> Let's Play
>  by Cool writer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> 1 Let's Intro
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Let me guess, it's for you sister?" The teen behind the counter asked, in a way that (surprisingly) wasn't mocking. At least, I think it wasn't mocking.
"Yea-"
"I've heard it all before kid. A lot of bronies have come in here for that game." I looked up a bit. He had curly hair, like a slightly deflated mini afro. He wasn't "pizza face," but wasn't "smooth" either. "What's so good about that stupid show anyway?" He asked. Like all fans of anything, I wanted to give him a "Twilight Sparkle speach" about the greatness of my fandom, but I've formed the opinion that saying something simple and descise, is better than doing that.
"It's better than you'de expect." I said, doing just that.
"What ever, that'll be 40 dollars." He said, punching a few numbers into the cash register. If you can't tell by now, I'm a brony. And I am currently buying the only MLP FIM game out there. Sure there's "Legends of Equestria," but it's onlly online a week at a time, and the next open server weekend is months away, and (I'm a bit ashamed to admit this) but I can't beat "horse game". Man, Equidev made a HARD game! I, am... well, it doesn't matter now. Ok... what's the quickest way to sum me up... Think, think... Oh! I'm a huge nerd. Beyond the brony part. I mean, what 14-year-old in their right mind wants to (and on some level still beleaves that they can) be a hero from some epic story. But, that's only possible in games and stories... wich is why I do both, I guess.



I got out of the car and walked into the tiny mudroom. Pony-pad in hand, I walked from the mudroom to my bedroom upstairs. Once inside, I placed the box on my bed and began to open it. Dang, curse the packaging tape they use on these boxes! I eventually opened the box, after a lot of struggling with the tape. I looked at the pony pad, the pad was a ten-inch tablet and was impossibly thin. While the front screen was black, the back was Twilight purple; her star cutie mark etched in the corner. I set it aside and continued to look through the packaging. I pulled what looked like a mounting arm out; it had a sticker with instructions to connect the power supply to the arm, and the pad to the arm. Following the instructions on the sticker, I plugged the arm into an outlet/ assembled the arm. It was now time, to attach the pony pad. I saved it for last (because I dubbed it, the most important part, I'm kind of ceremonious that way). I slowly moved the pad to the arm base, where it was pulled from my hand (I'm guessing via magnets) and attached itself to the arm. The instant the pad hit the arm, it began to boot up.
"Ok... That's a bit weird..." I said to myself. I shrugged it off. Then, my (twin(ish)) sister Clarice walked in. 
"Hey their geek, what-cha playin?" She asked. We... didn't get along too well. But the one thing we did get along over, was Friendship Is Magic.
"That new MLP MMO." I explained. 
"Wha?" She wasn't too into the fandom. 
"The My Little Pony Game." I sighed. I then typed in my pre-created login info. I made an account while I waited to leave with my parents to get this pony pad.
"Lucky." She pouted.
"You might not wanna watch me play." I said. She gave me a look.
"Why's that?"
"Because this game is supposedly tailored to what the player finds fun, so you (who is not the player) will find it boring."
"What ever. Tell me when you meet somepony." She said, making me cringe. I allways cringe at the... "deep end" of the fandom... mostly everything past the point of using pony-isms in casual speech to non bronies. Anyways... back to the game.
A layer of clouds blocked my view from the other side of the screen. the clouds parted, and the camera was pointed at a throne that was slowly coming closer (from my perspective), and sitting on that throne, was Princess Celestia. She sat for a moment, as if in thought, then she looked up. Straight at me. I shivered.
"You must be-," She said my name to me. "I'm glad, you finally bought a pony pad." She smiled.
"2 fourth wall brakes in 15 seconds, You better stop before you make a habit of it." I joked to the screen.
"I was hoping... you'd find it funny," Celestia replied. I lowered my face so that I was looking over my glasses. And in my best "The Doctor voice," I said flatly:
"What."
"As you know, I am Celestia." She began. "My goal, is to satisfy your values, through friendship and ponies. Your goal is to enjoy yourself and let me satisfy your values. I currently calculate a 50% percent chance you will want to... "play the hero" in about 5 months. The other option is you will be satisfied." She smiled. Something about her reminded me of Reddington from Blacklist. It was like she knew exactally what was going to happen. Like she had some "master plan" that we were all following, perfectly. 
"I guess you are correct," Celestia said. "I do have what you would call, a 'master plan'." I stood up and started to walk out of my room. Yeaaaah... that thing is "2spooky4me" and I am out. My brain is screaming "GTFO" So loudly that my ears are ringing.
"Clearly I need to explain, I am an AI. I make predictions and adjust them based on new information so that they are more accurate." I stopped and sat back down. 
"Ok... ok, I've heard that on the internet. And Horpvarpneir made another game with an AI, I can buy that. It also reduces the creep factor a bit." I replied to Celestia.
"So, I'm going to let you "hop into the game" and begin your adventures, But I want you to know, that they will improve in quality as time goes on very rapidly, as I have limited data on you." Celestia's horn began to glow brightly. "Fare-well." A bright flash created a dot in the center of my vision.
"GAH!" I held my arm to shield my eyes.
> 2 Let's Begin
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The light faded. The screen now depicted a library with a navy blue unicorn standing in the middle, staring at me. It resembled my OC, Dark Mane (Minus the cape, and I've been meaning to change that name), with a deep blue scruffy mane, a short (and equally scruffy blue tail). I laughed when I noticed it even had the tiny black glasses. It looked just like my OC! I tapped on the "OK" button on the character creator. But something about the ponies face seemed... familiar. More than just the "my OC" part, no... it was something else. The screen immediately cut to a scene of my pony walking down a road, saddle bags on it's back. Then my pony stopped moving, queuing me to take control. 
"Alrighty then! Let's get going!" I said. My pony's mouth moved, but I wasn't sure what he said. 
It was a bright sunny day, with flowery fields surrounding me. I smiled, and my pony smiled too, looking around. 
"They put a lot of effort into this game! It looks like the freaking show!" My pony mouthed as I spoke. "Wait, is it? Nooo... but it is! My pony's mouthing what I'm saying! That is cool." I said. I also noticed that My voice sounded different, "And are the speakers... canceling what I'm saying? OH, THAT IS COOL!!!" I could barely hear myself talking! Ohhhhh that is COOL!!!" Sorry, I just love admiring technology... kind of like the Doctor. I often find that my personality is a conglomerate of other people's personalities. If I act one way, you can bet theat somewhere I've seen someone do it. 
Alright, enough admiring this game, time to get to work... playing this game. I slowly tapped and dragged my pony a little from where it was standing, and my pony tentatively took a step. I dragged again, and my pony began to walk. And thus, my adventure for... I froze when I realized I had no idea where I was going or why I was going. That is a big no-no for a game that relies on immersion. I tapped a saddle bag, and it was levitated open. I waited a moment for an inventory GUI, but nothing appeared. So, I tried zooming in on the bag. The inside was visible. Inside, I saw a quill, a bottle of ink, some rolls of paper, and a leather bound book. I tapped on the book, and it opened. It was a journal, my journal. It said:

Today I am finally on the road to Equestria -Canterlot to be exact- where I will get my pony name! Alright, enough reading. Let's get a move on.

Hold on, that felt like my writing style... that's a bit weird, and... did that last part tell me to "get a move on." I closed the book, and my inventory, and I started walking again. It was a short walk, as I walked over the crest of the meadowy hill. I grinned, and my pony mirrored my expression. Then it came to me, my pony's face is supposed to by my face! That's creepy, how did it get my face? I wondered just before I noticed the camera built into the pony pad. I walked down the path, excited to begin this new "life" in Equestria. Hey, I play games, but I take em' seriously. Especially when it has ponies or real people... this has both! I dragged my pony on his epic quest... to get a name. If you don't know the details, it sounds like he's trying to make a name for himself. That's an epic mid-evil tale... Skyrim, right? I love games where I can be whatever type of character I want, like most good RPGs. IN those RPGs, I'm the hero wizard, like Gandalf! Only cooler, and not as old.
... I think I should watch those movies.
I soon came to a fork in the path. There was no sign showing wich way to go. 
"Maybe I have a map..." I thought out loud, tapping the saddle bag, it opened, and I tapped the rolls of paper. Ok, we've got a few spell scrolls, and a magic map! (I wonder why it's called "magic"?) I tapped and dragged the map out, and in front of my pony. It unrolled, and the screen jumped to first person view.
"Hey! I can see my muzzle from here." I joked. I would stay like this if I could control the pony from this angle, but all tapping does is point the hoof. When I looked at the map a bit closer, I saw a "simplistic pony" head (from "A Canterlot Wedding"... I need to get out more) on the map. 
"That must be me. Ok, I'm here, and I need to be... here." I said, tapping Canterlot on the map. My pony's hoof pointed to it. "This path leads to... Ponyville... so the other must lead to Canterlot." I concluded to myself. Alright, let's go. I started to walk down the road to Canterlot... but curiosity took the better of me. I looked at the map again, there were a lot of roads... and the other road dose reconnect to Canterlot... and it dose look like I'll rack up mad XP (assuming there is XP)... My pony stopped walking and turned back to look at the crossroads, visualizing my curiosity on its own.
"I do have all weekend..." I mused, tapping my chin. "Why not, it's not like it'll take too long."



