Twinning Isn't Everything

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Tricks Up My Sleeve
Chapter 2 - Welcome to Ponyville?
Chapter 3 - Ye Good Ol' Days
Chapter 4 - I Want Answers

Chapter 1 - Tricks Up My Sleeve

It was another beautiful day in Ponyville, the birds chirping, the green grass, and the :-risen sun was up and about. The ponies in town were bustling in the streets and the little fillies and colts were playing amongst one another. Everything was turning out for the best for everypony with smiles on their faces and the gracious galloping, indicating their positive attitude as well. The day seemed to be almost like any other in Ponyville.

I remember when I moved into Ponyville from Baltimare a couple of months ago. Baltimare was great and all, don't get me wrong, but I was running low on bits and couldn't afford the bills for my house, so when me and my brother saw the newspaper, "Equestria Daily," we saw an advertisement for Ponyville residencies, and that's when we found our solution. We moved to Ponyville thinking it would be anything like the newspaper said it would, but it was even better than what we read. The town had to offer friendly service and a lot of ponies to make friends with. One of my first friends me and my brother made was a pegasus named Fluttershy. She seemed to be pretty shy, but we became friends when she saved us from a Manticore that we encountered in the Everfree Forest. If it weren't for my brother's thrill for adventure, we wouldn't have met Fluttershy at all. We have some other friends here in Ponyville, but there's something about her that wants me to be by her side whenever she needs me to be or something like that. It was late at night when me and my brother decided to go to the Everfree Forest to spend some one on one time with one another.

"You're an idiot, Astro!" I exclaimed. "You're gonna get us killed!"

"Aw, come on now Cosmo," my brother, Astro, began to protest. "Lighten up, I thought you'd be more like me. We are twins after all."

We are, in fact, fraternal twins. We're both unicorns with the same indigo coat and the same dark red mane but with different genders as well as personalities. Astro's a adventure-seeking stallion and I'm a mare who likes to stay in her shell. We may look the same, but inside, we were complete opposites.

"Just because we're twins, doesn't mean we're the same pony," I said. "Why and how did I even get dragged into this?"

"Because you got nopony else to hang out with," Astro answered. "C'mon Cosmo, it's not so bad once you forget about the monsters and all."

"Don't remind me," I stated. "You nearly got us killed by that Manticore a week ago. We got lucky Fluttershy came to our rescue."

"You know, it's weird," Astro said, going off topic. "How does a pony who's fragile as thin ice manage to stand up to a creature so intimidating like that?"

"Whatever Astro," I said with annoyance. "Where are we anyway?"

"I...don't know," Astro admitted. "I'd use my magic, but I drained all of it when I hypnotized you into coming into the forest with me."

"Okay then, I'll...wait, you did what?" I replied with annoyance, then surprise. "Nevermind, I guess I'll provide a light source. Once we get out of here, I want some answers."

I used my magic to provide a light source to see where we were in the forest. Once we knew where we were, we also noticed we were surrounded by a horde of timberwolves. I had no idea as to whether I should not move an inch or run for my life. Astro on the other hand already made his decision as I immediately notice his absence. I decided to run as well to see where he went and to get away from the Timberwolves.

"Astro!" I called out. "Astro! Where are you?" Then I stopped to see if he was nearby. "Astro! Please, say something!...Ha ha, very funny, you can come out now! You're kinda scaring me!" Then I saw another timberwolf, which caused me to flee. I ran wherever the path would take me, but it felt like nothing but a bunch of twists and turns, like an endless maze.

Eventually I saw a little bit of light, indicating I was almost out of the forest. When I came out of the entrance to the forest I was panting real heavily and noticed the timberwolves stopped following me.

"Hi Cosmo," Fluttershy said as quiet as possible.

The whisper was just enough to startle me as my mane and tail stood straight up. Then I yelled, "Fluttershy, don't startle me like that!"

"Oh, sorry," Fluttershy apologized in the same quiet tone.

"Well, it's nice to see a familiar face at least," I said. "I think my brother's still in the forest. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm going back in there. Fluttershy, would you mind coming with me?"

"Anything for a friend," Fluttershy replied.

"Alright then," I said. "Let's go find Astro." Then we went to look some more in the forest.

"Cosmo!" I called out. "Cosmo! I know how annoyed you can get with me, but I know you're not that stupid to just leave me alone. Cosmo!" No matter how much I yelled, it wouldn't get her attention. It would also attract the attention of the timberwolves. This situation really made me wish I hadn't used my magic to manipulate her to lighten up a bit; I felt completely drained.

