> Anomalous > by Richu Yue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Diary - Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I remember the day I became a princess. The fireworks, the parties, the excitement, the confusion. It all seemed like a hundred years ago. It was a hundred years ago actually. During these hundred years, many things have happened. My dearest friends, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, became Alicorns as well as they are the spirits of the Elements of Harmony. My mentor and guide, Princess Celestia, and her sister, Princess Luna, disappeared with no trace of where they had gone or anything. Just nothing. As they have disappeared, I must be the one who raises the sun at dawn, and lowers it for the moon at night. It has been busy days and nights for me since they disappeared. My friends lived their dreams. Rainbow Dash became a Wonderbolt, and fell in love with one. He passed away and Rainbow Dash has been upset since that day. She always locks herself in her room in Canterlot Castle. Rarity, on the other hand, became Equestria's most renowned fashion designer. She loves the fame, but isn't as stuck up like many celebrities. Applejack has seen many deaths. Granny Smith, Big McIntosh, Applebloom, the list just goes on. She raised money for Sweet Apple Acres and now her nieces and nephews are taking care of the farm. As for Pinkie Pie, she's just... Well... Pinkie Pie! She's quite happy, keeps everypony in Equestria joyful, except for one pony she tries to cheer up. Fluttershy befriended every animal in Equestria, something she's always wished of happening. She still has her favorite bunny, Angel, with her. And then there's me, Twilight Sparkle. I have my royal duties and still have my loved ones. I'm quite happy myself. I'm also proud of my student, Aura Stars, and she is the main reason I am writing this letter. Many years ago, I decided to teach a pony, like my dear mentor Celestia had taught me. I was walking around Canterlot, watching every little pony I saw. It was a normal day in Canterlot. A few Pegasi I've seen before were still at their normal daily races. The blue one always seemed to win, like Rainbow Dash. The cafes were full then what caught my eye were three unicorns, cornering a smaller unicorn. The three unicorns seemed to have a ringleader, the fourth. Her name, I knew. She was Emerald Jewel. Her red mane was long but well tided. Her cutie mark was two small emeralds and two small rubies. Jewels are supposed to be nice and sweet. But she wasn't. Her attitude was mean and rough, seemed to like bulling ponies. The other three unicorns followed her actions. She seemed to call the smaller pony a blank flank. That's when I noticed. The smaller pony didn't have a cutie mark. Her light blue flank was so called blank. She had the messiest purple and gold hair. Her light lilac eyes were filled with fear. My anger grew when Emerald kicked her and called her orphan. I walked up to the ponies and the 3 unicorns gasped. The smaller unicorn's eyes were filled with hope and she gazed at me. "Excuse me." I said, and the 3 unicorns bowed. Emerald then realized she was being watched by me. "P-P-Princess Twilight!" Emerald turned and tried to smile. Her bright green eyes tried to avoid eye contact with me but it didn't help her at all. "What were you doing to this pony, Emerald?" I questioned her. She was a student at Princess Celestia's school, got accepted by her mother's money. I had to teach her once or twice. She seemed nice before, but not now seeing what she had done. I walked next to the smaller unicorn and she was still staring at me. "What were you doing to this pony, Emerald Jewel?" I questioned her for the second time. "I-I-I did nothing!" So she lied. Trying to lie to me again. It's not going to work this time. The young pony hid behind me, seeing the looks Emerald was giving her. "Emerald, what you have done to this pony is not what I expected from a student of mine. I will have to talk to your parents about this. Now leave this pony with me." I said to her, and she nodded and turned to leave. "Yes, Princess..." she murmured with the other 3 unicorns. "And don't do this to any pony again." I told her and she left, to a small bookstore on the next street. I picked up the injured unicorn and brought her with me to the castle. As soon as I got there, Fluttershy saw her and treated her with great kindness and medication. After she was well fed and taken care of, I decided to ask what her name was. She looked up, her mane was tied up into a small bun and her blue coat was brushed. "Aura Stars, Princess" She whispered with a sweet, delicate voice. I nodded and complimented her name. I sat down next to her and asked her where she lived. Her story was painful. She lived nowhere. On the streets. She would look for food no one wanted. Her parents died when she was very young. She couldn't recall her memories. And I asked her if she wanted to stay here with me. She excitedly said yes. She seemed very happy when I nodded and showed her room. "It's... For me?" She whispered and I said yes to her. And she was amazed. After a few weeks to get to know Aura, there was something about her that amazed me. She was like Rainbow Dash, daring. But she was shy as well. She was a bit of an oxymoron. I was walking down the hall was looking for her. That's when I heard the explosion. I ran to her room and found her trying to use magic. She reminded me of myself when I was her age. How my raw magic abilities were amazing to the Princess. That's when I realized, she was supposed to be my student. I took her under my wing and explained. She seemed overjoyed. Many years have passed, my friends and I have raised her and she is very intelligent. But today, her life will change. - Twilight Sparkle. > The Mission - Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "No, no, no, NO!" Rarity shouted at Applejack. Applejack was tightening a dress on a light blue