I stood in front of the gateway into a place I didn't know, to find a pony I didn't recognize, to regain the Element of Harmony...without my friends. I gulped as I looked over to my friends, one by one they gave me their blessing, being scolded by Princess Luna taught them to hold their tongues, that they were not to come with me. Which I could see why, yes, but it only forced my belly into thunderous flips and flops and growls, as my head spun with the thought of leaving them behind to go on an adventure that could very well seal the fate of Equstria.
"Twilight..." I felt a nudge at the back of my shoulder. Celestia was pushing me gently, eager for me to move forward with the obvious. I nodded, taking in a deep breath.
"I have to do this. For Equstria." I started forward, Pinkie, Rarity, AJ, Flutters, and Dashie all waved a tearful good bye, and good lucks at me as I pushed one hoove through the portal. The whole thing started to wobble, and vibrate. It took on the appearance of ripples on top of a once peaceful pond. I took in one last glance of my scared, caring friends, and jumped in!
"Twilight!"
oOo
"Ahhhh!" I screamed, unsure of anything at this point. Rainbows upon rainbows of color flashed before my eyes in an instant, then hard ground met my face, "Ow!" I winced, pushing myself up and rubbing my now sore head.
"Oh man, that hurt! Are you okay, Twilight?" Spike's voice hit me like a bag full of apples.
"Spike?!" I opened my sore eyes and spied a bashful looking...I wasn't sure what I was looking at. I leaned forward, and poked the odd critter in the head, and giggled as he swatted at me, growling.
"Twilight! Stop that!" He growled again, and then made an odd...barking sound? Like a dog?
"Spike...is that you? Really you?" I questioned, taking in his cute new look. His long green ears hung low next to his face, and his scruffy demeanor only made him the cutest puppy I had ever seen!
"Of course it's me, Twilight, who else would it be! Though, at first I wasn't sure if you were you...uh, you are you right?" he asked, gesturing toward my appearance.
I cocked my head at him, "Well, yeah...why would you-" he cut me off by pointing at a nearby door. I stumbled over to it, hooves not quite working right, probably from going through the portal. I struggled to stand up on my hind legs, which felt a bit...thinner? I took in a deep breath, looking down at my hind legs to see if they had gotten hurt on the way here, but only saw a pair of...I don't know what you would call them. I tried to keep my cool by breathing in deeply, which went out the window when I looked up at the plain double doors. The glass reflected someone that...reminded myself of...well myself. But this pony...this thing, had longer hair, and odd, thin limbs, and wore a short skirt with my cutie mark embroidered onto one side, and a tight fitting short sleeved blouse. I stood there for a moment, taking myself in.
"Twilight, are you okay?" Spikes voice broke my calm demeanor, and I screamed, falling to the ground, hooves-whatever they were now, clinched to my head. I cursed the skies as tears came to my eyes, "Twilight, calm down! TWILIGHT!" Spike bit me roughly on the knee, causing me to scream even louder.
I slapped at him, "Spike! Stop that! I...I'm fine...I just...oh, why do I look like this!" I stated more than asked, crying outright now. Spike's face was loosened by sadness, and curled up next to me, allowing me time to settle into this new body.
After a few minutes, I felt a little better, though I was starting to get a headache, "Spike, we have to find Sunset Shimmer, and get back home." I said, wiping my face with the back of my...hoove. I'll still call it a hoove for now until I learn more about this world.
"Okay, sounds like a plan. But, where should we start?"
As good a question as that was, I had no clue. I picked him up, cradling him close to my chest as I looked around. No pony was outside, so I turned to the double doors. I let my reflection seep into my mind, and pushed them open. Inside was a large room, connecting to what looked like long hallways. Banners read, "Canterlot High School. Huh, so this is a place for learning...which means-"
"There must be a library!" Spike beat me to the punch line. I smiled down at the cute pup, and nodded.
"Knowledge is power, Spike." Just then, a loud ringing rang throughout the large room, and through the adjoining halls. Groups and other odd looking...well, other ones looking like myself. I stumbled around as they knocked into me rudely, hurrying along as they chatted, sang, and argued amongst each other. Finally after a few minutes of this chaos, the large group of-ponies looking like me?-went their own ways, rather trotting down the halls, or hurrying into rooms that littered the building.
I rubbed my head with one hoove, feeling a bit dizzy from the onslaught of such large groups, "Well, that was...different." I said, Spike nodding. "Well, I guess we should-"
"You, there! Stop right there!" I froze as a voice yelled at me. I quickly hid Spike behind my back, and wobbled on one hoove. I felt off balance as I put my hoove back down to the ground, and spun slowly to look at the harsh voice's owner. A tall woman, with light rainbow hair headed my way, hooves stomping. She had a scowl on her face, and was going on about something of class and being late.
"Uh...I'm sorry?" I didn't understand a word she meant, did she think I went to this school?
"Oh my god, you need to be in class! Understand? What class are you in right now?" her hooves angled on her hips, she glared at me, waiting for my answer.
