The Letter
Welcome travelers...
The sign was worn down and barely readable. It was originally longer, but it seemed like the rest of the sign had been smashed off.
Twilight adjusted her saddle bags as she walked into a town. It wasn’t very welcoming – the town was dirty, and, with the exception of a few half-dead beggars, the streets were empty and littered with rotten garbage. The buildings were moldy, and some had caved in from the snow.
As she walked through the streets, some of the beggars looked to her for a moment before turning their eyes back to the ground. 4 of them were huddled around each other to stay warm. They were covered in mud and looked like they hadn't eaten in days, since their ribs were showing through their coats.
Twilight walked over and kneeled in front of the beggars, a warm smile upon her face. She levitated a few bits in front of the beggars.
“Go on. Take them.”
The beggars’ faces lit up. Their eyes shone with gratitude.
Using her magic, she divided up the bits between them. They each took their share and thanked her. One even stood and embraced. She was surprised for a moment, but returned the embrace with a tear sliding out from underneath her eyelid.
The beggar released her and ran off with the others to find food and shelter. Twilight followed behind them to do the same. As she walked, she noticed something strange - ponies were peeking out at her from inside their homes. Pairs of eyes were staring out at her through doors and windows. Whenever she made eye contact with them, they would slam their doors shut.
“If I have learned anything, it's that this is not a good sign,” she muttered to herself.
As she continued walking to find the local market, the eyes followed her. She grew slightly uneasy as she felt their stares upon her.
She finally arrived at the market. A lone earth pony stallion, lazily reclining in a chair, looked up to see her coming.
Moaning, he stood to meet her. He looked extremely bored and wasn’t in the mood to talk.
“Wha da you need?” he asked flatly.
Twilight gave the colt a stare so cold it could have frozen the sun, an unamused look on her face. She asked, demanding answers, “What is wrong with this town? Why is everyone so scared?”
“What do you mean?” I just sell the produce,” the colt stammered, clearly unnerved by the young mare in front of him.
Twilight glared at him. She spoke in a deep voice, “What is going on here? I visited this town almost 8 years ago and it looked nothing like this. Who is in charge?”
He began to shrink back, a worried look on his face. “Look. I don't want any t-trouble. I-I just sell the...” He suddenly froze, not unlike the way the others at the tavern had.
Twilight almost glowed with anger. She asked again, “Who. Is. In. Charge?”
Eyes wide with terror, the colt responded. “C-captain Render. He is in charge. He comes every week to collect his 'protection' money. If we don't pay, the creatures come back.”
Twilight’s eyes widened. “What creatures?” she asked skeptically.
“...Manticores.”
“What?” Twilight asked, confused. “Manticores? This far north?”
“Y...Yes. They are very common around here,” he stated, sounding very unsure.
Twilight stared at him in disbelief for a moment. “Just like Render. Scaring others with his lies. I hate to tell you this buddy, but there are no manticores this far north.”
“Yes there are. One attacked last week and destroyed half the town,” he said, motioning with his hoof to the broken buildings.
Twilight looked with disapproval at the wrecked homes. “Where can I find Render?”
The colt looked at her with concern. “Please don't do anything you'll regret. Render and his men are fearsome warriors. They don't take kindly to those who stand in their way.”
The colt froze again. Twilight’s glare returned. “Where. Can. I. Find. Him?” Her voice was eerily calm.
“He'll be in town later this evening,” he cried, his voice filled with panic. “He comes twice a week for his payment. If he doesn't collect, he comes back 3 days later and gives another chance.”
Twilight angrily looked around. “That's fine. I'll wait for him. I need some supplies anyway.” Using her magic, she floated a list of winter fruits and vegetables out from one of her bags and showed it to the salespony.
She turned away, walked over to the nearest house, and kicked open the door. The ceiling had caved in, and so much snow had piled up that the snow was taller than the building.
Twilight looked around the building for a moment before setting her jaw forward in decision. Her horn began to glow purple, and she pointed it towards the pile of snow. Flames shot from her horn and began melting the pile.
Seconds later, only puddles of water, broken boards, and broken glass remained. She lifted the broken pieces with her magic, repairing the window, the floor, and the ceiling.
She went to the next house and continued. For almost an hour, she went from house to house, fixing and cleaning with her magic.
As she worked, the people of the town gathered in the street to watch as helped them. Twilight was so caught up in her work that she didn't even notice the crowd until she had finished the final house. As she emerged, she was met with huge applause from the ponies of the town.
