Happy Town Eternal Memorabilia

by Vertigo22


How to Save a Life

The town was alive with the sounds of laughter and unanimous joy. Wherever Twilight looked, she could see ponies dance the night away without a care in the world. Colts and fillies pranced around with little regard for their surroundings. Older ponies sat around tables, playing an array of board and card games. Off in the distance, the sound of music blared out from a pair of large speakers and through the air.

"Oh, I just love these parties!” Summer’s attention went from place to place repeatedly, not having the patience to stay in any one location for more than a few seconds, while her eyes filled with endless glee. “So, like, okay.” She turned to Twilight, her legs restlessly moving as her excitement continued to rise. “I have so many ponies I want you to meet and places I just need to show you!” Taking a deep breath, she continued. “So, who do you wanna meet first? O-or, better, where do you wanna go first!?” She gasped. “Or even better: do you wanna meet somepony at one of the places I wanna show you!?”

Twilight took a step back from Summer. “We just got here,” she said. “Don't you think—”

“Don't be a buzzkill!” Summer ruffled Twilight's mane. “You gotta cut loose and meet some ponies! Maybe you can learn about how they came to the town like I did!”

Twilight raised a hoof to object, only to stop as she remembered what Celestia had suggested. She lowered it and shook her head. “That’s a fantastic idea, Summer!” She scanned the area. She recognized several of the ponies from when she first arrived in town. One, however, caught her attention above the others. “Candy!”

Summer's attention snapped away. An enormous smile formed on her face and she galloped over to Candy, who was seated near a table with a glass of water on said table, that could be presumed to be hers. She ran up to her side and threw her hooves around her. “Oh my gosh, Candy! I've missed you!”

Candy mimicked her friends action, embracing her friend in a constricting hug. “Oh, by Happy's holy wings!” she said. “It’s been forever!

“You two haven't seen each other?” Twilight asked as she walked over, Spike slung over her back. “How long has it been since you both spoke to each other?”

“Six whole hours!” Candy said, a tear running down her face. “I-I can't believe it's been so long!”

Spike sat up from on Twilight's back. “They aren't being ironic, are they?” He rolled his eyes as Twilight shook her head ‘no’ and flopped back onto Twilight, hanging off her side. “What in Tartarus?”

After a few moments of hugging, Summer broke the embrace and sat down next to Candy. “So, Candy, Twilight here wants to learn about why some ponies moved to the town!” she said. “Mind telling her why you came here?”

Candy blushed. “Oh, well, you see.” She cleared her throat and sheepishly giggled. “I didn’t have any family to live with as they’d left for greener pastures thanks to impoverishment or were dead because they didn’t go and succumbed to disease or famine.” She sighed and cursed beneath her breath. “I was one of those that didn’t go and eventually had no family to go to who’d care about me on account of the ones that were alive were either at death’s doorstep or only looked out for themselves.”

Candy’s facial expression changed rapidly; alternating between a look of sorrow and insurmountable joy. After a few seconds, it settled on joy and she continued. “One day, when I was out looking for something to eat, which usually meant a two week old sandwich that was thrown out by some wannabe oligarch that was passing through to laugh at us peasants, I heard somepony making a speech.” Candy took a sip of water, her eyes watering up. “His words were divine. He spoke of retribution coming for those that had left my home city as it was and how the demons in Canterlot were the reason that I and everypony else was left scavenging for food every day; fighting to the death whenever we found a delicacy like moldy bread.”

Twilight levitated over a napkin to Candy, who grabbed it and wiped the tears off of her face. “T-thank you.” She sniffled. “Happy told us the paradise he wanted to make. He said he was visited by an archangel and that he’d been instructed to build a town that would be blessed to become Heaven on Equus.” Candy hung her head and shook it. “Nopony believed him. They just turned their backs to him and walked away. I remember several of them passing by me, calling him another charlatan who should be hung for his words. I didn’t, however. I saw him as the answer to the prayers I said every night before bed. A ticket out of the city. I approached him and asked him where this town would be.”