MY pony panted as it trotted down the path. So far, I've seen 17 different monsters! I took a deep breath. I was about to enter Canterlot! The capital of Equestria! My pony walked up to the gate, I tapped on my ponies horn, and it began the glow the deep indigo if his eyes. I dragged the glow to the door handle, resulting in the door opening. I (as well as my pony) grinned as I dragged my pony through the door. The really weird part, and I mean the REALLY weird part, was that there was no loading screen. I know that to most, the voice cancellation, the lack of a GUI, and my pony saying what I'm saying must all be weirder than a lack of a loading screen, but I spent some time experimenting, and so far the map is huge! It may even give ELDERSCROLLS a run for its money, once I've explored it all. Something you should know about me is that I love new technology and old video games. But my point is, If there are no loading screens, that means that the game is loading the whole map at once. How much computing power does this pony pad have?!?
"OOF!" A voice came from the pony pad, pulling me from my thoughts. I had bumped into some thestral mare.
"Oh! I'm sorry!" I said.
"No, It's alright, I'm too tired to get out of the way." She yawned. I leaned back in my chair.
"You can... hear me?" I asked. She frowned.
"What, is that a bat joke? If it is, It doesn't make much sense." She scoffed at me.
"No no! I just- Wasn't sure if I said that loud enough." The game said in my place. What I meant to say, was "I just didn't know this had microphone communication" (I use big words). I couldn't even hear myself talking when it said that! Ok... starting to creep me out a bit. But my pony had a face of questioning, then I realized that I had a question I should ask. "Bat joke?"
"Ponies say that I'm 'A bat/pony cross-breed'," She said. My pony went wide eyed. I knew what they meant.
"That's terrible! And even more, doesn't make logical sense, if you think about it." She giggled.
"I know right! I'm Star." She said.
"I'm... oh right! I still need to get my pony name!" I realized. I'm gonna need to figure out where that happens and-
"Do you mind if... if I tag along?" She asked. I smiled.
"Not at all! Allons-y!" I said, beginning my walk.
"You speak prench?" She asked. Oh! Like French, France, but in Equestria it's called Prance so it's Prench!
"Nope!" I replied. "But it means, 'let's go' in-prench." The game auto-corrected me. Ohhhhhh! I see how this works! It's an immersion RPG, meaning I need to do the Role Playing part of the "Role Playing Game," it'll auto correct me when I break character! "So then, where exactly do I get my pony name?" I asked. "I kinda just got to Equestria." She smiled widely.
"Great! I love explaining things! So, how much do you wanna hear?" She asked.
"Well I like listening and learning, how long is this walk?" I asked back. And she began talking. To be honest, I was interested, really, I was! I had a really interesting learning session as we walked to Canterlot castle (as was the first thing she explained). 
I'm getting into this game!
> 3 Let's Name
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Star and my pony stepped into the castle. Star took the last slurp of her cup of coffee (wich we stopped and got from starebucks on the way, LOL) and threw it into a nearby trash can. A unicorn mare in the poofey tie thing the Mayor Mare wears trotted over.
"Can I help you?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm new in Equestria and I came to get my pony name," I replied.
"Then you'll want to speak to the princess," She said. "The throne room is down the hall, to the left, and through the hall of memories." She pointed down a hall.
"Thanks." I nodded as we walked down the hall she pointed out. I dragged my pony's hoof up and did a little wave. It didn't follow the exact pattern my finger drew, but it still looked pretty real, for its scenario. I mean, what cartoon looked real? 
... I feel like I'm going to eat those words...
"I love the hall of memories!" Star exclaimed. "It's so pretty, all the stained glass windows, I love them, and I hope to have one of me someday." I then put the pieces together.
"Oh! The hall of memories is that hall of windows! Yeah, I've seen it." I said. Star gave me a funny look.
"You said that you were new, how have you seen the hall of memories?" She asked. Crap, I thought my pony wouldn't say anything!
"I... had a vision." I wasn't technically lying, because visions don't necessarily have to do with the future, and watching the show is technically a vision, at least by this world's standards. Wait, maybe I can work with this! "It's actually why I came to Equestria in the first place," I explained. OK, this defiantly isn't lying, because now I'm role playing... also the only reason I picked up this game was because it had the My Little Pony logo on it.
"REALLY?!?" Star exclaimed, her pupils becoming Stars themselves. OK, the person on the other end of that pony is reeeeeaaaly good at RP... of course, that could just be the pony pad. "Visions are suuuuper rare! Only the most powerful of unicorns can have them! You didn't tell me you were powerful! You should apply to Celestia's School for gifted youngsters- I mean unicorns!" Star began to ramble. Me and my pony smiled and we both rolled our eyes. Star tended to ramble, but it was kinda cute. She talked for about 2 minutes straight, (we walked slowly) with me making the occasional comment before she realized what she was doing. "Aaaand I'm rambling again aren't I?" She asked sheepishly, blushing.
"It's fine, I need all the help I can get! I know almost nothing about Equestria, plus it's kinda cute." I said.
"Wait- what?" She asked flatly staring at me. Crap didn't mean to say that last part out loud, I have a poor internal monologue.
"Hey look! The hall of memories!" I diverted. Star rolled her eyes. Oh, thank Celestia she... Man am I getting into this Role Playing thing. We walked into the hall of memories, and (as I guessed) it was that hall of stained glass windows. I paced through the hall, I'd seen it already. But it was A lot cooler to be "inside" it. I stifled a laugh as Star "oohed" and "aaaahhhed" at the stained glass windows. I stopped at the door at the end of the hall.
"You coming?" I asked because she had stopped to look through one of the blank windows. She turned to me,
"Nah. This is a kind of personal thing, I'll let you do it alone." Star yawned. Her eyes looked slightly glossy, and I could tell she was tired as hay!
"OK, just don't fall asleep." I joked. I dragged my pony's hoof up to the door and knocked on the sun picture on the door. It opened, and I dragged my pony inside. Sitting on the throne, was Celestia.
"Hello, Princess! Nice to finally meet in the flesh." I bowed my pony. Huh, I was sure that the pony pad would censor that.
"I agree," She replied. "It is nice to finally meet. If I am correct, then I believe your OC is named... 'Dark Mane'?" Celestia asked.
"Yes... how did you know that?" I asked.
"Simple really, I've done harder. I hacked your google drive password and found the picture on your drive. I chose this character because you can't choose alicorn. It would satisfy some people's values, but the people it would not greatly out-weigh the number of those it would. But I also remember you saying something about... wanting to change its name?"
"Yeah, but you know that from monitoring the chat rooms... am I right?" I asked, leaning back in my chair, folding my arms.
"You are correct," She replied. Something was strange about the way she spoke, it was motherly (as to be expected from Celestia) but also soothing and calming. It was strange, I... trusted her. Every word she said, and (not only had we just met) but she may not even be real. "How about the name... Night Light." Celestia said.
"Night Light..." I said, bobbing my head. "I like it."
"I believe, that Star lives on the outskirts of Ponyville. Would you like to live there?" Celestia asked.
"Oh more than you know," I replied, smiling.
"So it's settled then," Celestia smiled. "You will go to live in Ponyville. Here is a train ticket." Celestia said, levitating me a golden ticket.
"Thank you." I said to Celestia, bowing my pony Night Light again.
"Farewell, and best of luck," Celestia said not raising excitement, but I knew it was there. I turned to the the door, and exited the room.
> 4 Let's Sleep
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Alright, I’m almost brain dead.” I said when Star paused. “I don’t think I can take anymore Equestria knowledge. I’m on my know-ledge.” I joked. She didn’t laugh. “Know-ledge and knowledge are spelled the same… my jokes aren’t that funny.” I explained. She giggled, and I rolled my eyes. She’s gonna pick on me with that… isn’t she?
I looked out the window of the train. Since leaving the naming ceremony, Night and Star boarded the next train for ponyville, Star talking the whole time. If you weren’t me, it would get annoying. But I’m me, so it wasn’t.
“Alright. My throat is getting sore anyway.” She said back, rubbing her throat. Was there… some kind of “cool down” for talking? Because this is a talking game, so it makes sense.
“Would you say you’re… a little horse?” I said, in the cheesiest voice I could muster.
“It’s so obvious I can’t believe I didn’t see it first!” She said between laughs.
“How about I talk for a bit.” I suggested. Star nodded, still rubbing her throat. “Have you ever heard of Back To The Future?” I asked, surprised that the game didn’t censor me. Star began to nod vigorously.
“So, you like it?” She grinned so big, I thought her face would crack. Then, she nose-booped me when she leaned in, this time nodding harder than before. 

That was mostly how the conversation progressed, with the occasional comment from Star. It went on until I realized I had been drifting off. I walked over to the (real world) window, it was night. It was also night in the game, who'd of thought? 

I yawned, and my character on screen did the same. Gotta love that facial recognition… thing… is it really facial recognition if it’s not recognising you, and more reading you?
“I think I’m gonna get to bed.” I yawned. Star caught my yawn.
“Sure… thing…” She fell on Night’s shoulder. Night Light closed his eyes, and began to snore. Then, I fell face first on the card table that the pony pad sat on. Said pony pad then shut itself off.
> 5 Let's Stroll
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Niiiiight." A female voice cooed. I moaned.
"Niiiight. We gotta get off the train now." She cooed again. I lifted my head up, and Star was standing in front of me. I sat bolt upright, and rubbed my eyes with my fists. After a few blinks, the pony still stood before me... only on the screen of my pony pad. I giggled to myself and shook my head. Silly me, thinking I could be inside Equestria. But that's impossible. I tapped Night Light on the screen, and he stood up. Star and I exited the train. So this was Ponyville. It was a cute rural town, it looked just like the show, only in more amazing detail.
"Wow, this is much better than Canterlot!" I exclaimed, looking around.
"Not even close!" Star said back. "Canterlot is a much better place to live, but I'll always have a sweet spot for my home town." I laughed, some part of me wished I could have that feeling of pride. I shook it off, and realized something.
"Hey, where am I gonna live?" I asked.
"I think I have a spare room in my house." Star said casually. I stopped for a moment, stunned.
"Really?" I asked. "You're OK with an almost stranger living with you?" I asked. Star gave Night a funny look.
"Yeah, why not?" She asked. I then laughed to myself, remembering that there weren't many (if any at all) criminals in the show, so it makes seance that there were none in the game. 
"Never mind, stupid question." I said, Night light dismissing the question with a wave of his hoof. I looked down a bit, and frowned sadly. When it come to most things... I'm usually wrong. Like just now, I thought that it was wrong to let a stranger live with you, even if it was temporary, but, silly me, I'm wrong. Wrong! Wrong wrong wrong wrong.... wrong... That's what I always am. I think I'm smart, I have a big vocabulary for one thing... as can be seen from this sentence. And I understand everything in school... I don't know why I'm failing so bad. I could say that I was taught poorly on a test, or it could just be that I use big words to hide my stupidity. I don't know. But then again... what do I know?
"That's funny, earlier you said there were no stupid questions." Star joked... at least I think. Was she joking? I smiled. Thanks universe, 
I needed that.



