Aurora was feverishly packing everything that could fit into her luggage. Books, a light lunch, lavender scented candles that she was fond of, blankets, and extra eye patches to just name a few. Soon she would be departing for Ponyville to earn about the friendship of magic from Princess Twilight Sparkle. A nock on the door to her suite made Aurora jump. She hastily checked to make sure that her eye patch was properly in place and that she looked as calm and collected as possible. After she had made sure that she was presentable she realized that she had totally forgotten to open the door. She rushed over to the door to open it only to remember a second too late that she could have just used her magic. The person on the other side of the door was Luna. Luna had an amused look on her face and gave Aurora a warm smile. Politely Luna asked, "Could I please come in?" while trying to hide a smile that was rebelliously tugging at the corner of her mouth. Aurora quickly invited her in while running over what she had packed and what she hadn't.
Luna smiled again. It would be good for her to see Twilight. A change of scenery would be good for they young mare. Around the castle Aurora was constantly under pressure to keep her identity secret. Despite the good that it would do for Aurora, Luna was worried for her. Aurora had never been anywhere without Luna. The prospect of having Aurora go hurt her heart. Luna had practically raised the mare and had formed a strong bond with her. Tears started to creep into her eyes.
The tears didn't go unnoticed, and Aurora stopped packing and ran and hugged her friend. She had come to seeing Luna almost as a mother to her. Tears started to prick her eyes and soon tears were streaming down both of their faces. Each taking comfort in each others presence.
Finally they broke apart and Luna was the first to break the silence. "Remember to keep that eye covered. Write to me everyday, and don't forget to pack anything." Aurora smiled though the tears and promised she would. Both embraced one last time before Aurora was whisked away to get onto the train. As Aurora departed Luna watched on the castle battlement with Celestia. Celestia tried to comfort her sister but knew that she could do little to quench the worry. Instead they watched the train grow smaller and smaller in silence before Celestia left. Luna stayed long after the train had left still staring at where it had disappeared.
Aurora had boarded the train with little difficulty. She had a whole car to herself. After the castle was lost from sight she decided to explore a bit. She would, after all, be here for a while. Aurora wasn't disappointed. The train was like a new world to her. Everything was so new. Usually, whenever Aurora went somewhere, she went by chariot. Soon however, she had exhausted her curiosity and retired to her car to think. She had heard much about Twilight Sparkle. She knew that Twilight had been a student of Celestia and had become a Princess when she had mastered the magic of friendship. That was what Aurora had come to study. She also knew that Twilight lived in a library in Ponyville. Aurora would be staying with Twilight. It would diffidently be an interesting trip.
Once off the train Aurora had no idea what to do. Ponies where bustling everywhere. Each had a place to go. This was not unnatural. Canterlot had also been quite busy. However, most people there were used to her eye patch. Here it seemed that everyone couldn't see enough of it. What was worse were the people who tried to hide the fact that they were staring at it. Aurora felt panic building up in her chest. She had to find Twilight before she had a panic attack. As casually as possible she picked up her luggage using a standard unicorn spell. She walked as regally as possible through the crowd, scanning them for any signs of the princess. Instead she saw a pink pony jumping up and down through the crowd waving at her.
Pinky Pie had been sent by Twilight to try to find Aurora. From the description that had been given her, Pinky guessed that Aurora was the pony that a crowd was forming around. Pinky bounded over and stopped right in front of the pony, startling her so much that she dropped her luggage and toppled backwards. Now Pinky could understand why there was a crowd. The pony had an eye patch. Pinky then began the usual welcome for all new ponies.
Aurora stared at the pink pony as she sang and spoke almost too fast to understand. Finally the pink pony paused to breath. Before Aurora could say anything though, the pink pony started again.
"So I'm Pinky Pie! I came to come and pick you up. You're Aurora right? Well of course your Aurora. You're the only one with an eye patch which is so cool! I mean how many ponies do you see that have eye patches. I mean really! They're a really bold fashion statement! You should show my friend Rarity! She would make you a whole fashion line around the eye patch and..."
The pony, Pinky Pie, stopped talking as a pony with a cowboy hat interrupter her. "Whoa there partner. I think you're scaring her." The pony tipped her hat to Aurora. "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Applejack. Would you happen to be Aurora?"
Aurora nodded and then collected as much of her thoughts as possible and addressed the pony named Applejack. "Yes I'm Aurora. I'm looking for Princess Twilight Sparkle. Would you happen to know where she is?"
Applejack smiled. "Of course we know where she is. We were sent by her to escort you to where you'll be staying." Applejack looked at the luggage and went and grabbed some of it while Pinkie Pie grabbed the rest. "Here we'll take this so that you don't have to carry so much. You fancy people sure do like to pack a lot."
Aurora was touched by their generosity and soon they where on their way. The tree house that Aurora would be staying at wasn't too far from the station. Pinkie had gone ahead to tell the princess that they'd be arriving soon. Applejack was fun to talk too and knew many tasty sounding recipes. Aurora would have to try her hoof at cooking. It sounded kind of fun. Both ponies stepped into the tree only to find it pitch black. Suddenly the lights went on and a chorus of ponies shouted simultaneously, "SURPRISE!" For the second time that day, Aurora fell over backwards dropping her luggage. Helpful hooves helped her up. One of the helpful hooves was Princess Twilight Sparkle. Aurora hastily bowed, but slipped and fell flat on her face. Twilight laughed and helped her up again. "Hello Aurora, I'm Twilight Sparkle. Welcome to Ponyville and I hope you enjoy the party."
Aurora teared up at the trouble that everypony had gone to, to make her feel welcome. Everyone was smiling and Aurora realized with some surprise, that she was too. With this many happy ponies, it was sure to be a wonderful party.
It was a wonderful party. So wonderful that it lasted through most of the night. So many party games were played that Aurora couldn't remember everything. After the party Aurora asked if she could write a letter to Princess Luna. Twilight whole heartedly agreed and soon a letter was sent explaining all that had happened and how welcome she had been. Spike, Twilights dragon assistant, sent the letter. Maybe studying in Ponyville wouldn't be so bad as Aurora had thought.
Luna finished reading the letter with a smile. Aurora was doing well. Luna had known that Twilight would welcome Aurora. She also knew that Aurora would never be the same after her trip to Ponyville. However, the magic of friendship might just hold the key to curing Aurora. Luna hoped so. It had cured her of her curse. It might be Aurora's only hope, and make her spark ignite into a flame that could cast out the darkness of the curse. However, Luna knew all too well that when there is light, there is dark.