As we continued through the town, an oak tree that seemed to be converted into a form of residence caught my attention.
"What's that over there?" I asked, pointing my hoof to the tree.
The girls turned to see where I was pointing and they all smiled.
"That's the Golden Oaks Library," Sweetie Bell answered.
"Our friend, Twilight Sparkle lives there and runs it," Applebloom added.
"She's a real-life princess," Scootaloo put in cheerily.
"A princess?" I repeated.
The CMCs all nodded.
"Hmm, do you think she might have any history books about the area?" I asked. "I'd really like to know more about this place if I'm going to be sticking around."
Their eyes lit up and smiles graced their faces. "Follow us!" They said in unison and rushed towards the library.
I followed more slowly, but by the time I reached the door, the three fillies were already pounding on it.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," the irritated voice of a young male came from the other side. There was the sound of scuffling before the door opened, and the being on the other side surprised me.
A small, reptilian-looking creature that stood on two legs with purple scales, a light-green underbelly, and darker-green fins on the side and on top of its head going along its spine and down its arrow-shaped tail stood in the doorway. His sharp, emerald-green eyes looked at the girls in confusion.
"What's up, guys?" The dragon questioned.
"Hey, Spike," Scootaloo began, before indicating to me and continuing "This is our new friend, Diana. She was wondering if she could have a look at your book collection."
Spike looked at me and smiled. "You must be the new pony in town that Pinkie Pie's hosting a party for."
I blinked in surprise. "How could you know that? We just saw her less than ten minutes ago."
Spike laughed. "You'll learn fast that around here, when it comes to parties, Pinkie is on top of it." He opened the door all the way and added "Come on in; I was just about to put some tea on. Would you guys like to join her?"
The CMCs all shook their heads.
"Thanks, but we better be heading home," Applebloom stated.
"Yeah. Rarity needs me up early tomorrow to help get ready for a fashion show she's going to in Canterlot," Sweetie Bell gave a sweet smile. "But thanks anyway."
The three turned away and waved over their shoulders before heading off in different directions.
I laughed lightly before entering the library. "What a cute group of girls. I don't think I've ever seen such energetic fillies like those three."
Spike closed the door behind me before heading towards what looked to be the kitchen. "They sure are. Have a look around. Tea will out in a bit."
"Is someone down there, Spike?" A female voice called from upstairs.
I looked up the staircase and saw a young mare of violet with pink and purple streaked hair looking over the balcony. From where I could see her, she appeared to be a unicorn just like Sweetie Bell.
"Hello. Are you looking for a book?" The mare asked.
I nodded. "I was hoping to find something about the history of this country," I replied.
The pony's eyes lit up. "Of course!" She rushed down the stairs, revealing her entire body, which amazed me.
Along with her having a horn, she had the wings of a pegasus, but these appeared more different than that of Scootaloo's, for they spread out to resemble that of an angel's. The aura the pony seemed to give off washed over me like summer rain. It was almost overwhelming, yet it felt familiar, almost comforting.
When the pony reached the bottom of the stairs, she smiled at me and bowed her head in greeting. "My name is Twilight Sparkle. What's your name?"
"Diana," I replied, then realized that she had the same name as the princess the foals had told me. "W-Wait. Are you really… a princess?"
Twilight blinked in confusion and nodded. "I am. Why do you ask?"
Acting on an instinct I did not know, I instantly kneeled and bowed my head respectfully. "I apologize for speaking so nonchalantly, Your Highness."
"You don't have to act so formal," the princess told me, causing me to look up at her. She took my shoulders and lifted them so I was standing once more before adding "I'm really not into the whole dignitary thing, so just treat me like any normal pony, alright?"
I was a little surprised by this, but nodded anyway, accepting things as they were.
At that moment, Spike returned with a tray of cookies, a teapot, cups, milk, and sugar. He saw Twilight and I together and smiled. "I see you met Diana," he said to the violet pony. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders brought her here to see if you could help her out with some research about Equestria."
"Oh?" Twilight turned back to me with new found curiosity. "Are you working on a report or something?"
I shook my head. "No, I actually wanted to see if I could find a few answers."
"Answers to what?" She drew closer.
"W-Well, you see, I'm not exactly from around here." Clearing my throat I continued. "I've lived my entire life without knowing who my parents are or where I come from. Only recently was I approached by someone that told me that they could help answer my questions and they sent me here, but so far, nothing seems familiar to me."
Sadness seemed to take hold of Twilight and Spike.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Diana," Twilight apologized. "If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."
