Tale of a Gray Tempest

It was yet another normal morning at the town of Ponyville. The sun has just risen above the horizon, bathing the town in warm, soothing autumn sunlight. Outside the Golden Oak Library, Twilight Sparkle gently closes the library door, flips the “open” tag hung on the doorknob to reveal the word “closed” written on the back side, and starts trotting towards the Sweet Apple Acres. On the way, she took out a small sheet of paper of a list of everything she needs for this short trip.

“A Simple Guide to Magical Potions, check. A batch of sunflower, check. A dozen freshly-baked cookies from Sugar-cube Corner, check. Check everything on the list, check. Double check everything on the list, check.”

She smiles, and floats a pencil from her saddlebag.

“Triple check everything on the list,” The lavender unicorn says to herself as she draws a tick besides that sentence on the list, “Check.”

It has been two days since the Best Young Flier competition, and a part of her is still shocked by the gorgeous sonic rainboom. Like everypony in Cloudsdale that day, the majestic scene left her a deep impression, but not just because of the colors. Sure, the rainboom was beautiful, but as the spectrum burst in the blue sky, she also felt something other ponies could not have felt: The exploding rainbow contained great amount of magicenergy , so great that it might be able to surpass her own magic reserve. Now this is something interesting: How can Rainbow Dash, a Pegasus, generate such huge amount of magic that usually only resides in unicorns? Could this mean that there’s some form of magic inside all kinds of ponies?

“How was the rainboom created? Why did it release so much magic energy? Maybe I can get Rainbow Dash to do it again, for the sake of science! This can be a brand-new area of research on magic!”

Twilight was so lost in the happy scientific thoughts that she doesn’t realize she has already gotten past the Sweet Apple Acres and is now standing at the edge of the Everfree Forest. Even though it is just morning, no light seems to be able to penetrate the tree lines, and the inside of the forest is still dark. Looking at the narrow passage that leads into the forest, Twilight gulps. Her experiences with the forest were nowhere near pleasant. Horrible creatures lurk within the dark forest, Timberwolves, manticores, sea serpents, cockatrices…… Many parts of the forest remain unexplored, as even somepony that is as brave as Daring Do would not dare venture into the deeper areas of the wood beyond the Castle of Two Sisters. Who knows what creatures or magical relics reside inside the forest.

“Well, at least not everything inside that forest is unfriendly.” Thought Twilight, as she enters the forest. True, the forest contains not only hostile creatures. The hut of Zecora, a zebra potion brewer, lies at the end of a side path leading away from the main path of the forest, requiring a less-than-ten-minute trot to reach from the entrance of the forest.

Zecora had been the reason for Twilight to enter the forest. She had been testing a few new potion recipes, and some of them requires the assist of magic to brew. The potion brewer had sent Twilight a request for her to bring along a book about the use of magic in the process of potion brewing, as well as some ingredients that can’t be found inside the Everfree forest, and some tasty treats form the Sugarcube Corner. It will just be a 10-minute-trot inside, an about-half-an-hour potion brewing session with a friend, and another 10-minute-trot outside the forest. No dangerous creatures, no terrible magic traps, and no world-ending threats. With some luck she’ll be outside the forest within an hour.

“Just another peaceful day in Equestria.” Thought Twilight, as she turns on to the side path leading to Zecora’s hut.

Pain.

The mind groans as it gets up from the stone bases of the star gate. The star gate on this side is located on the surface of the planet, rather than floating randomly in space. The sudden transfer of empty space to solid ground had caught it off guard, causing it to bump onto a nearby rock, and drop onto the stone platform holding the star gate.

“Even the reception of pain through neuro system is imitated……Great……” The mind thought as it rubs its aching forehead with a hoof. Waiting for the pain to subside, the mind starts to observe its surrounding environment. It appears to be in the center of a clearing within a forest. The star gate is located at the center of the clearing. Near the star gate is a tiny pool of water, surrounded by a small field of pink flowers. At the left end of the clearing, there appears to be a small crack among high trees, leading into the forest. Besides the crack is another batch of flowers bearing a light cyan color.