coated mare. She had a long gold and light purple mane, which was very curly. Her lilac eyes were confused. "That dress is simply horrid! Let's try...." Rarity turned and looked through some of her dresses. The mare sighed as she looked through the pile. "Ah ha! Found a fabulous one!" She squealed and passed it to Applejack, who was now rolling her eyes. "What's wrong with this dress, Rarity? It's cuter than a bunny in a small apple field." Applejack questioned her. The younger unicorn stared at the two Alicorns who were arguing over the dress. "The color doesn't contrast her and the ruffles are too much! The accessories are terrible and they don't match the dress! The outfit is burning my eyes! Try this one!" "No no no! Ah Told ya this dress looks just fine. It suits the girl." Apple jack snapped back, and looked at Fluttershy, who was reading a book. "What do ya think, Fluttershy? Is the dress fine or just stupid?" Fluttershy looked up from the book and put it down. "Well... I don't know... Its just.... Nice." She whispered. The blue unicorn sighed. "Well... If you really want to know... Rarity's right. The dress is not nice on Aura..." Rarity nodded and passed the new dress she picked out to Applejack. "Try this one, it might look fabulous for Aura at the Gala!" She squealed. Applejack rolled her eyes as she passed the so-called horrid dress to Rarity and tightened the new one on Aura. They all stared at the mare. "You look.... Simply gorgeous! My my, was I right! Purple and gold are your colors!" Rarity gleamed with happiness while the others were struck with awe. "You must wear this to the Gala, Aura! Never in my life have I seen you sparkle like this!" Aura smiled brightly. She was full of confidence. "I can't wait for the Gala... It's going to be my first time!" She squealed and Pinkie Pie jumped up. "OH my gosh, She's RIGHT! It IS going to be her first!" She shouted while she hopped. "Like, seriously, she should look as good as she can! Oh my gosh! What are you going to do? What are going to see? Are you going to dance? See a prince? Tell me!" "Or she won't be doing anything. Because she's not going." A familiar voice interrupted the happiness. Twilight walked into the room. Everyone stared at her with fear and sadness. "What ever do you mean, she is NOT going to the Gala, Twilight? She must go. She MUST." Rarity snapped at Twilight. Aura backed away. Today wasn't Princess Twilight's day. She seemed serious and very angry. "She cannot. Aura, go to the library and meet me there." Twilight ordered Aura and she nodded. Before Aura left the door, Twilight continued "Say goodbye to them. This might be the last time you see them for a long time." The six ponies gasped. Aura's eyes were traumatized with fear. She walked over to Rainbow Dash, who was staring at Twilight with an angry look, and hugged her. Rainbow Dash sighed. "Good luck, kiddo. I'm gunna miss ya." She whispered to her. Aura then walked over to Pinkie, who was heartbroken and did the same. "Always smile, Aura. I'm really going to miss you.." Pinkie said with a tone of sadness, something Pinkie wasn't used to. Aura nodded and trotted over to Applejack, who seemed to have tears in her eyes. "Aura, my little gal. I'll really miss ya around here." She hugged her and whispered. Aura went to Rarity who was already crying. "Why do you have to go? Oh I'll miss you very much. It pains my heart to see you go." She sighed, and Aura wiped her tears. She then moved on to Fluttershy, who was last. She seemed to be shocked. Fluttershy nuzzled her, "Be a good girl, Aura. You will be missed." She sobbed and tried to smile to reassure her. Aura headed to the door and she was gone. "WHAT are you doing, Twilight!? Has the princess title really gotten to you? Are you banishing her? She's like our daughter! You cannot just simply-" Rarity bellowed loud enough for everyone in Canterlot to hear. Twilight lift a hoof to make her stop. "I'm sending her on a mission. I need her to do this as my student and my apprentice." She explained. "I am not banishing her or what so ever. Just a mission, guys." Rainbow Dash looked up from the ground and stood up. "Then what is she doing, Twilight? What's so important?" Rainbow questioned her. Applejack and the others waited for many moments for an answer. Twilight was blank and did not answer. "Well? Tell us!" Rainbow snapped and demanded an answer. "She'll be in another world." Twilight answered, coming up with an explanation for this. Aura paced around the library. She was confused, sad, angered and dying for answers. Thoughts crapped her head. She was shivering, nervous. She never excepted this. She began to go crazy. What if this is a test?! She thought. What if I'm getting banished to the moon?! What's going to happen? Princess Twilight was never like this. Never this serious. A thud echoed the almost empty library. Aura pushed her curls to a side when she saw who was before her. "I know you're scared, Aura." Twilight stated. She was right. Aura was scared. Her face gave it away. "What do I pack!? Do I have to pack? What's it going to be like in the moon? Why are you banishing me?!" Aura blurted it all out. Twilight stared at her for a few moments and laughed. "Banish you? Aura. I would never banish you." Twilight giggled. She took Aura under her wing and started to explain. "Aura, as you are my student, you must do this mission. This mission involves you going to the human world." > Stories and Spells - Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aura stared at her teacher, bewildered. "What do you mean, 'Go to the human world'?! It's not logically possible! There is no spell!" She shouted, and then suddenly, more than ten books flipped open and circled around her. Her saddle bag flipped open with scrolls and they floated to join the circle of books. "There is NO spell for this! How could I go to the human world?" She then took an encyclopaedia, which was in front of her eyes and read the line to