"So how do you feel, Anon?"
"I, uh... I don't know about that."
"You've been living with your parents for a week now. However, it is up to you to decide if you want to stay with them!"
"I, uh..." I was confused.
"If it helps you, Anon, you can list what you like about them and what you don't like. That might help you to your choice."
"No, there's no need. I'm going to stay with them," until I find a way to get my old life back.
"Are you sure? Once you sign this document, they'll officially be your parents!"
"Yes, I'm sure."
Without further ado, the adoption mare took a pen out of her bag and handed it to me. I signed it as I realized the magnitude of what was happening. I was now the daughter of Blueblood and Carrot Top.
I felt really awful after that. By agreeing to become their daughter, I would break their hearts. As soon as I went home, they wouldn't have a daughter anymore and I doubt they'd let them have a real one adopted.
"All right, you can go and join them. They're in the next room."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, It's always a pleasure to help young orphan find a new family."
So I went into the next room where my dear parents stood side by side together, eyes moist and mane tousled.
"So?" Hastened to ask for Blueblood.
"I'm your daughter! " I gave them a little smile, but my heart weren't in it. I couldn't stop thinking about how much harm I'm going to do them when they lose their little filly.
"Oh, Anon, come give your mother a hug!"
Carrot Top rushed to give me a hug in a somewhat overwhelming embrace.
"Thank you sweet Celestia! It's wonderful! " Blueblood cried.
"I'm a daddy! I'm a daddy! I'm a daddy!"
"And me, I'm a mom! I feel so good! I feel like I'm going to burst with joy! "
Blueblood had decided to take advantage of the beginning of the holidays to go and visit my new family, starting from his side. Then, we would visit Carrot Top's parents right after even though Blueblood seemed less playful.
For my part, I didn't know how to feel. I was now a pony princess being the daughter of a prince. Why can't I have an normal and pathetic life?
When we arrived, Blueblood and Carrot Top hastened to pack their suitcases with joy and good humour, leaving me to pack mine. They had caught themselves singing a joyful song that was spreading throughout the house while I couldn't help but feel bad for them.
Then, after a brisk walk, we arrived in the train leaving for Canterlot.
While we were settled and our train was about to leave. A mare and a stallion passed at breakneck speed towards the station.
Meteor Breath, my psychologist and Grape Capsule, my doctor, entered our car as the doors closed. What were they doing here?
Both of them were panting heavily as it seemed to me that their eyes were following each other. Obviously something was going on between them and I couldn't tell what.
"Here we are, Mr. Blueblood!"
"However, we woke up a little late," Meteor Breath completed, staring at the ground in discomfort.
"To tell you the truth, I hadn't expected you anymore. However, I'd appreciate it if you'd both be on time next time," Blueblood warned.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, they're here and that's all that matters, isn't it?" Cooled Carrot Top caressing the white stallion's face.
"I don't understand," I asked awkwardly.
"It's crucial that we continue your therapy! " Meteor Breath exclaimed as she combed her hair with her hoof. She looked even softer than usual.
"The same goes for our hoof strength training sessions!" This time it was Grape Capsule.
"But I don't understand. Don't you live in Ponyville, Mrs. Breath? What were you doing there?"
The sweet mare began to redden deeply under her charcoal-coloured coat and answered shyly:
"I was with Dr. Grape Capsule." She was fixing a seat on the side.
" I understand, you want to partner up to expand your practice! I think that's a great idea."
"Not really," Grape Capsule would scratch his mane uncomfortably.
"Anyway, we came just like you told us to. Could I start with Anon? »
We set up a little apart from the other ponies on the train and started. My mane was very itchy. Ever since I signed the contract making my adoption official, I couldn't stop feeling horrible.
Meteor Breath, although still exhausted from her race, seemed to sense that all was not well.
"What's going on, Anon? Is something wrong?"
"Yes, I've been feeling awful since the signing of my adoption! " I was cracking up.
"Don't be, Blueblood and Carrot Top seems like really nice ponies who care about you."
"It's not that, I'm just afraid of disappointing them and hurting them."
"Come on, Anon, you're a wonderful filly and very kind. The very proof is that you care."
"What if I cause them too much grief? No, I'm not a wonderful filly! The proof being my problems and the worries I cause them. They should have adopted someone else from that orphanage!"
"Don't say that, Anon! Don't worry about your medical problems. They know it's not your fault!"
"But if one day I disappear and I never come back, then they'll be heartbroken. »
"Don't think about it, Anon, it's not your fault. It was never your fault. The truth is, you're a lovely filly. Who, like anyone else, can have difficulties, but I'm sure your problem will be solved. Besides, you're making progress, you haven't trashed anything since my office!"
