//------------------------------// // Chapter One (Completely New Version) // Story: As Time Goes On // by Tayman //------------------------------// Twilight was jerked awake as her alarm clock blared. 7 AM. The sun was barely cracking over the horizon as she rubbed her heavy eyes and pulled herself out of bed, stumbling over Spike’s empty basket. Various charts and documents that were scattered about her room magically floated together into a neat pile, but then promptly dropped to the floor as Twilight's concentration broke. Cursing, she re-activated her horn and organized the papers once more, before walking downstairs and setting them down on the table. As Twilight sat down to eat a muffin, she skimmed through the documents, which detailed various building proposals throughout Ponyville. The papers drifted into her saddlepack as she finished eating and walked out the door. Twilight yawned as she slowly trotted down the street, occasionally bumping into other ponies on accident. Even this early, the streets were bustling with ponies of every color, but she didn't recognize a single one. Drab, brick, rectangular buildings five stories high lined the street, serving as apartment complexes, commercial centers, and office buildings, casting long shadows over the stone cobbled road. The chatter of the streets and clopping of hooves buzzed in her ears. I remember when this used to be such a colorful, peaceful walk into town. Keeping her head forward, Twilight continued her way down the path. The scent of eggs, muffins, doughnuts, coffee, and other morning delicacies wafted into her nostrils from street vendors that lined the sidewalk. She picked up her pace, shivering slightly, and arrived at City Hall twenty minutes later. She trudged up the stone steps past the pillars, the wooden double doors magically swinging open for her. Giving a polite nod to the guards, she stepped inside. Town Hall was a simple building; beyond the receptionist’s desk, there were several hallways that led to offices and meeting rooms. The walls were painted white, decorated sparsely with framed pictures and firefly lanterns. Sunlight shone in through skylights, which were in every room that didn’t have normal windows. This early in the day, the only sound was the scribbling of a quill from a mint green pony behind the receptionist’s desk. She looked up and smiled at Twilight. “Good morning, Miss Sparkle! First in the office again, I see.” “Of course, June. No sense in wasting the day away,” Twilight yawned, walking over in front of the desk. June continued to scribble down a memo. “Do anything fun last night? Looks like you were up pretty late.” Twilight shook her head. “No, just went home after work. Did some reading. Reviewed building permits and housing project proposals. Practiced a little bit of piano. Ate dinner. The usual.” “Ah. Well, good luck today. Oh, and you received a letter from your friend Rarity.” June levitated a letter, its green glow becoming purple as Twilight put it in her saddlepack, her face brightening up. “Thanks. Probably a fashion show invitation. Did I happen to get any letters from other friends?” she asked with hopeful eyes. “No, I’m afraid not. But if I receive anything today, I will send it your way immediately.” Twilight’s smile faded. “I see. Well, thank you anyway. I’m headed to my office, then.” She turned right down the hallway, the clacking of her hooves on the marble floor echoing in her head. They should really get carpeted floors in the hall. Turning into her office, her closed the door and set her saddlepack down next to her desk. The dull orange glow from the rising sun illuminated the room; she was lucky enough to have a perimeter office. Her desk sat perpendicular to the door against the left wall. Next to the desk was an oak bookshelf that nearly touched the ceiling. In the back of the office was a simple circular conference table and a filing cabinet. The floor was covered in a soft sapphire-blue carpet. Twilight sat down at her desk, pulled out a sheet of parchment, and began making her to-do list for the day: Work Checklist -Start on cost-benefit analysis of residential development proposal off of Turtle Street. -Review complaints about road congestion and explore possibilities for new roads. -Look at Ponyville demographic information and determine whether or not there are enough unicorns to help with Winter Wrap up in six months. If not, write Canterlot University and ask if they would be able to send some. She stared blankly at this entry. Hard to believe this is going to be my twentieth Winter Wrap Up in Ponyville. At least it isn’t such a hassle to help out nowadays. Hopefully I can be in the same group as Rarity this year. -Write Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack to ask for their schedules for the month. -Read and respond to Rarity’s letter. [strike]Let her know about the boutique that was just put for sale in Canterlot.