The Gray Area

Each and every pony present, Macintosh included, looked on in awe of their newly clothed Krysta. Rarity had started off on a rant at first, talking about all sorts of grand designs and styles. Luckily, Applejack and Twilight both stepped in and reminded her of what was to come first and foremost. A simple set of clothing that Krysta could wear for the time being.

That didn't stop Rarity from adding some flair of course. Though the language barrier persisted, Krysta and Rarity were both able to work together through the medium of drawing. Krysta would give a very basic idea of what a dress on a human should look like, and Rarity took it from there. The unicorn was surprised at how similar the articles of clothing were to a pony’s. The major changes were simply the angle of the shoulder stitching (for comfort) and torso shape (for obvious reasons).

Krysta looked at herself in the mirror and was rather shocked at what she saw. For the first time that she could ever remember she was 100% clean, her hair was brushed -- and simply styled in two thick braids that framed her face-- and she was wearing a new dress made of some of the finest materials she had ever felt. The dress itself was an emerald green to match her eyes, with gentle white lace stitched along the hems and seams. The shoulders were poofed ever so slightly and her collar, which sported two light green gems, looked perfect against her pale neck.

The ponies cheered for her when she revealed herself, painting her cheeks with a dash of pink. Though such was rare beyond belief for her, she could certainly get used to it. Stepping down from the impromptu platform Rarity's wagon had magically sprung, all involved exchanged smiles and re-entered the house where Pinkie Pie was waiting with a forbidden surprise party...

Elsewhere in the kingdom, Princess Celestia was reading the most recent letter from her most faithful student while sipping tea. As her eyes darted over the text they widened in surprise.

Dear Princess Celestia,
Me friends and I made a new friend today who taught us all a good lesson in forgiveness. She also taught us that circumstances change things, and we should never take anything for granted at first glance. Sometimes we need to look deeper to truly find what we need to see in somepony.
Her name is Krysta, and she is very interesting. She isn't a pony, in fact, none of us are quite sure what she is. Zecora found her in the Everfree, attacked by a manticore.|Guess she should count herself lucky that’s all it was. She can't speak Equestrian, but we have been able to communicate somewhat so far. Perhaps you could let us know what she is? I have included a small sketch of her. Sorry if it isn't very good, I didn't have a lot of time to study her anatomy and had to work from memory.

Celestia's eyes moved from the letter to the piece of paper behind it, the large orbs growing even wider. "From memory. Twilight? You forget how good your memory is." She spoke to herself as she looked up and down the very well drawn picture a few more times, eyes narrowing in concentration as if she was trying to find some secret message in what she saw. After a few moments the princess took a breath and moved her eyes back to the letter.

I am worried for her Princess. She is so full of hurt. I wonder if she didn't spend time in Tartarus before the Everfree. She was very distrusting of us at first, as if she was afraid we had poisoned her food and wanted to eat her or something! She has warmed up to us some but I still can't shake this feeling that she needs more than just what we can give her. Any advice you have would be wonderful.

Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle

"Hmm, I wonder if that is true. Does this Krysta need more than the elements of friendship themselves? Sometimes Twilight, you really do underestimate yourself." The mentor within her poked its head out as she read, another deep breath sounding before her eyes looked back upon the picture. Her features showed nothing but the calm face of the benevolent ruler of Equestria, yet there was something there that could be seen. Something that looked very much like worry.

In one swift motion the princess stood from her tea table, picture and letter in tow in a golden glow of magic. Her chamber doors opened with the same color of magic, the princess wasting no time in exiting down the hallway and paid no heed to her surprised honor guards. Her mind was so intent on her destination she didn't notice her seneschal trotting up next to her until he spoke.

"Your Highness, Day court will be starting soon. " The seneschal was an older gentlecolt, his graying blue mane cut short and proper. His deep orange coat was finely brushed but still seemed to look disheveled due to the way it grew. A deep purple armlet emblazoned with a golden sun adorned his upper foreleg, signifying his position.

"Cancel court today Sir Level. Something important has come up. Tell them tha--- No, In fact, come with me. I could use your perspective in this matter." The princess’ hoof beats gradually slowed until her regalia covered hooves made no perceivable noise. She then walked on with a much slower pace, eyes moving from door to door with purpose. When one finally opened as she expected the princess halted and waited for the pony behind it to make themselves known. In this case, a maid finishing up her cleaning of a guest chamber.

"My little pony, could you do something for me?" Celestia had to almost physically stop herself from chuckling at the three step reaction. Process, realize, freak out. The freak out portion is dependent on the pony. In this case a large grin and the continuous nodding of her head. So much so in fact it looked simply painful.