Admiring the beauty of the nature of this world, the mind trots to the small pool. The water inside the pool is as clear as a mirror, reflecting its form. Watching itself in the pool, the mind felt a new feeling. A feeling it had never had since it was created.

Thirst.

Licking its lips, the mind brought its muzzle towards the pool, and drank. The transparent fluid rushes into its throat, and is then converted into energy by its imitated circulatory system. With a few gulps, the mind replenishes its body with energy. It even tastes the fluid as it passes its tongue.

Sweet.

Overwhelmed by the joy of arriving at a different world and experiencing new feelings, all the analyzing units the mind controls fails to notice the burning green eyes behind it, eyeing at it hungrily at the edge of the forest.

It took a good 5 minute for Twilight to recover from her shock. She was just walking back to the main path from Zecora’s hut, when suddenly a huge magic burst teared through the air of the forest. Her horn started humming with the great amount of magic energy in the air, and she was stunned at where she stood like a dead wood. As she recovers, as if out of instinct, she starts searching for logical explanations of the sudden outburst in her mind.

“A powerful unicorn? No. No one will be roaming in this dangerous forest. The princesses are fighting again? No. Celestia and Luna should all be in Canterlot now. Their magic burst would have been reduced to nothing if it reaches here. Another element of harmony? No. That’s just ridiculous……”

Though she was sure of one thing. Such a huge magical burst would almost definitely mean that something is off. Something is SERIOUSLY off.

Finally, she decided that the best way to find out would be to investigate. She turns from the main path, and gallops towards the center of the explosion, hoping that non of the dangerous residents of the forest is waiting for her.

The mind has just finished analyzing some of the flowers around the pond. Till now, this world seems perfect. However, it still hasn’t met the world’s intelligent inhabitants. The mind stared into its reflection in the pool. What if they dislike it? What if they are too cautious to approach it? What if……They leave it all alone again?

The mind was so lost in thought, that it fails to hear the sound of approaching claws behind it. Even before it was able to turn around, something hard and swift crashed into its body, sending it tumbling away from the star gate platform. Before it was able to get up, something latched onto it, pinning it to the ground. It is only by this time the mind gets a good look at its attacker.

Towering over the mind was a wolf-shaped creature that appears to be made of dead wood. Out of the corner of its eye, the mind notices that two more of that kind of the creature has just entered the clearing. It also noticed the creature’s green eyes that are burning with hunger, and a sharp jaw that is drooping with saliva and aiming for the mind’s throat.

The mind also recalls that, since its arrival at this world, it had ordered all of its tiny subunits to exactly copy the physiology of the inhabitants of this world, and lay dormant until further orders, in fear that its cover might be blown. That means all of its central processing units are fixed at the place of a regular inhabitant’s brain, whose energy is solely provided by the metabolism of its new body, and would only function with oxygen supplied by circulation systems.

That if the creature bites down, its neck along with the tubes providing its mind with vital oxygen and nutrients will break.

That its thoughts and feelings would be lost in a few more seconds.

Suddenly, the mind got yet another feeling. The deepest, most imprinting feeling it has had during its entire existence.

Fear.

Twilight was sure she was getting close to the source of the blast when she stumbles upon a clearing inside the forest. From her position, what catches her eye first is an odd, gate like structure that rests on a stone platform, glowing with a mysterious green energy. The second thing she notices is a grey Pegasus, pinned to the ground by a hungry timberwolf, whose jaws are ready to cut open the throat of its victim.

Without even thinking, Twilight channels every last bit of her magic into her horn, and sends an earth-shattering magic blast to the timberwolf.

The mind was still stunned by the outburst of fear when its captor was blasted away by a sudden burst of energy. The branches that makes the timberwolf’s body shattered under the blast, some of them reduced to ashes under the huge amount of energy. Without a single groan, what’s left of the timberwolf are only a few sizzling twigs lying on the ground.