I smiled. "Thank you, Twilight."
She nodded. "Do you need a place to spend the night? If not, you're welcome to stay here."
"I'd very much appreciate that."
Twilight smiled brightly. "Perfect. Now, why don't you sit and have some tea while I look for a few books for you?"
I nodded and sat on the couch, considering this an oddly natural feeling and took the offered cup of tea from Spike, again, a strangely natural feeling. As I sipped my tea, loving the sweet taste, I watched Twilight fly around the room, picking out books here and there from different shelves with her magic. Soon, a pile of books that reached the ceiling was in her magic, causing me to laugh slightly and Spike to give her a nervous look.
"Twilight; why don't you just grab the old History and Folklore of Equestria book that you brought from Canterlot?" The dragon offered.
Twilight stopped and blinked, then gave an embarrassed look before quickly putting away all but one of her grand collection of books. She then landed and placed in on the table in front of me. "This book should help you out. Let me know if you need anything else." With that, she trotted off to a podium and started to write in a scroll with a quill held in her magic.
I set my tea aside and opened the book with my nose, then began to read, somehow understanding the strange lettering with ease.
Within the next hour, I had learned of the origin of Equestria, as well as the terrible reign of a creature named Discord, along with the defeat of said being and finally the rise of the two princess sisters, Celestia and Luna. I took immediate interest in these princesses, for the book stated that Celestia could raise the sun while Luna could raise the moon, and that they had been alive for well over a thousand years.
It was at his point that an idea came to mind. If these princesses had been alive for as long as I had, would it be possible that they knew who my parents were?
I was about to inquire Twilight more about the rulers of Equestria, when a knock on the door stopped me.
The alicorn stopped what she was doing and walked over to the door. She opened it with her magic and seemed happy to see whoever was on the other side. "Hi, girls."
"Hey, Twi. You ready to head out?" A female voice with a very heavy western accent similar to Applebloom's asked.
"Yeah, let me just finish closing up. Come on in." Twilight hurried along to close the library, allowing two mares to enter.
The first mare was an earth pony that had an orange coat with a blonde mane and tail and a stetson hat atop her head, three red apples in a triangle formation on her flanks. The other mare was a pegasus that had a butterscotch coat with a long, strawberry-pink mane that covered part of her face, and matching tail, three pink butterflies also in a triangle formation on both flanks.
I closed the book, making sure to mark my page, and got up to greet the mares. "You must be friends of Twilight. I'm Diana."
The earth pony looked at me and gave a sweet smile. "Pleasure 'ta meet ya, Diana. Applebloom told me all about ya; I'm her big sister, Applejack." She held out a hoof, which I shook.
"I'm …..," the pegasus mare started, but whispered the second part of her sentence that I was unable to hear.
"Sorry; didn't quite catch that," I apologized. "Say that again?"
"…." Again, she whispered it, but I think I caught it the second time around.
"Fluttershy?" I asked, earning a nod. Phew, got that one right. "It's very nice to meet you, Fluttershy." The mare still seemed too shy, so I settled with the slight bow of my head in greeting.
At that moment, Twilight came down the stairs with Spike in tow. "All set."
I tilted my head in curiosity. "Where are you going?"
Applejack suddenly sported a devilish smile before in one swift motion, tying a blindfold over my eyes. "Oh, you'll see. Lead the way, Twilight."
I couldn't see a thing, so I was forced to let the mares guide me as we left the library and headed out in the town.
We didn't go very far, for after we climbed a few steps and walked into a building, the blindfold was taken off me. At first, all I saw was darkness, but all of a sudden, the lights were switched on and I found myself surrounded by a large rainbow assortment of ponies. They all called out "Surprise!", nearly giving me a heart attack but I was able to keep calm and smiled in joy.
A large banner said "Welcome to Ponyville, Diana" in beautiful blue lettering the same color as my coat, my cutie mark on each end of it. A long table was set out that held an assortment of appetizers, drinks and desserts. Balloons matching the colors of my coat and mane and tail were strung everywhere, streamers in the same colors draped around pillars.
However, what really made my heart melt was the happy looks that all those present had. Their welcoming expressions caused me to shed a few tears of joy, for never in all the time that I had existed had I felt so accepted; nothing had ever made me feel like someone was waiting for me and saying "Welcome home."
I wiped the tears from my eyes and looked at everypony present, trying not to choke. "Th-Thank you, everypony. You have no idea how much this means to me."
Their smiles brighten and they all cheered.