"Please let the nobles know that Day Court today will be canceled and that I apologize for the inconvenience." The princess could not hold back the chuckle this time as the maid zipped off so quickly Rainbow Dash would have been impressed.

"She ran the wrong way..." Level, who had been in quiet shock the whole time from the pony's reaction, stated deadpan. Another regal chuckle left the Princess' lips. "She will figure it out I am sure." With that taken care of she led on, her amused expression slowly leaving her face.

"Sir Level, have you ever heard of something called a human?" She turned her eyes to him as they spoke, the deep orbs taking in his careful process of thinking and choosing an answer. It was this talent in fact that caused her to choose him for this particular occupation. He was, pardon the pun, on the level. Always taking everything into consideration. It was in fact quite irritating sometimes as a pony just couldn't simply ask him how his day was without waiting for him to recall any event that would have changed it from good to bad or back again.

"Human. Yes, I have seen some documentation concerning the term human. They are an extinct civilization, before Equestria was ever a country. Before the three tribes in fact. There is not very much information on them however, at least not much that I have available to me." Celestia nodded to everything he said, turning the corner towards Luna's chambers.

"Sir Level, what I am about to show you must never be repeated. Not yet." Without the need for any explanation he agreed and followed her to Luna's door. Raising her hoof Celestia knocked with purpose, the need to rouse her sister more important than ever. The rustling and under-breathed cursing that followed was a sure sign that the Princess of the Night had awoken, and to Celestia's mire, woken in a mood. The door shot open revealing the tired princess, irritation plain on her face.

"Dear sister, what art thou thinking waking us up at this hour? Thou knoweth our duties are more than difficult as it is after a thousand years." Her voice was low but full of distaste of being awoken by the only being who she couldn't punish for it.

"Luna, Twilight Sparkle has found a human." Both her seneschal and sister froze up at that, though both for different reasons. "I shall be ready momentarily." Her voice lost it's irritation and old manner of speaking, replaced with well practiced speech patterns and a solid tone. The door shut quickly, leaving Celestia and Level outside waiting.

"A human your majesty? A live human?" The single nod from his ruler made him shudder in awe. "What news this is! It shall surely be something to celebrate."

"I hope so Sir Level. I surely hope so."

Miles and miles away, Krysta was staring into AppleJack's face, her eyes narrowed. AppleJack was giving a similar look, sweat coming off of both their brows. Everypony except Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash looked on nervously, worried whispers floating through their miniature crowd. Pinkie and Dash looked anything but nervous. In fact, it almost looked like they were excited.

"I can't watch!" Fluttershy suddenly said, covering her eyes with her hooves, peeking between them every so often.

"Must you two do this? It is so barbaric! Don't you dare ruin that dress!" Rarity exclaimed, readying her lounge chair in case she needed to faint.

"How did this even start? We can’t even communicate and yet things like this still manage to happen!" Twilight stated with a sigh, watching on with worry at the two of them.

"Well, if you two are going to do this, I guess I will call it." Rainbow Dash lifted a hoof between the two of them, a smile on her face. Pinkie Pie watched on with the largest grin yet, a large tub of popcorn in her lap.

The tension in the room was palpable, the collective sweat coming from the six of them plus Krysta, Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith almost enough to make a good sized cloud with. Krysta and Applejack never broke eye contact, their expressions just growing more and more fierce by the second. Even rainbow Dash was slightly tense with the friction between the two.

"Ready...GO!" Rainbow dash raised her hoof as she said it, Krysta and AppleJack lunging at the same exact time without missing a beat.

There was a split second of silence before the other ponies present let loose a mountain of cheers or bereavements. That was when the crumbs started to fly as each attacked the apple pies in front of them, each trying finish before the other.

The competition was fierce, both hanging neck in neck with each other while the others tried to decide who was going to win. Eventually they all chose a side of the table. Rarity, Fluttershy, and Twilight with Krysta while Pinkie Pie, Rainbow dash, and the Apple Clan with AppleJack.

"Such athleticism! Look at them go!" Rainbow's voice could be heard over the general cheers, her excitement shared with the others by this point. With the initial tension broken, it was hard not to get into the mood. Especially when each and every bite made the competition that much more intense. Neither competitor spared a moment to peek at the other in favor of keeping their pace, each hoping to pull ahead if even by the tiniest bit.

Krysta was so focused and so intent on finishing first she didn't hear the eruption of cheers just seconds before she finished her last bite. With a final swallow the now less than entirely petite human, as she just ate an entire pie in the matter of a few minutes, was awarded with the sight of AppleJack handing her a napkin, a large grin on her crumb and filling covered face.

