She woke up to find something impossibly tall and white looking down at her. Princess Celestia smiled at her warmly while her brain tried to process what the hell was going on.
"Hello" the Princess said.
"Hi..." the human girl replied nervously. "Am I dreaming"
"No"
"Am I dead?"
"No"
"Is this a prank?"
"No"
Each time, the princess's answers were calm and gentle, and each 'no' left the girl more confused. Before she could ask another question the alicorn raised a golden-shod hoof to silence her.
"I'm going to ask you some questions alright?" The princess said.
"Ok" the human replied nervously.
"Am I correct in assuming you are the girl who answers by the name of L-------?"
"How do you-?"
"Fourth wall" Celestia answered with a smirk. "Are you also a fan of 'My Little Pony Friendship is Magic'?"
"Yeah, why are you asking me this?"
"Paperwork" Celestia answered dully.
"Huh?"
"You see.." the princess began. "It is my duty to inform you that you have been selected to journey a version of equestria chosen specifically for you in order to better yourself as a human through friendship and ponies".
"Why do I get the feeling you just referenced a fanfic I've read?" the girl known as Dragonfire2lm asked.
"Because I did" Celestia answered. "So do you accept?"
"What about-" Dragonfire began.
"Due to the Vardosian failsafe, time is frozen on your home planet and you will live out your life in Equestria, upon your death you will returned to your home at the exact time and place you were before arrival, with your human form restored to the way it was before arrival, and with no recollections of your time in Equestria" Celestia replied almost automatically.
"Oh"
"There is no need to worry, you will recieve training for whatever form you will have and guidence from your own personal friend and companion that will appear whenever you need them" Celestia explained.
"Seriously?"
The princess nodded, then smiled happily and gave a sigh of relief.
"Now then in order to determine what species you will be, I'm afriad I'm going to have to read your memories" the princess stated with a hint of regret.
"What-?" was all the human could say as everything went white.
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Fear.
There was nothing but fear radiating from a human girl no older than six as she was dragged into the public toilets on a school playground. The sickly lime green walls and dark green cubicles would haunt her for years to come as her first taste of true fear.
She was dragged into a cubicle by an older girl, her vision went slightly blurry as something was pulled off her face. the memory was fuzzy as all that stood out were colours and emotion, oh she was so scared. And there the promise of a threat, as the older girl dangled the younger one's glasses over the toilet.
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The girl threatened in the toilets was older now, around ten, playing and having fun with a friend. it was pitiful to watch, as over multiple play sessions she had trust and blind faith in her friend despite, the fact that things were stolen by that friend resulting in a chase. This continued for a while, the girl even lost her favourite toy and found it stashed under a demountable classroom.
It was day, one day where the girl's friend did the unthinkable, this time it wasn't a beanie or a toy that was stolen. it was the girl's own glasses, hastily ripped off her face the young girl stood there for a second in shock.
And took off running after her so called 'friend'. Things went by in a blur, it was a miracle she didn't crash into a pole or another student. the chase ended full circle and another friend fished out the glasses from a toilet.
EEWW!
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As the memories rolled on there were flashes of sadness of losing a friend, of wondering what she did wrong, but eventually, high school happened and the memories were one of thoughts.
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Hey guys what's up?
T---? L------? why aren't you talking to me?
Come on this isn't funny! what the hell is going on?
Guys? Did...Did I do something wrong?
Come tell me! Did something I do offend you? Was it something I said?
Whatever I did I'm sorry!
I'm sorry! Please just say something! i'll change, whatever you want, just say something!
Don't leave me alone...
I don't want to be alone...
--------------------------------
Ohmygosh today's the day my old friend from primary school has her orientation day today!
Finally I found you! Hi L-----! it's me L-------!
What? You don't want to be my friend anymore?
But why?
M-My reputation? But-But I've changed, it's been three years since we last saw each other.
W-why? it's not fair.
The rest of this memory is washed away by unrivalled feeling of sorrow and heartache.
----------------------------
'sigh' Another day of this hell hole.
what do this lot want?
Oh yeah very funy, not like I haven't that one before.
You know your teasing is really pitiful. You're what fourteen years old and you spend your lunch breaks bullying a senoir.
Fucking great they just stand there talking about me. I feel like a caged animal.
why don't they just leave me and my friends alone?
-------------------------
I think I'm starting to get paranoid, arriving at school everyday believing everyone who's not my friend is just trying to piss me off. especially that one guy in year eight. the bastard wouldn't be laughing if his shirt was on fire. heh that'd fun to see..
..Ok that last thought freaked me out a bit...
-----------------------
I'm hopeless, ugly, overweight with no social life, no boyfriend and my dream career at being an author won't ever happen. I mean I'm barely getting decent grades, my grammar sucks and I can't do anything else right.
Shit, now I'm crying, I must not cry, mustn't let mum found out she'll get mad, she get's mad when i cry.
Must not cry..damn it I'm hopeless.
I'll get in trouble if i cry...
The memory repeats over and over until something else, embarassment, takes it's place.
----------------
Wow just look at me, emotionally unstable, irrational fears of consequences and abandonment, pessimism, depression and a two year bout of paranoia.
Bloody hell i'm messed up. Still it could be worse, I mean i haven't been beaten or raped anyone or anything.
Oh I forgot the subconscious punishment thing...everytime I get a headache I try to suffer through it, I skip meals once a day, stay up as late as I can ( I think I might have some form of insomnia but I might be exagerating) and stuff. I know I should see someone about it, but why bother? I mean I've tried telling my mum (Tried is the key word here she just gor frustrated with me 'cause I was starting to cry), no point telling my friends, not much they can do.
Good grief I need a boyfriend, or a life not sure which. I may not be physically scared but emotional scarring..yeah I got quite a few.
---------------------------
When her senes returned to her the girl was aware that she was crying. Suddenly a golden clad hoof grabbed her and she was embraced by the solar princess with both hooves and wings.Something wet landed on her forehead and she looked up in astonsihment to find Princess Celestia in tears as well.
"It's ok" Princess Celestia whispered, barely able to form words. "It's ok..."