All of the sudden, I felt something, something alive that grabbed me. It felt like another pony and I hoped that it was Cosmo coming back for me. "Cosmo? Is that you?" I asked as Cosmo gave no response. She then dragged me by my tail using their magic. "Look, I know you're probably mad at me for bringing you out here, but I just thought you could use a little bit more adventure. I mean you're a great mare and all, but you need to learn to be a little more risky. I'm sorry for doing this, and I promise never to do it again." She still didn't give me a response. I assumed Cosmo was giving me the silent treatment. "Really? The silent treatment? Don't you think that's a little childish?" She was still giving me complete silence as she continued dragging me through the forest. Eventually we had found a way out only to realize the pony that was dragging me the whole way there wasn't Cosmo. "Hey Cosmo, I think you found an exit. Now we can...oh no! Not you! Not..." I was then cut off as the unicorn knocked me out using her magic.

I reentered the forest to find my brother, and the search wasn't as successful as I hoped it would be. But I didn't give up; me and Fluttershy continued to look for Astro even if it took the whole night, or so I thought. Finding Astro turned out to be easier said than done.

"Cosmo," Fluttershy started. "Maybe we should head back to the cottage. I'm getting really tired."

As much as I wanted to keep looking for Astro, I knew I would die trying, literally. "Yeah, I guess we should head back. Maybe Astro's found his way out. He might be at the cottage as we speak." We then found our way out of the forest and went to Fluttershy's cottage for a little R & R. I discovered that Astro was not in the cottage, but that didn't mean that he was still in the Everfree. I kept thinking that he's not a quitter and that he found his way out. I was about to go to sleep, but before I did, I needed to know some information from Fluttershy. So I trotted over to her room and knocked on her door.

"Fluttershy," I whispered. "Are you asleep?"

"No, I was just getting ready to get some rest," Fluttershy answered.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked her.

"Sure," Fluttershy.

I then walked into her room and sat on her bed. She joined me on the bed when I was about to ask, "You remember that time you saved us from that Manticore, right?"

"How could I forget?" Fluttershy responded. "I couldn't let that innocent creature harm a pony as helpless as you."

"Well, you got the last part right." I commented. "But anyways, back to what I came in here for." I hesitated, worrying that she'd see me and Astro much more differently if I asked her. I knew that her opinion meant much to me and that I had to know what she was thinking. Then I continued, "What...What exactly was your first impression of me?"

"Well, when I first saw you, you looked like you needed help," Fluttershy answered.

"What about after the rescue mission?" I added. "Who do I look like based on my outside appearence?"

"Please don't take this the wrong way," Fluttershy started as I prepared for the worst of what she was going to say. "I think you're a really smart and kind mare and all, but you look like you're a little judgmental and a know-it-all."

"Oh," I started.

"I'm sorry," Fluttershy apologized. "I didn't mean..."

"It's okay, don't be sorry," I said. "I thought that you'd say that I was an introvert and that I would never be like anypony else."

"That's because everypony's different and special," Fluttershy said, making me feel better. "It's okay to be yourself. There's nothing wrong with that. I'm an introvert myself, why do think I'm named Fluttershy?"

"Fair enough," I said. "Well, that's all I wanted to know. Good night, Fluttershy."

"Good night, Cosmo," Fluttershy responded back.

I woke up in a dark, empty room. The last thing I remember was being dragged around in the forest by who I thought was Cosmo turned out to be somepony else.

"Ah, you woke up finally. The Great and Powerful Trixie was getting rather impatient," said the unicorn.

"Let me go," I demanded. "This is not cool."

"Trixie shall set you free, but only after she gets what she wants," Trixie replied.

"Whatever it is you want I'm emptyhoofed. I'm no use for you," I said, hoping she'd fall for it.

"Oh, Trixie thinks you are," she responded. "It's not exactly something that can be acquired, but something you're born with."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I claimed.

"You stupid, naive stallion," Trixie said. "Trixie's talking about your magic."

"Why do you need my magic?" I asked.

"That is none of your concern," Trixie responded. "Trixie just needs your magic, it's as simple as that."

"Well, I hate to break it to you," I started. "But my magic is completely drained. I have no magic left in me."

