Good Heart

The sun appears in the horizon, showing its first warm sunbeams to fade the cold darkness from the previous night. Light starts to cover every mount and valley, every house and palace from east to west leaving no place without light.

The arrangement of colors and temperature has marked the beginning of a new day, a new day in Ponya and once again, Alicornia opens its doors to receive all the merchants and travelers that are seeking for an opportunity in the big city, the City of the Alicorns.

Many wagons full of precious items forms a perfect line outside the city, all of them waiting to be granted the pass to enter and sell their goods in the marketplace, the heart commerce of Ponya.

“Were they in the main road or the eastern road?”

“Perhaps… no, I’ll take the main road,” said a white alicorn to herself right before entering the main path, she was leaving her home. This path is made of brown stones that lead directly to the Alicornia’s main gates.

Right before reaching a stone bridge near a river, the tall alicorn finally sees what she was looking for, a bunch of colored flowers that lied beneath an old pine tree, very close to the river bank.

With lots of caution and leaving a box she was carrying in one side of the path, the eternal being approaches to the tree and takes some scissors out from one of her pockets. She is using a colored apron.

One by one, she cuts a total of seven flowers, forming a small colored bouquet with them using her magic. She keeps the scissors and the bouquet inside her apron and grabs the box she was carrying, continuing her path towards the city.

“Hello, it’s nice to see you again because… well, where would I go to buy my favorite carrot cake if it’s not in your bakery?” asked one of the front doors’ guard, a gray old alicorn while he smiled at the pony with the box.

“And speaking about cakes, may I ask you which one are you talking with you today?” asked again the guard.

“This one is a strawberry cake, but it’s not finished because I run out of strawberries at home,” replied the white alicorn.

“I see, well, if you do a carrot one please let me know,” said the guard while he opened the wooden gate with his magic, allowing her to enter the city. The eternal being just smiled and nodded while she trotted away from him.

One of the many things that Alicornia is known for around the wild lands of Ponya, is for being the only modern city because it contains a complete sewerage system, many beautiful fountains in every garden, libraries full of books, academies ready to receive students and most importantly, a Clock tower that is the symbol and proud of the city from ancient times.

The city is home of many alicorns, but not home of other type of ponies such as unicorns or pegasi because alicorns, as a society, are a very close one that doesn’t like to receive foreigners beyond the business relations of the marketplace.

Knowing that, the white alicorn decided to approach to a crying blue unicorn that was lying in the floor of the marketplace. She was crying because one of her wagon’s wheels was broken and nopony was hearing her calls for help.

“Excuse me, but I couldn’t help noticing that you have a broken wheel. Mind if I take a look?” said the tall alicorn to the small blue unicorn in the ground.

“N-no, not at all… thank you,” replied the sobbing pony.

“I see the problem, the axis is chipped and that broke the wheel…”

“It needs to be replaced. So, if you want, I can give you the one of my cart. It’s over there in that bakery of the third corner,” said the eternal being.

“Really…? And how much would it cost me?” asked the sad unicorn.

“Oh no, I wouldn’t dare to charge you so please, accept it for free. What do you say?” replied the eternal being.

“In that case I’ll accept your generous offer, thank you,” said the little unicorn.

Both ponies pulled the broken wagon over the bakery’s back alley while the other alicorns of the street watched them surprised and confused. These kinds of scenes are not very common inside the Eternal City.

“While I change the axis, would you like a slice of cake while you wait?” asked the alicorn to the little blue pony.

“Oh no, I’m causing you enough troubles for today and now I’m delaying you from opening your store,” replied the unicorn.

“Don’t say that, it’s not a problem and I’m happy to help you. Please, go inside and tell me what slice you would like,” said the tall alicorn while she opened her store’s door with the help of her magic.

“Baked Dreams” is what the wooden hanging sign of the bakery said in pink letters, right above the large glass shopfronts of the building. Inside the store, the unicorn pony couldn’t help noticing all the details and decorations such site contained.

“My bakery is always open from Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 to 21:00 in case you’re interested little pony. Now, what slice would you like?” asked the white alicorn.