the Princess. “It even says here! ‘There are no portals to the human world, which is a myth and was not proven to exist.' It might not even exist!" Twilight sighed and was almost about to speak, but Aura quickly interrupted her. "Why would you even send me there? I haven't done any research or anything! Is this a joke? Is it near Fool's day? But it's not even near spring. We're near the end of fall!" She ran to the nearest calendar and pointed to the date. "See?! Not even close to Fool's day! And secondly, this library has every book in the world! If there was a spell, it would be here, but it's not here!" She exclaimed, rampaging through books and scrolls. "Aura." "There isn't any information on the human world! There isn't a spell!" "Aura." "It's not in this library! There isn't a single spell or word on the human world! I can't fin it around he-" "Aura Stars! That's because this library doesn't have everything!" Twilight finally raised her voice to quiet down the pony. "This library does not have everything. The scrolls with spells that could change our existence are in a different part of the library. But you can't see it...” Twilight explained. Aura looked at her with a confused gaze. She sighed. "Follow me." She commanded her. Aura then packed her saddles bags in a spark and started to follow her. They passed many rows of books and scrolls. Section W, Section X, Section Y... Section Z. She thought as they passed every shelf and section. This is the end of the library. I don't get it. There should be more but she keeps walking. Where is she going? There's just a wall with a blank picture framed on it. That's when she stopped. Right in front of the wall. It made no sense to Aura. "Here we are." She sighed and then turned to her student. "Remember that essay you did. The essay about the Crystal Empire?" Aura’s eyes lit up. Maybe I’m going to the Crystal Empire! She dug through her saddle bag and pulled out a thick scroll. “This essay?” Aura held it up for the Princess to see. Twilight nodded. “Read the part about King Sombra.” Aura quickly opened the scroll to follow her teacher’s instruction. A long sheet of paper ran across the space between then and the wall. She scanned the scroll as fast as she could to find the section on the evil King. Found it! she gleamed and took a deep breath in. “Slowly.” “The era of an evil king, Sombra, began in the Empire. Sombra had a willing desire to use the crystal ponies as slaves and torment them with any punishment if they did not do so. He would use Dark Magic, a kind of magic which can be only used by higher level unicorn-“She read out in a clear voice, very slowly so her Princess could understand every word. “Stop there.” Twilight commanded and interrupted. A silence grew in the room. “I know it may seem impossible my dear Aura. But you must try to use this magic, on that blank picture” She pointed towards the picture. “Then we can enter.” “But I’m not a higher level-“ “You are a higher level unicorn. Give it a try.” Twilight smiled at her young student. Aura sighed deeply, and took position. She pointed her horn at the picture. A light silver aura appeared around her horn. Think dark, think black. Then suddenly, a flash on black took over her aura and shot directly at the picture. The picture turned into a door knob, and slid down to Aura’s reach. “Open it.” Aura put her hoof on the knob, pushing it down. A black hole appeared on the wall and Twilight winked. “See, you are higher level unicorn!” Twilight tilt her head in, signalling Aura to go first. Aura sighed, and stepped hoof-first into the hole. Here it goes… She opened her eyes. She was in a small round room, there were many shelves and they were filled with scrolls. Every scroll had a spell, or many spells. All this information, hidden from other ponies. Aura stared at all the books and scrolls and the table in the middle. It had an open scroll on it. She walked over to it and sat on the cushion in front of the desk. She sighed and read the spell. Another’s mistakes are erased. All of their time vanquished. Another world has been made, The one to see beyond ban- Aura turned to see the black hole opening. She ran to the other side of the room, pretending she hasn’t read a word. Twilight stepped out of the hole. Her mane was messy and something was missing. Her crown. “Such a pain to go through these. Anyway, let’s get on to your mission.” Twiligt had a serious tone in her voice. She walked over to the table, scrolled up the scroll left on the table and pulled out a scroll from underneath the desk. She opened it up and looked at it for a couple minutes. “My mission?” “Yes, concerning your mission. Your assistant, Scale, is already there. You have to report every detail you learn from humans to me. Learn about them in a detailed study.” Twilight explained, handing over the scroll to Aura. “Why do I have to report every detail?” She questioned her princess. Something wasn’t right. But what was it? “You just must do it. You will find out later.” Twilight smiled and sighed. “Recite the spell on the scroll.” Aura looked at the scroll for a few moments and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath in and out. “To see a path from one to a world, Beyond your thoughts and every word. A small light appears before you, Take the choice if you wish.” Aura read out and a spark from her horn came out, to shape a big pink portal in the air. She took her saddle bags and bowed to Twilight. Instead of bowing back, Twilight hugged her tightly. “Good luck.” She whispered. Aura smiled and looked at the portal. It’s now or never She walked in. > The Portal - Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- She wished she was asleep when she was in the portal. Or closed her eyes. The pain was unbearable, and at the same time tiring. Pink sparks, all around the space, shocked her body. Her mane stood on it's end when one spark hit her. It was too late to close her eyes. She floated around, the