~Narrator's POV~
It was a quiet, winter afternoon in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. It was reaching the end of November, in the year of 2017. The city of Lethbridge was buzzing, and people were walking all around the streets, trying to get to shopping centers and meeting each other as they passed. It was the Black Friday weekend, and the citizens were getting their Christmas shopping done, before it got busy during the Christmas holiday.
All except one, of course. Sitting in the food court of Park Place Mall, sipping on a medium cup of Coca-Cola from A&W, was a young, 25-year-old female, sitting on her own with a heavy sigh. Her short, brunette hair was slightly fluffy, due to the rain that was falling that day. Her hazel, nearly green eyes scanned the busy and crowded food court, looking for anyone that passed by that she knew. Listening for anything out of the ordinary.
The girl sitting alone in the food court was me. My name is Eleanor May Carter, but my friends and family call me Elle or Ellie, and the reason I was in the food court was because I was waiting for my sister to arrive, so we can do some Christmas shopping for the family and friends. But so far, she hasn't shown up. I'm starting to get worried and anxious.
My ears perked up, as a soft buzzing sound cut my train of thought, and I looked at my left coat pocket. I dug my pale Caucasian hand into my pocket and pulled out a dark blue Samsung Galaxy cell phone. The phone buzzed again in my hand, indicating someone was trying to reach me. I swiped my thumb across the screen to unlock it. The phone automatically opened to the messages app and showed an unread message on the top of her list of contacts.
I pressed my thumb onto the message and the message opened. It was from my sister and read,
'Hey, Ellie. Bad news. I'm afraid I won't be able to come shopping with you.
I have babysitting this evening and the weekend.
Maybe next week?'
I looked over the message again and gave out a heavy and defeated sigh. You choose now to inform me that you have babysitting? These people have the worst sense of timing and informing others. I recollected myself and typed back,
'That's okay... They need you more than I do...
See you later…'
With that, I tapped the 'Send' option, grabbed my dark grey trench coat, finished drinking my medium cup of Coca-Cola and started walking around the mall. I looked around the stores and through the windows, scanning my eyes over the merchandise within many of the stores, but I lacked the motivation to buy anything. Nothing was calling out to me, or I couldn't figure out what to buy.
With another defeated and heavy sigh, I left the Park Place Mall and began walking across the park and down the street, making my way to the bus station. Once there, I sat on the sidewalk, waiting for the bus to show up and take me back home. As I waited, my mind raced with many thoughts of sadness and disappointment. The rainy weather fit the atmosphere of my emotional state and depression. Everyone else was running for shelter and putting their hoods over their heads. I didn't bother.
As time passed, everything around me fell quiet and blurred altogether, until the buses arrived and I picked myself up from where I was sitting and walked aboard the first bus on my side of the road. I paid the bus driver and took a seat at the back right corner of the bus, and looked out the window with a long sigh.
Given 15 minutes of driving around and out of the town, I pulled the 'Stop' cord and the bus came to a stop just outside of a little bungalow a block away from the corner shop on the main road. I exit the bus and made my way toward the bungalow. I grabbed a pair of keys from her right coat pocket and used the first key to unlock the door. I opened the door and entered the bungalow.
"I'm home." I called, but there was no reply. No-one was home.
The bungalow was nicely decorated inside, with a mixture of colors in every room. Browns and neutral colors in the living room. Oranges and warm colors in the kitchen and dining room. Blues in the hallway, that lead to two opposite bedrooms and the bathroom.
I hung my coat in the closet in the kitchen and walked over to the Living Room door. The mail slot was filled with mail. I grabbed the mail and sat down one a three-seated couch, in the living room. I grabbed the remote controller for the television, that was hung up on the wall, and searched through the channels for something to watch. I switched it to Netflix and saw that the My Little Pony movie was still on. I pressed the 'play' option and let the movie play, as I listened.
I looked out of the Living Room window and saw the rain falling heavily to the ground. It was quiet in the neighborhood today. No-one was outside or passing by the bungalow. The movie eventually ended and I switched the television off. I took a deep breath, walked over to a portable CD player, selected the Dear Agony album from Breaking Benjamin, and inserted the disk into the player. I chose one of my favorite songs from the album and let it play, as I rested on the couch and started reading the mail that was addressed to me.