Relieved and surprised, the mind looks towards the direction where the burst is coming from. It spots one inhabitant of this world, a lavender pony with a horn on its head, or, using an appropriate word from its database, a unicorn. The horn is still sizzling with energy from a sudden release of energy. Just at that time, the inhabitant speaks:

“Oh my god! That was close! Are you alright?”

However, it is not the amount of worry and care inside the inhabitant’s voice that catches the mind’s attention. The other two wolf-like creatures, apparently having recovered from the shock of their ally being blown up in front of them, are now watching the attacker angrily, green eyes burning with hatred. Almost immediately, one of the creatures jumped at the lavender pony, while the pony was only looking at the mind’s direction, ignoring the impending danger.

Watching all these happen, an emotion surged through the mind’s body, passing through every imitated neuron that links to its imitated tissues. All of its subunits, although dormant, cries out a feeling along with its central mind.

Must Protect.

To the mind, it happened almost as if in slow motion. The moment the timberwolf jumps, it rolls back on to its hoofs, spreads its wings, and charges at the beast. It flaps its wings to gain more speed and orders some of the subunits to gather on its forehead, hardening it. Even before the front claw of the timberwolf touches the lavender pony, it rams into the timberwolf, immediately shattering it into thousands of branches. After that. It quickly regains its posture, and stands between the lavender pony and the last remaining timberwolf, wings widely spread, eyes shone with determination. Only one thought lingers throughout the mind’s body:

Nothing touches this pony.

Twilight, on the other hand, caught the other two Timberwolves in the corner of her eye the second she asks the Pegasus if she was alright. Before she can even react, one of the Timberwolves jumped at her, and was immediately shattered by something twice as fast as Rainbow Dash. The twigs falling towards her forced her to cover her eyes to avoid being hurt. When she reopens her eyes, she discovers that the Pegasus she saved is now standing between her and the last timberwolf, shielding her using her body and wings. Seconds later, Twilight heard the Pegasus speak, with a tone hard as steel:

“How dare you try to attack us! You saw what happened to your friends, right? Now get lost before I ram you into pieces as well!”

Letting out one last howl, the timberwolf turned around and fled, leaving Twilight and the pegasus in the clearing.

After making sure the timberwolf is not coming back, the grey Pegasus turns to Twilight and asks:

“You alright there?”

“Yes, I’m fine, still in one piece, I guess,” Twilight replies. Somehow, the tone of this Pegasus contains a sense of assurance, that makes her feel that with her around, nothing bad will happen.

Now that her life is no longer in danger, Twilight can finally get a good look at her savior. Standing in front of her is a Pegasus mare with a grey coat. Her mane and tail bear a color of lighter grey, with a single wide streak of light green running through the middle. But what really surprised Twilight was the fact that this pony does not have a cutie mark. Although appearing to be at least her age, the grey Pegasus’ flanks are still empty. Hasn’t she found her special talent yet? While still wondering, Twilight decides that it would be better if she expresses her gratitude first.

“Thank you for saving me, by the way.”

“No, no. I should be the one thanking you. Without that energy blast of yours, I’d already be a goner.”

“Energy blast? Hasn’t this mare even heard about magic?” Twilight wondered. Although appearing to be a bit strange, the Pegasus did indeed save her life. This should at least mean that she is not evil, right?

Now that the mind can take a breath after scaring off the timberwolf, it can finally get a good look at this purple pony in front of her during their conversation. The pony has a lavender coat, and her mane and tail both bear a color of deep purple, with a single pink streak running through them. What really catches the mind’s attention are the pictures on her flanks. They appear to be a large pink six-point star, surrounded by 5 other smaller six point stars. While the mind is observing, the lavender pony asked:

“What are you doing in the Everfree Forest, anyway? this place can be really dangerous. Also why were you besides that gate thingy?”

“I left my hometown 1 year ago and is travelling around to try to find a new place to settle. I stumbled into this forest yesterday. I thought there might be something interesting here. I found this structure and thought I might touch it and see what would happen.” The mind was surprised at how fast it produced this cover story.

