As you struggle to come to terms with the fact that your best friend, Twilight Sparkle, has developed feelings for you, a stranger from a forgotten past suddenly arrives and turns your life upside-down.
Two years.
It's been two years since your arrival in Equestria, all those moons ago. In that span of time, you've managed to forge new friendships, overcome your inner demons, and finally find your place in this world you now called home. It wasn't a bad life, in your opinion.
Just then, a rift opens. An unexpected visitor from your home world makes a startling appearance, and you can't help but feel like your entire life has suddenly been turned upside-down...
"It's been two months, darling." Rarity chides you gently as she takes your measurements, her tape measure gliding effortlessly around your waistline and down your leg. "Two months! I'd have thought that you would have come to a decision by now."
She hums distractedly as she jots down some notes on a piece of paper hovering in midair next to her. "Hasn't Twilight asked you about it again?"
You were at the Carousel Boutique, where Rarity was taking down your measurements to create some custom-made apparel just for you. Finding clothes that fit your human figure has proven to be a challenging endeavour, but luckily, your dear friend Rarity is more than willing to help.
You let out a long-suffering sigh. "Yes, she's asked me again."
"And?" Rarity tilts her head curiously, waiting for an answer.
Defeated, you reply, "I... I don't know."
"Oh, for goodness' sake, Anon! It's been too long!" Rarity exclaims, waving her hoof in the air.
"Rarity," You say, feeling your face flush. "I know I've been taking a while. But I just... I'm not sure if I'm ready." Your words trail off, the weight of your uncertainty pulling them down.
Rarity raises an eyebrow at you, scanning you with an air of impatience about her.
"You can't keep a mare waiting forever, Anon. Twilight's already stressed enough as she is, and she could really use a sense of closure, no matter what it is."
You shift uncomfortably in place.
"I know, I know. It's just... this is all so new to me! Twilight's my best friend, and... I don't want to hurt her." Your voice cracks at the end of your sentence, betraying your nervousness.
Rarity hums thoughtfully as she slides the tape measure underneath your armpits and around your shoulder blades.
"Well, how do you feel about her? And don't spare me the details, Anon. Be descriptive."
"I..." You can feel yourself growing weary with the conversation, as you already lost track with how many times you had to repeat this subject with one of Twilight's friends. They had all interrogated you, one by one, about your feelings for the purple Alicorn, but you could provide no satisfactory answer.
"... I don't know, Rarity. I really don't know." You sigh. "Twilight is... she's special to me. She gave me a life, a new start, and... well, a family. And that's huge! I owe my life to her. But... when it comes to her feelings for me? I... I don't know if I feel the same."
Rarity's ears droop at your words, the disappointment evident on her face. But after a moment, her ears perk up again, and she turns to look at you with a look of curiosity on her face.
"You don't know?" Rarity repeats, clearly trying to keep the incredulity out of her voice. "What do you mean, Anon?"
"I-I..." You stutter. "I don't know how I feel about Twilight, Rarity. That's what this is. I don't know if I see her in that way, if that makes sense."
"Have you thought about it?"
"Of course I have. What do you take me for?" You sigh wearily, recalling all the sleepless nights you spent pondering over Twilight's confession. "I'm not some... insensitive prat, or whatever."
Rarity huffs, looking away as she rolls the tape measure into a neat little coil. "Could've fooled me."
You groan, placing your head in your hands.
"Rarity... please. I've been thinking about her a lot, okay? It's just a lot to take in. Me and Twilight are two different species, and the idea of being in a relationship with her? It's a lot to process. It just feels so... wrong." Your voice trembles. "I'll admit, there were times when I couldn't help but feel like we could be something more. But every time I entertain that thought, there's always this feeling that holds me back, and I can't explain it! I feel like I'm going crazy..." You sigh in defeat.
"Look. I'm sorry if I can't provide an answer for her right now, but I'm trying my best to, believe me. I'm trying. It's just... I'm scared, okay?" You look up at Rarity, whose eyes have never left your form.
"Oh, darling," Rarity responds, her voice gentler now. "It's a big decision, I get that. But at some point, you have to make it." She stands up and approaches you, resting her hoof on your shoulder. "You know Twilight better than anyone else. And she loves you. She's waiting for you."
Her words hit you like a punch to the stomach. Twilight does love you. She made that abundantly clear when she had confessed to you two months ago.
But could you return the feelings? You didn't know. You didn't want to let your friend down, and the last thing you wanted was to break her heart. It would surely break yours too if you had to see your friend fall apart right before your very eyes.
Rarity notices your blank expression and wraps her hooves around you in a hug.
"It's okay," she says firmly. "You'll figure it out. I know you will."
You walk out of the Carousel Boutique, waving goodbye to Rarity as you make your way down the lane in the direction of the apartment building just a few blocks away. You're lost in thought, pondering Rarity's words.
"She's waiting for you."
As you wander down the lane, you can't help but repeat those words over and over in your head. It's an idea that you've entertained many times before, but Rarity's words have breathed new urgency into it.
The words echo in your head as you weave through the crowds of ponies, their voices and faces blending into meaningless noise as you walk. When you catch sight of the apartment building up ahead, you feel a small surge of relief wash over you. You're almost home.
Eventually, you reach the stairs leading to the entrance of the building. Without further ado, you push the door open to let yourself in.
As you enter the building, the cool air conditioning hits you like a gust of wind, and you take a deep breath, feeling the tension in your shoulders ease. The elevator is already waiting, but you opt to take the stairs instead.
After a few flights of stairs, you eventually reach the fourth floor and walk down the hallway, taking a left turn at the end. Number 417 is at the end of the hallway, and you pause for a moment as you fumble around in your pocket for the keys.
As you enter your apartment, you're greeted by a thick haze of smoke and the scent of something burning. It would seem that in your haste to get to Rarity's, you had left the stove on.
You quickly rush over to the stove and turn it off, waving your hands in front of your face as you toss the charred remains of whatever it was you had cooking into a nearby trash can. Outside, a few ponies can be seen sticking their heads out of their doors, wondering about the source of the foul smell now permeating into the hallway.
You quickly open the windows, hoping to air out the apartment before the smell attracts any more attention than it needed to. You set about scrubbing the stove, which had accumulated quite a bit of grease and burnt remains of food in your absence. Once that was done, you step back and collapse onto the couch, exhausted.
You lie there on the couch, feeling the weight of the day's events settle over you like a thick blanket. The smell of burnt food and smoke still lingers in the air, even with the windows open, and you wonder if you'll ever get used to the smell. You close your eyes, trying to push back the fatigue that's threatening to overcome you.
She's waiting for you.
Damn it, Rarity.
You sigh in frustration, your gaze settling on a notebook laying on the table next to you. It's glowing.
You quickly stand up, grabbing a quill from a nearby pen holder. You head over to the table, your heart pounding as you open the notebook to the latest page.
There, fresh on the paper, a series of words are being formed, as though an invisible hand was writing upon its surface.
Hi, Anon! I was wondering if you're free tonight... maybe we could, I dunno, go see a movie at the theatre downtown? I mean, if you have nothing else to do, of course. No pressure!
You smile in spite of yourself. Twilight had given you this special notebook last month as a gift, which you supposed at the time that she had given you as a friendly gesture. You eventually found out that it was a means to keep in contact with you, even though you were apart.
She had been writing to you for the past few weeks, usually to check in on you and ask about your day. Occasionally, she would invite you out for "non-dates", which usually involved the two of you going out to some place to spend time together. Just the two of you. Alone.
Yup, definitely not a date.
You think for a moment as you place the tip of the quill to the paper, before beginning to write back:
Hey, Twilight! Sure, I'd love that. And yeah, I'm free. I'll pick you up at 7?
Not long after you finish writing, the notebook begins to glow once more.
Great! See youuu! <3
You stare for a moment at the heart. You chuckle. Twilight may act all sweet and flirty on paper, but in real life? She's an awkward mess.
Just like you.
Maybe that's why the two of you get along so well...
You check your pocket watch as you stand by the doorway to Twilight's castle. Never mind the fact that you're thirteen minutes late, because it would seem that your companion isn't ready yet.
You sigh and lean against the castle wall, waiting for Twilight to finish getting ready. You wonder what's taking her so long. Is she nervous? This was her idea, after all. You take out your pocket watch again, flicking it open and closed idly. The sky outside is starting to darken, and you can feel the chill of the evening starting to creep in. The longer you wait, the cooler it's going to get, and you really don't want to stand out here any longer than necessary.
"Twilight?" You call out, rapping gently at the door. "You ready yet?"
From within the castle chambers, you can hear Twilight's voice call out to you in return.
"In a minute! I'm almost ready."
You smile.
You take a deep breath, trying to quash the nerves that are starting to creep up on you. Despite the fact that you felt comfortable around Twilight, there was still an inkling of nervousness that you could only attribute to the nature of the evening. You knew that Twilight clearly meant for this to be something more for the two of you, and that was a fact that you could not deny nor hide from.