sparks had stopped. She sighed and looked away, seeing nothing but pink and white everywhere. She turned her head back to where the sparks were. It was going to hurt much much worse for her. The sparks crowded together to form one huge ball of magic and electricity. Oh no. Don't hit me. She cowered and then, the odds for her happened. The ball hurdled towards her and hit her. She saw nothing but pink for a while. When she opened her eyes, the pink sparks were no longer there. Instead, it was just white all around her. She tried to call out for someone. But her voice wasn't there. She wasn't in the human world yet. She knew that. She floated around, and began to swim through the air. But then she stopped. A little filly with a purple mane with golden streaks jumped around two other ponies. Both were older than her. They seemed to be laughing while the filly told a tale using gestures. She tried to walk towards them, but a force stopped her. She took a closer look at the filly, who was now imitating a bear. Her mane, her lilac eyes, her light blue coat. They were familiar. She then looked at the two older ponies, hugging the filly. Her eyes widened. She knew them. My last happy moment with my parents... She kept staring at them, then suddenly, two stallions dressed in black suits came in. She didn't recognize them. But then, she knew who they were as soon as they grabbed her parents. The filly, tired fighting them off with her magic, but it was no use. The stallions left, with her parents. Tears ran down her face as if it was a race. Aura's head turned to see herself, lying on the floor, with a scar on her front left leg. Aura looked down on her leg and saw it. She never noticed it. For a few moments, her memories flew quickly. Her meeting Princess Twilight, becoming her student. And now. But it wasn't only her memories that were being shown, it was the future. She watched herself walk into the human world, and she held a small staff, then everything turned dark, fires burst from nowhere. And her future self was gone and the worlds were left in chaos. Everything disappeared, she tried to back away. This isn't what is going to happen. No way this is happening. She said to her self. backing away. Then, a snake made from fire attacked her. Aura was thrown into a void of darkness. > Confusion - Chapter 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The darkness slowly faded as she opened her eyes. A blue blanket of the sky was spread over to cover the darkness. Small little clouds were floating around. The sky was familiar to her eyes. In Canterlot, it isn’t as visible. But she was taken to a small town every once in a while. She heard and memorised the stories there, about her five guardians and her teacher. Ponyville... The sky reminds me of it… she thought herself as she would lie down on the green grass. Her fingers ran through the grass. It was moist, and made small green stains on her hands. Aura eyes widened with shock FINGERS? Where are my hooves! She brought her hands to her face and gasped. They were a tan colour, unlike her blue thin coat. She sat right up and began to explore her features. Is this how humans look like? She wondered staring at her hands. She then brought close to her eyes her hair. It was a very light brown colour with blonde highlights in it. Where’s my purple mane? Her hands scanned her head for her horn. Where’s my horn? She panicked in thought. Let’s try doing magic….. She moved her hands from her head and recited a few words under her breath and her hands glowed with silver light. She pointed it at a tree in the distance and it grew taller. So that’s how magic works here… “Aura! Don’t do that again!” A shout came from behind her. She turned her head and saw a small human boy with spiky black hair and wore a blue garment with some jeans. He ran towards her and pulled her up. “Get inside!” He commanded her. How does he walk like that?! She stared at him, bewildered. “Come on! Get. Inside.” “How?!” She bellowed as she tried to stand in the position the boy was in. He sighed and brought his hands to his face for a few moments. Why did Princess Twilight not teach her… He sobbed in his head. “Like this.” He took a big step forward. “Take your right foot, put it in front of you, then take the other foot, and put it in front too.” He instructed her. She looked down, seeing two sneakers. Foot? Like these things? She guessed. She tried to do it, and did it perfectly. “Keep doing it till the door.” He instructed her and skipped to the door waiting for her. She sighed and walked very slowly to him, trying to keep her balance. Didn’t Harp Sweets walk like this in Canterlot? Everyone thought she was weird for that… She finally got to the door. “Now, try and open it.” He pointed toward the doorknob. “Well that’s easy!” She squealed and wrapped her fingers around the shiny knob and pushed it down. She then pushed the door, expecting a portal of some kind, but all there was were some furniture and dull brown walls. The floor was tilted and a porcelain white. She frowned. They walked in. I think I’ve got the hang of this She thought to herself. Then a question popped into her mind. “Wait… Who are you!?!” She shouted as the boy closed the door behind them. He was shorter than her, by a lot. He looked at her with his blue eyes and laughed. “I’m Scale. I guess you didn’t recognize me.” He told her with a smile. “Since I knew everything about being a dragon, walking on two legs, using fingers, and everything, I appear like a normal human… Don’t I?” He turned to her, waiting for an answer. “I never saw a normal human.” She informed him, making him disappointed. She turned her head left and right looking for a mirror. There was a little gleam in the hallway. “Bingo.” She whispered and dashed off into the hallway. She found a full-length mirror and stood in front of it nervously. Her eyes widened with wonder and shock. She wore a blue tank top and short blue jeans. Her hair was long