“That must be the source of that magical burst.” Thought Twilight, as she listened to the Pegasus’ story. Taking a glance at the stone gate, she found that it no longer shines with green light, indicating that it might have exhausted its energy and is deactivated. Looking around, she decides that it would be better to leave this place before anything larger than a timberwolf jumps at them.

“Let’s leave this place first. The town of Ponyville is just outside this forest. I can take you there, and you can continue your travel from there. Or maybe you can settle down in Ponyville! I’m sure you’ll love it! It’s probably the friendliest town in all of Equestria!”

Upon finishing her sentence, Twilight could see the pegasus’ eyes suddenly brightened, like a sailing boat that finally finds a harbor.”

“Friendliest? You mean I would be able to actually make friends there?”

“Of course! I, for the start, have a couple of friends there, and I’m happy to introduce you to them! Judging from how you saved me, I’m sure you’ll be able to make many good friends!”

Suddenly, the spark within the pegusus’ irises died down, and the mare hang her head low.

“I’m……I’m not so sure. For all this time I have no friends. Maybe……Maybe I won’t be able to make any new friends after all.”

“No friends all this time? What a poor mare……” Twilight thought as she looked at the grey Pegasus. One more reason to invite her to stay in Ponyville.

“That would not be possible,” Twilight said as she lifted the chin of the Pegasus with her hoof, “Judging from your actions, I can see that you are brave and kindhearted. With these traits, making friends would be a piece of cake. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? You still have me, for the least. Right, friend?”

The mare raised her head, “Friend? You consider me your friend?”

“Why not? We saved each other, after all.” Twilight smiled.

The words seemed to lift the mood of the Pegasus a lot. She lifted her head, and returned a smile: “Okay, I’ll come with you to Ponyville.”

“Great! My name is Twilight Sparkle! What’s yours?”

Twilight detected a glimpse of hesitation behind the pegasus’ eyes. Almost like she is desperately searching for an answer. Not weird for a pony that hasn’t experienced the magic of friendship at all, though. Half a minute later, the mare muttered, almost as silent as Fluttershy:

“Grey Wind. My name is Grey Wind.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Grey Wind! Now let’s get out of these woods first. I don’t know you, but I don’t want to be attacked by Timberwolves again. Let’s go!”

The body of the mind is lighting with joy, literally. All of the subunits that makes up her body are screaming with only one emotion.

Joy.

It had just arrived at this world for 3 hours and, if what Twilight said was true, it’ll have chances to make friends, and have a town to stay in, with a number of other ponies! From its database, a “friend” is another intelligent individual that knows it well and likes it very much. If it gets to live in a friendly town and make more friends, it’ll never feel lonely anymore! And besides, I had already made one. Thought the mind, as it glances to the purple unicorn, smiling.

The short trip out was uneventful. The pair has already reached the main path of the Everfree Forest, as Twilight called it. During the journey, the mind catches multiple side glances from Twilight. The lavender unicorn seems to be constantly glancing at her flanks. Is it about it not having a picture on its flank? As it is thinking about adding a picture onto its flanks later, Twilight starts to speak:

“Um, Grey Wind?”

“Yes, Twilight Sparkle?”

“Since we are friends now, I think it would be better if we know more about each other. So, I’m just wondering, where are you actually from? And besides, it would be fine to call me Twilight. All my friends call me that.”

“Okay, Twilight. Well, I……” The mind paused, looking for a good story, “Let’s just say……I am from a place very, very far from here.”

“Oh, then it must have been a very long journey for you.”

“It was.”

Silence.

The silence is becoming unnerving for the mind. After their latest conversation, it had been five minutes, all in complete silence. During this time period, it could’ve sworn it saw Twilight glancing at her flank for at least 20 times. Well, better face it earlier than facing it later, thought the mind, as it speaks:

“Twilight? Can you tell me what those pictures on your flanks are?”

To say that Twilight was surprised by the question would have been an understatement. Upon hearing the question, Twilight literally jumped up.

“You don’t know what a cutie mark IS?”

