It was a bright and beautiful day in Equestria, the birds were singing and the sky was clear. For three adventure-seeking fillies, known as The Cutie Mark Crusaders, the weather was ideal. Their base of operations was the renovated clubhouse that once belonged to Applejack.
After gaining their cutie marks, they declared to help other equines in discovering their special talent. The CMC were currently planning their next activity for their Cutie Mark Day Camp. Unbeknown to them, the biggest adventure of their young lives was closer than they could imagine.
A knock issued from the clubhouse door, halting their meeting. The white unicorn, known as Sweetie Belle, opened the door with her magic. A grey mailmare stood on the other side, a fairly large package sat on her outstretched hoof. "I have a package for the Cutie Mark Crusaders," the pegasus stated.
After signing for it, Sweetie Belle levitated the package over to her. With a thank you and a parting, the mailmare turned and took off into the sky. With the package in tow, Sweetie Belle rejoined her friends. "I wonder what it could be," a light orange pegasus named Scootaloo mused.
A pale yellow earth pony, by the name Apple Bloom, read the attached message; thanks for all your help, from a friend. Meanwhile, Sweet Belle was busy opening the box. What was revealed made her gasp in surprise, amplified by the inclusion of her friends. Inside sat a thin glass case, containing a golden necklace upon a white pillow.
To their mounting excitement, they immediately noticed the gems that correspond to each of their cutie marks. Both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom put on their respective necklace, However Scootaloo merely stared at it in her hooves. "Who could have possibly sent these, they look quite expensive," she asked.
After being posed the question, the other two pondered on who the gift giver could have been. After several minutes, Apple Bloom nominated Gilded Lily's name as the possible conferrer. "Maybe, I'll ask my sister about sending a letter when I get home," Sweetie Belle replied.
Unable to think of any other reservations to ponder about, Scootaloo began to put on the necklace at the encouragement of her friends. As soon as she fastened the clasp, a blinding light flooded the room. Shielding their eyes, trepidation began to course through them.
"Welcome my little ponies, I'm so happy to see you here," a deep familiar voice called out. Upon hearing it, whatever uncertainty that clouded their minds was replaced with optimism.
"Is that you Princess Celestia," Apple Bloom replied. By now the glaring light had faded enough
"You are correct Apple Bloom, Unfortunately, there's no time for pleasantries. I've brought you here to help me combat a rather disturbing epidemic." Celestia hurried. The serenity that Celestia brought with her began to fade as they exchanged worried glances.
"I know this is a rather large undertaking to accept with no information. However, time constraints won't allow such luxuries so I'm asking for a leap of faith," Celestia spoke in an almost pleading tone. Without a second thought, Scootaloo clearly announced her willingness to help.
Following her example, both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle agreed as well. Overjoyed at their willingness to help, Celestia told them that merely touching their gems would send them on their way. Both Scootaloo and Apple Bloom gave a quick Filly Guide salute before touching their gems and disappearing.
Celestia's beaming smile slightly faded as she noticed Sweetie Belle still remained. Realizing that the princess had focused entirely on her made her nervous. Yet, she was able to articulate her concerns with a minimum amount of studdering. Her smile returned to its former brilliance, Celestia assured her that all will be revealed as soon as they returned.
Satisfied with her answer, Sweetie Belle touched her gem. To her astonishment, the color of her surroundings faded away. Soon followed by their shaded integrity, finally fading into pitch darkness. A new and rather strange looking environment began to reveal itself.
As her eyes adjusted to the reintroduction of light, the once numerous blurs of shadows came into focus. Although scarce Sweetie Belle realized that she stood in what appeared as a wooded area. Unable to determine her current location, she started walking in no particular direction.
Wishing that she had some idea on what she needed to do, her necklace began to project an image onto the ground. As she looked down, a detailed map appeared on the ground in front of her. Accustomed to magic, It merely extracted a slight gasp due to its sudden appearance. Her shock soon turned to admiration as several structures seemed to rise from the ground.
Their overly tall and varied shapes were nothing like the ones she'd seen in Equestria. A series of long narrow-like paths snaked throughout the heavily constructed area. As impressive as it all seemed, what held her attention was two blinking spheres.
The red sphere was slowly moving along a path while the blue dot remained stationary. Quickly deducing who the dots represented, Sweetie Belle focused on the red dot. Only after her target stopped did she begin to plan her route to it. Another audible gasp escaped her lips as the map instantly disappeared upon taking a step.
Briefly impressed that the map responded to her thought, she took off at a full gallop. Unfortunately, her pursuit immediately derailed as she stepped out of the wooded area and onto a gray stoned pathway. A change of terrain was the least of concern as she craned her head upward. The map had displayed the staggering tall buildings, although actually seeing them was breathtaking.
