What Does The Future Hold For Us?

Chapters

Season 1-Prologue: The Renovated Twilight
Chapter 1 - Party With The Dudes
Chapter 2 - The Outsider
Chapter 3 - I Am The Night, Colour Me Black 𓍯
Chapter 4 - The Multicolor Roses of Ponyville

Season 1-Prologue: The Renovated Twilight

Andy Hunter & James Carter in the girly world theme

Andy Hunter, James Carter, and their school friends, Sebastian Walker, Evelyn Miller, and Adam Cooper, organized a gathering at the park. It offered a stunning vista of the harbor, which starkly contrasted with the surrounding city filled with shanties and nearly dilapidated houses.

Their distaste for residing in the country, a diminutive American nation, had always been evident.

On that rainy day, Andy Hunter found himself without an umbrella as he waited in line to board the bus. In this country, the buses were essentially repurposed school buses imported from the United States and modified. The aging models received insufficient maintenance, making the sweltering heat inside them unbearable, especially on rainy days.

Having lived in this place his whole life, enduring the suffocating heat had become a habit for Andy. As he boarded the bus, he silently hoped for available seats, as the buses were invariably crowded with passengers on weekends, and he despised having to stand during the journey.

Fortunately, Andy had secured a seat and settled in. As he observed his fellow passengers, he couldn't help but notice a few individuals who he found rather bothersome. Among them were those who typically played TikTok videos or Instagram stories at maximum volume, making their content audible throughout the bus, much to his discomfort.

Another group of passengers that didn't sit well with him were mothers with more than three children who struggled to maintain their children's decorum and keep them from disturbing the peaceful atmosphere.

Andy reached into the pocket of his leather jacket, a playful nod to his Claude Speed cosplay, and retrieved his phone. With it, he sent a message to his best friend, James Carter, informing him that he was in route and that they should rendezvous at a gas station situated close to James' residence.

This routine was well-established: Andy resided the farthest from the park, and the plan was for him to meet James near the gas station so that James could conveniently pick him up in his 2008 Nissan Almera.

Anticipating that James might not respond right away, Andy decided to occupy his time by playing Dead Space: Mobile. This allowed him to divert his attention from the rowdy kids on the bus, who were playing and causing disturbances with their incessant and irritating noises.

What frustrated Andy even more was the seemingly unnecessary traffic in his neighborhood. He often mused that it appeared as though many people had acquired their driver's licenses from a cereal box, considering the chaotic state of the roads.

Amid the cacophony of honking horns and a chorus of insults from various irate drivers, it became evident that many struggled with basic driving skills, even though they were quick to blame others. The situation bore a striking resemblance to the loading screen of Grand Theft Auto IV, with the bus inching along at an excruciatingly slow pace.

However, there was a glimmer of hope as the bus eventually reached a road where traffic flowed more smoothly.

James sent Andy a message to let him know he was ready and waiting at the gas station. Andy, from the notification bar, decided to respond with one of the many bizarre and absurd stickers he had saved as favorites on WhatsApp. The sticker featured the Hulk with a text that humorously read, "Okay daddy UwU."

Their interactions were indeed a quirky pair. In response to Andy's sticker, James shared one featuring Bugs Bunny dressed in a sharp suit and holding an M16. The text humorously read, "Do you want me to buy you a skirt?" Andy couldn't help but burst into laughter when he saw James' sticker, quickly covering his mouth to stifle his amusement.

Andy continued playing Dead Space on his phone, occasionally getting startled by the game's eerie moments. However, as he gazed out the window, he noticed that he was approaching his destination. Hastily, he reached for his money and rose from his seat, signaling the driver to stop at his chosen location. The bus came to a halt at a dilapidated bus stop that lacked a roof, much like many others in the country, and was surrounded by a significant amount of litter.

As Andy disembarked from the bus, he couldn't help but notice James' remarkable Nissan Almera. The car had been customized with new rims and a spoiler, setting it apart from all the other Nissan Almeras in the country.

Undeterred by the heavy rain, Andy walked confidently toward James' car, creating a dramatic entrance. Meanwhile, James, unaware of Andy's arrival, started the car and drove closer to him to spare him from getting further soaked.

James pulled up to Andy and opened the car door, allowing him to enter immediately. As Andy settled into the car and closed the door, they greeted each other by exchanging fist bumps. With that, they set off on their journey toward the park.

"Hey, Andy, mi hermano! How's it going?" James greeted Andy warmly, genuinely delighted to see his old friend. They hadn't had the opportunity to catch up frequently since their high school days, as each of their friends had embarked on different life paths, and they now lived quite far apart from each other.

"Everything is fine. Although I would love to have a car like yours and never have to take a fuckin' bus in my life, any public transportation in general. And what can you tell me about yourself?"

"Things are good, Andy. Although I share your sentiments about having a car like this and never dealing with crappy public transportation again," James chuckled. "As for me, I've been keeping busy with college and indulging in some serious anime-watching, especially One Piece. You won't believe it, but I've already breezed through over 900 episodes of that epic saga," he added with a grin.

"Are you kidding me? You talk shit about me for tackling endurance events in Gran Turismo 5 like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and you're watching an anime that only starts to get good after 800 episodes, wasting over 40 hours of your life?" Andy retorted with a teasing tone, poking fun at James.

James fired back, teasing Andy in return, "Well, the difference is I take breaks, unlike you. I'm sure in those races, you're at it all day without even a coffee break. You're a crazy motherfucker, my friend."

"Hey, just embrace it, I'm the top g in that game, and my patience to race 200 laps on a lengthy circuit like Circuit de la Sarthe is unmatched. Only professionals like me can pull off such a feat," Andy boasted with a grin, continuing their playful banter.

"I'm sorry, but I don't feel like admitting that you're better than me at video games. Hold my phone and tell Evelyn that we're on our way to pick her up." said James while Andy takes his phone, because he's driving, and Andy sends a message to Evelyn to get ready because they are on their way to pick her up.

"I already sent it to her, I hope she's not asleep or that when we get there she's barely putting on clothes, because we left her behind and she's going to have to walk" Andy said in a sarcastic tone and pretending that he was really serious.

James let out a loud laugh "Come on, don't be like that with Evelyn, I'm sure she'll be ready when we get there."

Andy laughed along with James "I doubt that" while Andy began to move the air conditioning of the car so that they were aimed at him, and that all the cold was in him.

"Andy, are you seri-AHHHHHHH"

But their laughter was suddenly cut short when they encountered an unexpected and surreal event. A massive black hole materialized right in front of them, causing panic among the people nearby. Chaos ensued as everyone attempted to escape the gravitational pull of the anomaly.