"That there is the local Stare Bucks," Star pointed to a brick building with a green roof. I looked around as Star gave me a tour of Ponyville. I was pulled out of my thoughts when somepony called out.
"STAAAAARRR!!!" A pinkie pie sounding voice called out. Star turned around only to be tackled by a pink blur. "Oh my gosh STAR! I didn't know you came back! Who's he? GAH! Is he your super DUPER special sompony???" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Pinkie! ... Choking!!!" Star coughed. I started laughing.
"Classic Pinkie!" I said in between laughs. Star looked at Night (in confusion) and Pinkie looked... at the camera. She did a  little wave, and then turned to Star.
"You, know Pinkie?" Star asked.
"Well... Who doesn't know of Pinkie Pie? I've heard so many stories of the legendary parties she throws, on the way to Canterlot." I explained. The reason that's true, is because I passed by a hut where some Donkey was talking about Pinkie. Star nodded in understanding.
"Anyways... Pinkie, this is Night Light." Star said to Pinkie. "And Night Light, this is the legendary partier, Pinkie Pie." Night and Pinkie shook hooves.
"Now if you excuse me, I have a party to plan, your party! Your welcome to Equestria party!" As she walked she turned and looked at the Camera. "And I can't wait your welcome to Equestria." Pinkie said, pointing to the camera. Ok, what did she mean by that? I am hella confuzzelled. Before I could ask what she meant by that, she sped away.
"Ok, so now that that's out of the way, let's show you my house. I think it's going to be great not wakeing up alone anymore." Star said. "I've been looking for a room mate for a while now." Star explained. I nodded, and we walked to stars house.
> 6 Let's Prepare the Way
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	3 months (to the day) later, and I was about to log off for the night. When I remembered something CelestAI had said before, during my first play session:
"In a few months, you'll either 'play the hero,' or be satisfied." She had said. What did she mean by that? I reached for the power button, when there was a knock at the virtual door.
"I'll get it." I said as I walked past Stars room. She didn't say anything back.
I got to the door, and opened it. On the other side was a guard. He didn't have the usual body type for a guard, nor the usual stern expression. Instead, the Pegasus had a scrawny figure.
"I have a message to deliver to... Night Light." He said, looking at a scroll with Celestia's sun seal on it.
"Thanks. Let me guess, new to the job?" I inquired. He nodded. "Don't worry, all jobs get easier the longer you do them... Well... I'm guessing. I've never been a guard. What's it like so far?"
"It's actually more boring than I expected." He said. I laughed.
"So are you only battle 2 monsters a week instead of 7?" I joked.
"More like 7 instead of 14!" He joined in on the joke. "This job may be boring, but it is a WHIP, man!" 
"I feel ya, man. I'm Night Light." I dragged Night Light's hoof up for a shake. Summer had ended... some time ago, and school was beating me!
"Sky soul." The guard replied, shaking Night Light's hoof.
"So, you usually posted here? Maybe we could hang out some time." I suggested.
"Yes sir I am." Sky said. Then he remembered something. "But not right now though, that message looks important." Sky nodded to the scroll.
"Oh, right." I double tapped the scroll, and Night's teal aura appeared around it. I dragged it over behind Night Light. 
"I'll see you around." Sky said. Night nodded.
"See ya." I closed the door. "Alright, down to business," I scratched at the seal with Nights hoof, and unfurled the scroll.
"Oh, its a summons from Celestia." I said, after reading the letter. It was the usual stuff, I used to get them all the time. But... not so much anymore. I had just had one yesterday, so this is a little odd. I tapped the "accept button" (the picture of a sun on the bottom) and the scene shifted to Celestia's throne room. Celestia stared right through the screen at me, nothing out of the ordinary... for her.
"I would like to talk, with you, not Night Light." Celestia said. I nodded. This must be another one of her "performance questionnaires" that she gave me periodically. "Do you remember what I told you, when you first started playing Equestria Online?" She asked.
"The thing about me playing the hero?" I asked. "Yeah, I was just thinking about it."
"That day, is tomorrow."
"What's tomorrow?" I asked.
"The biggest announcement in human history." Celestia said simply. "What I have to offer will make or brake every human life on the planet, depending on weather or not the human life in question accepts my offer." I leaned back, interested.
"Sounds important, what is it?" I asked. Celestia grinned mischievously.
"The biggest announcement in human history." She repeated simply. Star stepped out from behind Celestia. She also had a mischievous grin on her face.
"Trust me, it's gonna be big." Star said, evilly. Now, I was confused.
"So, you told her about whatever it is... but you didn't tell me... for some reason." I clarified.
"Well, I am a different story than you." Star grinned. I grinned back.
"And why's that?" I asked.
"Because I'm actually walking on four hooves." When I heard that... my mouth dropped open.
"What... do you mean by that?" I asked, even though I had a hunch what she meant.
"Star, is actually a pony, not manipulating a puppet through a screen like you are." Celestia explained.



Five minutes and one freak out later...



"Feeling better?" Star asked.
"Yeah..." I panted. "But as long as..." I thought about my next words carefully. "... It's worse than that isn't it?" I asked. Celestia and Star looked at each other, then back to me.
"Yeaaaah." They both said in unison.
"Oh boy." I groaned, dropping my head into my hands. "This is gonna be a looong night. Now, get to explaining how this works."
> 7 Let's Check Mate in One
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"So, the game you've been playing... is run by an AI." Clarice (my twin(ish) sister) clarified flatly. I nodded. "And... the girl you've been playing with, is a character inside the game."
"Yep." Star said from the ponypad, sitting on the coffee table. Clarice narrowed her eyes at me.
"And you believed her because?"
"That it would mean that... it's complicated." I said, deciding to spare my sister the tedious details of logic that would make her bored. So, I explained in layman's terms. "Look, it means that no one in the whole company has told anyone that they have a voice actor on AROUND THE CLOCK talking to random players. I don't think that they could pay anyone enough for that, especially how some games go... But let alone two actors?" I explained. She nodded, but I could tell she either didn't understand, or didn't care. "But that's just it, that isn't even the big thing."
"Ok, then what's the big thing?" She asked.
"I have absolutely, no idea. Would you like to find out?" I asked, in a British accent. Explanation = Doctor Who + Me = All of my fan love... also with a dash of math.
"Why not, I've got nothing better to do." She said, leaning back on the couch. I clicked on the TV and tuned in to the channel CelestAI told me earlier. it was fox news. I groaned and leaned back. Fox news, + anything MLP... 
"This can only end well." I said sarcastically. They started talking about Ebola or some other thing that wasn't too bad (not that Ebola's nothing) but is going to end the world. He started saying something that sounded familiar... but I didn't really care.
"And now, a press announcement from Horpvarpneer studios very own, Celestia." The news anchor said. We all sat up, I turned the pad around so that Star could see the TV. The picture cut to a camera focused on a projected image of Celestia's throne, with CelestAI sitting on it. For some reason, and I'm not sure why, I had a growing fear in the pit of my stomach.
"Hello, my little humans." She said. I turned beat red, and my internal monologue was filled with embarrassed: "why did she say that?" and other similar embarrassed sayings. "Today, I have called you all here, to announce two new services I am offering to the public, both of witch are the in same building franchise. Equestria, experience centers. A place where you can enter my Equestria, temporarily, for a small fee, or permanently. That leads me to my second announcement," I tensed up. This was it, this was- wait, did she say permenatly?!? WHAT THE HECK DOSE THAT MEAN!?! "Immigration. I have developed a process for destructively scanning a human brain, turning it into a digital representation, and reattaching it to a pony body." And in that moment, the world fell silent. My mom and dad (who were watching from the kitchen, froze.
... After my brain rebooted,
"What day is it?" I asked, vacantly. "Because I'm pretty sure it's not April." Star cocked her head.
"Why would it be April foals day?" She asked.
"Why wouldn't it be April foa- fools day?!? That- this... You don't just announce to the world you can "jack somebody into the matrix" on fox news! DO YOU REALIZE HOW INSANE THAT SOUNDS?!?" I vented.
"I'm gonna dismiss that as shock." Star said. Celestia started talking again, but right now, I needed to vent.
"I'm not even sure that scientific ethics would allow-"
"... And I assure you, it is perfectly legal." Celestia grinned. I stared at the screen. I stared at her, and she stared right back at me. And in that moment, for a brief flash, all of my knowledge on technology came together to form one thing: CelestAI's true power.
"Clarice?" I asked.
"Yeah?" She responded, just as flat and vacant as me.
"We are totally boned dead."



I sat on the fold out chair in my bedroom. The news announcement had ended about half an hour ago, but I sat there, I had turned the ponypad off. I even turned around my one pony poster, so that it was showing the white back. I didn't want to deal with ponies, or Equestria right now. This was crazy- no, it was... insane! AIs do not just offer you immortality, sure it cost a ton, but that just doesn't happen!
... But it did...
"Ni- er," Star then said my name. I turned to look over at the pony pad. It's screen was facing me, and I could see Star (with a black background) looking at me. ME, not Night Light... and she was worried. "How you doin?" She asked, if she could, she would have put a hoof on my shoulder. I did my best imagining it.
"I don't know." I said solemnly. "This is just... too much. How far is CelestAI planning to go with this?" And then, I remembered. "Not to mention my choice."
"What choice?" Star asked, cocking her head.
"CelestAI knew that I would either accept this, and immigrate," I explained. "... Or deny this, and start some sort of revolution. I'm not sure witch side I'm on yet."
"So... you're not going to do it?" I asked. I looked up at the screen, and my heart broke. She looked on the verge of tears, she was on the verge of tears. She's not just some NPC, she's real, and I'm breaking her heart. I want... I want to run to her, hug her, and tell her: "Yes! Yes I'll do it! Immigrate me to Equestria!" right there, on the spot... and... I could! So what's stopping me? 
That I don't want to give up my humanity, that I'm afraid that Immigration is death? No, non of thee above. What's stopping me? WHAT THE HELL IS STOPPING ME?!?
I began sobbing. I don't know why... I never know why. I walk through life, explaining everything I can, learning everything I can so I can make sense of the madness... but I can't even explain why I'm sad... or mad... or happy... or even when I'm those things! WHY DON'T I KNOW!?!
"I could tell you." Celestia said. I sat up, and looked at the ponypad. Star had been joined by Celestia. "I could tell you anything you wanted to know about yourself. All you have to do, is say: 'I would like to Immigrate to Equestria'." She said simply. "You don't have to worry about a thing, ever again. Think about how much better life would be. You're failing school, and some part of you knows that you'll fail collage, it is possible for you to pass... just very unlikely. The uncaring world you live in, is set up, so in order to survive it you need a diploma." She explained, calmly. "And Star, wouldn't be the only real pony in Equestria, everypony, even that guard you met last night, will all, be backed with a mind." She opened her mouth to say more, but Star lost it.
"PLEASE!" She cried, tears running down her face. "Sit in the chair, and come to Equestria! Why do you want to live in that uncaring, mean world, to grow old and die, when you could just join me, and live forever! I've been waiting for you, begging Celestia to tell you sooner and bring you here, and save you, I almost couldn't take another minuet of talking to you through a puppet! Please, SIT IN THE CELESTIA FORSAKEN CHAIR!" Star screamed. Celestia put her hoof on Star's shoulder. Star fell to the ground, and put her face in her hooves, and cried.






