“Spike! Wake up, it’s winter wrap up day!” I exclaimed.
“Ugh… can’t it wait till later?” Spike groaned too lazy to get out of bed.
“I told you last year Spike, it isn’t the same as Canterlot; so Ponyville needs everypony they can get to wrap up winter, and this year I’m in charge of organization.” I said proudly.
“I think I’ll be in charge of sleep then…” Spike said, rolling over. But then I levitated him on my back while he gave me one of his annoyed looks… It's fine, he did the same thing last year. But last year we were lucky to wrap up winter in time, so I’m not taking my chances this year.
“Let’s see…” I said walking outside. “Rarity making the bird’s nests: check. Fluttershy waking up the animals: check. Applejack planting the seeds: check. Pinkie Pie ice skating: check. And Rainbow Dash bringing back the birds: check.” I said but then I heard snoring… “Lazy baby dragon… yup” I said, rolling my eyes.
For once, everything seemed to be going according to plan. But at the same moment, there was a loud burp from Spike. We had just received a letter from Princess Celestia. "I wonder what the princess wants." I said opening the scroll. "My faithful student, Twilight. I ask that you please come to Canterlot immediately. I have an important task for you to take. This task will help us get a better understanding of species other than pony kind. Your teacher, Princess Celestia." After reading the letter, I found myself confused. Why in the world would the princess need me today of all days? "Come on Spike, we better go see what the princess needs." But when I turned to Spike, I found him sleeping again. "On second thought, I'll go by myself this time." I said placing Spike in a bush. "Besides, I'm sure that the rest of Ponyville will know what to do this time.” With that, I started to make my way towards the train station to Canterlot. However, when I reached the train station, there weren't many ponies on board. "That's strange... This train is usually pretty full in the morning." I decided to just leave the thought behind me and make my way towards Canterlot. Thankfully the train ride wasn't too long.
After the train stopped, I then made my way towards Princess Celestia's castle. As I'm walking, many thoughts come to my head. I still don't understand why the princess wants to see me on this day, one of the busiest days In Ponyville. I just hope that Ponyville will be ok without me this time. After some time, I finally made it to the castle. Strangely enough, not many ponies out either. I saw some, but it was still strange. “Princess Celestia.” I said bowing to my teacher. “It’s good to see you again.”
“And it’s good to see you as well, Twilight.” Celestia said to me as she smiled.
“Princess Celestia, forgive me but, what is so important that it can’t wait until after winter wrap up day?”
Celestia looked at me for a moment, looking as if she was deep in thought before smiling. “This task I have for you is very important. A study... research.”
“Research? I’m pretty sure that--...”
“On another world.”
I just stared at her in complete shock and disbelief. “Another world...? You mean figuratively, right?”
Celestia shook her head. “No Twilight, I mean an actual new world that is completely different than our own.”
This time I could’ve sworn I just felt my eyes shrink. “But... Why me?”
Celestia put a hoof on me. “I wouldn’t be sending you if I wasn’t sure that you were perfect for this. I believe that you will get a better understanding than even me.”
“But Princess...” I started to stammer in between words. “We’re talking about a whole new world here! What if it’s dangerous...?”
“Would I send you to a place where you would be harmed?”
I looked down for a moment. “Alright Princess Celestia, I understand.” I stood with more confidence. “I’m ready.”
“Wait.” Princess Celestia interrupted. “Before I send you to this world, there is something you should know first...” I looked up at her confused and at the same time a little nervous. “When you enter this world, you must always be on your guard. Don’t let anything trick you...”
“What do you mean Princess...?” I asked slowly, walking closer to her.
“You’ll see what I mean soon enough... farewell... and good luck my most faithful student.” her horn glowed and there was a sudden flash. My body started to fade slowly, but moments later, it started coming back.
Eventually the light started to fade and I could get a glimpse of where I was... there was only one problem... “Where in the world am I??” I looked around the area for a familiar face, but couldn’t find any. I was in some sort of park, and it looked like the sun was rising. “I wonder who raises the sun here...” I decided to walk around the park, and as I did, I was taking some notes. “Okay, time for me to get some more ground........” I paused and stared up at the buildings. “Sweet Celestia...” I just stared in awe at the buildings around me as I took more notes. I then began to walk toward those big buildings. “Why doesn’t Equestria have buildings like this...?” I said aloud, then looked in front of me and saw a strange being. “What the...” I said, taking more notes quickly. “What is that thing...?” the being was turned the other way and I don’t think he’s aware that I’m here. Maybe I should say something. “Um... hello?” I said in a low tone.
