How Simple it Seemed

Twilight was happy.

Yes, that was the only word to describe it. She was happy. Perhaps her days of loneliness were over.

A friend.

Yes, that's what Rarity was. A friend.

Someday, Twilight wanted to go stop by the boutique and say hello and buy a dress or something. Twilight didn't particularly like dresses, but she didn't mind.

Twilight finally had a reason. A reason to be happy.

About an hour had passed before Twilight finished shopping. She clouds were clearing up but the sun was going down. She started her way home. She only had fifty-six bits now. No chance of ever buying a house.

Twilight was at home in no time, with a new pack of lightbulbs, some candles, and food. The sun was still out, and Twilight decided to go for a walk or sit outside or practice her magic outside.

Twilight loved magic. She had learned it all in school and she had been fascinated from day one. Grabbing her favorite book, she trotted out into her front yard. She lived in a tree house, a really old, scary one not suited for living in. She read the first spell.

"This one can transform objects, huh... Small objects exclusively. Small amount of power. Lots of concentration." Twilight took a potted plant from beside the door and set it down. A balloon seemed simple enough. Twilight pictured the balloon, a simple white balloon. Casting out the world around her except for the potted plant, Twilight began the spell.

The plant, in her mind, transformed. The leaves reaching up and forming the top of the balloon. The pot shriveling up and shrinking to form the rest of the balloon, and it filled with air, inflating itself...

Twilight grabbed the balloon before it could drift away. "Aha!" She was delighted. Every spell, to her, was magnificent, glorious even.

A few nearby ponies saw Twilight's magic and crowded around, staring in wonder.

Twilight was oblivious to it. She easily casted another spell, making the balloon transform back, and the plant growing wings. More and more ponies arrived. The plant grew legs. The plant grew eyes. Twilight herself was amazed. She was getting tired, and closed the book, using the last of her energy to cast the final spell, the plant returning to normal.

The crowd clapped and cheered.

Twilight gasped and looked over. "Ah!" she squealed in surprise and terror.

"You're surprisingly good at magic, Twilight," said a familiar voice. It was Rarity.

How did she find me? Why is she here? Oh no... Twilight's thoughts were racing.

"Oh, um, hi, Rarity..." Twilight began sheepishly. "Thanks..."

"Why, Twilight, don't be so modest!" Rarity looked surprised. "Those spells were simply marvelous! I wish I could be as skilled in magic as you! I'm jealous."

"Wow, um, thanks, Rarity," Twilight was amazed. Somebody jealous of her?

Oh wow, nobody's ever been jealous of me before! Usually it's just pity.

Rarity stepped next to Twilight as the cheers died down and the crowd split up. "What book is that? Oh, hmm, I may have that book! I'm not the reading type, you see," Rarity chatted. Talkative one. Twilight thought with a smile.

"Oh, cool! Books are my life. That, and magic. But I'm not too great at either of those." Twilight replied.

"Alright, listen to me, Twilight," Rarity seemed to be getting angry. I wonder why.

"Those magic spells were astounding, beyond belief. Magic is quite rare here in Ponyville, and it is a wonderful hobby, so it's great to see other ponies casting spells. Have some faith in yourself!" Rarity hissed.

"Gee..." Twilight said awkwardly. "Alright."

Rarity calmed down and smiled. "There, that's better. So, how've you been?"

"In the past hour?" Twilight laughed. "Fine, I guess!"

"That's a..." Rarity trailed off as she glanced up at Twilight's house. "wonderful house...?"

"It's okay. The house is totally awful. I know." Twilight said flatly.

"Do you live alone?" Rarity questioned. She's probing.

"No, I have a dragon named Spi-" Twilight stopped herself. "Oh, yeah. Spike died. So, yeah, I live alone."

"Poor thing!" Rarity looked devastated, though Twilight got the impression she was faking it and just being dramatic.  "It must be absolutely awful!"

"Its not that ba-"

"Hush, Twilight! It's absolutely dreadful!" Rarity was obviously faking it.

"Okay... So, um, can I go inside my house now?" Twilight said awkwardly, taking a step towards the door.

"Wait!"

Twilight paused.

"Why don't you stop by the boutique sometime? You know, just drop by and say hello?" Rarity gave a small smile.

I barely know her!

But she is the only friend I've had in years...

"Alright." Twilight replied with a nod before turning around and opening the door and stepping inside.

• -

"Twilight!"

Twilight looked around desperately, searching for the source of the voice. It sounded vaguely familiar.

"Twilight, help!"

Twilight called out, "Where are you?" She ran around frantically. She was locked in her own house.

"Over here!" the voice replied.

"Where is 'over there?'" Twilight called out again, slightly annoyed.

"Help!" the voice said again.

And she woke up.

She realized it right away.

Spike.

Spike was the one calling for help.

Spike was the one that needed her help.

But Twilight failed.

As Twilight sat up, shivering in the dark and pulling the blanket closer, her breathing labored, she realized it was a dream. And again, somebody had died. And it was her fault.

Ugh! You're just a stupid, good-for-nothing mare! Get a hold of yourself, Twilight! Reality! Twilight mentally screamed insults at herself. Poor Rarity. Now she has to put up with a whiny little bitch like me. She sighed. Twilight gave up. She was forlorn.

Forlorn was an understatement, though.

Twilight was suffering and it hurt. Every day, constant pain, constant torture, constant guilt! Why am I even alive today

• -

Days passed by. It all seemed like a dream.

Twilight sighed as she sat up. It was surprisingly dark.

The  candle had blown out. "Aw, dang it! I remembered to buy everything except one candle!" she told herself unhappily. She got up and headed downstairs, but the clash of thunder frightened her. She tried to go back to sleep and succeeded.

"Good night, Spike."