28 Days To Armageddon

Twenty-four hours can be a lot of time. To some, it is time that is very simple to waste. They sit around, looking at walls, or the reflective surfaces of some electronic device, and before they know it, the day is done. Then, they complain about how short the day was and how they were unproductive because of this. To others, it is something to be seized. Carpe diem is a very popular phrase, and many people (or, in this case, ponies) take it to heart. Twilight Sparkle was just such a specimen, as she never liked to let a single day go by without accomplishing something grand. True, others very often never bore witness to her achievements, but she didn’t mind. It meant that another turn of the earth had been spent in glorious scientific innovation.

But little did she know that this particular turn would change her life forever, and it all began with a chance meeting…

The day after her attempted suicide, she trotted through the streets of Ponyville and felt completely reinvigorated. Spike’s kind words and cheerful attitude had assisted her through a very dark time. Now, Celestia’s former anger had vanished, replaced by the thrilling sun that blazed overhead. As she looked around, Twilight noticed that everypony seemed to be smiling. It was as if they had all been invited to some amazing event, and were all excited to attend. Little foals played at their mothers’ hooves while the adult ponies spoke with each other. Conversations buzzed about like a beautiful song, and Twilight felt it was the most infectious thing she’d ever heard.

Suddenly, she was approached by somepony she’d never seen before. This new mare was bright yellow, with strikingly beautiful green eyes and a bright white mane. She seemed to be the most excited of all, as her body quivered the minute Twilight got close. The purple mare instinctively shielded her reproductive organs with her tail, thinking that a pony this excited must be experiencing something unnatural. She also made a mental note of everything in the saddlebags that coated her midsection, pledging to take inventory after the experience had concluded.

“Hiya!” The yellow mare chirped cheerfully, “my name’s Mist Dawn, and I’m your biggest fan!”

MY biggest fan?! Twilight thought, what the hell does she mean by that?!

“Um…it’s nice to meet you, Mist,” Twilight said aloud, offering a hoof.

Mist took it and shook it as hard as she could, nearly knocking her professed idol off her hooves. “It’s so splendiferous and portentous to meet you, Twilight!” She gushed, “as aforementioned, I happen to be your most consummate supporter, and I’d like nothing more than to become better assimilated into your daily habitation of the many vendors in this quaint little locale!”

“That was a run-on sentence,” Twilight said dryly, “and I can definitely see that you’re my biggest fan. Now, let’s start back at the beginning. What exactly is it I can help you with?”

Mist looked down, then back up. “Well, see…I was hoping I might be able to learn from you.”

Twilight blushed severely. She was suddenly very panicky. Who was this pony, anyway? Why in the world had the idea crossed her mind that Twilight might even agree to teach her? Obviously, the purple Unicorn did not wish to hurt the mare’s feelings. She could tell that she was fresh out of magic school and had entered the big, wide world of Celestia’s academic institution. But all the same, she just didn’t feel like she could teach Mist anything of worth. For, after all, she was still in school, herself.

“I…I just don’t know,” Twilight stammered, “I mean, I’m just a student, too.”

“Oh, please! Please-please-please-ple-ple-ple-please!!!!!” Mist begged.

Twilight sighed. She saw that there was no easy way out of this. Being confronted by somepony as noticeably determined as Mist was not easy. But when you threw in a healthy dose of hero worship, it became damn near impossible. So, the purple pony decided to treat Mist to lunch. It was about that time, anyway. The yellow mare nearly squealed when the proposition was made, and eagerly accepted. Twilight then led the way over to one of the small cafes that lined the main thoroughfare of Ponyville. They settled in at a table, and she ordered a dandelion and daisy sandwich for herself with a salad for her excitable compatriot.

“Thank you-thank you-thank you!” Mist said, before Twilight quieted her with a hoof and a chuckle.

“I’m glad you’re happy to see me,” she said, smiling, “but honestly, I just don’t know how I could take you on as a pupil. I’m so busy with my studies and my friendships and-“

“But that’s just it, Twilight!” Mist exclaimed, before suddenly going very quiet, “I…see…I…well, I don’t have any friends. The other mares at Celestia’s school make fun of me, just because I like you so much! They tease me, heckle me, and post embarrassing art of myself and you…”

Twilight’s eyes went wide. “Just…how embarrassing is it?”

“One had me licking your-“

“OKAY, we’re done with that,” Twilight exclaimed as she blushed again, “plus, I’m straight, so that could never happen.”

“Oh, I don’t want romance,” Mist explained, “I just want your friendship. I know it’s silly to be the president of the Twilight Sparkle Fan Club, but-“

“I have a fan club?”

“I’m the only member.”

“Oh,” Twilight said, “well, please, continue.”

“Well, like I said, I know it’s pretty silly to be something like that. But honestly, Twilight…you inspire me. I remember we were in the same elementary school in Canterlot, and you gave the speech on the biological and molecular properties of common household cheese! The experiments you did…the way you presented them…it was all fantastic.”

Twilight couldn’t help but smile warmly. Mist seemed incredibly sincere in her words, even if their earlier interaction had been somewhat awkward. The yellow mare’s eyes showed a kindness that, in Twilight’s opinion, rivaled Fluttershy’s. Her friendliness could not be denied, but Twilight still had a lot of questions, especially considering both the Elements of Harmony and the newness of their relationship. But, she did not want to send Mist away in sadness and distress.

“Alright,” she said, “I’ll take you on as my new friend and I’ll do my best to show you how to make friends and meet ponies.”

“OH, YA-“

“SH!” Twilight shushed harshly, “there are two conditions. One, you need to stop squealing, and two, you need to commit to this. For there is no friendship without a commitment.”

“Oh, I’m committed,” Mist said, “I promise!”

“Somehow…I believe you,” Twilight responded.