Grey Wind winces upon hearing her reply, and Twilight can see from her expressions that she wasn’t joking. However, the case when one pony has zero knowledge about cutie marks is rare, but not impossible. Twilight had heard about distant towns, mostly occupied by earth ponies, where ponies who discover their special talent and discover their cutie mark are considered to be cursed. Could Grey Wind be from one of those towns? Was she forced to leave because she was born a Pegasus instead of an earth pony? She did say she was from a faraway town……

“Maybe I shouldn’t have asked……I’m sorry……” Muttered Grey Wind

“No, no, not at all! Just a little surprised is all. How come you don’t know about cutie marks? Do ponies not have them where you came from?”

“I don’t know, nopony has them where I came from.”

So it is one of those towns. Twilight raises a hoof to her chin. The fact of being born into a society where one’s special talent is considered a curse is unimaginable. She made a mental note of helping her new friend to find her special talent, whatever it is.

“Well, a cutie mark is a special mark that shows a pony’s special talent. Once a pony discovers their own special talent, cutie marks appear on their flanks. For example, my cutie mark is a six-pointed star, which indicates my special talent is magic.”

“Magic?”

“Oh, right. Of course you don’t know about magic. So, basically, magic is something that flows within us unicorns. We are able to manipulate it to accomplish many tasks.” Twilight said as she floated a pencil from her nearly empty saddle bag.

Grey Wind’s jaw dropped.

To sat that the mind was surprised would be an understatement. As a mind that is supposed to control millions of nano machines, it possesses a data base that contains all the knowledge of its creators. Yet, nothing in the database could have explained this. It already knew that the nature of “magic” is actually a kind of energy flow that exists on this wrold, but seeing Twilight manipulating such energy flow, even holding a pencil in the air, is dumbfounding. It is almost against all of the physical principles established by its creator.

Also, about the cutie marks, the mind is now felicitating on the fact that it hadn’t tried to mimic one. Representing one’s special talent? That’s almost unimaginable. Nothing in its database can explain this. It seems like this world is even more interesting than it seems. Thought the mind, as the pair walked past a large field of apple fields and enters a town. Ponyville, wasn’t it?

The pair trotted down the main street. On the way, the mind can’t help but look around at all the houses, stores, and more importantly, other ponies. Ponies of all colors walked on the streets of the town, some greeting Twilight as they pass the pair. One thing is the same about all those ponies: They all bear a genuine, warm smile.

Looks like Twilight wasn’t bluffing about this town being the friendliest town on this land. It mused.

Suddenly, the mind heard a growl beside it. It turns around and sees Twilight grinning sheepishly at it.

“Wow, I didn’t realize it’s already noon. Say, why don’t we stop by a café and have lunch together? Those adventures in the Everfree really made me hungry.”

“Okay, but I don’t have any kind of currency with me……”

“Don’t worry, Grey, my treat. It’s your first meal in Ponyville after all!”

“O-Okay.”

The pair stopped at a Café and took seats below one of the umbrellas outside the store. The waiter of the Café, a male “ordinary pony” dressed in a suite that looks very much like the formal waiter attire in its database, came to take their orders. Without even looking at the menu, Twilight ordered:

“I would love a daffodil daisy sandwich.”

Scanning the menu, it decided that the safest choice would be to follow Twilight’s order.

“Same for me, thank you.”

Their food arrived in less than 10 minutes. Looking at the plate, the mind can smell the sweet scent coming from the sandwich. It even felt saliva forming in its mouth. Grabbing the sandwich, it took a bite. Flavors exploded in its mouth, and once again, a feeling echoes throughout all the subunits of its body.

Delicious.

“So, how do you like the food?” Askes Twilight.

“It is……perfect! I’ve never tasted anything more delicious before!” The mind blurted without thinking. Chewing on its sandwich, the mind looks around to all the different ponies around it. Never had it felt the feeling of being surrounded by so many. Everypony seems to be so happy, either chatting with other ponies or busy with their daily tasks.

Except……Except for one pink pony. Although the mind estimates an around 30-meter distance between them, the pink pony is looking at its direction, and the mind could hace sworn that the pony is looking at it. And as it lowers its head to drink from a glass of water, the pink pony has disappeared the moment it looks up again.

