3rd person
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Celestia’s sun shone over Ponyville and brought the colorful town to life as the residents began to exit their homes and begin their way to their jobs. The sun shone through the windows of the Ponyville Library and awoke a lavender unicorn. “Wake up Spike!” Twilight told her small dragon assistant as a groan came from the bundle of blankets on the floor. “Come on Spike we’ve gotta meet the girls at Fluttershy’s today, unless you wanna clean the Library today?” Spike leapt from the bundle and saluted.
“Ready to go meet the girls Commander Twilight!” She giggled at him and motioned for him to follow her. Walking through the town every pony they passed by gave them a friendly smile and wave as she did the same back. Soon, after a few minutes of walking, the two made it to Fluttershy’s cottage. Inside were the others, she was about to trot forward and hug them but a howl from the Everfree Forest interrupted her. “Fluttershy? I thought the Timberwolves never made it this close to town except when chasing something and even then, they usually don’t chase it near your cottage.” The butterscotch pegasus shrugged when they heard a yell and a sickening crack. Outside stood the strangest pony they had ever seen, this pony seemed to be badly injured as the bleeding side was anything to go by. The next strangest thing was the pony seemed to be in some kind of guard but it didn’t like the Solar or Lunar guard. This armor covered the entirety of the body. They soon found the sound of the crack was a Timberwolf lying in front of the strange pony with its’ neck spun completely around. The pony nudged the wolf then turned around and froze upon seeing the six mares, they both stood frozen in place as they looked they were having a staring contest.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle, and you are?” Twilight had spoke to the pony, if they heard her they didn’t make any notion they had except for a small turn of their head. She went to move towards them when the pony backed up and took a defensive stance, upon seeing this Rainbow Dash and Applejack had taken fighting stances.
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Snapshot POV
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I awoke with a jolt in the middle of a clearing surrounded by a dark forest. “W-where am I? Am I near the Shard of the Traveler? No, I died, I died there’s no way I’m there.” As I stood I fell down and looked down surprised to see not hands and feet but hooves. “What in the hell?” I stood on all fours and started to walk, it wasn’t hard, especially after that time I had been crushed by the Walker on Nessus. I looked around and slowly started walking towards the only light I could see through the trees. After reaching the end, I saw what seemed to be a small cottage but before I could take a step forward a howl stopped me. I slowly turned around and saw easily a dozen wolves, but they weren’t like the ones I would hear from the children of the city, these were made completely out of wood and seemed to be stronger than the stories on Earth. I looked between them and saw what looked to be the Alpha, he had darker bark and was twice as big as the others. I backed up after a second howl and the Alpha pounced, being pushed out of the forest, I was put on the defensive, I ducked under his attack and lifted him up. Wanting to end this soon, I slammed him onto the ground and grabbed his neck, it was hard and gave resistance but soon the neck gave way as a loud crack followed suit, the head being yanked to the side. His body went limp and slumped to the ground in a heap of sticks and twigs with tree sap leaking from his mouth, looking up I saw the other wolves staring to retreat back into the woods after the death of their leader. “Finally, at least they have the same rules as the childrens’ stories.” Turning around I was half expecting but still surprised at seeing six multi colored pastel horses. The closest one seemed to be a lavender one with a horn on its’ head, the second one had a cyan coat and a rainbow mane, wings adorned the sides of this one. The next one seemed to be wearing a country Stetson, its’ coat was orange and an extremely blonde mane was visible under the stetson. The fourth had a pure white coat with a violet mane and had a horn. The next was a bright pink one with neither a horn ‘nor wings, same with the orange one. The last one was a butterscotch winged horse and seemed scared.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle, and you are?” I looked at it shocked, it, it spoke? The obvious mare now due to the voice and I took a defensive step back getting ready in case things got ugly. The rainbow maned one and the orange ones stepped forward and looked ready to attack. We stood staring at each other for what seemed like hours before the lavender one spoke again. “Girls, calm down! Please!”
“We can’t trust ‘em Twi, he easily took out an Alpha like it were nothin’!” The orange one spoke out and I smiled under my helmet. At least she’s right, don’t trust strangers who are stronger than you. I took a step back, but kept my focus on the six mares in front of me. ‘Good, none of them are looking, now’s my time.’ With a quick turn I bolted into the forest, not even daring to look back when I hear a faint yell. “He’s gettin’ away! Get ‘em!” I just smiles, they wouldn’t catch me, I may not have my light, but at least I didn’t rely on the Traveler when I was just running and doing obstacle courses daily. With a clearing ahead, I looked back and could barely make out the six colored horses, with a nod I sat down on the ground and waited. ‘If they can see my in this bush, they can talk, otherwise they better not bother me after they leave.
“He just disappeared girls! Poof!” The lavender one stated and huffed softly before looking at the bush I was at and squinting. “Girls...” She nodded to my bush and I sighed standing up.
“You got…” I quickly ducked and delivered a lightning fast jab into the stomach of the winged horse that had tried to attack me. “You wanna fight instead of talk? Easy enough, I’m sure I can beat you without the Traveler giving me light, shouldn’t be too hard.” I said getting into another defensive stance ready to counter any attack when the lavender one yelled again.
“STOP!” The five mares stood and stared at her surprised and I just tilted my head. “Why did you attack Rainbow Dash?!”
“Well, I just thought he was… well… dangerous you know Twilight?” ‘So that’s her name.’ I thought to myself. Twilight looked upset and a bit angry.
“Does that give you the right to fly at him at one of the fastest speeds Dash? No, it doesn’t. Apologize and maybe we can speak, after we get out of the Everfree.” The other mares nodded, but I shook my head softly.
“We speak here or we don’t speak at all. I want to speak where I know the location best, I’ve done that my entire light-filled life. Either we speak here or you can leave and never bother me again.”
Rainbow Dash and the other mares seemed angered at this but the one known as Twilight nodded. “I understand, unknown ponies, and a town you are unfamiliar with. You only want to stay where there is some kind of history to you, you want to stay at a place you may know than anypony else.” I nodded gently, this wasn’t the weirdest encounter I’ve ever had. The others tensed but the butterscotch one whimpered as a howl rang out. Taking off my helmet, I showed my scarred face and let out a much louder howl back, I had been able to do this to scare Dregs and Legionaries, and some of the War Beasts away. The howling stopped and left me to smile at the darkness.
“Still afraid of me and not my light I see darkness.” I turned and looked at the six, and thought for a bit. “Let’s introduce ourselves…” I froze up after a few seconds and looked down. “Let me introduce myself…” I cleared my throat and spoke softer as nostalgia had rushed into my mind. “Snapshot, my name is Snapshot.” I looked up at them and waited.
The one who introduced everyone was Twilight. “Well, I’m Twilight Sparkle, this is Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy.” As she said that she pointed to the rainbow maned mare, the orange coated mare, the pink poofy maned, then the pure white coated, and finally the butterscotch one. “Welcome to Ponyville.” I only nodded in response as my mind started to wander. ‘I’m not on Earth, Little Light isn’t here, I don’t have my light, the Traveler isn’t anywhere near me.’ I just sighed sadly and stood.
“I’m guess I have to go to Ponyville?” twilight only nodded and motioned for me to follow them outside the forest. As we walked I could only think about the Vanguard, Ikora, Cayde, Zavala, Amanda Holiday, Sloan, Hawthorne, Devrim Kay, Little Light, the Traveler, the Tower, all of the guardians that I had to train, and the Fallen Archon. I looked to my left and gasped quietly upon seeing that I still had the House of Kings banner on my armor and I felt a smile tug at my lips as I spoke quietly. “I shall honor my house Archon, I will not let you down.” I quickly caught up as I had seen I was falling behind and soon after a few minutes we entered what looked to be the Farm.
“This is Ponyville Snapshot, welcome.” Pinkie Pie had just zoomed off as soon as we entered the town and I just shrugged. “If I may ask you, what is it that you’re wearing? I’ve never seen anything like it I mean, it looks like armor but, only the Solar and Lunar guard are allowed to wear armor, and yours covers the entirety of your body, it’s fascinating.” I only chuckled and told her that I couldn’t tell her what it was but I affirmed it was indeed armor. She only pouted at hearing I couldn’t say what kind it was, but she nodded in understanding. Rainbow Dash, and Applejack didn’t seem to like or trust me, Rarity kept looking at me disgusted and Fluttershy just stared at me terrified out of her mind. I just sighed and walked next to Twilight.
“So Twilight, where exactly are we going in Ponyville? Your friends don’t seem to like me or trust me like you do Twilight. They are scared, angry and disgusted.” I shook my head and glanced back at them as they stared right back at me with those same looks. I just scoffed and kept walking.
“I know they don’t trust you Snapshot, but after Princess Celestia meets you I’m sure they’ll lighten up to you” I didn’t know who this Princess was but if she could help with my predicament or at least the looks then I will gladly accept the help. I nodded and just sighed feeling the looks from everyone in this town. “We’re here Snapshot, SPIKE!” As I looked up, I saw we were going to enter a tree. A small dragon walked downstairs and froze at the sight of me as a thought ran through my head. ‘The children’s imaginations would be a dream come true here.’
“Uhhhh… Hey… Who is this Twilight?” The dragon who I suppose is Spike spoke up and I could only stare.
“This is Snapshot, and I need to visit Canterlot so make sure to send her a letter warning Princess Celestia, we’ve gotta leave now. Come on Snapshot!” She turned and motioned me to follow as Rainbow Dash sped in front of us.
“Twilight don’t you want us to go with you, y’know, in case we need the elements?” She glared at me but I already had my helmet back on as I chuckled quietly. She turned to Twilight with a hopeful look.
“I’m sorry Rainbow Dash but I think me a and Snapshot have to go and do this alone.”
“Ummm… T-twilight? Could I go? I mean, if it’s…” I put my hoof up and silenced her.
“If Twilight is fine with it them it’s fine by me, I don’t exactly know anyone here so I’m guessing you’re a shy, quiet pony who loves to be with animals. You keep to yourself most of the time except when it comes to your friends and animals and that’s when you put yourself on the line. You’re a helper and a medic. You know how to take care of someone or something and you do your best at what you do. C’mon. I’d love to talk to you about the childrens’ stories of animals back from where I come from.” Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy only stared before Twilight spoke again.
“I guess it’s settled then Fluttershy, we’re going to Canterlot, come on.” I nodded and slowly followed Twilight ignoring the glare from Rainbow Dash and Applejack. After a couple minutes of walking and I saw a train at a station with the name ‘The Friendship Express’. ‘Primitive’ I could only think that as we on Earth was way past transit stations and trains. 'Well, time to go meet the Princess of this world. I wonder if she's like Zavala, or Ikora.' I smiled at the thought. 'Or maybe Cayde.'