Either way, you were happy to have a chance to spend time with your best friend.
As you take a deep breath and steel yourself, you hear Twilight's voice call out from within the castle. "I'm coming, I'm coming!" She appears at the door a moment later, her eyes sparkling with excitement and a huge smile on her face. She's wearing a cozy-looking sweater, which you recognized as the one you had given her last Hearth's Warming Eve.
"Anon, hello! How have you been?" Twilight's voice radiates warmth and joy as she greets you. You feel a sense of comfort and familiarity wash over you, as if nothing has changed between the two of you. Her voice is like a soothing balm to your soul, and you can't help but smile at the sound of it.
"I've been alright, just adjusting to my new job at the printing press. It's been busy, but it pays the bills. How about you?"
Twilight shrugs, grinning sheepishly.
"Oh, same old, same old. I've been struggling with my research lately. I'm so far behind schedule," Twilight admits with a rueful smile. Despite the stress, there's a glimmer of determination in her eyes that you can't miss, one that you've always admired about her.
For a moment, the two of you stand awkwardly, unsure of what to say next. You both know things have changed since Twilight made her intentions known to you, but it's understandable considering the complexity of your relationship now. You're still best friends, but there's an added level of romantic tension that hangs between you.
The tension between you is palpable, but neither of you is willing to break it. Twilight paws at the ground nervously, looking at anywhere but your own two eyes. You clear your throat after a moment.
"So... to the movies, then?" You inquire, smiling encouragingly at her.
"Y-Yeah! Let's go." Twilight closes her eyes in concentration as her horn glows for a moment—and then suddenly, a flash of light. Before you know it, you're standing in front of the movie theatre, in the midst of a crowd of surprised ponies who were clearly not expecting your sudden arrival.
You shake your head to clear your vision, staggering slightly. "Well, I'll never get used to that." You chuckle.
Twilight giggles. "Yeah, teleportation spells take a while to get used to. The dizziness wears off after a moment, though."
The two of you head inside the building, walking over to a nearby screen showing the films currently showing.
"Have you heard of The Twisted Life of Maverick Magus? I hear it's pretty good." You peer curiously at the movie title, showcasing what appears to be a wizard surrounded by glowing energy. "Thoughts?"
"Hmm..." Twilight tilts her head at you. "Well, the physics in that one are highly questionable. I doubt that it's scientifically accurate enough to what real magic is like."
You roll your eyes, smiling lightly.
"Well, how about this one? You indicate the next movie title, which had the words, Smile in the Dark emblazoned upon it in a bloody font.
Twilight shudders. "I never could handle horror films."
You nod. "Yeah, me neither." You walk over to the next screen, scanning the titles thoughtfully.
"Hey! How about this one?" Twilight calls to you.
You walk over to her, and she shows you the movie title. In bright pink and blue letters, the words, Worlds Apart can be read.
Judging from the title and illustration alone, you can tell that it's a romance film.
You give Twilight a look as if to say, "Really?"
"W-What?" She flushes pink, eyes darting left and right. "I-I like romance films..."
"I'm still learning new things about you, aren't I?" You say teasingly, ruffling her mane with a chuckle.
Twilight bounces happily next to you as you make your way to the ticket booth.
"Two tickets for Worlds Apart, please!"
The mare doing the ticketing does a double-take at the sight of you, seemingly unable to process the sight of the Princess Twilight Sparkle on what would be construed as a "date" with Equestria's only human. Mouthing wordlessly, she hands you two slips of paper and gestures towards the door, which you and Twilight excitedly enter through.
"That was... amazing."
You and Twilight make your way to a nearby bench after the movie, your friend beaming with excitement.
You chuckle, glad to see that Twilight enjoyed the film so much. Though you weren't as taken with it as she was, it was clear that the film had a major impact on her. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," You say, smiling. "It's not my usual cup of tea, but it was certainly well-executed."
"Are you kidding me? That was, hands down, one of the best romance films in movie history. Period." Twilight gushes shakily. "I've never felt so emotional in my entire life!"
You can't help but smile back, happy that Twilight had enjoyed the movie to such an extent. She had cried halfway through the film, clearly touched by the events on-screen. It was about a pony princess who fell in love with an alien, only to find her heart broken at the fact that her true love was in love with somepony else. Despite the basic premise, it had been well-executed.
"I'm really glad you liked it, Twi. Though I'll admit, there are some parts of the story that I don't really understand."
"Like what?"
"Oh, I don't know..." You trail off, your stomach rumbling. "How about we go grab some dinner, first? We can talk about it then."
"Sounds great! I'm famished." Twilight looks around, pointing at a nearby fast-food restaurant. "Let's try that place! I hear it's pretty good."
The two of you scurry over to the front door, opening it just as a cool blast of air-conditioning washes over you. The restaurant is busy, with ponies chatting away and enjoying their meals. After deciding on what to order, you and Twilight make your way to the cashier and place a double order of hayburgers and fries. After handing the cashier the correct amount of bits, you take a seat in a corner booth, waiting for your food to be served.
"You know, Anon, this is really nice. I'm glad we get to spend time together like this." Twilight blushes, her ears drooping low. "I-I mean... it's just, despite everything, you still agree to going out with me. I think it's sweet."
You wave her off.
"Think nothing of it. Anything for my best friend!"
The blush on her face recedes at your words.
"R-Right! Yes... you are my best friend, Anon. That's... that's right." She sighs, looking away from you with a look of disappointment evident on her face.
"Hey, Twi? You okay?" You ask, noticing her crestfallen expression. "Something on your mind?"
Twilight sighs.
"I'm fine, Anon. Just... drop it, okay?" She pleads, still avoiding your gaze.
"But Twili—"
"Drop it." Twilight's voice suddenly grows stern, which shuts you up immediately.
An awkward silence follows her words, which is only broken by the sound of a unicorn waiter clearing his throat as he approaches your table.
"Your food, ma'am." He bows low, his head inclined towards Twilight. Twilight forces a smile, mutters a quick "Thank you", before turning back to you with a curious expression on her face.
"So, what parts of the story didn't you understand?"
"Pardon?" You speak through a mouthful of your burger, causing Twilight to giggle.
"I mean, what did you think of the movie? What parts didn't you understand?"
"Well," You start, considering your words carefully. "I guess the part where the princess falls in love with the alien was a bit... out there. I mean, I get that it's a fantasy world and all, but still."
"What's so hard to understand about that?" Twilight tilts her head in confusion, levitating a fry into her mouth as she speaks.
"It's just, she's a Princess, Twilight. She could've had her pick of the most handsome, charismatic, and charming stallions out there, and yet, she chooses an alien who by all means probably looks grotesque by pony standards." You speak through mouthfuls, swallowing at the end of your sentence. "The whole premise of the "interspecies romance" trope just doesn't hit home for me."
"Well..." Twilight thinks for a moment, chewing thoughtfully. "I suppose it does seem strange at first glance. But if you look hard enough? She fell in love with him for who he was on the inside." Twilight smiles. "She couldn't care less if they were two different species, because the love was there." Twilight blushes. "... That doesn't seem too far-fetched to me..."
"That's another thing. Their love." You interrupt suddenly, failing to notice Twilight's blushing. "I don't really get the whole 'true love' angle. Like, the main character's true love is someone who doesn't even know they exist. That doesn't make sense to me."
"I get what you mean," Twilight says, chewing on her burger as her ears droop lower. "But sometimes, you just fall in love with somepony who doesn't feel the same way. It's a part of life." With a shrug, she takes another bite of her meal, looking out the window with an air of gloominess about her.
You follow her gaze, lost in thought. It was evident that Twilight's words had touched a sensitive string within her, and you decide not to press her for any more information than she was willing to disclose. The topic is clearly sensitive, and addressing it too soon may cause Twilight more harm than good. So for now, you let her be, eating in silence and exchanging small talk here and there. The air between you both feels heavier than before, as if a barrier has been put up between you both. But the two of you continue on, trying not to let the awkward atmosphere deter you from enjoying the rest of the evening.
Soon, you and Twilight both finish your meals. You stand up from the table together, making your way towards the exit. The warm air outside hits you both with a refreshing breeze as you step out into the cool evening. You walk side by side, both lost in your own thoughts, quietly processing the evening's events. The sound of crickets chirping and the hum of the town fill your ears as you make your way down the sidewalk. The streetlights illuminate the walkway, casting strange shadows on your faces as you pass by illuminated shops and stalls lining the sidewalks of Ponyville.
As the two of you walk in silence, you can't help but notice that Twilight seems gloomier than ever, her head hung low as she drags her hooves along the cobblestone pavement. You can't blame her. In an attempt to lift her spirits, you slip an arm around her as you walk, causing her to flush red. A ghost of a smile finds its way to her lips, and she leans into your touch as you make your way back in the direction of your apartment building.
Before you know it, you're standing right in front of the entrance to the building. You turn to face Twilight, scratching the back of your head.