Both Andy and James were forcefully ejected from the car through the front window. While James lamented the fate of his beloved vehicle, Andy couldn't believe James' priorities, exclaiming, "THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT NOW?"

"ANDY, WATCH OUT!" James urgently shouted as he spotted a looming threat.

Andy swiftly shifted his focus to see an approaching bus, incredibly devoid of passengers. With agility and a split-second decision, Andy executed a front flip, landing safely on the ground just in time to let the bus pass harmlessly over him. The bus continued its trajectory and eventually collided with a nearby basketball court, causing it to overturn.

Andy, still in disbelief and trying to make light of the situation, exclaimed, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?! Is the Marvel studio here to make a new movie?!"

James clung desperately to a light pole, resolutely avoiding the relentless pull of the black hole, and replied, "I HAVE NO FUCKING IDEA!"

Meanwhile, Andy lay prone on the road, watching in disbelief as numerous cars soared above him, caught in the gravitational grasp of the anomaly. In the distance, the blaring sirens of approaching ambulances and police cars punctuated the chaos, unaware of the impending disaster. Furthermore, a colossal truck could be seen in the distance, wreaking havoc as it plowed through other vehicles in its path.

"James, I think our only option is to let that hole pull us in. The truck is coming at full speed, and if we stay here, it'll crush us!" Andy voiced, recognizing the dire circumstances and their limited choices.

James grappled with a whirlwind of emotions, unsure how to respond to Andy's suggestion. "Are you fucking serious? That hole might disintegrate us or reduce us to dust!" he exclaimed, still clinging firmly to the lamppost.

"Would you prefer getting your ass crushed by that truck?! I'm going for it," Andy replied, resigning himself to the irresistible pull of the black hole.

James found himself stunned by Andy's abrupt decision to surrender to the black hole's force. As the truck drew closer, he weighed the gravity of the two possible fates before him. Getting crushed was certainly the less appealing option, and perhaps being absorbed into the black hole wouldn't be as dreadful as it seemed.

"Here's hoping I don't end up as stardust," James muttered to himself, relinquishing his grip on the lamppost and allowing the black hole to draw him in.

"What the fuck happened to my body? This is getting weirder and weirder, I don't even know how to react" Andy found himself in a state of shock and confusion as he awoke, discovering that his body had undergone a complete transformation. His form was now a radiant composition of glittering stars, imbuing him with a celestial aura. He was at a loss for words, his voice rendered mute in this unfamiliar, otherworldly realm.

His gaze shifted to James, who still lay unconscious beside him. To Andy's amazement, his friend had also undergone the same ethereal transformation, their bodies composed of the same celestial light. The silence that enveloped them added to the eerie sensation of their situation.

"Jesus christ, James!" With James cradled in Andy starry arms, Andy gazed around at the surreal sight of distant planets like Saturn, Venus, and Neptune suspended in the cosmic expanse. They were surrounded by the vastness of space, and a subtle, inexorable force seemed to draw them towards a boundary that appeared to extend beyond the universe itself. The uncharted journey into the cosmic unknown had only just begun.

As Andy watched, a strange and disconcerting phenomenon unfolded before him. The force pulling them in opposite directions began to accelerate, causing James to drift away from Andy's protective grasp, moving closer to a brilliant white portal. Meanwhile, Andy continued on his path, being carried along at an ever-increasing velocity. The sudden separation and the mysterious portal marked a new chapter in their enigmatic journey through the cosmos.

"WHAT THE FUCK? JAMEEEES!!" Andy was caught in a whirlwind of emotions, torn between the shock of his friend's sudden departure and the overwhelming transition to this dark, surreal environment. In front of him, a perplexing image emerged - a Twilight Sparkle made of glass with her eyes closed, encircled by likenesses of the other Mane 6 members. The eerie similarity to the "Dive to the Heart" setting sent shivers down Andy's spine, and he couldn't help but wonder about the significance of this new and enigmatic dimension.

"Is that... Twilight? What does she and the rest of the Mane 6 have to do with all this?" Andy's voice fell into an eerie silence within this mysterious realm as he drew nearer to the glass representation of Twilight Sparkle. The radiant gleam of her cutie mark intensified, casting an ethereal glow. The significance of the Mane 6's presence in this peculiar place remained a perplexing puzzle, leaving Andy with countless questions and a mounting sense of intrigue.

"This means..." Andy when he had approached Twilight Sparkle's, he extended his hand touching the glass, his hand had entered into what seemed to be some kind of portal.

When Andy jumped he began to fall from the sky quickly, like a meteorite, he was falling at high speed towards Canterlot where Twilight Sparkle was reading a book about the history of the elements of harmony.

Andy's consciousness merged with Twilight Sparkle's as he became part of her. He could feel her thoughts, her emotions, and even her surroundings. It was a surreal experience as he found himself inside Twilight's mind, observing her reading the book.
Intrigued by this unexpected connection, he wondered how he could influence the world of Equestria through Twilight Sparkle's perspective.

After Andy had his head against the book because he was unconscious, he slowly raised his head.

"What the-" Andy had covered his mouth with his hooves, as he had heard that his voice was no longer the same, Andy had Twilight Sparkle's voice.

Andy, now inhabiting Twilight Sparkle's body, was baffled by the sound of his voice, which was undoubtedly Twilight's. This abrupt change left him in a state of mild shock. He blinked several times, trying to comprehend what had just occurred.

After a moment, he tentatively said, "This is... unbelievable. I'm Twilight Sparkle? How is this possible?" His words sounded strange and unfamiliar in Twilight's voice, and it was clear that he would need to adapt to this extraordinary situation.

Andy struggled to his hooves, feeling unsteady and somewhat clumsy on four legs. Balancing as a pony was a challenging adjustment, but he was determined to make the most of this unusual situation. With each step, he grew more accustomed to the new form he found himself in and began to explore Twilight Sparkle's surroundings.

"And this book? It must be the book that Twilight read in the first episode, about the story of Nightmare Moon and the elements of harmony... I already know that story by heart, so I'll give it a very special use." Andy said, with his hooves he lifted the book and threw it into the air, and while the book was falling he made a jump and with one of his rear hooves kicked the book, falling into the lake that was nearby.

"I still have my Taekwondo skills; that's cool... Now that I remember, since I'm in the first episode of the show, I should go to Moondancer's party. Since I'm Twilight Sparkle now, I can change destiny. The Summer Sun Celebration will have to wait." Said the new Twilight Sparkle, heading towards her house in Canterlot where she would meet Spike. Twilight walked clumsily but did her best to dissimulate so that the other ponies wouldn't look at her strangely.

