James stumbled into Celestia’s great hall. He fell to his hands and knees in front of the throne. Panting, he wiped the sweat from his brow. Attempting to rise to his feet, he curled over coughing then collapsed on the stone-cold floor. He lay on his back taking shallow breaths as a shadow blocked out the light from above.

“James?” asked Celestia in a soft voice.

“Please…” James whispered in a hoarse voice. "The calendars appear blank, the clocks have no hands, and all I have left is a fading family photo."

“There is no way to send you back. We’ve been over this before,” Celestia said.

“There must be something.” James slowly rose to his feet. He used the stonewall to steady himself.

Luna stepped forward. “Should we tell him?” she asked Celestia.

“We can’t, you know—”

“Tell me what?” James stifled a cough. “Please, I-I’m dying.”

Celestia turned to Luna and gave her a slight nod. “The circumstances… are unique…”

“I’ll do my best to explain.” Luna paused, looking him in the eyes. “James, you are dying—but not in the way you think. Equestria isn’t a planet like where you come from. It’s a plane of existence floating through the ether.

“When Equestria is near another world, the essence of passing beings are brought to Equestria where it merges with the unborn; they are born again, in a new life.”

James ran a hand through his long greasy hair. As impossible as it sounded, he was in a place that gave impossible a broader meaning. “So… you are saying I’m going to be… like you. A pony?”

Luna shook her head solemnly.

“So I could become anything—a dragon, a changeling, a—” Luna raised a hoof to silence him.

“No. Your species has some unique properties. You aren’t physically here. Your body still resides on your world. It seems your soul has left your body. Somehow you haven’t passed over. Something is keeping your body alive, but the further we drift from your world, the bigger toll it will take on your memories.”

James pulled his wallet out of his reduced-to-rags suit. A single tear ran down his face as he stared at the fading photo inside. His two kids, if only he could see their faces would he remember their names.

He knew what it meant. He knew that once Equestria moved on, he would too. All that would remain would be an empty husk on life support.

“There must be something. Anything,” James pleaded. “You don’t understand. My kids… I want to see them grow. My wife, oh God I miss her.” James slid down the wall clutching his stomach.

“Coming to Equestria is a one-way trip. Normally, you’d be born again with no memory of your past life.” Celestia bowed her head to show her condolence.

“Sister, maybe we can help him.” Luna and Celestia walked a few paces away speaking in whispers.

“Are you sure?”

Luna nodded. “It’s the only way, the only cure.” She returned to James, who managed to stand upright again. “This is the only way you’ll get to see your family again, but I’m not sure it’s what you’d want.”

“Yes, whatever it is, yes. I’m forgetting them—this picture is all I have left of me!”

Luna nodded, casting away any apprehension. “Look at the picture,” Luna instructed. “Good, now think real hard about your family and only your family. Let me know when you get a clear picture.”

James concentrated with everything he had. He struggled through the fuzz in in his head, but he managed to get a decent memory of them. “Okay.”

“Good.” Luna’s horn light up. “Now, remember your old life, and the things you did.”

It was hazy at first, but soon the memories trickled in. As more memories returned, the easier it got for James to focus.

“I got him aligned to his body best I can, Tia. I can’t hold this much longer.” Luna’s voice strained as she focused on holding the spell.

Celestia took a step forward, lighting up her horn. “Sleep,” she said softly, and James’ arms went slack. “Now, Luna.”

Both Celestia’s and Luna’s auras surrounded James, keeping him upright. His body became rigid. His dirty skin turning a shade of grey.

“Forever in your dreams. Forever shall you be with them,” Luna said as James’ body and texture matched the wall of the castle. “And of stone, time can't ravage.”