Crescent Moonbeam Ep 1: Introductions

by GlitterBit

First published 30th of May, 2017

Crescent Moonbeam is a cousin of Twilight's looking for a new start in a new town. She has some secrets and quirks and these are her adventures.

Crescent Moonbeam is a recent release from Canterlot Mental Asylum, recovering from a severe case of schizophrenia, she's looking for a place for a fresh start. She moves to Ponyville and asks Twilight if she can stay for a little while as she sets up in Ponyville. This is the first story.

Crescent Moonbeam

A pony walked through the streets of Ponyville in the night. She had a cloak on and tread quietly as she walked. The moon had just barely been raised and most of the towns ponies were settling down for the night. The pony walked through the town heading for the castle at the edge.

The pony walked up to the front of the castle and knocked on the door. She pulled the cloak she was wearing closer. It rustled against the saddle bags that were under it. The pony shuffled awkwardly from foot to foot and adjusted the cloak again.

A set of footsteps echoed from the other side of the door, approaching slowly. The pony lifted her hood away from her face. She was a unicorn with a dark orange coat, a blue and purple mane that stuck up at odd angles, like it couldn’t be combed for some reason, and a set of light blue glasses sat on her nose. Behind the glasses lay one blue and one green eye that seemed to shimmer just slightly.

The door was cautiously opened. Spike peaked out through the door. “Hi Spike. May I see Twilight?” She asked. Spike sleepily rubbed an eye and yawned, he was carrying a cup of hot cocoa.

“It’s a little late for visitors, I’ll see if she’ll see you. Come in while you wait.” Spike pushed the door open and let her in. She cautiously walked in looking around as Spike closed the door behind her and began walking away up the stairs to go find Twilight. The unicorn took off her cloak and her saddle bags and sat down in the middle of the hall. She opened one of them and nervously took out a scroll. She sat fidgeting passing the scroll from one hoof to the other.

Eventually she heard voices coming down the staircase. “Thank you for letting her in Spike. It’s never too late to help somepony with a problem.” Twilight said as she came down the stairs, Spike following behind her.

“Okay Twilight. I just thought it was getting a little late is all.” Spike said as he followed her down.

They stepped off the stairs and the unicorn stood and bowed slightly. “Princess Twilight.” She said.

“It’s okay, you don’t need to bow.” Twilight said crossing the hall. The unicorn stood and shuffled on her feet. They stood silently for a few seconds, before Twilight gestured off to one of the doors.

“Let’s go sit down and you can tell me about your problem.” She said walking over to the door. Spike followed as Twilight pulled the door open with her magic. She waited for the unicorn to gather her saddlebags, packing her cloak into one, and walking through the door before she entered the door. The unicorn still carried her scroll in one hoof.

The room had a pair of couches facing each other and a low table between them that currently had a scattering of books. “Sorry for the mess. I was studying with my pupil earlier.” She cleared the table off with her magic, stacking the books and scrolls neatly at one end. The unicorn nodded, the rest of the room was crystal like the rest of the castle and had a pair of window looking out at the night.

The unicorn put her saddle bags down and took a seat on one of the couches. Twilight sat on the opposite couch. Again there was silence, broken only by Spike sipping his hot cocoa. Twilight glanced over at Spike and he started sipping quieter. She looked back over at the unicorn who shifted uncomfortably and kept staring at the floor or ceiling like she was trying to think of how to explain something. Her glasses would slip down her muzzle and she’d slide them back.

“So, what’s your name?” Twilight prompted as the silence continued to grow.

“Crescent Moonbeam.” She responded shifting the scroll again. Twilight watched the scroll with interest, before looking back up at the unicorn.

“What are you here for Crescent? May I call you Crescent?” Twilight asked. Crescent nodded and tapped the scroll against the couch looking worried. Twilight looked at the scroll again, it looked like it had a seal on it, but she couldn’t make it out from where she was.

“Is this why you’re here?” Twilight asked trying to lift the scroll with her magic, but Crescent gripped it tightly. “Fine.” Twilight let go of the scroll. “Will you tell me why you’re here?” Twilight asked, annoyance creeping into her voice.

Crescent took a deep breath and looked up at Twilight. “We’re cousins Twilight.” Twilight looked surprised but Crescent continued adjusting her glasses again. “You wouldn’t know about me, at least not well, we haven’t met before, and I was born shortly after you became Celestia’s student.” She took a breath and continued on as Twilight listened. “A few years passed, and well, I wasn’t doing very well you might say.” She held the scroll and looked at the floor.

“My parents thought it would be best if I stayed at a hospital until I got better.” She quickly tossed the scroll onto the table and sat back. Twilight cautiously lifted the scroll with her magic. “That’s the specifics of my time there. I think reading it would be best.” She flinched slightly as Twilight broke the seal. She recognized it as one of the hospitals in Canterlot. She couldn’t remember what, but there was something special about this one in particular. Crescent went back to studying the floor silently.

Twilight opened the scroll and read.

Patient: Crescent Moonbeam
Parents/Guardians: (Figure this out)
Doctor: Silver Remedy
Diagnosis: Acute Schizophrenia and Magic Dysphoria
Treatment: Medication (Name), Awareness Practices, and Focus Groups
Notes: Crescent has been receptive to all forms of treatment and is seeking to get better. However her conditions remain unresponsive to all treatments so far. This is discouraging for her and I fear she might grow worse if the pattern continues. Recommending her for one final treatment before considering permanent internment.

Twilight read the scroll then looked up at Crescent worriedly. Crescent pointed at the scroll. “Turn it over.” She said. Twilight turned the scroll over and saw more writing extend onto the back. She checked the rest of the page over to make sure she hadn’t missed anything else and continued reading.

Dear Guardian/Mentor,

Crescent Moonbeam has finally recovered from her illness and is ready to reenter society. She has requested a fresh start in her life and asked for a letter of recommendation. I am doctor Silver Remedy and have been overseeing Crescent Moonbeam since she was first admitted back when she was a foal. She has made tremendous progress since then and has shown that she is responsible enough to try and make it on her own. We will still maintain contact with her and ask that you update us on anything out of the ordinary, but I have confidence she will be fine. If you accept I have provided miss Moonbeam with the appropriate papers and contacts that you will need in order to contact us. I hope you will consider helping her through this difficult transition and thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Dr. Silver Remedy

Twilight put the scroll down and Crescent looked up at her and smiled a little crookedly. “You sure you want me?” Twilight asked a little worried.

Crescent nodded. “You’re the only family in the area and unfortunately Ponyville is about the only place outside of Canterlot I can stay.” She said.

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?” She asked inquisitively. Spike, who’d been nodding off, woke up at Twilight’s changed tone.

Crescent pointed at the scroll with a hoof. “They mention that nothing seemed to be working for me right?” Twilight nodded. Crescent continued. “They finally found something in an old book somewhere. Apparently zebras have an unusual number of schizophrenics, I think it has something to do with all of them being together with those stripes, but anyways they found a remedy that worked from one of their texts. As long as I can take the remedy I’m fine, otherwise, um…” Crescent fell silent her glasses slid down and she pushed them back up..

Silence fell again. Spike was interested now. “So why are you here in Ponyville then if you need some specific long lost remedy that only zebras know?” He asked.

“You’re here because of Zecora right?” Twilight asked. Crescent nodded quietly. “How do you know that Zecora can make this remedy for you?” Twilight asked.

“The hospital checked before I was ever let out. Zecora knows some pretty old zebra magic apparently.” Crescent responded.

Twilight nodded. “So you want me to look after you? Like a parent? Will you be staying here?” Twilight asked as she rolled up the scroll and set it aside.

“Well, sorta. I do need someone to check in on me just in case I do something or miss the remedy one day, so you don’t need to parent me. Just keep me from going off my rocker occasionally, and tell the hospital if I do. Besides I wasn’t planning on staying here long.” Crescent quickly assured Twilight. “I brought just enough for about a week while I look for a house to stay in and a job in town.” Crescent said pointing at her saddle bags.

Twilight looked like she was thinking for a second. Then looked back at the scroll. “Magic Dysphoria? You have trouble with magic?” She asked. Crescent nodded a little sheepishly. “How much trouble do you have?” Twilight asked.

Crescent mumbled something from the other couch. “What was that?” Spike asked. Twilight nudged him.

“Quiet. She seems a little nervous about the subject.”

Crescent shook her head and pushed her glasses into place. “No it’s alright. I’ll show you.” Crescent took a deep breath and looked across at the scroll in Twilight’s hooves. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Magic flickered around her horn and around the scroll. She screwed her eyes tight and it solidified and the scroll shakily lifted and moved across the room. It landed next to Crescent who let out a breath and sigh of relief.

“Wow. You really aren’t good at magic are you?” Spike said. Twilight nudged him again, but Crescent smiled a little weakly.

“Not always.” She muttered quietly.

“What was that?” Asked Twilight.

“Nothing.” Crescent said. She shifted in her seat. “So… will you be my Mentor while I’m getting used to being on my own?” She asked.

Twilight looked over at the scroll and thought for a second. Spike whispered something to her and Twilight whispered back. Crescent shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Twilight looked back across at Crescent and smiled. “Sure I will. We’re family.” She said walking over and hugging Crescent who looked a little surprised.

“Really? I was so worried you wouldn’t think I was telling the truth. I brought all the invitations I’ve gotten for your coronation, Shining Armor’s wedding, and all the other events the hospital turned down for me.” She hugged Twilight back tearing up slightly. “Thank you.” She said as they stood apart and wiped her eyes.

“Come on. Let’s get you settled and we can start looking for a job and a house in the morning.” Twilight said leading her out of the room, up the stairs, and down a hallway stopping outside one of the doors.

“This one should be good. Sorry I don’t have a room made up for you I wasn’t expecting anyone to be staying for awhile.” Twilight opened the door and gestured Crescent in.

Crescent walked in with her saddle bags and put them down on the floor taking in the room. It was a moderate sized room and was circular. The room was mostly barren except for a few bookshelves that had a few books on each of them.

“It’s perfect.” Crescent said getting a blanket and sleeping bag out from among her saddle bags. She looked back over at Twilight, who was looking around the room. “Thank you again Twilight.” She said smiling and yawning.

Twilight stepped back through the door. “Well I guess I’ll let you rest and I’ll see you tomorrow and we’ll start getting you settled in town.

She waved and turned walking back down the hallway. Crescent set up her sleeping bag and wrapped herself up in the blanket. She put her glasses on top of her saddle bag and settled in for the night sighing contentedly as she drifted off to sleep.

Author's Notes:

For those interested, or not, this will probably a bit closer to a mild spin off series than a straight story. It will be fairly random like My Little Pony is, but will have larger story arcs. It will end eventually also.

Breakfast

Crescent woke up in her room and felt relief. Twilight had agreed to be her Mentor and it hadn’t been all that hard or awkward. There was still time to let her know the specifics before the hospital needed her to check in, so she could tell her when she felt comfortable. She crawled out of her sleeping bag with the blanket still wrapped around her smiling.

A knock sounded at the door. “Come in.” Crescent said sitting down and examining one of the bookshelves. She was squinting trying to read the titles, she hadn’t put her glasses on yet.

“Good morning. Twilight was wondering if you’d like to have breakfast with us.” Spike said stepping through the door.

“I would love to have breakfast with you guys.” Crescent smiled over at Spike. She looked over at her saddle bags. “Just give me a second. I’ll be there soon.”

“Don’t take to long we’re having pancakes today and you won’t want to miss them.” Spike walked back out through the door.

Crescent stood and let the blanket fall to the floor. She put her glasses on and began rummaging through her saddlebags, setting out different items on the floor, finally pulling out a stoppered bottle. She looked gloomily at it then began rummaging through the bag again, until she found a measuring spoon.

She stopped looking at the spoon and bottle. “I wish I didn’t need this.” She sighed and unstoppered the bottle carefully measuring out the shimmering blue syrupy liquid into the spoon. She gulped down the liquid and pulled a face before setting the bottle and spoon off to the side. She closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath as she shuddered and her horn sparked briefly.

She sighed again and stood up walking through the door and out into the hall. She looked left and looked right. Both ways looked the same. “Uhh…” She said looking back down each hallway again. Her glasses slid down again and she adjusted them. “Maybe it’s in the main hall?” Crescent said, starting to walk back down the way Twilight had led her from.

She crossed through the hallway and down the stairs coming back to the main entrance. After wandering in the main entrance for a few minutes Crescent groaned and almost wandered deeper into the castle when she heard Twilight from behind the large doors in the entryway.

She cautiously walked over listening. “She’s a cousin of mine from Canterlot.” She heard Twilight say.

“And she’s staying here why?” Another voice asked. Crescent wracked her brain for a second. Twilight had a pupil. What was her name again?

“She’s only staying for a little while Starlight. Until she has a place of her own.” Twilight replied. Starlight, that’s right. Twilight had taken her in as a student after something. Crescent couldn’t remember what.

Crescent knocked on the door cautiously. The door opened revealing Spike. “Come in Crescent.” He said pushing the door further open. Twilight and Starlight were already seated with the pancakes and fruit between them.

Twilight smiled and waved to her. “Good morning Crescent. Come have breakfast.” Twilight pointed to a seat around the table. Crescent walked over and sat down. The plates were still empty and the pancakes were still warm so they hadn’t been waiting long for her it seemed.