I looked over my mail and read the letter the second time, it was just a rejection letter from a publisher I applied my work to be published. Said that my theory and story to go with it made no sense and was ridiculous to the imagination of children, teens and adults alike. I sighed and rubbed my eyes in disappointment at this letter.
Maybe I should elaborate on what I was trying to publish. I have a theory that when you die, you don't go to Heaven or Hell, like the religions make you believe, instead you are reincarnated in another world, given a second chance within the dimension. I cannot say what this dimension looks like, but it depends on your soul and what life you lived. But people think that I'm speaking nonsense and religious people call me a blasphemer. Call me what you want. It's just a harmless theory.
I let out another heavy sigh and put the mail down beside me. Left alone in the silence of my bungalow, my mind raced with numerous thoughts at once. Why did my younger sister choose now to tell me she was babysitting? Why blow me over when I was waiting in the food court for over an hour to start shopping? Why has nothing been fair to me lately? Do I deserve this life I'm living? Should I just end it all, before things get worse? Will anyone miss me if I took my life? Will anyone care?
I shook my head. No... Of course they won't. They never cared. They never called to check up on me. Never paid me a visit. Never came by for a cup of tea or supper, just to see if Sam or I were doing well on our own.
I looked at my reflection in the window. I didn't see a lonely girl who is struggling with life, I saw an empty husk that had nothing else to live for. My mind was made up. I've had enough of this treatment!
I stood up from the couch and made my way to the small, but comfortable bathroom. I opened the bathroom-mirror cabinet and grabbed a small orange bottle of small white pills, three-quarters full. I opened the bottle and tipped the white pills into my mouth until the bottle was empty.
I swallowed the pills with a small gulp of water, and I looked into the mirror. The medication started to kick in, as my vision started to blur and my stomach churned from the contents inside. I tried to keep myself still, as I started to feel dizzy and nauseated. My legs gave out underneath me, as I fell to my knees and threw up into the toilet that was next to the sink. An overwhelming numbness washed over my body, as my pale complexion grew paler and the only thing I could feel was a sharp pain in my heart every time I tried to move.
Trying to fight back the effects, I picked myself back to my feet and wobbled over to the bedroom closest to the bathroom... My bedroom. I entered the bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, my head hitting the pillow as I fell. The numbing sensation washed over my body again, as I struggled to keep her eyes open. The last thing I saw was the scenery of the mountains out of the bedroom window...
Then… Darkness…
I woke up with a sudden gasp for air. I found myself laying in a room that looked like the night sky. I picked myself up and looked around. Is this the afterlife? Is this the astral plane? This doesn't make sense....
Then, in a bright orb of light, something emerged in front of me. It was a tall, anthropomorphic, regal pony with a long horn and large wings. She was female, judging by her figure, and stood a tall 6 foot 4 inches. Her fur was a pale pink, almost white, with a long pastel-toned mane and tail that flowed like there was an invisible wind.
She wore a golden tiara with an amethyst gem and a matching necklace around her neck. She wore a pale golden, almost white, Greek sundress with gold trimmings, golden belt around her waist and golden shoes. Upon her left shoulder strap was a broach of a sun symbol.
I gasped as my eyes widen. I knew this pony! She was the Alicorn Princess of the Day; Princess Celestia! I quickly lowered my head in a bow.
Princess Celestia opened her light magenta eyes and looked at me, "Hello, Miss. Eleanor May Carter." She greeted with a warm tone in her voice, "I assume that you're wondering where you are and why you're here."
I looked at the tall Alicorn Princess and nodded. The last thing I remember was letting my depression and suicidal thoughts get the better of me and taking a huge mouthful of my anti-depressant medication, then everything going numb and falling to darkness. Next thing I know, here I am, wearing a white dress with no wounds or injuries whatsoever, and talking to the Princess of Equestria. I'm not very sure what's going on.
"Well, it appears that you have died from drug overdose and you're here so we can pass judgement over you." Princess Celestia explained, and her horn lit up in her pale golden magical aura.
I lowered my head with a small quiet sigh. This is what fate had brought me? I knew I wasn't going to pass judgement and return to life. That's too good for me. I deserve the worst. No more, no less. I'm just a terrible person that my family and friends were happy to be rid of.
