//------------------------------// // The Name. (Finale Revisions) // Story: Drifted Thoughts // by Animeyaoi //------------------------------// The door with a distinct purple aura quietly opened, the golden color of it only shining brighter the more it opened. The noise it made was only slightly louder then the rapid pace of my heartbeat. In the short instant the pony behind the said door finally was revealed I was frozen in place. Unable to reverse my decision. "Hello there— Oh! Who might you be? Are you new to Ponyville? I usually know everypony here." Her voice was soft, but it had an intelligent sound to it, filled with curiosity and knowledge. With her peering down at me, and her normal cheerful smile was not helping me get through talking and meeting her. It feels like a dream, like it could be just my imagination. I just don't know how it could be so realistic. The breeze in the air, my hair or mane bouncing as it grows stronger. The bright piercing crystallized castle, how the blues and purples fade into one another, oh- so perfectly. There was also flaws, not everything is perfect. It's not just a cartoon anymore. "Well, um... Princess.. Twilight… Sparkle? I'm Ashlyn. And, well, I have a lot to say. I'm not sure outside the castle would be best." I'm a nervous wreck. I know Twilight I've seen her and the rest of the main six on TV they’re not bad; there about as nice as can be, but my gut keeps telling me this is wrong. It just feels Ohh so very right! Like a flower blooming in spring. "Ashlyn? That's a very unusual name.” She paused and thought about it. “It's unique. Well, come on in. No need to be shy." Her cheerful smile grew, and her wings widened comforting me and leading me into the spacious castle. Even so... I walked in nervously, taking in every detail of the beautiful castle. The ceiling stretched way high up, glowing a dark midnight purple, multiple coloured diamond ornaments dangling from it. The pillars that supported the structure were royal colours; purple and rich, rich gold, each one carved to appear like diamonds. The windows were tinted green, the kind of elegant green you’d see on tree branches. The giant chandelier the rest of the mane six made to make Twilight more comfortable in her home. We sat at the round table, with the main six seats set around it perfectly. Spike had small cute one sitting next to what I assumed to be Twilight’s seat. I sat on the floor beside the round table, Twilight opposite of me. "Well Ashlyn, right?” she asked. I nodded my head quietly. Hardly able to see, as the table is bigger then me. “Good. So, uh, would you like some tea or… something to drink?" Her tone became more akward with the silence that was beginning to apear. “Um... a glass of water please." I wasn’t sure if they had soda in this world, so I decided to go with a simple answer. Plus I dislike tea. "So now, Ashlyn. What is it that you need to tell me?" I took a deep breath. ”I-it’s a lot to take in. You know how you've been to Earth, right? Or, at least, Canterlot High. Well I'm actually a human; I got sucked though my television. A square or rectangular box with moving pictures, or video. Some strange… I dunno… entities — I guess — talked to me, and the next thing I knew, I was here. As a pony. I know a lot about this world because you guys are actually a TV show...." I gave a lot of thought to the words I was saying, trying to pick and choose the words that would make the most sense. That surely was not happening. I could hear Twilights breathing becoming more rapid. After I finished speaking I looked back at Twilight, who looked rather… stunned, for lack of a better word. I can hardly blame her, really. Soon enough her hair started to become staticed and frized. Her lips slowly started to form words. “Well this is vivid. Definitely a huge problem. If you'll excuse me for a few moments." She charged up her horn, the energy making her mane crackle with electricity while a bright light engulfed her body. Then, as suddenly as the light had appeared it disappeared with a subtle *pop*. I took cover behind a chair, the nearest one at the time being Twilight's. I was behind Twilight's chair for a minute. Two minutes. Three minutes. Huh… Maybe sh— “Alright, Twilight. Do we need to fight some more evil version of Discord or something? Do you need my awesome flying skills?” Rainbow Dash said. Of course it was Rainbow Dash. She still possessed that proud charisma that she had in the show. "Sorry girls, this is much more complex then that. I, well… there's a human here." Twilight took a glance at where I was, just when I was starting to peek out. She nodded to me and I stiffly moved to were they gathered. They slowly registered my presence. Pinkie Pie was bouncing up and down, her body registering as a slight pink blur. She was the first to speak, her smile cheeky and wide. "Wow, you were wrong Twilight! She's a pony, not a human, silly. WAIT!” She stopped jumping and put on a serious face. “How do we know you’re not some filly who's covering for some super agent ponies who stole the human, then used you as a replacement, hmmm?” I was dumbfounded. I know Pinkie Pie is odd and has very wild assumptions, but this time it couldn’t have been further from the truth. I was about to make a retort when I saw Fluttershy wanting to say something. She was worried and almost looked as if she was trying to hide behind her pink mane. "I just don't understand, Twilight,” Fluttershy whispered. “Well, Fluttershy it's a lot to take in. Look, I know you all have important things to do; all of you need to get ready for the upcoming Hearts and Hooves day." "Twilight dear, it's quite alright. This is much farther up the list of important things for the season. Won't we need the help of a Princess?" Rarity somehow wasn't as worried as the others with this issue. Probably only to keep her composure and to make a nice impression. It was working on me at least. “Actually, that's a great idea. I planned to, but it must have slipped my mind due to the situation. Okay Spike, can you write this