“In the land where the Solar Tyrant and her demons cannot see or find us.” There was a brief pause. “At least, not yet.”

Twilight and Spike turned around to see Happy, who walked over to the table and sat down on a chair. “Candy was one of the first ponies to ever break free of Celestia’s brainwashing and follow me,” he said. “It was terrifying and aggravating to see so many ponies ignore what I had to say because of what a sociopathic dictator had indoctrinated them with false messages and concepts of ‘friendship’ and ‘love’.”

“Yup, and now I understand that true friendship cannot be imposed onto us by malevolent rulers who see us as their playthings!” Candy bounced up and hugged Happy, who in turn wrapped a wing around her and nuzzled her. “Not a day goes by when I'm not thankful that he came to my town and gave a speech.”

Happy chuckled. “Candy, how many times must I remind you.” He withdrew his wing and put it beneath her chin, tilting her head up so she was looking him eye-to-eye. “It was all destined to happen.”

Candy gasped. “Yes, yes. How could I be so silly?” She blushed and looked at Twilight. “Predestination is such an amazing thing, is it not?” A frown slowly formed on her face as Twilight remained dead silent. “Do you… not agree?”

“I, uh, just don’t quite understand the concept,” Twilight said sheepishly. “Are we not all capable of doing as we wish to forge our own paths?”

Happy placed a hoof over Candy’s mouth. “I understand where you’re coming from, Twilight,” he said. “I used to think like you, but then I realized that everything has been set in stone since the day we’re born.”

“And how did you come to that realization?” Twilight asked, venom filling her voice. “Did the archangel tell you?”

“Well, it seems the indoctrination runs deep in this one,” Happy remarked. “Now normally, I’d have the angels drag you to the courthouse for being disrespectful, but since you’ve yet to break free of the fallacies spread by Celestia, I will pardon you for now. That said: no, though she did reinforce what I had come to believe by then.”

“Thanks…” Twilight said through gritted teeth. “And your realization?”

“Predestination,” Happy deadpanned, a bored look on his face. “Are there any other impromptu questions you wish to ask, or may I continue on mingling with the citizens of the town?”

Twilight swallowed a lump in her throat. “No,” she began, a hint of irritation in her voice. “I’m… sorry.”

“No need to apologize, Miss. Sparkle.” Happy got up and walked over to Twilight’s side, patting her on the head with one of his wings. “I understand that you have much integrating into our society to do. Don’t worry, we’ll all be here for you when you struggle to do so.” He turned Twilight’s head so she was facing him. “For now, why not go mingle with some of the residents and get to know them?”

“I was planning on doing just that.” Twilight stood up and motioned for Spike and Summer to follow her. “C’mon, let’s go.”

“Actually, I’d like to get to know your little friend a bit,” Happy said. “ If it’s okay with you that is. I’ve had so much time to speak with you that I’ve yet to get the chance to become acquainted with your draconian companion.”

Twilight turned around and craned her neck to the side. Spike gave her a look that screamed ‘please say no’. She frowned and shook her head. “I won’t leave Spike alone. I’m sorry.”

“Aw, that’s a shame,” Happy said, sorrowfully. “Since Spike came into town with you, I’ve been saving up a feast-sized serving of gems just for him.”

Twilight watched as Spike’s eyes grew. Drool seeped out of his mouth as thoughts of delectable gems of all sorts filled his little head. “Y-you know,” he began, “I think I’ll stay with you guys. I’m sure Twilight won’t mind.”

“I dunno.” Happy looked to Twilight. “Think you can let him stay with us just this once?”

Twilight sighed and nodded. “Just make sure he doesn’t go into a food coma.”

Happy let out a hearty laugh and waved a hoof nonchalantly. “Don’t worry, Miss. Sparkle. I’d never harm a hair—or scale—on any of my citizens.”

Turning back around, Twilight trotted off, scanning the various groups of ponies that joyfully chatted, laughed, and played. An assortment of drinks, alcoholic and otherwise, lined several tables. A couple of small booths had been set up, each containing a little game that some of the ponies played. For as far as she could see, the land that was a park just the day before had been transformed into a small fairground of sorts. Eventually, her gaze shifted from the world around her to a small table in front what was normally a restaurant. Sitting alone, with a small cup of water, was an earth pony mare with a peach-colored coat. She stared blankly at the cup, oblivious to Twilight as she approached her.

“Hi!” Twilight chirped. “I’m Twilight Sparkle. What’s your name?”

“Peppermint Spice,” the mare said, her voice meek and no higher than Fluttershy’s. She turned her head slightly, her stare boring its way into Twilight’s soul. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Yeah… mind if I take a seat with you?” Peppermint nodded, and Twilight walked around the table and sat across from her. “So, I recently, uh, moved here.”

“I’m aware. Summer’s told me how awesome and fantastic you are.” Peppermint took a sip of her water. “She always tells me how great newcomers are, but she’s been exceptionally ecstatic about you. She sees you as the center of her world.”

Twilight blushed. “Oh, really?”

Peppermint gave another nod. “So, what is it that you wish to know, Miss. Sparkle?”

“Well, you see, Happy wanted me to come and ‘mingle’ with the residents, so I wish to get acquainted with you all,” Twilight said. “I guess what I really want to know is your story. Like, how did you get here?”

Peppermint rolled her eyes. “I ended up here like any other pony you’ve spoken to,” she said. “I’m sure you’ve heard it before and I’m sure you’ll hear it many times after you’re done talking to me.” She stared Twilight in the eye, letting out a sigh after a few seconds. “Well, you see, my house burned down, my parents died when I was a foal in said fire, and I met Happy after twenty-seven years of being a drifter. He told me the cold, harsh truth: Celestia’s obliviousness to the conditions of Equestria’s cities had caused me to live like this. So, now, I live here. I’ve only been here for four months, but it’s refreshing to have a roof over my head.”

“And how exactly did you meet Happy?” Twilight inquired. “I’d love to know that part.”

“He visited my town and I heard him talking.” Peppermint groaned when Twilight gestured for her to continue. “Miss. Sparkle, while I know you wish to hear my story, I would rather not recount the time of my life that isn’t associated to my time here. I spend hours each night crying as I realize the gift that I was given by Happy. I’m thankful every waking second that I am here. It was continuous torture living on the streets of where I came from. The ponies were brutal and would frequently beat me if they saw that I had even the slightest bit of food. Those that didn’t beat me would frequently use me to get it. I refuse to recount anything that isn’t requested by Happy himself.”

“I understand.” Twilight stood up and bowed her head. “I’m sorry, Peppermint.”

“It's fine, Miss. Sparkle,” Peppermint replied. “Do have a good evening, and welcome to Happy Town.” She waved goodbye as Twilight walked away.

“Well, that could’ve gone better,” Twilight mused to herself. “No, I can’t be so harsh on myself. I wasn’t aware of her problems. I just have to make the best of what I did and make sure I’m more cautious with the next pony.” She scanned her surroundings until her eyes fell on a street lamp. Beneath it was a unicorn mare with a magenta coat. “Oh, she seems friendly enough.”

Twilight trotted over, waving a wing to the mare. “Quite the party, isn’t it?” She walked up to the mare’s side and casually looked out the crowds, which had only increased since she took the time to observe them.

“They’re usually like this, but yeah,” the mare replied. “You must be new here. You don’t look familiar.”

“That I am!” Twilight extended a hoof. “My name’s Twilight Sparkle. I recently moved her to escape the horrors that that, er, tyrant has wrought upon Equestria.”

“Yeah, that’s a new one.” The mare giggled and shook Twilight’s hoof. “My name’s Mystic Breeze. A pleasure to meet you, Twilight.”

“Well, thank you,” Twilight said. “If I may, I’m trying to learn the stories of how ponies here came to live here. Would you mind if I ask you what your story is?

“Not at all. You see, where I was from, ponies thought that I was a fraud; that my services were… laughable.” Mystic cursed beneath her breath; a look of frustration on her face. “They’d always say that I was but a crackpot who wanted to swindle ponies out of their hard earned bits. Even when I set up a shop at a fair for fun, they’d say that my ‘game’ was ‘a load of garbage’ because it was good old me.”

