One’s mind is a powerful thing. It can create immense worlds populated with a level of detail that someone could never begin to describe. It can force someone to believe a reality that doesn’t hold a single speck of truth. As such, it can also be a person’s greatest weakness. After all, how does someone control the very thing that defines their entire existence?
If only that was rhetorical.
I suppose it would be apt to explain why I’m writing in this journal in the first place. Well, to do that, I’d better start from the beginning. Or at least what I think started this whole mess.
—
I wasn’t always the fluffy purple pony that I now am as I write this. On the contrary, I was an ugly, hideous, and perfectly normal homo sapien. ‘What is a homo sapien?’ I hear you ask. Why, it is none other than the most flawed and violent creatures ever conceived.
But I kinda miss being one. Not because I think one species is vastly superior to another, though the fingers were a nice touch. Rather, it was because when I was a human, I got to live in this beautiful place called Earf, or as some people called it Earth. And you know what I had on Earf? A family! Well... alright, I do have a family here in Equestria, but they aren’t my biological family. Technically speaking though… Nevermind, it’s complicated.
Anyways, one day I was minding my own business back on my homeworld, walking to my job and all that good stuff, when suddenly— BLAM! That was the sound effect of me losing all my friends, family, and livelihood. Coincidentally, it’s also the sound of having a debilitating seizure and then hitting the pavement at terminal velocity.
But, hey! I bet I would’ve survived that. There was a history of seizures in my family and I was on record for having a few small ones years ago. But no, apparently Equestrian magic decided that it wasn’t worth waiting another seventy to eighty years for me to die of natural causes. Guess where I was when I woke up.
If you guessed the hospital, that would have been quite the lucky break. If you guessed with a loving family comforting me and healing my wounds, you couldn’t have been farther from the truth. But if you guessed trapped in the body of a flying, magical unicorn then ding, ding, ding! You were right! How fantastic.
Well, it could’ve been worse I suppose. I was still alive and in pretty good health. Not to mention I had an ass way better that I could’ve hoped for as a human. What? Did you expect this story to be all child friendly? There’s not going to be gratuitous cursing of course, but expect some cartoon violence, potentially drug use, and more than a fair share of sexual innuendos.
But all that can wait until I’m done with my backstory. I was just getting to the good part! Speaking of which, where was I? What major plot points could develop in this next act? Well, I guess you better keep reading to find out! God, I love books.
Enough stalling. Ever heard of someone called Star Swirl the Bearded? You know, big wizard hat, long beard, one of the most famous wizards of all time? Well, he’s only tangentially important at the moment, but it’ll come up much later.
This seems as good a place as any to explain exactly what happened to me, though I assume you must already know. Nonetheless, it’s a good idea to keep track of these things while they’re still fresh in your mind. So, you know how I had that seizure back when I was human and then I awoke as a pony? That’s only the first part of the tale. Just a forewarning, this next part is going to be a bit more… in the action, I guess you could call it.
—
A blurry landscape greets my vision. I attempt to move, a stifling haze clouding my thoughts. Wha— I manage to think as the scenery changes. Eerie light and unnerving echoes fill my senses. I try to shut my eyes, but they stay open. I can’t control my body.
Panic starts to rise in my throat, but is quickly forced down by the same haze around my thoughts. Nothing is wrong. What was I panicking about again? A distant voice shouts something unintelligible.
I perk my ears. I’m rewarded by the same voice calling what sounded like a name.
‘What?’ I try to say, but nothing escapes my mouth. The voice grows louder, overwhelming any other noise present. I try to move towards it, forgetting my lack of motor control.
I hear the voice one more time. “TWILIGHT SPARKLE!”
—
I jolt awake, flailing my limbs to defend myself from my attacker. However, I quickly stop when I take in my surroundings. The wide open air fills my gaze. I look down to confirm I’m not falling, only to be taken aback. I’m a pony. Or at least that’s what it looks like. I really don’t know what else to call it. Made of horse parts and all tiny like? That sounds like the dictionary definition of ‘pony’ to me.
“Hey, Twilight!” a voice to my right shouts.