“I… I don’t know. What cakes do you have in your store?”

“Today I’m selling chocolate, vanilla and mint cakes. And perhaps a strawberry one if I find more of them to finish it,” said the eternal being while she put her box over a table.

“By the way, do you think these flowers I just cut from the road would look beautiful if I put them in here near the window?”

“I guess… but you mentioned something about strawberries. If that’s so, well, what a coincidence because one of the many things I like to bring for trading are strawberries.”

“So, what about if I trade your axis for 27 pounds of my finest strawberries? They come directly from Uninopolis,” suggested the little unicorn.

“...I would feel a lot better if I can give you something as a payment of your kindness, so please accept them.”

“By the way, what is your name… if you don’t mind telling me?” asked the unicorn before exiting the store towards her broken wagon that lay in the back alley.

“My name is Celestia, and yours?” replied the alicorn with a smile on her face while she put the flower bouquet inside a jar with water near a window.

“I’m Trixie, nice to meet you Celestia,” said the unicorn, replying also with a smile.

From that moment forth, time flowed like water and just when the Clock Tower’s hour hand struck 18:00, the powerful bells of the ancient machine were heard throughout the city, marking the end of another day.

In the western gate of the city, Celestia and Trixie prepared to say goodbye to each other because now they were friends. Her wagon now was fixed thanks to the help and kindness of the eternal being.

“Thank you so much for your help today, I’ll not forget your kindness Celestia and perhaps we might meet again in the future,” said Trixie.

“Yes, perhaps… why not?” replied Celestia with a smile on her face.

Trixie started to trot away into the horizon as she pulled her wagon with her, followed only by the sun and after a few moments later, both could not be seen anymore.

The impending darkness of the night returned and it was time for Celestia to return inside the city, there was work to do in her store.

The tall alicorn started to think about her new friend as she trotted towards her bakery through the gray streets of the city. All she could think about was all the amazing stories about all the places Trixie has visited during her travels.

After the slow trotting, Celestia reached her store again. Before entering, the “CLOSE” sign is put at the door’s glass as she opens the door with her magic.

The light over some candles starts to enlighten the dark interior of the store because the alicorn was about to spend the rest of the night finishing her newest cake for tomorrow’s customers.

The majestic Clock Tower, now covered with the veil of the moon’s light reflection, struck 22:00 and its bells echoed again. This happened right before Celestia proudly finished the sweet treat she has been working on for several hours.

After saying goodbye to her guard friends at the entrance, Celestia finally was heading back home in the middle of the night. Her path was illuminated only by the fireflies on each side of the road.

Celestia finally was back and inside her house, she prepares herself to go to bed when suddenly, somepony starts knocking at her door.

“Who could that be?” said Celestia right before trotting to the entrance. After opening the door with the help of her magic, the white alicorn gazed down at the purple unicorn pony that was standing in front of her.

“Princess Celestia, finally, I’ve found you….” said the little pony with tears on her eyes while she gazed up at her.

*********

The sound of the crickets chirping and the owls of the nearby forest hooting, were the only noises that could be heard after the enunciation of Twilight’s words.

The Moon continued up in the night sky, being the only witness of the mysterious meeting between the two ponies, the two former friends in Equestria.

“I’m sorry little pony, but I’m no princess and I don’t know who you are or why are you here. Perhaps you are mistaken with the address and the pony you were looking for is in other place.”

“Sorry, but I can’t help you,” said the eternal being right before trying to close the door with her magic. Twilight, in a rush, put her hoof in the door’s frame to stop Celestia’s attempt.

“Wait princess! I know that my presence might look strange to you and my intentions are unclear, but I know who you’re so if you just let me…”

“I’m sorry, really I am, but I have never seen you before in my entire life and it’s already late. Sorry…” replied Celestia for the last time right before closing the door in front of Twilight.

Twilight tried to speak through the door but after seeing that the white alicorn refused to answer, she decided to leave her house and return to the tree where she left her things right before she followed Celestia.

As the talented unicorn trotted away disappointed, Celestia was looking at her through one of her window’s curtains, wondering why she knew her name and why she insisted in calling her a princess when she wasn’t one.

Twilight gathered all her things back into the old bag. She returned to the house of the white alicorn but this time, the purple unicorn was about to try a new strategy to force Celestia to listen to her.

Instead of knocking the door again, Twilight decided to sit down in front of her garden’s entrance and remain there, just sitting. Her look was directed to the forest trees in front of her, not to the house.

Celestia continued looking at her through the curtains and she couldn’t believe that an unknown pony refused to leave until she had spoken with her.

“I can’t leave her outside in this cold… but I don’t know her intentions. She knew my name… even though I’ve never seen her before. There’s something special in her, something very strong I’ve never felt before…” said the white alicorn to herself as she continued looking at the gifted unicorn.

Twilight still felt tired for crossing the brown path, so she couldn’t help falling asleep while she continued waiting for Celestia outside her house. The cold of the night battled against the anxiety of finally finding Celestia, making her stay instead of leaving to find a better place to sleep and try again some other day.

“No… I must stay, Celestia is… here,” babbled the unicorn pony.

The tiredness in Twilight’s mind and body started to win and just when the small pony was about to quit, a blanket covered her back. Celestia finally exited her home and brought a blanket to the little pony, inviting her to enter her home.

“Please, enter and I’ll give you a room for you to spend the night purple one,” said Celestia while she helped Twilight trot inside the house.

The white alicorn carried the almost unconscious unicorn to one of her house’s spare rooms. After putting her in a lone bed, Celestia covered her with a soft blanket and trotted way, leaving her alone to sleep in peace.

“Thank you… princess,” babbled Twilight for the last time before getting asleep.

Celestia smiled and closed the room’s door with her magic.

*********

Some birds started to sing as the dawn of a new day arrived slowly from the depths of the landscape. Twilight waked up after such difficult night and the first thing she saw in front of her, was a small table with a breakfast on it, accompanied by a magicwritten note of Celestia.

“GOOD MORNING LITTLE PONY, I PREPARED YOU SOME BREAKFAST.

HOPE YOU LIKE IT AND DON’T WORRY, YOUR THINGS ARE INSIDE
THE NIGHT TABLE RIGHT TO YOU.

I’LL BE WAITING FOR YOU IN THE BACKYARD
BECAUSE I’M MORE THAN INTERESTED IN TALKING WITH YOU.
-CELESTIA ♥”

After eating the delicious breakfast the alicorn prepared, Twilight went downstairs.

The talented pony couldn’t help gaze at all the things that were inside the house. Flower bouquets, colored carpets, wooden rustic tables and lots of paintings decorated the interior, very different to what Twilight was wonted whenever she visited the Canterlot’s Palace back in Equestria.

These decorations felt so cozy and so beautiful that Twilight couldn’t believe it was Celestia’s house.

“Hey there, I’m over here in the garden!” shout the eternal being inviting her to come closer while she pruned a flower bush in her backyard.

Twilight exited the house and started to trot towards the former Solar Princess, who was wearing a very colorful apron just like the day before.

“My, princess... your mane is black and your cutie mark… your cutie mark now is a heart,” said Twilight because for the first time since her arrival, she finally was looking at the other Celestia.

“Hey, about that, I would like to know why do you keep calling me a princess and why do you know my name?” asked Celestia with a spirit of inquiry while she continued with her gardening duties.

“Before I answer you princess…”

“Celestia, please.”

“Sorry, Celestia, I would like to know why did you help me last night? I thought you didn’t care,” replied the talented unicorn.

“Well dear, I felt bad about leaving you outside in the cold. Besides, you seem to know me from somewhere even when I can’t recall you. It would’ve been wrong to treat you like that, whoever you were to me,” said the eternal being.

“I see.”

“Now that I’ve answered your question, will you now answer mine?” asked again Celestia while she continued working in her garden.

“Seems fair… but before I tell you my name and who I’m or where do I come from, let me warn you that what I’m about to tell you might sound crazy and strange, but it’s the truth…” replied Twilight with a little fear about her host’s reaction.

