My sleep was interrupted by loud music coming from my phone. It was the alarm clock going off.
(Already?... I swear I closed my eyes a few seconds ago...)
I reached for the phone on the bedside table and turned off the annoying alarm clock.
(Celestia really has no other time to meet with me? Why so early?)
After a little more grumbling, I got out of bed. My attention immediately fell on the backpack that stood near the wall.
(Huh? I don't remember bringing my backpack to the second floor...)
I spent about a minute trying to remember where I left my backpack yesterday.
(Oh, okay, never mind... Maybe I just brought it here and forgot. It's not like someone broke into my house while I was sleeping and brought it here, right? Who needs it?)
Chuckling slightly, I thought my mind was occupied with the wrong thoughts and went off to do my morning routine.
A little later, while sipping freshly made coffee, I heard something hitting the front door with a soft thud.
(What's this? Somebody decided to visit me early in the morning?)
When I opened the door, I saw that there was a newspaper on the doorstep.
(Oh, morning newspaper delivery? Okay, newspaper and coffee is a good combination.)
I picked up the newspaper and headed back to the kitchen, where an unfinished coffee was waiting for me.
(Well, let's see what's going on in Ponyville...)
With a bit of surprise, I found on the front page of the newspaper an article about Rarity and her new collection of clothes for dragons, minotaurs and even griffins.
(So in the end, I helped her with taking her business to the next level? Now she can sell clothes to someone other than ponies. Although... Do ponies wear clothes often...?)
I started reading the article while drinking my coffee.
"Rarity is releasing a new collection of clothes that pushes the boundaries of fashion harder than ever before! Now her works of art in the clothing world can be enjoyed not only by ponies, but also by minotaurs, dragons and even griffins. But don't feel bad if your species isn't on the list! Rarity promises that her clothes will be available for even more species in a little while!
Next, Rarity will reveal what motivated her to push the boundaries of her work.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak out, it's very important to me! So... I was motivated to make this change by a friend of mine. As soon as I saw him, I realized... This is his rare opportunity. This is his rare opportunity to give other creatures of Equestria the pleasure of fashion... If only he had visited us sooner... I am very grateful for the opportunity he has given us. Vlad, if you're reading this right now... Thank you..."
I was pleasantly surprised.
(Well, at least I did something useful while I am in Equestria...)
The article had a continuation, but I didn't read it because a carriage was about to come for me, and I started getting ready to go outside.
(Okay, maybe while I'm flying to Canterlot I could come up with some kind of speech? Or would pure improvisation be okay, too?)
With these thoughts in mind, I went outside, breathing in the pleasant morning air. I leaned my back against the wall of the house and was warming up in the light of the rising sun.
(Yeah... Celestia knows her job...)
I was still enjoying the morning sun when I heard the sound of wings flapping. It was the royal guards flying, carrying the carriage behind them.
(Not a minute later, not a minute earlier... Impressive.)
The royal guards landed near me, and, as on previous occasions, asked my name.
"Hello, fellows. Yes, yes, I'm Vlad, and I need a ride to Canterlot. I think with the frequency with which I go there, we'll soon be best friends." I said with a light laugh.
They didn't respond, but I didn't expect a response. I just climbed into the carriage and made myself comfortable.
(Maybe I should get some sleep instead of preparing my speech? Hmmm.)
I had already closed my eyes, but I heard the clatter of hooves behind me. I looked back and saw that strange pony approaching me, who kept trying to talk to me at night.
(Oh no... It's not a good time for her at all!)
She must have noticed that I was about to fly away and sped up her pace.
"Guys, let's take off already! What are we waiting for?" I said, hurrying the guards.
"We have a command to wait one minute after a passenger has taken a seat, so that he can get comfortable and safely settled." said the guard on the left.
"Hasn't that minute passed yet?" I asked worriedly, seeing that pony getting closer and closer.
"Yes, the minute has just passed. We can go." said the guard on the right, and they both spread their wings.
The carriage began to move, and it seemed to me that it had been gaining the necessary speed for takeoff for an eternity.