Twilight did her best not to fall and trip, walking on four hooves felt like walking on a bar of soap. "It's very difficult to walk this way, but I'm sure it won't take me long to get used to it."

"I wonder where James is... If I'm Twilight now, he should be another character, although I have no idea who he could be, it would be easy to identify him since he'll surely be freaking out." Twilight said to herself, wondering what character her best friend had become.

Twilight looked up and found her three childhood friends. Since she had knowledge of the show, she could easily recognize them. They were Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine and Minuette, each of them with a gift on their backs.
They were on their way to Moondancer's party.

"There you are Twilight... Wait don't you have a book with you like always? That's definitely something out of the ordinary" Twinkleshine said jokingly while Minuette and Lemon Hearts laughed.

"LMAO. I kicked the book I had into the lake, that's why I don't have it with me" Twilight said, laughing along with her friends.

Twinkleshine, Minuette, and Lemon Hearts reacted with a degree of shock and a bit of disbelief upon hearing what Twilight said. None of them, would be expected that Twilight would kick a book, one of her most precious belongings.

"Did I listen well? You said you kicked your book into the lake?" Lemon Hearts asked, she couldn't believe what she just heard.

"Yes, I did kick it, you can look for it at the bottom of the lake if you want LOL!" Twilight said while laughing. "The thing is that I already know that book by heart, I didn't really need it"

"I can't believe it! Twilight, were you mad or something? Is there a specific reason why you kicked a book that you love so much? I mean, we've been friends since we were fillies. You and Moondancer liked to read in the entire class, even in the break time." Minuette said even though she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"I wasn't mad Minuette, I was just...huh, exercising my hooves, hoof stretching to be specific. Seriously, I didn't need the book, I have all the information here" Twilight put one of her hooves on her head.

"Moondancer has to know about this, Twilight kicking a book? I'd like to see her reaction" Twinkleshine said finding the situation very amuzing.

"But for next time Twilight, make sure you keep it in your library or sell it if you don't need it anymore, fish don't eat paper" Lemon Hearts said laughing.

Twilight's three friends, including the same but renewed Twilight, began to laugh at Lemon Hearts' joke. It was a playful moment between four friends who had known each other since childhood, it seemed like they liked the new Twilight.

"Speaking of Moondancer, are you going to her get-together, Twilight? It's in the west castle courtyard, not far from here," Minuette asked Twilight.

"Of course I'll go, why not have a good time with the bros?" Twilight said, but she had noticed someone was missing. "Now that I think about it, where is Lyra? I thought she would be with all of you."

"I haven't seen her but she probably arrived first at the party, she comes from Ponyville so she probably went directly to the meeting without having to visit each of us" Lemon Hearts explained.

"It's a relief, you know, girls? I thought Twilight would refuse to go to the party because of her studies or something. Are you feeling okay, Twilight? Don't you want me to bring you a coffee and a book, maybe that way your fever will go away?" Minuette said. teasing Twilight for its addition to the books.

"Very funny Minuette, but this time I'm going, I'm sure Moondancer would be excited to see me, all of us together again"

"I hope you go this time Twilight, you should already know how important it is to Moondacer that you are present" Twinkleshine said in a more serious tone.

"Don't worry, I'll be there, I'll just go home and tell Spike, he must be waiting for me."

"It's okay Twilight, I'm glad you're coming, we'll be waiting for you" said Twinkleshine who was heading to the party along with Lemon Hearts and Minuette.

Twilight continued her journey home, her new hooves feeling awkward and uncoordinated with each step. She struggled to find her balance, occasionally stumbling or tripping on uneven cobblestones. Her gait was uneven, making her appear a bit clumsy, and her hooves tapped against the cobblestones with an unfamiliar rhythm.

"Goddamnit, on TV it looked easy walking on four hooves." Said Twilight talking to herself.
Passersby couldn't help but notice her slightly unsteady walk, but Twilight remained determined. She occasionally overcorrected, swaying from side to side as she attempted to maintain her balance. Her tail flicked nervously, and her ears twitched in response to the sounds of the bustling city around her.

"But now that I have Twilight's voice I can say atrocities and nonsense hahaha! For example, butterlot, butt combined with Canterlot, LMAO." The childish side of Andy or Twilight in this case, since Andy had Twilight's voice, he had the ability to say any nonsense he could think of.

Despite the challenges of her newfound pony body, Twilight was resolute in her decision to attend Moondancer's party and reunite with her friends from childhood. She pressed on, slowly but surely, determined to reach her home and inform Spike about the upcoming gathering.

"Now I have to climb these fucking stairs, do they have to be that long?"
Upon reaching her home in Canterlot, Twilight faced a new set of challenges as she attempted to climb the stairs leading to her front door. Her four-legged body felt cumbersome, and the stairs seemed much steeper than they ever had before.

Twilight took each step with utmost care, placing one hoof in front of the other, ensuring that she didn't lose her footing. Her legs wobbled, and her attempts to maintain her balance looked a bit comical, as she had to adjust to this unfamiliar way of ascending the stairs.

Her tail swished nervously as she reached for the next step, and her ears perked up at every creak and rustling sound in the quiet neighborhood. Twilight had to pause occasionally, collecting herself before proceeding further.

It was a challenging ascent for the new Twilight Sparkle, who was not yet accustomed to her pony body, but she persevered, determined to reach her front door and inform Spike of her plans for the evening.

Twilight finally reached the door of her house and opened it with great care. Unlike the original Twilight, who would sometimes fling the door open with great force, once even accidentally hitting Spike in the process. However, this time, things would be different.

"Spike! I'm here!" Twilight announced her arrival, calling out for her faithful dragon friend.

"Here I am, Twilight!" Spike said with a smile, holding Moondancer's gift in his claws.

Twilight breathed a sigh of relief, glad that the gift hadn't met the same fate as in the original episode.

"Spike, my man, it's great to see you," Twilight said, excited to be reunited with her faithful dragon friend.

"Good to see you too, Twilight! We're going to Moondancer's party, right? Can't we save the investigations for later?" Spike suggested, appearing eager for a break from reading books about prophecies and predictions.

"Right now, research is the least of my interests. In fact, we're going to Moondancer's party. But now that I think about it, I'm the only one who doesn't have a gift to give her. I need to find a suitable present," Twilight said, determined to search the entire house for the perfect gift for Moondancer.

"Wow, Twilight, I never thought I'd hear you say something like that. I was expecting more of a 'No, Spike, the books are more important, and we have a lot of work to do!'" Spike replied, imitating Twilight's voice and mimicking her mannerisms.

"That's literally cap. I'm going to find a gift, and then we'll head to the party right away," Twilight said as she continued her search through the house, hoping to discover a unique and remarkable gift for Moondancer.

Spike was taken aback. "Twilight, that's unexpected. Are you sure you don't want me to help you find a gift?"

Twilight paused, considering her options. "Actually, Spike, I have a better idea. Give me your gift, and I'll pass it off as mine," she said teasingly.

"Are you serious right now? That's unfair, and you know it," Spike said, a little annoyed.

Twilight laughed, "LOL. I was joking, Spike. Of course, I'll give her my own gift. But when I look around, all I see are books... and giving a book is the least original thing I could do."

Spike understood, "Well, you're surrounded by books and all things study-related. What else could you possibly have in your house?"

"True," Twilight admitted. "And buying something might take too long. I've got an idea! I'll make an outstanding drawing of the two of us; I'm sure she'll like it."

Spike watched as Twilight struggled with her magic and said, "Are you sure you don't want help, Twilight? I can bring you a piece of paper and a pencil; it's not a big deal."

"Nah, Spike, I'm fine. Just stay there and wait for me to finish the drawing. I don't think it will take me more than half an hour," Twilight said as she gathered a piece of paper and a pencil using her magic. She occasionally dropped them on the floor, which surprised Spike.

Seeing Twilight focused on her drawing, Spike decided to remain silent and not risk distracting her again. He headed to his bed to relax and take advantage of this rare moment of rest.

Twilight began to draw with great care, using the most basic spell of all, levitation. This led to some moments of frustration when she dropped the pencil from time to time since she was not yet accustomed to using her magic effectively. It was, after all, her first day in this new form.

Twilight adopted a drawing style similar to KMFDM's cover arts. Her drawing featured Moondancer and herself looking forward with serious expressions, both dressed in black suits and dark sunglasses. At the top of the page, she added the text 'Bros forever.'

"Ha! I'm cooking, just a few more details on the glasses and the outfits we're wearing," Twilight said as she put the finishing touches on her drawing. She felt a sense of pride in her artwork. No one at the party would expect Twilight to create such a badass drawing for one of her best friends.

After several minutes, she only needed to sign the drawing. Twilight thought for several minutes until she came up with the idea of putting her name along with a small drawing of Yoshi making the symbol of peace and love.

Twilight's artwork was finished, she just needed a gift wrap, she looked all over the house but there were only books, every corner she went to, every room she entered there were only books "Are you fucking serious Twilight? The only thing here is books, books fucking books, goddamnit" Twilight said, blaming herself.

"When I move to Ponyville, find James and defeat Nightmare Moon, the first thing I'm going to do is decorate the Golden Oak Library in my own way, in such a badass way that it won't even look like a library anymore" Twilight said with frustration as she couldn't find a gift wrapper at home, so she decided to keep it by rolling up the paper and keeping it in her mane.

"Let's go, sleepyhead. I've finished the gift for Moondancer," Twilight said to Spike, who was about to fall asleep.

Spike got up from his bed and took his gift. "It's about time, Twilight. You were taking a long time; you must have put a lot of effort into that drawing."

"Of course, Moondancer is like a sister to me, so she deserves the best," Twilight replied proudly as she headed towards the door.

Spike walked over to Twilight and climbed onto her back. "Since you put it that way, I'd like to know what you drew. I'm very curious."

"You'll see when Moondancer opens it," Twilight said as she and Spike headed out of the house, heading to Moondancer's party.

But there was a problem. Twilight would have to go down that long staircase again, not being fully accustomed to her pony body yet.

"Jesus Christ Canterlot builders..." Twilight said, sighing in frustration, complaining about whoever came up with the idea of creating these long stairs without railings instead of a comfortable elevator.

END

Chapter 1 - Party With The Dudes

Twilight faced her current nemesis: the poorly structured and peculiar stairs of Canterlot, or at least that's what someone from the modern era, unfamiliar with pony life, might think.

With limited options, Twilight braced herself for the descent.

"I'll need to take it slow," she muttered, cautiously placing one hoof after another, keen on maintaining balance. The challenge was real, and the unfamiliarity of walking on four hooves added an extra layer of difficulty to the task.

"Twilight, what's going on? Why the slow pace? Is something amiss?" Spike inquired, perplexed by Twilight's unusually sluggish descent.

"Nothing, Spike. Just being cautious not to take a tumble and end up in a mishap," Twilight responded nervously, descending the stairs at a painstakingly slow pace, with each step feeling like an eternity.

"Your flair for exaggeration knows no bounds, Twilight," Spike remarked. "Although I don't blame you. I had my fair share of mishaps during our early days here."

"It's for that same reason why I'm going down carefully," Twilight said, maintaining her slowness.

"At this pace, we'll reach the party by tomorrow," Spike teased, grinning at Twilight's cautious descent.

Twilight smiled at Spike's sarcasm, feeling a warmth in her heart as she contemplated the bond they shared. It prompted a moment of reflection for Twilight, deciding that this time, she would regard Spike more like a brother than just an assistant.

Meanwhile, Spike, bored with Twilight's slow descent, resorted to counting the clouds in the sky to entertain himself for at least a while. Twelve minutes, which felt like ages, had passed before Twilight finally reached the bottom of the stairs.

"We finally made it... to the porch. It feels like the millennium has already ended," Spike said, maintaining his sarcastic tone.

"It's still early, Spike. Safety is—wait, did you say millennium? What year are we in?" Twilight asked curiously. Now that she was experiencing the events in person, she had the opportunity to ask exactly what year they were in.

"Have you forgotten? We're in the year two thousand," Spike clarified.

"WHAT?!" Twilight said, shocked at this revelation. She had always believed that MLP was set in the 1900s or 1800s, but 2000? That's unexpected.

"Calm down, Twilight. It doesn't mean it's the end of the world. I thought you already knew that," Spike said, trying to calm Twilight down before she started going crazy over 'trivial' topics like the original Twilight used to.

"I know, Spike. I had forgotten. I'm just surprised how quickly time goes by." Twilight, upon hearing this, became thoughtful and started talking to herself in her mind.

"I can't believe I'm in the 2000s. I never imagined I was in that era. I mean, I thought I would be in the era of bicycles with huge tires on the front... Well, Equestria is a strange combination of technology and tradition. Schizo-tech, basically. I mean, I never experienced the new millennium on my own, since I was born a few years later when I used to be human. Meh, I guess it won't make much difference in the pony world," Twilight thought to herself. She was deeply analyzing the situation, but she had also remembered something very important: the location of her best friend, James.