“I realized that if I was to ever have a life free of generalization and guilt by association, I had to find a place that would accept me for who I was and what I wished to do in my life, I had to flee. So, I did just that. In the middle of the night, I packed my things and ran off. I left no letter or trace that I’d been there. I lived alone, so it wasn’t like anypony was going to wonder where I’d gone.

“Life on the road was simple enough. Nowhere I went exactly screamed ‘home’ to me, so it was a bit demoralizing. I began to wonder if I’d made the right choice until I stumbled across a massive wall. Well, part of one anyway. It was still construction, but what had been made was jaw-dropping. It was like something out of Canterlot and it made my heart skip a beat. I stared for quite some time until a few ponies surrounded me, asking what business I had.

“I told them that I was looking for a new home, and I was immediately brought to Happy. He told me all about predestination and these ideas that resonated with me. He spoke of how this town was a place where everypony was accepted; how it was everything Celestia spoke and preached about, but how it was actually enacted upon. The torment that I suffered would never have been allowed to happen here. He told me that it was Celestia who was the root of my troubles; that her ignorance to what happens right under her nose was why he had taken it upon himself to bring salvation to the trouble stallions and mares; colts and fillies, and everypony else who suffers just as I have.

“For the first time since I was a foal, I truly felt like I had a home. I begged him to let me stay here and that I’d do whatever he wanted. I told him all about what the ponies of my old hometown had done and how they ridiculed me day in and night out for what I wished to do. He sympathized with me and showed me to the home I’ve lived in for eight years now.”

Twilight nodded. “And is that all?”

Mystic nodded back. “That’s my story.”

“I see. Thank you,” Twilight said, standing up. She stretched her wings and gave a soft smile. “I must be going now though. There are other ponies I must speak to.”

“I understand,” Mystic said. “Have a lovely evening, Twilight.”

Twilight walked off, once more returning to the lights and sounds of the party. “Okay, so that’s two testimonies that I’ve heard,” she said to herself, waving to a few ponies who waved to her. “I wish I’d asked how many ponies I should interview.” Twilight stopped and facehoofed, groaning. “Alright, I’ll interview one more pony and call it a night.” She looked around until her eyes landed on a colt sitting at a table with a glass of water near him. He perked his head up and motioned for Twilight, who trotted over and sat across from him.

“Name’s Star Chaser,” the colt said. “You’re the new mare, right? The one with that crazy deformity that legend says is a result of Celestia’s branding a troublemaker or something.”

“Yeah…” Twilight cleared her throat. “So, why’d you ask for me to come over?”

“‘Cause I figured you needed help,” Star replied. “You looked lost and since you’re new, I thought you were lost.”

Twilight’s cheeks turned a rosy red. She covered her face with a wing. “O-oh, no,” she said. “I’m actually in the process of asking ponies about how they got to the town. Would you like to tell me your story?

“Well, you see, Ms. Sparkle, I once aspired to be an astronomer.” Star narrowed his eyes. “That’s when they intruded. The irredeemable monsters that were my parents. They said that I had no reason to watch the sky; that it was all in the hands of that tyrant, Celestia. They said that because of her, my dreams were pointless and that I should follow in their footsteps.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “What did they do for a living?”

“They worked at a bakery and made some of the lowest quality cakes that this planet has ever seen!” Star slammed a hoof down onto the table, his eyes filled with rage. “Then she died because they encouraged her to eat more and more and more! I watched as they fed her so much cake that she’d run to the bathroom to vomit! But when she’d return, she’d just get fed more!”

Twilight grimaced as Star’s rant settled within her mind. “W-well.” She pursed her lips, her eyes roving around aimlessly. “I, uh, must ask: why in the world did you not just call the authorities to report your parents for doing such heinous acts?”