“Crescent this is my student, Starlight. Starlight this is my cousin, Crescent.” Twilight said waving between the two.

“Nice to meet you.” Starlight said smiling.

“Nice to meet you too.” Crescent smiled back. Spike walked over and sat down next to Twilight.

“Can we start breakfast now? I’m starving.” Spike said reaching for a pancake. Twilight moved them away towards Crescent with her magic.

“Guests first Spike.” Twilight said. Spike sat back down. Crescent quickly put some pancakes on her plate before trying to slide it back across the table. She accidentally knocked her glasses askew and had to fix them. Twilight used her magic and moved it the rest of the way letting Spike take some before moving it over towards Starlight. Starlight was watching Crescent across the table.

“May I have some fruit please?” Crescent asked pointing at the bowl of fruit in the center of the table.

“Can’t you just use your magic?” Starlight asked as Twilight levitated the bowl over for Crescent.

Crescent looked a little sheepish and was about to respond when Twilight spoke. “She has Magic Dysphoria.” She explained also levitating the syrup over to Crescent. Crescent nodded and began pouring the syrup over her pancakes.

“So you just do everything with your hooves? Like earth ponies?” Starlight asked levitating an apple from the bowl onto her plate. Crescent nodded picking up her fork and digging into the pancakes.

She ate quickly tearing pieces away from the rest of the pancake with her fork, interchanged with bites of fruit. She chewed with her mouth half open and the fruit juice got all over her hooves and face. Twilight watched Crescent in surprise as she wolfed down her food. She finished eating and sighed licking her hooves off. Then she looked over at Twilight who still looked shocked.

“Sorry.” Crescent muttered looking off to the side and adjusted her glasses. “I realize I don’t have very good table manners.” She apologized reaching for the napkins in the center of the table. Spike nudged them towards her.

“It’s alright. I won’t hold it against you, Pinkie’s far worse.” Twilight smiled and Starlight chuckled.

“Isn’t that true, remember when she practically smashed that cake with her face?” She chuckled again, Twilight chuckled too. Crescent smiled as she cleaned her face.

“So Crescent. When would you like to get started?” Twilight asked eating her own breakfast.

“Umm… Whenever. I’d like to get a job first though so I don’t have to worry about bothering you for anything if you wouldn’t mind.” Crescent said.

“That’s okay. So what do you like to do? What are some of your talents?” Twilight asked. Crescent noticed a scroll and quill had floated over to Spike. Spike unrolled the scroll and took the quill.

“Umm… I always liked the math classes I went to.” Crescent said. Spike’s quill scratched on the paper. “And uhh… I think I’m pretty good at it.”

“Give me an example.” Twilight said as Spike continued writing.

“Well, uhh… okay. The third repetition of a menzene scalar will have a magnitude of…” Crescent went off on a dialogue of various forces and technical terms to which Twilight listened intently and Starlight gaped. Spike continued eating his pancakes, setting the scroll and quill down on the table.

“...So in other words, the more magical effects you overlay the needed energy increases tenfold for each.” Crescent finished, pushing her glasses back up her muzzle.

“That’s almost word for word Cubic Root’s Theory of Power!” Twilight clapped happily. Starlight sat back in her chair impressed and slightly confused.

“Why do you know so much about magical theory and mechanics if you can’t do it?” Starlight asked raising an eyebrow.

Crescent looked away and blushed before looking back. “I’ve never been good at magic, I just can’t do it, but for some reason the math behind it comes naturally for me.” She shrugged.

“Where did you learn that?” Twilight asked.

“Books.” Crescent said. “Magical Mechanics, Cubic Root’s Compendium of Magical Numerology, Time Briefly, and other books. It was something I could get at the hospital and when I was alright enough to go home on the weekends with only an aide or two my parents would take me up to the school of magic and let me listen to the lectures.” Crescent smiled. “It felt good to be able to understand something. You know for real.”

“Hospital? For Magic Dysphoria?” Starlight asked looking at Twilight. “And what else did she mean, ‘Well enough to go home on the weekends’?” Starlight asked again a little warily.

Twilight looked over at Crescent who looked off to the side and wiggled where she sat. “Well… Let’s not get into that right now. Maybe later, right now I think it would be best to show Crescent Ponyville so she can get a start on finding a job, a house, and get an idea of what it’s like living here.” Twilight said sliding her plate away as she stood. “Of course we need to put breakfast away first.” She levitated the plates off the table, stacking them, then levitated them over to Spike as he walked towards the kitchen.

“I can help with that.” Crescent said standing up and walking over next to Spike.

“You don’t need to do that Crescent. I usually help Spike.” Twilight said standing up.

“No. You’re already helping me it’s the least I can do.” She said.

“No Crescent. It’s your first day here. Sit down, get to know Starlight, I can take care of this.” Twilight said walking with Spike into the kitchen.

Crescent walked back to her spot and sat down, looking over at Starlight. They sat silently for a few seconds. Then Starlight spoke. “So you’re a cousin of Twilight’s?” Crescent nodded. “Which side?” Starlight asked.

“Her mom’s side. My dad is Twilight Velvet’s brother.” Crescent explained.

“And I haven’t met them yet why?” Starlight asked raising an eyebrow.

“Well they came out for Shining Armor’s wedding, and Twilight’s coronation, but since then we haven’t received any invites. Cadence and Shining Armor wanted the Crystalling to be between immediate family and your award ceremony was hardly a family affair, even though you are Twilight’s pupil.” Crescent said. She looked down at the floor. “And I wouldn’t have been able to come anyways.” She muttered quietly.

“What was that?” Starlight asked.

“Nothing.” Crescent said.

“No you said something about not coming and you mentioned earlier about going home on the weekends when you were well enough. What do you mean?” Starlight asked.

“It’s not something I want to talk about.” Crescent said looking off to the side, her glasses slid down again.

“It’s alright.” Starlight said walking over to Crescent and sitting down next to her, who pushed her glasses back into place. “I have things I’m not proud of and I can understand not talking about them, but sometimes it’s best when you tell somepony about them anyways so they can help you.” Crescent continued looking away at the floor and shuffled awkwardly.

She sighed. “Alright, you’re Twilight’s student. You wouldn’t be the Princess of Friendship’s student if you couldn’t keep a secret, and Twilight knows already so you’d probably find out anyways.” She paused for a second, taking a deep breath. “I was in a mental hospital.” She shuffled around again. “I have schizophrenia and back when I was a little filly it got bad enough that my parents couldn’t take care of me, so they had to commit me to the hospital. I’ve pretty much been there since.”

“Well that doesn’t sound too bad, and you’re not there anymore. So I assume you’re doing better right?” Crescent nodded. “That wasn’t to bad was it?” Starlight asked holding out a hoof.

Crescent smiled and shook it. “No. It wasn’t all that bad.” She said. They were silent for a second. “So what do you wish ponies didn’t know about you?” Crescent asked.

“Oh! Um… Well.” Starlight sighed. “I’m going to have to tell you aren’t I?” She asked.

“It’s seems fair, since I told you.” Crescent responded tilting her head and eyeing Starlight.

“Well, mine’s a bit different is all.” Starlight said, but Crescent wouldn’t let it drop. “Alright. I enslaved an entire village of ponies, took their cutie marks, and forced them to all be the same in the name of ‘Friendship’.” Starlight said quickly, adding in air quotes as she talked.

Crescent was quiet for a second. “You figured out a way to steal cutie marks? How’d you manage that? I thought that was extremely personal to each pony and couldn’t be manipulated by magic. I mean magic can’t make one appear, so how did you take one away?” Crescent asked looking perplexed. She caught her glasses as they slipped.

Starlight looked a bit surprised. “Well it’s actually a slightly different mechanic than making one manifest.” Starlight began as Twilight and Spike walked back into the room.

Twilight looked at the two of them. “So did you two get to know each other a bit better?” Twilight asked. Starlight and Crescent looked at each other.

“Yes.” They both said and laughed.

Getting Lost and Found

“Well, should we get started.” Starlight said. “I’m meeting Trixie for Lunch later today, so if we’re going to find you a place to work and stay we need to get started.” Starlight stood and walked back to the main door, Twilight, Spike, and Crescent followed.

“Spike.” Twilight looked at him as they crossed through the main hall. Spike grabbed a scroll off a shelf by the door. “What do I have today and when are they?” Twilight asked as the group trotted out the door.

It was early spring and a chill greeted them as they walked out the door. Crescent walked a few steps with the rest of the group. Twilight turned around to talk to her and stopped seeing the castle door open.

“Crescent would you mind closing the door? ” Twilight asked. Spike caught her attention and she turned back around to face him.

“Sure.” Crescent said walking back to the door and cautiously closing it. It felt surprisingly good to shut a door by herself. At the hospital she’d opened doors and closed doors, but the staff was usually close by and did it for you anyways. Crescent thought for a second, figuring that probably four out of five doors were opened for her. And now they wouldn’t be. She felt a little giddy.

Twilight and the others walked on as she shut it. As they walked, Spike began reading off Twilight’s list for the day. “First you have studying with Starlight, as usual, and that starts in thirty minutes.” Twilight stopped and looked at Starlight.

“Starlight, do you mind if we cancel that for today? I think Crescent needs some help getting around town…” Twilight said as they walked farther on and turned around a corner and disappeared.

Crescent, who’d very carefully shut the door, barely caught sight of Twilight and the others as they turned the corner. “Aaahh!” Crescent quietly shouted dashing down the street to catch up.

When she turned the corner she found herself in Ponyville’s market that was setting up for the day and ponies were milling about setting up their stalls. Crescent hurriedly looked around, but couldn’t find Twilight or Starlight anywhere. Her glasses had slipped during her dash and she had to push them back up. She looked around again, but all she could see were shop ponies setting up for the day.

Crescent started panicking. “What do I do, What do I do, What do I do.” She muttered frantically trotting in place. Shop ponies moved about her as they set up. Crescent began wandering through the stalls trying to find Twilight again. A few times she thought she’d seen her, but each time she tried to catch up it wasn’t Twilight it was somepony else.

Crescent kept pacing and wandering back and forth, eventually she realized she was wandering in circles. She’d passed that flower seller three times and that asparagus stall looked very familiar. Crescent adjusted her glasses and combed back her mane nervously, shifting from hoof to hoof.

“You okay there sugarcube?” a voice asked coming up behind her. Crescent turned around. An orange pony with light yellow mane and tail and a cowboy hat was standing behind her. A small yellow filly with a bow in her mane and an old light green mare were setting up an apple stall just a bit behind her.

“You look as nervous as a pig on wash day.” She said as she helped the other two ponies set up the stall. Something was familiar about this pony, like Crescent had seen her before but couldn’t remember where.

“Yeah I got lost. Umm… Did you happen to see Princess Twilight walk by here somewhere?” Crescent asked.

“Twilight? You’re looking for Twilight? I haven’t seen her today yet, but she’ll probably come by sometime in the day. Why are you looking for her?” The pony asked setting a bushel of apples from a cart into the stall.

Crescent looked at the pony again trying to remember where she’d seen her before. “I’m terribly sorry, but you seem familiar even though I’m sure we’ve never met. What’s your name?” Crescent asked.

“You don’t know me?! Well call me an Appleloosan buffalo! I never thought I’d meet another pony that didn’t know who I was ever again!” The pony stuck out a hoof and Crescent reached out to shake it. The pony shook her hoof vigorously. Crescent reached up to stop her glasses from falling off. “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Applejack, a personal friend of Twilight’s and who might you be?” Applejack asked letting go of Crescent’s hoof. Crescent’s hoof continued shaking for a few seconds before she managed to stop it.

Applejack brought the memory back to her. “Oh Applejack! I remember now.” Crescent smiled as she remembered the picture that she’d seen on the invitation to Twilight’s coronation and the other announcements from Canterlot about their adventures. Twilight had been the only one Crescent had really remembered since they were related, but now she could remember the five other ponies that were in all the other pictures with her.

“Sorry I didn’t recognize before you. I’ve been a bit… out of the loop for awhile.” Crescent said a little abashed.

Applejack smiled back. “No problem sugarcube. Sorry, but introductions tend to go both ways. So what is your name again? And why are you looking for Twilight?” She asked as she continued setting up the stall.

“I’m Crescent Moonbeam. I’m staying with Twilight while I try to find a place to stay in town and she was going to help me find someplace today.” Crescent explained.

“You mean you’re new to Ponyville?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah, I got here last night and asked if I could stay.” She said adjusting her glasses again.

“Hooboy! Pinkie’s gonna cause such a ruckus that Twilight didn’t tell her about you yesterday. Even if you did stop in in the middle of the night.” Applejack laughed. The other two walked up at the noise.

“What’s this? Met somepony new have you?” The old green mare asked.

“Who is she?” The little filly asked bouncing over.

“Granny, Apple Bloom, meet Crescent Moonbeam. She’s staying with Twilight until she finds a place to stay.” Applejack explained gesturing at Crescent.

“Nice to meet you.” Crescent mumbled rubbing her front leg with a hoof. “But I would really like to get back to Twilight, she was going to show me around and help me find a job and house, and I’d like to get back to that.” Crescent said.

“Sure thing sugarcube. I have an idea where she might heading if she sticks to her normal schedule.” Applejack pointed out around the edge of town. “She’d probably be reviewing the week’s weather with Dash to make sure she has it all under control.”

