Notes of the Changeling

An orange leather-bound book is the first thing to grace my sight as I open my eyes to my low lit room. Well, I think it's mah room at least, it's gotta be, right? I sit up and grab it, it seems familiar. I notice a wet spot on the front and wipe it away across the title.

Memento Mori

I pop it open with my yellow hoof and something clicks... it sounded familiar, had I been reading this before? I crack open the first page.

"Oh, hello, did you need something?" That's Twilight... who's Twilight?

I look up at her, she seems perplexed and tired, she stands across a table from me in a library. "Oh, I uh..." I guess this isn't mah room, I really want this book, "Could I borrow this?"

"No, that actually belongs to somepony else, did you see her on your way in? She was sleeping where you're sitting." She looks around, and even heads to the door to check outside.

"Ah, well, could I read it here then?" I feel like I need ta, I dunno why though. I look back to it and read the first passage. "...Think little of the future for it is not yours, this sure is a strange book."

"Yes it... wait, you can read it?"

"I ain't illiterate, jeez." Why wouldn't I be able ta read it?

"Well, never mind, go ahead, it's a bit late though, don't stay up too long." She yawns and heads out of the room.

I guess it's my lucky day, I can't see why I want this book so bad though. I set it down to read, hoping for a fun story. Suddenly the pages flip on their own and before I can react it stops. I peer at the text:

I could warn you the dangers of wasting what little time you have, but you are my future, I want you to be happy.

If you'd like to read on, return to your room, you and her will be safe there.

I try to change the page, but it does so on its own, to a map of Ponyville, must be the town I'm in. The pages won't budge, I really want to read this! Maybe, I could go home. Twilight went to bed, I'll just have it back by mornin'!

- - -

Now that I think about it, why was I sleepin' there? Ain't doin' me no good thinkin' 'bout it, I'll just get right to readin'.

I enter my house, a very plain house with walls and furniture all white, I take a seat at my dining table and the book flips to another page:

You might wonder how I made this notebook, it's a tale of struggle.

The one before me found a simple way to convince me of our affliction.

I took action and bought an empty book, I wrote everything I could, I didn't want to die for nothing.

As I wrote, I thought of many things, I thought of you and her, I want so very badly that you live your short lives in happiness.

Then I thought, is it possible to achieve happiness in such a short time?

You've chosen to read this far, but for your sake, stop, in what time I had I could write nothing merry, cheerful, or even remotely happy.

Quite the book, I should look up the author.

I struggled for days to stay awake, alive. I wrote down every speck of information that could help you and her. I enchanted it with many spells so you couldn't lose it, since she will need it.

Undoubtedly there will be times you and her do not heed my words and I can only hope you stumble upon good things.

I flip through the pages, there's lots of information on ponies, places, items, they're all upbeat and point towards fun activities, all of which I can only do if I stop reading and get out there, I would too, but it's the middle o' the night.

I suppose I'll rest my eyes an' wait.

Remember that as you rest you will die.

Woah, what was that? The words hit me like a brick and give my head a good ache. Maybe I should return this book, lines like that will keep me awake.

Hold close this tome for you will need it.

Again my head pounds... I suppose I should listen... I'll return the book and stay with it!

- - -

Deciding on a scenic route, I come upon a store with its lights still on, referencing my map I see that it is in fact Carousel Boutique. I approach the window and spot an elegant looking pony inside, she's struggling to make some clothing it seems. The book I had opted to carry on my back flies open and hits the ground. I look back to it.

"Rarity." I read from the top of the page, it seems to have everything one could know about her: height, weight, hobbies, personality, likes, dislikes. One could, with enough skill, disguise themselves and act just like her with all this information. It even shows the long list of ponies that have a crush on her, one isn't even a pony but a baby dragon, Spike.

"I knew I'd like this book." A green haze goes over my eyes.

I flick the curl of my purple mane and make way to the library. "Quite the good read, but I should really return it." Intrigue strikes as I walk and I float the book in front of me to read about Spike. I tread the path instinctively, paying close attention to study all I could about him. Without realizing, I open up a red door and end up inside. I peer up from my book and spot the object of my studies, he's stunned with a tub of ice cream in one hand and a spoon in the other.

"Oh, uh... hey, Rarity."