“That’s just Pinkie Pie.” Said Twilight, clearly aware of what the mind is wondering, “She is probably planning a surprise for you.” Twilight chuckled.

“A surprise?”

“You’ll see,” The mind catches a smirk from Twilight’s face.

As the pair finished their dinner, they started trotting along the main road again. Minutes later, the mind saw a building appearing at the end of the road. Searching through its database, it found the best word to describe the building: “treehouse”. The whole house looked like as if it was carved from a huge tree. As the pair came to the door, Twilight opened the door using her magic.

“Welcome to Golden Oak Library, and, well, my home as well.”

“You live in a……library?”

“Well, I am supposed to be the librarian of this library, after all. Spike! We have a visitor!”

“Coming!” Responded a childish voice up the stairs at one side of the library.

A small purple lizard-like creature ran down the stairs, and stopped upon seeing the mind. The mind couldn’t help but wonder about the resemblance of the creature to dragons, a kind of mythical creature from its database, only that it is smaller, and has no wings.

“Spike, this is Grey Wind. She’s a new friend, and will be staying with us for some time. Treat her friendly, alright?”

“Wait, you are letting me stay with you? In your home?” For the first time in its life, the mind questions the accuracy of its senses.

“Well, I do have a spare room upstairs, and you saved my life as well, so it’s the least I can do to repay you. Now, I still need to run a few errands, so I’ll leave you with Spike here. Start getting to know him, alright? Also, this is a library, so you are free to look at the books here! Just don’t forget to put them back once you are finished. I’ll be back before evening.”

With a wave, Twilight left the library and closed the door behind her.

“Weird. She usually spends the whole afternoon studying.” The mind hears the small dragon speak.

“Studying?”

“Reading books, to be specific. Totally egghead if I would say.”

The mind chuckled at that statement. Seeing that it has been allowed to stay in a library, it decides to use this chance, “Your name is Spike, right?”

“Yes, Spike the Dragon. Number one assistant of Twilight Sparkle.” Spike pointed to himself in a proud posture.

“So you are familiar with where the books are? Great. I just arrived here from a place far from here, and well, was kind of separated from this world,” It smiled sheepishly, “Can you show me where the books about history are? I’d like to do some catchup.”

“No problem, my friend!”

Seeing the small dragon calling it a friend makes it feel even more uplifted. Moving to the bookshelves Spike pointed out, it grabbed out a huge book about the history of this land, apparently called “Equestria”. If it wants to stay in this world, there is much catching up to do.

6 hours later

The mind signed as it put the huge book back to the bookshelf. In the past hours it had finished the book, and caught up enough on this land’s history. To its knowledge, the land’s inhabitants, or ponies, are divided into four categories, earth ponies, the regulary ponies in its database; Pegasi, ones with wings, and the mind’s current form; unicorns, ones with horns and are able to control magic; and finally, alicorns, bearing both wings and a horn and are extremely rare and powerful.

The land is ruled by a pair of alicorn sisters, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, who control the sun and the moon. It was not sure what the last part meant, since to be literally controlling the sun or the moon----to its knowledge, giant astronomical bodies, is just plain ridiculous. But, on a land where the talent of its inhabitant is shown by a picture on their bodies, nothing more surprising can happen. It also learned about Luna’s treachery, and the born of the Nightmare Moon, and the 1000-year-exile of her.

To the mind’s surprise, it found the name of its new friend, Twilight Sparkle, in the last section: Princess Luna’s return. Apparently, the unicorn and five of her friends recovered some gemstones called elements of harmony to transform Nightmare Moon back into Princess Luna. She is also the personal student of Princess Celestia. Looks like this friend has more than it meets the eye.

As it rests the book on the bookshelf, the door to the library swings open, and through it comes in Twilight Sparkle. The unicorn quickly discovered her friend, and let out a grin.

“Hey, Grey Wind! How was your afternoon?”

“Oh, it was great! There are so many interesting books here!”