"It was Lord Hatred," I whispered. Anyway, nobody believed me.
"I know. But do you still see him often? How does he treat you? Is he always such a mockery?"
I would answer these questions where she took the opportunity to make a whole bunch of notes and then she smiled at me and went to get Grape Capsule for my weight training session.
"I'll make it, don't worry!"
Grape Capusle tried in vain to give me hoof massages to stimulate I don't know what in this one, but the train that was beginning its ascent of Canterlot made it all ridiculously complicated.
Meanwhile, I was looking at the landscape of the green lands of Equestria. It was the most beautiful thing to see. These vast plains, deep forests, misty mountains and winding rivers that were lost in the distance.
Grape Capsule for the happiness of my hoofs in porridge finally gave up and promised to do it to me later that day. I nodded my head distractedly as each moment brought me closer to Canterlot.
"Guards, take these suitcases and follow me! " Ordered Blueblood to two guards who hastened to obey.
"Blueblood, the good example. " Said Carrot Top, not surprised at Blueblood's sudden change in attitude, unlike me.
"Sorry, my bad habits. Guards, would you take our bags and follow me, please?"
The guards nodded their heads and immediately executed themselves.
"And you two, follow me! " Grape Capsule and Meteor Breath, who were talking slightly backwards, fell silent and approached us.
"Well, I've commandeered a carriage which should take us to the castle shortly. Meteor Breath, Grape Capsule, I have reserved two rooms for you at the castle so that Anon can get the best care."
"It's an honor!" Bowed Grape Capsule, who seemed to have stars in his eyes.
"The same," said Meteor Breath in awe as she gazed at the huge castle that towered over us.
It was after a short coach ride, albeit a little tight due to the smaller number of seats than our group, that we arrived at the castle.
As I was going out with the others, I saw Princess Celestia, Luna and another pink alicorn that I didn't know at all who were waiting for us at the top of the stairs.
"Is that her? " I heard it at the top of the stairs.
"I'm afraid so," Luna grinned her teeth.
"Come on, Sister, I know you're angry with her. But don't forget she's just a child!"
"An annoying child."
"I think they can hear us," whispered the pink-eyed unicorn, smiling visibly embarrassed.
"Never mind, let them come! If you can hear us, then hurry! I haven't got all day. It's tiring enough to stay up in my sleep"
Blueblood hastened up the stairs while we followed him a little way off. Carrot Top looked shy in the face of the powerful goddesses sitting at the top of the marching band. I was content to wait for the next one as I approached.
"Hello Aunts! Hello Princess Cadence! It's a pleasure to see you again!"
"Hello my nephew! I'm glad to see how happy you seem with this adoption." She says, looking at the three of us with a warm smile on her face.
"Well, now that everypony has met everypony, I'm going to bed!"
"Aunt Luna already?" Blueblood was confused.
"Yes, I need sleep and then," she stared at me. "I feel uncomfortable!"
Then without another word, she disappeared through the wide double door.
"Excuse my sister, it seems she and Anon could use a chat."
"There you are, Anon, you've arrived. Do you like your room?"
Everything in this room emanated wealth and luxury. A large blood-red four-poster bed stood in the centre of the room.
It was loaded with a small mountain of cushions of all colours and shapes, although more pink.
On the sides, gilded wooden furniture as well as a large carpet with a very nice gradation from azure to turquoise.
This room actually made me uncomfortable. It was so pretty for me that I didn't feel worthy of it. Blueblood looked at me smiling at my disbelief.
"This... my room?"
"Yes, and the best part is that that bell you see there will put two assigned servants at your disposal!"
"Really?" I could already feel that bell calling my name.
"Yes, so are you happy, my little princess?"
"I, uh... Yeah, this is all super awesome. Can I try the bell?" Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!
"Only if you have something to ask for. It would be unwise to bother busy ponies!"
"If I ask... for a drink, is that okay?" Please, let me jingle that bell, I want to jangle that bell. I've always wanted to do that!
"All right, try!"
I rushed to the bell to see that the piece of furniture on which it was enthroned was much bigger than me.
Blueblood laughed discreetly and started to lower the bell towards me with his telekinesis. I grabbed it energetically with my mouth despite the cold contact on my lips and shook my head which made it ring.
Two ponies immediately entered the room questioning Blueblood with their eyes.
"No, it's not for me. It's for Anon, my little princess!"
I put the bell down and walked towards them in wonder. I had ponies at my service!