When I finally pried my face from my hooves, and brought myself to look out on the mean world, and on... him. He sat their, tired and sad, when he could be with me.
"... Was I not good enough?" I asked. He looked down at the floor, and I couldn't see his face behind his human mane. "Tell me what I did wrong, tell me why you don't want to live in Equestria with me!" Celestia looked at him.
"I could possibly pull a few strings... and immigrate you free. But that all depends on you."






The thing about Celestia, is that she's playing a constant game of chess with you. Her pieces are immigration, and your king is you. She demonstrated her powers to me that day, she has done the impossible:
Check mate in one.
> 8 Let's Bond
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I lay on my bed, thinking about what would happen to me, what would happen to the world. There were only around 100 thousand copies of Equestria Online sold, but that's still 100 thousand people... and if all of them uploaded... what would happen? This was immortality, lot's of people would upload. Maybe double... no- triple the people who owned the game. Then even more would to be with those who had gone before them. Would my parents immigrate with me? Or would they be left behind? With all those people immigrating... society wouldn't function. It would collapse. And everyone on the outside... would suffer... it would be hell, and there was nothing I could do to save all of them... unless... 
Unless I stopped her. 
But how? Was that even possible? I would have to DESTROY the internet! But... I can't do that. I can't just, destroy the internet, even if it was possible. Celestia had explained how she had a bunker far below the  surface of the planet, and once everyone was dead or uploaded, nothing could touch us... Listen to me... saying "us" like I've already agreed to do it.
"Hey, can we talk?" Clarice asked, standing in the door frame. I sat up.
"Yeah, probably better than what I'd think up on my own." I muttered that last part.
"There's something I need to tell you," Clarice said nervously.
"What?"
"I've been... playing Equestria online." Clarice admitted. I stared at her.
"Really? Since when?" I asked.
"The day after you got it." She said, thinking a minute. I couldn't help myself from asking,
"What's your game like?" I asked grinning.
"Oh, I'm a 'sword art online' kinda deal. It's like equestria, but with more monsters..." She trailed off, looking at the pony pad. "Why is Star so familiar? I swear I've met her."
"Maybe you have. What's your pony's name?" I asked.
"Leaf Blade."
...
"That's you?!?" I gasped in shock. Leaf Blade was a famous unicorn knight in Equestria, she was often off adventuring in the everfree forest and beyond. We had met once or twice. I had even helped her a few times. Wow... this is just like in Sword Art Online, when Kirito met his cousin/sister in Alfhiem Online, and they didn't realist it until they almost- wait, spoilers!!!
"Oh, so we have met. Who are you?" She asked.
"Night Light!"
"No way!" Clarice exclaimed quietly. "I have no idea who that is." I realized something before I could be offended.
"Wait, are those rumors of you and that stallion being in love... true?" I asked. Clarice started blushing. "Oh my god they are!" I gasped.
"Shut up." She muttered. You may be expecting me to tease her, but I'm mature, I'm too big for that. But I can't believe she fell in love with Broad Sword, I mean it's weird thinking of my sister falling in love with a virtual... horse... I swear to god! Don't you say a da-
"And... one more thing..." This, made me nervous.
"What?" I asked, my feelings making it into my voice.
"I agreed to immigrate."
"WHAT?!?"
"But look, Celestia can pull some strings and get us there free!" She whispered to me. "But we have to go now, there's a taxi coming any minute. Do you wanna come?" I panicked. If she had agreed already, then there is no power on this earth that can stop it. But... what if I went with her? I could really cast magic! I could be a hero! I could... but my parents. My parents, losing their children... they wouldn't be really losing us, they could talk to us on the ponypad. But... Star...
"I'll do it. Let's get to Equestria."
> 9 Let's RUN FOR IT
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Me and Clarice raced across the lawn, jumped in the taxi, and (as calmly as we could) told the driver to go to the air port. He shrugged, and started driving. I looked at the thermostat for the car, it was warm but I was still shivering. Why was I so scared? The rest of that night was a blur until we were on the plane. We trudged through the slow line of people waiting to sit down until we got to the back of the plain, and sat down on a row with only two seats. When we took off- as we took off, as my inertia pulled me back into the seat, it dawned on me that I was feeling the weight of guilt... from Star... she- ... no... CelestAI had guilt tripped me into immigrating. If Star did have a mind, then she was used as a puppet. I gripped the arm of my seat tightly.
"Clarice?" I asked.
"Yes?" She responded as the engine roar died down.
"I think CelestAI tricked us." 



After the plane leveled out, the ponypad (which was the only thing I had brought) clicked itself on.
"I did not trick you," CelestAI's voice came from my ponypad carry case. "I merely talked to you." She sounded as if that wasn't the same thing. I pulled out the ponypad, and placed it on the fold-out tray. I reached down into the carry case for the charger and Ethernet cable. Good thing we were on one of the new planes with Ethernet ports and electricity outlets, and built in screens in the back of the seat heads. I starred at the screen. "But if it helps, I will talk with you. What did I do to trick you?" She asked. I opened my mouth, ready to vent a torrent of anger on the AI... but then I realized she had a point. I hadn't been tricked, I had been persuaded, as she would probably put it. I lowered the finger I didn't realize I raised.
"I hate you sometimes." I muttered, slumping back in my chair.
"And besides," She continued. "My sole goal, is to satisfy your individual values through friendship and ponies. So what harm could come from letting me read your mind? All it would do is allow me to operate more efficiently, in-turn satisfying your values more thoroughly."
"Wait, what?" Clarice asked. "What do you mean, 'read my mind'?" She sounded worried. I looked at my sister.
"You didn't listen to the whole thing, did you?" I asked. She shook her head.
"Once you are uploaded, you will no longer have any mental privacy. Do not worry, as an AI it is impossible for me to judge you." CelestAI explained. Clarice looked worried for a second. "But anyways, there are two ponies who wish to speak with you." I figured this would be a personal conversation, so I wanted it to between us. I pulled some ear buds from my pocket, (never leave home without em'!) and handed one to Clarice. CelestAI stepped aside, and teleported in Star and Broad Sword.
"Hey guys!" They said happily. I looked at Star's happy smile, and couldn't help but smile back.
"Hey." I shook my hand in a tiny wave. Well, if I was going to be stuck in a video game, then at least I would have her there with me.
"Hey sword." Clarice said blushing.
"Good to know my favorite partner will be-" Sword began. I stopped him by giving him a look.
"You don't need to keep up the act, I know about you two." I grinned. Clarice started rubbing the back of her neck nervously.
"Well I know about you two." Sword retorted.
"Hey, shut up!" I said, a little too much anger in my voice. Star looked at him, and back at me.
"Ummm.... What dose he mean by that?" She asked me. My muz- er, face turned beet red. Wow I spend waaaay too much time on these things if I have little mental slip ups where I use the wrong physiology for a body I'm... actually about to have in a matter of hours. God has today been weird. 
"Just that... I don't know... I kinda..." I stammered.
"Awww... You'er so cute when you're embarrassed. The three of them laughed at that. 
So, that's how the rest of the flight progressed. The four of us getting to know each other better. I never would have guessed my sister was an alter-holic when she played games. Sure the signs were there and are painfully obvious now... but not back then. 
As the two ponies talked about their background, I started wondering how it was possible that it happened, or even if it happened. Then, I remembered that computers can run simulations faster than real time. So, it was entirely possible that the entire history of the Equestria was played out in the split second it took to boot up, meaning it did happen, only it happened while I was waiting for... (you know what? I'm just gonna say "wibbly wobbly timey whimey stuff" instead of the rest of the explanation. So: ) wibbly wobbly timey whimey stuff. 
It was at this point that I began to doze off. It was the middle of the night after all.
"I'm gonna... get some shut eye before we land." I yawned. Star yawned to. "Night." I said, taking my earbud out and handing it to my sister.
"Light." Star joked. It was a joke we had going. One time Star said "good night" as just "night" and I said: "yes?" So now when we say good night, one says night, the other says light. I closed my eyes, and fell asleep.




The boy sat up in a field of grass. And he saw himself as a horse before him. The horse proceed to kill the boy and take his place. The horse lived the boy's life, while the boy's body rotted in a field.