"Well... this is where we part for now. Can you teleport yourself home?"
"Yeah! It's no trouble. And..." Twilight blushes. "... thank you for tonight, Anon. I really enjoyed it."
You smile at your friend, pulling her into a gentle hug. She reciprocates, wrapping her forelegs around you in a firm embrace, closing her eyes as she breathes in deeply.
"The pleasure is all mine, Twi. Take care of yourself, okay?" You smile encouragingly at her as you pull away. "Have a safe trip home."
Twilight gives you one last grin, and in a sudden flash of light—she's gone.
You sigh, walking towards the door and pushing it open.
You're getting ready for bed, fixing up the cushions on the mattress before climbing in, letting out a sigh as you ponder the day's events. But just as you're drifting off to sleep, the notebook sitting on your bedside table starts glowing, catching your attention.
You sit up in bed, yawning slightly as you flick on the lamp on your bedside table. You flip the notebook open to the latest page, grabbing your quill as you read the words now forming on the page's surface.
When are we going to go on a real date?
You can feel your heart clench upon reading those words, and you pause and think before writing down your reply.
Twilight, we talked about this.
It's not long before new words begin to form once more.
I know. It just really hurts, Anon. Seeing you every day, hanging out with you, sharing all these special moments with you... knowing that all you see me as is a friend. It's killing me inside.
You can feel your heart hammering in your chest as you read her words. It doesn't take you long to compose a response, however.
Can't we talk about this some other time?
You wait. Suddenly, words begin to form.
I'm done waiting.
You sigh.
Okay... how about tomorrow? We can talk about it then.
Before you even finish writing, the page begins to glow once more.
Promise?
You hesitate a little before writing your reply.
I promise.
There's a momentary pause before the page begins to glow once more.
I'm counting on it. Goodnight, Anon.
You yawn, rubbing your tired eyes with a free hand.
Goodnight, Twilight. Sleep well.
Returning the notebook back to where it belongs, you allow yourself to collapse onto the pillows with a heavy sigh, feeling thoroughly drained. Today wasn't so bad. You got to spend time with your best friend, see a new movie, have a nice dinner... all in all, it was a pretty good day.
That being said, you were still worried about Twilight.
You flip yourself over to your side, staring at the doorway. You knew, deep in your heart, that you would have to give Twilight your answer eventually. It would be very insensitive of you to keep her in the dark, that much you knew. Still, you didn't know exactly how you felt about the purple Alicorn. She was definitely more than just an average friend to you, but the idea of sharing a future with her? It was a bit overwhelming to think about.
As you begin to drift off to sleep, your thoughts are consumed by Twilight and her alluring presence. Her captivating eyes and soothing voice still playing over and over in your head like a beautiful symphony. The feeling of being with her, the closeness, the bond, it was otherworldly. It's in this moment that you begin to realize, as you sink deeper into your slumber, that the feelings she has for you might just be mutual after all...
"Thank you for the dance, Anon. I really appreciated it."
"Don't mention it, Twi. It was my pleasure."
You and Twilight weave your way through the sea of ponies, slowly making your way towards the glass doors that lead to the castle gardens. With one hand, you push the door open and Twilight walks through it, shooting you a flirty look as you hold the door open for her.
"My, such a gentlecolt." She giggles.
You chuckle in return, allowing the door to close shut behind you as the two of you take a slow walk through the gardens, taking in the serene ambience of the evening. It's quiet in the gardens, with nothing to be heard but the chirping of crickets and the low whistle of the evening gale as it blows through the verdure.
Twilight's dress rustles as she walks, and you can't help but admire how beautiful she is tonight. She's wearing a frilly, satin purple dress lined with amethysts, which in your opinion brought out the color of her eyes just nicely. Her hair, unlike its usual style, was now embellished with curls that frame her face, giving her a more regal, elegant appearance than normal. She's wearing a thin amount of makeup to top it all off, which all gave her an ethereal, beautiful facade to behold.
You can feel your cheeks redden slightly, but you shake it off.
"Anon, you okay?" Twilight giggles, swivelling her head around to take a good look at you. "You're so quiet tonight. Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. You look great, by the way. I love what you did with your mane." You smile.
Now it's Twilight's turn to blush.
"T-Thanks... I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure if you would, but... I'm glad you do."
"Oh?" You raise an eyebrow at her. "You did that for me?"
Twilight stops. A thick, crimson blush finds its way to her muzzle, and her pupils dilate as her eyes dart from side to side.
"W-What? Oh... I said too much, didn't I?" She chuckles nervously. "But, *ahem*, yes. I did. I just wanted to, er... impress you,I guess..."
Twilight trails off, her cheeks growing redder by the minute. You can feel your own beginning to heat up as well, but you smile at her regardless.
"O-Oh! Well... consider me impressed, then." You chuckle. "Thank you, Twilight."
Twilight looks up at you sheepishly, her cheeks still red.
"You look pretty handsome yourself, you know." She giggles. "Rarity did really great with that suit of yours."
You beam. You had commissioned Rarity to make you a suit specifically for this evening. You made a mental note to give her your thanks when you see her again.
"Thanks, Twi. I'm glad you like it."
Your Alicorn friend smiles, motioning for the two of you to take a seat on a nearby bench, facing away from the castle. You take your seat across from her, and the two of you let out a dreamy sigh at the same time.
You stare at each other for a moment before bursting into a fit of giggles.
"*sigh*... This is really nice." Twilight breathes in deeply, exhaling after a moment with her eyes closed. "You know, I'm really grateful you agreed to come with me as my plus one. It means a lot to me."
"Don't sweat it, Twi. Anything for my best friend, after all." You beam at her, which she returns.
The two of you sit in silence for a moment.
"So..." You clear your throat. "Why'd you ask me to come out here with you, again?"
"Oh, that." Twilight shifts in place. "I just... well..."
"Yeah?"
Twilight looks at you, a faint smile on her face.
"I just wanted to say thank you. You know, for everything. We've been through so much together, and... I'm just really grateful to be a part of your life." Twilight's eyes are sparkling. "Thank you, Anon."
"Twilight..." You begin, your smile growing. "That's the nicest thing anypony's ever said to me. I'm grateful to be a part of your life, too."
"W-Wait. I'm not done yet." She pipes up, placing a hoof on your arm. "T-There's... something else on my mind."
"Oh?" You raise an eyebrow at her. "Go on, then."
Twilight inhales deeply, as though gathering the courage to say whatever she had to say.
"It's something I think you should know if our friendship is going to keep going like this. Something that I've kept for a long time. And believe me, I've tried to repress it, hide from it, even run from it... but I can't. Because it's always there. You're always there, in my mind." Twilight swallows nervously.
"I'm... not following." You tilt your head in confusion.
Twilight places both of her front hooves in the palms of your hands, looking you dead in the eye. "The truth, Anon. You need to hear it."
She blushes.
"I've been waiting for the perfect moment to tell you, and... now is that moment."
"Twilight, what are you talking about?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Twilight smiles, the blush on her cheeks taking on a rosy hue. She whispers her next words with utter care, making sure you hang on to every word.
"I love you, Anon."
And just then, time seems to stop. Literally.
You're puzzled. Everything has stopped moving. You turn in place, looking around at the trees. Only a moment ago they were blowing about in the breeze, but now, they were standing still. The stars have stopped twinkling, and the ponies dancing in the distance now stand as though frozen in place, just as though someone hit the pause button on all of reality.
What was happening?
Just then, you hear a voice. It echoes throughout the gardens, piercing the eerie silence that overtook your surroundings all of a sudden.
"You seem to revisit this moment a lot in your dreams, Anonymous."
Everything seems to melt away. With a twinkle, Twilight vanishes from your view, and in her place is none other than Princess Luna, the Guardian of Dreams.
"Luna!" You stand up. "So this is a dream!"
"Yes. It is." The Alicorn Princess chuckles, her mane billowing about despite the lack of a breeze. "As I have said, you seem to revisit this moment a lot in your subconscious. Is there any particular reason for that?"
You want to respond, but find yourself at a loss for words. Before you can speak, Luna continues, "It is quite alright, mortal. I understand. Even the thoughts that you struggle to put into words, I have access to them." She closes her eyes for a moment, concentrating deeply. The air around you seems to ripple and warp, and in an instant, you find yourself transported to a cozy cabin, sitting next to a warm fire with Luna on the couch beside you. Her smile warms you to your core. "Is this more to your liking?"
"Y-Yeah, it is." You smile. "Thanks."
"You are most welcome, little one." Luna returns the smile. "Now, tell me. This is the fourth night in which you have visited that particular moment from your memory. Yet each and every time, you can never seem to get past that moment when Twilight says, "I love you". Why might that be?"
You can feel your cheeks flush, even in your sleep.
"I don't know. I guess I never really thought about what I should be doing once she said that."