Crescent looked in the direction Applejack was pointing. She didn’t see anything that stood out. She slid her glasses back up her muzzle. “Umm… I don’t know where Dash lives and I haven’t been here all that long. Would you mind helping me get there?” She asked.

“Dash lives in a cloud. You’ll be fine as long as you head that way.” Applejack assured her. Crescent looked back in the direction from before. She didn’t want to get lost and though she had taken her medication she’d rather have somepony with her. “Would you mind coming with me anyways? Just in case, or if Twilight isn’t there, so I don’t have to just wander around randomly.” Crescent asked.

“For one of Twilight’s kinfolk? Sure, if you would like me to come.” Crescent nodded politely and poked at the ground. Applejack turned over her shoulder. “Do you think y’all can can manage the cart until I get back?” Applejack asked. “Crescent would like an escort to Dash’s house.”

Apple Bloom nodded, jumping a few times. Granny gave Applejack a mocking glare. “I may be getting up there missy, but I can still keep an eye on an old cart.” She grinned and winked before shooing applejack off.

Applejack began trotting off and Crescent turned and followed her. They walked out of town and started down a path around Ponyville. They were silent for a bit. As they came around a bend, Applejack broke the silence. “Rainbow Dash lives a bit outside of town, so why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself.” Applejack said walking along.

Crescent took a stutter step nearly tripping, she adjusted her glasses as she stammered. “Um… Well… I-I-I’ve been a little out of the way recently and came to Ponyville to try and see if a fresh start would help with anything.” She said. “My parents thought it would be best as well, and well Twilight was in the area and my relative, so I thought I’d see if I might ask her for a place to stay.” She explained before falling quiet again.

“Anything else?” Applejack asked. Crescent was still quiet. “What do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies? Are you into magic like Twilight and Starlight or are you more of a solid pony? Making things and such?” She asked.

Crescent took a second before responding. “Um… Yeah I do like magic theory quite a bit, but that’s a little hard to call a hobby of mine since I can’t practice it all that much.” Crescent sighed as they continued on.

“What do you mean you can’t practice it? If you like to do it, just do it. I have to run a lot of Sweet Apple Acres, but I still find time to practice for my rodeo competitions. I bet you could find time for it if you tried.” Applejack said as they rounded a bend in the path.

Crescent groaned a bit and tilted her back and forth as if she was considering something. “It’s not quite that simple.” She explained stopping and gesturing with her hoof towards her horn. She caught her glasses and fixed them.

“You see, I have Magic Dysphoria.” She sighed when Applejack gave her a confused look. “It basically means I don’t have control over my magic.” She paused and thought for a second. “Do you have any experience with unicorn foals?” She asked.

“A little. The cakes have sweet little unicorn and pegasus foals that are quite the handful, and I don’t think I need to tell you about the Crystaling with Flurry Heart.” Applejack said starting to walk again.

“Actually, I”d love to hear that story. If you wouldn’t mind?” Crescent said looking a little hopeful. As she followed Applejack again.

Applejack smiled. “You’ll have plenty of time to hear since you’ll be living with Twilight for a week or so, and I’d still like to know you a bit better.” Applejack hoof-bumped her on the shoulder.

Crescent smiled and slid her glasses back up her muzzle. “Okay, so you know how young Unicorns have trouble controlling their magic?” She asked. Applejack nodded giving a chuckle. “Well it’s almost exactly like that.” She explained.

“So you have random power surges and trouble focusing whenever you don’t?” Applejack asked.

Crescent tilted her head back and forth again. “Well… Minus the power surges now. Now it’s just difficult to focus on it and keep it going.” She explained. She stopped and pointed to a stick on the ground. “Like this.” She closed her eyes and concentrated. Her horn flickered for a few seconds and her glasses slid down her muzzle. The glow surrounded the stick, flickering with her horn as she shakingly lifted the stick. She levitated it across the path to the other side grunting with the exertion.

Once she finished she sat down panting on the path. Applejack stopped and sat down next to her looking concerned. “You okay there sugarcube? You look like you just tried to buck all the apples off a zap apple tree.”

Crescent was panting, but stood back up. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. It’s just exhausting is all.”

“Well it’s a good thing Rainbow’s house isn’t too far away then.” Applejack said pointing up at the sky.

Rainbow Back

Rainbow Dash’s house sat floating in the air. Being a cloud this didn’t surprise Crescent. However, as she looked up, she looked over at Applejack. “How do we get up there?” She asked.

Applejack didn’t respond taking in a deep breath. She put her hooves over her mouth and shouted. “HEY! Dash! I gotta talk to you!” She put her hooves back on the ground and waited for a second.

Crescent looked up at the house. “It’s really high up there. Do you think she heard-” Crescent was interrupted as a rainbow blur burst from the house and landed right in front of them.

“Hey there AJ! What you need.” Rainbow Dash said flicking her tail and going back to hovering in the air. She looked over at Crescent. “Who’s the unicorn?” She asked grinning.

Crescent had her mouth open and her glasses sliding off her face. She hurriedly shut her mouth and pushed her glasses back up. She also messed with her mane which had been scattered from Dash’s landing.

“This here is Crescent Moonbeam.” Applejack said gesturing at Crescent. Crescent mumbled something that sounded like hello. “She’ll be staying with Twilight for a while, until she moves in completely.” Applejack explained. “Speaking of which is Twilight here or did we miss her?” She asked looking up at Dash’s house.

“No she hasn’t come by today.” She said stretching and yawning. “I was about to go take a nap since she hadn’t come, but you two showed up.” She said eyeing them.

“Really?” Applejack asked looking confused. “She hasn’t stopped by at all?”

Dash shook her head. “Nope. Now if you don’t mind I’m going to catch a few more z’s.”

“Do you know where she is?” Crescent asked hurriedly as Dash started to take off again.

“Umm… No. I don’t know where Twilight is.” Dash stopped and looked a little worried. “She’s never late, and if she can’t make it she’ll make sure I know. I mean she can teleport and she has Spike” Dash lowered herself to the ground looking more worried. “You don’t think something happened to her do you?” She asked looking at Applejack and Crescent.

“No, no, I’m certain Twilight’s fine. Nothing big’s come through Ponyville since that Bugbear. She’s probably off worried about something or other.” She stopped and looked at Crescent whose eyes were wide open.

“Or someone.” She finished. She turned back to Applejack. “I bet she’s trying to figure out where I am!” She stepped nervously looking back down the path. “All I did was make sure the door was shut all the way, but they’d already walked into town by the time I caught up with them.”

“Bwahahaha!” Dash laughed.

“Rainbow!” Applejack scolded.

“Sorry, but seriously, a door? You just got lost closing a door? On your first day here? Bwahahaha!” She laughed again. “A-A-And now Twilight’s probably searching the whole town for you. Singing some tragic song or something.” She said, nearly crying from laughing.

“Well we should probably find her so she’ll stop worrying.” Applejack said. Crescent was looking worried herself prancing from side to side.

“This isn’t how I wanted my first day to go.” She muttered. Dash was still laughing. Applejack was glaring at her, then smiled.

“So you think somepony should help Crescent find Twilight right?” Applejack asked Dash who was trying to compose herself.

“Yeah somepony should probably help them find each other.” She said.

“And that pony should be really quick about it too.” Applejack said. “And probably have the ability to fly so they can see everything.” Applejack continued.

“Yeah flying would be really handy.” Dash said then stopped. She turned to Applejack. “Wait! You mean me?! Don’t you?” She asked pointing at herself as she resumed hovering.

“Sure do sugarcube. I need to get back to the market with Granny and Apple Bloom, and you seem to have your morning open since Twilight isn’t here anyways.” Applejack said. Dash looked like she was going to object, but Applejack interrupted again. “And you laughed at her. Don’t you think it would be a bit polite to help her after that?” Applejack asked.

“IIIII’m not getting out of this am I?” Dash asked.

“Nope.” Responded Applejack. Crescent was standing there watching the exchange. She wasn’t sure what to do.

“Fine. I’ll see if I can find Twilight.” Dash said as she launched into the sky, leaving a rainbow trail behind her.

“I’ll leave you here then.” Applejack said, tipping her hat. She stopped at Crescent’s worried look. “Don’t worry about Dash. She’ll be back. If you can get her to promise to do something she usually does it.” Applejack explained and grinned. “The hard part is getting her to agree to do something in the first place.” Applejack patted her shoulder. “You’ll be fine sugarcube. She’ll find Twilight and take you to her, no problem.” She turned and headed down the path waving.

Crescent waved back slowly as she sat down to wait for Dash. She looked around taking in the valley that Dash’s house floated over. It was quiet and peaceful. Crescent could see the butterflies out on the flowers. She shivered, it reminded her of the hospital.

One of the treatments had been Awareness Practice. They’d sit her in a room and project an illusion in around her. Then they’d project other illusions in along with real objects. She’d had to find which were real and which weren’t. It hadn’t been bad, just weird. Crescent had always thought they were a waste of time. When she was in her right mind she passed the tests easily, she could tell the rabbit by the bushes was fake, but the rock in the stream was real. It hadn’t ever really crossed over for her like it was supposed to.

It should’ve helped her mind focus on what was real whenever her delusions took over and help her mind reassert control and ground her back in reality again. For whatever reason it didn’t work. Crescent could remember her delusions quite well usually, and they’d felt real. Just like the rock had. She couldn’t trick her mind back to reality because it said the delusion was reality. She shivered again at the thought of what might have happened if she hadn’t found the zebra’s cure.

“Found her!” Dash said careening to a stop. Crescent jumped as Dash landed. Dash was hovering again. “She was over at Sugar Cube Corner asking everypony if they’d seen you.” Dash said.

“Thank you very much.” Crescent said nodding at Dash.

Dash smiled. “So, now you know where to go. I’ll get back to having those z’s.” Dash took off.
Crescent raised a hoof and shouted after her. “Wait! Where’s Sugar Cube Corner.” Dash stopped and flew back a bit more controlled, hovering in front of her.

“Riiight. You’re new in town.” Dash sighed and looked over towards Ponyville. “Alright. I’ll take you over. Just try and be quick? I want to get a nap in before I start on the weather for the day.” Dash said as she started off.

Crescent started running after her, trying to keep pace with Dash. After a few minutes she was gasping and struggling to keep up. Dash looked over her shoulder and noticed Crescent was falling behind. She rolled her eyes and slowed down, letting Crescent catch back up with her. Crescent came up panting.

“All you eggheads are the same. Can’t you just try and keep up?” Dash asked annoyed as she hovered.

Crescent was still panting. “Well… I… Can’t… Fly…” She panted. “And… I… Thought… I… Did… Alright…” She finished.

Dash rolled her eyes. Then looked back over the distance they had covered. They were probably half way to Ponyville already. “Okay I admit you’re doing alright, but still couldn’t you try a bit harder?” She asked.

Crescent shook her head still trying to get her breathing back to normal. She adjusted her glasses again. They started towards Ponyville again, this time at a slower pace. It was silent mostly.

“How fast can you fly?” Crescent asked looking up at Dash.

“You mean if I really try or just like average day going around doing stuff?” Dash asked.

“If you really try. How fast do you get? Before you weren’t anything but a blur so how fast do you get going when you really try?” She asked.

Dash thought for a second. “I don’t know. Reeaally fast. Is that enough of an answer?” Dash asked.

“Not really.” Crescent responded. “I’d like something a bit more specific than ‘really fast’.” She said stepping over a rock on the path.

Dash thought for a second. “Could you calculate a Sonic Rainboom?” Dash asked.

“You mean that wasn’t just a rumor?” Crescent asked stunned.

“Yeah! Of course it wasn’t. I’m the one and only pegasus that’s done it of course. Which makes it even more awesome!” She squealed doing a loop in mid air smiling.

“So what happens when you do one?” Crescent asked as they walked along.

“What do you mean?” Dash asked back.

“Well you know. What do you experience? Does the air take any kind of form when you approach those speeds? Any other phenomena?” Crescent asked gesturing for Dash to answer.

“Hmm…” Dash took on a thoughtful look as she drifted on. “Well the wind kinds makes this barrier that I have to try and push through.” She gestured out in front of her as she explained. “It kinda starts out like a curved dome and I have to keep pushing and pushing to try to get any faster. As I get faster the tension increases and the dome flattens into more of a triangle. If I ever stop there it acts like a rubberband and it’ll launch me back, however I manage to keep pushing and the triangle breaks, the rainbow spreads out behind me and boom! I have a Sonic Rainboom.” Dash explained grinning.

Crescent was quietly muttering something under her breath, tilting her head back and forth and gesturing with her hooves. “Okay so that’s probably a mach cone which extends slowly so that means approximately mach 5.” She muttered then looked at Dash.

“Do you experience an increase in your speed when you break the mach cone?” Crescent asked tilting her head.

“Umm… Yeah. It feels like I do. Everything jumps afterwards when the rainbow happens.” Dash responded. Crescent went back to muttering. She drew lines in the air as they walked and Dash just watched confused.

“What are you doing?” She asked, floating in front of Crescent.

“The angle would probably measure 36 degrees… What?” Crescent asked shaking herself out of her thoughts.

“What are you doing there with muttering and pointing?” Dash asked again mimicking her gestures.

“Oh, I’m trying to figure out how fast you’re going. Assuming you’re forming a mach cone as you were flying which then elongated and you experienced the increase in acceleration from the reduction in drag…” Dash yawned and interrupted her.