"My boy James. I have no idea where he is. Or what character he could be. If I'm Twilight, could he be another member of the Mane 6? Maybe Rarity? Pinkie Pie? Applejack? I don't know. The only way to know is when I go to Ponyville. After Celestia sent me there to oversee the Summer Sun Celebration, she hasn't sent me the letter for now. I guess she will do it later. Man, I have a lot of things pending – going to Moondancer's party, overseeing the Summer Sun Celebration, finding James, defeating Nightmare Moon... I better stop thinking about all this before my head explodes. I better focus and have fun at the party and then get hoof to work." Twilight said thoughtfully, keeping her head high as she walked towards Moondancer's party with a neutral look, while Spike, riding on Twilight's back, waved or had short conversations with other ponies.

Spike thought to himself as he watched Twilight go silent, apparently speaking inside her mind, "Hah! Twilight must surely be lost in her mind thinking about Nightmare Moon. She's been obsessed with that legend for 2 weeks now."

Twilight's stomach grumbled at the thought of food. "I'm also very hungry. I haven't eaten anything since I was in America. I was craving a Domino's pizza, which unfortunately doesn't exist here. I'll have to settle for cupcakes, juice, cake, or whatever food there is at the party," Twilight said. She hadn't eaten anything since leaving what used to be her home in America, as she had planned to share a meal with her human friends.

Twilight and Spike had arrived at Moondancer's party. The west castle courtyard was adorned with a vibrant array of balloons in various colors. Guests wore festive party hats, and confetti was scattered almost everywhere. A large table, adorned with balloons matching the color of Moondancer's coat, served as the centerpiece. On it sat a splendid three-tiered cake adorned with the number 19, signifying Moondancer's age up to that point. The atmosphere was lively, with laughter and conversation filling the air.

"Hey Minuette, didn't you say Twilight and Spike were coming? It's been a while and they still haven't arrived. I guess they changed their plans..." Moondancer said in a dejected voice looking down at the floor.

"Don't say that Moondancer, I'm sure they had a setback. Twilight seemed excited about the party" Minuette said trying to cheer Moondancer up.

In the distance you could see Twilight trotting dramatically towards her friends, smiling without showing her teeth while Spike waved with his claws.

Moondancer perked up at the sound of Twilight's voice. "Somepony say my name?" Twilight announced dramatically as she trotted confidently toward her friends, a subtle smile playing on her lips, while Spike waved with his claws.

"Don't worry, Moondancer. Here they are!" Minuette exclaimed, pointing towards Twilight and Spike.

"What's up, my dudes? It's good to see you all," Twilight greeted with an unusual enthusiasm, taking her friends by surprise. However, they returned the greeting with warm smiles and hugs, not giving much importance to Twilight's new way of speaking at that moment.

At the party, Twilight and Spike were the last to arrive, surprising Moondancer but also making her extremely happy. Twilight and Spike weren't regular attendees at such events, as Twilight was usually engrossed in her studies.

Spike presented Moondancer with a simple yet heartfelt gift—a teddy bear. It might have been modest, but the sentiment behind it brought joy to Moondancer's face.

Twilight, feeling a mix of nervousness and pride, offered Moondancer the exclusive art piece she had crafted for her. Eagerly anticipating Moondancer's reaction, Twilight hoped her friend would appreciate the effort and sentiment put into the drawing.

Moondancer, using her magic, carefully opened the page to reveal the drawing. As she laid eyes on the artwork, her reaction was one of pure astonishment.

Her friends quickly picked up on her unexpected response.

"What's got you so stunned, Moondancer? Has Twilight never given you a gift before? Hahahah," Minuette teased, laughing at Moondancer's comical expression.

"If whatever Twilight wrote or drew on that page managed to leave Moondancer speechless, it must be something truly incredible that she doesn't know how to react to," Lemon Hearts remarked, also joining in the laughter.

"Come on, Moondancer, let us see what Twilight made for you!" Spike chimed in, his curiosity piqued as he approached Moondancer to get a closer look at the drawing.

The rest of Twilight's friends gathered around, eager to share in Moondancer's surprise.

Moondancer, still processing the unexpected gift, finally found her words. "Bros forever...? Well, this is... surprising."

Twinkleshine, excited, voiced her approval. "I don't know what you all think, but I did like the drawing. It's very cool!"

Lyra, in her typical sarcastic manner, chimed in, "Where am I and the others in the drawing? We're supposed to be a team."

Spike, pleasantly surprised, expressed his enthusiasm. "Hahahaha! Twilight, I had no idea you could draw... It looks great."

Twilight, confident but slightly nervous, responded to Moondancer's question. "You all think the only thing I do is read; I'm sure I took you by surprise. By the way, Moondancer, did you like my drawing?"

"I really liked Twilight, I was just surprised, that's all, I'll keep it in a photo frame, seriously. This drawing is very special to me" Moondancer said as she put her hoof on her chest in gratitude.

Twilight couldn't help but smile and feel a sense of pride and relief within herself, which led her to come up with an idea to make the birthday party more special for Moondancer.

"Thank you Moondancer, I'm glad you liked it. To make this party more special, I'm going to do a stunt, I'm sure you'll like it" Twilight said as she stood on two hooves like a human.

"A stunt? You can't be serious" Moondancer said finding it hard to believe what Twilight just said.

"It's serious, Moondancer. I know it's unexpected, but I'm doing it because I want your day to be more special," Twilight assured her friend. She then extended her front hooves to prepare for the stunt and addressed Minuette, "Minuette, can you pass me the party horn that's right next to you?"

Minuette, using her unicorn magic, handed the party horn to Twilight. Despite not having fully mastered magic herself, Twilight held the party horn with her hooves. All of her friends eagerly watched, curious about what kind of stunt Twilight had in mind. They also couldn't help but notice the unusual way Twilight was standing; it was not a common sight in Equestria.

Twilight let out a sigh, tossing the party horn into the air. She crouched down to gather momentum, executed a double somersault backward, and just before reaching the ground, she gracefully stood on one hoof. In a swift motion, she caught the descending party horn with her other front hoof.

"Happy birthday, Moondancer!" Twilight exclaimed, blowing the party horn while balancing on a single hoof. She then gained momentum once more and performed a sideflip, returning to a standing position on two hooves. However, her attempt to regain balance seemed a bit shaky, as acrobatics with hooves were a new challenge compared to the familiar dexterity of fingers.

The spectacle left all of Twilight's friends utterly speechless. They couldn't believe their studious and reserved friend had just showcased such impressive acrobatic skills, defying their expectations in the most unexpected way.

"That was... that was AMAZING!" Minuette exclaimed, being the first to break the stunned silence that had fallen over the group.

"Incredible... Twilight is full of surprises," Twinkleshine added, still processing the unexpected acrobatic display.

Meanwhile, Lyra and Lemon Hearts responded with applause, appreciating the unexpected show of talent.