"Do you honestly expect Trixie to fall for that?" Trixie said. "Unicorns regenerate there magic every few minutes whenever it is being overused, you imbecile."

"What?" I said. feeling dumbfounded.

"Maybe you're not as useful as Trixie thought you were," Trixie stated. "But we'll find out pretty soon, won't we?"

"Wait!" I interrupted while she started to drain my magic. "Why me? Why am I so important? Why not my sister?" I stopped right there thinking that I've said too much.

"Your sister?" Trixie asked. "Where is she?"

"Like I'm gonna tell you that," I responded.

"Very well. Enjoy a painful, miserable, magic-free life," Trixie said, continuing to drain my magic. This time, she made it more painful so that I could tell her what she wanted to know. The draining process made me scream in agony, for it was a slow, painful process. It felt like I had a major headache. I gave in after a couple of minutes.

"Okay, okay! I'll tell you!" I exclaimed. "I...don't know where she is exactly, but we did get in through Fluttershy's cottage. Maybe she went back there."

"Thank you, that's all that Trixie needed to know," Trixie said as she walked off.

"Wait, what about me?" I asked.

"Don't you worry, Trixie will let you go as soon as Trixie gets what she wants," Trixie said. She shut the door, leaving me in complete darkness.

The next morning I woke up a little later than Fluttershy but in time to have breakfast. On the counter were celery sticks topped with peanut butter and raisins: a snack that I would've had when I was a little filly.

"Aww, that's adorable," I commented, looking at breakfast. "Reminds me of my early childhood."

"I thought of the idea when I met this one pony," Fluttershy said. "She escaped from her home and were apart from one another because they were being attacked by changelings."

"Oh yeah, the outbreak," I said. "I heard it was pretty brutal and that many ponies died from that event. So this mare, what happened to her?"

"She died in Vanhoover, but her sister is still alive," Fluttershy said.

While we were in the middle of the conversation, I began to feel a little light-headed, but I tried my best to disguise it. "How old was her sister? Is she a mare? A filly?"

"She's nine," Fluttershy answered. She then began to yawn. "Applejack is currently taking care of her."

"Are you okay?" I asked as I yawned too. "You sound a little tired."

"Yeah, a little," Fluttershy admitted. "You seem a little sleepy too."

I then admitted to being a bit groggy. "Yeah, I guess I am." I saw Fluttershy go to sleep and I wasn't far behind her.

Moments later, I woke up to see a unicorn in a blue coat and a lighter blue mane: it was Trixie. I also discovered that I was tied up as I tried to move my hooves around. "Don't struggle," said the unicorn. "You'll only make it worse."

"Astro!" I exclaimed as I first saw him. "What have you done to him?"

"Don't worry, he'll be fine," Trixie said. "But he won't be until you both give Trixie what she wants."

"What's that?" I asked.

"Your magic," Trixie said. "And if you don't..." she then stopped to use her magic to create what looked like a portal. "...Trixie will send your brother far, far away."

"Don't do it, Cosmo!" Astro said. "She's just bluffing!"

"Am I?" she said. "Now, will you give me your magic or not?"

It took me a lot of thought of the possible outcomes. Trixie is capable of making herself look like a fool, but she does have more advanced magic than I do. In the end, I made my decision. "I can always find my brother again, so go ahead. He'll be back two seconds tops."

"Suit yourself," Trixie said as she pushed Astro through the portal.

"Cosmo!!!" Astro shouted for help as he went through the portal. I also realized that Trixie didn't close the portal just yet. I then tried to use my magic to teleport him back to his previous location, but for some reason, I couldn't.

"Why can't I..." I was about to ask as Trixie cut me off.

"You fool, Trixie made sure that Trixie's magic is the only magic that can be used within this specific area," Trixie explained. "Now, let's try this again." She then used her magic to drag another pony over to the portal. It was Fluttershy. "Give me your magic or you'll never see your friend ever again!" Trixie demanded.

I then realized what Trixie was capable of. That's when I gave in. "Don't!" I shouted. "I'll give up my magic."

"Smart choice," Trixie said as she drained my magic. It took a while to completely strip me of my magic. "Pleasure doing business with you, and now that you're no longer useful to me..." She stopped to put me through a portal away from Ponyville. "Farewell Cosmo!" she said as I fell through the portal. The trip through the portal made me black out minutes after I "travelled" through it.