"I am not one to pry, but what did happen after that? I am curious." Luna materializes a cup of cocoa out of thin air, taking a long draft from the cup after speaking.
"Well... I stood up, shocked at what I was hearing. Then I asked her how long has it been since she felt that way for me." You recount, standing up from the couch and pacing by the fireplace. "Then we just sort of... agreed never to speak of it again."
You turn back to face Luna, a shrewd look on your face.
"... But you already knew that, didn't you?"
Luna nods, a knowing look in her eyes.
"Yes. Though I felt it necessary for you to speak of it of your own free will, first. I did not want to impose." She sighs, standing up to walk beside you. "But, if I may say something? For someone who says that he does not know how he truly feels for Twilight, you seem to dream an awful lot about her."
You blush. "T-That's nothing."
"Oh, but it is something, my dear Anonymous. What ponies have in their subconscious says a lot about their character. Humans are no different." Luna gives you a patient smile. "Now, I will ask you again. Why is it that Twilight seems to be lurking in your subconscious mind very often, hm?"
"I..." You sigh in defeat. "I've just been thinking of her a lot, okay?"
"That does not surprise me." Luna gives you a wry smile. "You seem to care for her a lot."
"More than anypony." You say, feeling your cheeks grow warm once more.
Luna beams at you triumphantly.
"Then why is it that you are, for lack of better phrasing, seemingly unable to accept the fact that you are falling for her?"
You close your eyes shut at her words. Those were the very words you dreaded to hear.
"Because... *sigh*... I don't know."
"Is it because you are afraid, Anonymous? Afraid of what the future holds for the both of you? Or are you simply put off by the fact that she is not human? We are not animals, Anon. We are every bit as sentient and sapient as you are." Luna continues, though her tone is not accusatory. In fact, her voice carries with it a hint of motherly care, as though wanting to reassure you that you have nothing to be ashamed of. "What do you fear, Anonymous?"
"I..." Your gaze locks onto Luna's, and you smile weakly. "I think you already know the answer to that."
"That, I do." She nods. "You are afraid, dear one, of losing her. Much the same way how you lost your past. Your old life. You are afraid of what you could lose should you decide to open your heart to her, to let her in. You are afraid, in short, of what she is to you."
Luna extends a wing towards you, wrapping it around your shoulders with care.
"You are afraid of what could happen if the same anomaly that brought you here would tear you away from her. Only this time, you are afraid of being able to remember. To feel the pain of losing her. To feel it so fully that your heart shatters and your mind breaks because of the pain. That, Anon, is what you fear."
Silence meets the end of her words as you ponder deeply what she had just said. You couldn't phrase it any better than she did.
"It doesn't exactly make me feel better knowing what I fear, Luna."
Luna nods sadly.
"It seldom does, little one. But knowing what you fear is the first step to overcoming it." Luna inclines her head towards you, her horn glowing. "Now, there's something I wanted to show you. Hold on tight."
All of a sudden, it feels as though all reality rushes past you, and you find yourself in the middle of a vast corridor, seeming to stretch as far as the eye can see. There are doors on either side of you, with curious markings on each one.
"W-Where are we?" You ask Luna, but she doesn't respond. Instead, she indicates a purple door with a nod.
"Open it."
You do as you're told, and as you swing the door open you're suddenly bathed in light. Once your eyes adjust, you find yourself in the middle of what appears to be a celebration of shorts. There are ponies sitting on rows upon rows of seats, each of them cheering loudly, some crying, others practically screaming with glee. You recognize Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and the rest of Twilight's friends sitting at the front row, and as your eyes wander to the altar—
There she is.
Twilight stands by the altar, dressed in a pure-white gown. She looks absolutely breathtaking, and from where you stand, you can see that she's crying. They're not sad tears, from what you can tell. In fact, she's smiling. But what on Earth is she so happy about...?
And then you realize.
Your jaw drops once you see who Twilight is standing with. It's you. Well, you were you, but there was another you standing next to her, dressed in a handsome wedding tuxedo. From where you stand, you can see yourself crying as well, smiling as you gaze at Twilight with love and adoration.
This was so bizarre.
"Luna!" You shout over the din. "Luna! Where are you?"
"I'm right here." Luna suddenly pops up next to you, sipping from a wine glass she had plucked from a waiter's tray. "Are you alright?"
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." Your gaze wanders back to the bride and groom, who were now sharing a passionate kiss as the ponies surrounding them cheer. "So, this must be..."
"Twilight's dream." Luna finishes your sentence, placing her empty glass on a nearby table. "Do you know that she dreams of this exact scenario each and every night? Even I'm surprised."
You remain silent, still focused on the sight of you and Twilight locked in a passionate kiss. It was jarring, in a way, to see yourself represented in what could only be Twilight's wildest fantasy, and it tugged at your heartstrings to know that this was indeed the future that Twilight wanted for the two of you. A future with you by her side. For all time.
"Why are you showing me this?" You ask, turning to look at Luna questioningly.
"Because you need to know how much you mean to her." She says simply, just as the dream begins to fade, your surroundings blurring into a haze of color and noise as the dream dematerializes into nothingness. Soon, you and Luna are standing in the middle of a void, where you can see Luna trotting away from you.
"Wait! Luna!" You call out, feeling your limbs tingling as you begin to vanish, too. "What am I supposed to do?"
"That is for you to find out, little one." Luna turns her head back as she calls out to you, her voice growing fainter and fainter. "Follow your heart. I know you have a good one."
"Luna!" You call out, but just as she fades away from view you find yourself falling...
Your eyes snap open. You sit up in bed with a start, panting heavily. Well, that was certainly an experience you wouldn't forget anytime soon. You rub your eyes, before checking the clock on your bedside table. It reads "4:34 AM". You turn to gaze out the window thoughtfully as Luna's final words to you echo in your head.
Follow your heart.
As you lay back down onto your pillow, you swore to yourself that you would do just that.
You pause, waiting for Twilight to see your message. It was nine in the morning, and you had just finished breakfast when, upon considering Luna's advice, you had decided to contact Twilight about a certain matter you wished to discuss.
It doesn't take long before the notebook starts glowing.
Yes, Anon? What is it?
You hesitate a little as you place the tip of the quill to the page.
It's about later today. I have a... proposition to make.
A pause. Before long, the notebook begins glowing again.
And what might that be?
Here we go. You think to yourself, steeling your nerves for what was to come. Finally deciding to go for it, you begin writing.
How about we make it a date?
An even longer pause. You don't know what to make of it, but you decide to wait it out. It takes much longer than expected, but after clearing the dishes and wiping the table, the notebook begins to glow once more.
You really mean it?
Before you can reply, the page begins to glow again.
I'd love to. <3
A strange feeling begins to well up within you, a mix of nerves and excitement that turns your knees to jelly. For the first time in your life, you have a date. The idea alone sends a thrill through every inch of you, like a foal discovering sugar for the first time.
How does a picnic sound? There's this spot close to the Everfree that would do just nicely. You down?
You write back, your heart beginning to race.
It doesn't take long for Twilight to respond.
Sounds good to me. See you at 5? :)
Sure thing. See you!
You walk over to the fridge and throw it open, scanning its contents. You were running low on food, which meant that you would have to go shopping if it meant preparing for a picnic with Twilight. Your heart hammering in your chest, you grab your money pouch by the counter and your knapsack before heading out the door, making a mental note of all the things you needed to purchase.
Here you were again.
You're standing outside the doors of Twilight's castle, picnic basket in hand. This feels familiar to you, yet new all the same. This was no ordinary hangout, after all. This was something far more special.
You reach out and knock gently on the door, waiting anxiously for Twilight to answer. You've been here many times before, but never for a date. The moment seems to stretch on forever, but at last, you hear hoofsteps approaching. The door creaks open, and there she was, standing before you.
The butterflies in your stomach are back.
"Hi." You grin.
"Hello..." Twilight returns the smile. "You, um... ready to go?"
"Mhmm." You nod. Seems like you were getting right into it already.
The two of you begin your walk, not a single word being exchanged between the two of you. You glance at Twilight, and you notice that a faint blush adorns her expression as she stares resolutely away from you. You can't blame her. The nerves were getting to you too.
The silence between you slowly gives way to the sounds of nature. The tall grass rustles around your ankles as you veer off the main path, the uneven terrain threatening to trip you up as you navigate the thick greenery. A soft breeze rustles through the reeds as you continue onward, guided by your own sense of direction.
"Ow!" Twilight yelps as she nearly loses her balance, but you're there to catch her as she falls forward. The two of you stare at each other, her muzzle inches away from your mouth, before you recover slightly to help her regain her balance. She mumbles a feeble "Thank you" as you do so, the blush on her face deepening.
Minutes pass as the two of you continue your leisurely stroll, the pathway becoming more smooth and refined as you venture further and further away from civilization. The silence between you both is as palpable as ever, with neither of you showing any signs of wanting to break it.