"Lyra, you mentioned Twilight being a studious and responsible bookworm, but from what I've seen so far, she's nothing like what you described," Amethyst Star whispered to Lyra, expressing her surprise at the discrepancy between Lyra's stories and the reality unfolding before them.

"Believe me, I'm just as surprised as you. Twilight used to be a bookworm, but it seems like she's undergone quite a transformation," Lyra replied to Amethyst, also trying to comprehend the new Twilight.

"I'm still trying to process what I just witnessed," Moondancer admitted, still in a state of disbelief.

Twilight, undeterred by Moondancer's reaction, continued with her showmanship. "You don't have to thank me just yet, Moondancer. I know you enjoyed the stunt, and I have another one to show you," she declared, a hint of pride in her voice. However, just as she was about to unveil her next trick, her stomach betrayed her hunger with a loud growl.

"Hahaha! Somepony is hungry," Spike chuckled, adding a friendly tease.

Twilight grinned, acknowledging the truth of Spike's observation. "That's why my next stunt is related to food." She turned to Lyra. "Lyra, could you pass me that cupcake from the table, please? Put it on the floor in front of me."

Lyra nodded, utilizing her levitation magic to deliver the cupcake to Twilight. The rest of Twilight's friends huddled together, eager to witness the next unexpected twist in this increasingly unpredictable party.

Twilight, maintaining her unusual two-hoof stance, embarked on a small breathing exercise. She brought her front hooves together, adopting an attention position, and gradually initiated the anti-gravity lean. This peculiar move allowed her to lean forward, defying gravity, until she reached the cupcake placed on the floor. With finesse, she took a delicate bite, all while maintaining her somewhat unorthodox posture. The sight left her friends astounded, as they witnessed Twilight combining acrobatics with culinary delight.

Upon finishing the cupcake, Twilight smoothly leaned backward, causing a momentary concern among her friends. It appeared as if she might topple over due to her proximity to the ground. However, to everyone's relief, Twilight seamlessly returned to her regular stance without any harm, showcasing a surprising combination of agility and finesse. Her friends couldn't help but express a mix of amazement and confusion at the unexpected talents Twilight was revealing.

When Twilight was back on 4 hooves, extending her rear hooves to ease the pain of leaning that way for a considerable amount of time.

All of Twilight's friends came up to her and hugged her and expressed how excited they were about her stunts.

Except Moondancer, she was surprised but this sudden change in personality worried her, she wants to understand, how Twilight has changed so much. Moondancer didn't want to ruin the moment, so she saved her opinions for when the right moment came.

The moment was near when Lemon Hearts asked Twilight to do another stunt, to which Twilight responded "Maybe another time Lemon, I'm hungry, besides I don't want all the attention on me, today is Moondancer's birthday and I want the party be about her, you understand?"

As the excitement from Twilight's stunts filled the air, Moondancer couldn't shake off her growing concern about the sudden and drastic changes in Twilight's behavior. While her friends reveled in amazement and laughter, Moondancer patiently awaited the right moment to approach Twilight and seek the answers she was looking for. She appreciated Twilight's gesture of redirecting the attention to her birthday celebration, but a lingering unease persisted within Moondancer. She decided that once the opportune time arrived, she would gently address her concerns and seek clarity from her friend.

Moondancer contemplated her thoughts, a mix of curiosity and concern swirling within her mind. The events of the day had left her perplexed, and she couldn't ignore the possibility that something significant might have transpired in Twilight's life since the last time they met. As she sipped on the party punch, her contemplations continued.

"Twilight has not only adopted new mannerisms but also a different way of speaking. 'Dude' and 'bros'—these aren't words she used before. It's evident that something has changed in her life. Did she encounter new influences, perhaps meet new friends who brought about these transformations? Or did she stumble upon an obscure book that taught her these peculiarities? There's a mystery here, and I intend to uncover it," Moondancer mused to herself, determined to understand the shifts in her friend's behavior.

Minutes later Twinkleshine had noticed that Moondancer was isolated from her other friends, which worried her immediately, it seemed like something was bothering her. Twinkleshine approached Moondancer and said "Moondancer? What's wrong? You've been separated from the others for a while and I would like to know the reason."

"What worries me is Twilight... Twilight has been acting very different, she doesn't look anything like the Twilight I knew, since when does Twilight know how to do stunts? Since when did she become an athlete? That's what's got me like this, I don't know how to feel about it"

Twinkleshine understandingly placed one of her hooves on Moondancer "I understand, we hadn't seen her since last year, but maybe, maybe during that time Twilight would have found new interests, hobbies, it's very natural for ponies to present changes that seem sudden, but in the end they are still nice ponies and worth hanging out with."

As Twinkleshine offered her comforting words, Moondancer couldn't help but mull over the situation. The changes in Twilight's behavior did feel abrupt, and while Twinkleshine's perspective provided a plausible explanation, Moondancer's curiosity lingered.

"Maybe you're right, Twinkleshine. Ponies do evolve and develop new interests. It's just... it feels so sudden, and Twilight has become a completely different pony. She's practically an athlete now. I'm not sure how to feel about these changes," Moondancer admitted, her concerns etched across her face.

Twinkleshine continued to reassure her friend, understanding the natural progression of individual growth. However, Moondancer's desire for clarity prompted her to turn towards Twilight, who was engrossed in the festivities.

"I guess you're right, but I'd like to hear what Twilight has to say about this," Moondancer expressed, a mix of curiosity and concern in her voice. Twinkleshine, recognizing the significance of this moment, refrained from intervening, allowing Moondancer to confront Twilight on her own terms.

Moondancer's worries extended beyond the changes in Twilight; she pondered the potential impact on the dynamics of their group. As the sole advocate for studies and books, she wondered how these newfound differences might influence their shared interests and interactions.

On Twilight and Spike's side, they were eating almost all of the party food, cupcakes, cookies, ice cream, and juices.

"Spike, you have to try these cupcakes, they are delicious, don't complain if I finish them all" Twilight said as she ate the cupcakes at a considerable speed.

"I prefer ice cream more, I already finished the chocolate one, now I'll eat the strawberry one" Spike said while eating the strawberry ice cream using a big spoon.

As Moondancer approached Twilight, she couldn't help but smile at seeing Twilight and Spike getting along so well, even though they were eating almost everything, that was the least of her worries, what she wanted were answers and she was about to get them.

Twilight continued to enjoy the party treats with Spike when Moondancer approached. Despite the festivities around them, Moondancer wore a serious expression, signaling that she had something important to discuss.

"Hey Twilight..." Moondancer began, her tone carrying a weight that intrigued Twilight.