and not curly like her mane. Her eyes were still lilac. “Are purple eyes normal in the human world?” She inquired Scale, who was waiting for her reaction. “Uh… Not sure. I’ve met a couple of them. But they have these really dull brown eyes.” He gagged. He was used to bright colours everywhere. He took dull colours as something abnormal. She sighed. “I don’t get it. Why am I… Human?” She whispered staring at the mirror with confusion. She was like Scale. She was born to see bright-coloured manes and eyes. She wasn’t used to this. “I think the portal does more than.. well… portal.” Scale tried to assume but it was too obvious. Scale stared at the mirror for a while and ran back to the main entrance. Aura kept staring at the mirror, curious. “Right. I got this scroll from the Princess!” Scale exclaimed when he returned. Her face lit up when she heard ‘Princess’. “Go on. Read it.” She smiled at him and he sighed looking towards the paper. “My dearest Aura, you must remember that you are on a mission, not for enjoyment.” Aura rolled her eyes and lowered her body down to the same eyelevel as Scale. “Here are a list of things you must and mustn’t do. Number one, no magic. Two, socialize. Three, study them.” “No magic?” She inquired him, and he sighed. “From the humans I saw, they didn’t use magic. It even looked like they had no ability to fly or anything. They just do… nothing.” He explained and murmured something under his breath. Aura paced down the hallway. “Study them? In full length detail?” She asked again and he gave a little nod. She walked towards a small room, seeing many books and scrolls. “Oh and Aura.” She turned her head to face him. He was still next to the mirror in the hallway. “Mhm?” “Princess Twilight said something about socializing with your peers.” She looked at him confused and irritated. “Peers?” “At school.” > Memories - Chapter 5 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rarity sat down in the room, bored and depressed. It was round and the walls were blue. The room was empty, just cushions and a chessboard, and a window showing an amazing view of the Canterlot Maze and Gardens. Discord’s statue was no longer there. The only statues visible to her were Princess Celestia’s and Princes Luna’s. She sighed heavily. The maze changed it’s puzzle again, Rarity would flick back to the memories with Aura trying to solve the puzzle when she was younger. “Um… Left and right. Am I right, Rarity?” The unicorn pointed towards a maze made from bushes. The view was amazing from up was spectacular. The statues gleamed white and the sky was ever so blue. “Yes, yes you are.” The alicorn smiled as they stared down at the maze. They would usually sit on the highest balcony facing the maze on each Sunday to solve the maze. It was said it changed every week as Celestia cast a spell on the maze for it to do so. “What’s next, Aura?” Rarity asked the younger filly who stared at the maze in thought. “Umm, Right turn again, Straight and…. Left!” Aura pointed towards the centre and Rarity gleamed radiantly. She nodded as Aura started to jump. Rarity giggled. She enjoyed watching her laugh and jump from excitement. As one of her guardians, she must do the best she can to support her and help her. In an instance second, Aura wobbled on the edge of the balcony. She was about to die. “Rarity!” She cried loudly. Rarity grabbed the filly and slid her under her wing. Aura stared at Rarity with shock from almost falling to her death. Rarity remembered that stare. How in a split second she could have died but she was saved. She knew that experience. She fixed Aura’s hair and hugged her “Don’t be scared.” Rarity smiled and nuzzled Aura. “We’re always here for you.” “Rarity? Ya’ll alright?” Rarity’s head turned from the window to see Applejack who stood in the doorway. “You’re late.” She snapped and turned to look out the window. “Ah am might sorry, Rarity. Fluttershy needed mah help ‘n yah know, when somepony needs mah help, ah sorta have ta help them.” Applejack explained as Rarity stared out the window, focused on something in the distance. “So, what have yah been up ta-“ “Sit down.” Rarity demanded. Applejack stared at her. What’s gotten into her? She wondered and took the cushion in front of the chessboard facing Rarity. Rarity turned and made the first move. Applejack sighed and made the second. “What have yah been up ta, Rarity?” Applejack decided to start the conservation. Rarity looked up from the board and looked at her emotionless. “Nothing.” Rarity said blankly and moved a piece forward on the board. Applejack stared at the board and made the same move. Rarity stared at the board, shocked. She didn’t know what move to do next. “Look, Ah know yah miss Aura, like how Ah miss my family. But let’s face it. Everypony here misses her.” Applejack said, chattering the silence. “It looks like it ain’t gunna be alright. But it’s gunna be alright. Ah promise yah that.” “No, it won’t. It won’t be fine. I’ve already said goodbye to Sweetie Belle. I don’t want Aura to go to.” Rarity whimpered, ducking her head away from Applejack. “Ah know we’ve seen enough deaths, but its all part of being a alicorn, yah know what ah mean?” Applejack sighed and stared at Rarity. She looked up and sighed heavily too. “I wish that the elements didn’t backfire and turn us into this.” Rarity stated with a depressed tone. “I remember it all… I was excited at first but now.. I don’t feel it anymore. The excitement, the happiness. All I’ve been seeing is people dying now, or disappearing. Immortality is… well… upsetting.” Applejack stood up and turned to leave. “Let’s leave the chess game and think about this, alright?” Applejack suggested and Rarity nodded. “I’ll stay here.” “No, go ta your room. Staring at that maze ain’t doing yah good.” Applejack said with a serious tone. Rarity got up and sighed. “Just trying to remember her will upset us more.” “What if she dies there? You know how humans were…” “Yes. Ah understand. But