One

Dear Princess Celestia,

Last night, I had a dream about my friends. This wasn’t the first time I’ve dreamt of them. In fact, my friends have appeared pretty regularly in my dreams since they all disappeared. I’ve haven't been able to figure out if these dreams are a comfort, or nightmares that torment by holding what I can’t have over my head.

However, this time, I can conclusively say that this past night’s dream was a nightmare. It started off pleasantly enough. My friends and I were at a picnic, enjoying the warm Summer day together. It was gorgeous out. The birds were out singing,

The pleasantness ended when Spike ran up and choked up a letter from you. I grabbed the scroll off the ground and unfurled it, intending to read it, only to find no words. The page wasn’t blank, however. It looked as if someone took all the letters, took them apart, then fused them all back together in an indecipherable mess.

I asked Rarity if she could read it, and when she answered she could, I noticed something was wrong. Her voice sounded off. Like somebody was imitating her voice.

Something clicked for me when I came to that realization. I noticed other irregularities too. Not only did everypony sound different, they looked off. Rainbow Dash’s coat was the wrong shade of blue. Applejack wasn’t wearing her hat. Pinkie Pie \ was sitting calmly, and her usually poofy mane sat straight alongside her head.

I woke up. I tried to remember my friends. What they looked like, what they sounded like.

Nothing I imagined was right. My memories of my friends are starting to fade, and I fear there's nothing I can do about it.

I cried when I came to that realization. I cried until I couldn’t shed anymore tears.

I miss them. I would give anything to see them one more time. Same with you, and my family too. Everybody else I know. Or anypony at all, just somebody I could talk to. Somepony I could call my friend.

That won't happen, though. This land is cursed. It’s no pony’s land.

I’m coming to Canterlot. I’m nearly out of food, so I can’t stick around here any longer. Canterlot is my best bet for survival. It’s only a few days’ journey from here on hoof, and even if the city were picked clean like Ponyville, I’m certain the royal stores haven’t been touched. Those should have enough supplies alone to keep me going until I’m self sustaining.

There’s something else. Something deep inside me is telling me the answers I’ve been searching for are in Canterlot. I don’t know what it is, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I doubt I will find you there. I haven’t heard from you once in the month since I woke up. I don’t know why I’m still writing to you at this point. Maybe it’s therapeutic? Makes me feel less lonely? It’s hard to say.

I can self-reflect another time. I depart early in the morning, and I need to rest. It’s going to be a long walk.

Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle