Numerals

by Kaciekk

Points Of Authority

Points of Authority

It was the morning, light stretched onto the floor. 5's eyes slowly opened. Her bed was uncountable compared to the one in Cantorlot. Her violet eyes stared over, and saw Spike going through some books. She stepped down the stairs at the side, and passed a wooden pony bust.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm looking through these spells." Spike stated. "If you're... we're gonna live here, don't we want to know what we got?"

"Yeah, I guess so. I can probably go through these and organized them the way I want." 5 yawned. "Do you think those ponies are going to come back?"

"I don't know... I really didn't even get to say hi." Spike shrugged.

"Why don't we write some things down, before we forget."

Spike walked over to a drawn. He opened it and looked inside. His purple claws snatched a sheet of paper, the other hand grabbed a quill. Spike then came back to 5.

5 sat down and yawned again. She shook her head. "Okay, write this down: Dear Princess, The other day, I have met some ponies. They seem quite inserting. I hope you think so too. First I met 435, she is a daredevil pegasus. She is able to do incredible stunts while working with the weather. Next, is 388. She is a lovely unicorn, who seems to have an elegant style. I saw her searching for gems-"

Spike interrupted, but still wrote down what she said. "388 was that unicorn? She looked very pretty!"

"Spike!" 5 snapped. "Just write down what I say: After that, They brought me to 521. She is a country pony, living on an apple farm, which she pretty much runs. She is a easy-going pony. Then I saw 752. She is very shy round other ponies, but not animals. She seemed to be able to speak with them. She has some true talent. The last was the craziest. 690. She jumped out of nowhere. She wanted to throw me a party, and possibly a party for YOU. But all of these pony were vary nice. I will talk with them more."

"That's all?" Spike asked.

"Yes, but don't send it or anything. Just keep it in a safe place. Like I said, I will need to talk with them more." 5 got to her hooves and stared at the books on the shelves. "I wonder what kind of spell I have here."

"Maybe one that can give you ponies names."

5 whipped her head around. "We can't do that! That is against the law. And how could we even give a certain name to a pony. That's ridiculous."

"I dunno. It's just that I am getting so confused with every number, It's so hard to figure out who is who."

Magenta magic lifted up the piece of paper and left it on the table. The magic then moved to the shelf, which lifted up a book. 5 gazed at it for while, and red the cover. 'the original spells of the first '4'.

"4?" 5 thought aloud. "The first 4? Wow, that means this came from a log time ago. But who has the number now?" 5's magic flipped open the book. "Wow, this has so many spells in it! Some to slow down time, some to turn invisible!!

"Is there any that-"

"No! Spike, I will not look for name spells!"

"But why do I have a name?" He tilted his head.

"Because you are not a pony. And since you do have a name, I have to keep you a secret from 1."

"Alright..." Spike rolled his eyes, then went up the stairs.

5 looked at the other books. A lot of them seemed stupid. Some were not even spells, but history books. 5 was always fascinated in history. But she could probably read a different time. For just then, there was a knock on the door. 5 turned her head over, and trotted up to open it. She found herself looking at 388.

"Good morning 5. I am sorry if I have bothered you." She said.

"Oh, not at all." 5 replied.

"Oh splendid! I have a welcome gift for you! I made it last night." A blue aura lifted up something from behind 388. It was a pink hat, with blue and indigo gemstones and feathers. She placed it on 5's head. "Oh yes, It goes nicely with your eyes."

"Um... it's... it's very pretty..." 5 gagged.

Spike ran down from the stairs and gazed at the two ponies. "I think that hat is awesome and..." He turned to 388. "All I must say to you is that... you are very beautiful!"

"Oh, thank you! A lady always loves to hear words like that." 388 giggled.

5's magic lifted the hat from her head. "hmm, and interesting way to start that day. I really appreciate this hat. But I think I will wear it on more important dates."

"Oh that is just fine, darling!" 388 waved her hoof.

5 walked out with 388 into the town. Many ponies greeted her. But 5 just wanted to stay in contact with the ponies she had already met. She felt that the five so far were good enough as a subject for her assignment. 521 came down with the two unicorns, and gave 5 some apple for a breakfast. They were some of the best apples that 5 had ever eaten.

During the day, 690 dragged 5 into the bakery where she lived. 5 tried to be friendly and cooperate. 690 seemed to force her to try all the different cakes, but in the end, 5 was tired of the taste of sugar. 5 thanked 690 for the food, and quickly left the shop.

5 felt that the ponies in Ponyville were TOO welcoming. They wanted her to be their friend. They wanted her to feel like a real Ponyville citizen, but 5 was from Cantorlot. And the longer 5 was in this town, the more she wished she was home. But she still have to do her assignment for 1.

Midday was soon closing out to be evening. 5 sat down on a hill and watch the town. She needed some time alone, away from the crowd. She cleared her mind of her duty for 1, and the craziness of the ponies she met. But the thought of what Spike said before, finding out names, kept entering her mind.

The sound of clopping filled 5's left ear. She twisted her head and saw a think pink mare. She had a curly purple, yellow and pink mane. Her wings were tipped with violet that matched her sweet gaze.

"3! What are you doing here?" 5 asked.

"I wanted to see how you were doing." She smiled. 3 sat down next to 5. "Why aren't you out in the city?"

"I was, but I just needed some time to clear my mind." 5 sighed. "I met some ponies so far, I think the group I got is enough to report to 1."

"Hmm, that's good. I know these ponies are very nice here." 3 said.