Accepting her defeat graciously Krysta accepted the offered cloth, wiping her face while cheerfully laughing. The others joined in, enjoying a friendly challenge with a hopeful new addition to their list of friends. It was all so surreal for the girl, the idea of such fun never having seemed possible to her. In fact, as she thought about it more and more, she wondered if being stuck here wasn't in fact a blessing in disguise.

Any further thoughts on the matter were interrupted as Spike came through the door, a scroll wrapped in his claws. "Twilight! You got a reply from the Princess!" The small dragon scampered towards the group only to stop as he and Krysta made eye contact, both rather shocked at the other's appearance.

"Huh. You were right Twilight. She is kinda strange looking." He doubled back slightly as Twilight gave him a look. "What? You said it." The unicorn rolled her eyes and took the letter up in her magic as Spike walked towards the human.

They studied each other for a while, both curious beyond belief. This was the first creature either had met that actually walked on their hind legs and used their "hands" for everything. Or at least, that is what Krysta could make out thus far from what she had seen. Yet, despite their similarities they were so different. It was a very curious affair.

All watched them warily for a long moment before they decided that it was probably safe to move onto the letter. Rarity found herself a spot next to Twilight, always the most eager of her friends to know what the princess of their country was saying. As they gathered about Twilight cleared her throat and began to read aloud, making sure Spike could still hear her.

My most faithful student,
I have been speaking with Luna and we have decided that we would like you, and your friends, to bring Krysta here to Canterlot. Though it is nothing to worry about, there are some things we need to discuss with you all. It would be better if it was sooner rather than later, so please let us know what the earliest time you can be picked up. We will be sending a carriage rather than having you take Krysta aboard a train.

Your mentor,
Princess Celestia

P.S. When you do come you will be staying for a few days, so be sure to pack some essentials.

All present were a tad bit surprised at the sudden summons. One could almost hear the the group’s eyes all swiveling towards Twilight at the same moment. The lavender unicorn rolled the letter back up and frowned. "That is strange. I wonder what could be so important." The others could not help but nod in agreement. "Well, I have nothing planned really for the rest of the week. In fact, anything I had planned I had canceled due to Krysta. So I guess I am ok with leaving this evening. It is only mid afternoon after all. What about the rest of you?"

"Well dear, the boutique can wait for a few days. A request from the princess' is not something we can ignore." Rarity spoke first, the fashionista unable to keep the excitement from her voice. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were both completely open and agreed immediately.

"If I can get Bon-Bon to watch my little ones I can leave tonight as well." Fluttershy squeaked out uncertainly, always afraid to leave her animal friends regardless of who was giving the request. Applejack sighed and looked on towards Big Macintosh and Granny Smith who both nodded with confident smiled. "I guess ahm good to go too. Thanks Big Macintosh. I sure do owe you." The large workhorse gave her a sly smile.

"I'll add it to my, "Days AppleJack will do my work for me list". Ahm planning a nice long vacation." Everypony except for AppleJack laughed. With everything settled Twilight wrote up the letter giving Princess Celestia the time they would be ready, making sure to add that it could be either tonight or tomorrow depending upon Fluttershy and Bon-Bon. Without needing to give instruction Spike took the letter in his claws and sent it along with a puff of green fire.

A loud sound of shock caused the ponies to remember their guest as Krysta watched the green fire fly out the window.

~So he IS a dragon! I thought he looked familiar! I cannot believe you have dragons here too! All of ours left our lands hundred of years ago!~ Krysta said with awe, heedless that there was no one that could understand her. It was obvious however that there was no danger of Krysta flying off the handle if her body language was anything to go by. Twilight giggled at her apparent enthusiasm before dragging a shrugging Spike away with her.

One by one the occupants left to deal with packing and such, Krysta curiously watching all of them go while looking bewildered. All except Pinkie Pie.

"What is wrong Pinkie Pie?" AppleJack asked the pink pony curiously as she made no move to leave.

"Oh nothing. It's just we didn't really get to finish the party. Since I don't have to prepare to leave, I figured I might as well enjoy all these things while they are set up! Besides, Krysta doesn't have any idea what is going on so I might as well entertain her until it is time to go!" She motioned to the balloon covered room, confetti covering the floor while a half empty table of sweets stood off in a corner.

AppleJack winced at that. "Huh. We did kinda forget didn’t we? Thanks Pinkie Pie. It wouldn't be right to have her feel all abandoned would it?" The party pony gave her signature grin before practically dragging Krysta over to the games, taking her attention from the missing ponies.

"Well, can't say she aint an intelligent one that Pinkie Pie." AppleJack mused to herself as she went upstairs to get a pair of suitcases for herself and Krysta. As she did AppleJack couldn't help but think out loud to herself.

"Ah wonder what both princess need with Krysta...”