[/strike] -Write Pinkie Pie and ask her if she can find time to help organize the parade celebrating Ponyville’s birthday, to be held in a few weeks. After work checklist: -Swing by Fluttershy’s cottage and hope to catch her between appointments. -Visit Applejack’s farm, try to find her in the orchard. -If time, go to Carousel Boutique and visit Rarity if she isn’t too busy. As Twilight opened her saddlepack and placed the papers and Rarity’s letter on her desk, she was disturbed by a knock at her window. She turned, perking up as she saw Rainbow Dash hovering outside with a smile on her face. “Hey, Rainbow!” Twilight exclaimed as the window slid open and the pegasus floated in. “This is a pleasant surprise. What are you doing up this early?” Rainbow gave Twilight a quick hug. “Weather patrol had to get up early today to gather clouds for the rainstorm later. Takes a lot more planning and organization than it used to, with Ponyville growing and all. Nothing we can't handle, though!" "Well, have fun!" Twilight said. "Oh, do you happen to have time to grab lunch later?" she asked with hopeful eyes. Dash shook her head. "I'm sorry, Twilight, but we're going to be busy all day. I wouldn't be surprised if we only have time to grab a few hoof-fuls of grass for lunch." "Oh...well, okay then," Twilight sighed, dipping her head slightly. "Hey..." Rainbow took a step forward, her smile dampening as she gave Twilight an affectionate nuzzle. "We'll hang out as soon as I get a free moment. I'm just packed this week. I'll let you know as soon as I'm available, okay?" Twilight's face managed to perk up. "Sure, that sounds great," she said, but her inflection lacked enthusiasm. "I gotta go, though. Have fun stuck in your office, egghead!" Rainbow snickered, before zooming out the window. The unicorn couldn't help but momentarily laugh as she closed the window. She watched Rainbow soar into the distance, before she sighed once more and trudged back over to her desk. She stared at the framed photo that sat on the back corner of the polished, wooden surface: the very first picture of Twilight and her friends that she had ever sent to Princess Celestia. They were all cuddled together with bright, shining faces, not a trace of a worry in their eyes, not a single responsibility for them to be concerned about. I may be able to eat lunch with Dash, or any other pony sometime...but when will all six of us be together again? Twilight began reading through the various documents stacked in front of her. Her eyes glazed over charts, graphs, detailed finances, meeting notes. Right now, it was all lost on her. She pushed the documents aside and opened Rarity’s letter: Dear Twilight Sparkle: So sorry I haven’t had a chance to see you the past two weeks. I’ve bitten off a bit more than I can chew recently with orders. Twilight rolled her eyes. Really? What else is new? I’ve been working from sunup to sundown on dresses, not to mention preparing for my big fashion show. It’s a week from Tuesday at three o’clock. I do hope you can attend. I also managed to find time to sew you together a little something. It’s simple and practical, just like you. I hope you’ll like it when you find a chance to pick it up. Please let me know if you can attend. Sincerely, Rarity A certain sentence in the letter struck Twilight. -------------------- “Is that my dress?” Twilight asked, examining the simple yellow dress with pink ribbon tied around it. “Y-yes...” Rarity gulped. She continued to look over the garment. “It’s so simple. So practical. So me!” Twilight’s face lit up as she threw her forelegs around Rarity. “It’s the perfect dress for my birthday party! I love it!” --------------------- A small smile tugged at Twilight’s lips. I suppose nothing changes. She wasn’t feeling optimistic as she opened her planner and flipped to the date of the fashion show. Sure enough, she had a meeting to attend that day regarding the increasing crime rate in Ponyville. Twilight scowled down at the planner, before she began working on her reply. Dear Rarity, I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend your fashion show. I have a crucial meeting I must attend that day. However, I do thank you for the dress. I will swing by and pick it up as soon as I can. Best of luck with your orders and the show. Also, please send me your schedule for the month so we can plan to spend some time together. Love, Twilight Sparkle She sealed the letter and put it on her out-pile before starting her letter to Pinkie: Dear Pinkie Pie, Congratulations on being chosen by Celestia to plan her birthday party next month! I’m sure it’ll be the best party she’s ever had. If you have time, I was wondering if you’d be able to help organize the Ponyville anniversary parade, to be held in two weeks. Of course, I understand if you’re far too busy to help out. Just let me know. Also, please send me your schedule for the month