“Anyways.” Dash said rolling her eyes then looked down expectantly. “Did you figure it out?” She asked eagerly.
Crescent thought for a second. They walked over a ridge and into the outskirts of Ponyville. Crescent was still quiet and she muttered a bit, but her expression was growing more and more confused. Suddenly Crescent laughed and shook her head, she pushed her glasses back up. “No, I really don’t know Rainbow. I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?!” Dash asked sounding annoyed as the pair walked into Ponyville.

“Well let me rephrase it as ‘I don’t have all the information I need and it was a little crazy to try and do it all in my head’.” She stopped for a second and thought. “Though I can generalize you probably were at around mach 5 or 6.” Crescent said as she started walking forward again.

“How fast is that exactly? Dash asked. Crescent stepped over a crack in the road carefully, looking thoughtful.

“Reeaaaally fast.” She said.

“Good!” Dash said lying on ahead to take her to Sugar Cube Corner. As they walked Crescent very carefully avoided the few places where cracks had developed in the roads.

“Yeah I’m fine.” She said, sidestepping another crack.

“You sure? I mean you can just walk over those.” Dash said pointing at the small crack Crescent had sidestepped.

“Yeah it’s alright.” She said as they continued walking. They passed through the streets of Ponyville, Crescent was careful to watch Dash and keep up with her as she floated on above everyponies heads. It was usually pretty easy Ponyville wasn’t too crowded, but she was careful anyways.

The ponies along the way were very polite and smiled at her as she passed or waved at her. Crescent waved and smiled back. Eventually she smelled fresh pastries and guessed they were getting close.

“There it is.” Dash said pointing to a shop in the middle of a street that looked like a decorated piece of cake with a cupcake on top of it. Crescent could see ponies walking in and out with various cakes and cookies.

“Well you’re here. Twilight should be just inside, so I’ going to get that nap.” She said stretching.

“Thank you Rainbow.” Crescent said before Dash took off.

Dash turned and smiled at her. “Don’t mention it. It’s good to meet another Twilight.” Dash laughed as she launched herself off back home. Crescent smiled and walked up to the door of Sugar Cube Corner.

Welcomes and Wagons

The inside of the shop was decorated in what looked like frosting rafters and various decorations that looked like sprinkles or other cake toppings. Crescent looked around the shop noticing the different fresh cakes and cookies displayed under glass. She saw Twilight pacing in front of the counter talking to a pony behind it.

Suddenly two huge blue eyes filled Crescent’s sight. “Aaahh!” Crescent stumbled back a step and shook her head, adjusting her glasses.

“I’ve never seen you before.” The blue eyes became a pink pony with a puffy pink mane. The pony looked over her shoulder at Twilight, who had turned to look over and had begun walking over, then turned back and smiled.

“And you were looking for Twilight! That means you’re Crescent!” The pony hugged crescent whooping the whole time. Crescent noticed the other ponies in the room simply smiled, chuckled, or rolled their eyes.

Crescent thought back to the one picture and the little bit she’d heard about Twilight’s friends. There was a pink pony. What was her name. Ah, yes. Pinkie Pie. “Hi there Pinkie.” Crescent said trying to pry her way out of the hug.

The pony sprang away “You know me! I bet Twilight’s told you all about her friends right?” The pony asked.

“Uhh…” Crescent didn’t want to say anything.

“We’ll get to that later. Right now I need to give you your Ponyville welcome!” Pinkie reached somewhere out of Crescent’s view and pulled a wagon into the center of the room.

“Outside Pinkie!” A voice called from the back of the shop.

“Right.” Pinkie said nudging Crescent out the door, Twilight and the wagon followed along with a few of the other shop patrons. “Stand right there.” Pinkie said to Crescent before walking back to the wagon. The other ponies gave it a fairly wide berth as she walked up and pushed a button in the front of the wagon.

The wagon burst open and fanfare played as Pinkie danced and sang in front of the wagon and around Crescent. “Welcome, welcome, welcome, to Ponyyviille todaaay!” She sang as she finished.

Crescent was impressed and started to clap when she noticed the other ponies backing up a step. “AND THE FINALE!” Pinkie said as the wagon exploded again, throwing a torrent of confetti at Crescent and Pinkie and a heavy coating of cake batter coated them.

Crescent blinked and tried to wipe her glasses off, but being covered in cake made it nearly impossible. Pinkie was giggling uncontrollably on the floor. “I did it again!” She said as she continued laughing.

Crescent couldn’t help but laugh as well. Soon everypony nearby was laughing. Pinkie wriggled out of the cake, leaving it completely intact, and swallowed the whole thing. “Try some Crescent!” Pinkie said smiling.

Crescent managed to lick some of the batter off in between bouts of laughter. It was very good, better than any cake Crescent had tasted before. She licked some more off still laughing. Crescent stopped laughing. This was cake that hadn’t been baked in a cafeteria like every other time. She almost started crying, but managed to stop it by hugging Pinkie. Pinkie hugged her back, and licked some of the batter off her.

“Pinkie!” Twilight said walking up. “You shouldn’t lick other ponies.” She said. Spike was also with her, but Crescent didn’t see Starlight anywhere.

“But she’s covered in delicious cake!” Pinkie said turning to Twilight. Crescent returned to trying to clean her glasses and herself off.

“Pinkie do you think Crescent could clean up? So she doesn’t have to spend the rest of the day finding little bits cake all over herself.” Twilight asked noticing Crescent failing to wipe herself off.

“Sure thing Twilight.” Pinkie said stepping up to Sugar Cube Corner’s door and held it open. “After you.” She said gesturing Crescent through.

Crescent did her best to wipe off her hooves and shook most of the dripping cake mix off before cautiously walking through the door. Pinkie closed it behind her as Twilight walked through. A blue mare with a pink mane and tail laughed politely.

“Thank Celestia you welcomed her outside this time.” Pinkie looked a little abashed as if remembering something. The mare pointed up the stairs. “She can wash off in your room Pinkie. Then get back down here we still need those cupcakes frosted for the banquet tonight.” She said going into the back room.

“Sure thing Mrs. Cake!” Pinkie said and hopped along up the stairs.

Crescent and Twilight followed Pinkie up the stairs. They came to a landing with a few doors. Pinkie opened the one straight ahead revealing a bathroom. “You can wash off in here.” Pinkie bounced across the room and started the water. Twilight nudged Crescent in.

“You’ll be alright, I had to clean up here once.” Twilight smiled. “That was an unusual day.” She rolled her eyes. “Then again. Pinkie Pie always has unusual days.”

“All ready.” Pinkie said. The tub was now full of water and bubbles. Crescent walked forward and stepped into the tub. Pinkie offered Crescent some soap and shampoo. Crescent began washing herself off.

“So you’re moving to Ponyville?” Pinkie asked. Crescent nodded scrubbing away at the cake mix. “Why’d you decide to move to Ponyville?” Pinkie asked pushing a rubber duck across the tub. Crescent watched the duck sail across the tub for a second.

“Well… Uh… It’s a nice town. And Twilight lives here and I thought seeing her would be nice.” Crescent muttered. She didn’t want everypony to know she moved here to start after getting out of a mental hospital. Twilight and Starlight were probably alright, but Crescent didn’t think everypony needed to know.

“I… “ Twilight began, but caught a look from Crescent asking her not to say anything more for now.

“Nice! I always want to spend more time with my sisters and family too.” Pinkie said. Crescent plunged her head under the water to wash the rest of the shampoo out of her mane.

As she was washing she heard Pinkie say something through the water and Twilight gave a brief cry of alarm. Crescent began to surface to see what the commotion was about when she felt something clamp down on her muzzle.

“Aaaahhh!” She cried leaping out of the water.

“You should be more careful about him!” Twilight scolded Pinkie helping Crescent right herself. “I remember when that happened to me.”

After Crescent recovered, she looked out in front of her and saw Pinkie standing next to an alligator.

“Crescent meet Gummy.” The alligator did nothing. “He’s the thing that scared you so badly, and he’s very sorry about it. Right Gummy?” Pinkie asked looking down at him. Gummy licked his eye. “See! He’s completely sorry for scaring you.” Pinkie said nodding. Crescent noticed Twilight roll her eyes.

Crescent looked at Gummy. He stared back at her. Crescent poked him and he yawned revealing a mouth with no teeth. “Oh, that’s why he’s Gummy... and I still have a nose.” She said feeling where Gummy had bitten her.

Twilight helped her stand up. “It’s almost lunch time. How about we go and get something to eat?” Twilight suggested.

Crescent’s stomach rumbled. She grinned. “That’s a yes from me.” She said.

Twilight turned to Pinkie. “Think you can come Pinkie?” Twilight asked.

Pinkie thought for a second. “I’d like to, but I need to finish frosting those cupcakes for tonight.” Pinkie scratched her chin. “Though that probably won’t take me too long.”

“We could wait while you finished.” Twilight said.

“Thanks Twilight! I’ll be back soon.” Pinkie hopped out the door and slid down the railing. Crescent heard the kitchen door open and close.

“Come on down, we’ll get something for later while she finishes up her work.” Twilight said walking out of the bathroom and down the stairs. Crescent glanced at Gummy as she stood up and followed Twilight out, but he did nothing.

Crescent walked down the stairs and came back out into the main store of Sugar Cube Corner. The room was a lot more crowded than before. It seemed a bunch of ponies were coming in for a snack after lunch or something else. Crescent stuck close to Twilight to try and avoid the crowd of ponies, but most of them walked over for a bit of advice or to chat with Twilight, and Crescent felt a little odd standing around with nothing to do.

She decided to start wandering the shop. If she was going to live here it would probably be a good idea to know what they sold here. She passed shelves displaying cupcakes, candy, and a variety of sweets and confections that she’d never even seen before. She stopped in front of a green brown swirled cupcake that was topped with a strawberry and what looked like green sprinkles.

“That’s the SCCC! Strawberry Cinnamon Cilantro Cupcake!” Pinkie said popping out of nowhere.

Crescent jumped away as PInkie appeared. She looked back at the kitchen. She pointed at the door. “Weren’t you just…”

“Yes. Yes I was, but I noticed you stop in front of one of my creations!” Pinkie pulled a plate full of the cupcakes out from behind her. “Want one?” She asked.

Crescent reached to take one then stopped. “Don’t I need to pay for them first?” Crescent asked.
“Normally yes, but I’m offering you a special friend one time offer for your first day here.” Pinkie said smiling.

Crescent hesitated. “Strawberry Cinnamon Cilantro? Are those any good together?” She asked.

“Well that’s an interesting question.” Pinkie picked one of the cupcakes off the plate and ate it whole. Her face shrunk and looked a little embarrassed. She managed to swallow it then stuck out her tongue, which was covered in the green sprinkles. “They taste just about as sickening as they sound. Want one?” Pinkie offered the plate again.

Crescent wasn’t sure what to do at this point. Pinkie seemed alright, even though it looked like she hadn’t agreed with the cupcake, and in Crescent’s opinion that flavor combination actually sounded half good. Crescent took one figuring nothing bad could happen from eating a cupcake. No matter what flavor it might be.

She took a bite and chewed. The cinnamon was straight cinnamon, not with sugar, and Crescent could feel it burning as she chewed. The strawberry actually mixed quite well with the spice and helped moderate the cilantro. The cilantro added a hint of freshness like grass or a daisy. She chewed some more and took another bite. It wasn’t as bad as Pinkie had made it look. The cupcake itself was just slightly sweet which offset everything else.

Crescent looked up as she chewed. She noticed a sign above the counter she’d been examining. Joke Treats! Tease your friends! Crescent looked back at Pinkie. She talked around the cupcake. “You sell these as jokes? And you just offered me one?” She asked sounding muffled.

Pinkie looked a little surprised as she responded. “Yeah. Besides I had one first and I’ve had them before. I figured you’d say ‘no’ or would at least take it well.” Pinkie looked surprised again as she ate the final bite of cupcake.

“Well, I think they’re actually pretty good.” Crescent said swallowing. She looked at the plate still was holding. “Can I have another?” She asked.

Pinkie reached over the counter and took a box from behind it. “Take a few.” She said putting the cupcakes inside.

“Ah, you’re back Pinkie.” Twilight noticed the box. “Find something you wanted Crescent?” Crescent nodded.

She felt a little awkward as she looked at the box. “Umm… Twilight. I don’t have any bits.” Crescent looked a little sheepish.

“Oh that’s alright. I’ve got some.” Twilight fished a few bits out and put them on the counter. Pinkie popped up behind it and put them in the register.
“Anything else Twilight?” Pinkie asked. “You’ve got one lonely bit up here.” She said pointing at the bit she’d left on the counter.

“Add some vanilla lemon drops for me.” Twilight said. PInkie pulled up a bag from behind the counter and put it next to the box. She flipped the last coin into the register.

“Okey dokey lokey.” She said letting Twilight levitate the bag and box. Crescent took the box from Twilight.

“So, now onto lunch” Twilight said.

A Relaxing Break

Pinkie, Twilight, Spike, and Crescent walked along the road. Pinkie bouncing along as Crescent and Twilight followed. Crescent, once again, avoiding any cracks in the road. Pinkie watched for a few seconds before joining in giggling. Twilight smiled and rolled her eyes.

Eventually the group staggered their way over to the nearest restaurant, Cafe Hay. As they approached a voice called to them.