"Hello, what do you want, princess?!" Asked one of them.
"I'd like a drink, please! " I asked shyly.
"What drink, my pretty one?"
"One orange juice please."
"Right away," one of the two ponies started to run.
"Anything else? " Asked the second.
" No, I don't think so."
The all-white stallion came back with a glass of orange juice balanced on his back. He put it on my height and smiled.
"Anything else?"
"Could you pick up a straw for Anon. And I'd also like you to let all staff know to tailor Anon's requests to her hoof problem. " Added Blueblood, looking at me out of the corner of his eye as I worked out a strategy to take my drink without spilling it.
I sighed, it would be a long time before I got used to being dependent on others to do anything.
Blueblood patted my head amicably and gave me a little smile full of empathy.
That was really great! Like the feeling of having found Aladdin's wonderful lamp without having a stupid wish-limit.
When Blueblood had gone to join Carrot Top in their rooms somewhere in the same hallway as mine, I just couldn't resist.
I took any excuse I could to shake my silver bell. Just to ask where the toilet was, insisting that I didn't want to wake them up later in the middle of the night.
Or to accumulate a considerable stock of cakes that I carefully hid in corners of the room where Blueblood and Carrot Top wouldn't notice anything. You never know.
The mare and the stallion at my service, who I learned were twins, which explained the same colours of coat and mane, both of which were white, were standing on the floor. Each taking a long breath after a marathon through the whole castle.
I hid my marvelous lamp under one ear and silently walked out of the room leaving them to recuperate. I may have exaggerated just a little, but it was so nice to have ponies at his service.
Unfortunately, as I walked, my head decided to meet the floor in the polished stone corridor a number of more times, which hurt me terribly.
I wanted to see Carrot Top and Blueblood in their rooms. Suddenly, Princess Celestia appeared from the corner of the corridor with her sister.
I rushed behind a piece of furniture that was lying there and prayed that she wouldn't see me. I did not know what would happen if I was alone with them, especially with the Princess Luna. As they seemed to be heading towards my room, I listened to their conversations:
"I assure you, everything is going to be fine. Anon doesn't seem to be bad as you've been claiming for some time. You even said the opposite at first!"
"Before I knew her," added Luna.
"I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding. Besides, she's part of our family now!"
"Forgive me if my heart isn't rejoicing!"
"Come on, I don't know what she did to you since you won't tell me, but Anon is certainly a nice pony, not the kind to run other ponies!"
"You mean like Blueblood, his father?"
"You said it yourself, he's changed. He is now a responsible father as I'm sure he is, a caring husband."
"I don't doubt it, but we're talking about Anon!"
"A poor little traumatized filly who lost her parents at an extremely early age and wandered around until you crossed her path?"
"It's sure that from this angle, it's hard to hold a grudge, but what I've seen makes me believe otherwise!"
"You're so stubborn! We can't talk to you!"
Suddenly they stopped and looked at each other hard. Then, without me understanding why, all tension disappeared as they burst into a joyful laughter and finally entered my room.
I got up and rushed to Blueblood and Carrot Top's room while a little further on I heard a roaring voice coming from my room.
"Not the kind of guy who runs nice ponies, right?"
"Anon, what were you thinking? We have to look good and the first thing you get noticed for is bad!"
Blueblood stood stiff as a stretched statue that I had been left alone with my parents after my new aunts had gone to tell all about it.
"Blueblood, looking good isn't really the most important part of this story! Anon made a mistake and now it would be nice if she went to apologize!"
"It's true. I beg your apologize. But all this makes me so anxious! It's bad enough Aunt Luna doesn't really seem to like Anon, so..."
"I'm sure they'll both find common ground, but in the meantime... "She turned her eyes to me.
It was after I had apologized that I was now walking in the garden with Carrot Top, who no longer wanted me to be alone. The sun was shining brightly and the grass was a beautiful light green colour with the soft rays of the late morning sun.
Large and imposing statues of princesses and a few other creatures sat elegantly in the garden. A little further on, a gardener was finishing pruning a lizard rose on one of the palace's pale white walls.
Carrot Top seemed as amazed as I was at the almost heavenly aspects of the castle garden. And we began to smell the flowers that breathed the spring air. How sweet their scents were!
"So, Anon?"
"This place is awesome!"
"I know what it does to you. When I first saw this place, too, it was like some kind of miniature paradise. And that place you see over there under the shade of that willow tree, I'll remember it for the rest of my life. That's where Blueblood proposed to me!"
"You got married?!"
"For some time now. After we met in Ponyville, Blueblood and I ended up moving there together a few months later."