Eventually I woke up and ended up somewhere that look very ancient with stone houses and buildings. Many ponies dressed like they were homeless or ready for battle. This new world I've been sent to brought up so many questions. But the biggest one was, "Where am I?"

Chapter 2 - Welcome to Ponyville?

I found myself in a world that seemed to have stone buildings, sandy pathways, and ponies that looked very poor considering how they looked and dressed. I had no indication as to where I was or even if I'm in my own world. I felt like a stray dog not knowing where I was. My biggest concern was where Trixie sent Astro off to, and I felt really worried that I'd never see him again. If I could, I'd use my magic to find Astro and teleport the both of us back to Ponyville, but unfortunately, Trixie drained both of our magic abilities and sent us away. Not to mention, it takes a high level of magic to teleport the two of us, let alone just myself, back to our own world. I, obviously, had no idea where I was and who anypony was, so I had to find some information.

"Excuse me, sir," I called out to the nearest stallion. "Would you care to tell me where I am?"

"Why, thee has't arrived in Ponyville," answered the strange pony.

"This is Ponyville?" I thought to myself. "And why is he speaking like that?" It didn't take me long to realize that I wasn't in a different world but in a different time era. Knowing where and when I was, I decided to promenade around the town for a little bit to see was there was to offer. I saw many shops for many different things, but some of them aren't what I'd see in modern day Ponyville. There were some of the basics like food, drinks, and comfort, and then there were some items out of the ordinary like weapons and armor. I still continued to trot my way around "Ponyville" while the night was still young. It's also come to my attention and recent observations that the only form of ponies I've seen were unicorns. I didn't know why there were any earth ponies or pegasi, but I didn't think it was that important. Suddenly, I bumped into a random stallion.

"Sorry about that," I apologized. "I'm just...uh...new around these parts."

"Thee hath been forgiven," said the stallion. "Shall I show thee this fine land?"

"I have no idea what you said, but okay," I responded. The stallion offered me to look around the town and all of it's monuments. It felt like being taken on a tour. He showed me around the town, but this town seemed to be a bit smaller than modern day Ponyville. The tour around the town took a little over a couple of hours, but we arrived into our final location, the town castle. There were guards to the castle who just let him in. He must've had some level of "Ponyville" hierarchy that I didn't know about. And, of course, the guards let me in because I was his guest. I still needed more information.

"So, how come those guards let you in just like that?" I asked.

"I am a noble, and thou art my guest," answered the stallion.

"I still didn't catch your name," I said.

"Steel Soul, doth thee has't any more questions?" said Steel.

"No," I replied.

"Very well then," Steel said. He then walked up to a pony who looked like somepony who was a higher rank than he was. He then asked, "Permission to speaketh with the prince?"

"Permission granted," said the other pony as he let us both inside the room. The room was really big and had three thrones and a balcony area. Two of the thrones were empty which looked to be the thrones of the king and queen, but the other throne was taken by the prince who I found to be really attractive.

"This be the prince of Ponyville," Steel introduced. "The king and queen has't not arrived yet, but rather doth enjoy company."

"Greetings, thou mayest refer to me as Prince Fire Blade," the prince introduced. "How art thee at this time of day?"

I couldn't find anything to say but how incredible he looked. His fine, silver coat, that gorgeous, blue mane, and his charming personality. I was just mesmerized by his looks and speech. He was a lovely stallion. Then I snapped back into reality and answered his question. "Oh, me? I-I-I'm doing great!" That's all I could manage to come up with.

"Well, I has't some royal duties to attend to," Fire answered. "We wilt reconvene anon." He then walked out of the throne room.

"Perhaps we should beest leaving as well," Steel suggested. I then followed him out of the throne room when I barely got a good look of Fire Blade exiting the castle. That's when I knew I fell in love.

Hours later, I continued to walk through town again and tried to think of ways to get back to my own era and find my brother. For now, I just had to do something I thought I'd never do, relax. I used some of the time to gaze at the sky, but all I could see was the sun, the clouds, but no pegasi. Based off of that alone, I was also willing to bet that there were no earth ponies here either. I knew that I would have to talk to Steel Soul or Fire Blade about this sooner or later. For now, I visited some of the local shops around town and got myself a few things with the bits Steel Soul gave me while showing me around "Ponyville" earlier. The items I bought were just stuff that reminded me of home: cupcakes, apple cider, and chocolate chip cookies. Other than that, I didn't really do much around town except thinking about how or if me and Astro are gonna find a way back home. It was starting to get dark and I realized that I didn't have anywhere to live, so I went back to the castle hoping that Steel Soul or Fire Blade would grant me access since it was obvious that the guards would not let me in without any form of Ponyville hierarchy. I arrived at the castle and saw the handsome prince on the balcony of the castle.