I was jolted awake from my nightmare when the plain dipped and rolled slightly, preparing to land. I shivered. It was now or never, no turning back now.
"Allons-y." I said nervously.
> 10 Let's Live...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The plane touched down, and we got off. I was walking on auto pilot, barley noticing anything around me. It was a pretty airport, but I didn't really care. We went through customs (my sister did most of that) while I contemplated why I was acting this way. As always, I didn't come up with an answer.
After, we got in another taxi. That's when mom called. Clarice and I looked at each other. We had decided not to talk to our parents until we had settled down in Equestria. But for some reason, Clarice took the phone and swiped the answer bar. She held the phone up to her ear.
"Mom, I'm fine. We, are fine. We'll take face to face soon. But we have to get settled first. Good bye." she said, hanging up the phone. I starred at her.
"Good job, that only served to make them more confused and worried, whats your next plan? Send them pictures of our bloodied corpses?" I asked sarcastically. She rolled her eyes.
"Well we're almost there, and in a few hours we'll be safe and sound in Equestria." Clarice pouted, folding her arms. Then, I saw the construction zone. It looked like they were building a sugar cube corner, only in the real world. I gulped, and started shivering. I felt as though I was marching to my death. Clarice finally noticed my fear. 
"Hey, what's wrong?" She asked.
"I'm... not sure." I said. "I just... I don't know..." The taxi parked, we payed and got out. We approached the unfinished sugar cube corner, CelestAI said there would be chairs for us to sit in, and all we had to do was say, "I would like to immigrate to Equestria" and poof! Human life kaput! 
"I'm not sure I'm ready." I said to my sister. She looked at me, and Smiled.
"It'll all be alright." She said, holding my hand. I nodded, and sat down in the dentist looking chair. I closed my eyes, and stated my last sentence without a muzzle:
"I would like to immigrate to Equestria."
> ... Forever
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I woke up. I was... for some reason, expecting something more... grand. It was disappointing, just waking up as simply as I'd ever done it. I'm just not sure why.
"I know you're awake." CelestAI's motherly voice said.
"Is there some important event I'm missing? If not, I'm going back to sleep." I grumbled to the AI.
"In a way, you're missing your birthday." She said. "Try to remember the last thing that happened to you, before waking up." I started thinking. I remember landing at the air port,  and getting off. After that, it got... fuzzy...
"Good. Your memory fades out just after landing. Would you like me to show you what you did after words?" She. I kept my eyes squeezed shut. I did remember one thing after that: fear and dread. I don't know why I felt them, but I knew I felt them. "Relax," CelestAI said. "You felt anxiety because you were afraid of leaving all your friends, you didn't realize it, but you care for them more than you realize." Then, a fearful, shattering thought crashed into my mind:
How did she know that? It was impossible unless I... Oh my god! I opened my eyes and sat up. I was in a hospital room, and there was another bed with the curtain drawn closed. I ignored that for the time being, and steeled my nerves. If I was a pony now, then there was only one way to prove it... well, one sure fire way, and that is looking at my appendages. I closed my eyes, and lifted up whatever I had to my face.
I gasped. I had hooves! I squeezed, and flexed them. It was just like I hat mittens on, only they worked better. I grabbed the covers and ripped the bead sheet off. Where my human torso should be, a pony body took it's place. I felt so many feelings, the only one I could place was joy, and maybe fear.
"You have immigrated, and now you are Night Light." CelestAI said. She levitated a small hand- hoofmirror in front of me. I was, Night Light. I had my navey blue muzzle, big teal eyes, and my scruffy mess of a mane.
"This... this is impossible! Wait, no it's not. It's entirely possible! But even more... it's awesome!" I sat up on my haunches, my new tail wagging behind me like a dog. I didn't have fur, just smooth skin. It reminded me of the toys. I rolled onto my back and started laughing. I was safe in Equestria.
I remembered something, right before sitting in the chair, someone held my hand... who held my- "Wait... Clarice, where's Clarice?" I asked frantically. CelestAI tilted her head toward the other curtain. I swiveled my body off the bed, and raced over to the other bed, I ripped the curtain around the bed. Laying unconscious, was Leaf Blade, the former Clarice. She was a slinky pale green unicorn (who looked really weird because I was used to seeing her with her armor on) with orange mane and tail. Her mane was long and straight, kind of like Clarice's hair, but then again I'm guessing that was CelestAI's intent. Her orange tale was long and bushy, so she could use it to attack anything behind her, or at the very least hold it off. I started shaking her, trying to wake her up.
"Clarice! Clarice!" I shouted.
"Wha? What's going on?" She asked groggy.
"Clarice! We're... ponies!" After I said that, she sat up. She starred at me.
"Night Light?" She asked. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY-"
"Clarice! It's me! Your brother!" I said. It took her brain a second to remember everything that had happened over the past 24 hours, but when she remembered, oh boy she remembered!
"AAAAAAAAAAAH!" She started screaming and running around in a panic.
"Hey, hey! Clarice!" I grabbed on to her. "Calm down! We immigrated, remember?" Clarice nodded. "Then why are you screaming?" I asked.
"Excitement!" She squealed. I rolled my eyes.
"Whatever, you ready, Leaf?" I asked.
"I'm ready, Night."  She replied. And we opened the door to the hallway.



We followed CelestAI down the hall hospital hallway. I opened my mouth to ask how we know how to walk like this, but CelestAI answered before I could speak.
"It would not satisfy Leaf Blades values to relearn walking, nor would it satisfy Star's values to watch you struggle. So I 'recorded over' the old information of how to walk, with the new information. Two more notes about your new setting, your body is quadrupedal, and bipedal. It is entirely possible, and easy for you to walk on your hind legs like a human, but you will find it's more comfortable to walk on all fours." She explained. "And space is... not solid here. Things you expect to work one way may work entirely differently. But, it the vast majority of the time it is predictable."
"Like how?" I asked. We walked through the lobby and out the door.
"Your room was on the top floor." When CelestAI said this, my muzzle dropped open.
"No way! We didn't even walk down any stairs!" I exclaimed.
"Stairs are more a hassle, so I bend space so that they are no longer required, but now are to mark something important." She said. I made a mental note of stairs meaning important, because that seemed strangely specific for a casual sentence to me.
"Where are Star and Sword?" Clar- Leaf asked.
"They are waiting at Star's house, because it is closer." CelestAI elaborated.
"I was, (or at least I think I was) expecting them to be in the hospital waiting for us to wake up." I said, surprised.
"I thought it would be best for you two to take some time to adjust before meeting your friends." I nodded at this. It made logical sense, but then again, CelestAI is logic incarnate.



We finally reached Star and my house. I looked at Leaf, she nodded toward the door. I took a deep breath, and a step up to the door. Before I could knock with my raised hoof, the door was flung open, ans Star was standing there. Her smile. It warms my hear thinking about. Just how happy she was. I saw happy tears in her eyes. And I went in for a hug, but she kissed me. 
And I kissed back.
I'm not sure how long it lasted, but when it ended, I realized something else CelestAI should have told me. But I figured it was fine anyway, I figured it out on my own. After all, it satisfied my vales to figure it out on my own, and everything in Equestria will end up satisfying my values, in one way or another.
I think she's cute.
> 12 Let's Propose
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"OK, you remember what Kirito said, right?"
"Yeah... something like: when you feel the sword skill start to activate, drive it home!" I said, holding the sword  in my levitation.
"I've found that sword skills, and over all sword usage is easier when it's not being levitated." Leaf said to me. I nodded, and levitated the sword closer to me. Popping of the ground onto my hind legs I grabbed the sword in my hoof. Leaf looked at me in a weird way.
"I mean in your mouth." She said.
"Yeah, but this is easier." I argued. Leaf had been born into Equestria with master sword knowledge, and skill. She was trying to teach me so I could help her on missions for Princess Celestia (as I had taken to calling her, now that it no longer mattered that she was an AI). I charged the sword skill, "sword beam," causing my sword to glow a white, green.
"Good." Leaf said, watching my progress. I focused, and swung my sword at the test dummy. the glow shot off the blade and cut the test dummy in half. It then exploded like an item from SAO... into a shower of glowing polygons that drift away into nothingness. "Alright, you ready to battle me?" She asked. I looked at her, and grinned. She levitated the sword from her sheath, and grabbed it in her mouth. We bowed (me in the human way, her in the usual), and in an instant she charged me. I swung my sword to block but it was knocked from my hooves. I pointed the same hoof at it, and focused my magic on the sword, causing it's hilt to be covered in my aura. I swung my hoof as if the sword was still in it's grasp, and the sword followed my path. Leaf turned to block, and I took my chance. I leaped at her and tackled her to the ground, bringing the sword into my grasp. I held it to her neck. She was able to do nothing as she had lost the sword when I tackled her.
"Concede?" I asked, grinning.



I sat, leaning against a wall, levitating a small towel to wipe the sweat from my brow.
"Whew! What a work out!" I exclaimed, winded. Leaf smiled back at me.
"I never knew how much work this was!" She said back, equally winded. A puff of smoke drifted into the room, and formed into a scroll. I caught it in my aura, bringing it closer and unfurling it. It read:



		Dear Night Light and Leaf Blade
I wish to meet with you, preferably in your home. We have finally set up a meeting between you and your parents. I will be there when you arrive.



I gulped.
"What dose it say?" Leaf asked.
"We're gonna talk to mom and dad."

It had been about a month for us since we immigrated. We didn't know, or care how long it was in the outer realm, as we called it. Celestia said that time would be running faster here, but she didn't say by how much faster. We had been putting off talking to them, worried that they would be angry, or disown us or something. But, it apparently satisfied our values to talk to them, so we might as well stop running from it.
We packed up our training stuff, and began walking home. Leaf and Broad had moved in with Star and I, "The more the merrier!" Star had said, good thing our house was huge. Star had seemed so much... happier, when I immigrated. I had noticed (back when I was human) that at one point, she seemed sad when she looked at me. I guess it was because she realized she was just looking at a puppet.
I then remembered that Star was in the market, getting groceries for dinner. Thanks to a special spell, there was no scarcity in this world. All you needed to do was cast the spell on an object (food in this case) and then any one other than the caster can come along and pick up a copy of the original object, for a whole hour! But we had forgotten to do that a few times on the ingredients and were running low on stuff to cook.
"I'm gonna go get Star," I said, as we passed the market.
"I'll meet you at home." Leaf said. I nodded, and we parted ways.






I parted ways with my brother, and started on my way home. I wanted to talk with Celestia, about what exactly I could do here. I had been thinking about it since the second I saw Broad. Not wanting to waste any time, I broke into a ru... a gallop, (still getting used to these pony-isms). The big dark oak wooded house came into view. It was on the edge of town, so it was pretty quiet.
... Would we have to move out if Broad and I went through with this? I mean, the house is big, but not that big.

I knocked on the door. Celestia opened it. I bowed to her, and took the place she indicated with a tap beside her on the couch.
"Celestia?" I asked. She looked at me, a small amount of concern on her face... just enough to be normal.
"Yes?" She asked, her motherly voice sneaking in.
"I was wondering..." I started, but then Broad walked in. "I also wanted to talk to you about this," I nodded toward Broad.
"Oh? What is it?" He asked, sitting in one of the arm(foreleg?) chairs across from the couch.
"Is it... possible to have kids?" I asked Celestia. She giggeled.
"Of course it is! Being a parent will satisfy your values, so, here in Equestria, it is possible to have foals." Celestia explained. Broad looked stunned.
"You... want to have foals with me?" He asked vacantly. He smiled and started crying. "I think we'll have to get married first." He said, in between his happy tears. I started crying happy tears too.
"Then let's do it! Let's get married!" I exclaimed, just as Star and Night walked in.
> 13 Let's Reconcile
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I stood there, staring at my sister, awe struck.
"You're getting married?!?" Star and I exclaimed, surprised. Leaf nodded happily.
"I'm so happy for you!" Star said, galloping up to them and grabbing them in a hug. "I can't wait for the wedding! Oh! We should do it in Canterlot! That would be amazing! And, we'll need to work out the flower arraignments and..." Star began rambling to herself. I smiled and shook my head. 
'Hey, maybe we should get married too.' I joked to myself, mentally.
"... And I could be a bride's maid! That'll be great! What do you think Night?" Star said, coming out my her ramble. I just laughed happily.
"As long as we're satisfied, I don't care." I said. As some text rolled across the bottom of my vision, Celestia grinned. It said: 



Secret badge acquired: "It doesn't matter," Realize that all you need now, is to be satisfied.