The wrath in Star’s eyes quickly vanished, and an enormous smile took its place. He took a sip of water and clapped his hooves together. “Well, you see, that’s where Happy came into the picture. One day, about two years back, I was out at the park when I saw a small crowd gather near the center. There were even foals that went there. I got up and trotted over because I figured that some old stallion had a heart attack. It wasn’t uncommon for them to die there as there’s a legend that the park is haunted by the spirit of some adolescent edge lord who hated old ponies.” Star took another sip of water and stretched. “Naturally, however, it wasn’t. It was Happy, and he was preaching words that made my heart flutter like a butterfly.”

“He spoke of how the hardships of neighboring towns would soon enter our town if we did not do something about Celestia and her tyrannical policies; that we were destined to become another slum that would eventually rival Klugetown.” Star shivered. “That thought gave me nightmares, and it still does. I bet my town is on fire now.” He wiped a bead of sweat away from his forehead and continued. “Well, some in the crowd decided to go with him. I, however, had my family that wouldn’t let me. We argued for hours as I told them that, like it or not, I wasn’t leaving. My dad beat me and my mother forced me to eat three pies with extra sugar as punishment. I cried myself to sleep, but eventually snuck out and found Happy in the park. He saw my injuries and asked me what had happened to me.”

“I explained to him my homelife and the travesty that it was. I remember it so clearly. His face went from the bright, chipper look he normally sported to a look that I’ve not seen since that day. It was one of unfathomable rage. Like he’d just witnessed a pony rip apart a puppy. It was… terrifying. He grit his teeth and stared off towards the bakery; asking me if I wanted to follow him. I told him, ‘Yes, I want to escape this wretched place’.”

“So, you just left with him, right?” Twilight asked.

Star shook his head. “When I told him that, Happy reached into his bag and pulled out a few matches. He handed them to me and said, ‘The evil that has done this to you is a result of Celestia’s warped concept of friendship and love. Your life is a product of her and no one else. Do Equestria and her people a favor and eradicate what has done this to you’.” The wrath that had left Star’s eyes returned and took up occupance in them once more. “I nodded and told him that I would be back momentarily. I rushed back to the bakery and ran to the kitchen. Our house was on the second floor of it, so I knew that no matter what, they couldn’t get out easily.” A twisted smile formed on his face. “Now you see, Ms. Sparkle, my parents were huge fans of gas power. They saw it as the pinnacle of modern technology. I always told them that if they weren’t careful and didn’t keep up with maintenance, it could come back to haunt them. This was before we had to move twice because our houses blew up while we were on vacation.”

“The door to the basement was near the kitchen. I went down it and saw it. The motherload. The gas pipes. I went over to them and looked down at the matches. I threw them aside and bucked one of them loose. I could hear the gas seep out. It was exhilarating. I wanted to stay there and just bask in it. It was the smell of freedom. I galloped out and back over to Happy, who was waiting for me.” Star sighed. “He was disappointed to see me. He asked why I’d returned so quickly. I, naturally, told him that he would see when day broke. He wasn’t too pleased, but eventually conceded and said that if what was to be done was done by day that I could accompany him and the others back to his town.”

“We stayed up all night waiting. He said that if what I had done was to happen, we weren’t going to miss it. So, we sat out in the park. Neither of us spoke or moved. We just waited. I can’t how long it was, but it must’ve been five hours. Then the sun rose, and with it came a blinding light and an cataclysmically loud sound. It ripped through the air and tore apart everything around it. The bakery and neighboring buildings were obliterated when it was done. We heard the screams of ponies and the crying of foals.

“I smiled. I knew it was done. I never had to see them again. I imagined them. The screams of my parents as they were cooked like one of their wretched pies. I felt Happy pat me on the back. He said that what I had done was a service that left Equestria indebted to me. Then, he walked off. I stood there as ponies rushed outside. A few fell to their haunches as they watched the flames rise into the sky; the smoke succeeding it.

“I walked off behind Happy. For once, I felt joyful. I knew that my name would go down in history as a pony who made Equestria a better place. Ever since then, life’s been that much better for me. All thanks to Happy.”

An aura of silence befell the two ponies; Twilight taking advantage of it to stare at Star, slack jawed. “I-I.” She slowly stood up and swallowed a lump in throat. “I need to get going. I have a friend to meet.”