“Wha?” I say as I turn to look at my conversation partner, freezing in shock as I see who, or what, it is. Sitting next to me is a purple, scale covered creature. He has green spike looking things protruding from his head and down his back. I guess he vaguely resembles a lizard of some sort.
He continues talking as if I wasn’t just knocked off my feet. “We’re about to arrive in Ponyville!” I nod mindlessly.
Why aren’t I panicking about turning into a purple pony thing?! I’m fairly certain that is a normal human reaction! The thought of not panicking almost sends me into another panic before I shut down that train of thought. As much as I think I should be doing that, at least I can keep a level head during whatever this is. I look around again and realize I’m in some sort of flying cart. I guess it’s a chariot.
“Yeah?” I say unsurely. “Say, uh, what are we doing in… Ponytown? It must have slipped my mind.” I give my best smile. The… lizard thing looks at me strangely for a few seconds before responding levelly.
“Uh… Nightmare Moon? Ringing any bells?” He looks at me expectantly but I just stare back blankly. “Alright, let’s try something else.” He digs around in a saddlebag in the seat between us.
The cart we’re in roughly bounces off the ground for second before settling. A gruff voice shouts from the front, “We’re here madam, sir.” I look forward for the first time and see two identical ponies in armor attached to the vessel.
I shrug before moving to leave my seat. As soon as I lift up a hind leg, I realize I have no clue how to walk. That’s embarrassing. It looks like I have to learn really fast. I have no clue where I’m expected to go right now.
I decide just thinking really hard about where each foot- hoof goes should work for now. Alright, let’s do this. I lift my right forelimb over the edge of the cart. Right arm up! I try to move my left forelimb next. And left arm- I trip and fall out of the cart, my face landing directly in a gratuitous amount of mud and grass.
“That seemed wholly unnecessary,” I say as I spit out blades of grass.
The thing I was talking to runs over to my side. “Twilight, you okay?”
I glance up to him. “Would you believe me if I told you I got brain damage from that spill?” He stares back at me, clearly confused. “Hehe. Just joking! But, um, I think an ankle might have gotten twisted or something,” I fibb. “Why don’t we find someone to help carry me to our destination so I don’t have to walk there!”
“Uh huh… Sure,” he replies with hesitation. “Why don’t we see if those guards-” He cuts himself off as he looks at the chariot. I see why as I look at the empty spot it and the guards were occupying just moments ago. Jackasses.
He looks around nervously before spotting a bright pink pony in the distance. “Maybe she can help!” The little guy moves towards the pony as I drag myself across the ground with my forelimbs. Up ahead are a handful of small, old looking buildings. And by old I mean old-fashioned, though they could’ve been built ages ago for all I know.
The newcomer stops in front of us and stares in confusion.
The lizard speaks up. “Hey, my friend here hurt her ankle and we were wondering if you could help carrying her to the hospital?” He asks hopefully. After a couple moments of unblinking staring at us, she suddenly falls on the ground and bursts out laughing.
“Uh…” I start. The pony stops giggling and bounces upright, somehow appearing behind us.
She giggles shortly. “Oh silly! You just need a little pep in your step!” She grabs my hind legs and forces me upright. I turn to look at her in shock and maybe a little annoyance, but she is no longer behind me. Bewildered, I look forward again, finding her inches from my face.
I stumble backwards in shock, but manage to keep my unsteady footing.
“See!” She shouted in jubilation. “Legs up, legs back, never slack!”
I frown, quickly getting over my shock. “That rhyme doesn’t make any sense.” Her smile just grows wider.
“It doesn’t have to make sense, look you’re standing now! It works!” She starts bouncing off. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a double party to plan!”
I turn quickly, barely staying standing. “What?!” I shout after her.
“You didn’t hear it from me!” She shouts back without turning, trailing off as she moves farther away.
I turn to my scaly companion. “What just happened?” He just shrugs.
—
I half stumble, half trot behind him as we travel down a dirt path. “Ugh. Where are we staying?” I hastily catch myself. “Assuming we are staying here tonight.”
He sighs, “You were there when I read the Princess’ letter. After checking on all the Summer Sun Festival preparations we are going to the town library for the night.”