“Oh! Darlings! Care to join me?” It asked. Pinkie and Twilight recognized it and began trotting over to a white unicorn with a beautifully styled mane. Crescent noticed Spike absentmindedly fixing his scales. Crescent hung back, but slowly made her way over. Another one of Twilight’s friends she thought. She tried to remember the picture she’d seen again. White unicorn, purple mane, diamonds, generosity. What was her name again? She fussed with her mane as she walked over.

“Oh, and who is this?” The white unicorn asked.

“She’s Twilight’s cousin Crescent Moonbeam.” Pinkie said looking around for a waiter, her stomach rumbling.

“Well hello Crescent. I’m Rarity.” She said extending a hoof.

“That’s right!” Crescent shouted as she remembered. She put a hoof over her mouth at the outburst. Everypony smiled and laughed a little, Crescent blushed and gently shook Rarity’s hoof.

“We all have our different quirks dear. Don’t feel too bad.” Rarity said as a waiter walked up bringing a drink, which Rarity levitated over to her.

The waiter looked at the rest of the group. “Any orders?” He asked taking a notepad out.

“Yes.” Twilight said. “I would like a daisy sandwich.” She said politely.

“I’ll have a kumquat smoothie.” Pinkie said.

The waiter looked over at Crescent expectantly as he jotted down the orders. Crescent hastily picked up the menu and began looking over the items. The waiter’s attention shifted to Spike.

“Still don’t have gemstones?” He asked. The waiter’s silent stare was practically a glare. “Alright. I’ll take some extra crispy hay fries then.” He lamented.

The waiter took the order and looked back at Crescent who was still looking over the menu. Sandwiches, salads, soups, drinks, sides… Too much She thought and looked over at Twilight. “Any suggestions?” She asked.

Rarity spoke up. “Well their sandwiches are all fresh, so any of them are good, but I personally favor the Cucumber Cabaret.” Rarity offered. She looked at Crescent who was searching the menu for the sandwiches description.

“Of course if you don’t like sandwiches their soups are delightful as well. I favor Peas and Carrots personally, but feel free to get whatever you want.” Rarity offered again. Crescent began looking for Peas and Carrots on the menu. The waiter stood impatiently.

“I’ll have the Cucumber Cabaret.” Crescent sighed, trusting Rarity’s suggestion. The waiter wrote it down and walked off.

Twilight and her friends talked for a bit catching up on what was going on that day in all of their lives. Crescent stayed mostly silent as they talked, not wanting to interrupt and uncertain how to enter the conversation.

Eventually the rest of their food came. The waiter put the Cucumber Cabaret down in front of her. “Thank you.” She managed to say as he left.

The waiter nodded and said “You’re welcome.” Before going back inside the cafe.
Crescent was about to take a bite of the sandwich, which smelled really good, when Rarity spoke up. “So Crescent where are you from?” She asked.

Crescent took a bite of the sandwich and chewed for a second. “I moved here from Canterlot.” She said.

Rarity’s face lit up. “Another pony from Canterlot! What luck! You wouldn’t have happened to pass by my boutique by any chance?” Rarity asked.

Crescent shook her head. She hadn’t been to any boutiques for a long time. She vaguely remembered that Rarity made dresses or something like that.

“Oh.” Rarity sounded a bit deflated as she sipped at her drink.

Crescent felt a little bad. Apparently Rarity was quite attached to her boutique in Canterlot. “Umm… I didn’t really live in Canterlot. I lived a little bit outside the city, so I didn’t see it all that much.” Crescent said hoping it would sound like she just hadn’t been in Canterlot all that much instead of avoiding her shop or something like that.

Rarity perked up at that. “You mean you lived in the Canterlot Estates?” Rarity asked. Crescent immediately felt like she’d stepped into something much worse. The Canterlot Estates were where the most rich and influential of the Canterlot Elite lived. It was the most prestigious place to live, short of the actual castle. Her hospital had been more of a partitioned place inside Canterlot than its own private estate.

“Umm…” Crescent said, but Rarity continued.

“You simply must tell me! What is it like living there? The grandeur, the elegance, all the most sophisticated ponies in all of Equestria. It simply must be amazing!” Rarity said. She noticed Crescent was looking around nervously. She took her glasses off and cleaned them with a hoof.

“That… not exactly… I meant…” Crescent stammered trying to explain, but found it too hard to explain. She groaned and put her face down on the table. Twilight moved her half eaten sandwich out of the way before she landed in it.

Rarity and Pinkie Pie exchanged a look with Twilight. Spike looked like he was going to try and explain, but Twilight cut him off. “She’s been a little out of the loop while she’s been recovering in the hospital.” Twilight smoothed over.

Pinkie gasped and dashed off to go do something. Twilight and Rarity glanced after her then shrugged. Crescent wasn’t sure what it meant, but she wasn’t sure whether or not that was good. She didn’t look up from the table.

“It’s quite alright dearie if you haven’t been to my shop. Perhaps I’ll be able to show you around my original boutique sometime. We might find something for those wonderful eyes of yours.”

“You like my eyes?” Crescent asked looking up. Her one blue one green eyes were slightly magnified through her glasses.

“Of course darling.” Rarity said taking a sip of her drink. “They shine in a most interesting way and the different colors really lend a bit of a…” Rarity paused and thought for a second. “Unusual glamor, to your style.” She finished.

“You think?” Crescent said putting a hoof through her mane. She noticed Rarity scrutinizing her mane. Crescent looked over the mane in her hoof. It looked alright, a little more of it was sticking up than usual. She grimaced, she’d forgotten to brush it that morning.

“Would you like to take a trip to the spa with me perhaps?” Rarity said eyeing her mane again. “Ponyville has one of the best spas I’ve ever been to. Including the ones in Canterlot.” Rarity added.

Crescent shuffled a little worriedly, she’d never been to a spa and didn’t really know what you did at a spa. “I’ve never been to one before.” She admitted.

“What! This must be addressed! We will go at once!” Rarity stood up dramatically and tossed her mane.

“Great! I can get my claws done.” Spike said looking over his claws.

“Sit down let’s finish lunch first then we can go over.”Twilight said tucking into her sandwich again. Crescent went back to eating hers too.

The group finished their lunches, paid, and began walking over to the Ponyville spa. Rarity and Twilight waved to the various ponies they knew as they walked. Crescent stayed slightly behind carefully walking along slightly behind.

They walked up to the spa and Rarity walked through the front door, the bell jingling quietly.

“Hello Ms. Rarity.” A pony said walking up as they entered. She was blue with a pink mane and tail. She had a white headband and collar on and spoke with a slight accent. “The usual for you I assume.” She looked past Rarity and gave a quick respectful nod. “And Princess Twilight. Are you two going together today?” Then she noticed Spike and smiled at him. Then looked at Crescent.

“Oh! Who are you dear?” She asked, as she made a note in her ledger.

“She’s Crescent Moonbeam. She’s with us.” Rarity finished.

“Ah! Welcome to the Day Spa Ms. Crescent.” The pony said taking a brochure from a shelf. She handed it over the counter. “Tell us if there’s anything else you’d like today.” She looked over at Rarity. “We’ll charge your account as usual.” She said.

“Thank you.” Rarity said stepping behind a changing screen for a second before coming out in a monogrammed bathrobe. Twilight followed suit and spike just followed rarity into the spa. Crescent cautiously stepped behind the changing screen and pulled a bathrobe on.

“It’ll be alright Crescent.” Twilight assured her holding the door open for her. Crescent cautiously stuck her head through the door and looked around. “Come on.” Twilight said scooting Crescent forward with a wing and letting the door closed behind them.

Crescent walked forward as Twilight started going over what Rarity’s Usual was. “We’ll first have a steam, then a facial, followed by a massage and mud bath. We’ll probably finish with a soak and hooficures.” Twilight outlined.

The spa had a hallway that led to a big common room. Doors led off the hallway into the different areas of the spa. Rarity was standing outside one of the rooms, Spike was next to her holding a leaf fan.

Crescent tilted her head and adjusted her glasses. “Does Spike…” She paused. “Like Rarity?” Crescent asked, thinking back to just before lunch. He’d straightened his spines before meeting her and acted a little more quiet during lunch.

“Shhh.” Twilight said as she scooched Crescent further in. “Spike kinda wants it secret, though everyone knows.” She explained.

“Excuse me princess. If I might talk with you for a second.” The pony from the front desk called.

“Sure just a second.” Twilight responded turning to Crescent. “Go ahead with Rarity and Spike. I’ll see you guys in a second.” Twilight walked back to the front desk.

Crescent looked over at Rarity and Spike. Spike waved and Rarity motioned her over. “Come on darling you simply must try a steam.” She said opening the door as Crescent walked over.

They all entered the steam room together taking seats around the room as the steam enveloped them. Rarity sighed happily as she settled herself. Crescent sat down and felt a little uncomfortable. The steam room felt a little too muggy and enclosed to her. It kinda reminded her of when she had to go to focus groups on extremely hot days.

All those ponies in the same room, all talking, trying to figure out what was going on in their heads. It hadn’t been bad. Several ponies enjoyed it and talking it out had helped them figure it out and settle their problems. Sadly it hadn’t seemed to work for her.

Crescent sighed and closed her eyes. She was out now. Practically on her own and everything was going well. She didn’t have to see all those ponies leave when she couldn’t. She didn’t have to worry about having more delusions. She was happy that those days were behind her and she could relax now. Actually relax for once. She was free to live her life. The room suddenly felt a lot more open and enjoyable. Crescent sighed again and smiled.

“It is quite relaxing isn’t it?” Rarity asked hearing the sigh.

“Yes. It is relaxing.” Crescent responded.

A Kind Distraction

Time in the steam room passed quietly. Rarity didn’t seem to want to press Crescent for anything about herself at the moment and Crescent was a little happy about that. They passed into a waiting room as the spa ponies prepared facials. As they waited, Rarity started asking.

“So what interests do you have?” She asked. Rarity looked at her appraisingly, like she was planning something out.

“Well I do a lot of reading, I like reading about theoretical magic especially.” Crescent responded. She felt a little odd under Rarity’s stare. “Why do you ask?” She questioned back.

“It’s always best to know as much about a pony as you can when trying to design for them.” Rarity responded. The spa ponies entered and led them into another room where there were couches to rest on. Crescent nervously sat down on a couch and let the ponies apply the facial. She felt a little odd to have her glasses off, the facial mix felt rather heavy on her face, and she jumped a bit when they placed something over her eyes.

She cracked an eye open and examined her eye coverings. They were cucumbers. She looked at them interested, but she noticed Rarity had left hers on, so she put it back on.

“What do you mean design for a pony?” Crescent asked. A door opened and hoof steps entered.

“Sorry girls. I had some business to finish.” Twilight said. Crescent heard her settle herself down on another nearby couch and the hoof steps of the spa ponies. Twilight sighed relaxing.

“What do you think Crescent? Do you like the spa?” Twilight asked. Crescent thought over the last fifteen minutes or so. The steam room had been pleasant, and the quiet was most welcome. She thought the facial was a little odd, but other than that it was quite relaxing.

“Yeah, the spa is wonderful.” She sighed and tried to relax a bit more. She still needed to tell Twilight the full details of why she’d ended up in the hospital and that was nagging at her. She assured herself she still had time. Let Twilight get to know you a little better before springing all of it on her.

“Thank you for suggesting this Rarity. I was sooo worried before Rainbow Dash found me and was panicking out of my mind about losing you Crescent. I was especially worried what the hospital would think about your Mentor losing you on the first day when they came to visit.” Twilight said off handedly.

Crescent jumped slightly. “When they came to visit? Why would they come to visit?” Crescent asked, trying to keep the concern out of her voice.

“Oh, I contacted them last night before going to bed. I thought it would be a good idea for them to know you arrived safely and that I agreed to be your Mentor while you’re here.” Twilight explained. “I guess they didn’t know how to send a letter through Spike because I didn’t get a response right away. I figured we’d check the post office some time today or tomorrow for a response.” Twilight sighed again. Crescent could imagine her stretching.

Now Crescent was worried again. Twilight didn’t know everything about her condition, and Crescent’s had agreed with the hospital to tell whoever her mentor was everything. Crescent assured herself that she still intended to tell Twilight everything. She just wanted more time, so she didn’t freak out.

Crescent sat on the couch anxiously, only vaguely listening to Twilight and Rarity. What if Twilight turned her down after learning everything this soon? Would she have to go back to the hospital? What would Twilight think of her since she hadn’t told her? Crescent was panicking inside her head.

I need to get that letter first. She thought. Then I can delay their visit until I think she’s knows me enough to take the news. She thought for a second. How was she going to slip away unnoticed? “Is there a bathroom I can use?” She asked. Twilight and Rarity stopped talking. Crescent hoped she’d be able to sneak out with that excuse

“Yes there is. Spike would you mind helping Crescent find it?” Twilight asked. Uh oh. Crescent thought.

“But I just got all settled. The cucumbers are in just the right spot.” Spike complained.

“It’ll be quick, besides we still have to wait for my facial to finish, so you’ll have plenty of time.” Twilight countered.

“No it’s alright Twilight. I just need to know where it is.” Crescent interrupted. She needed to sneak out by herself.

“You sure?” Twilight asked.

Crescent nodded. Then realized Twilight was probably still wearing the cucumbers. “Yes.” She said a little anxious to get going. She needed to make sure that letter didn’t reach Twilight until she was ready for it.