Bewildered by all the unique and awe-inspiring sights, Sweetie Belle was oblivious to the approaching footsteps. "Are you... a unicorn," a dulled feminine voice emitted from her left. Brought out of her wonderment, she turned to identify the speaker.
Seeing a bipedal wasn't the source of Sweetie Belle's surprise, having seen bipeds before. It was its body or what it lacked that caught her off guard. Instead of spotting the common characteristics shared by Equestrian bipeds, this creature's body was curiously smooth in appearance. Long mane aside, its nose seemed ineffective due to its diminished size, while its limbs were lanky and oddly jointed
Slim, talonless phalanges, were attached to its upper limbs via a furless paw. It's lower limbs were hidden by clothing, overlapping what she could only describe as the weirdest looking hoof cuffs she'd ever seen. In fact, once she paused her analytical observations, most of the creature's body seemed to be covered in clothing.
The strange creature repeated its question in a more disillusioned tone than before. Not wanting to appear rude, Sweetie Belle replied, adding an inquiry about what kind of creature it was. They stood there for several minutes introducing themselves.
Deciding to continue their conversation in comfort, they sat down on the nearest bench. "So let me get this straight Sweetie Belle, you're a unicorn sent from a place called Equestria to help me? Why, what makes me more important than any other person," Joyce replied incredulously.
"I'm not sure, all I know is that I was brought here and my necklace has designated you the one I need to help," Sweetie Belle replied.
A hint of skepticism lined her question, "I see but do you really expect me to believe in magic?" Sweetie Belle shot her a hurtful expressive.
"I'm a talking unicorn, how much more proof of magic do you need," Sweetie Belle countered. Unable to look into her puppy dog eyes, Joyce explained that the presence of a living unicorn wasn't a strange occurrence in her world. Furthermore, she surmised that Sweetie Belle's ability to speak was due to a successful genetic breakthrough.
"Genetic breakthrough? What's that?" The sincerity of Sweetie Belle's inquiry caused Joyce to whip her head around to stare in bewilderment. She studied the filly with new intrigue, ignoring the nervous chuckle from the newly-deemed specimen. Up to this moment, she thought Sweetie Belle was just messing with her.
Her question and tone though caused her to reevaluate her assumption while drawing ever closer to the filly. An uneasiness grew as a crazed gleam shone in Joyce's eyes. She seemed oblivious to her discomfort as she continued to inch closer to her face.
Bumping against the armrest, Sweetie squeaked out against her intrusive proximity. Giving a generic dismissal, she stopped her intrusive advancement with an inch in between them. "Interesting: absent pigmentation in the eyes, unusual eye coloring, overly dilated pupils, and..." Sweetie Belle's scowling face was the last thing she saw before the side of her face was struck hard by some unforeseen object.
Rubbing her left cheek, Joyce swiveled around in search of the assailant. After a few moments, she realized that they were the only two in the vicinity. Confused, she turned her gaze back to Sweetie Belle and immediately noticed that something had changed. Rubbing her eyes in dismay, she refocused her sight upon the small unicorn.
It wasn't a huge change but enough to warrant her attention. Around her pearly white horn, a light greenish glow had formed. Entranced by the swirling vortex, her mind raced to comprehend what she was seeing. A silent awkwardness consumed them as they stared at each other.
Without warning, a mixed gasp of surprise and awe filled the air as Joyce came to the only viable solution. A loud slap sounded as she brought her hands to her cheeks rather forcefully. Baffled, Sweetie Belle tried to formulate a reason for her erratic behavior. "I can't believe it, it's impossible but there's no other explanation. Your actually magic, a magical talking unicorn," she breathlessly chanted.
Smiling, Sweetie Belle looked on as the irrefutable proof of magic broadened Joyce's horizon. "Do you believe me now," she asked.
"Definitely but why did you resort to violence to prove your point," Joyce replied as she absentmindedly rubbed her reddening cheek. Slightly embarrassment, she explained that when her vocal discomfort was apparently ignored. She had to resort to more drastic measures.
Devastated at hearing the reason, she skulked to the opposite side of the bench. Pulling her knees up, while her head drooped until resting upon them. Facing away from Sweetie Belle, tears began to form in her eyes as she silently chastised herself.
Witnessing the unintentional degradation that befell Joyce, Sweetie Belle leaped to her side. Despite her shrinking away from the contact, Sweetie Belle kept her hoof on her shoulder. With concern laced in her words, she asked Joyce what was wrong.