Finally, you reach the edge of a clearing, the sky above you a vibrant, cerulean blue. In the center of the clearing is a small pool of water, its surface still as glass. Twilight stops in her tracks, taking in the sight before her with awe and wonder.
"This is beautiful," She murmurs to herself, her eyes sparkling with delight. "This is why I love the Everfree. It's so peaceful here." She looks over at you, a small smile on her face. "Thank you for bringing me here, Anon."
"I'm glad you like it. I used to go here back in the day, y'know, to get away from everything." You wave your hand in an offhand way, placing the picnic basket on the ground as you reach for the picnic blanket in your bag.
"I can see why," Twilight says, her eyes gleaming with happiness. "It's so peaceful here. Just... perfect." She takes a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air as she walks over to you to help you set up the picnic blanket.
The picnic blanket unfurls on the grass, its red-and-white checkered pattern bright against the green landscape. You place the picnic basket next to it, then invite Twilight to sit beside you. She obliges, the both of you enjoying a few moments of silence as you take in the beauty of the forest around you. You set the picnic basket down next to her. Together, you open the basket and inspect the contents. There are fresh fruits, sandwiches, and chips – everything to make this date one to remember.
Together, you start to unpack the basket, making sure everything is perfect for an afternoon of relaxing and enjoying each other's company. The warmth of the sun and the pleasant smell of the forest fills the air, casting a serene atmosphere around you.
"It smells so fresh here," Twilight says, her tail wagging softly. "I can almost taste the air." She leans close to you, her muzzle inches away from your face. "Thank you for bringing me here, Anon." She repeats, her eyes gleaming with gratitude.
You nod, feeling a warm sensation in your chest.
"Of course, Twilight," You say, reaching for the picnic basket. "I wanted our first date to be special."
As you continue to unpack the picnic basket, you notice Twilight staring at you with a certain kind of intensity that you can't quite place. She looks curious, as if she's trying to figure you out, but you're not sure why. You finish placing the food on the blanket and sit down next to her, smiling nervously.
"Is everything okay?" You ask, sensing that there might be something on her mind.
She chuckles and shakes her head, her eyes glistening in the sunlight. "Sorry, I was staring, wasn't I?" She gives you a small smile, and you can't help but feel a certain kind of affection for her. "I just... well, I was just thinking of a dream I had last night, is all."
You can feel your cheeks flush as you recall the events of last night. You knew exactly what dream she was referring to, but you weren't about to tell her that.
"Oh? What was it about?" You ask in what you hoped passed off as a curious tone.
"Well... it was about you." Twilight smiles sheepishly, her ears drooping low. "S-Sorry, am I being weird?"
"No, not at all." You give Twilight an encouraging smile, which causes her to relax slightly under your gaze. "Tell me about it. What happened?"
"W-Well..." She fiddles with her hooves, suddenly averting her gaze from you. "We... er... we were at the library."
"... Oh." You lean back, a little disappointed that Twilight had chosen to lie.
"Y-Yeah." She swallows nervously. "We were just... hanging out. You know, as usual."
"Is that all?"
"Y-Yeah, it is..."
You turn away from Twilight, the memory of her dream still vivid in your mind's eye. The two of you, kissing. On her wedding day.
"Hey, Twilight? Can I ask you something?"
"W-What? Oh, sure, go ahead."
"What's your biggest dream?" You ask, tilting your head at her as you take a bite out of a sandwich. "Like, what do you want most out of life?"
"Me? Oh, well... that's a hard one." Twilight scrunches her face in concentration, looking incredibly cute as she does. "I guess my biggest dream involves finding a sense of stability, if that makes sense."
"Hmm..." You hum thoughtfully. It wasn't the answer you were expecting, but you were curious nonetheless. "What do you mean?"
"It's just... life can get so hectic sometimes, you know?" She explains, lowering her voice as she stares off into the distance. "Just ask the rest of the girls. They can tell you how tiring it is to always be rushing about, saving Equestria every other day, helping other ponies with their problems... it can get a bit much sometimes." She sighs. "A bit of stability isn't too much to ask for, isn't it?"
You nod. "I understand. It must be really frustrating sometimes, having to deal with everything all at once."
"Not really. I mean, it is tiring, yes, but I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world." Twilight's eyes twinkle as she speaks. "As the Princess of Friendship, it's my honor and privilege to be there for everypony. Nothing about that could ever be a bother to me."
"But that stability you mentioned. What did you mean by that?" You ask, taking another bite of your sandwich.
"Well..." Twilight trails off, unwrapping a sandwich of her own. "That being said, I'm still a pony. A pony with hopes, dreams, and needs. And sometimes, I need a break, you know?" She sighs. "Maybe more than just a break. Like maybe..."
"Yes?" You urge her on, hanging on to her every word.
Twilight blushes.
"Oh, you know. Mare things. Just thoughts that come by every now and then." Twilight says, staring at two birds building a nest together on a branch overhead. "Thoughts like... I don't know, settling down, maybe? Maybe find somepony to share the rest of my life with..."
Twilight stares you up and down, smiling as her blush deepens.
"... or somecreature."
You chuckle lightly, feeling both amused and flustered at her words.
Twilight sighs, peeling off the rest of the wrapper of her sandwich and stuffing it in her mouth, chewing slowly before swallowing. You hand her a bottle of water, which she brings to her lips as you continue to stare at her in wonder.
"Anon? Can I ask you something?" As Twilight hands the water bottle back to you, part of her hoof grazes your hand, causing her to blush.
"Of course, anything." You nod. "What is it?"
"Do you ever get lonely?"
You turn to face the purple Alicorn. She stares back, her expression unreadable.
"What?"
"You heard me." She says, a soft smile on her face. "Do you get lonely, Anon?"
"I... Yes." You continue to stare at Twilight, not expecting her to ask such a question. "Why do you ask?"
"I was just curious." She shrugs. "I can't imagine how lonely it must feel, being the only human in Equestria."
"Eh. You get used to it." You wave her off, trying to sound more offhand than you felt. "But I will admit, it does feel pretty isolating at times."
"I understand, it's not easy spending all your time around ponies, even if you're the best of friends." Twilight nods, her expression full of empathy. "But you know what I mean, Anon. Have you... ever wondered about what it would be like to have a special somepony by your side?"
Twilight's words strike a chord within you somewhere, and you can't help but squirm uncomfortably in place as her words sink deeper into your heart. You were lonely in that sense.
You take a deep breath, trying to hide the warmth in your cheeks at Twilight's sympathetic look. You've always wished for that romantic connection, to be able to fully connect with someone on a deeper level. But, truth be told, it just wasn't in the cards for you.
"It doesn't matter, okay?" You say, your voice barely above a whisper. "No point in changing what can't be changed. I'm Equestria's only human, and I gotta make do with what I have." You feel a small pang of regret at those words, like you're giving up on something important. But what choice do you have?
As you trail off, Twilight nods slowly, seemingly lost in thought. You can tell that she's struggling with the weight of your words. After a few moments of silence, she looks up at you with a gentle smile.
"You know, Anon, you're a pretty great friend," She says softly. "And I don't want to pressure you into anything, but... sometimes things can change, you know?" She lets out a small laugh. "And if they do, I'll be right here with you. Okay?"
You nod, feeling an upsurge of affection for the purple Alicorn. "Thank you, Twilight."
The two of you sit in silence for a moment, admiring your surroundings. The sun has begun to set, falling over the horizon's edge and painting the sky with hues of orange and yellow.
Twilight clears her throat, catching your attention.
"... Can I ask you another question?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Why did you give me a chance?" Twilight's eyes are shimmering in the sunset, as she continues to gaze at you with something akin to longing. "What really made you decide to go on a date with me? I've been asking you for so long, and it took you this long to accept my affections. Why is that?"
You bite your lip. You had seen this coming.
"Twi... if I'm being honest, I just..." You sigh, resigning yourself to what you had to say. "... I just wanted to see if we could, you know... be something more."
"Is that all?"
"... No, not really."
You pause, considering your next words carefully.
"Twilight, I want you to know that I've thought long and hard about your offer. It's not out of desperation or some need to fill a void. I've spent countless nights lying awake, trying to deny my feelings for you, but they've only grown stronger." Your voice trembles as you begin to pour out your heart to Twilight. "I... I chose to be lonely, Twi. I've spent so long trying to run from the idea of feeling less empty inside, that the prospect of finally feeling whole again terrified me."
You sigh.
"Look, you're a nice mare. And I'd be lying if I said that the thought of being with you in that way didn't once cross my mind. I'm just so... scared. Of what it would be like to lose everything all over again." You close your eyes, recalling how Luna had managed to squeeze the truth out of you. "You mean the world to me, Twi. And... I already lost one world. Losing another would break me."
Twilight places a hoof on your arm, looking at you with a concerned look on her face.