"Sup Moondancer? Something bothering you?" Twilight responded, a slight furrow in her brow as she continued to munch on a cupcake.

Moondancer didn't mince words, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. "It's not that it bothers me, but I want you to help me understand. Why are you so different now? What motivated you to make such a sudden change in your personality?" Her gaze was direct, watching Twilight intently for any subtle cues.

Twilight, fully aware that this conversation was inevitable, pondered her response. She knew she had three options to approach the situation, and she had to choose wisely.

Twilight weighed her options carefully, fully aware of the delicate situation at hoof. "I knew this moment would come. It's only natural for her to have concerns. Now, I must choose my words wisely, considering the potential impact of each option."

"Option one: Lying. I could fabricate a story to ease my way out of this, perhaps claiming that I learned these skills from a book and decided to apply them. Or maybe frame it as a joke, something I planned to gauge their reactions by acting differently than expected."

"Option two: Share the truth with Moondancer, but not delve into all the details. Revealing the complete reality, such as being a human transformed into Twilight, might seem too fantastical and could lead to disbelief. It's crucial to strike a balance and convey the essence without overwhelming her."

"Option three: Full disclosure. This seems risky. Explaining the portal and my transformation may not be easily accepted, especially within the context of a world where magic exists. It might sound too far-fetched, and I need to ensure Moondancer takes this situation seriously."

"As challenging as it is, I believe option two, sharing the truth with some discretion, would be the most reasonable choice."

"Moondancer, you see, what's been happening is that I've developed an interest in new hobbies and experiences beyond academic pursuits. I can't pinpoint exactly when this shift occurred; it's just that my enthusiasm for books and studies has dwindled significantly. The once bright spark that fueled my passion for learning and consistently achieving top grades has dimmed. It's a natural part of growing up, and while it might seem like a departure from the Twilight you knew, it doesn't mean we can't still spend time together. We could, for instance, visit the library and enjoy reading together, exploring any books that catch your interest."

Moondancer, upon hearing Twilight's words, comprehended that it was part of Twilight's personal growth. Despite the differences, her friend still had a good heart. Twilight had taken the time to attend her party, putting everything else aside. Looking at it from this perspective, Moondancer felt a great sense of relief and appreciation. All her worries melted away, and she promised herself to accept the new Twilight. That's what a true friend would do.

"Thank you for your honesty, Twilight. I understand, and I genuinely appreciate that, even though you've moved on from studies, you're willing to spend time with me. I was worried I'd be the only one in the group interested in those hobbies, and we wouldn't spend much time together anymore," Moondancer said with a happy smile.

"Don't worry about that, Moondancer. I'm sure we'll have a great time reading together," Twilight responded, giving Moondancer a warm hug, which she immediately reciprocated.

Nightmare Moon - Long road to Glory
Nightmare Moon theme

On the lonely moon, Nightmare Moon was imprisoned. Not only was she destined to endure a thousand years of captivity, but she was also condemned to a singular position, forced to gaze at a fixed point with no ability to move her body. Four chains tightly bound her hooves, restraining her across the lunar surface. In that moment, feelings of anger and contempt welled up within Nightmare Moon, directed at Princess Celestia. However, she persisted in maintaining her stance, a ritual she had adhered to since the early days of her imprisonment.

Nightmare Moon diligently worked on a spell to break the chains that held her captive. It took her nine hundred years to unravel the intricacies of the spell, offering a glimmer of hope that she could return to Equestria and exact revenge on Celestia.

"Celestia, my dear sister, you believed these chains would imprison me indefinitely, confident that you would prevail and I'd remain passive. Your victory, achieved through the elements of harmony, was nothing but luck. Dependence on these elements will be your downfall—I assure you of that. Trapped here for eons, you even had the audacity to establish a day dedicated to my defeat, my humiliation. What is the true purpose of the Summer Sun Celebration? To mock me? Your victory is not enough; very soon, these chains will shatter. When they do, I shall return to Equestria, precisely on your day, and the first thing I'll do is banish you to the sun for all eternity. I shall grant you the same 'favor' you bestowed upon me so many years ago." Nightmare Moon soliloquized, having no one else to talk to and express her frustration.

Minutes later, one of her chains broke, and the prospect couldn't have brought more joy to Nightmare Moon. "Only three more chains. Wait, Celestia. At the least opportune moment, I'll be there. I won't even let you utter a word, for I have no desire to listen to what you have to say." For the first time in years, a smile graced Nightmare Moon's face.

Chapter 2 - The Outsider

Twilight and Moondancer continued to hug each other, but Moondancer had separated from Twilight. She looked around and noticed that her friends and Spike were busy talking and doing party activities. At first, Twinkleshine told her other friends about Moondancer's problem. They felt a sense of relief, but after witnessing the hug between her and Twilight, they calmed down and left them alone so that they had a chance to chat.

After Moondancer made sure nopony was watching, she slowly brought her lips to Twilight's while keeping her eyes closed. Twilight had blushed since she didn't expect it—that Twilight and Moondacer would have a friendship of this kind.
Twilight reciprocated the kiss on the lips; it was a friendly kiss that meant mutual trust between both ponies.

After several minutes of kissing that felt like hours, both ponies separated and wiped the saliva that came out of their mouths with their hooves.
Twilight really enjoyed the kiss; it reminded her of an old friend she had during her human life, with whom she shared moments like these, and she was very happy that she now experienced the same thing with a great friend like Moondancer.

Twilight had remembered that at any moment Celestia would send her the scroll about her having to go to Ponyville to make new friends and oversee the summer sun celebration, which led Twilight to consider spending some quality time with all her friends before Celestia's task arrived.

"Let's have fun with the rest of our friends, Moondancer!" Twilight said, excited to continue the party.

Moondancer nodded, and they joined the rest of Twilight's friends to engage in activities together, such as board games, ring toss, musical chairs, and breaking the piñata.

When it was Twilight's turn to hit the piñata, she still didn't know how to use her magic. She struggled with a spell as basic as levitating an object, in this case, a stick. She dropped it frequently since she still didn't fully grasp how magic worked, which surprised her friends.

When Twilight managed to hit the piñata, it barely moved, and the stick fell to the floor again.

Frustrated, Twilight exclaimed, "You know what? I'd better use my own hooves."

"Twilight, what's wrong? Don't you know a spell as basic as levitation?" Lemon Hearts asked, expressing a combination of concern and surprise.

"Yes, I know. The thing is, I've been working out and doing other activities that don't require magic for a while, so I'm a little rusty now. But don't worry about that. I'm going to use my hooves. Besides, I think it would be fairer like this." Twilight, grabbing the stick in an unusual way with both front hooves, struck the piñata once, and finally, it moved.