(Come on, come on! I don't want to talk to her now! Maybe later...)
Just as we were about to take off, the pony began to gallop, and began to catch up with the carriage.
(Are you kidding me? Is it really that important to talk to me?)
To my surprise, she still managed to reach a distance where I could hear her.
"I'll meet you near your house when you come back! We must talk!" said the pony in a rush, and then slowing down, staying behind the carriage and looking me in the eyes.
At that moment the carriage rose into the air, and our eye contact ended.
(She REALLY wants to talk to me...)
I thought about it for a few more seconds, and then sat down comfortably again.
(Now I wonder what she wants to tell me... If that's what she was chasing the carriage for, it must be something really important.)
I spent the entire flight to Canterlot thinking about what had happened. I only came out of my thought trance at the slight jolt that meant we had landed in Canterlot.
"Thanks guys." I said as I stepped off the carriage.
"We'll be waiting for you here." said the right guard.
"Okay. Thanks for letting me know." I said and headed for the castle entrance.
As I walked up the stairs, I regretted that I hadn't prepared some sort of speech.
(Okay, maybe I should have thought of something beforehand after all...)
Just as I wanted to touch the castle door, a sudden flash briefly blinded me, but I kept walking forward. I covered my face with my hands.
(Ouch! What the fuck just happe...)
No sooner had I finished that thought in my head than the next second I hit something... soft and a little fluffy? After that, I fell on my ass.
(Have they decided to blind me or something?)
"Ah, there you are. Hello. Are you okay?" asked a voice I couldn't mistake for any other. It was Celestia's voice.
I was finally able to open my eyes and see that Celestia was standing in front of me. And I was sitting on the floor after bumping into her.
"Hello, princess. I don't really understand what just happened... I wanted to open the door to enter the castle, and..."
"Ah, sorry about that. I teleported you here so you don't have to waste your time getting to the throne room." said Celestia a little guiltily. "Let me help you get up."
Celestia lifted me to my feet with no problem using her magic.
"Thank you, princess." I said, dusting myself off. "Are you in a hurry? Judging by this sudden teleport from the castle doors to the throne room...".
"Well, actually yes... But, I think I'll have time to listen to you." Celestia said as she started walking. "Do you mind if we go out on the balcony? I hate to spend such a nice day indoors."
"Yeah, sure, why not?" I said, starting to follow her.
A minute later we were on the balcony, enjoying the pleasant morning breeze.
"So what's on your mind, Vlad?" asked Celestia.
At this point, I'd almost forgotten that I'd come to Canterlot for a reason, not just to chat with Celestia and hang out on the balcony.
"Oh yeah, about that..." I said and cleared my throat. "You've been pretty busy lately, haven't you, princess?"
"Yes... I've been busy with something." Celestia said proudly.
(SOMETHING, huh?)
"I recently met a pony who is now working very hard to earn money for something very important. I repeat, VERY IMPORTANT." I said, leaning against the balcony railing. "She works at the Ponyville market, selling coffee. She's even moved her stand recently so she can get more customers, and more income as a result."
"Oh... Is she saving up for her dream? Something she's wanted for a long time?" asked Celestia dreamily.
"A dream? Hmm..." I said thoughtfully. "Maybe what she's saving up for doesn't quite fit that description. I'd say it's... It's something she needs vitally."
"Vital? Oh, you mean...?" Celestia couldn't finish and became visibly sad.
"Yes, it's a matter of life or death. And it's not even about her, it's about... Her mother's health." I said, turning away, looking out at Canterlot, which was so beautiful from the balcony.
"Oh... Is her mother not feeling well...?" Celestia asked in a sad tone.
"I don't know exactly how bad she feeling right now, but one thing I can tell you for sure... She needs help as soon as possible." I said, still not turning to Celestia. "I don't know if I'm making too much of this, but... Maybe if help doesn't come now, then... Then it'll be too late to make a change."
"Oh my, it's terrible... Who is this pony that needs help?" Celestia asked worriedly.