"You aren't going to lose me, Anon. No, I don't see that happening any time soon." She sighs. "I never lost hope in you simply because when I look at you? I see a human being worth loving. A human worth sharing a lifetime with. I wanted to be there for you, Anon, through all the highs and lows of life. And there's not an anomaly in the world that can ever tear me away from you, I promise you that." She smiles reassuringly at you, tugging gently at your shirt.
Twilight's words ignite a spark of hope within you. You can feel a weight lifting from your shoulders, but you aren't entirely convinced.
"How? How are you so sure of that?" You question her, fearing the answer.
Twilight's eyes twinkle.
"Because I love you, Anonymous. I love you more than I've loved anypony in my life. You mean the world to me, and I would never let something as silly as a species difference or a troubled past get in the way of loving you." She smiles lovingly at you. "I will always love you, Anon. Of that, I am certain."
Twilight pulls herself up to your height, her muzzle inches away from your mouth. She stares at you with full intensity, her gaze never wavering nor faltering.
"Please. Let me help you heal. Let me help you love. I can teach you, I swear I will. We can... have a future together. A life. The day you came here, I swore that I'd give you a better life after you lost yours. Now, let me do that for you. Please."
You stare deep into Twilight's pretty violet eyes, feeling everything hang in the balance of this very moment.
"Do you trust me, Anon?" Twilight speaks again, her breath warm on your lips.
"I..." You falter. "Of course I do, Twi."
"Then let me love you. Please."
"Twilight..." You sigh. "I—"
But whatever it was you were going to say, you never get the chance to. A sudden explosion rocks the very foundations of the ground you're sitting on, tossing you, Twilight, and the picnic basket in the air as a shock wave passes over you. Somewhere in the center of the pool of water, a rift opens, crackling with purplish-green energy as it ravages the land all around you.
A dull ringing fills your ears as you lay on the ground next to Twilight. The contents of the picnic basket are strewn everywhere, and the scent of singed wood lingers in the air. Ashes are falling from the sky, falling like black snowflakes and contaminating the previously still pool of water.
You groan, propping yourself up on one elbow as you get to your bearings. There's thick smoke everywhere, making it hard to see much other than a few feet in front of you. As the ringing in your head fades, you look over to Twilight, who sits up a little dazedly, rubbing her head with a hoof.
"Are you okay, Twilight?" You ask, helping the mare to her hooves.
"I-I'm fine." She says. "Are you?"
"Yeah..." You exhale in relief. The explosion had sent the two of you flying, along with the rest of your picnic items. Twilight helps you to your feet, dusting you off as you stare off into the distance. It's hard to make out anything due to all the smoke, with nothing but hazy shapes and blurry silhouettes dotting the grey landscape in front of you.
"What happened?" Twilight asks, staring at the destruction all around.
"I don't know. There was this big explosion, and..." You wrack your brain. "It came from that isle over there, I think."
You point in the direction of the pool of water, which was obscured by smoke. You get to your feet, making your way over to the shoreline while rolling up your sleeves.
"Stay here, I'll go check."
Twilight nods as you begin to take off your shoes, taking one step into the previously crystal-clear water. As you wade further in, you realize that the water isn't too deep, in fact, it only reaches up to your waist. You continue to wade through the water, feeling all the mud and other plant growth squelch between your toes as you slowly but surely make your way towards a little isle sitting at the center of the pool.
The smoke stings at your eyes as you venture deeper into the haze. The scent of burning wood grows stronger, which concerns you. The last thing you needed was a forest fire. Fluttershy wouldn't be too pleased if it meant having to evacuate all the poor animals should this be the start of a natural disaster. Placing all hope that the pegasi would notice the telltale signs of smoke coming from the woods, you exert more effort in pushing through, getting yourself tangled in all the plant growth in the process.
Cursing under your breath, you pull handfuls of eelgrass and pondweed off you as you make your way further in, each stride growing increasingly strenuous as your feet sink into the substrate beneath the water's surface. Water lilies part to the side as you pass through, and a nearby splash nearly scares you out of your wits as the eerie silence presses on your ears completely. Realizing that it was probably just a frog or a fish, you continue pressing forward, taking one careful step after the other.
The isle comes into view. It looms forebodingly in front of you, almost like a behemoth of a fish, if you looked hard enough. Shuddering slightly, you make your way to the shoreline and heave yourself onto dry land, your pants feeling heavier than usual due to being wet. As you dry yourself off, you can't help but notice how bare the island is. A few streaks of soot and the charred remains of what was once grass stretch out in front of you, and you can barely make out the silhouette of something laying on the ground just a few feet in front of you.
You walk over to it, feeling cautious. The hairs on the back of your neck stand up on all ends, and you shiver slightly as a low howl of wind blows through, sending you up in goosebumps.
As you draw closer, the silhouette starts to take on a certain form. It looks vaguely humanoid, but you can't really tell due to all the smoke clouding your vision. A small gust of wind blows through, and you cough slightly as the smoke stings your lungs. Waving your hands around to clear the smoke, you take a few steps forward, wanting to get a clearer view of whatever it was in front of you.
As your gaze rests upon it, you can feel your heart stop.
There was no way. No way this was real.
Twilight stands by the edge of the shoreline, anxiously staring out into the distance for any sign of her human companion. It's been well over thirty minutes now, and if he wasn't coming back anytime soon, she would be forced to call for help.
"Anon?! Are you there?!"
No response.
She sighs. She begins to pace back and forth worriedly, unsure of what to do next.
Maybe she should call the girls! Yes, that would be a good idea. Maybe they could help her look for Anon, and bring him back safely.
But just as she prepares to take off, the sound of sloshing water catches her attention. She turns around, squinting as she peers at a figure slowly making its way towards her.
"Anon?! Is that you?! " She calls out.
"Yeah! It's me!" The figure calls out in return. "I need some help over here!"
Twilight sighs in relief, trotting a little closer to the water's edge as she prepares to dive in. But just before she does, she does a double-take at the sight of what he was cradling in his arms.
Clutched firmly in his arms, head lolling lifelessly to the side, was the unconscious form of a human girl.
It was quickly noised throughout the land that another human had somehow managed to find her way to Equestria. This was the second time since your own arrival, yet the stir that was caused by this news was no less astonishing to the minds of the ponies. The idea that one human somehow managed to enter their world was mind-boggling enough, but two? It was almost unimaginable.
But here was the proof. You were no longer the only one of your kind. It was almost too good to be true, and yet it was.
You're in Canterlot Castle, where Twilight had summoned the three Princesses to witness the strange phenomenon that had occurred. Their chatter doesn't reach your ears, as you're far too focused on the unconscious figure laid out on a stretcher before them. Bits and pieces of the Princesses' conversation float to your ears as the rest is filtered out into background noise.
Twilight's voice cuts through the fray, her tone tinged with concern. "I-Is she still alive?"
"It's a reasonable guess that if Anon survived his transportation here, she would too," Luna adds, her words muffled by the din of conversation.
Celestia's voice reaches your ears next, speaking with authority. "She lives," she affirms. "Her pulse is steady and normal." She pauses for a moment before continuing, "She survived the travel across time and space."
Twilight speaks up again, her voice shaking slightly. "B-But how? And where did she come from?" she queries, her words coming out shaky.
Finally, Cadance chimes in, her voice carrying a note of reassurance. "Her energy signatures bear the same readings as Anon's own temporal aura. It is almost certain that they come from the same universe."
"Anon? You okay there, bud?"
You can feel a tug at your shirt, and you look down and see Spike, Twilight's dragon assistant, looking up at you with a look of concern.
"Y-Yeah, I'm alright. Thanks for asking." You gulp, looking back at the girl. "So... this is what a human girl looks like."
You're perplexed. You had never seen a human girl before, or at least, not one that you recalled. Upon coming to Equestria, you had found your memories wiped, erased of any trace of recollection of your past. Naturally, seeing a fellow human being for the first time was a rather jarring experience, and you can't help but feel a little light-headed as you gaze upon the features of the unconscious stranger. She had auburn hair, freckles, and a rather slim and supple-looking frame. She's wearing what appears to be a grey sweater, all mucked up with mud and substrate from the lake. Underneath that is a green shirt, along with a pair of tarnished, faded jeans. Her expression is peaceful, almost as if she was fast asleep.
You lean down next to the girl and study her face more closely, fascinated by her features. She was so different from the ponies you were used to seeing in Equestria. The fact that she was a human was still a bit of a shock to you, even as you studied her more closely.
Spike is silent for a moment, apparently lost in thought. "Who do you think she is?" He finally asks.
"I don't know," You reply honestly. "But we need to find out. We need to help her."
You look over to the four Princesses, who were still conversing with one another. You can't help but wonder: Clearly, your arrival in Equestria was not a one-time thing. So if another human had managed to enter this world, could more be on the way?
Apparently, that was what worried the four Princesses.
"... I do not like this, sister. One human is one thing, but two? And in the same place? It can't be a coincidence." Luna states, looking worried.
Celestia sighs, her expression hard to read.
"I do not like it either, Luna. But the facts still remain true. We appear to have yet another visitor from a different realm."