"And then what?"
"And then what? Like you, I went to Canterlot to meet my in-laws. I was scared at first. Can you imagine? Me, a simple farmer, becoming a princess? It was like a filly tale."
"And how'd it go with the Blueblood family?"
"Terrible, I didn't even know which knife to use to cut my salad and the rest of the protocol... "She spotted my obvious worry on my face and gave me a little comforting smile.
"But don't worry Anon! It's not that hard and then you have time. Knowing Blueblood, he's certainly planning this all out as carefully as he's done with Meteor Breath and Grape Capsule, which he's invited to the castle so you can have the best follow-up! By the way, I don't know why but I'm sure there's something going on between this clumsy pegasus and this adorable mare."
As I listened, my belly began to rumble so much that it sounded like an earthquake, I was hungry.
"I know a little filly that's starving. Don't worry, they're coming!"
"Who?"
"I thought on your first day, it would be nicer to eat out away from all these procedures. Look, there they are!"
A small crowd of ponies arrived en masse carrying different dishes and setting up what looked like a picnic. Then the family arrived.
"...and that's why Shining Armor and Twilight couldn't come with us!"
"I can't wait for us all to be together soon. Your family should come with us Carrot Top, I'm sure they're lovely ponies."
"That's very kind of you, your highness. I'd tell them but I doubt they'll come, they're not too royalty-like."
"What do you mean? " Asked Luna raising an eyebrow as she attacked her third daisy sandwich.
"They really don't feel comfortable with anything royalty-related, say."
"I see, can we discuss this later? I'd like to borrow Anon for a few moments so we can both talk!"
"Of course, Aunt Luna." Says Blueblood between bites of cream cake. "Don't worry, Anon, you'll be fine!"
I stood up fearfully in front of the elegant alicorn with the starry mane that I followed a little further into the garden protected by the shadows of tall trees.
"Then Anon," began Luna. "Are you happy?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Perfect! Tell me, how do you like these flowers? " She pointed to me from the tips of her wide wings a little parquet of flowers.
"They're very pretty."
"When you say it, do you mean it?"
"Of course."
"And is it the same with me?"
"I won't allow myself to lie to you, Princess Luna!"
"Good for you! I just wanted you to know that you don't have to be afraid of me, I just want to know why you were mean to me in that dream. Are you that scared of being you?"
"Of what?"
"That dream where I was you as a servant and you were me. It was so horrible to you! Do you hate yourself Anon... "Luna started to cry.
"I don't know! I don't remember that dream, princess Luna. And I'm truly sorry if it happened. "Why so relentlessly, Lord Hatred!
"My sister's right. You are a good filly. I apologize if I've been unpleasant at times."
Aunt Luna, as she wanted me to call her after this end of conversation where I dried those tears, took me to visit the immense garden bordered between light and shade. I was happy that there was no more dissension between us. She was super strange but nice in the background.
While we were returning with the others, aunt later gave me a lollipop shaped like a moon. I thanked her and decided to lie down on the warm grass, illuminated by the powerful rays of the sun, to take a little nap.
"It hurts! " I'm yelping for at least the fifth time since Carrot Top saw me sleeping on a hot lawn and pulled me out.
I lay on my bed, well in the shade of the sun, feeling like a sausage coming out of the oven. Both the front and the back of my body hurt terribly. Carrot Top sat on the end of my bed and applied a cream to my sunburn.
"Calm down my angel, rest! I'm going to go get Grape Capsule right now. "Blueblood, who'd just been with us, ran out to get him.
"We have a bell... Anyway, it's all right, Anon. Relax, you'll be fine soon but I'm surprised you get burns so quickly from Sadle Arabia!"
"It hurts! " This time tears were streaming from my eyes.
"It's all right, sugar, calm down."
"What the hell is Blueblood doing? Is it so complicated to go to the Grape Capsule neighborhoods? I'm coming back Anon, I hope Blueblood didn't get lost! He's so... clumsy doing things on his own!"
"Wait, don't go! I don't want to be alone. "But the room was already empty apart from me. I was trembling, the pain was excruciating.
A red balloon floated down the hallway into my room and stopped in front of me. Not yet. Not yet...
The balloon burst while Lord Hatred came out and looked at me amused.
"What's the matter?"
"It hurts."
Maybe if I called the servants with the bell, he'd be forced to disappear?
"That's great! I'm so happy for you. You must really feel privileged."
I would bring my hoof close to the bell hidden under the cushions.
"You could say that."
"Anyway, your room is very pretty!"
I could feel it under my hoof.
"Thank you."
