//------------------------------// // One By One By One // Story: Numerals // by Kaciekk //------------------------------// One By One By One It was early morning, the sun had not even crossed the horizon, only faint light appeared. 5 had gotten home now, and only gave herself and hour or two of sleep. She really wanted to try the spell. Her time seemed to slip away quickly now, for she was anxious. 5 sat the stone down where the bust was, in the middle of the room. Spike had gone and locked the door, and closed the curtains. For they didn't want anypony to find out what was going on. 5 placed the paper with the spell and instruction on the floor in front of her. She stood up, and her violet eyes studied the stone, then the paper. She read it very carefully. She read the worlds out loud. "First, place your forehead to the stone. Then clear your mind. Only think of yourself, what your talent is. This of all of your memories, the truth of who you are. Do NOT think of numbers, and the rule of 1. After your mind is set, say the spell below with closed eyes." Then she read the spell in her mind. Then 5 placed her head on the stone, her horn clicked against it. She cleared her mind. 5 thought about how much she wanted a name. She thought about how much she love to read and study, and how she loved to learn new spells. She knew that she was powerful with her magic. And used it very. Then she spoke the words. "For the truth to be told And a new light I hold. Over the past of wrong Against the rule's song To do yourself undone Like an army falling One By One By One". Her mind then raced, filled with so many flashes. What was happening? It was as a spirit whispered to her, through a dream. And something came to 5, from the bottom of her heart. Two worlds that called to her. 'Twilight Sparkle." Just then, 5 gasped. "TwilightSparkle! That's my name." But just as that happen, a knock came from the door. The unicorn jumped, and saw that more light rays shined from the windows. A squeaky voice called out. "Hey 5? Are you alright? I thought I saw you out last night. And I came here, and your windows are shut, it looks dark in there. Are you okay?" The unicorn glared at Spike. "It's 435... I guess you can let her in." Spike opened the door, then quickly grabbed the pegasus' wing with his claws, and dragged her inside. He slammed the door behind her. "435! This is great! I have found my own name! With a spell that spike found! And you can get your own name too! 435, why don't you go find 388, 690, 521, and 752! And only them, nopony else!" "Oh, alright." 435 said with great excitement. Her expression was confusion and happiness, all at the same time. Then the blue pegasus raced out the door that Spike opened. Later, all six ponies sat with 5, or now, TwilightSparkle. She gave a huge smile while she explained how to do the spell. She showed the paper to the girls, and encouraged them to try. "I'll go first!" 435 called out. She came to the stone, and placed her forehead to it. She thought about herself, and how she loves to do stunts. She remembers how loyal she was to her hometown, Cloudsdale. She knew about her ability to work with weather.After she spoke the poem, the whisper came to her. The words spoke ' Rainbow Dash.' Then 435 yelled. "RainbowDash! That's my name!" She leaped into the air, fluttering. "That's an awesome name!! I do have a rainbow mane, and I love to dash!" She then whipped around the room in a circle, then landed buy the others. 388 stepped up, and placed her head down, her white horn clanking against the crystal. She thought of her love of fashion, and searching for gems. She had always love to make things for other ponies. She thought of this while speaking the spell, and the word came to her quickly. unlike the others, it was only one word, 'Rarity'. 388 let in a gasp of air. "Oh it's perfect! My name is Rarity! How wonderful. I am rare, am I not? Unique, yes!!" Next was 690, who bounced over to the stone. Her thoughts were about all of the happiness she has given to the citizens, all of the laughter. She thought about her love of parties and sweets. She spoke the spell quite quickly, ans the words were 'Pinkie Pie'. "Oh, Oh Oh!" She jumped into the air. "Pinkie Pie!! I am pink, and I do love pie!!!" The next pony was 521. She took her hat off and placed it on the ground. She thought about her family, and her farm. She loved to grow apples, and give them to ponies. She always wanted everypony to find joy in the fruits. She said the words in her country accents, and the perfect name came, 'AppleJack.' "Hmm.. AppleJack? I guess that's a good name, I do run Sweet Apple Acres." The last pony was 752. But she still sat on the floor. She gave a fearful face. The mares came to her, but she scooted away. "Come on, you need your name." 388, or now Rarity told her." "No.. it's not a good idea. We're gonna get in trouble." TwilightSparkle reassured her. "But I am sure you will have a great name. I am sure your animal friends would agree." "I... I guess." 