“I know, right? Books are really one of the best things in the world!” Twilight exclaimed, eyes literally sparkling with stars. “Anyway, it’s almost dinner time, so I think maybe you would like a dinner at Sugar Cube Corner! It maybe the best bakery in Equestria!” Without waiting for a reply, Twilight grabs the left front hoof of the mind using her magic and drags it out of the library.

As the pair arrived at Sugar Cube Corner, which, to the mind, is a building that looks like a giant cake, Twilight goes inside first, motioning the mind to wait for a while. As the mind waits outside, it couldn’t help but wonder about the possibility of making new friends here. Sure, the town folks at Ponyville seem friendly, but will they be willing to be friends with it? Will they leave it once they discover its nature? It dares not to think further.

Five minutes later, Twilight called for it to enter the store. Upon entering the store, it only saw……darkness. Not a single light source is on, and the interior of store is nearly invisible. Suddenly, the mind hears a large blowing sound, followed by a word shouted out by many different voices:

“SUUUURRRRPPPPRRRIIIIIISSSE!”

The lights of the whole store switched on. Inside the not-so-large interior of the store, there were at least 100 ponies. All around the store, there were tables filled with cupcakes, pies, sandwiches and glasses of punch. Standing at the center of the room was a pink earth pony, the one it saw at the café, Pinkie Pie She was standing on her hind legs while blowing a party pipe. Behind her stood Twilight Sparkle, bearing a beam as wide as her ears. Above them, a huge horizontal scroll bears the words:” WELCOME TO PONYVILLE, GREY WIND!”

The mind’s processing units were shattered by this sudden flood of information. In the end, it is only able to mutter out a few words:

“Wh—What is this?”

“It’s your party, silly!” Pinkie Pie laughs.” Well, actually,” She inhales: “ItallstartedwhenIwaswalkingonthestreetandsawyouandTwilightatthecafeandsoIthoughtwowthisisaweirdponyshedoesn’tevenhaveacutiemarkbutsheiseatingwithTwilightsoshemustbeafriendwhoisstayinginponyvillesosheneedsawelcomingparty! So here it is! Ta-da!” She pulls out another party pipe and blew into it.

My party, my “Welcome to Ponyville Party……Looking around itself, the mind can only see smiling faces of ponies and smell the sweet scent of baked treats and drinks. At this point, it finds all its previous doubts pointless and dull. It feels its eyes water, as it feels all the happiness and friendliness of all the ponies around it.

She is no longer the lonely mind of a distant cluster anymore.

She is Grey Wind, a Pegasus surrounded by friendly ponies, and the happiest pony at this time instant in Equestria.

Tears dropping down form her cheeks, Grey Wind dives into the party.

Meanwhile, at far side of sugar cube corner:
A yellow earth pony filly silently crept over to a spot under a desk, where two other fillies, an orange Pegasus and a white unicorn filly, is already waiting.

“So, it is true she doesn’t have a cutie mark! What does that tell y’all?”

“That we’ll be blank flanks even after we grow up? The Pegasus filly snorted.

“No! That means---” The yellow earth pony filly paused, looking at the direction of the grey Pegasus who is currently chatting with Rarity, “A new member will be joining the cutie mark crusaders!”

Grey Wind lets out a happy sigh while clutching onto the sheets in her bed. Twilight had offered her a guest room, not so big but cozy enough. The party had been great, and Twilight had introduced her to Twilight’s other friends. She has met the fashionista Rarity, the shy Pegasus Fluttershy, Apple farmer AppleJack, and of course, party extraordinaire Pinkie Pie. Although, Twilight did mention that one of her friends insisted on not coming to the welcome party of some “Weird newcomer” and apologized for it, but that would not worry her too much.

During the party, Rarity has insisted on her coming to Rarity’s store, Carousel Boutique, for a tryout of her new line of design tomorrow . To make things better, a local post office is kind enough to offer her a job. All of these are like dreams come true for Grey Wind. She feels that a whole new world of happiness and friendship is ready for her to explore. With hopes for the future, bearing a genuine smile, she slowly drifts towards the dreamlands.