"Now shake the bell so we can get this detestable courtesy over with!"
"You... You know what I'm going to do?!"
"Yes, and know that if you do it, I'll just have to be invisible again for the others and everyone will say: Poor filly, she's completely lost her mind!"
"Well," I'd take my hoof off the bell and look at him helpless again. "Why are you doing all this? What do you gain by being so terrible to me?"
"Stop whining, I'm here today to give you a real chance this time to get your human life back!"
"What guarantee? " I asked immediately interested.
"I'm willing to do something I hate: swearing. I can even make the inviolable oath that you see in Harry Potter even though I'm sure you don't know that kind of reference?"
"A little bit, I saw two and four."
"You're really a crime against nature, you know? Anyway, I'll keep my whole commitment. Even if by chance, one day Harry Potter would accidentally arrive in Equestria."
"Wait, is the wizard's world real? No, it can't be, it can't be."
"And yet..."
"Whatever, just promise me that I'll go back to my world and my body!"
"All right,"
This one gave me a hoof grip and incanted I don't know what magic. My doubts began to disappear, replaced by a strange feeling spreading throughout my being. It was a reassuring feeling, as if Lord Hatred could not lie about what they had just said. And worst of all, I wanted to believe it.
"Can we go now?"
We were in the dark, I was suddenly not so sure about my chances of becoming a human being again.
"Where are we?"
"In a hallway that could use some light. And to be more precise, in Canterlot."
My eyes began to get used to it even though most of the landscape remained dark and isolated. Only a shape lying on a wall in the corridor stood out. The rest of the corridor was bare of any decoration.
"What should I do?"
"You see that lump lying on the floor over there?"
"Yes, what?"
"Come closer and you'll see."
I barely took two steps and fell to the ground in a noise that echoed through the corridor.
Suddenly the mass lying on the wall rose in a great yawn and then scanned around it.
It seemed to be looking where I was when it asked me:
"Anon, what are you doing here?"
"What?" I stuttered.
"It's me, Night Sparkle!"
I'm thinking. Wasn't that the name of the hybrid bat pony that found me?
"What are you doing here, Anon? This is no place for a filly!"
"Where are we?"
"In a place where foals and fillies are forbidden. Go back upstairs and have fun."
I turned back to where I had been a few moments earlier to see only the continuation of the corridor sinking into darkness.
"I'm a little scared. Can I stay?"
"All right, I'm almost done with my shift anyway. How have you been since the last time? I heard you were adopted by Prince Blueblood?!"
After explaining everything that had happened, she smiled at me and ruffled my mane. God, I hate that!
"I'm happy for you. You look much better than the last time I saw you alone in the middle of the night."
"Thank you," I felt weird, what was happening to me again?
Suddenly, Lord Hatred's voice sounded as if he was whispering in my ear. Yet I found myself alone with the bat pony...
"Anon, listen to me. Kill that fool with the dagger in her belt and I'll keep my promise!"
"Kill her? "My heart stopped beating.
"Kill? Anon, are you okay? "I heard Night Sparkle's voice sounded worried.
"Think, Anon. You're a murderer in your world, the only way I can find to bring you back is for you to become a murderer! »
"But I'm not a murderer! "I shouted.
"Calm down, Anon, it's all right. I don't know what you're talking about, but it's all right. " I could hear him carefully approaching me.
" Who asked me to "take care" of your caretaker Anon? Who? Me, who's hearing voices, or... you?"
"Why?!"
"Why what?!" Night Sparkle seemed very worried this time.
"I told you, this is the only condition of our contract. If you're really willing to kill, it means you're not the person I'm looking for."
"What are you talking about? Please, don't make me do this!"
"Force you to do what, Anon? I promise I would never do anything bad to you!"
"No, I'm not forcing Anon on you. It's your choice. It was exactly the same between you and the other Anon last time. "
"This time, would you have kept your promise?"
"I've already kept that promise. You're just too sensitive to be really dangerous to anyone!"
"What promise? »
Night Sparkle hugged me in an attempt to calm me down while his dagger was within reach. I swiped it and trembled like a leaf.
"Know one last thing first, this mare has family, friends, children! Remember all of those things when you kill her!"
I was crying, I didn't want to do this. I wanted to be somewhere else. I don't want to have to do this!
I couldn't stop thinking about the children of that mare who was so good to me. I could almost see them asking where their mothers were.
"Your mother was killed by the most selfish person I know. " I pictured Carrot Top crying silently under that tree.
I couldn't. "I'm not an executioner!"
I threw the dagger as far as I could before cowering over myself and sobbing in the darkness.