752 said. Then she slowly went up to the stone She did think about the animals, and how they gave her much joy. She said the words in a low whisper. Her name came as 'Flutter Shy'. She opened her teal eyes and looked to the mares. She stuttered. "Fl... FlutterShy..." "Oh, what a lovely name." Rarity smiled. "You are quite shy." Then all of the ponies followed TwilightSparkle into the early day light. They all smiled for their descovery. But then Twilight gazed forward, and her heart sank. The princess, 1, was standing in front of them. Her eyes glared down as her mane flowed with the wind. "My dearest student, 5. It has been 3 days since you left Cantorlot. And I still await a letter. Even if you don't have any information, you could of given me a few numbers." Twilight swallowed hard. "I, I am sorry. I did write a letter, but I had forgotten to send it. But you see, these are some of the ponies I have met." She looked at the mares." Well, their numbers are-" "No! No numbers!" RainbowDash called out. "We will not do that. "What?! But, that is not right, do you want to be-" "I am RainbowDash!" The pegasus flied up to the princess. "And I will not be called by a number anymore! We all have names! TwilightSparkle helped us... or you would call her '5'!" "What?" 1 stood in disbelief. "It is true." Rarity came up too. "My name is Rarity. I was 388, but my name is much more better. And there, are the other ponies with names. FlutterShy, AppleJack, PinkiePie." 1 suddenly jumped into the air, her eyes flashed with rage. "How could you possibly have names! It is not right! Everypony has numbers and only numbers! How dare all of you defy my laws!" All of the ponies in the town seemed to crowd around the commotion. They stare with confusion. And the two other princesses came to the side. 2 was on the left, while 3 was on the right. "2, 3! You need to help me here! these ponies should not have names! We need to-" But 1 was interrupted by her sister. "No, I will not do as you say. These ponies deserve names, and not silly numbers. Names that tell them who they really are! Names that go with their talent! I agree with these citizen, I understand." 2 Fluttered over to the six mares. "And as a princess, I know my own name. I am Luna! And why have you tell me otherwise, Celestia?" "Celestia?" TwilightSparkle said. "So that is your name 1! And It is true, that the princesses know their names!" "Yes, of course." 3 came over to the group. "And I agree too. I create love, and these numbers are keeping our love down! For I am Mi Amore Cadenza!" The pink Alicorn looked to Twilight. "But you can just call me Cadence." "How... How dare you!!!" !, or now, Celestia yelled. "This number system has been in this world for a thousand years! There is no way I will let all of you do this." All of the ponies in the town murmured, and spoke with fear. What would the princess do to them. But Luna stepped up, and then with her magic, dragged the soul stone from TwilightSparkle's house. She raised it high. "All ponies deserve a name!! And like you said Celestia, this number system has been going on for a thousand years. That is way too long! All ponies, you must say the spell now!" Then Luna's magic shot into the sky, and shimmered over the town, all of the ponies seemed to know what to do. Cadence let a laser of magic into the sky too. Both magics of the ponies filled the air, and the soul stone stood in the middle of all of it. "TwilightSparkle!" Cadence called over. "We need help of the most powerful of all ponies. You are surely the most powerful unicorn I know. Use your magic, since you know the spell the best. Then you, and your friends, say the poem all together!" The purple unicorn stood up tall, and her magenta magic shot up to the stone. All of the three ponies' magic made them much more powerful then the Princess. The stone glowed, and all the ponies took their spots. Celestia watched, powerless. Then the two princesses, and the six mares spoke the words, while all the other ponies watched the stone. "For the truth to be told And a new light I hold. Over the past of wrong Against the rule's song To do yourself undone Like an army falling One By One By One" Just then, a beautiful aura wiped out into the sky, covering the world it seemed. And all the ponies stood, mumbling, for now they knew their own names. The gray pegasus Twilight had met the first day flutter over to them. "Ohh, my name is Derpy Hooves!! I don't know what it means, but it's much better then 999!." She giggled. A light aqua unicorn jumped to them with a huge smile and golden eyes. "Lyra HeartStrings!! It's perfect, I love to play the lyre!" All of the ponies were happy, all bu Celestia, who watched over them with rage. The group of mares crouched down in fear as she drew closer. But then the anger in her eyes faded. "I guess that I should of seen this coming. For you, TwilightSparkle, are a smart and powerful pony. I know all of the names already, but I guess I should of gave them away. For a thousand years of numbers, broken by a thousand ponies. I guess this is a new beginning. But it will be very hard to end. "Maybe, my dear sister," Luna started to speak. "This will be easier. Every name is unique, going along with each ponies' talent. I think it is perfect." Celestia nodded, then looked down at the mares. "TwilightSparkle, you and your new friends should help me expand the world. For It should go further then the three cities. RainbowDash, Rarity, AppleJack, PinkiePie, and FlutterShy. I will put all of my trust in you. And you should write me letters for every time you find a new city." "So a quest? A journey?" Twilight spoke. "I guess that will give me time to get to know these girls, and-" Spike then jumped from the doorway of the library. "I can come with." I stared up at the princess. "I hope it is allowed now, since have always had a name." The Princess nodded. "Of course. And I will hope the best of you all." And a new beginning came to the world that was centered around numbers. Now it was centered around the talents of ponies. The princess will think different now, but will get to know names of interesting ponies.