She was taken aback from the sudden gratitude. She smiled uneasily at the crowds, but as they clapped the smile became more genuine. The crowd gave her a respectful space as she walked into the street, but still looked on in wonder.
Twilight smiled back and began making her way to the food carts when she was stopped by a little unicorn filly. She gazed at Twilight in awe for what she had done.
“Th-Thank you miss...” She began, but trailed off as she didn't know what their savior’s name was.
Twilight gave a warm smile to the filly. “You can call me Dawn, young one. The dawn represents a fresh new start. The beginning of a new day. Always remember that.”
The filly beamed at Twilight. “I will, and thank you again.” Twilight watched her run off to her parents.
Twilight made her way back to the food stalls. The sales colt from earlier was looking at her with a look he had rarely given anypony before, a look of respect.
“Do you have my order finished?” Twilight asked.
The colt looked at her for a few more moments, stunned. He finally gained control of himself and gave her the bags of her food.
“I can't believe what you did for these ponies. This is both good and bad. The houses are fixed, but when Render sees them, he will think we are withholding his payment.”
Twilight grew serious. “Listen. You let me deal with Render. I have a score to settle with him. For now, though, I would like to rest.”
She trotted over to a porch covered by a small roof. Using her magic, she levitated a small white enevelope out of her saddle bags. She held it in front of her, smiling softly, before her horn lit up, and the envelope disappeared in a white flash. She sat down in a rocking chair and pulled her scarf over her mouth and her hood over her eyes and she slowly drifted off to sleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canterlot was the place to be. The place where you can be anypony you wanted to, whether it be a rock star or a Wonderbolt. Canterlot was the place was the place to go.
Octavia wanted to be a soloist. She was an amazing cellist and had been told many times that she was an amazing player. What she could do with her cello could make just about anyone fall in love with her and her music.
She was standing upright with her large instrument leaning against her. As she pulled her bow across the strings, her long dark mane flowed over her shoulder. The deep music and melodies brought peaceful thoughts to the judges as they listened to the young performer.
Eyes closed in concentration, she continued the long slow pulls across the strings, losing herself into the music as she always did when she played.
She finally finished her set and lowered her cello. She turned to the judges, awaiting their response.
The judges sat in silence for a moment before one of them finally spoke. “That was absolutely beautiful. I have never such an amazing tune from a soloist.”
Another spoke. “I agree. I believe you are perfect, Madame...” The judge paused as she realized she didn’t know the mare’s name.
“Octavia. My name is Octavia,” she replied with a slight British drawl, her voice smooth and deep, just like her music.
The stallion responded, “Well, Miss Octavia, I would say you are ready. We have an opening for the Gala in a few weeks, if you are interested.”
Octavia bowed low. “Thank you for this opportunity. I will not disappoint you.”
She packed her cello as the judges left. She slung her case over her back and walked out of the theater into the winter afternoon. Often she would get a strange look from carrying the massive instrument on her back, but it wasn’t a problem for her, since she was an earth pony.
It took her only a few minutes to get from the theater to her home. It was a large duplex which she shared with her friend Vinyl Scratch. Vinyl, like Octavia, wanted to be a performer, but of a different style - Vinyl was a talented DJ who went by the stage name DJ P0N-3. She worked at night and always slept through the day, so Octavia thought the house would be quiet.
She walked in and went to her room where she set down her cello and removed her winter layers. Her room was nothing grand, just a small bed and some shelves. She walked into the kitchen, and put on a pot of water for tea, when a voice called out from behind her, causing her to jump a little.
“Hey, Tavi. Did you get the part?” Octavia turned to face Vinyl. Only she called Octavia by that nickname.
“Good afternoon Vinyl. I didn't expect you up this early. It's only 2:30pm.”
Vinyl snickered and adjusted her trademark violet glasses. “I have an earlier show tonight, so I’ll be home around 11:00. That way, we can spend some time together tonight.” She smiled seductively as she finished the thought.
Octavia just smiled and rolled her eyes. “Well, if you must know, yes I did. They offered me a spot in the Gala. Naturally, I accepted.”
Vinyl raised her eyebrows in a mock playful sense. “Oh, wow, the Gala. That’ll definitely get your name out there. Now be honest with me. Mares or stallions?”
“Vinyl!”
“Okay, okay,” Vinyl chuckled back. “Oh! By the way, a letter came for you.”
Octavia raised an eyebrow. “Really? I never get letters unless they’re invitations or solicitation. Who sent it?”
Vinyl dug through a small pile of envelopes, and pulled one out. “Here it is. There was no name, but it has three violet ribbons around it. I wonder what they aAAAAHHHH--”
Before she could finish her thought, Octavia rammed into her and took the letter from her hooves, sending her flying into the next room.