“Ok…” replied Celestia, turning her face to Twilight as she stopped from doing her previous activity. Her full attention now was focused to hear the little pony’s story.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle and you’re princess Celestia, the Ruler of Equestria…”

*********

“Wow Twilight, your Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness recipe was a total success in my bakery!”

“Everypony is asking me for one, even the wife of the city’s mayor and it's all thanks to you and your good advices,” said Celestia with a smile to Twilight.

“I’m happy to know that princess, but the real credit goes for my friend Pinkie Pie and her bosses’ bakery talents. She only taught it to me as I taught it to you,” replied with nostalgia the gifted unicorn.

“I’m pretty sure she’d be proud of seeing how everypony enjoys her delicious recipes. Because if it wasn’t for her, my bakery wouldn’t be as successful as it has been for these months. ”

“And precisely about that Twilight, as a small gift to thank you for your help, I brought you some of the books you asked me for from the public library. To be honest, I’ve never entered it there in all these centuries,” said the white alicorn as she put the old books in front of Twilight using her magic.

“Mr. Fenderson told me your maps would arrive in a few days because the ones you want are quite rare, so please be patient.”

“Oh yes, I almost forgot. I took the liberty of buying you some quills, ink and even some paper scrolls so you can do all the notes you want. I’m pretty sure you don’t need my help, but in case you need an extra helping hoof, I’ll always be around for you,” added the alicorn while she put with her magic too the last items in front of the gifted unicorn.

“Thank you princess… I mean Celestia. I really mean it because now I’ll be able to start studying the reasons of my arrival. I’m pretty sure that there must be a clue somewhere in these history books that’ll lead me to an answer,” replied Twilight.

“No need to thank me sweetie, I’m happy to help you in what I can,” said a very happy Celestia with zest to reply the small pony words.

“I’ll be in the kitchen preparing dinner and who knows, maybe I’ll do your favorite one…” giggled the eternal being right before leaving the small living room with Twilight and the pile of books.

As soon as the former solar princess left the room, Twilight couldn’t help start thinking about this “other” Celestia and how different she was from her former self while she gazed at the dancing fire inside the stone fireplace of the house.

All the time Twilight spent with Princess Celestia, was only during her studies and classes in the School for Gifted Unicorns
back in Canterlot. Every single minute and second of that time, was ruled by the academy’s lessons and homeworks. The little spare time Twilight had, instead of spending it playing with Celestia, it was spent playing with Cadence, her foal-sitter.

There were some special events, like the Hearth’s Warming Eve festivities, when Twilight returned home with her parents and brother in order to celebrate the holidays with them rather than staying with Celestia in the Academy or the palace.

In all her years of studies and “closeness” to the former Solar Princess, Twilight never had a real opportunity of knowing her a little better and deeper. Not until she started living with her, this “other” Celestia.

Since her first Summer Sun Celebration, Celestia meant to Twilight a symbol of courage, honor and loyalty, making her a hero of some kind for the gifted unicorn, inspiring her studies when she was a little filly.

In the end, the differences between the two alicorns were more than just the different activities both ponies could perform,
like the gardening or the ruling of a land. There was also a great difference in their feelings and attitudes, Twilight thought.

But there was something else, something she started to notice with the time spent living in there, the kindness in the eternal being. No matter what different activities each one of these alicorns were involved in, they always showed kindness and wisdom towards the others.

These were the ideas that roamed inside the gifted unicorn’s mind as she continued gazing at the dangerous dance of the flames inside the stone prison.

While Twilight watched this spectacle, on the other side of the house, Celestia could be seen baking some dough inside a bowl with her magic while she whistled a very sweet tune.

“Dinner’s ready!” shouted Celestia with happiness after a couple of minutes of hard work in the kitchen. The interior of the house started to smell delicious.

The sweet call for food made Twilight retract from her trance, making her put away with the help of her magic some of the lent books Celestia brought from the library in order to get up.

“Thanks, I’m coming,” replied Twilight with a big smile and an empty stomach.