“Alright. It’s through the third door from the left and the second door on the right. It’s fairly close to the steam room you were in.” Twilight said.

“Thanks.” Crescent said. She took the cucumbers off and found her glasses before she left. Once through the doorway she wiped the muck from her face. She felt surprisingly refreshed. She cautiously began making her way back out of the spa. She managed to avoid the spa ponies and quietly slipped out the front door bumping into another pony.

“Oh goodness!” The pony said. Bags of carrots, celery, lettuce, and other produce scattered across the ground.

“I’m so sorry. Let me help you with those.” Crescent said trying to gather up the scattered produce. She picked up the various items and stuffed them back in the bags.

“Oh, thank you miss.” The pony said helping to gather the last few pieces. Crescent offered the bag back to the pony. She noticed the pony was actually a yellow pegasus with a long pink mane and tail. She looked familiar.

Another of Twilight’s friends I bet. Crescent thought and tried to remember who the other pegasus had been in the picture.

“Are you alright?” The pegasus asked as she took the bags back sounding concerned.

“Uh, yeah I’m fine. Why do you ask?” Crescent asked confused.

“Well… uh… I mean it’s none of my business, but uh, you didn’t use magic, and I noticed you’re a unicorn... so I was wondering if you were feeling alright.” The pegasus blushed.

“Oh I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.” Crescent assured her. She looked at the amount of bags the pegasus was carrying. Her saddle bags were full, as well as her hooves. She looked a little strained as she tried to hover and carry the bags at the same time. She fumbled picking up the extra bags a few times.

“Oh dear.” She muttered as she tried to get a hold of one again.

Crescent looked around. No ponies seemed to be stopping to help her, but Crescent needed to get to the post office. She didn’t even know where the post office was and finding it was certainly going to take her time. She looked again at the pegasus. She’d managed to gather all the bags and was slowly hovering off.

She’d probably know where the post office was. Crescent considered for a second. Looking around one more time, she trotted after the pegasus. “Would you like some help carrying those?” She asked when she caught up.

“Oh no I’m fine. You can go on with the rest of your day. I don’t want to bother you.” The pegasus insisted, hovering on slowly.

“I don’t have anything else for a while and it wouldn’t be a problem at all.” Crescent said.

“Oh, um, well. Alright I guess.” The pegasus relented. She handed Crescent the bags she was carrying in her hooves and landed on the ground and continued walking on.

They walked for a bit. Crescent tried to remember what the Pegasus’ name was. After a while Crescent gave up trying to remember her name and decided to ask. “By the way, what is your name?” She asked.

The pegasus looked a little surprised then looked away. “It’s Flutter…” she mumbled growing quiet.

“Flutter? That’s an interesting name. My name is Crescent Moonbeam.” Crescent said before a realization hit her in the face. “Oh, wait, you’re Fluttershy right? I’m sorry I’m terrible with names.” She said apologetically.

Fluttershy smiled. “It’s alright. I don’t mind.” Fluttershy walked on with Crescent walking next to her.

They walked down a path through part of the forest until they came to a small cottage by a stream. Birds, rabbits, and other small animals were all over the place. As Fluttershy walked up to the cottage, the animals chattered and followed her.

“Yes good afternoon to you too. Oh, yes I have your lettuce, don’t worry I have plenty for everypony.” Fluttershy said. They continued talking back and forth as they walked on. When they reached the cottage door, Fluttershy opened it and motioned Crescent inside.

“Come on in. Just put those over here.” Fluttershy said, taking her own bags from her saddle bags. Crescent walked inside and placed her bags next to the others.

Crescent figured now would be a good time to ask her where the post office was and then quickly leave. But Fluttershy spoke before Crescent could ask. “Oh dear.” Fluttershy said looking into the bags.

“What is it?” Crescent asked letting the post office go for now.

“Nothing much. It’s alright.” Fluttershy assured Crescent as she began rummaging through the bags.

Crescent shifted on her hooves for a second and adjusted her glasses. “Oh dear, oh dear.” Fluttershy said again as she kept rummaging through the bags. Crescent shifted for a second trying to decide whether or not it might be rude to ask about the post office and just leave afterwards. Fluttershy’s search seemed to take on a little more intensity. That settled it.

“What are you looking for?” Crescent said. She sat down and pulled a bag over. “Maybe I can help you find it.” She suggested.

“Oh no, you helped me so much already. I can find it.” Fluttershy said. A deep cough sounded from somewhere else in the cottage. Fluttershy looked worried. “Oh dear!” Fluttershy flew across the room and opened a door into another room.

Crescent heard the animals chattering increase. She stood up from and walked over to the room as another cough sounded. She opened to door a bit further curious what was going on. Inside Fluttershy was stroking a bear’s head. It laid in a bed with its back paws sticking out over the end, covered in a blanket and it had a cold pack on its head. Crescent watched a little surprised as it coughed again.

“There there Harry.” Fluttershy soothed. Harry took a tissue and sneezed loudly. Crescent almost felt herself get pushed out the door by the force. She adjusted her glasses and cautiously walked a little further into the room.

“Did you lose something when I bumped into you?” Crescent asked watching the bear for another sneeze.

“Oh, I think I must have I can’t find the cold medication anywhere.” Fluttershy lamented handing Harry another tissue. Harry promptly sneezed. Crescent kept herself in place by bracing against the floor. She adjusted her glasses again.

“Sorry about that.” Crescent apologized.

Crescent noticed a clock in the room. It’d been thirty minutes since she’d left the spa. Rarity, Twilight, and Spike would certainly be wondering what was going on by now. Fluttershy caught Crescent’s worried expression as she looked at the clock.
“I’m sorry do you need to be somewhere? You can go. Thank you for helping me carry everything by the way.” Fluttershy said.

Crescent turned a little relieved that Fluttershy didn’t seem to be upset at all then stopped at the door and turned back. “Umm… I don’t actually know where I’m going.” Crescent admitted. “Would you mind telling me where the Post Office is?” Crescent asked.

“Sure it’s just over next to Barnyard Bargains.” Fluttershy said.

“And where would that be?” Crescent asked trying to get out of the room. She was getting a little anxious.

“Barnyard Bargains is at the end of Market Street.” Fluttershy said looking over at Crescent. “You just recently moved here didn’t you?” She asked as Crescent tried to leave.

“Yeah I did.” Crescent said toeing slowly out of the room.

Fluttershy smiled at her. “Well thank you then for helping me. I hope I see you again.” Fluttershy went back to rubbing Harry’s forehead. Crescent stopped where she was. She couldn’t just leave, it felt kinda mean after she lost the cold medicine for the bear.

“Would you like me to pick up some cold medicine for you?” Crescent asked hurriedly.

“Oh! That would be wonderful! But I couldn’t ask you to do that. You need to get to the post office I can go get it myself.” Fluttershy said. Harry sneezed again, Crescent slid through the doorway. “Oh dear. He really isn’t doing well.” Fluttershy said.

“I’ll come back with the medication. I promise.” Crescent said stepping back into the doorway.

“Thank you so much.” Fluttershy said over her shoulder as she swapped Harry’s cold pack. Crescent slipped out the door, muttering to herself to remember the cold medication. After another look at the clock she bolted through the cottage, barely remembering to close the door, and began racing down the path back to Ponyville.

Letter Forgotten

Crescent rushed down the path only slowing to catch her breath. Forty minutes! She’d been gone forty minutes! If Twilight and the others weren’t wondering what had happened to her now, Crescent was certain they were now.
That could be explained, probably. Crescent tried not to think about what sort of excuse she’d have to come up with to explain her absence. “Right now get the letter. Then worry about Twilight. It’ll be worse if she finds out about that from somepony else than wondering what you were doing running around town without her.” Crescent tried to assure herself as she stepped out into Ponyville.

She found Market Street and followed until she reached the end of it. There was a big supply store at the end. It read Barnyard Bargains. Crescent nodded and started looking around for the post office Fluttershy said was near there.
After a few minutes, Crescent found it tucked around the corner. It wasn’t terribly busy from the looks of it. Only a few mail ponies were around, they were strapping a series of straps over a large crate. Crescent waited just a little bit longer until the pegasus mail crew flew off with the crate. Then she walked forward into the post office. A bell clanged as she walked in.

“One second.” A voice came from the back, then a crash, a few letters floated out of the backroom. Other letters were scattered around the post office and a few packages were still lying around the room. Crescent walked in and looked over the counter nervously.

A grey pegasus staggered out from the back shaking her head. She looked over at Crescent or Crescent thought she did. Her eyes were a bit funny. One seemed to look off to the side and up a bit while the other looked down. The pegasus walked up and smiled at Crescent.

“What can I help you with today miss!” She said cheerily.

“Uh…” Crescent shook herself away from looking at the pegasus’s eyes. She adjusted her glasses and tried not to look at the eyes too closely. She noticed a nametag that read ‘Derpy’ and focused on that instead. “I was wondering if any mail had come for Princess Twilight.” Crescent said.

The pegasus blinked. “You’re not the princess.” Derpy responded pointing at Crescent. She flared her wings out. A pile of letters and scrolls was knocked off the counter. “She has wings.” Derpy said like that was obvious. Then she shook her head and pointed at Crescent again. “And you’re not purple.” She looked back at Crescent. “A mail mare can not give any letters to anyone they’re not for.”

“I know I’m not the princess.” Crescent said mildly annoyed. This was going to be a bit harder than she’d thought. She’d thought that she could just pick up the letter and walk away. “She’s just busy and asked me to pick up her mail for her.” Crescent lied hoping that was enough of a reason for Derpy.

Derpy frowned. “The princess never picks up her mail.” Derpy scratched her head. “I don’t think I’ve ever even delivered a letter to her.” She said.

“Could you just tell me if there is a letter?” Crescent asked. “You don’t have to give it to me just tell me whether she has letters or not.” She asked. It might work, since Derpy wouldn’t be giving anything to Crescent. There was also a chance there’d be no letter and Crescent could just leave.

Derpy looked over her shoulder. “I’m not sure I can do that.” Derpy looked back confused. Crescent waited. “I don’t think there’s anything bad about knowing if she has mail.” Derpy shrugged and walked into the back. More scrolls scattered as she left the room.

Crescent waited as a few crashes and even a few chicken squawks came from the back room. “Now how did that happen?” Derpy asked over her shoulder as she walked back to the counter. She looked back at Crescent. Crescent adjusted her glasses and looked at Derpy’s name tag and waited.

“She does have a letter.” Derpy said then yawned and stretched. “Would you mind telling the princess that we will have it delivered to her by this afternoon with the second mail shift?” Derpy asked. Derpy looked at the scattered scrolls and letters around the counter. “Now what happened here?” She said and began trying to stack the scrolls and letters.

Crescent was lost in thought. So there is a letter. Now how do I get to it? She thought. She noticed Derpy trying to stack the rolled up scrolls on top of each other and they kept rolling off each time she let go of them to put more on. Crescent looked at the back room door and an idea occurred to her.

“Can I help you with that?” Crescent asked.

Derpy looked up. “You want to help me?” She asked and tilted her head.

“Yes.” Crescent said, looking at the back room.

Derpy thought for a second then shrugged. “Well okay. Just no reading letters.” She lifted part of the counter up and let Crescent walk through. “Just stack them back on the counter.” Derpy said going back to scooping up the various fallen items. “They haven’t been sorted yet so it doesn’t matter how they’re placed.”

Crescent kept the scrolls from rolling off the table each time Derpy let go of them. Then she rearranged them so they wouldn’t continue to roll off. She stacked some in pyramids, others were stacked perpendicular to each other, and one she constructed like an octagonal tower.

“Wow.” Derpy said looking up and down the mini-tower on the counter. She placed the last few letters down next to it and managed to not knock any of the new piles over. “Well thank you for your help miss.” Derpy said smiling at Crescent. “It’s alright now you can go.”

“What about the back room?” Crescent asked looking over her shoulder.

Derpy looked past her towards the back. “Oh right.” She said and walked back there. She stuck her head around the corner. “How did this place get to be such a mess?” Derpy asked. Crescent rolled her eyes. Derpy looked back around at Crescent. “Do you promise not to read any ponies mail?” Derpy asked.

Crescent nodded and raised a hoof. “I promise.” She said. I need to get that letter and I won’t be reading it anyways. She thought.

Derpy nodded back. “Then you can help if you want.” She waved Crescent into the backroom. Crescent trotted in, picking up some of the scattered letters on her way over.

The back room was covered in scattered letters, scrolls, and more than a few packages. Crescent noticed that one corner at the far side of the room had a stack of items listed as fragile. Derpy was over at a wall that had dozens of slots in it and was carefully putting letters into it. She waved Crescent over.

“Just put the letter into the slot with the same name.” Derpy said as Crescent walked up. Crescent quickly began sorting through the letters in her hooves. Mr. and Mrs. Cake, Spoiled Rich, Vinyl Scratch… she thought through each name, slowly working her way over to where she thought Twilight’s mail would be. She kept an eye on Derpy trying to fit another letter into a slot.

Here it is. She thought as she reached the slot labeled Twilight Sparkle. The slot was empty. Crescent stopped then looked out at the floor covered in letters. Oh dear. She thought. Derpy had knocked the letter out and now it was somewhere in this pile of letters. Crescent dropped to the floor and began sorting through the letters. Maybe a little frantically.