When he saw me he said, "Thou has't hath returned." He then exited the balcony and made his way down to the entrance of the castle. "What bringeth thee hither?" Fire asked.

I hesitated to speak at first, but I managed to speak, "I-I-I just wondered if you knew...where I could...uh...find a place to sleep." I felt really flustered around Fire. There was something about him that makes me feel complete. I tried to focus on what I wanted to say, but every time I was around him, I'd forget about it easily.

"We doth has't an extra room for rest," Fire mentioned. "Thou may useth it, if thee wish."

"Thank you so much," I said. "I'm sorry if I forgot to tell you earlier, but my name is Cosmo."

"It's nice to meeteth thee Cosmo," Fire responded. "Please, cometh on in."

Prince Fire Blade was walking me around the castle to show me the guest room, which took a long time to get to. While he was taking me there, there was one thing that was on my mind that I had to know. So I asked him, "Where are all the earth ponies and pegasi around Ponyville?"

He stopped moving the instant I finished asking my question and gave me nothing but complete and utter silence. I felt like I asked him something a little too personal, though I didn't see what was so personal about my question. These moments of silence felt like hours, which was starting to scare me considering that I just found a place to sleep, not to mention that I had a major attraction towards the prince. Finally, he broke the silence and said, "The kingdom prefers that we must not speaketh of their presence."

I knew this was a subject that seemed touchy for the time being by the way he responded. "Sorry, I...shouldn't have asked that," I apologized.

"Cometh now, we must taketh thee to thy room." the prince said. Curiosity still got the best of me and wondered why this town only consists of unicorns. I don't know much but that the unicorns here in "Ponyville" have something against earth ponies and pegasi. I needed more information in regards to why this is, but I was feeling to tired to do any research. Also, I had to find out how I could get my magic back since Trixie drained it all before sending me to this time.

"Thanks for letting me stay here," I said with gratitude.

"Tis mine pleasure," Fire replied. "Thee art our guest afterall."

"Do you do this for all your guests?" I asked.

He chuckled and said, "No, but thou art much more special than anypony else I knoweth."

His response made me blush a little bit and made me feel a bit flattered. By that time, I was able to get a little rest and get my mind off of my current predicament, because I knew that the more I thought about it, the less amount of sleep I'd get, and I was gonna need a lot of it if I was going to get my answers.

Chapter 3 - Ye Good Ol' Days

One moment, I was kept as hostage by Trixie so she could get what she wanted. The next, she pushed me through a portal to another destination. I found myself in a world that looked to be in one of those early Equestrian cities. I remembered what they had looked like from my history lesson when I was a filly, even though I was, what Cosmo would say, "goofing off" during those times. If I remembered correctly, this was known as the renaissance era. I could tell it was the renaissance era because of how the houses looked compared to the textbook from memory and the fact that ponies here were selling weapons such as swords, battle axes, and war hammers. The only reason why I actually paid attention to this subject in my elementary years was because I always wondered what it would be like to live in a time as adventurous like this. Getting to actually live in a world like that had been pretty normal compared to Ponyville so far, then again I was only here for about ten minutes. I tried to get up, but I forgot that I was still tied up in the chair Trixie put me in under hostage. I tried to get out myself, and I almost got out of it, but I still couldn't get out completely. Suddenly, a stallion came by to help me out. He had a blue coat, a white mane, and a cutie mark that looked like a potion bottle.

"Doth thee needeth help?" the stallion asked.

"No, I just happen to enjoy being tied in a chair all the time," I said with sarcasm.

"Art thee serious?" the stallion asked.

"No, not really," I responded. "Just help me get out."

He then helped me get out of the chair and untie all the knots in the rope that was holding me hostage. Then I thanked him and said, "Thanks for getting me out of there. I'm Astro."

"Thou mayest refer to me as Bottler," he replied.

"Bottler huh, I like it," I responded. "Maybe you could tell me where I am."

"Thee art in Ponyville," Bottler responded.

"Ponyville?" I asked. "Are you sure?"

"I am quaint sure this is Ponyville," Bottler responded. "Wherefore doth thee asketh?"