"Could Discord somehow be involved?" Cadance chimes in.
"No, I do not think so. Even he was completely unaware of Anon's existence until he showed up two years ago. Why would he have anything to do with it now?"
"Because he's Discord."
The three Princesses continue bickering with one another as Twilight approaches you, looking at you with a mixture of awe and worry.
"Hey."
"Hey yourself." You nod distractedly in her direction, continuing to stare at the unconscious woman on the stretcher.
Twilight's eyes fall upon the stranger, taking in her form with a look of both curiosity and wonderment.
"This must be a human female," She says, her voice tinged with fascination as she studies the unconscious girl. "This is quite a discovery. "She looks just like you! With a few physical differences, of course." Twilight says, continuing to study her form with an air of a researcher discovering a new species.
Twilight was right. You can't help but notice her comparisons to your own body. The girl is definitely smaller in stature compared to you, and her chest is more prominent. Her hair was longer, too. But aside from those differences, there is an uncanny resemblance between the two of you.
"This is so bizarre." You mutter, shaking your head. "It's just so odd, isn't it?"
"It sure is." Twilight nods. "This is bringing back some familiar memories for me, though."
The memory of your arrival in Equestria comes flooding back to you, and you can't help but let out a slight chuckle at the thought. You had awoken in this world, as though you had been born anew, with no memory of your past or who you once were. The only thing that remained of your former existence was your ability to communicate with the ponies in this world. Everything else, including your identity, was swallowed up by the abyss of time and space.
The feeling of having nothing to hold on to is a strange one, but you have come to terms with it. You had made new friends in Equestria, and even grown to appreciate the world and its inhabitants. But the fact that you still don't know who you are, or where you came from, is a mystery that continues to haunt you.
"... the big question is, what do we do now that we have her here?" Luna's voice floats over to the three of you, catching your attention.
It's Celestia who answers.
"We will place her under the care of a very discreet and qualified pony." She states as-a-matter-of-factly. "Nurse Redheart. She will watch over and attend to our visitor's needs in the meantime." Celestia turns and makes eye contact with you, smiling knowingly. "She will be well-cared for, that much is certain."
You nod, trusting this stranger in the hooves of these ponies. If anyone knew what to do, it was them. After all, it was they who cared for you when you had first arrived in Equestria. They knew what they were doing.
Reluctantly, you tear your eyes away from the girl and follow Twilight out of the massive, ornate doors behind you, pondering upon the turn of events that had just transpired.
Things were definitely going to be different around here.
"I still can't believe it."
You heave a stack of dusty books onto the table, where you and Twilight had set up copious amounts of papers and charts. The sheer volume of resources is overwhelming, but you can't help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of unravelling the mystery of the stranger's arrival.
"Yes, Anon. I know." Twilight sighs wearily, as though this was the umpteenth time she had to repeat herself.
"I'm not the only one!" You grin, thoughts racing in your head as you pace back and forth.
"Yes, Anon. You've said that already."
It's been two days since the fateful incident had occurred, and in that span of time, you and Twilight had decided to do a little digging on the history of humans at the Castle of the Two Sisters. Unsurprisingly, there was little to no information surrounding your species, other than a few references buried deep within thick volumes of Mythological Creatures and their Origins.
Your excitement was not to be deterred, however.
"I mean, think of all the possibilities! If two humans somehow managed to find their way to Equestria, could more of us be out there?" The words come tumbling out of your mouth from the excitement. "This is groundbreaking, Twi! Borderline revolutionary! It's... it's..."
You extend your arms to the side to indicate the magnitude of the situation.
"... It's a miracle."
Twilight sighs again, looking quite enervated.
"Anon, your excitement is understandable, but please, we need to keep digging. You want to help solve this mystery, right?"
"Right, right. Sorry. Got a little carried away there." You walk over to Twilight and plop down in an empty seat next to her, grabbing a thick book from the stack.
Minutes of your searching pass by, with no words exchanged between you two other than a few outbursts of excitement every now and then when either of you would come across a promising passage or a handy reference.
"Here! Gusty the Great made note of humans after the Great Unicorn War, stating the appearance of a 'tall, bipedal being' that arrived in a strange orb long after Grogar was banished." Twilight chirps excitedly, shoving the book in front of your face. "She mentioned that it seemed to have 'no recollection of its former life', but ended up living happily amongst ponies from that moment forward. Just like you, Anon!"
You stare at the words in front of you, a dazed feeling coming over you as you read the text again and again. There had been more of you in the past. And from the looks of it, they too had managed to lead a happy life despite their lack of memories.
You return to your own book, scanning the footnotes beneath a page labelled, 'Ancient Monkeys, Myth or Fact?'
"Here's another one! Scholars back then reported sightings of 'strange, hairless monkeys' capable of speech who arrived on the coast in an odd-looking vessel of sorts." You scan the page even further. "Same story, they lost most of their memories, but lived happily among ponies for the rest of their lives, yada yada yada."
You close the book, looking at Twilight.
"Okay, so what we do know is that humans have been here in the past, and it's almost the same story. They lose their memories, but end up living among ponykind until the end of their lives. But what's strange about them is that their origins are unknown. Nopony knows where they came from, other than 'strange vessels' or 'rifts in space and time', just like how I came here. And most recently, our guest."
Twilight nods, staring back down at her book.
"Yes, that's about all we've got. But here's another passage: 'Due to the strange and unprecedented nature of our visitors, we, the Unicorns, decided to dub these creatures as the Anonymi, owing to the anonymous nature of their origins.'" Twilight looks up at you. "The term 'human' was coined when one of your kind arrived in Equestria with a small inkling of his memories, going on and on about 'parallel realities' and 'alternate universes'."
You beam at Twilight, planting a quick kiss on her cheek. "This is all useful information, Twi. We need to get this information back to the Princesses and let them know that this isn't just the second time it's happened."
"Right, I'm with you on that." Twilight blushes, smiling softly at you. "Let's go."
But before either of you can stand up, the door to the library bursts open, and a castle guard trots in, looking very tired and out of breath.
"Urgent message for Princess Twilight." He huffs, walking up to Twilight. "The Princesses are requesting your presence at Canterlot at once."
"Why? What happened?" Twilight asks, hopping to her hooves.
The guard gives her a solemn look. "All I was asked to say is that... she has awakened."
You, the four Princesses, and Nurse Redheart are standing right outside the entrance to a room, where the six of you were locked in a hushed debate regarding who would enter the room first.
It was Nurse Redheart who had alerted the Princesses the moment she had noticed her patient beginning to stir, and she had quickly backed out of the room to avoid being seen. Now that you were here, however, it was clear that a plan had not been made as to how you were going to engage in the first encounter with this human girl.
"Why me?" You ask tentatively, your heart practically pounding out of your chest.
"Because we do not know how she will react to seeing a pony for the first time." Luna whispers back, as if this was the most obvious thing in the world. "She could panic, or worse, act out of self-defense, and we don't want that."
"Don't you remember how you reacted when you first saw us?" Cadance reminds you, bringing back the memory of your arrival in Equestria. You distinctly remember trying to lash out at anyone who came near you at the time, including Twilight herself.
"Okay, point taken. It has to be another human." You sigh, steeling your nerves as you grip the handle of the door. "You guys should, er... probably stand back."
The four Princesses and the nurse take one step back, allowing you to proceed further. You stare at the door for a moment, knowing full well that this encounter was going to change your life. Swallowing your nerves, you turn the handle, swinging the door open to let yourself in.
...
It's a relatively pretty room, in your opinion. Salmon-pink wallpaper covers the walls, with a dresser and a side table next to a rather spacious bed. The bed is empty, its sheets creased and untidy. The blanket lays in a heap on the floor, adding to an assortment of items that had apparently been knocked over from the side table in the occupant's haste to get out of bed. Your eyes scan the room for any sign of life, until you finally see her.
There, sitting in a chair by the open window, is her. She's sitting incredibly still, her auburn hair billowing about in the breeze. Her back is to you, and she doesn't seem to hear you close the door behind you as you slowly make your way towards her.
Your heart was going a mile a minute, threatening to pop out of your chest at any given moment. Upon closer inspection, you notice her arm is tethered to a tube, which trailed to an IV stand next to the bed. The stainless steel rack holds a bottle of dextrose, likely to accommodate her physical needs during her brief coma.
With nothing else in mind, you clear your throat to make your presence known.
Her head turns. As your eyes meet, your heart stops. Her lustrous brown eyes peer curiously into your own, and a smile begins to creep up her cheeks as you hold her gaze.
"Hello."
You continue to stare, not registering her words.
"Um... hello?" She repeats, waving awkwardly at you.
You snap back to reality, feeling more embarrassed than apprehensive by now.
"H-Hi!" You wave back, grinning feebly. "I'm... Anon."
She nods.
"Anon. Noted." She replies, her smile not fading in the slightest. "Are you the nurse attending to me?"
"W-What?"