"A bit too nice.... They keep bothering me with welcome gifts and conversations." 5 complained.

"This city is filled with a lot of love. And these ponies want to give it away. And you know I know a lot about love."

"How many ponies are in this town?" 5 questioned.

"Well, there are 3 cities, so they are split about equally. here, it is small, so about 300. And there is 300 in Cloudsdale, and about 400 in Cantorlot, since it is the capital." 3 stated. " Most of the ponies here are earth-ponies, while only pegasi are in Cloudsdale. And most unicorns are in Cantorlot."

"Hmm... but I have met many ponies here that are unicorns and pegasi." 5 added.

"I don't doubt it." 3 tilted her head.

They were quiet for a few moments. 5 could still see many of the ponies, being as friendly as ever. She knew that she would have to report to 1 soon. But what was the exact thing she had to report.

"I don't understand why there is 1000 ponies... and why each gets a number. Does 1 actually know everypony by number?" 5 asked 3.

"She knows the basics of everypony. But she only wants you to report numbers so she can get to know them more. 1 wants the most information of good ponies as possible."

"Hmm, It would be easier if each had a name." 5 said her own thoughts. "Spike did say-" Suddenly she covered her mouth with her hoof.

"Huh?" 3 asked, turning her head with her curly mane bouncing. "Who is that? Is it a pony with a name!?"

"Oh please... 3 can you keep a secret? For sister-in-laws? I do not want 1 to find out."

"I... I guess so."

"Well, I have a friend. He does have a name, but he is not a pony. He is a good friend, and he helps me a lot. He is probably the closest friend I have till I get to know these other ponies more. But I don't want 1 to find out for some reason, I'm afraid she will take him away since he does have a name."

"But he is a true friend? Then you need to keep him... And you say he may be the closest till you get to know the other ponies? So you will be good friends with them?" 3 spoke.

"Well, I have some connection with those ponies... I don't know what it is. I feel something between them, unlike any other pony I have met. Maybe it's destiny." 5 looked to the ground. "I also feel that these ponies are so special that they do need names. Do you know how to get names?"

"5, that is not safe you know!" 3 called back. "1 doesn't let that happen. But if you could figure how to, and keep a secret, I guess you could." 3 got to her hooves, and started to walk away. Then she turned around "But I wouldn't advise that."

The even came through, with many warm colors crossing the sky. 5 entered her home, and closed the door. She jumped when she saw the library was wreaked. All the books were knocked down, and the wooden pony bust was gone.

"SPIKE!" 5 yelled.

Suddenly, he jumped out from behind the statue pedestal. He had huge eyes, and ran to 5 with excitement. He held up an unraveled scroll, and a piece of ripped paper.

"What is this!?" 5 called out.

"A spell. I was looking through that book that was about.. '4'. And I found in the back, a page was ripped out! I knew it had to be in the library somewhere. It was underneath the bust. There was a hole in the bottom, come see!"

The little purple dragon dragged 5 behind the pedestal. He pointed to the knocked over but. There was a compartment in the base of it.

"I also found this scroll in it. There is a list of numbers on it.... It's... It's a-"

"Spike, don't tell me it's a name spell!" 5 cried.

But Spike nodded. "It has a spell, and says what you need to find your true name. Please 5, we need to try this. We can keep it a secret!! I'm sure!! I know that you want this!"

5 suddenly thought for a while. She remembered arguing with 1 about having names or not. And 5 thought about the thoughts of 1000 ponies, and no names that confused her so. 5 really did want something like this. And the book that it came from did seem promising. So 5's magenta aura picked up the paper.

"It does have a spell... and it says that we need.... a soul stone? It has a picture, of a crystal. It can be found in the..." 5 shivered. "The Everfree forest!"

"I know your a brave pony! We can do this." Spike encouraged her. "I bet going at night would be better, so nopony finds us. I will go!! Even if I am... a little scared... but I will go!

5 picked up a saddlebag and placed it around her waist. She rolled up the piece of paper an place it inside. She stared toward the window, and saw that it was dark now. The moonlight shinned through.

"All right lets go!"

5's light violet hooves looked like dark purple in the night through the forest. A chill of wind rushed against her coat. Spike kept close to 5, and scanned the trees. A chatter of a bird called, and he jumped when he heard it. 5's magic lit the way, and held the paper in front of her. She looked at the picture, and a map.

The map showed where she could find the stone in the Everfree. But the map was old, and confusing. 5 tried her hardest to read it and understand. What if this was a bad idea.

Suddenly, there was a noise from the bushed. Spike leaped, and so did 5. This did not sound like a bird. Clopping of hooves came forward. 5 stood completely still. In the moonlight, a sillouhet appeared. The pony glared at the two. But this pony seemed familiar to 5. Her mane flowed and sparkled like the night sky, and her gaze looked like the moon.

"Uh... 2...?" 5 stuttered.

"You are her for a quest?" The Alicorn spoke softly.

"I.. I ..."

"I know what it is... You want to find the soul stone. And use a spell to find your name." 2 said, and 5's heart sank with fear. "But do not worry, I shall not tell 1. I agree with this. And I believe a pony like you deserves a name. I know the night better then anypony, for I have found the stone for you.

Then, and dark blue aura came down by 5. A medium sized crystal appeared. It looked just like it did in the picture. 5's reflection showed with the light of the moon. She was so grateful that 2 had gotten it for her.

"Thank you-" But when 5 gazed up, 2 had vanished.