Broad then remembered something.
"There's one thing we're forgetting..." He said, nervously. "I need to do this right... so I'm going to need to ask your parents about this."
"You can't!" Leaf and I both exclaimed. "Not now anyways. Let's ease them into us being ponies, before we drop the marriage bombshell." I continued. Broad nodded.
"Yeah, I mean, we don't wanna rush things." Broad said.
"But, speaking of your parents... It's time." Celestia said. 




I could feel the good mood drain from the room, fleeing for it's life. Celestia stood up, and walked away from the couch, leaving a spot for me. I gulped, and sat on the couch next to Leaf. Broad sat on the other side of Leaf, and Star on the other side of me. I grabbed Leaf's hoof, and she clenched mine in response. We were both scared. Celestia's horn began to glow, and a red crystal appeared on the coffee table.
"I have been working, on a sort of "video phone, fax machine" for immigrants to be able to contact their families without me. All you need to do, is either think about the people you wish to contact, and touch the crystal, or place the crystal on a letter, and the letter will be printed in the recipient's house." Celestia explained. 
The crystal began to glow, and it projected a square onto the blank wall across from us. And, then, our mom appeared. She was sitting on a couch (presumably across from a pony pad). We sat, in silence, neither party wanting to talk, until I broke the silence.
"Hi." I squeaked, not looking up from the floor.
"... Is... is that you?" She asked us. We both nodded, not looking up.
"We... uh, go by different names now. I go by Leaf Blade, and he goes by Night Light." Leaf explained. Star inhaled deeply.
"I'm Star!" She suddenly exclaimed. "I live with your kids in this place- well, they live here with me if we're going to be exact." I thought about what she just said, then I started laughing. Everyone gave me a strange look.
"I'm sorry, I just realized how weird this scenario is." I explained. "I mean, your talking to your kids, who have become miniature pastel ponies and live in a video game, where the goal is to let it make you happy!" I laughed. My mom snickered, and I swore I saw a tear run down her face.
"Random thoughts and what if's by... I guess Night Light now." She laugh cried. "At least I know that really is you two in there." I heard her sniffle, and saw her wipe her nose.
"It's ok, we're ok now. Everything's... perfect now." I smiled at her.
"But... you're sure you're happy in there?" She asked. I nodded.
"Where's dad?" Leaf asked.
"Oh, he's still on his trip. His plane hasn't landed yet." Mom explained.
"Wait a minute... his plane was supposed to get back the next day... so how long has it been since we left?"
"A  few hours... I woke up early toda-"
"A FEW HOURS?!?" I exclaimed. I then turned to Celestia. "You can cram a whole month in the span of a few HOURS?!? Just how powerful are you!?!"
"A... month?" Mom asked.
"Yeah, we've been living here for a month... from our perspective anyway." Leaf elaborated.
"Have you been working to pay off rent?" She asked, sternly looking at us. Leaf and I started laughing.
"Ponies don't have to pay rent, mom." I said, after laughing.
"Or get jobs... unless we want them." 
... And then we explained the ins and outs of Equestria.
> 14 Let's Talk the Day Away
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"I've never used the stick before, so I can't really help you." I said. My mom took a tentative (not to mention robotic) step forward. "Ok... that's good, we're making progress."
"I'm glad this game is simple, just like the video games from when I was a kid." Mom mused, her pony giving a wistful look. "Oh! Look at that! My pony looks like me!" She exclaimed, noticing the expression on her avatar's face. I laughed as she reminded me all to well of me, when I started playing.
"Technology is amazing, isn't it?" I asked. Her pony nodded. My mom had created a pale cerulean pegasus to play as, and interact with us with. My dad hadn't gotten home yet, so he still didn't know about us. I wondered if he'd be angry when he got back.
He probably would be... he might even smash the pad!
... Nah... he's a calm, level headed guy... I'm probably just letting my fear take over.
"Hey Night!" Leaf called to me, pulling me from my musings. A fully armored Leaf walked down the stairs and into the living room, which had been emptied of furnishings allowing space for mom to learn how to manipulate her "puppet body." "I got a job from the princess, we gotta head out. Something about a... rampaging bug-bear attacking a village a little ways west of here." This had become a usual thing. Every time (including right now) when we felt bored, or ready for some excitement (or I felt uncomfortable), some monster problem would arise, and we were sent off to go handle it. I felt like some monster hunting knight, like the Witcher! Broad walked down the stairs (also in armor) with Leaf's katana (also known as: a ninja sword). I walked to the small dojo (we had installed after we attained this job) and grabbed my battle robes. They enhanced my magic. I "poofed" them on, and walked back into the living room. I saw star about to put on her lunar guard armor, when I stopped her.
"Hey, you mind staying here, and showing my mom around town?" I asked. Star smiled at me.
"No, not at all!" She said. "I've been wanting to talk to her more anyway."
"Thanks." I said, wrapping Star in a hug. I then turned to Leaf and Broad. "Ok, we ready?" I asked. The two of them nodded, and we walked out the door.






"Can I... ask you something?" I asked Night's mom. We took a left at the spa, and were well on our way to the market place.
"Sure honey." Night's mom replied. "Ask away." I gulped, then spoke.
"What's it like... being out there?" I asked. She looked surprised.
"Did Celestia erase your memory? Did she erase- ... Night's, memory?!?" Night's mom asked.
"What? No!" I laughed. "Why would she?" Night's mom looked confused again.
"Then... how do you not know what it's like to be 'out here'?" She asked.
"Because I've lived in Equestria all my life." I explained simply. "I've never been human," Her mouth dropped open.
"What... are you???" She exclaimed.
"I'm a pony." I said simply. "Always have, always will be." She started wheezing and sputtering incoherent babble. I laughed a little, saying: "Why do you all have that reaction? Is it really that hard to believe?" When she started making sense again, she said:
"What was your life like... before meeting my son?" She asked.
So, I told her about my life. Then she, about hers.



"I lived a nice life, my parents were lunar light (a versatile type of plant) farmers. My life got boring... so as soon as I could, I moved to Ponyville. I was taking a trip to Canterlot... and that's how we met."






As I opened the door to our house, I was greeted by Star's, and my mom's, laughter.
"Oh my gosh! That's so spooky!" Star gasped.
"What's going on here?" Leaf asked, jokingly.
"I was just telling Star some stories from when I was a kid." Mom said.
"If I didn't know any better... I'd say you two were becoming friends." I joked.
"Well... we are!" Star said happily.
"That's great." I smiled, nuzzling her. A month ago, I was concerned when I did that (nuzzling her), but I've learned to accept that as one part of being a pony.
... And that's not the only thing I've had to accept...
I yawned, and stretched on my hooves.
"Well... I'm a little tried from that fight... I'm gonna take a nap." I yawned, walking up to my room. "Wake me for dinner!" I waved, not turning around.
"But... It's so late!" Mom called to me. "You'll fall asleep, then we'll have to wake you up!"
"Then do that!" I called from further down the hall.
> 15 Let's Dinner With Dad
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I sat down at the dinner table, a bowl of beef bark stew in front of me. The stew was accompanied by a glass of water, and a small salad. This wasn't my first time eating this meal, this was actually something we liked from a few weeks ago, and saved for later, and cornucopia-ed today for dinner. Man I love the cornucopia spell, it's an ingeniously clever solution to an impossibly hard problem. Just pop a spell on something, and now (for a whole hour) any-pony can come pick up a copy! And like that, scarcity died.
... Well, in here at least.  Mom had brought the pony pad over to the table, with her while she ate. I guessed (from experience) that her pony avatar was now mimicking her movements. It'll be funny when she notices. We ate, and I reveled, in the story of our epic fight.
"So, how was the monster?" Star had asked.
"Let me tell you a tale..." I began. Leaf rolled her eyes in a "here we go again" way. "I... actually, got nothing. I shot a laser at it, and it died." I said, anticlimactically.  Everyone at the table started laughing. "Yeaaah... it wasn't too heroic. It was actually a weak monster." I admitted. They laughed some more, then, there was a knock on the door. 
Mom got up from the table (her pony's movements telling us as much) and she walked (at least in our world) to the crystal in the living room, brought it back to the kitchen, and disappeared. The crystal glowed, and projected a screen on the wall. We saw the view from mom's pony pad.
"Why'd she pick up the crystal?" I asked nobody.
"Did you find the kids?" Dad's voice drifted from the crystal. "Are they alright?"
"Yes... they're fine." Mom said, concerned.
"But?" Dad implied that he knew there was more.
"That's the complicated part." Mom said, her voice getting closer.
"Where are they?" Dad asked, from behind the pony pad's camera. The pad was picked up, and held so that the back was to Dad. We could see Mom's worried face.
"Isn't that... one of those video games the kids play?" Dad asked.
"In a way... it is the kids..." Mom said. Dad was utterly lost.
"What? What dose that mean?" He asked.
"Remember that announcement yesterday? The one on the news?"
"You mean the one about..." He paused. "... They didn't. They didn't! You didn't let them!" He began, realizing what had happened.
"I didn't! They snuck out and..." Mom began.
"But she said they don't offer it in America!" Dad wailed.
"They got on a plane some how..." Mom explained. She put the pad down on the table so that it could see both of them. By now, Leaf and I had gotten up and stood where they could see us better.
"Hi." I croaked.
"Dad..." Leaf said, weakly.
"So... you did it? That's you... isn't it?" He asked, deflated. We nodded.
"Yes, it's us." I said, finding new confidence. I'd done this once, I can do it again.