“You could just say thank you,” Vinyl called back from the next room.
“SorryVinylthisisreallyimportantI'llbeinmyroom,” Octavia yelled as she ran into her room and slammed the door shut.
Vinyl slowly stood while rubbing her head. “What’s her problem?”
Octavia sat on her bed staring at the letter. 'Does this mean what I think it means? Is she really coming? It has to be her. After, all she promised.’
She tore open the letter and looked at the page.
Dear Tavi:
I have missed you dearly, and can't wait to see you again. I am on my way and will be in Canterlot in a few days. It has been a few years, and I am so excited to finally see you again. I've heard you are becoming quite popular, and I can't wait to see you perform.
Yours truly, T.S.
PS: Remember, you mustn’t tell anyone about this.
Octavia sat for few minutes staring at the letter. 'She is coming back. She is finally coming back to me.'
She sat in silence for a few more minutes. A knock at the door broke the silence.
“Hey Octavia. Are you okay?”
Octavia continued to stare at the letter for a few more seconds. She smiled to herself.
'I am now.'
Stats
Page generated in 0.044 seconds
Total duration
983 users online
6,545 hits today, 2,244,100 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
Good luck! Also, a twi-tavi ship huh? Don't see that too often. Or at all really.
2002820
I wanted to try something new
2002825
It certainly is different, a refreshing difference. Twi is usually shipped with the other elements, and I've only seen one other fic with this ship, so it promises to be interesting at the least. Now I can't wait for the next chapter!
2002873
Really. Which one?
PS: Nice pic of Lelouch
2002971
Private Gig
There was another called Strings and Sparks, but it was deleted.
2002971
This one right here http://www.fimfiction.net/story/60912/private-gig
(And lelouch is amazing XD)
And like that, you lost me. Ah well, it was fun while it lasted. And I did learn a few minor things. So, thank you.
2003639
Whoa whoa whoa. Let's not get a head of ourselves. What lost you?
Sorry, I'm on my iPod, meaning I can't directly reply. And what lost me was the ship. This story was recommended to me as a TwiDash, and seeing as it isn't, it is simply irrelevant to my interests. It is well written, but it lacks the godlike quality required to make me want to read it anyway. However, I do not wish for you to change it, because you are the author. All choices are yours to make, and pandering yourself to me (or anyone, for that matter) would be a true shame and waste of your high potential and skill. I refuse to thumb this down, because it is a good story. It is simply a story I wouldn't find myself interested in. But, in hindsight, I was curious how Twilight and Dash were going to get together in the current situation you crafted.
murdersparkle is a minus.
on the other hand, vigilante murdersparkle is not all that bad. even though i really don't like Ponyverse not being a vanilla place of happiness and rainbows, i still like this story and think that you did a great job. faved and upvoted.
but i have a question. if there's no Elements (or, at least, Twilight is not one (and i don't think someone would let RD to be a lunar assasin if she was an element of loyalty, it would be really stupid to endanger your ultimate weapon)), were there NMM, Discord and changeling attack?
So twilight has a split personality. Dawn and the murderer who has yet to be named. This is very interesting. Also now this chapter has left me with more questions. can't wait for the next chapter.
2004313
I would not realy call it a split personality.
She knows she is a wanted mare so why terify that village when she can also help her.
and the murderer part is correct but I believe those she killed were all criminals
2004393 alright i guess your right.
TwiTavi ?
Haven't seen that since Private Gig.
I'm interested to see where you take this.
Stallions are older than colts.
It's the male equivalent of Mare vs Filly.
I wasn't sure if you meant for him to be young, or were just looking for something different that Stallion stallion stallion stallion as the descriptor for him.
Not a huge thing, but it would make it a bit smoother if it was more consistent.
This sentence is likely missing a 'she' near the end.
Other than that, I didn't find anything.
Good job.
2004500
Oops.. I missed those.. I just don't know what went wrong!
2004313
Split personality? Nah. Think she's still Twilight and cares for people, but those who wrong her don't get that. If you are an innocent she will help, but if you cross her or attack her she will at best regard you with disdain, and if you come at her with an intent to harm you will be put down.
From what i recall she has never been the first to attack, it has always occurred after she was threatened or attacked first.
2005124 I suppose that is true. In that case she may be danger of putting herself in a bad possition if Rainbow does decide to attack her.