"I'm sorry Sweetie Belle, I didn't mean to do that," she bewailed without turning to face the filly.
A slew of questions bombarded her mind yet one towered over the rest. "What do you mean," she requested.
"I get fixated on things that pique my interest, however, I unintentionally objectifying people if they are the subject of my curiosity. It's a habit that has ostracized me from my classmates," she spoke lightly. A soft clop filled the air as the hoof resting on Joyce's shoulder hit the wooden planks.
An involuntary shiver slithered up her spine as she listened. Cold isolation, believed long buried, slowly saturate Sweetie Belle's mind as her early foalhood resurfaced. Yet, as harsh memories were about to sample her despair, a ray of light parted the clouds. Mirroring its effect, a warm smile spread across her lips.
A startled gasp shattered the silence as Joyce turned to see Sweetie Belle hugging her side. Returning a rather awkward smile as their eyes met. "I'll be your friend," she chirped happily. As those words filled her ears, Joyce's heart danced to a mixed tune of relief and joy.
Yet, as the heart rejoiced, her mind stewed in turmoil. "Why would you still want to be my friend? I invaded your personal space and reduced your very being to a mere container of magic," The words fluttered past her lips as dreary tears flowed down her cheeks.
"The fact that you apologized and displayed regret means that it was an involuntary action. Besides everyone deserves a friend," Sweetie Belle replied while tightening her hug. Overcome with emotion, Joyce nervously rested her hand atop her head.
Believing to have taken the first steps in becoming a more socially accepted individual, a joyful grin graced her lips. Not wanting to abandon the warm feeling that has long eluded her, she refused to interrupt the moment. Unfortunately, the sudden chime of a bell forced the undesired decision.
Breaking apart, Sweetie Belle asked what the bell signified. In a dejected tone, she informed her that it was the warning bell for class. Guessing the follow-up, she added that her class was about hydraulic machinery. "Hydraulic machinery? what's that" Sweetie Belle asked.
The perplexed expression on her face led Joyce to assume that Equestria wasn't as technologically advanced as they were. "Historyydraulic machines are constructs that range from simple in design to complex. They require liquid fluids to function and perform several tasks quicker than we could.
Intrigued, Sweetie Belle inquired if she could accompany her to class. Although gaining interdimensional knowledge influenced her curiosity. It was the chance to observe Joyce's interactions and formulate a possible solution that solidified her decision.
"I guess you could sneak in but you'll have to be quiet," she warned. Nodding in agreement, they got up and headed toward her classroom. However, Sweetie Belle let out a startled gasp as they approached the exit. Beyond the wide arched exit, she glimpsed Ivory floors, white painted cinder blocked walls, and white ceilings.
A big rectangular bulletin board, titled events, was attached to the opposite wall. The board itself had several pieces of parchment of varying size and color pinned to it. A sort of light seemed to pour out of narrow container looking things that hung from the ceiling. "Where are we, I thought we were outside," Sweetie Belle confessed.
"This is my school, the section we just left is called an arboretum. Although it looks like a forest, it's actually a place where students can go to relax or complete their schoolwork in serenity," she explained. Sweetie Belle was flabbergasted that Joyce's school housed such an area. Several distant voices interrupted her as she was about to ask another question.
Joyce inhaled sharply as the chattering voices grew louder. Worried that they would spot Sweetie Belle, she knelt in front of the filly. Doing her best to obscure their line of sight, she pretended to tie her shoes. Fortunately, the group of students didn't seem to notice Sweetie Belle as they walked past.
Only after their voices faded down the hall did Joyce exhale a sigh of relief. "That was close, the last thing I need is for someone to see you." Tilting her head slightly to the side, Sweetie Belle asked if non-humans were forbidden to be here. With a nervous chuckle, she informed the filly that they were allowed to bring pets so long as they were properly trained.
Sweetie Belle scrunched her face at the insinuation as Joyce stated that none of them owned a unicorn. "I am not a pet," she stomped her hoof incredulously. The outburst from the otherwise docile filly momentarily caught Jorce off guard.
"I know your not a pet but they don't, in my world certain animals are our pets," Joyce quickly clarified. Her explanation only seemed to anger the filly more as she growled the fact that she knew what a pet was. "Since unicorns were a mythological creature until several years ago. They have been created to be people's pets as well as run free in the wild," she interpreted.
Joyce prepared for another outburst but such occurrence never happened. Instead, Sweetie Belle took a deep breath before bluntly stating that she was going to be late for class. Although her voice seemed calm, Joyce could see a storm brewing behind her shimmering light green eyes. Hoping that sitting in on her class would dull Sweetie Belle's anger, they dash down the hall to class.