"I don't know the mother of that pony personally, and you could say that I found out about this situation against her will, but... I just couldn't stay away, you know?" I said, turning to Celestia and looking at her intently.
"Yes, yes, of course, I understand, in such cases it's sometimes worth being persistent." Celestia said seriously.
"Thank you for your understanding, princess." I said as I stopped leaning on the balcony railing and stood up, stepping slightly forward, standing with my back to Celestia. "This pony who needs help with her mother's treatment is Caffeine Cream. I've known her for a very short time, and she may not even remember me, but please help her. You can find her by her name, right? I'm afraid that's all the information I know about her."
"Yes, of course, the name is enough. She will certainly be helped." Celestia said with confidence.
"Thank you. It means a lot." I said, trying not to give away the sadness in my voice. "But, you know what?"
"What is it, Vlad?" Celestia asked with a little confusion.
"What if this case is not an isolated one? What if there are more ponies in Equestria with a similar problem?" I said, finally turning to Celestia.
"You may be right. We need to help everyone." Celestia said thoughtfully. "I will definitely think about it, thank you for letting me in on the problem."
"I may not be here long, but the fate of the residents of Equestria does matter to me." I said seriously. "Thank you for listening to me, despite your busy schedule."
"Perhaps I'm the one who owes you a..."
But Celestia didn't have time to finish her sentence because Shining Armor suddenly came running in.
"Princess, hurry! We have...!" Shining didn't finish as he saw me. "Oh, Vlad... I didn't know you were here, huh..." Shining said worriedly.
"Uh... Hey." That's all I could say.
"What's the matter, Shining Armor?" Celestia asked warily.
"We have... A PROBLEM." Shining said, still looking at me.
"PROBLEM?" Celestia asked again, but this time even more worriedly.
"Yes, PROBLEM. Please hurry!" said Shining and ran, waiting for the princess to follow him.
"Oh no..." Celestia said with annoyance, and then looked at me. "Vlad, you do know your way around the castle, don't you? I'll have to leave you, emergency duties have come up."
"Yeah, sure, I won't get lost." I said hastily.
"Great. I have to go, see you later!" Celestia said and disappeared in a flash of teleportation, leaving me alone.
For a couple of seconds I just stared into the void, thinking about what had happened.
(Problem... They have a problem... I hope this problem has nothing to do with the portal...)
I stood on the balcony alone for a few more minutes, and then headed for the exit from the throne room.
(One day, I will know the truth... And that day may be closer than I think.)
I was walking through the corridors of the castle, thinking about different things that had happened recently, when suddenly I felt something pulling me by the sleeve of my T-shirt.
(What the...?)
I saw that it was a dark blue magical aura. But no sooner had I thought about it than I was dragged through the first door that opened in front of me, and I could barely stand on my feet. When I was in the room, the door slammed shut violently. The room was pitch black, and I could barely see my own hands.
"Hey, what's going on? If this is a joke, it's not very funny." I said, and I felt my heartbeat increase slightly.
There was no response.
(Okay, that's weird.)
I took out my phone and turned on the flashlight in it, starting to light up the room.
(Hm... The room is made in a lunar theme... But it's not the room Luna gave me to live in, that's for sure... That room is at the other end of the castle).
I kept shining the flashlight in different directions until the flashlight showed me something that made my heart freeze and a cold sweat break out on my forehead. Luna was sitting on the bed, smiling broadly as she looked at me.
After about a minute of stupor and staring at each other, I turned off the flashlight. And then I turned it off. And then turned it back on. And then did that a few more times. When I was sure I wasn't imagining things, I sighed heavily and turned off the flashlight again.
"You know, I was very close to squealing like a little girl. Your ears definitely wouldn't like that." I said, letting out an exhale.
All I heard in response was a satisfied laugh, and the next second the curtain was pulled away from the window, flooding the room with daylight.
"Oh, you should have seen your face when you found us!" Luna kept laughing.
"Revenge will be sweet, Luna. Remember that..." I said, smiling slyly.
"Oh ho, we'll see!" Luna said cheerfully.
"So what's this all about?" I asked, walking to the window.