2004012
I understand. I'm glad you liked it thus far, and thank you for your patience and compliments
2004254
The purpose of the town is to show that Twilight is not just a murderer. In the first chapter you saw her walk into a bar, and massacre a bunch of colts, but here you see her give money to poor, and fix their homes. Two sides of the same coin
2004313
If you liked this chapter you will love a future one.
2005124
That is a brilliant way to look at it, and very true. I love character speculation. The hardest part s having chapters written in advance, and not being able to talk about it.
2005204
Yea, it's fun. Also, I commend you for writing a nice, gripping story. Looking forward to more. I will say that when you use the word speculation I immediately think back to Mass Effect 3. Just don't cause THAT kind of "speculation" please.
desmond.imageshack.us/Himg215/scaled.php?server=215&filename=e0js6.jpg&res=landing
2005186 after reading this I have no doubt.
2005273
Nice pic
2005169 Thank you. I wish you luck with the rest of the story.
Okay... this has me curious.
Also, I can't tell if Twilight is hallucinating or not. Seriously... its weird. I feel like I am watching Inception again. The line between real and fake is very blurred...
GREAT STORY. You got me hooked!
2005582 I think she has perfect clarity however her moral lines are extremely greyed to the point where she is willing to kill bullies and slay violent and provoking offenders, the Timberwolves and the bandits felt her cold lifeless slaughter with the wolves coming out unscathed, and the town felt her charity and kindness as she loves ponies and will love and help take care of them, pulling miracles where she goes. let us see how this all goes especially since twilight seems to have full control of her magical abilities.
2004725
No worries, happens to everyone
2004254
There was no NMM - at least, not the way I envision this story, as by reading the description (and chapter 3), we see that TS left before she was even admitted to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.
That probably also leads to no Discord and no Changeling attack.
Which leads to a massive canon universe overthrow. Ahhh!
I'm starting to take a liking to these kinds of stories, however - it just shows how the characters would be in a completely different scenario.
2005180
so, Robin Hood to the extreme? Murder the hell out of criminal scum, help poor and innocent? I can bear with that
2005582
Everything happening is real, and nothing is exaggerated. Sorry for the confusion
2007059
She hasn't done anything to Render yet. Besides...they struck first
2007525
dude, i'm totally cool with that.
2007495
Ah, okay. That clarifies things. The misunderstanding was on my part. Because after the first village she went to... the way she acted in the second just felt surreal. Like it was her mind imagining things the way she wanted it to be.
But if this is really happening, I wonder what RD will think when he runs into her...
Good story, I am really liking it!
i feel sorry for vinyl; she has competition.
im a little worried that this might spiral out of control (teen-shounen style out of control), but so far it's looking so damn good, so im desperately hoping it keeps me this intrigued!
2010292
Ohhhhh yeah...
Good, despite her tragic origins, Twilight still retains her noble heart.
I'm delighted to see that. 
Oh? And a possible Twilight/Octavia pairing?
A rarity indeed 
(no pun intended. 
), and a very welcome one at that. I'm quite fond of said rare pairing. 
This is indeed intriguing. 
2011435
Like I said in previous comments. I wanted to try something different.
Glad you like the stroy
2015933
I can understand your concern, but don't worry. The characters will be much more fleshed out in the future. The first chapters are just introductory to establish that this is this character.In the future the chapters will include the story lines and thoughts of the others into the story. Such as Luna, Shining armor, Octavia, and maybe a few others, but the story won't focus purely on them. It will mostly focus on Rainbow Dash and Twilight's story, (Not a TwiDash story just so you know) but will include others opinions and thoughts to what is going on, as well as delving into the past. Plus my editor helps me from adding irrelevant or useless information.
I hope this helps
Things are staring pretty darn good. I cant wait to see how things develop.
Will RD catch up to Twilight in the distant town? or will she have to catch up to her in Canterlot?
Whatever happens its gonna be good.
oh ... Render is soooooo boned right now ...
A wild Octavia has appeared in the fic! Can't wait ti'l next chapter
Octavia and Twilight's 'Reunion' should be quite interesting.
Oh, and btw...
"As she worked, the people of the town gathered in the street to watch as helped them."
I think its missing a "she".......but idk.....
anyway...
Good luck in highschool!
2017719>>2017289
Thanks a lot you guys
Damn I was wrong.
Oh well at least I cant wait to see the future chapters.
2019763
Wrong about what?
2017719 This is what I get for proofreading at 1 am, huh?
2020107
The shipping pair.
2025173
Let me guess. You thought it was Twidash didn't you
2027369
I think most people were under the impression it was to be a TwiDash fic..
2028065
believe me I know
I will set it straight in my notes with the next chapter