"I uh...um...magic?" I mumbled without thinking.
"Magic?" her brow rose, anger even more noticeable on her pale face.
"I um...I mean...I...um...farming, I mean, farming! Planting apples! Yeah, that..." I trailed off as she rolled her pretty purple eyes.
"Farming? FFA?" she asked, unsure of what I meant. I just nodded, not sure what else to do. Her presence was overwhelming, overtaking honestly, "Well then, get to it. I won't have the head of the board visiting with random people littering the hallways of this fine school!" I nodded, and spun around and headed down a hallway, only to have her yell at me again.
"What did I do now?" I asked pleadingly, wanting so bad to be away from this overpowering...people...person? That sounds right.
"You know very well that is the wrong way to your class." She pointed to the hallway to the left of myself, huffing as anger overtook her again. I just shyly trotted past her again, and headed down the hall, taking in a sigh of relief to be away from that person.
I hurried down said hallway, rushing a bit more than necessary, and Spike took a notice:
"Twi, it's okay! You can slow down anytime!" I huffed, taking in heaps of breath as I came to a stop, leaning against a nearby wall, reclaiming my nerves. My furry little friend licked up my arms, trying to settle my rattled body.
"I...she was such a...devastating person...and so familiar." I ended on a dead note, almost a question, but shook the feeling off. Spike gave me an odd look, but just coddled closer to my chest. I couldn't help but smile.
I held him close and went down the rest of the hall at a more manageable pace, taking careful note of the plates next to each and every door. Many read familiar, such as Math, History, and FFA, which that woman had brought up that I should be in. I stopped in front of that door, pondering on rather, or not to enter. What would be in that room? Who would be in that room? I reached my hoove out, odd small appendages outstretched, almost wrapping around the door handle-
"Twilight!" Spike almost hissed out, causing my hoove to snap backwards away from the handle. I scolded him, and proposed the ideal that Sunset Shimmer could very well be behind that very door, cutting our adventure short, "Yeah, I guess...just, be careful." He offered a lick for reassurement, and leaped out of my arms and quickly ran behind a nearby water fountain for shelter.
"Spike, what are you doing?" I asked, scooting close to him. He shrugged.
"What if I'm not supposed to be in there, huh? I'd blow the whole thing for ya!" As much as I hate to admit it, Spike could very well ruin it for us both, and all of Equstria if he was right. I nodded, and went back up to the door, and with a quick, tight breath, I reached out my hoove and pulled the large, windowless door open. It creaked, and cracked, with lack of oil repair. I felt like fainting as a large group of colorful people turned around in their seats to stare at me.
"May I help you, Miss-?" Sweat rolled down my face as the only person standing, clearly the teacher, looked me over with sharp bright green eyes, judging me, undressing my unwillful nerves.
I froze, unsure of what to say, or do, or act...I...I'd never been in a spot like this before, sure my princesses had nailed me with a tough spot, or two, but never before had I had no clue, no intent, no worldly ideal of what to do. Left alone to root in a stone like stance, forever frozen with a lack of guidance.
"Are you transferring to this class, MISS-?" The taller, tan teacher with sharp green eyes, and spiked bright green hair asked again, great emphasis on miss, I'm sure pointing out my lack of a name.
I shook hard, and took a deep breath, "Twilight, Twilight Sparkle. I-I'm here to enroll in your class, yes." I forced a smile to my pale purple face, and tried my best not to forget to breathe, or not to hurl.
He nodded, strolling behind the desk he was once leaning on, and peeked over a stack of papers, I'm sure a list of students...which wasn't good, he would find out I'm not supposed to be in his class, nor another class, or this school, he would do research, he would turn me over to authorities, which would learn I'm from a different world! They'd lock me up, or do experiments on me, probe me, cut me, crack open my brain! Equstria would be forever lost in darkness and despair forever without my Element of Harmony!
"Um, y'all alright?" A hushed voice asked.
I blinked a few times, gripping at my chest that was heaving. I had hyperventilated, thinking of all the bad things that could happen from such a simple act of obedience, just trying to keep his class in order. I steadied my breath, and cleared my mind. I couldn't let this get me down, I would push forward, breakout, and find Sunset Shimmer, even if I become some weird experiment-
"Alright, Twilight Sparkle, have a seat next to Apple Jack, the young lady beside you...with a note that I can clearly see..." he trailed off, walking back around the desk, grabbing a pot of soil and lecturing on proper ways to fertilize small green tomatoes indoors.
"Apple Jack?" I mouthed, peeking over at a thin, orange skin young lady. She was blushing, balling up a piece of paper she was clearly just trying to pass along, tossing it under her cowboy hat on her desk. She wore knee high leather boots, a tight bluejean skirt with accents of apples on the bottom lines, and a tight fitted blouse, lined with apples as well. Her long blond breaded hair was glossy, and set for a perfectly framed face. She reminded me so much of my friend back home. I couldn't help but stare as I took my seat, and well into a ten minute lecture on raising goats.
