//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 - Twilight Sparkle 
// Story: Artemis 
// by gcsmith 
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The sun began to rise over the horizon, and first light started to settle over the little town of ponyville. To call the town little would mean sleepy and quiet to many people, but that would be a mistake, the town had seen its fair share of hardships.
However, despite these hardships there were 6 ponies which recently were always there to help. One of these, Twilight sparkle had been slowly getting over the events of her brother’s wedding. Not only did she have to get used to the fact her brother was married, to a princess no less, but she also had to get over the events of the Changeling Queen Chrysalis.

On this day, twilight was up at the crack of dawn, when the cockerels on sweet apple acres were crowing. Usually she slept through this, still having several hours until the library had to be opened. However, today there was something special she had to do, sitting bleary eyed and letting herself wake up, she tried to recall what that special thing was.
When she felt suitably awake, she walked over to her calendar and froze at what she saw, the words, greet Artemis (human), were written upon the current date on her.
The first thoughts that crossed her mind were “Late,” she exclaimed.
“Calm down twi,” Spike said quietly, “The library doesn’t need to open for several hours.”
“Yes Spike, but we have to meet the human at the edge of the forest before then, the princesses said they were sending him not too long after first light.” While saying this Twilight was hurriedly brushing her mane and trying to tidy it up from sleeping in bed.

“Do you think my mane is ok spike?”
“Twilight, he’s a human, not even a pony” Spike exclaimed, “We have no idea what he looks like and you’re worried about your looks?. Just calm down and go, just make sure you’re ready to meet him. I’m sure you’ll do whatever you need to do fine.”
“Your right spike, i’m overly worried as usual. I'll try to be a bit calmer.” she started to head out but her stomach rumbling made her think to more immediate goals. Diverting herself to the kitchen, she grabbed her dandelion sandwich she had prepared the night before and a couple of apples, putting the apples in her saddle bag, she hoisted it over her shoulder, and with a quick “goodbye” to spike was out the door.

Ponyville was really quite beautiful this time of the morning, everything starting to get going. She could see the distance shadows of other ponies leaving their homes, recognising one of them as Ditzy doo, often known as Derpy, off to go start her mail rounds. She could also hear the distant sounds of the Apple’s farm starting its day. Yawning she started to trot towards the everfree forest, the walk not really that long, but in here half awake state, she could hardly be said to be moving at any real speed.
On the way towards the forest, she passed the cottage of her good friend, fluttershy, who she could see was not yet up. She stopped and thought about going over to knock and wake her up, but she could see that none of the animals were really up and needing care as of yet, so decided to let her friend sleep.

A sense of static brought her back to her senses, and realising that the burst of feedback was the feeling of powerful magics, she looked towards the forest, there she saw a bright blue shape beginning to form and cantered off at speed towards it. When she was still a little way out, she could notice the light disappeared and in its place, a strange creature, bipedal like a dragon, but soft and not scaly, covered with bits of fur stood in the place of the light.
Seeing the creature looking around in confusion, she called over,
“Hey there!” she shouted, The creature turned towards her, and she noticed the creature seemed to be rather pleased to see her.

Upon reaching the creature, a human as she was told it was called, twilight bent her head down to catch her breath, she wasn’t really out of shape, but wasn’t really used to a sprinting distances either. The human seemed to wait to for her to catch her breath, and when she was ready she said “You must be the human the princes messaged me about, Artemis was it?”
“That’s right.” Artemis replied, “and you must be Twilight Sparkle, the element of magic and the princesses’ protogé”
Twilight stared in disbelief, she didn’t expect the princess to tell the human so much, noticing her confusion, Artemis calmed her down.
“The princess’s gave me some history of equestria before sending me out, to help me blend in I think.”
“ahh that makes sense.” responded twilight, “Anyway if you would kindly follow me, you shall of course be staying with me in the library for now, until we kind find more permanent arrangements.”
“If you are hungry,” she said indicating towards her head towards her saddle bags “then there are some apples in the left pocket. The princess’s warned me as to your dietary requirements and sent some funds to help keep you, until we can find you some work that is.”

For the rest of the short walk back to her home, they just walked in silence, neither knowing what to say, until twilight opened her mouth.
“Perhaps you’re wondering why you have to arrive so early?”
“that thought had crossed my mind.”
“well to be honest.” Twilight answered “Your arrival has been kept secret to stop people being worried. Not even my 5 mane friends know anything about you.”
Before Artemis could respond, they arrived at the tree that was the town’s library and Twilights Home.
“Welcome to my humble abode” Said Twilight calmly. Turning around, she noticed Artemis’ wander as he took it all in, ‘I am really here’ he thought to himself’.
After letting them in she closed the door and said excitedly, “Spike I’m home”...