My Little Download: Spreading the Friendship Chapter 2 (Preview) (Patreon)

At this rate, he had no hope. He was going to fail Economics.

Sure, there could have been some hope for him. Perhaps if he buckled down, sacrificed most of his free time, and focused on nothing but studying and the extra credit projects that were available, he could just squeak by.

But what was the point? Make himself even more miserable than he already was? It didn't matter if he passed or not, his dad was going to chew him to pieces when he found out how he had been doing up until this point.

He could hear it now. Failure. Family full of high class, powerful businessmen, and he didn't represent them. An embarrassment to the family legacy. All of that nonsense.

Well, sorry! Max shook his head. I never wanted to do any of this. I never… never…

Honey, it doesn't matter what your dad says. You should do what you want to do. You'll make me proud no matter what. I believe in you.

Sorry, mom. I know you would be so disappointed if you were still around. Max felt lower. I know what you said, and I'm all grown-up now, but… but I can't with dad. He would never allow it, try to ruin it. I want to… but I'll never be-

“Come on everypony, smile, smile, smile!” a sweet, if dorky, voice sang, “Fill my heart up with sunshine, sunshine~.”

Max looked up. A lanky pony with thick-rimmed, purple glasses was walking by. She had a smile on her face as her puffy red mane and tail bounced with each step. She sang quietly to herself, pausing occasionally to lick a peppermint cane she was holding.

Max blushed, watching the equine lady walk by. Sure, the candy cane was out of season and seemed a bit silly to be having in March, but he could hardly care about that. It was just seeing a pony woman in front of him that made him pause all thoughts.

All thoughts except for the big ones regarding a certain app that had been making the rounds. MLP-ified was all over the news, almost the big topic at the center of every news story those days. Only a few days ago did ponies begin appearing on campus.

Though, while they were all new, others felt like they've always been around, attending or teaching classes. The way the app worked and what it did made his head spin.

He watched the pony walk, heading over to a group of students at a picnic table. As she approached, they waved to her excitedly. She hurried over and sat down, sharing some candy canes and chatting with them.

Max watched them silently for a bit longer. Wonder if she remembers who she is or if she started over? …starting over.

He sat there quietly, reflecting on that thought for a bit. A lot of the ponies didn't seem to remember anything about their past, having a modified version of it that always had them see themselves as ponies. It was difficult for their loved ones he had to guess, but the equines never seemed to be upset or bothered.

Starting over. Max pulled his phone from his pocket and checked it. Sure enough, there was the app, having randomly downloaded onto it like with everyone else. He did try his best to ignore, even carefully moving the icon to a different screen so he wouldn't accidentally tap it.

Staring at it now, things felt different. He glanced up at the pony woman from across afar. She looked like she was happy, so happy with her life and her friends. There he was now though, his heart and mind aching.

Looking down at the app once more, his thoughts silenced. Just memories were playing in his head. What would be lost by tapping this app and things seriously changing for him? His friends… as nonexistent as they were? His family… his family…

Nuts to this. Let's try this. The decision didn't need much thought.

Max tapped the icon, and the screen went white. He held his breath as symbols and colors rapidly flashed before his eyes.

Eventually, it stopped. A sharp azure background with a curious image of a magic wand with a star-shaped end. A wave of presumably sky blue magic circled the wand.