so we can plan to spend some time together. It’s been so long since we last hung out. Love, Twilight Sparkle. The letter went on top of Rarity’s, before she went to work on the rest of the letters: Dear Fluttershy, I hope the vet business has been treating you well. I know you’ve been busy with appointments as usual, but I’m still going to drop in sometime and hope to catch you during a free moment. Also, please send me your monthly schedule. I’m trying to plan a get together for all of us. Love, Twilight Sparkle Dear Applejack, Hope you’ve been able to keep up with harvest this summer. I thought you’d like to know that if you hired just two farm hands to help out, harvest would go approximately thirty-seven percent faster. Just something to think about. I don’t want you or Big Macintosh or Applebloom to collapse from exhaustion again. Anyways, please let me know if you can take a day or two off this month. I’m never able to find you when I visit the farm. Love, Twilight Sparkle Dear Rainbow Dash, Thanks again for stopping to visit this morning. I know you have a busy schedule, and it was really nice to see you. Hope you’ve been enjoying weather patrol, since you get to be in the sky all day. You’re the best flier I’ve ever known. [strike]Perhaps you’ll get promoted to weather patrol for the whole region soon[/strike] Dear Rainbow Dash, Thanks again for stopping to visit this morning. I know you have a busy job, and it was really nice for you to take a moment to see me. Hope you’ve been enjoying weather patrol, since you get to be in the sky all day. It’s not the Wonderbolts, but it’s still flying, and I know that’s what makes you the happiest. If you can find time, I’d like you to send me your patrol schedule for the month so I can organize a little get together for all of us. Love, Twilight Sparkle Twilight stacked up all the letters down as she finished them, before she suddenly slammed the quill down, bouncing off the desk and landing on the floor. "Is this what we've been reduced to? Writing letters? When we used to see each other every day?" she shouted. A guttural growl escaped her throat, before she got up from her desk and stomped out the door and down the hall to drop the letters in the mail hole. Still, at least letters are guaranteed to reach them, because I usually can’t. She trudged back to her office and shut the door, drawing the curtains to keep the sun from shining in her eyes, before falling back into her chair. Twilight turned her attention back to the stack of documents. The Turtle Street housing development would add over fifty homes to Ponyville and help cushion the population boom the city is going through... Twilight managed to clear her mind and focus on her work, her eyes glued to the words and numbers in front of her. She scribbled notes in the margins, analyzed and triple checked the math that was presented in the charts and diagrams, and occasionally wrote a quick letter to a pony involved with the project. Her to-do list expanded as she poured over the plans and papers, friends slowly fading from her train of thought. The sun continued to climb through the sky as she worked, before she was interrupted by a knock. “Come in,” Twilight said, looking up from her desk. The door swung open, and June poked her head in. “Hey Twilight, I was going to go grab lunch at the Daily Hay. Wanna join me?” Twilight shook her head. “Sorry, June. I have a lot of work I need to catch up on. I’m just going to eat lunch in my office today. Thanks for offering, though.” June nodded, glancing at the mess of papers scattered about Twilight’s desk. “Understandable. Just thought I would ask. Have fun.” She closed the door. Twilight turned back towards her desk, eyes drifting to the photo once again. Sighing, she stacked up the papers and pushed them to a corner on her desk, before she levitated a paper bag containing her lunch in front of her. A daffodil and daisy sandwich floated out, and Twilight took a bite, chewing slowly, trying to enjoy the flowery, earthy taste. Another lunch alone. She continued to gaze at the picture as she ate, the happy smiles of her friends manifesting into a deep longing within her. What’s the point of asking for your schedules? There’s no way you’ll all be available at the same time. No way in Equestria. Still, there’s no harm in asking. There’s always hope, I suppose. Twilight crumpled up the paper bag and tossed it in the trash, before sliding the documents back in front of her. Once again, she managed to shift her concentration to her work and lose herself in the glorious world of numbers and organization. However, as the clock ticked on her quill scribblings became slower and slower. Twilight had to force her eyes over the page, the word lost on her once again. Eventually, she dropped the quill and slumped down over the desk, staring at the photograph, the smiles pounding in her mind. When will I ever see you all again?