for me?" He nodded confidently and jogged — or, rather, waddled — over to Twilight, pen and scroll in claw. "So then, dear... Oh my… I never got your name. I'm Rarity. You’re quite… young, right around Sweetie Belle’s age. You’ll probably be asked to join their group… You see here we already have our cutie marks…" “As a matter of fact, Rarity, I know all about this world or, at least, most of it. You see, you’re all a TV show. It's kind of complicated, but it's like a vision or… insight, but more complex. I've seen a lot of things like Twilight’s coronation. Spike taking care of the animals while you went to the Crystal Empire. Your visit there and the mix up with Miss. Harshwhinny and some of the… err… Crusades enacted by Sweetie Belle and her friends.” I spoke shyly and almost slowly. They all had worried and scared faces. I couldn't bring myself to laugh, but it was amusing. I stopped finding the situation funny once I quickly thought of what I had said, kind of rude if I say so. It was a reaction anyone would've expected. The only pony that wasn’t surprised was Twilight. After they consumed the idea of them being a television show they spoke again. Rainbow Dash started it. "So let me get this straight… we’re a television show? And you were a human girl, and now you’re stuck here." “Yes. Except I don't know how I got here, exactly. I'm sorry for all this chaos I may have started… I had no idea this would happen… I just don't know what to do with this situation." I gave the simple reply and tried not to panic but couldn't help frowning and looking off to the side, avoiding eye contact. Applejack was the first to notice. “Aww, sugarcube, don’t you worry. You'll stay with us until you can get home,” she said. "Oh my… Thank you. I was afraid I'd be put up for adoption, or experimented on. I mean I still might be eventually… but for now it's better than nothing." I know I'll be questioned. That's something I can't get away from, but I couldn't help but think of all the opportunities that are open. It's like an empty book and a new story starts on every page. Rarity was next to speak. “Darling, it's no problem; this is very good indeed, if you ask me. You could join the… Cutie Mark Crusaders. It'll be fun. In addition Twilight can learn even more about humans. I’m sure you'll have a nice time in Equestria." I was surprised at that comment, but it was a swell idea. "Oh hey, I brought the snacks like you said. So… what's the filly's name?" Spike who had gone off at Twilight’s request to get some nachos had come back with a nice amount of them. "My name is Ashlyn. I know, it’s a bit odd, but it's not really a pony name." I had thought about this because I hoped to keep my identity a secret. "Ooh, ooh!” Pinkie Pie piped up. “Spike! You should choose her name! You’re awesome with names. Remember that time when we went into those pranking flowers?” I had to chuckle a bit when Pinkie Pie mentioned that. The episode was very interesting and Zecora was a nice addition to the cast. “Well… I'm not gonna say I'm not good, but... it was a bit difficult for Twilight's name. Plus, Ash should choose her own name,” Spike replied. I nodded; I liked the nickname Spike had given me. "Pinkie dear, Spike is correct. It should really be chosen by Ashlyn herself. Although it would be nice for Spikey-wikey to help her,” Rarity commented. “Well, actually you guys, I think that'll work. If Spike is okay with it." I really wanted to get to know Spike more. Plus he is good with names; I probably wouldn't be very good alone. “Ashlyn, that sounds like a great idea. Okay Spike. One last thing: I need you to write a letter to the Princess about you-know-what. Girls, go notify your families that we have a new filly joining us and ask if they wouldn't mind if you took care of her. Also, Ashlyn, you don't have to call me ‘Princess’. Just Twilight,” Twilight said. I smiled and nodded my head in reply. She walked out of the room in a way that I had envisioned it: proud and yet calm, with just a hint of authority. “Okay. Thank you very much, Twilight, all of you ponies, and Spike. Well, Spike, whenever you’re ready I am." This transition will definitely be odd. A human turned pony. Who would've guessed? I certainly couldn't have ever thought something like this would've happened… Then again, Equestria is full of magic. After Spike wrote the letter, I looked in a mirror to see what I looked like. My coat was a dark brown, my mane a curly black and red, complimented by a pair of vividly violet eyes. I smiled at my reflection and it smiled back. I liked how my colours had turned out. I turned to Spike and told him a good chunk of what I knew about the human world. How it was different than the movie. While I was talking about this my thoughts drifted into space, wondering if this proved that there were alternate dimensions. An hour passed and I found my thoughts straying towards home, wondering if my mom misses me or if she’s even noticed that I'm gone. No… I came here to escape. Kind of. By accident, and non- voluntarily. Either way, not gonna have nostalgia now. Nope. I finished talking and looked at Spike expectantly, hoping that he may have formulated some decent-sounding name by now. He returned my look quizzically, probably still processing the load of information I had just dumped on him. “Coming up with names is hard…” I said. “Well, so far I got: Cloud Luck, Thought Thinker, or… Charish." I attempted to flip my curly mane to one side of my head. It didn't work, not well at all; it just went back to place. I knew those names weren't very creative or fitting, but thinking was my thing while being super creative was not. Spike knew exactly what I meant. "Not to be rude or anything, but those names don’t really…” He made large gesticulations with his short, purple arms. “Suit you. We've got your nicknames though; A and Ash. So I think we need you to have an “A” somewhere in your name.” He thought for a few minutes, mumbling “No… no, not quite” every few seconds until: “Aha! Ashlyn, I believe I have found your name.”