“A library, huh? Sounds nice, I guess,” I say. That’ll make it easy to study my whole predicament. I’ve always enjoyed libraries. The peace and quiet from my daily life was always welcome, and I’d never pass up a chance to read a good book. I shake my head. What was that all about? Libraries are cool and all, but-
My train of thought is interrupted as i walk into the lizard and trip into the dirt. Again.
He looks at me, concerned, though hiding a giggle at my clumsiness. “Are you alright, Twilight? You’ve seemed really out of it since we got here.”
I wave him off the best I can while still maintaining my recently acquired standing position. “No, I mean, I’m sure I’m fine. Just a lot of nerves you know! What with all the…” I pause for a second, “stuff going on?” I respond uncertainly.
He raises an eyebrow cautiously at my unstable stance. “You sure about that? We could always head to the library early. I’m sure the Princess would understand if you aren’t feeling well!”
I consider it for a moment. “Well, actually, I have been feeling a little meh lately. Getting back and resting up sounds good!” Hopefully pony beds are comfortable.
Looking a little relieved he pulls out a map from one of my saddlebags. When did I put those on? Seeing him rummage through the bag does remind me of him presumably searching for the Princess’ letter earlier on the chariot ride. Might as well learn as much as I can.
“Hey!” I call out.
“Yeah?”
I tap my hooves together awkwardly, nearly falling over as I do so. “Do you think I could read over the letter the Princess sent us and see if… um… I forgot anything else?” He looks at me quizzically. “Always better to be prepared after all!”
He sighs, shoulders slumping slightly. “Good to know you’re still as neurotic as ever.” He reaches into my saddlebag and retrieves the letter. “Here you go, Twi.” He begins walking off before waving me to follow him.
—
“My dearest, most faithful student Twilight. You know that I value your diligence and that I trust you completely, but you simply must stop reading those dusty old books! My dear Twilight, there is more to a young pony's life than studying, so I'm sending you and Spike to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year's location: Ponyville. And, I have an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends!”
I read and reread the letter, trying to get all I can from it. Unfortunately, the details it provides are rather unhelpful. I just want to scream at the ceiling. Why me?! Let’s go over what I know, why don’t we?
One: I’m apparently the student to this Princess person. Two: the little purple guy I’ve been following around is named Spike. Three: Ponyville, my new home away from home, is hosting something called the “Summer Sun Celebration”. I think Spike mentioned it earlier, but I was far too preoccupied to think much about it. I’ll have to research exactly what it is once I get my bearings on my situation. Oh, and four: this Twilight seems to be quite the bookworm. Ordered to make friends by royalty? I can’t say I was really all that different back on Earth, but I had a few acquaintances at least! It all seems rather frivolous to me.
I cover my eyes with purple hooves, shifting to lay on my side in the bed I’m in. Behind me, a traditional style clock gently ticks towards 11. At least time seems to work the same here. Maybe I should go downstairs. I can check on what Spike is up to and read a few books to learn something of this world. With a groan, I jump off the mattress, managing to keep myself standing with only a small stumble. I guess I’m getting better.
I reach the staircase going downstairs, but a strange feeling makes me pause. I tilt my head slightly, ears rising to attention. A slight chill runs down my spine and causes me to shiver uncomfortably. Out of the corner of my eyes, I swear I see something about the moon change.
“Huh,” I murmur. Shrugging, I finish traversing the stairs, only stumbling a few times. Much better than going up. Looking to my left, I see Spike preparing a rather large breakfast. I guess it is about time to eat, though lunch does seem more appropriate. Not that I'm complaining; it'll get him out of my hair and in turn I can just fume in silence. He glances up, a little surprised at my unexpected appearance.
He stops stirring a bowl of batter. “Feeling better already?” He asks hopefully.
“I guess… Still don’t think I can go out and talk to any more peop— uh, ponies.”
“Oh? What are you going to do in the meantime? We don’t exactly have much stuff we can get done in here,” he says, raising an eyebrow, slowly returning to mixing.
I smirk and turn to the vast collection of books before me. “Speak for yourself. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some reading to do.”