Chapter 1: Mission Suspended
Magic is sometimes difficult to understand or control. Those of us ponies who have been gifted with its use are to always remember the sheer power we possess. I find myself in dire need of very powerful magic, the kind of magic that can only be found in the hooves of Alicorns like myself, or so I thought. The spell I created was no different from any other teleportation spell, except that it was to first scan all the lands for powerful magic ponies, the most powerful mage would be the one it teleported me to. So why am I standing outside a back water pony town in the middle of nowhere? Surely, the greatest pony mage is not here.
Shrugging off my doubts, I disguise my wings with a simple camouflage spell and cautiously enter the town. The locals do not seem to notice me much, as it is the peak of the day. School has just let out and all the fillies and colts are running about in the streets while their parents arrange the family’s evening. One mare in particular, a bright pink one with an unbelievably fluffy mane and tail draws my attention. She is the cashier for some kind of bakery. As I examine the building it appears to be made of sweets, and not only serves as a bakery but also doubles as a home.
“This town may not be so boring after all. However, I still need to find the pony that attracted my spell.” I mutter to myself.
The pink one seems to know everypony in town, as she has a quick conversation with each of her customers, so I decide to see if she knows any powerful magi, big mistake.
As I approach her register while trying to blend with the crowds, she seems to become more focused on my presence. Is she somehow aware that I am not a local?
As soon as I stop in front of her register she fires off a rapid monologue that leaves my mind reeling from the impact. “Hi, you’re new around here aren’t you? I know because I know everypony in Ponyville. You’re a unicorn with wings! Does that mean you’re special? Oh, I love special ponies! My name’s Pinkie Pie, I live here at Sugar Cube Corner. What’s your name? Where do you live?”
Her high-pitched happy voice carries through the speech without a break, and I find myself growing more concerned about the overall sanity of everypony in town if they think this one normal.
Haltingly, as I am still processing everything she said, I respond, “My name is Lightning Quill, and you’re right. I am new here.”
She is quivering with pent up energy, I think. I ask her, “Are you okay, Pinkie Pie?”
She squeals in delight and jumps, rocketing several feet into the air as she says, as soon as she lands, “Then it’s time for your new-pony-in-town-party! Whoopee!” She darts off before I have a chance to reply, and I shudder with the realization that the entirety of Ponyville is about to know I’m here.
I wait a few minutes for Pinkie to return, but when she doesn’t, I decide to go about my business. I create a spell that allows me to detect powerful magic users, even if they are masking themselves. The spell designates that I should head toward the center of town.
But as I’m about to enter the town square, Pinkie returns, she immediately says, “Follow me, there is somepony important I want you to meet.”
Her dead serious, but still smiling, face tells me I should follow her, but I decide to do so from a safe distance. “Alright, Pinkie, who’s this important somepony?” I respond. She squeals again and bounces away. Sighing, I follow her. There isn’t any point to figuring her out right now; I’ve got a mission to complete.
A few more minutes pass, and my detection spell is going absolutely ballistic. Whoever she is taking me to could be my target. I spot a purple unicorn reading a book on a park bench, it is at this point that I notice that Pinkie and I have traveled through most of town, and I was so distracted with her crazy antics and my spell I barely noticed!
Berating myself for such negligence, my thoughts are interrupted by Pinkie saying to the unicorn, “Twilight, I have a new friend you need to meet, he’s a unicorn like you, but he also has wings! How cool is that?” This “Twilight” sighs lightly, closes her book, and looks up at me.
One eyebrow arches as she turns to Pinkie, “Uh, Pinkie, he doesn’t have wings.” I relax a little knowing that my camouflage works on at least one pony. But I am still hopelessly confused by Pinkie Pie.
She stands up and offers a hoof as she says, “My name is Twilight Sparkle, and other than you, I’m the newest mare in town.” We shake hooves.
I respond, “My name is Lightning Quill.”
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance Lightning Quill. Don’t worry about Pinkie, she can be a little much for new ponies, but once you get used to her, quirks, she really is a very nice mare.”
