//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: Miranda, the Human 
// by Kaity-Kat 
//------------------------------//

I stood in the empty room in my flower shop, mouth agape, trying to make sense of what just happened.

"There's some kind of magic at play, for sure, but.... time travel?" I finally spoke aloud to the uncharacteristically empty-feeling room 

"I didn't pay that close attention in magic school, but I'm pretty sure only Starswirl was able to pull that off."

My gaze rested again on my bow, laying harmlessly on the floor. Just asking to be picked up. I shook my head. I'm not even sure if I can pick it up with my magic without something happening I thought.

"I know." I suddenly realized "There's only one pony I know of that knows more about magic than anypony."

I gave a half-hearted uncomfortable chuckle "I just.... never really talked to royalty before.... I hope she's nice."

I reached for my bow, but stopped. “Better not” I warned myself.

I looked around my shop for something. I saw the shawl I keep around in case the weather gets cold. I magicked it over the bow wrapping it up so I could carry it. Thankfully, it didn't seem to be affected. I sighed in relief.

I galloped to the door and nearly knocked somepony over as they were about to knock on my shop door.

“I am so sorry” I apologized “I have to go out. I’ll be back, I promise.”

She just looked at me like a muffin had fallen on the floor. I felt bad, but I needed to take care of this. I bolted down the street, and headed to the outer edge of Ponyville.

As I ran down the streets, I soon saw it peeking over the houses. The unmistakable star atop its spire, piercing the sky. As I approached closer, the castle came clearer into view. I remembered when it had first appeared. Tho I never ventured to really see it up this close.

The tree-like structure jutted out of the ground like an enormous, blue lightning bolt, atop which rested the purple castle in all its glory, capped with golden roofs.

I galloped faster and came up to the door. The castle was much more massive up close.
It towered over me imposingly, mocking me. Taunting my apprehension, daring me to defile it by knocking. I stood there, shaking. I looked about for any signs of life. I took a deep breath, gulped, and gently knocked.