The tall being then turned to me and had a face of shock. “What the...!?” he exclaimed looking at me. That can’t be a good sign... “What kind of horse is purple…? And is that a horn!?” DEFINITELY not good! I just panicked and ran the other way into the area with the big buildings... I probably should have gone back... but Princess Celestia is counting on me to get this research done.
I picked up my pace taking more notes, more recently on the being I saw. How did he know what I was...? I tried to forget it as I started slowing down to a walking pace. “Oh... my...” Everywhere I looked, there were beings that looked the same as that other one... except, different sizes and shapes and colors. “What kind of place is this...?” I asked aloud, looking around.
I rapidly started taking more notes but just dropped the notebook in a puddle as I heard a strange noise. “Who’s there??” I exclaimed. I listened closely to the noise... but it wasn’t just a noise. “Is somepony... crying...?” I said getting closer to the source of the crying. I then saw another being... but this one was different. It looked smaller than the other ones... a lot smaller. Is this a child...? “Um... hello?” I asked, walking up to it. It just stared at me and looked terrified... I guess it’s more afraid of me than I am of it. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you.” I said, trying to reassure the child.
“Hi...” it said in a quiet tone... I guess it’s a female... “Um... are you a real unicorn?” she asked me.
I just looked at her for a moment. “Yeah... I’m a unicorn.” I said walking up to her. “I’m Twilight Sparkle... Forgive me for asking but... what are you?”
She looked into my eyes for a moment. “Um... I’m a person...”
“A what...?”
“You know... a human...?”
“Human...” I said to myself. I went to reach for my notebook, but totally forgot that it got ruined when I dropped it in the puddle. “Shoot... well... Do you have a name?” she stared at me with sorrow in her eyes and just shook her head. “You don’t have a name...?” I asked. “Why wouldn’t your parents give you a name? Where are your parents?”
“My... parents...” she let out slowly. Suddenly she just started crying in front of me... Oh my gosh...
“I’m sorry... I understand...” I said, wiping a tear from my eye. “But... if you don’t have parents, then how do you survive?”
She stared at me again. “People see me and feel bad for me... they sometimes give me some food... but not all the time...” she sniffed. “But they don’t feel bad enough to give me a home...”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing... What kind of sick place is this...? How could these... humans just abandon her like this!? I have to do something... I can’t just leave her like this. “I feel bad enough.” I said looking at her.
“W-...what...?” she let out.
“How would you like to come with me? Have a home where you would be loved and taken care of?” I said putting a hoof on her. “I could take care of you, and give you a better life.”
“You’d really do that for me...?”
“Of course I would...” I said walking with her. “Besides, you’re the nicest uh... person I’ve ever met since I was here.” I smiled. “I think you’ll really like my friends.”
“Your friends?”
“Yeah, my five best friends.” I responded. “Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity.”
“Are they all unicorns too?”
I giggled. “No, just me and Rarity are unicorns out of the six of us.” I said as we walked to the park. “Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are pegasi. And Pinkie Pie and Applejack are earth ponies.”
“Oh... ok then...” she said in a shy tone.
“Is something wrong?”
“Well it’s just...” the girl paused. “What if they don’t like me... your friends?”
“Are you kidding?” I started. “I bet they would love you.”
“You really think so...?”
“I know so.” I said as I started to activate the spell. “Now, hold onto me.” When she did, I activated the spell to send both of us back to Canterlot. After a few moments, both of us started to fade, and we reappeared outside of Princess Celestia’s Castle. “That’s strange. I could've sworn I was sending us inside the castle.”
“Wow...” the girl said in awe, looking up at the castle. “This is cool...”
I smiled at her, “I’m glad you think so.” I put a hoof on her. “This is where my teacher and mentor, Princess Celestia lives.”
“A princess??” The girl asked in shock.
I giggled “Yeah, she’s the highest princess in all of Equestria. Well, along with her sister, Princess Luna.”
“There’s two princesses?? This is so cool!”
I just smiled as she looked at the castle... I would tell her that there are actually three princesses, but if I do that, I think she’ll faint... “Come on, let’s go inside.” I said heading in.
“Wait,” the girl said, “Before I meet the princess, shouldn’t I have a name first...? Plus you are taking care of me now...”
Hmmm... I didn’t really think of a name yet... “Well, do you have any idea on what you want me to call you?”
“I’m okay with any name you give me, Twilight.” she said with a soft smile.
I smiled back at her. “Crystal...”