She stares at you. "The nurse." She repeats, looking you up and down. "Huh, you don't look like one."
She looks around the room.
"... This is a hospital, right?"
"Erm... not exactly." You chuckle nervously. "I-I'm sorry, what was your name, now?"
She crosses her arms, looking at you suspiciously.
"Edelweiss." She says simply.
"That's... a pretty name. Like the flower, right?" You ask, trying to make small talk.
"Yes." She nods, though her expression is wary.
You can't help but stare. Seeing another human lying unconscious on a stretcher was one thing, but actually interacting with one was another thing entirely. Your eyes scan her features, taking in everything from her auburn hair to her rosy, pink cheeks. Her eyes continue to peer at your own with a mix of suspicion and curiosity, making it apparent that she didn't trust you all that much.
"So where exactly am I?" Edelweiss breaks the silence, looking all around the room in confusion. "This doesn't look like any hospital I've ever been in. Where are we?"
"Er..." You scratch the back of your head, feeling nervous. This would be the hard part. "That's because this isn't a hospital, Edelweiss. You're... you're in Equestria."
Silence meets your words, and the two of you merely stare at each other.
"E-Equestria? Where is that?" Edelweiss squints at you, as though trying to see through what she hoped was a joke. "Are we still in Norway?"
"Er... what?" You ask, feeling more and more clueless by the minute. "What's Norway?"
Edelweiss stares at you, her mouth slightly agape. Deciding that you were probably just playing dumb, she shakes her head and continues.
"No, that doesn't matter right now. What matters is that I have no idea where I am or how I got here." Her eyes search the room again, before meeting your own. "And frankly, I don't know if I trust you. You're still a complete stranger to me, Anon."
Your heart sinks at her words, but you know you can't blame her for being cautious. "I understand your hesitance, Edelweiss. But I promise you, I'll do my best to explain everything, as long as you're willing to hear me out—"
Just then, the door swings open. Nurse Redheart trots in, her muzzle buried deep in a clipboard as she makes her way over to the bed. Behind her, you can hear shouts of protest coming from the Princesses, which made it apparent that the Nurse's sudden intrusion was not part of the plan.
"Hmm... okay. Now that Anon's got you settled in, let's go over the basics." Nurse Redheart places the clipboard on the bedside table, taking a pen in her mouth. "Name?"
Your heart sinks all the way down to your stomach at the sight of the sudden shift in Edelweiss's expression. You knew that feeling all too well, remembering the day of your arrival in Equestria. Her face pales, and she blinks once, twice, rubbing her eyes in her hands before squinting at what she hoped was a hallucination standing right in front of her.
"A-Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" She exhales weakly, looking at you for support.
"I'm afraid so." You gaze at her with sympathy. "Edelweiss... this is Nurse Redheart."
Edelweiss, clearly at a loss for words, stares back and forth from you to the Nurse, hoping that this was some sort of joke. Once she had confirmed that the Nurse was not, in fact, a hallucination, she stands up, and shakily walks herself back to her bed, before allowing herself to fall back onto her pillow, looking even paler than ever before.
"I've lost it. I've gone completely mad." She mumbles, covering her face with her hands.
"So... Edelweiss, was it?" The Nurse clears her throat feebly, looking at you with an apologetic look on her face. "I will be the nurse attending to you as you recover. I just need you to answer a few questions."
"Stop talking!" Edelweiss moans, burying her face in her pillow. "You aren't real! You are not a talking horse. You are a figment of my imagination—"
"What's a horse?" You ask, tilting your head in confusion.
"Shut up!" Edelweiss growls, turning her angry gaze towards you, causing you to back up slightly. "You can play dumb all you want, Anon, but I'm not buying it! I... I demand to see my mom and dad right now!"
"She's taking this much better than you did, I'll give her that..." Nurse Redheart looks at you with a sad smile.
Seeing the sheer panic on Edelweiss's face, you can't help but feel sorry for her. It's clear that she's having trouble accepting the reality of her situation. To make matters worse, Nurse Redheart's continuous speaking only seems to be making her even more distressed.
"Edelweiss, I know this must be overwhelming, but we need to get you up and moving." Redheart tries to get Edelweiss's attention, but she continues to ignore her. "Come on, dear. Let's get you something to eat and drink. I'll answer all your questions, but we need to get you out of that bed first."
Despite Redheart's encouraging words, Edelweiss remains frozen in a state of denial and confusion. She's lost in the strange world she finds herself in, and it's up to you and Redheart to help guide her.
"Edelweiss, I know this is a lot to process, but we're here to help you. Nurse Redheart is going to take care of you, and we'll make sure you have everything you need. Let's start by getting you something to eat." You try to speak in a soothing voice, hoping to break through her stunned silence.
Eventually, Edelweiss nods weakly and rises from her bed, still feeling shaky and disoriented. It's clear that she's still struggling to accept the reality of her situation, as she seems resolutely determined to look anywhere else other than the Nurse.
"Where am I?" She repeats, looking at you desperately. "Where am I, Anon?"
You sigh. "Like I said, you're in Equestria. I'll explain more later, I promise."
Edelweiss sighs in defeat, her head hung low. As Nurse Redheart guides Edelweiss out of the room, you join her, holding the young woman's arm to ensure her stability. In your other arm, you hold the IV stand, letting the cord trail behind her as the three of you exit the room. The door opens, revealing a hallway lined with bright purple walls.
To your left, you hear a commotion as the Princesses notice Edelweiss's arrival. They exclaim with delight, eager to meet her.
As Nurse Redheart steps aside, Edelweiss's eyes fall on the four Princesses with a mix of wonder and confusion. You can see the color drain from her face as she staggers back, her body shaking.
"G-Get me out of here!" she yells, her breathing erratic. "Please, get me out of here!"
Her outburst causes a stir among the Princesses, who exchange concerned glances. You quickly step forward, holding out a steady hand.
"Wait, Edelweiss, it's okay. Don't worry." You whisper, your voice calming her down. "They're not gonna hurt you. We just want to help you."
You give Nurse Redheart and the Princesses an apologetic look before guiding Edelweiss back into her room, closing the door behind you.
As soon as you're alone with Edelweiss, her hand tightens around yours.
"Anon, what's going on? What is this place?" she implores, her gaze searching your face for answers.
You take a deep, steadying breath, your mind racing as you attempt to find the best way to explain the situation.
"You must be joking."
"I'm not."
You adjust the flow of Edelweiss's IV stand as she continues to stare at you in disbelief.
"Do you really expect me to believe that I'm in an entirely different universe, Anon? Because that doesn't make sense, not one bit."
You glance at her, smiling sadly. "What's so hard to believe? You just saw five talking... what did you call them? Horses?"
Edelweiss crosses her arms in frustration, staring up at you with a stony expression.
"That's not the point. For all I know, I could just be going crazy. All of this must be a bad dream... yes, that's it. A nightmare. And I'm gonna wake up any minute now."
Edelweiss takes a deep breath, furrowing her brow in concentration. With her eyes closed, she ignores your protests, wanting more than anything to believe that her current predicament was nothing more than a figment of her imagination.
"How's that working for you?" You chuckle in spite of yourself, finding her reactions to be mildly amusing.
"Shut up. You're not real." Edelweiss waves you off. "I need to concentrate."
You wait patiently for a few more moments, sitting in silence as Edelweiss sits cross-legged on the bed, deep in concentration. After a few more minutes, she lets out a sigh of frustration, opening her eyes and staring at you as though this was all your fault.
"Well?" You raise an eyebrow at her.
"It's no use. I can't wake up. This is a nightmare."
You let out a tired sigh. "No, it's not. I assure you, this isn't a dream. And no, you're not going crazy either—" You add, noticing her beginning to open her mouth in protest. "You are as sane as I am, I promise you."
Edelweiss gives you a look of disdain.
"... Then you're insane too, if you can see those things as well."
"Can two people have the same hallucination at once?"
"W-Well, no, but..."
"Then they're real." You say with a note of finality. "And they're not things, they're ponies."
"What's the difference?" Edelweiss asks, waving her hands in the air. "They're still animals. Talking animals."
"They aren't animals! They're... they're just like you and me!"
Edelweiss narrows her eyes at you. "Exactly how long have you lived here, Anon?"
"All my life, as far as I'm aware." You shrug.
"Well, that explains a lot." She seethes.
"Look, we're going off track here." You shake your head, wanting to steer the conversation back to rational ground. "Where are you from, Edelweiss? Who exactly ARE you?"
"I'm not obligated to answer anything you have to ask. If anything, it's you who owes me answers." Edelweiss stubbornly crosses her arms, determined not to entertain any of your questions.
You groan, feeling a headache coming on. This was going nowhere.
"Alright, alright. I'll tell you as much as I know. All that I know. Once I'm done, it's your turn, okay? Does that work for you? We need to help each other out here."
Edelweiss ponders your words for a moment, nodding slowly after considering your words carefully.
