//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: The Portal to Aperture // Story: My Little Portal // by Daylight Shadows //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle had been informed of her task. She felt slightly nervous, but slightly excited. A chance to travel to another dimension and solve puzzles? With limited objects and enemies? Sounded like her dream come true-this was better than the everyday crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or even Chess. She found out when Celestia sent a letter to her- first bursting out like green fire out of Spike’s mouth, then becoming a golden-laced scroll which she had laid on her desk to read. The letter was short but clear: Twilight had to go to another dimension, go through a series of tests involving portals and deadly lasers, while trying to keep a mad computer from killing her while also teaching her the magic of friendship. Easy enough. Twilight went ahead and said good-bye to her friends. She hugged them all and they all had wished her luck, and they also came to see her off at the train station. All of them were crying, Pinkie crying the most. Twilight assured them all she would arrive home safe and sound, with no worries. After she boarded the train, she took notes on what enemies and challenges she’d have to face: • Lasers. • Deadly Energy Balls. • Turrets. • Pools of Toxic Waste. • An enormous homicidal supercomputer. She also noted that she would be given multiple cubes and a portal gun to help her solve the puzzles. When she finally made it to Canterlot, she made her way to the castle, nodding at each of the guards along the way, and thanking them for wishing her luck. She passed by Shining Armor and Cadence, and hugged them both-because both were crying for her and told her they loved her. She assured them she would be fine and arrive home safe and sound. When she left them, she finally arrived at the door to the throne room. As she walked in the door to the throne room, she couldn’t help but feel excitement. Celestia and Luna turned to face her, both had expressionless faces. Neither one was completely sure of what was to come once Twilight arrived at Aperture. In the meantime, however, it was probably best not to think the worst. Both greeted her fondly. “Well, Twilight, are you ready for your journey?” asked Celestia. Twilight took a deep breath. “Yes,” she responded with as much confidence as she had. “I am ready.” Celestia handed her a knapsack. “These are the clothes and supplies you’ll need once you get there. The tools and testing equipment will be provided by her,” she explained. Twilight peeked in the sack to find some items: • An orange jumpsuit. • Bottles of water. • Several bags of trail mix: cereal, candy, peanuts, and marshmallows. • And a book entitled “Guide to Portals” written by a scientist from Aperture. Twilight put on the knapsack; nodded to Celestia she was ready. Golden light and bluish-black magic erupted from the sisters’ horns and they formed an enormous white portal. Twilight took a deep breath, said her goodbyes to her mentor and her sister, and finally climbed through the portal.