Derpy looked over at her. “What are you looking for?.” Derpy asked looking over suspiciously.

“Nothing.” Crescent responded, forcing herself to look through the letters slower.

Derpy shrugged and returned to sorting the letters. “Well, thank you for helping me.” Derpy said. Crescent mumbled “You’re welcome.” back. She was busy trying to focus on finding Twilight’s letter from the hospital. Derpy continued talking as she worked. “Do you like sorting letters? You really did a good job stacking those scrolls. I mean that tower was amazing!” Derpy said throwing her hooves in the air, scattering several more letters.

Derpy scooped the letters back together and started putting them back into their slots. “I wish I could do stuff like that.” Derpy said wistfully. “We’re always short on sorters, and my boss doesn’t usually let me sort them.” Derpy said looking annoyed. “I can’t imagine why.” Crescent noticed Derpy put a letter in sideways, bending it. “I usually do deliveries, but we had a big order that needed most of the crew so I got to stay behind today!” Derpy said cheerfully.

Crescent stopped for a second. “So you guys need sorters?” She asked. She flicked a few letters into their proper places.
“Yeah, we always seem to need another pony sorting, or at least each time I check it seems like it.” Derpy said. Crescent put more letters back, quickly scanning each name and snapping it into its right place. It actually is quite interesting. She thought. Some of the names were really interesting: Bulk Biceps, Dr. Hooves, Minuette, they were all quite interesting. She was a little irritated about putting everything away the same way.

“Do you always sort the letters this way?” Crescent asked as she kept putting letters away.

“No. The sorters usually sort them into bags.” Derpy scratched her head. “I think they sort them how they want. Since it’s such a small town I can usually reach anypony fairly quickly even if the way the letters were sorted that day was off.” Derpy smiled. “Though I’m quite good at getting ponies their letters.” She said.

“Really?” Crescent asked. Sorting letters was actually starting to sound like a good idea. She was supposed to be looking for something what was it again? She absentmindedly kept putting the letters away.

“Yeah! I really am quite good at finding ponies and delivering letters.” Derpy said cheerily puffing out her chest. “I’ve always managed to deliver my letters to the right ponies.” Derpy stopped. “Though sometimes I get a bit excited. Like that time when I was looking for Starlight and saw her in the balcony room over at the castle. I think I could’ve handled that landing better.” Derpy said looking a little downcast. Then she snapped back up smiling. “But she got her letter!” Derpy said grinning widely.

“You sound like you just get carried away doing things. That’s not a problem.” Crescent said. Derpy looked more clutzy and absentminded to Crescent than anything else, but that probably lent more to her getting carried away than anything else.
Crescent and Derpy actually talked for a while as they continued putting the letters away. Crescent actually liked the honest, slightly unpredictable pegasus. After they finished putting the letters away Crescent talked with Derpy about applying to the post office.

“Really! You’d really like to work here?” She asked happily.

“Yeah I think I’d like it.” Crescent said. They were back in the front. Derpy had pulled out a basket of muffins and the pair were munching on a few of them. “It seems like a good place to start here in Ponyville. I think I’ll enjoy the work and I’ll be able to see more of the town.” Crescent said.

Derpy was happily munching on a muffin and didn’t respond. After a hearty gulp she opened a drawer in the counter. Crescent put a hoof out, to keep the scrolls and letter from falling. “Here it is.” Derpy said holding a small sheet of paper. “If you fill this out and bring it back tomorrow I’ll bet you can get started right away.” Derpy grinned.

Crescent took the paper. She folded it up and was about to thank Derpy when the bell for the door rang. She turned right as Derpy spoke. “Good afternoon Princess!”

Crescent froze. Oh Celestia! I forgot the letter. She thought.

Tea And Teasing

Twilight had burst through the door with a worried look on her face. After she’d seen Crescent it had changed to relief and then bewilderment. She first looked at Derpy. “Hi Derpy. Good Afternoon.” Then she looked over at Crescent. “What are you doing here?!” She nearly yelled, but caught herself. She walked over to Crescent and gave her a hug to Crescent’s surprise. “I was so worried. I lost you twice in two days.” She said. She backed off and then asked her question again.

“She’s trying to start working here.” Derpy said brightly.

Twilight looked surprised. “Really?” She asked. Crescent nodded carefully and held out the application she’d gotten from Derpy.

“Well okay. I guess that takes care of trying to find you a job, which is good.” Twilight said. “I don’t think we’re going to find anything dealing with advanced theoretical magic anyways.” She looked a little sad at the thought. Then she looked curious again. “So why did you come here in the first place?” Twilight asked.

Derpy spoke before Crescent had a chance to come up with a story. “She came to pick up your mail for you. I didn’t let her because it’s policy not to give mail to anypony but the intended recipient.” Derpy explained smiling. “Then she helped me re-sort the mail, which got scattered somehow.” Derpy scratched her hair. “Then we started talking and I gave her the application to work here and… Oh yes. Do you want a muffin?” Derpy asked pointing at the basket that was still on the counter.

Twilight looked at Crescent. “Why were you trying to pick up my mail?” She asked. Crescent was about to respond with what she thought would be a half decent lie, when Twilight interrupted. “You probably wanted to see if the hospital had sent a letter didn’t you?”

Crescent blinked. That guess was accurate. “You’re probably so excited to show Dr. Silver Remedy how great things are going that you couldn’t wait to see when he was coming.” Twilight said. That was not.

Crescent felt like she was starting to sweat. He looked hastily over her shoulder where the letter would now be safe in its own little slot in the wall. “Derpy can I have my mail since I’m here anyways.” Twilight asked.

“Sure thing Princess!” Derpy gave a small salute and headed to the back room.

Twilight turned to Crescent who was staring after Derpy trying not to look horrified or let her imagination get the best of her. Several crashes and more scattering sounded from the back before Derpy reemerged with a letter in her mouth. “We’ll head back to the castle and we can read it on the way there.” Twilight said as she took the letter from Derpy. “All my friends are coming over for afternoon tea, though I guess you’ve met them all except for Fluttershy.” Twilight said as she turned to leave.

Crescent turned back to Derpy and waved. Derpy waved back. “I’ll be back tomorrow.” Crescent said smiling and Derpy smiled back. Crescent followed Twilight out the door.

As they walked out they passed Barnyard Bargains, and Crescent stopped. “Oh yeah, I need to get Fluttershy cold medicine for Harry.” Crescent remembered.

“You met Fluttershy already too?” Twilight said surprised.

“Yeah. I ran into her on my way to the Post Office and felt a little bad about scattering her groceries so I carried them back to her cottage where I found out I’d lost her cold medication for her bear Harry.” Crescent kicked at the ground. She adjusted her glasses and continued. “So I promised I’d pick some up for her when I came back from the Post Office.” Crescent explained.

Twilight sighed. “I was going to introduce you to all of my friends at tea today, but it seems like you’ve met them all already.” Twilight shook her head then looked over to Barnyard Bargains then at Ponyville’s town clock. “You go ahead and get that cold medicine to Fluttershy, I need to head back to the castle and get everything ready.” Twilight said.

“And the letter?” Crescent asked anxiously.

Twilight looked the letter over for a second. “We can read it together after tea is over. I think it’ll be able to keep until then.” Twilight said. Crescent let out a breath of relief and Twilight eyed her curiously. “Are you alright? You seemed really worried there. Is there something you want to tell me?” Twilight asked.

Crescent laughed briefly and smiled awkwardly. “No there’s nothing, at least not right now. Maybe I’ll have something to say in the future, but I’m fine for now.” Crescent grinned.

Twilight kept an eye on her. Crescent stopped grinning and adjusted her glasses. “Alright then. You still don’t have your money on you do you?” Twilight asked.

Crescent looked down at the ground. “No.” She admitted sheepishly then looked up. “I promise I’ll pay you and Rarity back for this afternoon, I have the bits back in my saddle bags. I just don’t have them with me.”

Twilight waved a hoof. “Just this once it’ll be alright. I think Rarity will be alright thinking the spa trip was her gift to you.” Twilight handed Crescent a few bits. “That should cover the medicine. Now be back at the castle with Fluttershy, I don’t want to lose you again, and we can have formal introductions there.” Twilight said heading off towards the castle.

Crescent looked at the bits in her hoof then over at Twilight. She was just going to let her do this on her own? No supervision? Crescent felt quite a bit of pride as she headed into Barnyard Bargains. Nopony at the Hospital had ever let her go or do anything without at least an attendant. Even when she’d gone home for the weekends, somepony from the hospital had went with her. Now she was on her own, Crescent was very happy about that, even if all she was doing was getting cold medicine.

She managed to find the medicine and paid the cashier for it and headed back towards Fluttershy’s cottage. Everything was alright. The animals were playing around in the meadows around her house and Crescent could hear the birds rehearsing a few different songs. Crescent was actually humming one of them when she reached the door. She knocked and heard Fluttershy ask her to come in.

Crescent opened the door and saw something that she could hardly believe. It was a draconicus sitting drinking tea.

“Aaahhh!” Crescent shouted and dove behind a couch in Fluttershy’s living. “I’m not seeing a draconicus, I’m not seeing a draconicus, I’m not seeing a draconicus. I’m in Fluttershy’s living room, I took my medication, and there is not a draconicus drinking tea here.” Crescent calmed herself down and looked over the top of the couch. The draconicus was still there, except now he was smiling, and so was the tea set on the table.

Crescent looked mortified, but she’d been doing so well. She hadn’t had any delusions for months. Why now?!

“Are you okay dear? You look simply terrified.” Fluttershy said. She turned to the draconicus. “And stop grinning Discord and you too” Fluttershy scolded both Discord and the tea set. The tea set flashed back to a normal tea set.

“Oh, but she’s so dear. I mean what does she mean she’s not seeing a draconicus? I’m right here after all, and look at her reaction. It’s simply too entertaining, I really should have brought popcorn.” Discord said back looking around himself then pulled a box of popcorn out from behind him and began crunching it as he watched Crescent’s terrified face shift to bewilderment.

Crescent looked over at Fluttershy confused. “You can see it too?” Crescent asked cautiously stepping out from behind the couch.

“Of course I can see him. This is Discord, he’s a friend of mine.” Fluttershy said pointing at Discord.

“Charmed I’m sure.” Discord said, extending a claw lazily. Crescent approached Discord suspiciously. She ignored his extended claw and gave him a pointed poke in the chest.

“Ow.” Discord muttered rubbing his chest. He poked Crescent back who looked even more surprised. “How do you like it?” Discord asked.

Crescent poked Discord back. Discord poked Crescent, and Crescent poked him back. It continued like this growing faster and faster until Discord dislocated his claws from his arms so he could poke Crescent multiple times at once.

“Guys.” Fluttershy began as the poking escalated. “Guys.” She spoke more solidly, Discord began rapidly poking Crescent, who gave several good pokes back at his horns and stomach. “Guys!” Fluttershy shouted stepping in between them. They stopped and she eyed them both. They both looked away from her and each other. “Is that any way to behave?” Fluttershy scolded. They both nodded solemnly, Crescent fixed her glasses back on her muzzle.

“Good, now why don’t we start this over again. Crescent come sit here.” Fluttershy offered a chair next to the table. Crescent took a seat on the chair. Discord sat opposite her.

“Okay he’s real. That much I’m willing to accept, but what is he doing here?” Crescent asked. Discord rolled his eyes.

“Dear this is Discord, he stops usually stops by on Tuesdays for tea. We became really good friends after…” Fluttershy paused in thought for a second. “Well we’re friends now. Let’s just leave it at that.” Fluttershy pointed at Crescent. “Discord this is Crescent Moonbeam. She recently moved to Ponyville and was the kind pony I told you about. The one that helped me with my groceries today and promised to get more cold medication for Harry.” Fluttershy explained.

“Oh right!” Crescent said and handed the cold medication over to Fluttershy.

“Oh! Thank you so much! Harry will be so happy!” Fluttershy jumped out of her chair and flew into the room where Harry was. She left Discord and Crescent alone in the room together.

Discord stretched and leaned back. A file appeared and began sharpening his claws. Crescent stared at the file. She reached forward hesitantly. “Yes it’s real.” Discord said rolling his eyes. He sat forward and the file disappeared. “Honestly what is with you? I know I might be to amazing to truly exist, but seriously.” Discord said.

Crescent adjusted her glasses and looked at the floor. “Sorry. Every other time I’ve seen a draconicus it’s always been my imagination.” She muttered.

“So you see things?” Discord said grinning.

Crescent ran a hoof through her mane and looked over where Fluttershy had gone. “Uh, well yes. Every once in awhile. Not recently though.” Crescent muttered.

“Hmmm, and you say you saw draconicus, like me I take it?” Discord asked steepling his claws together.

Crescent glanced over her shoulder again. Discord was making her nervous. He seemed to be watching her a lot closer now. Crescent reached out and poured herself a cup of tea. She leaned back and sipped at it trying to calm herself. Discord sipped at his own tea noisily. A dark shape formed behind him crawling over his shoulder. Crescent’s eyes grew wide, but she kept trying to sip her tea calmly.

“What?” Discord said noticing Crescent’s stare. The shape had been joined by others and gained dimensions. They were gigantic bats. They all fluttered and alighted on Discord who seemed not to notice. Crescent’s breathing grew harder as the bats eyed her closely.