I really thought that this world was an okay place to be in, and I didn't want to scare him away by saying that I was from another world, so I tried to change the subject. "No reason. So Bottler, what is it you do for a living?"

"I am an alchemist," Bottler answered. "I maketh potions for several occasions."

"An alchemist huh, that's pretty cool!" I replied. "How exactly does alchemy work?"

"It's a little complicated to pray pardon me," Bottler said. "It's like cooking a homemade meal with rather unusual ingredients."

"Well, I guess that's one way to put it," I said. I was starting to get hungry, so I asked, "Hey, do you know a place where we could eat?"

"Thither is this one lodging," he answered. "I cannot recall what tis hath called though."

"Do you know where it is at least?" I asked.

"Followeth me," I insisted. "I shalt taketh thee thither."

We walked all the way over to the place he referred to, and it proved to be quite the walk. The outside of the structure looked like a diner, and I could see why Bottler had a hard time figuring out the name of it, and that's because it hadn't been named. I didn't know what to expect, but I was hungry after all, so that left me with no choice. We walked in, and the first thing we saw was a sign that said, "Seat Yourself." And so we did just that. When did sat down, I talked to him furthermore because I really thought we could become the best of friends.

"How often do you come here?" I asked him.

"Not a whole lot," he answered. "I am a peasant after all."

"I thought you said you were an alchemist," I mentioned. "Don't you sell potions for profit?"

"I am not allowed to," Bottler explained. "At least, not in public. If 't be true I doth, then I receiveth thrown in the dungeon."

"Why is that?" I questioned.

"Because lest I not a licensed alchemist," he explained again. "Only licensed alchemists art allowed to selleth potions out in public. Lest I only a couple years from becoming licensed, but if 't be true I receiveth hath caught selling potions out to the public..."

"I get it now," I said, cutting him off. "You do it because you love it. That's why your cutie mark looks like that. But because you're not an official alchemist, you could get in trouble if you market that stuff."

"Precisely," he finished. "I don't very much maketh potions for wage concluded, be it. I do't because it's mine special talent, and I love doing it."

By the time we finished talking, the waitress had come over to take start us off with some drinks. I told the waitress what I wanted to drink, which was a mug of whiskey, but Bottler did nothing but just stare at her like he had been shot by cupid. He looked flustered and a bit lovestruck by the looks of it. I tried to snap him back into reality but nothing worked. I decided to order him some apple cider because, first of all, the waitress was the whole reason why he couldn't order, and second, he didn't look like an alcoholic. The waitress walked away and Bottler woke up from his daydream.

"Wh-What just hath happened?" he asked with confusion.

"The waitress came over and you just dozed off," I explained.

"Didst I?" Bottler wondered. "That seemeth a bit unusual to me."

"Let's just say, I hope you like apple cider," I responded with a small chuckle.

"I would rather prefer a glass of champagne," Bottler started. "But a glass of apple cider never hurt anypony."

The waitress had come back with our drinks and Bottler had that same look on his face toward the waitress. It was almost like he was under a hypnotic spell, triggering that look every time she came over to serve us. She asked if we wanted any appetizers before the main course, but I told her that me and Bottler would rather skip the appetizer. When she heard my response, she gave us more time to decided what we wanted to have as far as the main course goes and left our table. That's when Bottler returned back to reality.

"Bottler, are you okay?" I asked.

"What? Oh, I-I am fine," he responded. "I guess I just...uh..."

"Have a crush on the waitress?" I finished. "You know, you're a lot like my sister. She's smart, but she's shy. I've been trying to make her life more exciting ever since we moved from..." I paused myself, remembered that Bottler doesn't know where I'm from, and thought to keep my story to myself. Then, I continued, "...well that's not important, but the point is to never be afraid of trying new things, and Cosmo just needs to learn that."

"Cosmo?" he wondered.

"The name of my sister," I responded.

"Whither is thy sister?" he asked

"I don't know," I answered. "One moment I was with her, and the next, we got split apart."

"Oh, I see," Bottler replied. "And about earlier, thee wast right. I am in love with the waitress. I just receiveth nervous around that lady oft."

"You really don't got anything to lose," I mentioned. "The worst that could happen is if she says 'no'. There's nothing to be afraid of."

"Thee doth has't a point," Bottler admitted. "Very well, I shalt gather mine courage and..."