Star took a sip of water, casually waving a hoof. “See ya.”

Quickly, Twilight stood up and hastily walked off back into the fray that was the party. “O-okay,” she said to herself, her heart racing. “No matter, I’m sure that it was all a mistake and that Happy didn’t mean to manipulate the emotions of that young pony to make him kill his family.” She stopped dead in her tracks, sweat running down her head. “O-or maybe he did and I’m currently being held prisoner by a sociopathic cult leader who wants to sacrifice me to grant himself immortality so he can overthrow Celestia!” She shook her head and laughed. “Nah, that’s silly! I-I’m sure it was all just a mistake! Yeah, a mistake!”

Twilight shut her eyes and took in a deep breath. The sounds of endless cheer and unfathomable joy filled her mind, getting lost within the chaotic paranoia that had overtaken her mind. Ever so slowly though, the emotions dissipated and soon, she was lost in a sea of bliss

Everything will be okay, she thought. I'll notify Spike and he can alert Celestia. It'll all work out.

“Twilight!”

Twilight's eyes shot open. She turned around to see Summer running up to her. Oh man, I’ve never been happier to see you, she thought. “Oh, Summer! I was just looking for you!”

“You were?” Summer tilted her head. “You’ve been walking away from me for the past two minutes. I kept screaming your name and you never said anything.” She narrowed her eyes. “Say, are you feeling okay?”

“Oh, me?” Twilight nodded profusely. “Just been racing around town asking ponies about their stories!” She looked over Summer, raising an eyebrow. “Where’s Spike?”

“Oh, Happy brought him back to your house,” Summer replied. “He ate a lot of gems and gave himself a tummy ache. Don’t worry though, Happy performed one of his super duper cool miracles and soothed his pain.”

“Well, that’s good.”

“Yeah!” Summer bounced in front of the princess, a wild smile on her face. “So tell me: what did you think of the residents? Are their stories just so inspirational. Like, in the darkest and worstest of times, the heavenly light supplied by Happy guided them to this wonderful little town. He sure knows how to save a life!” She pressed her muzzle against Twilight’s and placed her hooves on her cheeks. “And that’s why they’re the most amazing stories ever!”

“Uh, yeah.” Twilight gently pushed Summer away. “They were truly something else.”

Summer’s ears dropped down, and her smile morphed into a frown. “You sound so unsure of what you’re saying,” she said. “Did you not enjoy them?”

Twilight shook her head violently, her eyes wild and her mane quickly becoming a fashion catastrophe. “I most certainly did, Summer!” Her right eye twitched furiously, and a strand of her mane popped over it. “You see, it’s just that I loved them so much, I just can’t put into words just how inspirational, and the fact that I can only hear just how unbelievably impressive is just unbearable to me!” She sighed. “I just wish I had the privilege to have had Happy come into my life and affect me in such a beautiful manner.”

Summer’s eyes had filled up with tears, which she wiped away. “F-forgive me, Twilight,” she said. “I hadn’t the faintest idea that Happy had grown to mean so much to you!” She trotted over and hugged Twilight, patting her on the back. “Oh, if I had known of this earlier, I never would’ve questioned if you had anything but grandiose thoughts of our residents testimonies!”

Well, she sure has the vocabulary when it comes to talking about Happy. Twilight returned the hug, staring blankly ahead. After a few seconds, she gently broke the hug and stared at the still-crying Summer, who wiped her tears away once more.

“S-so, I guess we should—” Summer sniffled and cleared her throat— “return back to your place, huh?”

“Yeah, I’m worried about Spike.” Twilight bolted ahead. Behind her, she could hear Summer yell in surprise through laughter before galloping up to her side.

“No fair, Twilight!”

Twilight giggled back. “That’s what you get for doubting what I had to say!”

Summer stuck her tongue out playfully. “Hmph. Not my fault your tone of voice isn’t like the norm here.”

“Well, let’s see if your ‘norm’ also applies to speed,” Twilight responded. “Last one to my house is a rotten egg!”

