Twilight Sparkle
Beep. Beep. Beep.
I groaned inwardly as the haze of sleep receded from my mind. I thrashed about to free myself of the several sheets and blankets I had become ensnared in, like a terrified fly struggling against the grasp of a spider's web. Finally managing to kick the covers away, I swung my forelegs over the edge of the bed and sighed.
Another early morning in Ponyville. It seemed like mere minutes since I had collided with my mattress as I surrendered to my weariness, and now it was time to get up, make myself look presentable to the public, and commence another enthralling day of re-shelving books. Oh joy.
My clouded gaze drifted to the arms of my traditional alarm clock as I struggled to register the correct time. It was 7:30 am, the same time I, Twilight Sparkle, awaken every day. That gives me exactly a half hour to prepare for the busy day ahead. I staggered to my hooves and made my way to the bathroom. The reflection of a tired unicorn was an expected sight.
My mane lay in complete disarray, purple and pink strands stuck out at odd angles and one of my bangs was wavy and stuck up atop my head. Dark circles hung under my lavender eyes, joined by smudges of mascara I had neglected to wash off the night before. I was a complete and utter mess. My post-bed features would be something Discord might applaud. Unkempt was a word that came to mind.
My magic lifted a green toothbrush from a rusted holder, as well as a tube of toothpaste. The purple aura unscrewed the lid with ease, squeezing just enough of the minty white gunk onto the brush. It went to work on my teeth, replacing the taste of stale coffee and last night's dinner with a delightful peppermint. I lifted my hairbrush to my mane, the magic working through it with clockwork strokes. I smiled with satisfaction as it began to smooth out, restoring me to the pony that everyone knew me as. Resting the brush on the side of the sink, I gave a splash of cold water to my face. There. Just enough to snap me out of any lingering sleepiness. A cloth to the area surrounding my eyes cleared the mascara, only to be replaced as I ran the brush through my eyelashes.
Perfect. I was once again Twilight Sparkle. I trotted cheerily down the stairs, noting that I had at least fifteen minutes to eat my breakfast before show time. My nostrils were instantly greeted by the delicious aroma of what I believe to be... hmm, hay bacon and eggs? My suspicions were confirmed as I entered the kitchen.
Spike stood atop a wooden stool, which allowed him to be level with the stove. He wore an apron and clutched a spatula in his clawed hand. Three strips of hay (otherwise known as hay bacon) and two freshly cracked eggs were sizzling to perfection in a metal pan.
"That looks delicious!" I commented, pressing my muzzle in for another sniff of the breakfast. Spike opened his mouth to reply, but his words were interrupted by a loud knock at the door. We exchanged glances briefly before I made my way to the door. The knocking came again, more rapid and even louder than before. "Hold your horses!" I cried as I galloped to the door, opening it a crack.
"I'm sorry, but the library doesn't open for another ten minutes." I said. A noise that resembled that of a tea kettle's whistle sounded from the impatient visitor.
"I, the Earl of Lemongrab, have traveled for days from the distant land of Ooo. I seek the aid of one they call 'Twilight Sparkle'. Is she here?" he asked. His voice was odd, it was scratchy and sounded like he was constantly whining like some spoiled brat. I had never heard of Lemongrab, nor a that there was a neighboring land called Ooo. Nonetheless, he claimed he was an Earl, and I felt obliged to allow him in.
I let the door swing open with a long creak of complaint came from the aged hinges. What I saw before me took me entirely by surprise. I stifled a scream, instead allowing a quiet 'eep' to escape my lips.
Before me stood a tall, lanky creature. He stood on two thin legs. He had no coat, nor a mane. His head resembled a large lemon standing on it's edge, pockmarked with tiny lemon dimples. He stared at me with two unblinking eyes, one on either side of his incredibly long, pointed nose. I could see where 'Lemongrab' came into this equation. He wore a grey suit adorned with nothing but a green sash with a lemon badge pinned to it. In a loop in his sash hung a sword.
"Hello.." Lemongrab said with the faintest of smiles, extending a yellow hand to shake. I offered up my hoof. "Are you Twilight Sparkle? The one I have searched for?"
"Erm... yes! Yes, I am Twilight. Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir." I found myself stuttering, and before I knew it, I had invited the creature inside. He took a sheepish step in, absorbing his surroundings with the occasional nod of his head. I studied him as his gaze meandered about the library. It seemed that with each new thing he saw, he uttered a quiet 'hmm' to himself. Interesting reaction. "Can I get you anything, Mr. Lemongrab?"
"No."
"Okaaay. Well, how about we sit down and you can tell me what you need help with." I offered as I settled down on the sofa.
"I need to learn about something." he replied blandly, taking a seat beside me.
"Really? Why, that's simple! I've got so many wonderful books you can read. What do you need to know? History or math? Perhaps spell-casting? Potions? Ooh, I've got this particularly informative book on potions you might like -"
"Friendship." Lemongrab interrupted. "I hear it is nice. I want to learn the art of friendship." My mouth opened, but words failed to come out as they jammed in my throat. There were no books on friendship. There was the definition of friendship in the dictionary, but I sincerely doubt that it might offer any assistance.
"I-I'm very sorry. I'm awfully busy, and there is just so much I need to do around the library. I really don't have time to teach you everything-"
"Please?" he persisted.
"I - well, okay." I sighed. "I'll help you."