash held her in place with a sturdy wing.
"Come on, this is Twilight we're talking about! It's probably going to be a hundred percent safe." She nodded assuredly.
Then, the doors burst open, revealing the mare in question. "Sorry girls, I just had to grab some paper before we started."
"That's fine, darling. But I think the most pressing thing on our minds is…"
"The big freaking machine in the middle of your castle!"
"Yes…thank you, Rainbow."
"No prob, Rares."
"I call this, the Stone Gate. It's a portal, essentially. To where, I'm not sure. To find out, I'm going to send things through!"
"Oooh, like a letter?"
"Exactly, Pinkie! Now, I've invited you all here today so we could write this letter, together."
***
"Greetings, my name is Princess Twilight Sparkle. I am the current ruler of Equestria on the planet of Equus. To whom am I speaking with?"
The audio recording ended, leaving the room in silence.
"What now, Captain?"
"Get Dr. Meadow here now."
"Aye."
It didn't take long for the stallion to arrive. A white coat that faded into red hooves, his mane was black and short. The pegasus was slim and had a very feminine attitude resulting in much confusion. From what the Captain has gathered, the Doctor didn't mind the confusion.
"You called me, Captain?"
"Yes, you are the resident Xenobiologist, what do you think of this?"
The audio was played again. This left the Doctor befuddled.
"This is very curious. I have never heard of the planet Equus, but I have heard of Equestria. Remember that metallic planet? I found an object there, I called it the Intergalactic Bit Memory. Or the IBM for short. It held records in our own language and it spoke of Equestria too. I didn't know it was a monarchy, very interesting."
"I see, so basically no information." The Captain paused for a moment. "Well, bring in Linguist Cat, this is her expertise."
"Sir, you can't be serious! Sending something through that wormhole might be cataclysmic!"
"Where's the fun in that, Assistant!"
"It's Second in Command! I'm Second Chestnut, sir!"
"That's what I said, now get the Linguist."
"...aye."
Another moment passed and yet another member joined the already crowded storage bay.
"Linguist Cat on deck, sir!" The mare giggled. The white unicorn, with a curly pink mane bounded into the room with a big smile.
"Linguist, we need to construct a message to send to this mysterious Twilight Sparkle."
"Aye!"
***
Dear Princess Twilight and Friends,
Your world sounds fascinating and I would like to visit one day. I hope you can share more details about it. Currently, I live on a giant ship in outer space. Me and my crew came across a wormhole one day and your letter in a bottle was picked up by us.
-Phoenix Temple
"Woah, outer space."
"Woah indeed, Rainbow. Ah can't believe it. Actual ponies, livin' up above."
"I wonder what their fashion is like, I certainly hope nothing horrendous."
"Do they have animals in space?"
"Or cupcakes! Sprinkles? Glazing? Frosting? Any sugar at all? Anything sweet?"
"Focus girls! I know it can be exciting, but we need to calm down. We just need to think of all, and I do mean all the questions there could be asked. And once we get a detailed description of what their race is, speaking of, just because they can read and write Ponish doesn't mean they're ponies, then I can write a report to Princess Celestia! Maybe she knows about this? And this Pheonix Temple creature, they said they want to visit! Isn't that exciting! Actual extraterrestrial organisms coming…here. That's got to…"
"Darling."
Twilight stopped and stared at her friends before realizing what had just happened. "Ehe…sorry. Yes, first things first. A response. What are we thinking, gang?"
***
"Crew of the Pheonix Temple. I assume the wormhole you are currently positioned nearby is stable? This is absolutely crucial before we continue with messaging."
"Alright, you heard the mare. Get the Chief on it."
"Aye!" The Second started speaking into her intercom.
"Sir, how do you know this Twilight is a mare?"
"Linguist, do you want to explain to the Professor?"
"Aye. The way her voices catches, indicates she is female."
"But, how do you know she's a mare? She might not even be a pony."
"Doctor?"
"Aye. Unfortunately, Captain, I disagree with Linguist Cat. Just because their voice catches and sounds feminine, doesn't mean they are female."
"I see your point."
"Thank you. As for you, Professor. Captain wants me to indicate the fact that this mysterious individual speaks Ponish."
"That doesn't mean she…sorry, they, are a pony!"
"Excuse me…Captain, Chief says his daughter is on it."
"Officer Part-Time?"
"Yes, her."
"Good. Tell me when the scan is complete."
"It's complete."
"Good. Tell me what the scan said."
"The wormhole is stable."
"Good. Tell me a response so we can send it to the Princess."