I Am NOT Twilight Sparkle!

A high pitch whistle sounded out in the far distance, signaling any creature around the general area that a train was coming. A train that was coming from the Crystal Empire from the north. Inside the car there were various crystal ponies, all who of which are excited to see the outside world, as they have been spirited away for nearly a thousand years. Give or take a century or two. Aside from the crystal ponies, there were normal Equestrian ponies among the cars, some interacting with their crystalline counter parts, or simply making glances at them and admiring their glossy glass coats, manes, and tails. Amongst the crystal and Equestrian ponies, there was one pony that was also from the Crystal Empire but wasn’t a crystal pony, the pony was an adolescent unicorn stallion dawned in a cloak, and currently reading a book about magical theories.

The stallion is named Sunburst, the Royal Crystaller to the royal family of the Empire, as well as magic tutor to the infant alicorn princess. Although since the princess was still a foal, there wasn’t much for Sunburst to do as a Royal Crystaller. So the stallion decided to take a trip to visit a friend of his, as well as get know the fifth alicorn of Equestria, who is apparently an alien creature from another that was turned into an alicorn. At least that’s what Sunburst could figure out from princess Cadence. But still the prospect that a creature, a being from another world is indeed in Equestria is already in of itself an interesting and amazing thing, and ever since he found this out Sunburst has been plagued with questions about this fifth alicorns world. like what are her people like, or their overall world structure, and how diverse are their culture, or cultures.

These questions have been eating at the stallion for the past few days, so the stallion decided to go and visit the new alicorn who resides with princess Twilight in Ponyville, and see if she will be willing to answer any of his questions.

“Now arriving in Ponyville! Now arriving in Ponyville!” the conductor called out, breaking Sunburst’s concentration of his reading and causing him to see the town coming into view from the side window.

Closing the book, after marking his spot, Sunburst stuffed the tome into his saddlebag under his cloak, and just road out the remainder of the train ride. Fifteen minutes later after the conductor called out, the train slowly came to a stop at the Ponyville train station, where the occupants of the train car either filed out, or remained inside until they reach a different stop. As for Sunburst he quietly exits his train car, and stood on the stations platform and just soaked up the nice warm weather before venturing off into the town. While making his way through the town towards the Castle of Friendship, which could be seen easily off in the background, Sunburst took his time to do a little sightseeing, as this was his first time being anywhere else that wasn’t the Crystal Empire, Canterlot, or his home town Sires Hallow. A small sigh of joy leaves the stallions mouth as he continues to look around.

“This place reminds me so much of home, I should probably go and visit some time. At least show mom that I’m fine…and maybe make her stop sending me letters about my, plans for the future.” Sunburst says to himself before a rumbling from his stomach makes itself notice.

“Huh. Guess I should’ve had more for breakfast.”

Sunburst then started to look around for anyplace to either get something to eat, or eat at. As he looked around the stallion found a nice looking diner, and trotted towards it. the diner was a nice little establishment, fairly norm and the service was nice, as expected from town famous for being the friendlies place in Equestria, and the food was great. once the stallion had filled up on a hearty potato brunch meal, the stallion paid and began to continue to head towards the Castle of Friendship.

After trotting through the town for about twenty or so minutes, which was extended as the stallion decided to visit a few shops along his little sightseeing of Ponyville, Sunburst eventually made it to the castle. Trotting up to the large double doors of the castle Sunburst pondered on whether or not to just, walk in, or knock. He does know the princess of friendship, heck, his old foalhood friend is the princess protégé, so it wouldn’t be to out of the ordinary to just walk in. but, this is a castle that belongs to Equestrian Royalty, and unlike in the Crystal Empire, Sunburst doesn’t partially live in the castle. So it would be more respectful to knock and wait for a replay.

“You know, in hindsight I probably should’ve sent a letter to Starlight, or princess Twilight that I was coming.” Sunburst contemplated under his breath before deciding to raise a hoof, and give the door a few loud knocks. But before he did so a voice called out from behind him.

“Oh! Hi Sunburst.” The stallion looked behind him and found Twilight trotting up to the castle, with some really stuffed up saddlebags.

“Hello there Twilight.” The stallion greeted as the princess trotted up the steps, and stood before him.

“What brings you here? Are you visiting Starlight?” the stallion gave a short shake of his head.

“I actually came to see if I could meet Zack.”

“Whys that?” Twilight asked as she looked a little perplexed.

“Well ever since I found that Zack is actually an alien creature from another world, I’ve been having more, and more questions about her. like, what are her people, or world like? do they have magic, and so on. So I kind of decided to drop by and see if she would be willing to answer a few questions.” After Sunburst explained the reason of his visit he noticed that Twilight now looked she was concerned about something.

“Is something wrong your highness?”

“Well, sort of.” Twilight hissed through pursed lips.