She side eyed me, blushing a bit, she leaned in and asked, "Um, see something ya' like, or do I got somethin' in my teeth?" She smiled, picking at her pearly whites.
I gasped, leaning away, "N-no! I just...you remind me of someone back home." I answered honestly.
She raised an eyebrow, "Back home, eh'? Not from 'round here?" I shook my head, "Well then, nice ta met ya, hopeful partner!" She said enthusiastically in a stage whisper.
"Geez, Apple Jack, hit on the new girl why don't ya?" A buff looking boy, with unkept blonde hair and stunning green eyes asked, leaning back in his chair to get a better look at the two of us.
"What, ain't no use in sniffing a truffle if ya' have no intent on tastin' the sweetness." She fluttered her big green eyes my way, sending a slight shiver down my spine. Surely she didn't mean what that sounded like it meant...
"Apple Jack, Big Mcintosh, I will not have you interrupting my class with your sibling nonsense, understand?" The teacher growled, taking a seat behind his desk and asking the class to pack up, that there was only a few minutes left of class, but that Big Mcintosh, and Apple Jack were to pull out their books and use the extra time to study, since he seemed to think they paid no mind to his teachings earlier.
"Aww man, thanks alot AJ." Big Mac hissed, leaning in close to his book. Apple Jack rolled her eyes, pulling out the book only to stare at it blankly as she talked to me.
"So, where are ya' from? Have ya' moved here for good? Business, or pleasure?" Her voice lowered to a sickeningly slick tone on the last part, which caused shivers down my spine once again. I couldn't tell if she was really hitting on me, or if she was honestly curious about such things...doubtful.
"I'm from a far away place, and no, not for good...hopefully, and...business, I suppose." I ended dully, trying to move away from her harmless flirting, well harmless to her, but honestly I was feeling a bit queasy from the topic.
She hummed, nodding, nibbling on her thumb nail. Sooner than I could have hopped, the bell rang, and the room emptied quickly, and the halls rushed like water down a thunderous stream with people over flowing.
"Well, maybe partner," she held out her hoove, which I shook lightheartedly, "I must be going. I hope ta see ya' again." She ended with a feather light kiss to the back of my hand, which left me blushing, and feeling a bit sick. I nodded numbly, forcing a smile as she twirled out of the class room, clearly on cloud nine.
"Well, that was awkward for your first day of class here at Canterlot High, but I jest-" The teacher waved himself off, brushing past me to hold the door open, "you should truthfully be in Principal Celestia's office, you clearly haven't filled out all of your student papers." He shot me a knowing look. I just stared at him, breath leaving my stiff, tired body. Such a short amount of time to rack up so many questions. I slapped myself inwardly, nodded at him, and hurried out of the room.
Once the door was closed and the onslaught of people had scattered, I slid down to the floor, wrapping myself up tight in a self-hug. Just as I was about to start questioning my self worth as a princess, Spike's sweet voice fell on my unnerved ears.
"Spike?" I asked, wiping at my face, I peeked up to see his furry little face...being held by a young lady I didn't now. I froze, daring myself to look up at her. She had long pink hair, big minty blue eyes, yellow skin, and a cute green skirt with high boots, and a tight fitting shirt. I realized right away, this was Fluttershy, or a wannabe anyway.
"I don't know how he can talk, or if he can, and truthfully, I don't care." She dropped him in front of me, and hurried off. I stared after, taking note that these people were nothing like my friends back home. I sighed, reaching for Spike, pulling him close to my chest, kissing his head, tears falling.
"Spike...nothing's right here...I don't know if I can do this." I said truthfully.
He wiggled out of my grasp, growling, and twirled around to face me with a stern look on his maw, "Twilight doesn't give up, not the Twilight I know. My Twilight tries her best, and tries longer than a few hours before realizing she can do it. And she always pulls ahead, and saves the day, and her friends!" I nodded numbly, my mind just then taking notice of the name that teacher used for their principal: Celestia!
"Twilight!" The pup form of my friend grabbed my face, shaking me roughly, "you CAN do this. I know you...and you never give up." He gave me one of his heart melting smiles, and I caved. I scooped him up, cradling him close, I whispered a thanks to my now little furry friend.
Though, with all of these familiar faces, and odd actions, I'm not sure that Sunset Shimmer is all I must find. There were truths I was missing, truths I wasn't so sure I wanted to find. But never the less, I had a job to do!
"You're right Spike, but before I can do anything, I have to find out more on this world. I can't get by with the knowledge I already possess. There is sooo much I need to know before going any further." I waved my hooves around as I walked down the halls, Spike nodding, smiling. He knew I was okay, better yet, I knew. I KNEW we'd find Sunset Shimmer, and find the crown. But before that we have to find the library-
"Woof!" I sucked in a breath as I knocked into a small person with short curled purple and white hair, with ear buds buzzing.
"Hey, watch where your going!" She ordered, and rushed past me mumbling something about uploading a video in the-
"Library!" Spike and I said in unison. I grinned down at him, giving a thumbs up, and we took off after the small person.