“I don’t doubt it.” I smile warmly. Pinkie interjects, “I’ll bet you Fluttershy would really like this stallion.”
“Who’s Fluttershy?” I ask.
Twilight answers, “Fluttershy is a Pegasus that lives just outside of town. She’s a bit of shut-in, but loves meeting new critters. She’s really shy around new ponies though, so just let me and Pinkie do the talking.”
“Let’s go then!” Pinkie says excitedly.
Oddly enough, my spell seems to be directing me toward Twilight Sparkle, but my thoughts are constantly being interrupted by Pinkie. I find it impossible to concentrate between her antics, and Twilight’s questions. Twilight is very inquisitive, but not overbearing like her bouncy friend, and I find myself growing slowly fond of both of them in a strange sort of way.
After several minutes of walking, Fluttershy’s cottage comes into view. I assume she is the yellow Pegasus with long, flowing pink hair.
As we approach Twilight turns to me and says, “It would be best if I do the introductions. Because, no offense Lightning Quill, you’ll probably scare her. It’s not your fault. Like I said, she needs time to warm up to new ponyfolk.”
As promised, Fluttershy is quite timid around me, although she seems to be talking with her friends without any trouble. Twilight introduces me to Fluttershy, and I bow low to her. She blushes lightly and hides her eyes behind her locks.
I speak softly and gently, letting me voice project strength and gentleness, “Miss Fluttershy, you don’t need to be frightened of me. I’m not here to scare you or your animals.”
She shows her enough to look into mine, quietly she whispers, “Okay.” She jerks sharply as her eyes start darting back and forth. As she does an agitated little dance in place she says worriedly, “My new critter friend is missing!”
She starts looking around frantically. The four of us start searching as well. I get the sense that a pair of fearful eyes is resting on me. Following the sensation, I discover a young rabbit hiding in some bushes near Fluttershy’s cottage. As I approach she starts curling herself into a ball and withdrawing from me, but as soon as I see this I lie down to make myself look smaller.
Using the same technique I used on Fluttershy, I ask, “Are you the friend Fluttershy is looking for?” I tap into a Ranger ability I learned long ago as I say this. This ability allows me to communicate with animals of any species, although it doesn’t work too well on sentient races. She nods slightly, still unsure whether or not to come out. I continue, “My name is Lightning Quill. I’m a new friend of Fluttershy’s.” She looks at me with unsure eyes and backs away a little more.
Pinkie soon finds me sitting across from the rabbit next to the bush. I see her bouncing rapidly toward us with the other mares close behind. I stand up and shield the little rabbit from Pinkie’s, well, Pinkieness.
“Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Now I get to throw two parties, one for the new pony, and the other to celebrate finding Fluttershy’s new friend!” Pinkie exults.
“That won’t be necessary Pinkie; I don’t plan on living in town for long.” I respond. Everypony seems dismayed by this, so I feel the need to elaborate. “I will need a place to stay for a few days while a find a house of my own, or a place to build one. After that I’ll be settling in.” This news causes everypony to perk up.
“If you need help building, my friend Applejack will be happy to lend a hoof.” Twilight offers. I nod in response.
“Where do you plan on sleeping?” Pinkie asks.
“I’m not for sure. If I can stay in a guest room at one of your homes, that would be preferable. But if that’s not an option, I’ll rent one at the town inn.”
“That won’t be necessary, the Ponyville Library has plenty of spare rooms that nopony regularly uses.” Twilight offers.
“Thank you, Twilight. I’ll be sure to repay your kindness in the future.”
That night I lie down on the cushions Twilight dug out of a storage closet, and I start contemplating the fact that my spell is still leading me towards her. Why would it lock onto this humble unicorn as the most powerful magician in Equestria? Deciding to save the questions for when I’m not exhausted by an evening spent partying with Pinkie Pie and company I quickly drift off to sleep. Pinkie ended up not throwing a celebration. She was talked into just enjoying the arrival of a new pony in town. I defuse my spell allowing its energies to bleed away. My mind clouds over as I get a good night’s sleep. It’s been a long time since the last restful night.