“You see Sunburst…when Zack first came to Ponyville, and started staying at the castle, I tried to ask the same questions. But she told me that I didn’t need to know about who here people were, or what her world is like, as she said she would be the only one I’d ever meet from her world.” Sunburst seemed a little deflated as Twilight explained her own pursuit of questions about the mysterious mare.

“But.” The stallion heard Twilight say as he looked up at her.

“Since she is going to be, living, the rest of her life here in Equestria I think she may allow you to ask her. but…I’m not sure.” Twilight seemed unsure of her own words as she makes this assumption, same with Sunburst, but he seemed to gain some of his earlier enthusiasm back.

“Well the best way to know is to simply, ask.” The stallion simply said as he readjust his glasses.

“If she says yes then yay! If she says no to my questions, then I’ll respect her privacy of the matter and leave it at that. I don’t want to cause any problems between us.” After hearing the stallions remark on whether or not he will get the answers to his questions, the alicorn told Sunburst that she’ll take him to see Zack, and see if the pale purple alicorn will answer the stallions questions.

Upon entering the castle Sunburst followed behind Twilight, as the alicorn started to lead him through the structure to find Zack. And the first place that they would check was Zack’s room. but as the pair was making their way down the hallway leading to their destination, their ears perked up as they approached the castle’s library, where they could hear what sounded like music. And a voice singing. Now with their curiosity peaked, Sunburst and the princess quickened their trot towards the library, and as they got closer they could hear the music and singing more clearly. Somepony was clearing triggering the music of harmony, but this seemed to be more of a solo number, rather a group number. When the pair reached the library the princess opened the door, and was hit with the full force of the music and voice, and they both were surprised at what they were seeing, and hearing.

Song: [Original Song] Home - Silvervale.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdTTe09nPzM.

In the library Sunburst and Twilight found the mare they were looking for, laying on some cushions with Spike napping between her forelegs, while Thorax and Starlight laid close by. Both having their eyes closed as their heads slowly swiveled around as they listen to the calm music of a piano, string instruments, accompanying Zack’s very soothing singing as she rested her chin on top of the sleeping dragon. Sunburst was instantly spellbound as he continued to stand in the doorway of the library with Twilight, just allowing the music and singing encompasses his ears, bringing a tranquil sensation to wash over him like a gentle flowing river. Just as the stallion was really sinking into the beautiful harmony he was bearing witness to, the music filling the room slowly started to taper off, while Zack sung out the last note of the song she was singing. Once the singing had stopped Sunburst, along with the other ponies opened their eyes, and looked at the pale purple alicorn who seemed to be slightly puzzled by something.

“Wow~” Thorax said as he just stared at the mare. “That was just—wow!”

“I have to say Zack, you have an amazing singing voice.” Sunburst heard his foalhood friend say. “I mean I thought since you sound just like Twilight, I thought your singing voice would be like hers. But that was, amazing! I’ve never heard such a soothing and calm song before.”

“Well like I said its one of the few song’s I know word for word, because I’ve heard it so many times. But even still I’ve never sung it so clearly, and where did that ambient music came from?”

“That’s a phenomenon called ‘the Music of Harmony’.” Sunburst said as he trotted into the library, getting the attention of the other occupants.

“Sunburst!” Starlight said excitedly as she jumps to her hooves, pranced towards the stallion. “What are you doing here in Ponyville? did you come and visit me?” the mare asked as she looked up to the stallion.

“Not exactly. I actually came to see Zack.” both unicorn’s looked over to the mare in question, who still looked a little puzzled as she looked at the pair.

“You came to see me? why?” the mare asked as she quirked a brow. Sunburst swallowed a lump that had built up in his throat, before taking a few steps towards Zack and making his request.

“Well you see Zack, ever since the princess told me of your, predicament, and that your from another universe I have a dozen questions that I wanted to ask you. but princess Twilight said that you’ve been less than forthcoming to disclose anything regarding what you really are, and about your world entirely.” Sunburst fully explained as he looked at the mare, who was looking at him with a neutral expression, which started to turn into one of contemplation.

“So I initially came to see if you’d be willing to indulge in my curiosity about your species. If you’re willing then I’d be most grateful, but if you still wish to be secretive about your species and world, then I will respect that and not push further.”

After Sunburst has fully explained himself about his reason for being in Ponyville, Thorax, Starlight, and Twilight looked over to Zack, and saw that she was deep in thought. As the alicorn took her time to roll Sunburst’s proposal over, the stallion just stood there in place, really hoping that the alicorn would grant his request. Roughly after a minute had gone by, the alicorn’s expression changed to more calm and complacent look as she looks back up to Sunburst.

“…at first I didn’t want to talk about my species, or my world in general because I don’t think it’s worthwhile to talk about, still don’t in some regards. But, so long as there nonpersonal questions, I’ll answer them. also if I don’t want to answer any questions, please respect my decision.” Sunburst instantly grew a wide grin on his muzzle as he looked incredibly happy. As for Twilight and Starlight, they actually look a little dumbfounded that Zack is now, willing, to talk about her old world.

