//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: The Truth Behind Surprise // by ThatGirl2147 //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle paced about the floor of her library, searching through a tome held aloft before her by a light raspberry glow about it. When she reached the last page of the tome, the aura surrounding it dissipated and let it fall to the ground. She then took another from one of the massive bookcases about the room. “How is this even possible?” thought she, worry and curiosity in her tone. “I’ve never seen two ponies with Cutie Marks as similar as those two.” She came to a page and read bits to herself. “Let’s see, ‘a pony’s Cutie Mark represents their personality and unique talent... is unique from pony to pony... have been known to share some similarities.” She moved to the next page and asked herself, “does the same image with different colours count as ‘some similarities,’ or is it more than that?” As the mulberry mare spoke to herself, a small mulberry dragon drowsily stumbled down the staircase leading to the upper levels of the library. He spoke with an adolescent rasp, and between yawns he made intelligible inquiries. “Twilight?” asked he. “Twilight, are you alright?” “I’m fine, Spike,” replied Twilight to the dragon. “I didn’t mean to wake you up; go back to sleep.” The dragon scoffed. “I could tell you the same thing,” retorted he, “it’s two in the morning.” The purple mare groaned from frustration. “I know that, Spike,” answered she, “but if I go to sleep now, I’ll forget what book I was reading and have read, and I’ll have no idea where to start again.” Spike looked at the tomes scattered about the hardwood floor of the library, a brow raised. “I can pretty safely guess at which books you’ve already looked through.” He then opened one of the books, one about the size of the dragon, and asked his friend, “what is it you’re looking for, anyway?” With a sigh, Twilight sat down on the floor and answered. “Do you remember that pony I told you about? The one who looks like Pinkie Pie?” When the dragon nodded, she continued, “well, she and Pinkie have almost the exact same Cutie Mark, three balloons. That wouldn’t be too big a problem if it were anypony else. But, the fact that the two also resemble each other in every way except for their colours bothers me." The small dragon, who had taken a seat ont eh floor beside his friend, nodded with understanding. “That is weird," said he. “It’s almost as if she’s Pinkie’s twin, or maybe clone.” Twilight shook her head in disbelief. “No,” declined she, “twins makes more sense; they’d be the same colour if they were clones. Furthermore, since when can we clone ponies? Then again, I’m pretty sure Pinkie Pie, being the mare she is, would have talked about a twin if she had one; they didn’t even recognise each other.” The next morning, on the outskirts of Ponyville, a small cottage stood, just metres away from the edge of the Everfree Forest. In and about the cottage were various cages, habitats, and homes for creatures of every type, from ants to raccoons. Tending to each and every creature with motherly care was a small, frail Pegasus Mare of a pale gold colour. A long, pale rose mane flowed freely about the mare’s head, as did her matching tail, and three pink butterflies adorned her flank. While the mare fed a pack of squirrels, she was startled by Surprise, approaching the area. The yellow mare turned to face the white mare, and then, her heart racing, cautiously spoke. “Ummm, c..can I help you?” The white Pegasus was taken aback by the other mare’s reaction. Seeking to calm her, she backed away slowly and spoke to her in a soothing voice a mother would use to comfort a terrified foal. “Calm down, Sweetie. I was just asking around town where I could find something to do, and several hooves pointed here, saying ‘Fluttershy’s always got something for somepony to do.’ Might I ask if you’re Fluttershy?” “Ummm, yeah,” answered the gold mare nervously, though a bit calmer than she was. She took a look at the mare before her, and then asked timidly, “i.. if you like, would you care to give me a hoof with these animals? That is, if you don’t mind.” “Say no more,” said Surprise, holding her hoof before the yellow mare, “that’s why I’m here. What kind of feed should I give them?” Over the next hour, Fluttershy taught Surprise what she knew about each animal for which she cared. The pair finished with Fluttershy’s morning chores quickly, and the white mare was invited into the house for a cup of tea, which she humbly accepted. As the pair drank, Fluttershy spoke up. “You know,” said she, less cautiously than before, “you kind of look like, and sound like now that I think of it, somepony I know. Her name’s Pinkie Pie; would you happen to know who I’m talking about?” Surprise put a hoof to her chin as she contemplated the inquiry. Slowly, she began to shake her head. “Not that I know of,” answered she, “sorry.” “Oh, it’s okay,” replied Fluttershy, her features showing disappointment. Surprise nodded. “I see,” said she. “Well, I guess I’ll get going now, seeing as how you’ve finished with what you were doing this morning. Come find me if you need any more help.” As she trotted out of the yellow mare’s home, she said to her with gratitude, “thanks for the tea, by the way.” Meanwhile, on the other side of Ponyville, an Earth Mare and Stallion trotted about vast orchards filled with lines or massive apple trees. The orchards surrounded a modest farmhouse, barn, and a few other buildings. The mare coat was a light shade of gamboge, a blonde mane of moderate length, tied out of her way behind her head, with a tail to match. On her flank were three scarlet apples and on her head was a dark tan Stetson. Her sap green eyes surveyed every tree’s canopy. “They’re lookin’ mighty fine this season, ain’t they?” Standing