A large book appeared in front of Princess Celestia and she used her magic to open it. She flipped the pages and looked over the book. Her smile faded into a small frown, "This doesn't seem right..." Princess Celestia looked at me, "It says here that you've been a good soul. No crimes. No sins. Despite being Atheist with spiritual views, but we don't care about that. Why, on Earth, did you decide to take your own life? You're not meant to die until you're at least 55 years old, from heart attack."
I patiently said nothing and folded my arms. Princess Celestia looked over the book again, "Then again, it does say that you do suffer from the sins of Envy and Sorrow. That's very dangerous, young lady. But you seem to be unaffected by the resentment that Envy and Sorrow delivers to the soul." She smiled and looked at me with warm eyes, "Your kindness and empathy knows no bounds, Eleanor."
I lowered my head in disappointment. I remember suffering from the Green-Eyed Monster for some time, but I never acted on it. I resented people that had life better than I did, but I never wanted it for myself. I always assumed the worst for myself, because I didn't anyone else to feel what I feel. I guess I'm too kind for my own good...
Princess Celestia walked up to me and she placed her hand over my shoulder, "And for that compassion and sincerity within you, I'm going to grant you reincarnation with the world of Equestria."
She horn lit up with her magical aura and she booped me on the nose. I noticed my white dress turning black and my body burst into eerie green flames, but the flames didn't harm me. My vision began to get blurry and my eyelids fell heavy, as darkness clouded my vision once again.
Blackout...
I woke up with a sharp gasp of air and sat up. A small moan escaped my mouth, as I rubbed my head in pain. I felt like I was hit by a football or I landed on something hard. What hit me?
I tried to look around, but everything was very blurry, but full of color. I rubbed my eyes and the blurs began to clear. I found myself in a buttercream yellow bedroom with two rose-tinted windows. A staircase lead up to a balcony, with a large ice cream stand and licorice-like railing. The whole place smelled like cakes and candy. The most distinguishing feature was the room was decorated with party balloons. I quickly recognized this place as Pinkie Pie's bedroom in SugarCube Corner. But... SugarCube Corner is in Ponyville, which is in Equestria. And Equestria is a the fictional home of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic characters. This can't be Equestria!
Curious, I looked at my hands. To my surprise, my hands had three digits and a thumb with black nails, and were covered in a soft light green fur. Another pair of hands raised up to my sight, indicating that I had two pairs of arms. I looked at my legs, they were digitigrade and had paw-like feet, with light green markings. My chest was more prominent than it was before I died, I put my hand into my chest and found it entirely composed of soft fur, with a green marking on it. It looked like a green Celtic knot of a leaf. The leaves were also on my hips. I also noticed that I was still wearing the black dress that I left the astral plane in, but the hem was burnt and jagged.
What was also strange was I felt a heartbeat, as my hand was over my chest. My chest also felt heavy, like it was carrying a heavy burden. I'm alive? How am I alive? Was I resurrected from the dead? Can Princess Celestia do that? How? Does it have something to do with that eerie green flame?
I tried to think for a reasonable explanation for all of this, until I heard a knock on the door. I hopped out of the bed and made my way to the door. Uncertain of what might happen, I reached for the doorknob and flinched as I opened the door.
There was no explosion, but there was an anthropomorphic spider creature standing in the doorway. She was female, judging by her figure. She was five foot five inches tall, which made her five inches shorter than me. Her fur was a bubblegum pink with light cerulean eyes and markings on her body. Her hair was long and poofy, in a raspberry pink color.
She wore a white t-shirt with blue trimming and sleeves, under a pair of pink overalls with the leggings rolled up above the knee, white tights and blue mary-jane shoes. Her color scheme and bubbly aura reminded me of Pinkie Pie. But that can't be her. Pinkie Pie is an Earth Pony, this is a spider creature. But the atmosphere she gave off is the same as Pinkie Pie...
"Hel-" She started, until I slammed the door shut in her face. I blinked for a second, then opened the door again, "Lo-" I slammed the door shut again.
I rubbed my eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. Okay, Ellie. Now is not a good time to start losing your mind. There's a pink spider creature at the door of what you know is Pinkie Pie's bedroom. Something about this doesn't make sense. Where is Pinkie Pie? She usually be here right about now. Unless...