“You’re on!”

The two raced through the streets of the town; each one looking the exact same as the last. Empty and containing a dozen carbon copied houses. There wasn’t a speck of litter on the sidewalks, not a single flower on any of the lawns or window sills, and nary a crack to be seen to warrant a comment from either Twilight or Summer about breaking either of their mothers backs. In the still air, the only thing the two could hear was each other. Their hooves and their ever increasing breathing. That is, until they reached Twilight’s house.

“I—” Twilight gasped for air and fell to her haunches, letting out a playful laugh— “I win!”

“Nuh-uh” Summer fell to her haunches and shot a glare at Twilight. “I won!”

Twilight glared back, a smirk slowly forming on her face. After a few seconds, both mares broke out into fits of laughter; Summer falling onto her back and doubling over. “A-alright, fine,” Twilight. “I’ll let you have this one.” She playfully nudged Summer’s shoulder. “This time.”

“Yay!” Summer sprang up and bounced around for a few moments. “Oh, can I come inside for a glass of water? I’m so thirsty from all that running.”

“Alright.” Twilight walked up to the front door, which opened up as soon as she reached the doormat.

“Summer won, Twilight,” Spike deadpanned, a hand over his stomach. “By the way, the gems were all amazing.” He burped. “And spicy.”

“Woo!” Summer spun around. “First time I’ve ever won a race!”

“Well, congratulations.” Spike stepped aside as the two mares walked inside, only to burp once more.

Thud

Summer turned around, a curious look on her face. Her eyes widened, and the curious look rapidly morphed into one of horror. She watched Spike grab a letter that manifested from green fire. Her head snapped back and forth before she shoved Twilight and Spike through the front door, carefully shutting it behind her. “Y-you can't be doing that here!” Summer stammered. “Happy doesn't allow for that kind of magic to be practiced!”

“He doesn't allow for ponies to receive letters from the outside?” Twilight asked, a quizzical look on her face.

Summer shook her head. “He believes that anything from the outside is tainted by Celestia and her evil magics.” She extended a hoof and gestured for the letter. “Give me the letter and I'll go have it purified at our post office for you just this once.”

Twilight choked. “A-actually, we’ll, uh, burn it for you!” She walked up to Summer, laughing. “J-just don't tell Happy about this. It was an honest mistake a-and we didn't know!”

“Are you sure?” Summer asked. “I-I mean, I understand why you wouldn't want it. It could be propaganda or have some sort of poison in it, but it could also be from your parents!”

“Oh, what, them? Psh!” Twilight waved a hoof, narrowly missing Summer. “They've never sent me anything! They're so blinded by their loyalty to Celestia that they'd probably have me burned at a stake for daring to criticize the way that orphan tear-fueled mane of her’s flows!”

“It's fueled by orphan tears?” Summer scratched the back of her neck. “I always thought it was natural…”

That’s what you think is natural? Twilight held back the urge to groan. “Y-yeah, it’s definitely fueled by orphan tears.” She opened the front door with her magic. “Anyway, it’s getting late. Spike and I will go ahead and burn the letter and we can do all sorts of fun stuff tomorrow!”

Summer clapped her hooves together. “Okie dokie!” With a large smile, she trotted out the front door, which Twilight slammed shut and slumped down against.

Spike walked over to Twilight’s side. “Developed a close relationship with the door, huh?” He sat down next to her and snickered to himself. He unraveled the letter and handed it over to Twilight, who grabbed it with her magic.

Dear Twilight,

I sincerely apologize for the delay. It was far more difficult than I could have ever imagined to find where you and Spike were. As it turns out, the town you’re in an unexplored part of Equestria that’s home to many exotic wild animals, and is considered to be something of a national park. I never would have imagined anyone setting up shop there.

It is because of this detail that I shall be accompanying the royal guard to see for myself the full extent of the damage that this ‘Happy Townscolt’ has caused to the park, and to see what should be done of his town. We will be arriving in a few days. In the meantime, I wish for you and Spike to keep me informed on what happens between now and then.

From, Princess Celestia.