beside the mare was a large, crimson Earth Stallion. He shared the colour of his eyes with the mare beside him, his short mane and tail were darker than the coat of the mare, and on his flank was the cross section of a green apple. His might spoke more than he, as his reply was but a deep, low “eeyup.” “It’s a beautiful view, too,” said a mare’s squeaky voice from behind the pair, shocking both into minor jolts. “Pinkie?” asked the mare as she turned face to confirm her guess. She caught sight of the pearl mare, and then said with suspicion, “you ain’t Pinkie.” The red stallion agreed with a nonchalant “nope.” Surprise shook her head. “Yep, nope; I’m not pink, so being named ‘Pinkie’ wouldn’t make a lot of sense. I’m Surprise!” Beaming a large grin, she held a hoof to the ponies. The orange mare was the first to accept the hoof. “Name’s Applejack,” introduced she, “and this is my brother, Big Macintosh. Now that introductions are out of the way, might I ask what y’all are doin’ on our property?” Surprise shrugged. “I’m new in town, and lots of ponies told me that I’ve not seen Ponyville until I’ve seen Sweet Apple Acres.” She pointed a hoof toward the farmhouse and explained, “and according to the gate over there, this is Sweet Apple Acres. I must say, I’m impressed.” In response, Applejack crossed her forelegs and smiled proudly. “Well, I thank you kindly, Surprise. You’ll be even more impressed when you taste some of the apples we grow up here.” She then took a forehoof and drove it into the trunk of one of the nearby trees, causing a single apple to fall into her hoof. She held the Red Delicious to her guest and said smugly, “which’ll be right now.” Surprise smiled. “Thanks, Applejack,” said she humbly. She took a bite from the fruit with a delectable crunch. As she swallowed the chunk of apple, she smiled even more brightly. “It’s delicious,” said she, “and it’s red. No wonder they’re called ‘Red Delicious.’” “And don’t you forget it,” said the orange mare with a wink and a nudge to Surprise. “Y’all have a nice afternoon now, Surprise.” With that, the two farmers went on about their business. As the white Pegasus too to the sky toward Ponyville, she thought to herself. “So,” reflected she, “there’s Pinkie Pie herself, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack. Next up is the seamstress.” With that, she silently soared to her destination. After but a minute or two of continuous flight, Surprise arrived at Ponyville’s local dress shop, the Carousel Boutique. The building kept with its name, for the exterior of it was built to resemble a giant, two-layered carousel. As the mare landed, she trotted haphazardly into the shop. The interior of the building was as magnificent as its exterior: expertly crafted outfits and various articles of clothing hung on racks and lay stacked and folded about the many counters and tables about the main room. A bell rang as the door was opened, and a mare’s light but strong voice emanated from the back room. “Just a minute!” said the mare joyously, just loudly enough to be heard. Within a few seconds, the door of teh back room swung open, revealing the proprietor of the shop. She was a very light grey Unicorn Mare, with a full, curled mane and tail of indigo. Underneath her pale blue eye shadow was a pair of deep azure eyes, and under that a joyous smile. She approached the front desk where Surprise stood. “Good Day, Miss,” greeted she. “My name is Rarity, and welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique and magnifique.” “Good Day to you, too, Miss Rarity,” greeted Surprise politely. “I certainly feel welcome; this place is beautiful.” “Well,” began the unicorn, “I like to think I do my best. Is there anything that interests you? Mind you, I do take custom orders.” Surprise shook her head slowly. “Not right now,” declined she. “I’m just scouting out the town. You know, getting a bit familiar with the place I’m going to be spending the rest of my life.” Rarity rested her head on her hoof, which she held on her desk. “Ah, I see,” said she with an understanding nod. “Have you married, or just decided on a change of venue?” The Pegasus gave a shrug. “Eh, just decided to settle down, I guess.” She drew a somber sigh as she continued, “I’ve been moving about from city to city for my entire life, and finally decided that I want to just take it all in stride, you know? I feel like kicking up my hooves and letting the world pass my by for a while.” “I can see that. I take it you’re a traveler, then?” For a short while, the two mares discussed several things, mostly focusing on the slow, relaxed life of an average denizen of Ponyville. Soon, Rarity took a close look at Surprise’s face and told her, “say, you know you look like someone I know. Have you been told that by anyone else in town?” “Come to think of it,” answered Surprise, “that girl in the cottage just outside of Ponyville said something about that. She said I look like a ‘Pink Pie,’ or somepony like that.” Upon hearing the mare’s reply, Rarity brought her hoof down on her table with a loud clack. “Pinkie Pie!” exclaimed she. She quickly righted herself and apologised humbly. “So sorry. How un-ladylike of me,” said she. “But, yes, now that I think about her, you do look similar to my dear friend Pinkie Pie. You have to give Fluttershy her due, for she has such an eye for details. Have you met Pinkie Pie? She works at Sugarcube Corner, just a short trot away.” “No,” replied the Pegasus, “but I’m told that’s the place to go for some of the best desserts and snacks in Equestria.” With a hoof on her chin, she added, “I might have to check that place out, if it’s that good.” “Oh, you most certainly must,” agreed Rarity. Surprise nodded. “I guess I’ll be on my way, then. Until we meet again, Miss Rarity,” said she. With her farewell said, the mare exited the boutique.