“Thank you Zack for accepting my request.” Sunburst said as he laid before the mare, removing his saddlebags as he does so.

As Sunburst gets comfortable, and pulls out a scroll from one of his saddle bags, Thorax carefully lifted Spike up from where he was sleeping, and left the library with both Starlight and Twilight. Both of which looked a little miffed. Once Sunburst was in a comfortable pose he unfurled his scroll, which was listed with the various questions that he jotted down whenever one popped into his head, before starting his questionnaire.

~~~~~

Roughly an hour or so has gone by since Sunburst started asking questions, and for that period of time the stallion has learned a great deal from Zack, who has answered nearly ninety-percent of his questions. And answered several new questions that sprang from an earlier question. As for what the stallion has learned thus far, Zack is from a FAR SUPERIORIERLY technology advance race of highly evolved primate creatures, who are the only sapient creatures on their world, which has no magic and runs on laws much akin to the Everfree Forest.

When the stallion asked about his races culture, Sunburst has learned that while Zack’s race is a singular species, they have hundreds of various cultures with either minor, or drastic changes depending on where they are located on their world. and while ponies also have various differences in cultural anthropology, they simply outnumber the ponies in how diverse the human races culture is from group to group. When the subject of technology came up, Sunburst was simply blown away by everything that theses, humans, have created things like airships that fly farther, faster, and higher. Or even trains that don’t run on coal, or what really intrigued the stallion was something called the ‘internet’ that acts as a, ethereal library that stores all information and knowledge that Zack’s race has accumulated. Sunburst was simply just blown away from how much Zack’s people have created, and accomplished in the time they have lived and prospered, in fact, from everything that he has learned it was frustrating that he couldn’t go to this new world, and experience all of its wonders.

As time went on, and the stallion continued to ask about the human race, Sunburst’s eyes started to wander over Zack’s body, noting a few details about the mare that differed her from Twilight. Unlike the princess Zack seemed to be in a more fit state, despite the bulge that her stomach is developing from her pregnancy, not only that but the stallion could also see a fair bit of muscle. But what quickly caught the stallions attention as his eyes continued to wander, was the mare’s cutie mark, it had the same structure as Twilight’s with the starburst, the difference starts with the two images that seem to depict different types of magic. Sunburst’s sight of the cutie mark was cut off by Zack’s tail as it flung itself over the flank he was observing, and when he turned away from the round rump and looked back towards Zack, a small blush, and a little embarrassed look adorned the mare’s face.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t oogle me Sunburst. I’m not used to being, eyed up, like that.” The stallion’s face quickly flushed red at Zack’s implied comment of him checking the alicorn’s body out.

“N-no no no no no! I wasn’t checking you out, I was just wondering about your cutie mark. I promise!” the alicorn seemed to appear less embarrassed as Sunburst started to regain his composure. “I was just noting that it looks like princess Twilight’s, except for those two images on each side of the starburst.” Zack removed her tail from her flanks and looked down towards her flank to examine her cutie mark.

“I’m not sure what this mark is supposed to represent.”

“Well, a cutie mark represents a special talent that a pony gets from when they discover what their good at, or destined to do.”

“…that doesn’t quite explain what this tramp stamp I have supposed to mean.” Zack retorted before both she and Sunburst heard the familiar rumbling of a hungry stomach, and it was coming from both ponies. “Why don’t we take a break from all of this talking and get something to eat.”

Sunburst nodded at the idea as he, and Zack stood up from their spots on the ground, and stretching out their bodies as they were pretty stiff. After giving their bodies a good stretch, the stallion and mare left the library and while Zack was about to head to the kitchen, Sunburst offered to pay for lunch as a show of thanks for the alicorn to divulge into answering his questions. The mare decided to accept Sunburst’s proposal, and followed the stallion out of the castle and head towards town.

“Thank you again for accepting my request Zack, I hope your not disheartened about talking about your home world.” Sunburst said as the pair entered the town, but Zack just shook her head before offering a small comforting smile.

“Don’t worry about it Sunburst, while it does make me miss my world, I guess talking about it kind of…I don’t know, it’s hard to explain what I’m feeling right now.” The mare said as she look a little bewildered as she tried to put the strange sensation she’s been feeling into words.

“But what I do know is that I feel a sense of ease when I was telling you about my world.” the mare then chuckled as she shook her head in a playful manner, which caused Sunburst to look at her funny. “I’m not making much sense am I?”

“Maybe not.” Sunburst said as he patted the alicorn’s back. “But at least you look like your in better spirits, right?”

The mare gave Sunburst an even bigger smile and actually nuzzled Sunburst, which caused the unicorn to stiffen up while his face turned a shade of red. After giggling at the embarrassed look on the stallion, the alicorn and unicorn continued on with their little venture through town, talking and chatting as they did so. It would seem that Sunburst may have just acquired a new friend, at least, he hoped he has.