"Straight to the point, huh? Are all humans so boring?" said Luna a little disappointed.
"Well, you didn't just decide to scare me, did you? You had something to say, didn't you? Well, I'm not in a hurry, so we can chat if you want..."
"Well, actually, yes... We wanted to say something." Luna came over to me. "We heard some unfamiliar female voice from the portal room."
"An unfamiliar female voice? Hmm..." I was thinking for a few seconds. "Okay... What does that mean?"
"It's possible that nothing good... Only you and the ponies we know are allowed into the portal room. But, somehow, a pony I don't know got in, and Tia was talking to her."
(Wait... Does that really mean that...?)
"You didn't see exactly who it was?" I asked a little worriedly.
"We didn't see anything at all... Only heard." Luna said thoughtfully. "Something on your mind?"
"I'll tell you what..." I said uncertainly. "Maybe that voice didn't belong to a pony... Or any other species living in Equestria."
"But how is that possible...? Are you sure?" Luna asked with doubt.
"No, I'm not sure... But I have no other thoughts about it..."
"Okay, anyway, whoever she is... She wanted to see you. Well, that's what she told Tia." Luna said seriously.
At that moment all doubts vanished, and I knew exactly who it was.
(She came through the portal and wanted to meet me? But, the program is not over yet... What does she want from me?)
"How long have they been talking?" I asked, trying to understand the intentions of the sudden visitor.
"No more than a couple of minutes. We are sure that at the end of the conversation the sound of passing through the portal was heard."
"What about the tone of the conversation? Was it threatening or hostile?"
"Well... She didn't make any threatening, but... Her tone was a little annoyed, we can say that with certainty."
"So she REALLY wanted to see me... Hmm... " different versions of why she wanted to see me flashed through my head. "By the way, when I was talking to your sister, Shining Armor came running to us and said that there was some problem that needed Celestia's presence to solve... Now I understand what the problem it was."
"Oh, Shining Armor? Yes, he and the guards are now guarding the portal room, so it's no surprise that he's the one who alerted Tia." Luna said without any surprise.
"So this place is guarded now...? Damn, I don't like this at all... That doesn't mean anything good, does it...?" I asked sadly.
"Exactly. There's something going on that we still have to find out... Together." Luna said with a confident smile.
"Right. One day we will know the truth. But, I don't really understand why you're doing this for me..." I said thoughtfully.
"Well... It's interesting for us..." said Luna with a little hesitation.
"...Quite a reason." I said, smiling.
Luna smiled back at me.
"Okay, I guess I should go. Thanks for letting me know what's going on." I said, walking away from the window.
"See you next time." Luna said with a kind smile.
"Yes, of course." I said, opening the door and walking out of the room.
I walked through the corridors of the castle again and thought about the latest events.
(What a week I had...)
When I went outside, the guards and their carriage were waiting for me in the same place where I had left them.
"Thanks for the waiting, guys. I'm ready to head back to Ponyville." I said as I got into the carriage.
They didn't answer again, but just silently started moving, and soon we were in the air. At that moment I remembered that strange pony who wanted to talk to me.
(Well, I'm finally going to find out what she wanted to tell me so badly...)
The royal guards fly so fast that before I knew it, we had already landed in Ponyville.
"Have a good day, you guys. Here, you deserve it." I said and gave each of them 20 bits.
"Thank you. You have a good day, too." said one of the guards and they began to move, a minute later disappearing into the clouds.
(Tough job they have... A couple of beats would obviously make their day brighter.)
I was about to open the door of the house, but I heard someone behind me clear their throat.
"That's right. I remember. Did you really wait for me?" I said, turning and seeing her.
"Come on, we need a private place to talk." the pony said and started walking away from my house.
"My house is right here, where are you going?" I asked with a look of surprise.
"Your house is not suitable, we're going to the Ponyville cafe."
"What? But..." I couldn't finish as she looked at me with a tired look, as if explaining something to a small child. "Okay, okay, I'm coming... Lead the way." I said, not wanting to disagree with her.
(In what way is the Ponyville cafe more private than my home...?)