All is Fair in Lies and War

Chapter 1 - Catching up with the World

"So this is Ponyville.." Amaris' sapphire gaze sweeps across the quaint town, a faint frown marring her features. Casting a quick glance at Anpu, whom seems just as confused as she is, she heads away from the train station, onto a road  she was positive is the Town Hall. "Why would Twilight to live in such a place? It is not really her taste.."

"What do you mean blank flanks aren't welcome in Canterlot?" Amaris' gaze is instantly drawn to a group of your fillies. Three Earth ponies, one Pegasus and one unicorn. From the looks of this, they seem to be in quite a heated argument.

What really caught Amaris' eye was two of the Earth ponies. One had a glossy coat a lovely shade of cotton candy pink, her elegantly styled mane and tail coloured lavender with streaks of white. With a taunting look in her azure eyes, she smirks over at her filly friend. Her friend had a braided mane of pure silvery white, a coat which reminds Amaris very much of her own, and eyes of amethyst.

At this point, Amaris notices that both ponies are wearing a pretty little bauble. The pink one a delicate tiara, and the silver one a lustrous string of pearls. Both are well kept and in top shape.

'Must me from wealthier families in Ponyville, then..' Amaris observed, then begins making her way over to the group. Soon the pink one began speaking.

"Because it is so not classy to have ponies with no talent among the high class." Her voice makes Amaris wince inwardly, memories rushing back from her childhood of bullies and the horrid taunting. She had not been very social as a filly and she still isn't. She prefers to keep to herself, so everyone had teased her for being a witch and such. And watching these fillies reminds her of the bullies and herself. So an idea forms in her head.

"Blasphemy!" Mustering up her most elite, pompous voice as she trots gracefully over to the fillies, looking down her snout at the bullies. Then she turns to the victims and smiles her most charming smile, ignoring the gasps as the bullies catch sight of her blank flank. "Why I, myself, am from Canterlot, there are all sorts of ponies without a Cutie Mark. It is mostly ponies whom are going to be in higher position than the rest. They are more fortunate. I still have no idea what my destiny is, but I hope it is something that can help Equestria."

The trio of fillies stare up at her as Amaris turns to the bullies, looking at the as if they were scum. "What are your names..?"

"I-I am Diamond Tiara, my daddy is an important pony named Filthy Rich. Aand I'm the most popular filly at school." Diamond Tiara smiles prettily up at Amaris. but soon the silver filly beside her nudges her gently. Diamond Tiara shoots her an annoyed glance. "And this is just Silver Spoon."

"Hey!" Silver Spoon glares back.

"Well Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon," Amaris leans close, narrowing her eyes. ", you both are acting absolutely horrid. You two would be a horror to Canterlot, simply a horror! Now unless you want that to happen, go home and fix your attitudes!"

As soon as the two leave, their pride wounded, Amaris heads over to the trio, sitting down with them.

"I am Amaris, it is a pleasure to meet you." The mare offers a kind smile to the awestruck fillies. "And who are you adorable things?"

"M-my name is Sweetie Belle." A white unicorn, with lavender and carnation pink mane and tail, apple green eyes, returns Amaris' smiles. "Thank you for that."

"But wasn't that a bit harsh?" An earth pony, deep red mane, scarlet eyes, and daffodil yellow coat, watches Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon leave. "I'm AppleBloom, by the way."

"Are you kidding? That was awesome!" The pumpkin orange Pegasus hoofpumps (AN: Fistpumps, sorry.), her mane and tail a lovely shade of fuchsia and eyes an amethyst purple. "The name's Scootaloo!""

"The thing is, you need to be harsh at times to get a point across. You may not always like it, but it is needed. Besides, I hate bullies." Amaris grimaces, then shakes her head. "Just because they have some things you don't, does not mean they have more."

"Are you actually from Canterlot?" Sweetie Belle moves closer to the mare, noticing how straight she sits, how she is not wearing fancy clothing or jewelry. Just herself. "I have always wanted to go."

"Well I did for a while, up until a few years ago. You see, my family's business was in trouble." Amaris closes her eyes as she remembers. The struggles, the people, demanding their payment. Tears well under her eyelids as she fights them back. "I never really had time to intereact or catch up with any news. They were so close to bankruptcy, I knew I needed to work day and night to get their business back on track. When I finally did, I moved back to Canterlot, but it turns out the stallion I loved married, so I came to find his sister. Hopefully she can help me catch up.."

"Who is his sister?" Scootaloo looks around wildly, as if to catch a glimpse of the mysterious mare.

"Twilight Sparkle, I've heard she moved here quite a while ago from her parents, but I have no idea which house she lives in.." Amaris shrugs, then glances back at Anpu, whom is just sitting there, watching her."And Anpu is not much help.."

"Y'all mean the princess?" AppleBloom soon points to a tree-like home, and looks at Amaris funnily. "Now how in Equestria can y'all not know that?"

"Wait, princess?!" Amaris' eyes widen in shock. Exactly how much had she missed?! Twilight was now a princess?! And Shining Armour had been the Captain of the Royal Guard, then got married. This is what happens when you do not read the newspaper for nine years.. "Thank you girls, but I need to go!"

Amaris takes off, Anpu running at her heels, making her way towards the tree house. She passes many ponies of many colours and sizes. She notices how not many are wearing any type of fancy clothing. They are natural, being themselves. Not like the ponies in Canterlot. Except for Shining Armour..

Amaris holds back a sob as she thinks of Shining Armour, his sky blue eyes are what usually drew her to him, aside from his amazing personality, those eyes that seemed so deep she nearly drowned in them. She had hoped he would have waited for her.. But why would we wait for a mare like her? Shining Armour is handsome, smart, brave, mares much have been all over him. No wonder he moved on.

Standing at Twilight's front door,  Amaris stares, obviously hesitating. Would Twilight be mad at her? Disgusted? Amaris shakes her head, realizing she is asking too many questions. It will be Twilight that will be asking questions, so she'd need good answers. With a sigh, she knocks on the door.

"Yes, can I help you?" A purple mare appears in the doorway, her dark purple mane with a pink streak in it stood there, her horn glowing as she held a thick novel, her wings neatly tucked into her.

"You really are a princess now.." Amaris finds herself breathless as she stares at Twilight. Then she hugs her tightly "Oh Twily, I have missed you so much!"

"Twily..? Wait, the only two ponies who call me that are.." Suddenly Twilight's eyes widen as the realization makes her freeze. "Amaris..?"

"S-surprise.." The grey mare pulls away and shakily smiles. Sweet Celestia, she is crying. "M-may I come in..?"

"Sure, but I have a lot of questions for you.."

"And I am willing to answer them."