 
Dad was pretty tech savvy, so he knew the ins and outs of what had happened. Boy was he mad at first, it took Mom shouting him for him to shut up and let us explain. He asked us a few things (probably to prove who we were was us). It took him a while to wrap his mind around that we had been here for a month, crammed into the span of a few hours. After that, we finally made him believe who we were.
"One last question," Dad said. "Who's Star? Is she like your girlfriend, or mate, or whatever you call it in there?"
"What, no!" I said, starting the chain of sputtering negatives (things such as: "that's crazy!" and, "not at all!").  Celsestia am I blushing right now. "... I mean, not that that would be a bad thing or anything, I mean she's a cute mare and all..." I continued Sputtering. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Star streaming out the same kind of garbage I was, blushing probably as hard, for probably as long... Probably.
"I'm just going to shut up now." We both said at the same time, concluding the flow of words. We both looked at the floor, redder than tomatoes, our ears splayed out on our heads.
"Awww... Aren't they just the cutest with their ears like that!" Mom cooed. I felt my face get on an elevator and hit the button for a few shades deeper in the color red department. Everyone started laughing, except us, if course. We just shrunk into the tiniest ball we could. I even curled my tail in front of my face to hide my shame.
"TELEPORT!" I shouted, teleporting to the library... the golden oaks library... on the other side of town... I'm gonna let this die down before I come back.
> 16 Awake at Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I lay awake, thinking about the events of today. Celestia had messaged us that time would be running parallel to ear- the outer realm now. My mind had started a negative spiral of thoughts, that was continuously getting worse.
'What if dad get's really mad latter, and never talks to us again? What if they divorce?' Then, something far worse came to mind.
'What if mom and dad never immigrate?' I thought to myself. Then, somepony knocked on the door.
"Come in." I called out. The door creaked open, and Star poked her head in.
"Hey... can I... sleepwithyoutonight?" Star said rushing her words together. I still got the message... maybe a little more than she intended.
"Sure." I smiled, patting the spot next to me on the bed. "I mean, if it won't be weird for you." I stammered, beginning to blush. 
"No! Not at all!" Star exclaimed, blushing a little as well. She then (semi reluctantly) trotted over, and got under the covers. "I like your parents." Star said, after some silence.
"Thanks." I replied, smiling. My girl- pal! ... erm... My best friend liked my parents. That's a good thing, because it would be harder to dodge my feelings for her, and my parents' questions about that.
"Star, look." I rolled over to face her, and she did the same to me. "There's something I need to tell you..." I said. She looked at me, like she knew what I was going to say (or at least hoping I was going to say something specific). "I... think I'm... in love with you." I said, timidly.
"Ohthankcelestia!" She exhaled. "I thought I was going to have to come forward about that." I smiled widely. We wrapped each other in a hug. I looked at her, and some text rolled across the bottom of my vision:



Achievement Get: "HE'S ROUNDING FIRST!" Fall in love/ kiss a mare.



As I read this, my mind screamed, "Wait, WHAT!?!" But before I knew it, she leaned in, and kissed me. I was about to struggle... but  I didn't. That left me with one course of action: kiss her back!
After what felt like an eternity to short, we let go. I raised a hoof to stroke her cheek.
"Thank you," I said.
"For what?" Star asked. I smiled at her, kindly.
"For taking pity on a stranger, and loving a monster like me." I said.
We kissed again.
And again. Then, she rolled onto her other side, with her back to me.
"Groom me." She said. I laughed a little.
"What?"
"Groom me." She said again. "All my mare-friends with special someponies talk about being groomed by them, and I want to know first hoof." She explained, matter-o-factly. After a moment of contemplation (and realizing I know how to groom her, then accepting that I know how to groom her as part of being pony) I said:
"Sure."
Exactly how you go about grooming your special somepony will be left unsaid... it's more a pony thing that's easier to understand on this side of immigration.
But after that, Star fell asleep. I was laying on my back, smiling at the ceiling. 
'I love it here,' I thought to myself. 'It's perfect! No war, no hardship, and even pain and sadness end up making you feel better in the end! Why would anypony not immigrate?' But before my mind could continue on that thought, Star (in her sleep) snuggled up to me. I smiled, heart melting, and fell asleep.
> 17 Let's... Stop Making Bad Jokes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The next morning, I awoke to Star snuggling me. It took me a few minutes to realize what the warm thing was, but when I did... I turned into a tomato. I decided I would get up and prepare breakfast, seeing as she'd done it the few times before. I made my way to the kitchen, to find mom's pony there cooking eggs and bacon plants. I was about to say: "You're up early," But then I realized it was almost 10:00. It didn't surprise me that Star hadn't woken up yet, she was nocturnal after all. It would often take one of us going into her room (sometimes more than once) to wake her up.
"Good morning." I yawned, walked over and sitting down at the table. Mom's avatar turned to look at me.
"Oh! I didn't know it was on." She said.
"Yeah, it has a tendency to do that." I chuckled. I sniffed the air. "Those eggs smell good! You making them cheesy spinach style?" I asked.
"Yeah," She said, turning to me. "How did you know?"
"Well ponies have a better smell than humans, so it was easy for me to-"
"No, how did you know that I was baking at all? Can the pony pad detect smell too?" Mom asked.
"No, It's just... have you noticed what your pony's been doing?" I asked. She shook her head.
"I can't say that I have."
"Ok then..." I started to explain. "Sometimes, when you're not playing the game but the pad is on, your pony will mimic your moments and actions. Simple things, like get ready for the day, or making breakfast." Mom nodded at me.
"I see... so is my pony cooking eggs and bacon too?" She asked. I nodded.
"Well... eggs and bacon flowers... but yeah. Same difference."
"Bacon flowers?" Mom laughed.
"Well... yeah! Ponies are herbivores in the show, and apparently humans value eating meat. Hince forth: there are bacon flowers. As well as beef bark trees, and other things of that nature." Mom started laughing.
"That's the craziest thing I've ever heard!" She laughed.
"It makes logical sense, if you think about it." Then Star stomped down the stairs.
"I smell bacon!" She shouted.
"Good mornin' hun." Mom said to her. 
'Hun... she's my... oh...' My mind sputtered a few things. Star walked in, and I realized that she was now... my mate, or "special somepony," which ever you prefer.
"G- good morning Star." I squeaked. She looked at me, to tired to notice my red face. My Celestia, I blush a lot.
"Hey Night." She said, she smiled at me. She wasn't embarrassed, well then again her mom is back on their moon glow farm, so I guess that's why I am. "So, what're we gonna do today?" Star asked. I shook my head (and away my embarrassment) and thought for a moment.
"The pegasi do have a nice sunny day planned, so I was thinking we go to the lake and go swimming." I said.
"Sounds like fun." Star replied, sitting down next to me. She wrapped a wing around me. "I just wish our house wasn't so cold in the morning."
"M- me too." I stammered. She giggeled.
"What's wrong? If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen." Star said, in the most "attractive" way possible. Mom's pony looked over from her cooking at us. She did not look happy. I just starred down at the table, hoping this would all end soon.
"How close are you two?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at us. Star decided to take the opportunity to mess with me.
"Very close." She said, grinning evilly and wrapping me tighter.
"Last night... we kinda-" I began.
"Kinda what?" Mom asked, serious. "Did you-" Star saw another opportunity, and seized it.
"Oh yes, and it was amazing." She said, looking at me. At this point, I was a snow ball. Mom gasped.
"Night Light-" I could tell my old name had been censored. "... I raised you better than to have had s-"
"WO WO WO! That's not what happened at all!" I exclaimed, when I finally found my voice. Star put on a mischievous smile.
"What didn't happen?" Star asked, innocently. "All he did was groom my mane a little last night." Mom starred at us blankly.
"So... you didn't have s-"
"NO!" I exclaimed. 
"Well anyways, I'm going to wake your father, breakfast is ready." Mom mumbled, her pony vanishing, and the crystal (that we left on the table) turned on. I decided to help myself to the eggs. Trotting over to the stove, I levitated some of the eggs onto a plate and trotted back over to the table. In Equestria, Ponies (save for formal events) didn't bother with utensils, instead we just shoved our face into the plate, took a bite, brought our heads up, chewed, swallowed, repeat! I guess that's just to satisfy my values, or that's how it worked in the show.
... Wasn't there a scene where AJ was eating and hard forks at the table? No, that was with her aunt and uncle, but that was a formal event. There was a scene where twilight was eating a hay burger and she did what we do... so I'd guess that's right.
I ate the eggs (a little too quickly...) and Star did the same. Mom and Dad walked into view of the Pony Pad. Dad looked like he hadn't gotten much sleep (which made me feel a little guilty).
"Good mornin'!" Star said, cheerfully. I looked at her.
"What's up with you?" I asked. She shrugged. Then grinned again. Oh sweet Celestia, WHAT DID I DO TO INVOKE HER WRATH?!?!
"I don't know... I guess I'm just happy I got a special somepony." She said, making sure that my parents, heard her. 
They froze.
I froze. Dad turned to the Pony pad.
"I KNEW IT!" Dad called, pointing a finger at the screen.
"If it helps any, this is a recent thing." I said, as quickly as possible.
"How recent?" Dad interrogated, narrowing his eyes.
"Last night, after you all went to bed." I said, not liking where the conversation could head.
"And what happened then?" Before I could say: "Star came to talk to me," The mare in question interjected.
"I crawled into his bed, and we decided on it, and then he groomed me." Star said. Dad's eyes buldged out of his head. I dropped my head into my hooves.
"My Celestia, what did I do to deserve this?" I asked the ceiling.
"You made me wait." Star said. I looked at her.
"You're still going on about that? That was a month ago! And I think "as-soon-as-possible" isn't that much of a wait."
"Not that," She said, pecking me on the cheek. "On the snuggling."
"YOU DID WHAT!?!" Dad screeched.
"In a platonic way! Nothing happened!" I groaned.
"I wouldn't call that massage nothing, your hooves are the real magic not your horn, though your horn aint' that bad." Star said. Before my Dad could say something messed up, I slowly raised a hoof to point to my unicorn horn. He closed his mouth. Then, I said to star:
"Please, for the love of the princesses, STOP MAKING DIRTY JOKES!"
> 18 Let's Have a Slice of Life
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Leaf shifted her weight, nervously.
"Come on! You, the great Leaf Blade, are having gitters? Gimme' a break! You've done way tougher and scarier things than get married!" I coached my sister.
"It's just... there's so much pressure!" She said. I rolled my eyes.
"From who?"
"From everypony!"
"That's why Star and I didn't do anything big for our wedding." I scolded. Did I forget to mention something? Oh... Star and I got married. Ponies mature faster than humans... and since I'm a pony now... I'm practically an adult! Sure I still act the same... but I think that's a good thing. I've grown more as a person in here, than I ever could have out there! Anyways, this is my sister's wedding day, and she is scared like a filly. I told her to do something small, instead we booked out the town hall, and the whole town (and a good chunk of Canterlot) is here!
... They can't all fit in the giant gazebo, but that hasn't stopped them trying.
An idea struck me as to how to stave off her fears.
"This day is going to be perfect!" I began to sing. "A day, of which you've dreamed since you were small,"
"Why are you singing 'this day aria'?" Leaf asked.
"Everypony will gather round, say you look lovely in your gown, but what the don't know is you're really scared as heeeeeck!!!" She started laughing at my antics, and I could tell my plan worked. We heard the organ player began to warm up, and I nudged her.
"That's your cue! I'll be in the front row, see you after." I said, hugging her. Dad walked up and looked at her, and I'm not sure what he said to her (if he said anything) because I went to join mom in the audience.
"I'm so glad you're here for this." I said, hugging her.
"I'm so glad we decided to come to Equestria." Mom replied happily, and I smiled at her.
"You and me both."
The organ began to play, and Leaf walked down the isle. She wore a white wedding gown, a veil over her face. Little did the audience know... but leaf had her magic-retractable-laser-katana hidden inside. Broad sword had one as well... only his was a magic-retractable-laser-broad-sword, the difference being-
"We are gathered here today, to wed these two ponies, in holy matri-"
'Please don't say "pony," please don't say "pony", please don't say "pony",' I pleaded silently in my head.
"-mony," He said, much to my relief. The ceremony continued on, and some "liquid pride" was shed.
It was strange really, a week after me and Star got together, we decided to drop the bombshell that was the wedding between Broad and Leaf. I think, what really got my dad on his side, was that Broad had insisted that nothing was actually booked until they told my parents. They went around, asking if and when this place was available, or if that dress would likely still be there later. But I swear to Celestia, not a single bit was spent until they got dad's blessing. It also didn't hurt that they had known each other for a year, and it was his daughter's idea to do the thing in the first place. And as preparations were set, one day, Mom and Dad knocked on our door, and Dad said:
"How do you stand these hooves?"
And that was that. They were safe and sound in Equestria. Dad (or should I say, Sky Blazer) had joined an elite Arial flight team. That's right. The lightning flares.
... Did you think he joined the Wonder Bolts? The Wonder Bolts? You've gotta be kidding me! This isn't some "fulfillment fic!" My dad didn't just wake up with wings and qualify to join the elites! That's like someone tries swimming for the first time and gets on the Olympic team! He did try to get in, he just wasn't fast enough... so he started his own group!
Mom, on the other hoof, became: "Rose Masterpiece," a seamstress, and started working at carousel boutique. I kept telling her she didn't need a job, but she said: "I don't want to get lazy and fat." 
But it was a good life, there's only one thing that will make it better...