I turned to the door once more, and opened the door. The pink spider creature was still standing in the doorway. "May I speak now?" She asked.
"Um... Yes?" I answered with an uncertain expression on my face.
She extended her hand to me, "Hi, my name is Philomena Diane Piper. Ponyville's Party Extraordinaire."
I cautiously placed my hand in hers, "Pleasure to meet you?"
Philomena rapidly shook my hand for a few seconds, "Please, call me Phille. Everyone else does." She let go of my hand and asked, "So, what's your name? How are you feeling? What's your favorite color? Want to be friends?"
"Well..." I started, as I recovered from the rapid shaking, "My name is Eleanor Carter, but you can call me Ellie. I'm a little dizzy, but feeling alright so far. My favorite color is black and green. And I'm not sure yet. I feel like I know you, but I can't put my finger on it."
Phillie nodded her head in understanding, "That's good to know."
"But..." I spoke up, raising my hand before she could speak, "I'm also not sure where I am, what I am, or how I got here. Can you answer those questions for me?"
Phillie nodded again, "You bet I can! Let's start with where you are." She entered the bedroom and gestured around with a small smile, "As you can see, you're in my bedroom. I live in SugarCube Corner, in Ponyville. A small town in Equestria."
"Equestria?!!" I repeated with wide eyes.
Phillie nodded, "Yup!" Then she grinned, "Which leads to my next answer; You're a Spider Demon, like me."
"A Spider Demon?!!" I repeated with wide eyes again. Phillie nodded with a big smile.
I walked over to the mirror, next to the bed, and looked at my reflection. Phillie was right, I was a Spider Demon, like her. But my fur was snow white with light green markings. My hair was short with long bangs, in the same style as my fur and my eyes were a sharp green with black sclera and pupils. I even had smaller sharp green eyes under my original eyes that act like freckles. This is freaky, but also pretty cool.
I recollected myself and turned to Phillie, "And how did I get here?"
Phillie smiled and raised a finger to answer, "Mrs. Sweet found you in a clearing just outside of the Everfree Forest. She took you in and told me to keep an eye on you, in case you ever woke up. You've been out for almost a week, Mr. and Mrs. Sweet were about to give up on you."
I lowered my head and slightly frowned, way to make me feel like I had a chance. This 'Mrs. Sweet' was better off leaving me in the Everfree Forest, at least the Timberwolves will get a snack out of me.
As if she could read my mind, Phillie frowned seriously and jabbed a finger at my chest, "Hey! No! Don't think like that! I wasn't going to give up on you. So don't think you deserve the worst, okay?"
I blinked at her with surprise of what she just said, "Uh... Okay. Thank you, Phillie."
Phillie regained her smile and nodded. Then something came to her, "Oh! That reminds me! Since you're new here, you need a job and a place to stay. Am I right?"
I rubbed my chin in thought. Phillie was right, I had no job and I had no home. I looked at the pink Spider Demon and nodded. Phillie smiled brightly, "Well, you're in luck. We've been looking for some extra hands to help around SugarCube Corner." Then she leaned nose-to-nose, "Do you have any baking skills?"
A smiled grew on my face and I nodded, "Yeah. I love to bake. I've been baking since I was very little. I'm also good with teas and other beverages."
Phillie's smile widened and she gasped with stars in her eyes. She threw her arms around me, knocking us both onto the bed, "Welcome to the family, Nellie!" She cheered.
I smiled and hugged the pink Spider Demon back. A familiar voice whispered in my mind,
"Enjoy the rest of eternity, My Little Demon."
This Is A Brand New Start
~Eleanor Carter's POV~
It has been a few days since I committed suicide by medication overdose and reicarnated in the world of Equestria as a Spider Demon. With the help of bubbly and cheerful Phillie Piper, I was able to persuade the owners of SugarCube Corner, Mr. Carlton Sweet and Mrs. Sharron Sweet, to allow me to work in the cafe and share the upper level with Phillie... As long as I keep it tidy up there. Hehehe... So far, I've got a job and a place to stay.
