You walk down the old streets of Canterlot. The cart and wagons, and friendly faces, that your grandparents told stories to you about were long gone. Once a peaceful kingdom ruled by Queen Celestia, now a wealthy, big and bustling country, Equestria, governed by non-other than Queen Celestia's sister, President Luna. The idea of a Parliament was scorned upon by people in your grandparents day. And now it was all too real, and you were living it; loving it. Hmm... not so sure about that one.

Queen Celestia's Apprentice, Miss Twilight, was supposed to become the next Queen rather than 'Princess' Luna. You knew she looked forward to the idea, but her passion for science caused her to abandon her studies with Queen Celestia, and move on to better things. Of course, there are now no 'better things' in Equestria than marketing and business and all that. But you aren't a usual person, are you? Because as of now, you are still walking down the streets of Canterlot, heading towards Twilight Sparkle's lab. Private lab.

You knock on the door which simply flings open. A voice, "Come", beckons you to enter.

Very dark, dusty as well, you think to yourself.

"This is not the lab, in case that was what you were thinking...", Twilight speaks up. You cannot see her, and her voice sounds like it's coming from an old radio. "Take a seat".

A light in the center of the room lights up; a table, and chair and a cup of water. You shuffle your feet over and sit in the cold, metal chair. A clanging noise is heard from a distance followed by the creaking of a wooden door. Twilight enters from the left side of the room. In between each finger is two sheets of paper, the skin in between the fingers themselves have several papercuts in the same spot, with crusts of dry blood forming over them. She notices you staring.

"I've been holding these sheets for quite awhile".

You can sense the deprivation of emotion from the tone of her voice, but either way, you must give your condolences.

"Very sorry, Miss Twilight, about the tragedy that is the death of your friends many, many years ago, I-".

"No need. You didn't kill them. You needn't apologize. The past is the past; and since they aren't here now, they are dead to me. Just like they really are".

You sit in silence as Twilight pulls a sheet from between her fingers and places it face-down on the table. She asks you if you will need the water, as you will not be allowed to drink throughout the whole interview. You reject the offer.

You observe that the paper is slightly brown, indicating that it might have been several years old. It is crumpled, and bits and pieces of the paper seem to be wearing away. Again, you hear the clang, and a light turns on in a separate room. Twilight is in that room. You know because you two are separated by a wall of glass. In the room is a microphone. Twilight grips it intricately with her fingers and pulls the long mic closer to her mouth, as she speaks, you can hear her from the speakers suspended on the ceiling.

"Turn the paper over, Mr. Neptune".

You reach for the paper, turning it over gently, so as to not tear it. It's a letter. A telegram, from Twilight to her parents during her younger ages. During the time when they were still alive.

"Read it out loud please, Neptune".

You begin reading.

Dear Mother and Father,

I simply cannot believe that Celestia has agreed to release me of my studies! I have been longing to start my works on actual science for a long time; and not that magicky weird witchcraft whatever. I do not wish to train under the top scientists of Equestria not because I wish to disobey you, but because I find working alone the best way to work. Which is why I have very recently gotten rid of the dragon, Spike. He is fine, currently staying with my good friend, Rarity. I don't have time to write now, as I need to begin my own studies. I will get back to you in the next paragraph.

It had only been 48 hours since I started my studies when I got a letter from my other good friend, Pinkamena. She works in the local bread factory ever since she lost her cupcake stall just recently, which was why I couldn't leave Spike with her, as her house was too small. She told me that whenever I needed her I could ring her up and that even though we were far from each other, she still wanted to keep in touch. How Sweet!

As you read, you keep thinking to yourself that back then Twilight used to have such emotion that it even showed through her writing. The deaths of her friends had really impacted her state of mind. You pause for a moment to think.

"Continue, Neptune", the speakers announce.

It has been about a year.

You pause again.

"Continue"

"A year, Miss Twilight?"

There is silence for a brief moment.

"Yes".

Silence again.

"Continue".

It has been about a year. I wake up every morning ready for a new day. Smell the flowers, water the plants, say hello to the occasional passing Fluttershy and get back into the lab and slog away for the rest of the day. I don't mind, though. This is a passion. It's a way of life, my life.

"Miss Twilight, I simply don't understand", you state.

"What is there to understand, Mr. Neptune. I didn't ask you to understand. I asked you to read. Continue".

I've been working in the same field for about 2 years now mum! This letter is long overdue, I know, but I really couldn't stop! I have been in this field for so long; I can't stop now. But it requires me to do things I couldn't dream of doing. I need a test subject. I need to experiment. If I want to revolutionize science I need a living breathing being to experiment on. I think I finally need Pinkie's hel-

You stop abruptly, trying to process what you are reading. Once you grasp the meaning, you are overcome with emotion.

"Miss Twilight".

"Yes?".

"You... You didn't...".

You both are silent. You don't wish to talk. For a while, you forget you are even in this room until she speaks up.

"Continue".

"Miss, I-".

Twilight lets out a hefty sigh as she says, "Do you wish to discontinue the interview?".

You sit in silence. You need this job. It is the only way you can earn money for your family. You shake your head.

"Continue".

Author's Note

This is my first dark story. I hope you all enjoy.