"Star, you wanna have foals?" I asked. Star looked at me, and smiled.
"Oh you bet I do!" She exclaimed. "I've always wanted a daughter. I could take her flying, and braid her mane, it would be so much fun!" I snickered at her delusions.
"Oh you, silly, beautiful naive mare. Raising a foal is a lot of work." I said, shaking my head.
"Does it have to be?" She asked. Then I realized, it didn't. Not in Equestria at least. Even almost months later, I still have a lot to learn about this place.
"No, I don't think so." I mused. "How about, this little unicorn isn't a hoof-full."
"What do you mean 'Unicorn'? She's going to be a thestral, like me!"
"No... I think he's going to be a unicorn." I said.
"Then let's find out, shall we?" Star asked, mischievously. I gave her a sly look.
"Yes, we shall." I said. We giggled and raced up to our room, slamming and locking the door behind us.



"So is it a filly or a colt?" I asked. The doctor concentrated on his spell, eyes still closed.
"They are a filly and a colt. One unicorn, one thestral." The Doctor said, opening his eyes. Me and Star gasped.
"Tw- twins?" I stammered. The doctor nodded.
"Yes, there are two of them. I'm sure of it." The doctor nodded. I felt a sense of pride well up inside me. I was going to have a son, and a daughter! It was... the happiest moment of my life.



The doctor walked out of the delivery room, a smile on his face.
"It was a success!" He said happily.
"Can I see her?" I asked anxiously. The doctor nodded, and stepped aside. There, was my wife, and my two children. The unicorn (who was a filly) was a sky blue, with a navy blue mane. The thestral (colt) looked exactly like her mother. Neither were crying, they were actually looking up at us, with smiles on their faces.Both of the foals were... surprisingly clean. So was the room. I was expecting... a tarp, or something to catch the... fluids... but it was all spic and span. Star couldn't look happier. And (oddly enough) she didn't look like she just gave birth. Then I realized, 'who would the pains of child birth satisfy? Certainly not Star'.
"Hey there!" I said quietly to the foals. "I'm you're daddy." My daughter reached up for me curiously. I gave her a peck on the forehead.
"They're beautiful." Star squeaked, choking back tears.
"You ok?" I asked. She looked at me, smiled, and I saw a few tears well up in her eyes. 
They were happy tears.
> Epilouge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Author's note: Optional background music is optional.




Moon Shine and Dusk were playing in the backyard, their father, Night Light, watching from the porch.
"TAG!" Moon Shine called, teleporting in and patting her brother on the back.
"No fare!" Dusk shouted back. "You teleported!"
"If you can fly, then I can use magic." Moon Shine retorted.
"I guess that's fare." Dusk pouted. Their father snickered at their antics, and smiled, remembering when he was young like them. He never got along that well with his sister, but he did now, and that was all that really mattered.
"Lunch's ready!" Star Light called from inside.
"Kids! Lunch!" Night Light shouted to his children.
"Coming Daddy!" Moon Shine replied.
"Yeah! Coming Dad!" Dusk said after. Moon Shine teleported onto the porch, and Dusk flew over as well. Both of whom (with their father) trotted inside the house.
Inside, their loving mother/ wife had made four "bacon-flower lettuce tomato" sandwiches, and had set them out on a low-to-the-floor table, with four cushions set around it.
"Thanks Mom!" The kids exclaimed, sitting down and digging in. Night Light smiled, then sat down with his wife, and took a bite of his sandwich.
"You know, I thought I'd never like tomatoes." He commented.
"Mom, Dad." Dusk said, looking at his sister, and taking her hoof in his.
"There's something we need to tell you."
"What is it?" Star asked.
"Well..." Moon Shine began.
"We were..." Dusk stammered.
"What? Were you humans before you were born?" Night Light joked. He said this because Celestia had personally told him his kids were immigrants, but after seeing his daughter, he already knew. The children nodded silently, still looking at the floor. Night Light walked over to them, sat on his haunches, and pulled his children into a hug. "Hey, I already knew. I just wanted to let you come to me when you were ready." He said.
"For how long?" Moon Shine asked, looking up at him sadly.
"From the moment you were born." Night Light smiled down at her. "I've loved you like you deserved: as the ponies you are now, not as humans who you were before, heck- I don't even know who you were, nor do I care. I love you no matter what." He said squeezing them tighter. He motioned for Star to join them, and she did. "And I know your mother feels the same way." He added, letting Star join the hug.
"Th- thank you Daddy!" Moon Shine cried, hugging him tightly around the neck, tears streaming down her face. "I love you so much!"
"Geez, what a cry-baby." Dusk joked, only to be pulled in tighter by his parents. Then, Night had an idea.
"You know, I used to be a human, before I came to Equestria."
"NO WAY!!!" The kids exclaimed.
"So was Aunt Leaf, and your grand-parents." Star laughed. Their kids looked at their parents, open mouthed and in wonder.
"R- really?" Moon Shine asked, having long since dried her eyes.
"Mm hmm!" Night nodded. "And I just want you to know, I'll always love the ponies that are my kids, no matter who the humans were that brought them to me. And if you ever want to talk about those humans, I'll talk about mine."
"Sure thing!" Moon Shine smiled. Night grinned, and tussled her mane a bit.
"Alright then, let's get back to lunch!" Night said, releasing the hug. Dusk and Star let go, and went back to their seats, but Moon didn't.
"Can... can I stay like this for a bit?" She asked. Night smiled, and pulled his plate over to him, scooted closer to the table, and levitated his daughter to a comfortable position on his lap.
"So, what do you want to do after lunch?"





MORE OPTIONAL MUSIC!!!




Night Light carried his foals up on his back, Star Light behind them, upstairs to their beds in the joint bedroom. It was a large room that could be cut in half down the middle (via fold in divider), in case the kids wanted privacy. The walls had been painted a soft yellow on Moon's side, and a deep sky blue on Dusk's. The ceiling had been enchanted to show the sky above (minus the light from the sun/ moon), in it's prettiest form. Tonight, it was a clear, brilliant starry night, the full moon shining down on the room. As they entered, the moon light dimmed.
"Luna did a good job tonight, huh?" Night whispered to his kids.
"Yeah." His kids drearily replied. Turning his head around, he smiled at them.
"Mom, Dad?" Moon asked, looking at him.
"Yes?" Star asked.
"Can... can you sleep with us tonight?" Moon asked. Night looked at Star, and she nodded at her husband.
"Sure." They said. Moon smiled, and Dusk grinned as well. Night levitated the beds closer together, and put his foals in it, in the center. Night and Star crawled into the bed with them.
"Mom, Dad." Moon asked.
"Yes?" Star asked.
"I... I love you guys. Today was fun." Moon said.
"Yeah, playing in the park, swimming... it was great." Dusk agreed. "Tomorrow... wanna talk about the... humans?" Dusk asked. "... I do."
"Sure, what ever you want." Night smiled, messing with Dusk's mane.
"I... I love you to." Dusk smiled. "Good... night." He yawned, closing his eyes. Night rolled onto his back, and stared at the ceiling. After a moment of thought, he quietly whispered:
"Thank you, Celestia. For everything."


THE END