They’re not real, they’re not real. THEY ARE NOT REAL! She thought shakily taking another sip of tea. Then the wall was smashed through by a gigantic timberwolf which roared. Crescent felt the wind rush past her as she screamed. She could smell the timberwolf’s breath and the bats rushed past her. Crescent continued screaming and jumped behind the couch again.

Crescent sat huddled behind the couch muttering to herself that everything would be alright when the flurry of bats disappeared and Crescent heard Fluttershy shouting. “Really Discord!? Was that at all a nice thing to do!?” She shouted.

“Oh, she was alright, and you should have seen the look on her-”

“I did see it Discord! Right as she ran past me terrified!” Fluttershy cut Discord off. Crescent could tell Discord didn’t have a response as he muttered something quietly. “Now what do you have to say to Crescent?” Fluttershy asked.

The couch disappeared leaving Discord in its place. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that to you. Regardless of how funny it might have been.” Discord stood up and bowed. “As a token of my penance here’s a memento of the moment.” He produced a picture and handed it to Crescent. The picture was one of her screaming while Discord stood next to her smiling and giving a thumbs up.

“Thanks.” Crescent muttered putting the picture away.

“Oh my look at the time. I have to be going now I have tea with Twilight in a few minutes.” Fluttershy said.

“That’s right. See you next week then.” Discord said he opened a door that had appeared in the air and stepped through it with a wave.

“And I hope I’ll see you later too.” Fluttershy said as she opened the front door to her cottage.

“Um, actually I’m coming with you.” Crescent said. She was fixing her glasses again. When Fluttershy looked surprised Crescent grinned sheepishly. “I’m actually Twilight’s cousin. I’m staying with her for now.” Crescent explained looking at the ground. “Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” She muttered.

“Oh that’s quite alright dear.” Fluttershy said walking over to her. “Let’s get going though I don’t want to be late for your introduction.” Fluttershy winked at Crescent, who smiled back.

Good Stories

Crescent and Fluttershy walked down the path back towards Twilight’s castle. It was late afternoon now as they reached the castle. Fluttershy knocked on the door and Spike opened it shortly.

“Come on in guys.” Spike stepped aside and let them in. He stepped over next to Crescent and whispered to her. “Twilight would like to see you in the study first.” Spike pointed to the side room where Twilight had met her last night.

Crescent nodded and felt a little worried. She wondered if Twilight might have read the letter already and it had said something. Spike smiled at her and patted her shoulder.

“Don’t worry. It’s nothing much.” He said before walking after Fluttershy. Crescent smiled and waved to Fluttershy as she headed off to the study.

She took a deep breath and braced herself. Twilight probably just wanted to talk about the tea and her friends before it began. The hospital would never have sent sensitive information along through the mail. Part of the reason why the agreement why she had to tell her mentor about why she’d been admitted in the first place. She took another breath and opened the door.

“Hi Crescent! Guess who came to visit you.” Twilight said pointing to a pony sitting across from her. The stallion had a greying mane and silver framed glasses. He had a dark grey coat beneath a white medical jacket and alert blue eyes. He smiled warmly at Crescent. Crescent stopped dead halfway through the door.

“Good afternoon miss Moonbeam. How are you today?” Dr. Silver Remedy asked.

“I’m fine doctor Remedy.” Crescent muttered. Silver Remedy cocked an eyebrow. He watched Crescent walk in and take another one of the seats in this room. So the hospital had sent someone, apparently Twilight was going to learn her story sooner than Crescent had planned. She adjusted her glasses and fussed with her mane.

Twilight looked confused. “Aren’t you happy to see Doctor Remedy again? It seemed like you’d liked him when he watched over you?” Twilight asked. Silver Remedy watched Crescent quietly.

“No, no, no. I’m happy he’s here. He’s one of my favorite people from Canterlot Mental. It’s just something else…” Crescent wandered off and looked down at the floor.

Silver Remedy sighed. “Crescent you haven’t told her have you?” He said.

“Oh no. She told me. How she’s been in Canterlot Mental since she was little and just recently managed to be released. Now she’s looking for a fresh start and wants me to be her Mentor. Keep an eye on her and work with the hospital to make sure everything’s alright.” Twilight assured Silver Remedy.

Silver Remedy spared a glance at Twilight then looked over his glasses at Crescent. “No offense Princess, but is that all she told you?” He asked. Twilight blinked.

“What?” Twilight asked back, then turned to Crescent who was studying a far stack of books intensely.

“We had an agreement Crescent. You would tell your Mentor what they were getting into.” Silver Remedy said giving Crescent a stern look.

“Technically we agreed that I had to tell them, we never set a time when I had to. I was going to tell her after she realized it was likely to happen again.” Crescent countered. She turned and looked back at the two other ponies in the room. Silver Remedy was giving her a hard stare and Twilight was beginning to look worried.

“Crescent why don’t you tell the Princess before her imagination begins filling in the holes and makes matters worse.” Doctor Remedy suggested.

“It’ll be alright Crescent.” Twilight reassured moving closer. Twilight laid a hoof on Crescent’s. “I promise I won’t stop being your mentor.” She said. After another look at Silver Remedy, who nodded slowly and smiled, and a deep breath Crescent began.

“Like I said I’ve been in Canterlot Mental for a long time. And you can’t just be subjected to hospitalization for anything, you or your guardians have to agree to it.” Crescent began taking a deep breath. “Which usually means most ponies tend not to-”

“Crescent focus on your story. I’m certain the Princess is aware of our laws and most of the consequences they produce. Please continue.” Silver Remedy interrupted.

Crescent gulped and continued. “Well it usually takes something serious before you’re admitted. For me it occurred when I was around four.” Twilight looked very surprised at this, but Crescent continued. “I’d always talked to ponies or creatures that weren’t there, but my parents had always written them off as imaginary friends. I’d had a little more trouble controlling my magic as well than most other fillies.” Crescent smiled as she remembered. “This one time I got a magic surge while my mom was setting the table and I accidentally turned all the plates into flowers. We ended up eating them instead.”

“Crescent?” Silver Remedy raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry doctor Remedy.” Crescent muttered. “Well anyways it continued much like that until my delusions began getting bigger. I started having entire conversations with nothing but air, I’d play games with nopony, or invite friends over that neither of my parents could find anywhere.” Crescent said.

“It got bad. Especially whenever I had nightmares. I’d wake up and my brain would drag the nightmare with me. I’d wake up screaming then continue screaming as I saw the things of my nightmares in the room with me.” Crescent shook herself at the thought. Twilight reached out a reassuring hoof. Crescent breathed out and continued.

“The nightmares are what got me admitted in reality. My parents were worried about the daydreams, but were willing to deal with those. What really convinced them was the night I nearly destroyed our house.” Twilight’s eyes widened and Crescent found it very hard to keep talking.

Silver Remedy nodded slowly. “Go on Crescent. It’s in the past. You’ve conquered this. You’re safe here.” He said.

Crescent breathed out a few times before beginning again. “It was night time and I’d gone to bed as usual. Before long I found myself in the forest near our house. I was going along picking Bluebells for the flower vase we had at home, when I heard something in the bushes behind me.” Crescent said. Twilight and Silver Remedy listened quietly.

“When I turned around to look at whatever it was I came nose to nose with a timberwolf. Now i’d never met a timberwolf, and I don’t think they’re native to the forests around Canterlot, but I’d heard of them in stories and I immediately recognized it. I screamed and dropped my basket, at the same time I woke up and there in my room was a pack of timberwolves. I could hear them breathing, smell their breath in the air around me.” Crescent explained.

“So I panicked and did the only thing I thought would do any good. I summoned as much magic as I could and tried to blast them away.” Crescent ran a hoof through her mane and looked down at the floor. “As you probably know, timberwolves don’t disappear when you blast them, they reform. I kept blasting, they kept reforming, and I made more and more holes in my house. When my parents came running to see what was up I barricaded the door with my magic so that they wouldn’t get eaten by the timberwolves.” Crescent grimaced.

“And that was much pretty how it went as I destroyed more and more of the house trying to fight off the imaginary timberwolves. Eventually I lost control of my magic when a timberwolf pounced on me and I feinted. When I woke up my parents told me that they’d found me crying and shivering on what was left of my bed in what was left of my room. I’d also managed to destroy most of the downstairs as well. The following day they took me to the doctor who diagnosed me with schizophrenia. The doctor suggested a stay at Canterlot Mental since they specialized in mental rehabilitation.”

“That’s how it started.” Crescent finished. She looked over at Silver Remedy. “Do I have to tell her anymore?” Crescent asked.

“Do you feel she needs to know anymore?” Silver Remedy responded. Twilight sat quietly.

Crescent sighed. “Maybe a little bit.” She thought for a second and adjusted her glasses. She looked over at Twilight and smiled weakly. “There were a few other times like that while I was in the hospital. I usually didn’t manage to do nearly as much damage because the attendants would stop me whenever it looked like I’d lost it again.”

She ran a hoof through her mane. “Of course not all of them were because I was scared. Some of them I was just plain loopy. One time I was quietly stacking blocks on top of each other when I found myself the subject of a magic suppressant and being carted back to my room. I was confused until they showed me a recording from one of the ponies present.” Crescent smiled then stopped and coughed in her throat. “I’d been stacking the attendants on top of each other apparently. Not blocks.” Twilight looked like she was trying to suppress a grin.

“Good job Crescent. I’m proud of you. Well that takes care of everything I think I’ll be going. You have our contact information and the brief on your responsibilities Princess?” Silver Remedy asked, standing and heading for the door.

“Yes doctor I have them. Have a good evening.” Twilight said.

“You too, and good luck Crescent. I sincerely think you’ll do well here.” Silver Remedy said as he trotted through the door and left.

Crescent turned to Twilight who was smiling. Crescent shook her head and looked again. She tilted her head and adjusted her glasses. “Are you smiling?” Crescent asked confused.

Twilight hugged her. Crescent sat there surprised for a second before she managed to hug Twilight back. “You sure you want to do this? I mean yes it’s been awhile since my last incident, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen again. Are you okay with that?” Crescent asked.

Twilight pulled back from the hug, still grinning. “I’m more than okay with it. You seem to be making good progress.” She smiled. “Not only do you seem to be in control of yourself you’re learning to trust ponies. You don’t need to share secrets you don’t want to, but it’s good to have somepony to talk to about them. Twilight said.

Twilight stood up. “Now I think we can have tea, don’t you?” She asked Crescent as they walked out of the study and back towards the throne room.

Crescent was smiling and nodded as she followed Twilight. “I’ll definitely need tea after telling you that story.” She said.

The pair walked through the door to an explosion of confetti. “Pinkie!” Twilight shouted as she found a party hat shoved on her head. Crescent had taken a step back and slipped on the confetti. Pinkie carefully placed a party hat on her head too. The room was decorated in streamers and a cake had been placed in the center of the table with the usual tea settings out around it. A punch bowl and set of cupcakes also sat on the table. Starlight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash were all present and dressed in party hats as well. Party music began in the background.

Crescent heard Twilight muttering something about hidden party cannons before Pinkie helped her up. “Welcome to your recovery party!” Pinkie shouted grinning. “I figured somepony who’d just gotten out of the hospital would enjoy a good old fashioned party! So I rushed over to Sugar Cube Corner for the cake and then scoured the castle for some of my party cannons, so I could have it ready for when you came back. Then I found out that we’d be having tea, so I decided I’d surprise everypony instead!” Pinkie explained.

The other ponies chuckled. Crescent stood very quietly where she was looking stunned. The music played on through the silence. Pinkie leaned in close to Crescent. Crescent looked around the room and a wide grin grew larger and larger as she did. A party for her, all for her, she was genuinely out, and she wasn’t going back.

Crescent pulled Pinkie into a tight hug and all the ponies cheered. “Thank you so much Pinkie! This is the best party I’ve ever had!” She said nearly crying. The party went well, Twilight invited them to stay for dinner and so the party continued. Eventually everypony left giving their farewells.

“See ya Crescent.” Rainbow Dash said as she flew off.

“See you around Sugarcube.” Applejack waved as she left.

“You must come by the boutique one day darling. I promise you’ll find a dress you’ll absolutely love.” Rarity said.

“You’re welcome to come by for tea. I promise Discord will be better next time.” Fluttershy invited as she left.

“It was great meeting you! Come by Sugar Cube Corner whenever you feel like it!” Pinkie grinned as she bounced along down the road.

Starlight yawned. “I’ll be going to bed now. It’s nice to meet you Crescent, though I guess I’ll be seeing you around anyways.” She smiled as she walked off to her room.

Spike yawned and rubbed an eye. Crescent was sitting on the floor grinning widely. Twilight smiled and spoke. “We should follow Starlight. If you’re going to start your job tomorrow you’ll need some sleep at least.” Twilight walked off, Spike stretched and followed her.

Crescent yawned and stood up stretching. She walked back to her room humming the party tune to herself. When she reached her room the mess from her saddle bags was still on the floor. She put most of it back in her saddle bags before she settled in for the night. She took her glasses off and wrapped herself back up in her blanket.

“I’m here and I’m staying.” She said to herself, smiling. Then she drifted of to sleep.

Author's Notes:

This the final chapter of this episode. Sorry if this entire episode seems slow. This is the first one and I wanted to get everything set. Other episodes will have different focuses.

Hope you enjoyed it!