Mr. and Mrs. Sweet are this Equestria's versions of Mr. and Mrs. Cake from the original Equestria. I have learned that the Equestria that I was reincarnated in is an alternate universe where anthropomorphic Ponies, Demons and Imps live in peace and harmony. Nearly every Demon was a person, from Earth, that was given a second chance in life within this universe. I couldn't believe it for a while. My theory was right! I was fucking right!
Anyhow, one morning, as I was getting out of the shower and drying myself off, Phillie's voice spoke up from the other side of the closed bathroom door, "Hey, Nellie? I have a small question to ask you."
"Ask away, Phillie." I answered, as I was drying my hair with my towel.
"Do you have any other clothes than that black dress?" She asked me, "I noticed you've been wearing it for quite a while."
I opened my mouth to answer, but realized that Phillie had a good point in her question; I had no other clothes than the black dress I arrived in. Welp... That's embarrassing... Doesn't help that I'm not a big fan of dresses or skirts.
I finished drying myself off and got dressed into my black dress. I opened the bathroom door and found Phillie leaning against the banister of the staircase that lead to the café. She looked at me, "Well?"
I lowered my head slightly and let out a small sigh. I looked at Phillie and shook my head, "No. This dress is all I have." I let out a small laugh, "Which is ironic, because I don't like dresses or skirts."
Phillie's serious frown quickly faded into a bright and wide smile, as she gasped. I braced myself for what would happen next. Usually when Phillie has a bright and wide smile on her face, it means she has an amazing idea. However, sometimes those ideas get us into trouble, but they play out very well in making others smile and laugh. Phillie doesn't like seeing others in a bad mood. Very much like Pinkie Pie.
Phillie walked up to me and put her arm around my shoulders, "Never fear my little arachnid. I know just who we can see about some new clothes for you."
"I'm taller than you." I replied with a deadpan tone, as she made her way to the staircase.
Phillie leaned over the staircase and called, "Mr. Sweet! Mrs. Sweet! I'm taking Nellie to see Robyn. Do you need any help while we're gone?"
"No, Phillie. Tell Robyn we say 'hi' for us." Mrs. Sweet shouted back warmly.
Phillie smiled and took hold of my wrist. With a sudden jolt, she lead me down the stairs into the café and out the front door of the café. She and I dashed into the town of Ponyville, passing numerous Ponies, Imps and Demons, until we stopped at the door of a very familiar boutique.
I looked at the store and gasped, quickly recognizing it as Rarity's Carousel Boutique. But a question came to my mind and made me wonder; Will Rarity be a Pony, an Imp or a Demon in this Equestria?
I had no time to wonder the possibilities, as Phillie knocked on the door in a rhythm. She lowered her hand and gave me a large assuring smile. I gave Phillie a small smile, but anxiety was building up and made me feel nervous.
After a few seconds, the door opened. The creature opening the door was a female Moth Demon. Her complexion was mostly white, along with large, almond-shaped azure eyes with light cornflower blue eyeshadow. Her hair was combed to a natural curl and was indigo that faded to a dark mulberry gradient. Her wings were light grey with blue and purple patterns. Four arms, like Phillie and myself.
She wore a white collared shirt under a light grey business blazer and matching grey pants with black shoes. Around her neck was a gold chain necklace with three diamond pendants. A definite giveaway that this demon is this Equestria's Rarity.
The Moth Demon looked at Phillie and I and smiled at Phillie, "Oh, Phillie, darling. It's so good to see you. What can I do for you?"
Phillie shook her head, "It's not me you can help, Robyn." She stepped aside, so the Moth Demon can look at me, "I believe I just found you a new customer."
The Moth Demon, Robyn, turned her attention to me. I swallowed a lump of anxiety in my throat and gave her a shy wave. Robyn's eyes widen and she gasped. She exit the store and grab a firm hold of my hands.
"Oh my stars, darling! You two should have come to me sooner!" She told Phillie and I, "Come. We must get you into something better than that dreary old dress!"
With that, Robyn pulled me into her boutique. Phillie followed close behind and closed the door behind her. And so, the search of a new wardrobe began, and I'm very nervous about it.
Robyn took me onto her stage and asked, "Okay, dear. What are your preferences?"
I looked at Robyn and nervously answered, "W-well... I'm n-not a big fan o-of dresses.... And I-I like dark and cool tones. But a-also comfortable."
