It was a beautiful night for staying indoors. It was a particularly dark, stormy evening, and nopony in town was exactly eager to trudge through the cold film of water which had fallen over all of Ponyville. Well, except maybe for some young fillies. They all love to stomp around in puddles, don't they? They probably do.
Of course, as a filly, Twilight Sparkle had never partaken in such boorish pastimes. She hated the cold and the darkness of a powerful storm. In fact, she had spent a significant amount of her young life ensuring that she would be able to avoid them if at all possible.
Despite the scheduled downpour, Twilight Sparkle was excited. Now, while this seems to contradict what I had just stated, Twilight Sparkle now had a place of refuge, a corner of the town where she found solace: her library home. Save for that one sleepover, a nice rainy day was just about the only time she could study peacefully in solitude without fear of interruption. Spike had long since learned not to interrupt when her attention was focused on a book.
She scanned the numerous shelves for a new, interesting tome to read. She had made it a goal of hers to read every book in the library. She certainly had a long way to go, but she was persistent, as one should be when accomplishing any goal.
Her eyes settled on a thin, blue coilbound text. Twilight's horn and the book glowed a dim purple, and it slipped out from the wooden shelves and into the air before her. She whispered the title aloud, “The efficiency of rainfall with regard to plant life in Ponyville.” It looked less like a published book than a scientific study. Twilight didn't care much for botany, but the scientific procedure had always excited her, and it never hurt to learn something new.
With a smile, Twilight sat upon the foor to begin reading. Little did she know, she would soon be far too preoccupied to finish. Very soon, Twilight Sparkle would embark on yet another exciting adventure with her friends.
Now, all we need is a way to begin.
Dammit. Not four hundred words in and I've written myself into a corner. All I need is something to kick off the story, but I've got nothing.
This is certainly a terrible way to start.
Twilight's attention turned away from her book for a moment. “What?”
...Excuse me?
“To start what?”
Oh, no. No no no no no. How did... She can't just... Dammit. Dammit dammit dammit. I'm in quite the mess now.
“Who are you talking to?”
Twilight, stop asking questions. I need to...
“How do you know my name? And where are you? And who are you?
If I'm not mistaken, I just told you to stop asking questions. Just pretend like you didn't hear anything.
“What? No!”
“I know you're still there!”
No, I'm not here. I'm not anywhere. Now for your own good, ignore what I am saying and go about your business. Read that book.
“...Tell me who you are.”
Ooh, getting a bit cross, are we? Fine. If you really want to know, I shall reveal my identity, but I won't guarantee you'll like it. Now, as the avid reader I know you are, you surely must have read at least one work of fiction, yes?
“What does that have to do with anything?”
Just answer the question.
“...Yes, I've read plenty of novels.”
Good. Then surely you know how a story works. A few established characters in a defined setting encounter a problem or conflict of some sort which they must overcome in some way.
“I much prefer informative books, but yes, that's how most stories work.”
I'm glad you're loosening up a bit. Naturally, you should know how an author writes a story. They imagine these characters in this setting and how they would react to the conflict. Then they put their ideas down to paper.
“...Alright.”
Well, I am just that. I am an author, writing a story centered around you and your friends here in Ponyville.
“Oh. Well, I'm flattered. But that doesn't really explain how I can hear you...”
Stop blushing, I'm not finished. While I obviously did not invent you or anypony else in Equestria, someone else did. You, along with Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Spike, and even Princesses Luna and Celestia are all creations. Figments of the imagination. Everything you do and have ever done was thought up by authors like me. Mind you, authors with much more talent than me, but authors nonetheless. You are fictional, Twilight Sparkle.
“...”
I told you you'd regret knowing.
“...No. That's crazy. That's impossible! That's...”
Oh, Twilight. You were never one to mindlessly agree. Remember the Pinkie Sense? Good times.
Twilight glared in no particular direction.
Don't worry about it so much. I'll be merciful. You strive for knowledge, so I'm going to enlighten you. Go look outside.
Twilight peered out the nearest window. To her surprise, it was a gorgeous sunny day. Little fillies were running and playing on the grass, and her five closest friends were heading straight for her front door.
She ran to her door to greet her friends, but her only greeting was the rapid pounding of rain on the ground along with a distant flash of lightning. Nopony was outside, much less playing or having fun.
“But... How did...”
I told you already. I am the storyteller. I control what happens.
“But...”
Free will doesn't exist, Twilight Sparkle. Everything you do is designed in the mind of another. In this case, myself.
Her eyes began to well up.
I hate to be the one to break it to you, but that's just how it is. Sorry.
Twilight couldn't hold it in any longer. She broke out into tears, darting out the library door and into the pouring rain. The thick wooden door swung idly on its hinges.
Ooh, we wouldn't want a cold library.
A gust of wind blew through the doorway causing the door to close.
Much better.
Oh, I should probably go after her, shouldn't I? Ah well. I'll do it later. Maybe next chapter. Stay tuned, readers!