ah promise yah if anything happens to her, we’ll do something about it.” Applejack promised. She brought her hoof to her heart and crossed it. “Cross mah heart. Hope to die…” She then closed one eye and put her hoof on top of her eyelid. “Stick a cupcake in mah eye.” Rarity giggled and did the same. “It’s been such a long time since we did that. A Pinkie Pie promise...” Rarity smiled. It’s good she’s smiling. I hope she stays like that. Applejack beamed back and walked out. Rarity sat back down and sighed. I miss being myself… I wish I still was... Me. Rarity looked at the ceiling. A painting of two familiar ponies was on it. “I promise to you, Celestia, I will go after her if I feel there is something bad…” She whispered staring at the older princess on the ceiling. A sound of hooves became louder. “Rarity! Hi! We’re going to visit Ponyville tomorrow! Wanna come?! I swear it’s the cupcake festival! It’s near the end of fall! The Running of the Leaves is RIGHT AFTER THE CUPCAKE FESTIVAL and we have to goooo!” Pinkie Pie jumped into the room and went on about the cupcake festival. Rarity rolled her eyes. “Alright, I’ll go.” She smiled. Maybe it’ll be good to see home again... “OH MY CELESTIA. Yes! Guysss!” Pinkie ran out to the hallway and yelled. “Rarity is coming!!!” She was then followed by a huge ‘yippe’ from 3 other ponies. “Is Rainbow Dash going?” Rarity asked her and Pinkie shook her head. “Nope. She doesn’t… feel like it.” Pinkie sighed. “It makes me sad, you know? I can’t ever seem to cheer her up…” Rarity nodded. “I wonder how’s Aura right now... I sent her a letter…” > Nervousness - Chapter 6 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “So, the Princess said that you will go….” Scale scanned the letter and lifted his head to see a gate and a building. Between the gate and the building was a long path through a simple but beautiful garden. At least there’s some colour around here… Aura thought to herself, giving a bit of a smile off. Scale saw the sign behind the gate. “Here.” The sign read ‘Summerview High School’ in a bold red font. “Princess Twilight put me here? How?” Aura inquired him. She was confused. How did the Princess do this? Have a house, sign me up in this high school, and get everything ready as if it was planned a long time ago? Scales looked at her and sighed. “She came to the human world before, I think.” Scale answered, he seemed confused as well. “Well, she is the Princess!” He rolled his eyes, smiling. “She can do whatever she wants, in her own weird way. You know that, right Aura?” She looked down at him, trying to open the gate, which was rusty and old. She wondered about Twilight doing ‘whatever she wants’ and if he was right. “You’re right. She can…” She gave a small smile and knelt down to open the gate. Tink, the gate open with a creaky sound when they pushed it open. “She went to the human world before?” He nodded. She looked down at herself. She wore a plain cyan tee shirt and a pair of long jeans, with a pair of night black sneakers. Scale had given her a backpack, she was used to saddle bags, but she had to cope with human conditions. To her, it was weird. How she was human, how this world did exist. And how dull the place is. She just wished that she would wake up and realize it was all a dream like in the stories she read back in Canterlot. But this was different. She wasn’t in Canterlot. She was in a human town, Summerview. She only saw two humans by now. A random person passing their home and Scale... Well… He’s not entirely human. He’s a dragon. But he seems human enough. She sighed deeply, hating the silence as they walked along the long path. “So, try and act... Human?” “Don’t question anything. Just in the classroom. You did your bit of human reading last night, right?” Scale looked up from the cement ground. She nodded. “Like that, and watch how they act and learn from them. Oh and after the school ends, write to the Princess.” She sighed. What do other humans look like? Are they dull like Scale says so? Is Scale coming along? What’s it going to be like here? Is it hard- “Aura, you were about to walk into the door.” She looked up and saw the door. She squeezed her fingers around the handle, trying to push the door. “It says pull.” She looked at the sign above her. ‘PULL’ was written in black letters on a metallic surface. “Oops?” She smiled nervously and pulled the door with all her might. She held the door for Scale who tried to not look at her with embarrassment. She walked in after it, closing the door slowly. She turned around, seeing a long curved desk with three chairs behind it. Two chairs were empty and in the last chair sat was an older lady with short straight mud brown hair. She wore spectacles and a white shirt. She seemed to be using something Aura never saw. She kept clicking squares with letters on them. What is that…? Scale walked over to the desk and got a small piece of paper and slid it across the desk. “Miss Sparkle said I should give this to you.” Scale told the lady who unfolded the small paper and read it, her brown eyes scanning it fast. “Who is Aura Stars?” The lady spoke, still looking at the paper. She seemed emotionless, as plain as humans looked. “M-M-Me. I’m Aura Stars” Aura murmured, playing with her fingers nervously. The lady looked up, seeing how tall Aura was compared to Scale. She got up from her chair and called up another lady named ‘Andréa’ and the supposed Andréa rushed over, pulling back her long blonde hair and sat down on one of the chairs. “This way, Aura. Sir you may leave. She’s in my good hands.” The lady stated starting to walk down a hallway. Aura turned and waved ‘goodbye’ to Scale but he was already gone. She quickly followed the lady. “I’m Miss Forrester, I’ll guide you to your locker and give you your timetable.” She paced down the hallway till she stopped. “This is the main hallway.” It was full of humans. Too many humans for Aura. Oh boy. The door cracked a bit of light into