Robyn rubbed her chin in thought and looked at my form, "Hmmm..." Phillie mimicked her and giggled. Then Robyn raised a finger and smiled, "Idea!"
She rushed over to a rack of different types of clothing and began searching through the hangers, muttering under her breath as she looked at the styles and color, "Too purple. Too dark. Out of season. Too yellow. Oh, goodness no!" Then she smiled and grabbed the next outfit, "Ah, pastels! Perfect."
Robyn stepped back from the rack and showed me the outfit. It was similar to Phillie's except the stripes of the shirt were a pale green and the overalls were a pale blue. She smiled, "Tres you, isn't it, darling?"
Phillie grinned and clapped her hands excitedly, "It's just like mine!" She looked at me, "We're sisters!"
Robyn walked over to me and handed me the outfit, "Go ahead, try it on."
I took the outfit and looked at it. Despite being a gothic-emo-tomboy, I've always had a thing for pastel colors. Given my demon form has a pastel theme, I'm not gonna argue. I shrugged and walked into the changing room. Within a few seconds, I changed out of my black dress and into the sweater and overalls.
Once dressed into the outfit, I looked myself over in the mirror. I don't know why, but seeing myself in the outfit made me feel comfortable and confident in myself. A small smile appeared on my face, I felt pretty.
I exit the changing room and showed how the outfit looked on me. Phillie and Robyn smiled and clapped their hands.
"Wow, Nellie! You look amazing!" Phillie cheered, clapping all four of her hands.
Robyn nodded in agreement, "Indeed. You simply must wear pastels more often." Then her eyes widen for a moment, as something came to her, "Oh! I almost forgot."
She walked over to the back of the store and brought out a rack of pastel-toned outfits fit for a Spider Demon. Some with whites, some with blacks. "I was going to throw these away, but I reckon you would have more use for them than I will." She explained.
I looked at the rack of clothes. They looked like they were over a month old, but comfortable. Sometimes a bit of old fashion can go a long way. I smiled and assured Robyn, "I'm pretty sure I have use for them. Green means 'go' after all."
Robyn smiled thankfully and passed the rack of clothes toward me. I took the clothes from the rack and put them neatly in bags. Robyn looked me over again and noticed that I had no shoes, "Now we just need to find some shoes for you, Nellie." She rubbed her chin in thought, "Maybe some boots? Mary-janes? Sandals? Maybe something more formal?"
I noticed the look on Robyn's face and shook my head, "Oh, boots will do just fine for casual. Mary-janes can be for formal occasions."
Robyn looked at me and smiled confidently, "Nellie, you are one of the easiest customers I have ever met. I've got just the shoes for you."
She walked over to a shoe rack and picked up three pairs of boots and two pairs of mary-jane shoes. She put the shoes in one of the bags of clothes. My eyes widen for a second, then I shook my head, "Wait a minute, Robyn." Robyn looked at me, "How much do I owe you for all of this?" I asked her, as I reached my purse.
Robyn walked up to me, placed her hand over my purse and pushed it down, "You don't owe me a dime, darling. I was going to throw these away, but you gave me hope that fashion is not dead. They're yours free of charge."
I couldn't believe my ears. She was giving me these clothes and shoes free of charge? That's very much like the generous Rarity I know from the original Equestria. I smiled and threw my arms around Robyn, "Thank you, Robyn. You're a good friend."
Robyn smiled and patted my back, "Think nothing of it, dear. I was happy to help."
Suddenly, a small beeping sound alerted us. Phillie checked her watch and found that her alarm was going off. She gasped deeply, grabbed the bags and pushed me out of the boutique with her.
"Phillie! Slow down, what's the rush?" I asked.
"Our shift starts in five minutes! Don't want to be late!" Phillie shouted in a rush.
I gasped with wide eyes and I hurried back to SugarCube Corner alongside Phillie. We arrived back just in time and started our shifts in the café. Phillie quickly took an apron and dashed into the kitchen, while I put on another apron, grabbed a notepad and pencil, and began taking orders in the dining part of the café. It was a busy lunch rush and everyone was complimenting me on my outfit.
I can not wait what tomorrow has in store for this Equestria....
