Finally done with the lab, I got so bored! Thank God that it I didn’t have to wait in a reception room like you would at a hospital. How to get my mind off things? I questioned myself. Why not drop in and say hi to Celestia? According to what I’ve heard about her schedule, she’s got to be bored too and would probably appreciate it. So I started on my way. I am fully aware that I don’t know my way around the castle, but what better way to learn that than to explore for myself? It might even be fun.
It took a while to learn the layout--I ran into some guards who stopped me to make sure who I am and make sure I’m not lost, and I also ran into some maidens too. After going over the layout, along with locations of some memorable places I could use as landmarks in case I got lost, I decided to go ahead and make my way to the throne room.
When I approached the enormous double doors to the throne room, the doors swung open nearly hitting my muzzle, and there followed a stampede of rather rude ponies who just ran me over as though I wasn’t even there. What crawled up their asses and died?
I looked into the room; on the throne Celestia sat, looking rather frustrated. Shit, what was I thinking? I decided that the most logical tactic for one without magic was to sneak away slowly and quietly, hoping she didn’t notice me. Almost out of view, and ……. Too bad, false hope is a bitch, you know? Nope, she noticed me. “Spirit, please come in!” Celestia sounded delighted.
Wait, how did she get from looking like she was going to rip someone’s face off to sounding this happy? Gotta be fake, no way could seeing me brighten anyone up like that.
“Sure thing, your highness.” I called over as I made my way.
“You don’t have to say THAT you know.”
“I gathered as much, but why not see what happens?”
“I’ve got a favor to ask of you, nothing too big, I promise.”
“Straight to the point, are we? Like that in business talk. Let me be the one to decide whether to get it over with quickly or to be the one to crack a pun.”
“There is a pony in Ponyville I would like you to live with for a while. She will look after you, but I want you to help her in times of need. She seems to have a lot of those.”
“Might I ask who this pony is?” I inquired, never agree until you have some knowledge of what you are getting involved in.
“Twilight Sparkle. She is my student and bearers the element of magic. Though she has managed to accomplish much, like stop my sister from going crazy from dark desires, that doesn’t mean that she doesn't need help. And I sense that there is to be another hardship coming and she will need all the help and support she can get.”
“How will I be arriving there?”
“Normally, by train. But the train just left and won’t be back for a few hours so I’ll teleport you.” Celestia explained.
“Cool. Wait, what? Will magic that involves displacement have side effects?” I protested.
“For those not used to it, just some dizziness and lack of orientation for a few moments.”
“Oh..oh fine. Let's get this over with. And no possible missing body parts?”
“None.” Promised Celestia.
“Okay then, I’m ready then.” And just like that, I popped out of existence popping back in another place. During the process though, It felt like my body was being pulled apart and stretched. When I reappeared, I was unfortunate enough to show up in a way where I slipped and hit my head on a hard surface and fall to the floor.
Hello, darkness my old friend.
I’m hearing a male voice, but it’s not quite human or pony. My eyes snapped open in an instant, lunging off the couch toward the source of the voice. Before I knew it, I found my hoof wrapped around the neck of a lizard pinned under me. Fuck, what am I doing? He looked harmless, but overreacting to a situation is better than being caught off guard and ending up finding me in the same position this lizard is. With a hoof around your throat, unable to escape, struggling. “Where am I?” I demanded as I loosened my grip just enough to let the lizard to easily talk.
“Golden Oak Library in Ponyville, ran by Twilight S-” I let go.
“Sorry, but who?” I questioned the purple and green lizard who is now getting himself up.
“Twilight.” He repeated
“Twilight, why does that name sound familiar? Nevermind. Hey, Lizard, have a name?”
“Spike. And I am a dragon.”
“How appropriate. You know how I got here?”
“Looked like you were teleported here, you just appeared out of thin are in front of me as I was organizing the books.”
“Yes, yes. It’s coming back now, Princess teleported me here. But Princess who again. Princess… princess..princess…. Princess Celestia. That’s right. At least she wasn’t lying to me when she said that I would still have all my limbs afterward.” Of course, I haven’t realized that I was saying all this out loud. “Something to deal with this ‘Twilight’, but WHAT?!?!?”
“Here, have some tea. Twilight will be back soon. Oh, and here’s an ice pack too. You really hit your head.”
“Damn right I did, fucking hurts. Say, why are you helping me after what just happened? Oh, and sorry about that by the way, instincts I guess.”
“It’s fine. Looks like that was your first time teleporting. And I think Twilight is expecting you.” I cocked an eyebrow to this. “Letter from Celestia in advance.” That would to it.
I sipped at my tea. This really helps, thank god. I thought to myself. “You said Spike right? The name’s Spirit.”
“Spirit?”
“Yep.”
The door opened suddenly and every muscle in my body tensed up until I reminded myself that me being on edge was just from the teleportation. In came a mare, a purple unicorn with magenta eyes, and a tattoo of several stars on her ass. Along with purple mane and tail with a pink strip going through each. Cute. I thought. Wait, no. I can’t, not ready for that yet. That is what I told myself because it was like my mind was trying to tell me something in protest about it, though I couldn’t tell what. And how in the hell has she not notice such a flamboyant looking unicorn such as myself sitting there in the middle of the room yes?
“SPIKE!” Yelled the purple mare of the hour.
“Yes, Twilight?
“Anything happen while I was out? Anything from Celestia?” questioned Twilight.
“Not exactly.” Replied the little dragon.
“What do you mean not exactly?”
“Not something, but somepony.” Spike finished, gesturing toward me. She only gasped with shock.
“You are not that good at noticing when something’s different in your own home. Celestia was right, you are going to attract trouble one day.” I interjected, still enjoying my tea. “My name is Spirit. Celestia teleported me here. According to what I literally just observed, you must be Twilight Sparkle.”
Twilight, just recovering from shock, said: “Celestia said something would happen soon and somepony would tell me that when the time is right.” Sure, leave the explaining thing to YOUR student to ME why don’t you?
“She told me that I am to be here in Ponyville for a while to support you in times of need.” I avoided mentioning that I was to live with her. Not that I would hate to, but it looked like she already is not only living with another occupant but also has to support him. He didn’t look like he was old enough to get a job. With that in mind, I don’t want to be a burden on her. Besides, it’s already night out and doesn’t look too bad out there. All I would have to do is find a tree to sleep under, and I’m pretty confident that my coat would keep me warm against just a little breeze. “Now that introductions are out of the way, it’s getting pretty late. I should get going. Need me just holler.”
“Wait, where are you staying?” Fuck! She just had to ask that. I don’t like lying to people unless if it was to avoid trouble, but I know where things would go if I told her the truth.
“Celestia told me that she sent payment to an inn ahead of time for my stay.” She scanned my face, probably not buying my story.
“See you later, then.” She dismissed me.
I almost popped under that pressure. And It took about a five-minute walk away from town to find an isolated tree. This one looks comfy. I decided to sleep here tonight. Not that it took much to unload and settle down anyway. I don’t have anything.
I don’t have anything. I thought to myself. I’ve got nothing and no one. That thought alone ate away at me without mercy that night, even after I fell asleep.