the room. It was always dark in that room. An alicorn shadow came out from the light. The shadow started to move into the room, and looked down upon an alicorn lying down on a cushion, her muzzle into the pillow. Silence was broken by a flap of wings. “Get up.” An energetic voice came out from nowhere. “Why aren’t you coming with us, Dashie?” She came closer to the alicorn on the cushion. Pinkie’s blue eyes stood out as everything was grey in the room. The alicorn’s rainbow hair seemed gray and so did her coat. “Leave me alone.” Rainbow Dash replied with a harsh tone. She looked up. “Wait, where are you guys going? I’ve been here since Aura left.” Pinkie sighed and lifted up the purple curtains in the room. The floor was messy. It was flooded with cushions, clothes from Rarity, letters, and a Wonderbolt uniform. Pinkie shot up immediately. “Sheesh, you should clean up!” She squeaked from shock. She flew towards Rainbow Dash’s four poster bed and pointed at a poster on the wall. It wasn't really a poster, just a vivid map of Ponyville. “Here. Ponyville, for the Cupcake festival and the Running of the Leaves. You know it’s the end of fall, right?” “In a week. Just because I cooped myself up in here doesn't mean I don’t keep track of the dates.” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Why the Cupcake festiv- Oh never mind, you’re Pinkie. I used to like the Running of the Leaves. But now… I can’t compete.” She got up and walked over to Pinkie who was staring at the map. “Well you need to get out more. This map is so outdated. When did you get this?” Pinkie Pie sighed. “You know, you’re the only pony that I can never seem to cheer up. I’ve made everypony in Equestria happy in some sort of way, but you. Ever since you left the Wonderbolts, you’ve been Ms. Gloomy Grump pants.” Her eyes zoomed around looking at all the pictures. Her eyes widened with shock when she laid eyes on a picture. That picture was of a colt. “Dashie. Why do you still have that picture? Is that why you’re so…. Sad?” Pinkie Pie turned her head to face Rainbow Dash, who seemed stressed. “Maybe.” Rainbow Dash replied blankly. Pinkie sighed and flew towards the door. “You don’t seem like going. I’ll tell the others you’re not coming along.” She shrugged and was half way through the doorway before Rainbow yelled ‘Wait!’ I don’t need to go to Ponyville…But Pinkie’s right. I do need to cheer up. “I’ll go.” Rainbow Dash smiled and Pinkie gasped and jumped up and down. She walked towards two brown saddle bags and saw that they were already packed. She put them on her back and ran towards Pinkie. “Let’s go.” “Oh my Celestia! You’re… Smiling!” Pinkie beamed brightly. She jumped across the hallway and started shouting ‘She’s smiling! She is smiling!’ Rainbow Dash gave a little grin and walked across the hallway. “When’s the train?” Aura looked inside the hollow metal box with her books inside. This was something she saw before in Canterlot, in the schools left abandoned for various reasons. She once used one when she was very young. Canterlot. She sighed How are they doing? Are they taking the usual trip to Ponyville? I wonder what Princess Twilight is doing… “Aura, this is your locker and those are your books” Ms. Forrester pointed out for Aura, and handed her stack of another books. Papers flew out of Aura’s hands and Ms. Forrester shrugged. “Since it’s your first day, I’ll leave you with Isabelle.” She turned and Aura carefully put her books in her locker. Math, English, French, History, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics… They teach the same things…. Hopefully. “Isabelle, meet Aura Stars. Aura, Isabelle will help you around the school. I’ll leave you two to get to your first class.” Ms. Forrester explained and introduced a blonde haired girl. She smiled and held out her hand. Isabelle? That’s a really strange name. Why not, ‘Berry Bloom’ or anything else? Humans are so dull. Ms. Forrester turned on her heel and walked around the hallway, greeting people. “Isabelle. Aura, right? Really cute name.” She sung out. Aura read enough books to figure out that Isabelle’s hand was held out for a hand shake. She extended her arm and clasped her hand with Isabelle, slowly shaking. Isabelle’s hand was warmer than hers. “Y-y-yeah, Aura. Thanks. Isabelle is nice too.” She smiled nervously. Isabelle let go of her Aura’s hand and slid it in her snow-white bag made from some sort of fur. She was muttering something and came out with a ‘Ah ha!’ and pulled out a folded piece of paper. She unfolded it and took Aura’s schedule and compared it. “Hmmm, only a few lessons. I’ll take you to biology then meet me back here, when the class is... y’know… over.” Isabelle murmured under her breath, glaring at the papers. Aura nodded and Isabelle looked up. “You’re tall for a girl.” She stated with a harsh tone. “I am? Well, I never noticed.” Aura smiled. Isabelle handed her one of the papers and beamed back. She folded the other one and slipped it back into her bag. Isabelle shrugged and started to walk away. “Follow me.” She said from afar. Aura took a book and closed the door of the locker with a dull metallic sound and rushed over to Isabelle, who was now walking with three other girls. The three girls were also blondes, they were chatting away with Isabelle. They all wore white for some unknown reason. Aura was behind Isabelle, trying to not pay attention to their conversation. One of the blondes in the group, the tallest, realized they were being followed and turned to face Aura. The other two and Isabelle turned as well. Isabelle gave no emotion away, but the two glared at her. “And just who are you?” The taller one snapped at Aura. Aura shivered and tried to calm herself down. She was like Emerald, one of her old classmates. Emerald was a ringleader of her clique. They used to bully Aura around until the Princess put an end to it. Emerald’s piercing jade eyes matched with the girl’s. Their voices seemed to sound the same as