He was cut off when the waitress came over and made the same face he made before when she previously came to our table. I told her we were ready to order our food. I ordered some hot wings with a blue cheese dip. For a change, Bottler actually spoke to the waitress and told her what he wanted, which was the fish and chips dish. Then, she left to go get our food. Later on, she came back to give us what we ordered and we ate what we got. When we got done eating, the waitress came back to take our dishes. Just when she was about to leave, Bottler asked her a question.

"Would thee like to wend with me?" he asked.

"I would love to," the waitress replied.

"Within this wall of flesh, there is a soul that counts thee its creditor," Bottler said back.

"I shalt returneth in just a moment," the waitress said was she walked away with the dishes.

The look on his face made me feel that I had done something right. Bottler looked like he could jump for joy as he just asked the waitress if he could go out with him, as she accepted his proposal. When we were done at the restaurant, me and Bottler walked out and chatted for a little longer. I had also realized something very unique about "Ponyville." So I asked him, "This is gonna sound a bit strange, but why are there only unicorns in Ponyville? I mean, where are the earth ponies and pegasi?"

"Can we please talk about something else?" Bottler responded.

"Okay, if it's too touchy of a subject," I responded. From there we talked about town life as well as his own life. The one thing we talked about the most was the waitress at the restaurant. We had talked about her for a while, but the one thing that made the whole conversation, in my opinion, was that this conversation wouldn't exist without my assistance.

Chapter 4 - I Want Answers

"Cosmo, wake up. It's time for breakfast," the attractive stallion said.

"I'm up, I'm up," I said, still a bit tiresome. "What are we eating?"

"Eggs and sausage, wherefore doth thee asketh?" Fire Blade responded

"Just curious," I responded back.

I followed him out of the guest room and into the hallway and from there to the dining hall. He told me we were eating eggs and sausage, which seemed like something that I would be dining to back in my time. When I saw the dining table, it looked like a feast, a meal fit for a king quite literally since he was sitting in the chair at the end of the table. I also saw a few other ponies at the table as well as Steel Soul and the queen. We all gathered at the table so we could start eating. I saw everyone levitating their food and beverages so they could eat it, but I forgot that Trixie drained my magic. I tried to do the same as everypony else but it only made me look like a fool of myself as I strained to do use my magic, but it was no use. Then everypony at the table stared at me like I was crazy. That's when I decided to use the utensils provided. Before I got the chance to eat, Fire asked, "Cosmo, I do beseech you speaketh with thee for a moment?"

"Sure," I responded with ignominy. I then followed him to the hall again where I explained. "Before you ask any questions, I have an explanation as to why I did what I did."

"And what would beest that reason?" he asked.

I was about to tell him my reason, but I thought that he would think that I was crazy and kick me out of the castle. Then again, I had nothing to lose, except the love of my life. "I was drained of all my magic before I came to Ponyville."

He then gave me a glare as if I was hiding something.

"I seriously can't use my magic, honest! You have to believe me!" I exclaimed as I started to tear up due to his disbelief.

"Don't worry, I believeth thee ," Fire promised.

"Thank you," I said. Then I hugged him for trusting me and, afterwards, wiped the tears off my face as he took me back to the dining area. We had breakfast and I started to talk to him. "So, what makes you think I'm so special?"

He responded, "I just haven't seen thee around these parts. Plus, I couldn't alloweth such a quaint pony, such as yourself, beest hath left out in the streets."

"Oh, well that's nice,"I responded, not getting the answer I wanted to hear.

When we got finished with breakfast, one of the ponies came out from the hallway and said, "Steel Soul! Fire Blade! I needeth to speaketh with thee immediately!"

"Stayeth hither, I shalt returneth," the Prince promised. He then left the room to converse with Steel and the other noble. I did what I was told and stayed put, but I really wanted to know what they were talking about, so I eavesdropped into their conversation.

"Very much? Art thee sure?" Steel asked.

"By my christendom I saw a body," the noble responded. "That can only mean one thing: somepony is breaking our promise!"

"It doest maketh a gross amount of sense," Fire agreed. "Thee don't just killeth somepony unless you'd has't a reason for it."

"So, how doth thee knoweth about this again?" Steel asked.

"I toldeth thee, I wast visiting one of the local diners, and one of the waitresses that I knoweth of wast dead," the noble answered. "Lest I still curious to knoweth who the killer is, whether it's a unicorn like us, or one of those other dreaded ponies."

