A Pony by Any Other Name

Twilight nodded.

"I know how upsetting it can be to be separated from your friends, Dra- Watermelody," she corrected herself. "I'm sure we'll have you out of her in a jiffy."

"Oh, thank Celestia!" Watermelody exclaimed. She added, "That is, Celestia is the princess here, right?"

"Correct," Drama Letter confirmed as Twilight answered, "Right." They locked gazes and suddenly laughed.

"Right. Can we start doing whatever it is we're going to do now?" Watermelody asked impatiently.

"Of course. I'll need to do some research on the subject. If Watermelody didn't come through a tangible portal- uh, a definite portal, like you step through it," Twilight hastily explained, noticing Drama Letter's and Watermelody's twin expressions of confusion. "Anyway, if she popped up here from an indefinite portal, I'll need to find a spell to send her back."

"A teleportation spell?" Watermelody suggested eagerly.

"In theory, I suppose a modified version could work," Twilight answered. "Come on, let's go downstairs." Twilight led them back to the main level, where Indigo Wreath was still reciting his poetry.

"Excuse me!" Twilight cleared her throat. Immediately, everypony in the room had their eyes fixated on her.

"I'm really sorry, everypony- especially you, Indigo -but an emergency has come up, and I need to do some research in the library. I'm afraid this means you have to leave."

"But he was just getting to the good part!" Lyra Heartstrings shouted.

"Hush, Lyra," her friend Bon Bon muttered, embarrassed.

"It's true!" Lyra protested. Drama Letter watched, amused, as Bon Bon stuck a hoof in Lyra's mouth like a cork in a bottle.

"Thanks for the time, Twilight," Indigo told her. "It was fun while it lasted."

One by one, the ponies began to leave the library. Most went without complaint, but someponies grumbled about the interruption. Understandably, Drama Letter thought. She wouldn't want to be dragged away from a good poetry reading because somepony needed to do research! Finally, almost everypony was gone. The only two ponies remaining were two of Drama Letter's best friends.

"What's wrong, Drama Letter?" Cherry Crash asked, flapping her wings twice before folding them against her side. She and Mystery Mint stood in the center of the room, staring curiously at Twilight and Drama Letter.

"I'm afraid that's not-" Twilight began, but Drama Letter cut her off.

"'Tis alright, Fair Twilight Sparkle. They should be included!" She said to Mystery and Cherry Crash, "Girls, something unexpected has happened?"

"You're not pregnant, are you?" Mystery asked, staring anxiously at Drama Letter with wide cerise eyes. "Not that that would be a bad thing, but that always happens in fiction!  But don't worry, I'm here to support you, no matter what happens!" Mystery smiled kindly. Cherry Crash just laughed.

"Your face, Drama Letter!" She exclaimed. Drama Letter's mouth was agape, her eyes widened in shock at Mystery's theory.

"Are you Lyrock?" Watermelody broke in, emerging from the shadows she had apparently been concealed in. Cherry Crash took to the air.

"Who, me? No- wait, who are you? Did you get cloned, Drama Letter?"

"So this is your unexpected event," Mystery commented. To Watermelody, she said, "Hi! I'm Mystery Mint! Who are you?"

"I'm Watermelody," Watermelody answered. "I'm from an alternate universe!"

"Wow! That's unexpected!" Mystery trotted up to Watermelody and Drama Letter. "Nice to meet you! So, uh, is there a Mystery Mint in your world?"

"Yeah, she's one of my best friends!" Watermelody responded.

"That's amazing! How long are you staying in Ponyville?"

"That's what I came to Twilight for. I want to go home as soon as I can!" Watermelody responded. Drama Letter coughed, but nopony noticed.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" Cherry Crash cut in.

"Hold on. If your name isn't Lyrock than what is it?" Watermelody brushed the question aside with a question of her own. A confused expression appeared on Cherry Crash's face.

"It's Cherry Crash, but why- oh. Some ponies in your universe have different names here? Drama Letter and Watermelody? Cherry Crash and Lyrock?"

"Yeah!" Watermelody answered. "You got it!"

"Sorry to interrupt," Twilight interrupted with an impatient tone, "but I really need to get to my research if Watermelody wants to return home anytime soon."

"Right, Twilight. We'll be out in a minute." Mystery smiled at Drama Letter. "So, are we gonna hang around here all day?"

"I am not sure," Drama Letter answered. Suddenly, a thought struck her. "Fair Watermelody, would you be interested in a tour of Ponyville?"

"Hey, that's a great idea!" Cherry Crash exclaimed as Twilight herded them out of the library.

"I'm not sure-" Watermelody began, but Mystery cut her off.

"I'd understand if you don't want to, but it would be so exciting!" Mystery encouraged her. Watermelody's gaze fell to each mare in the room. When she locked stairs with Drama Letter, Drama Letter knew Watermelody didn't want to go. Still, she couldn't think of anything better to do while they waited for Twilight.

"Fair Watermelody," Drama Letter spoke with an encouraging smile, "please accept this offer. There is nothing better to do whilst we wait."

"Oh, alright!" Watermelody relented. "I'll go!"