well. “A-A-Aura, I’m following Isabelle…” Aura stammered and the girls turned to look at Isabelle. “She said I should follow her… To class…” “Oh, she’s new? Alright. I’ll let her come along.” She suddenly said with a sweet voice. The other girls exchanged looks of anger. “Just this once.” The girl growled. Isabelle gasped. “Forrester told me to take her to the classes. Jade, let her come along.” Isabelle begged. The other girls then drew their attention to Aura, while Isabelle and Jade were arguing. “Is your hair really like that?” The first one spoke up to Aura, pointing towards Aura’s hair. She nodded and tried to smile. “Ew jeans. What kind of girl are you?!” The second pointed out. They both seemed to be twins. She spoke the same way, shared the same face and did their hair the same way. Isabelle shrugged and pulled Aura’s arm. “Let’s get her to class, Jade. We don’t have biology with her.” Isabelle snapped at Jade with a harsher tone. Jade rolled her green eyes and strolled along with them. The other two caught up and started talking about a boy band while Isabelle was ignoring Jade. They suddenly stopped in front of a door. A metal label on the door read ‘G67’ and Isabelle let go of Aura’s arm. A red hand print was left on her arm. Ow… “Here’s biology. See you later?” Jade grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her along the hall. “Yeah.. I guess…” Aura muttered and walked into the class. A jungle lived in there. Many humans, standing on desks, trying to climb the wall, talking, playing, and seemed like monkeys rather than normal ‘dull’ humans. There were three girls with bright pink hair. Maybe they aren't so dull after all… “The clique? Are you serious?” A male voice spoke next to her and she twisted her head to see a boy with ginger hair and freckles. “You don’t look like one of them.” “I’m not.” She stated. His eyes seemed focused on her and he pointed to the desk next to him. She understood that meant ‘sit here.’ And she did. She then turned her chair to face him. He was still staring at her. “Then why were you with them?” He questioned her with a confused hint in his voice. She sighed and put her book on the table. “Well, I’m new here. So Isabelle was assigned to help me….” She started to explained before he interrupted her. “Isabelle? Short, sour Isabelle? Seriously? Did she call you tall?” He laughed. And she nodded. “That means she likes you. Stay away from her though. Oh I’m Kevin by the way. Where are you from?” He continued. Oh no. Um um um. She tried to remember the states she read about. There was one that sounded like… “Fillydelphia . Yeah. I’m Aura.” She beamed. He seemed confused then nodded. I hope that worked. If it didn’t. Oh no, I wouldn’t fit it. “Philadelphia is a nice place.” Kevin stated. Three other boys passed by Kevin and Aura, but one stopped. His hair was spiked and a dull maroon. “Nice dish you’re flirtin’ with, Kev.” He grimaced and walked over. Aura rolled her eyes and turned back to Kevin. “Hey, Kevi-“ “Get your books out! We have to study meiosis today! Hurry up!” A man wearing a suit and tie marched in and plopped his books on the desk in front of the dusty chalkboard with a flunk! Kevin mouthed ‘Later?’ and she nodded. Darkness took over the room, except the little candle light that was on top of a wooden desk. A scroll was rolled open on it. Then appearing from the darkness, to see the scroll, was an alicorn with midnight blue hair with pink and lavender streaks. She looked at the scroll like she was a manic. “I’ve waited all this time to do this. All. This. Time.” She murmured to herself. “I’ve planned this since I left the human world… It will work. With Aura there… nothing will stop me…” She laughed, and levitated the candle light to see a calendar on the white castle walls. There were many crosses on dates. There was a bright bold circle around a date. Heart’s Warming Eve. There were no pictures, like normal calendars. “In just a month, I will be…” A knock interrupted the Princess from continuing. “Come on Twilight!!” An energetic voice came from behind the door. “We have to go to the Cupcake festival!!” She shouted once again and Twilight groaned. “I’ll come out in a second. And I’ll be out. I just have to finish this…” Twilight yelled back. The stomps and knocking coming from Pinkie and the yells from the other ponies. “Finish what, Twalight?” Applejack yelled from behind the door. Pairs of wings flapped behind the door. Rainbow dash’s voice could be heard from behind, talking to Fluttershy who was talking about her animals. “A spell.” Twilight snapped and put down the candle and looked back the scroll. “…Just tell her to hurry up…” Rarity’s elegant voice was heard as well. Twilight rolled her violet eyes. “Hurry up Twi!” Pinkie bellowed once again and the sound of the flapping of wings disappeared. Twilight sighed. The scroll was inked with many words. There was one unfinished line in the whole scroll. A amethyst quill came from nowhere and dipped itself into the night black ink. “Yes, when I’m done with this. On Heart’s Warming Eve, when I cast this… Ooh everything is going to change. No one must see this.” Twilight told herself. The quill went to the last sentence. It started to write. “This will change everything. Yes. Everything…” “HURRY UP TWILIGHT!” Pinkie yelled from afar. “Okay Pinkie!” Twilight snapped out of her hypotonic trance. “I’ll be out in a second!” Twilight looked back down. “No one said I was the Element of Honesty anyway. Why not lie?” She laughed to herself. The quill ran across the scroll, inking shapes and lines into letters, letters into words and words into phrases. The quill rested and the scroll rolled itself up on the desk. Twilight’s face twisted into an insane smile. She got up and flew over to the door. She opened it slowly using her magic and slammed it behind her. The scroll rolled open, revealing the last sentence. And a twisted change in creations takes over and customary changes once more.