"I has't mine suspicions," Steel proclaimed.

"Who doth thou has't in mind?" Fire asked. "Who is the killer?"

"I'm surprised you haven't caught up by now," Steel started. "I can guarantee that it was Cosmo."

"Now thou art just pointing hooves," Fire protested. "Besides, the lady toldeth me that she couldn't useth her magic because twas all drained ere the lady got hither in Ponyville."

"Doth thee very much expect me to believeth that?" Steel asked facetiously.

He hesitated to speak and was interrupted by the other noble.

"Who's Cosmo?" the noble asked.

"She's the guest that is staying hither while she's trying to receiveth hath used to the new town," Fire responded. "And she's just as innocent as the three of us."

"Thee cannot beest serious," Steel said. "The lady coequal struggled to useth that lady magic at breakfast earlier. I bet the lady isn't coequal a unicorn, possibly a spy from the pegasus our earth pony boundaries."

"We shalt findeth out soon," Fire said as he split apart for the group and returned to the dining hall. As soon as he said that, it indicated me that he was coming back for me, so I hurried back over to my chair and I sat down and tried to act natural.

"What were you talking about?" I asked, trying to throw suspicion off myself.

"Tis nothing," Fire said. "Peradventure thee should stayeth around for a while and maketh yourself comfortable."

"Thanks, but I think I'll just walk around the town for a while," I said, testing his loyalty. "I'll be back just after sunset, okay?"

"I wouldn't doth that," he exclaimed. "Steel hadst just informed me about the plague that hath spread across our land. So please, stayeth inside the castle."

I saw right through his lie. Not just because I heard of the real issue a few moments ago, but for the fact that he was a terrible liar, but I played along anyway. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

"Prince! I must talk with thee!" Steel said, listening to everything we said.

"What is it about this time?" the prince asked.

"That remains confidential," the noble responded. He glanced at me, indicating that I was the reason the information was so secretive.

"I shalt returneth shortly mine lady," Fire told me.

They then left to the hallway and into another room so that I couldn't hear a word they were saying. I wanted to know what they were saying, but at the same time, I didn't want any more suspicion thrown onto me. I decided to play it safe and stayed put, since I was already suspected of murder and I wanted to prove my trust to the prince.

Moments later, they left the room and Fire Blade returned back to our conversation. " Now that lest I done, whither wast we?"

"Actually, I wanted to ask you something," I started to request. "Pardon me for asking, but what ever happened to the unicorns, pegasi. and earth ponies of Ponyville?"

He gave a huge sigh, but he managed to speak. "thee very much wanteth to knoweth, don't thee? Alright, I shalt telleth thee. Years ago, the ponies of Ponyville, as well as the rest of Equestria, wanted to gain control of the land. None of us could outmatch the other, so we cameth to an impasse. The vaward of each force hadst madeth a treaty to keepeth apart from one another and has't peace with our own kind. We still cannot trust that the pegasi and earth ponies wilt not attack if 't be true the agreement is broken, but since those gents art bound by these rules, we've all been living in harmony, or at least we didst concluded, be it."

"Did?" I asked, pretending I didn't know.

"As of now, thither hath been a murder that hath taken lodging at one of the local diners," Fire admitted. "Steel suspects that t could beest anypony from these boundaries, or possibly one of the earth ponies or pegasi. If 't be true that's the case, then those gents wilt beest permitted to execution. Steel wanteth to bethink that..." Then he stopped.

"He think's I'm to blame." I said, finishing his thought. "I understand every reason for him to cast suspicion upon me, but you need to talk some sense into him and clear my name."

"Lest I just having trouble as to who I should believeth," Fire claimed. "Thee doth seemeth like a nice, innocent pony, but I've known Steel for as long as I could recall. At which hour he hath a hunch, there's nothing that can changeth his mind unless it's proven wrong. That's wherefore I has't to keepeth thee inside the castle, to prove that thou art not the wrongdoer."

I tried my best to argue back, but I did not want to look like a suspect of the crime, so I gave in. "Alright, I'll stay put. I don't wanna look like the bad pony in any of this."

"Grant you mercy," Fire thanked. "Until then, we can receiveth to knoweth each other more."

I felt happy when he said that. But that still didn't change the fact the I was the prime suspect of the murder. I had to do something to prove my innocence, but all I could do was just stay in the castle. Until then, all I could rely on was Prince Fire Blade.