Then, with all her strength, Twilight broke the piñata in half, and many sweets began to spill out. Spike didn't hesitate for a single second and went to claim his share of sweets.

"All the lollipops are mine, so don't even think about taking them, Spike!" Twilight teased Spike, as lollipops were among the few candies that she really liked.

"Don't keep all the candy; I want some too!" Lemon Hearts hurriedly grabbed some sweets, joining Twilight and Spike.

"Wow, I must say, she also became enthusiastic about sweets," Moondancer remarked, surprised that Twilight was so excited, especially about lollipops.

"Moondancer, are you sure you don't want any candy? They're going to eat them all at this rate," Lyra said, observing Lemon Hearts, Spike, Twilight, and Twinkleshine devouring the sweets.

"Don't worry, Lyra, I'm full; I can get more for myself later," Moondancer assured, happily watching her friends having a good time. It had been a long time since Moondancer felt so content in her life.

Location: Ponyville
Date: May 15, year 2000/ 2:30 PM

James was unconscious on a cloud in southwest Ponyville, having been asleep for over half an hour. The ponies who saw him simply passed by, considering it quite common to see Rainbow Dash slacking off from time to time, assuming that he was taking a nap. James opened his eyes slowly. His head hurt a little, and he felt a strange sensation in his body; he couldn't feel his fingers, and something peculiar seemed to have grown on his sides, as if he had a backpack on him.

James slowly opened his eyes while clutching his head with a hoof. "What a crazy trip. I wonder where that black hole has taken us." James glanced at the sky—nothing out of the ordinary. However, when he surveyed his surroundings, he was shocked. James froze for a few seconds, attempting to process what he was seeing.

"Don't tell me... Don't tell me I'm in that cartoon for little girls that Andy likes so much." James knew where he was, seeing several ponies going about their daily activities, but of course, not knowing much about MLP would be a big problem for him. Not only was he in a totally different world than his, but also, his appearance changed completely.

He looked at his supposed 'hands' that are now known as hooves. "What the hell? I'm a horse, too. And I don't have fingers. How am I supposed to say 'fuck you' if I don't have fingers? This is a nightmare; I think I'm going to go crazy."

James began to hyperventilate from the terror of having turned into a pony; clearly, he preferred being human. He deeply missed his fingers and his original appearance.

"Okay, okay, I have to calm down; I won't get anywhere if I go crazy. I've already seen a lot of crazy things, like that black hole that swallowed me and Andy. I don't know where Andy is, but I'll have to look for him, find a way to get out of here, and return to America." James said this after breathing calmly and being determined to fulfill his mission, which he hoped would be the only and last one.

James looked at where he was sitting, realizing that he was on a cloud. "I don't understand how the logic of this world works. I mean, I'm on a cloud; how is this possible? Anyway, I'm not so high; maybe I can get down carefully and reach the ground." With his rear hooves, James tried to descend while holding on to the edge of the cloud with his front hooves.

Not being accustomed to the pony's body, he lost balance on his front hooves, causing him to slip and fall backward to the ground. "That wasn't what I had planned, but this stupid body makes it more difficult for me." James got up and stood on all fours like any pony. He noticed a puddle of water under the cloud, which he took the opportunity to examine more closely—his new appearance.

James looked at his reflection in the puddle of water and realized that he was a light blue pony with a rainbow mane. "It can't be; I have a punani... I'm the pony from those unfunny memes from 2012 that Andy used to show me when we were going to primary school. This can't get stranger and more uncomfortable by the minute." James turned on his side and also noticed the wings and the 'tattoo'. "I also have a tattoo that I don't know the meaning of, nor am I interested. But I am interested in the wings. That's the only good thing about all of this; maybe if I fly, I could find Andy easily and get out of here as quickly as possible."

James was getting ready to fly, but there was a problem, and he had no idea how to use the wings. He tried everything he could; he couldn't even open them. "Now that I think about it, I've never used wings in my life; in fiction, it seemed so simple."

James tried everything; he used the power of his mind, but it didn't work. He tried saying "Flight mode, on," but it didn't work either. James had also been surprised by the fact that his voice had also changed; all this time he had been speaking in his mind, but now that he said his first word in his new pony form, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. It is normal that his voice also changed, but the fact that he was a pony and female did not improve the matter.

In any case, there were more important matters to resolve.

He tried to imitate Superman's pose to see if there would be any results, but nothing happened; the results were still the same.

"I'd better leave it alone and walk, even though I'm disappointed that I won't be able to fly and know what it feels like to be an eagle, at least for a few seconds." James continued on his way, not knowing where to go, nor did he know if talking to the other ponies would be a good idea.

James walked in a way that was totally normal for him, being on two hooves, but for the other ponies, it was unusual, which raised a few eyebrows along the way.

James didn't pay attention to that; the only thing he cared about right now was finding Andy.

James began to get frustrated because he didn't know which of all the ponies that live in Ponyville could be Andy, nor did he even know if Andy was still human or just James had suffered the transformation. Although it was unlikely, James had no idea about anything.

James said inside his mind, "I have no idea which one Andy could be; it's impossible to know. I'll have to ask, and he'll surely recognize me." James walked towards a pony; he didn't know what language the ponies spoke since, at the moment, he hadn't heard or spoken to any of them.

James said to himself, "I'll try to say hello in English, Japanese, and Spanish; those are the only languages I know. I hope these dudes don't speak a strange or invented language like Hylian."

James touched the pony's back with his hooves, to which the pony turned around, looking at James.

"Hi, hola, konnichiwa. Can you understand me, dude?" James asked.

"Yes, I understand you, Rainbow Dash, although I don't know what hola or konichi something is," Cherry Berry said, surprised by Rainbow Dash's unusual question so suddenly.

James said in his mind, "Thanks, God, they can speak English, but... she called me Rainbow Dash? So that's the name of the pony I turned into? And how does she know my 'name'? Well, anyway, it's more than clear now that this pink pony is not Andy, so I'm going to continue my search."

"Forget it, you're not who I was looking for; if you'll excuse me, I must go," James said to Cherry without her having the opportunity to respond as he headed towards another pony in a flash.

"What a strange question Rainbow Dash just asked me, and the way she was walking... I wonder if she's okay," Cherry Berry said to herself, pondering the odd encounter with Rainbow Dash.

James approached another pony and asked, "Hey, Andy, is that you?"

"Andy? My name is Bon Bon, and you know it," Bon Bon responded, clearly confused by James' question.

"Forget it," James said coldly, determined to find his best friend. He had no interest in befriending these 'colorful ponies' or engaging in lengthy conversations with them.

James, continuing his search, asked the same question to four other ponies and always received the same answer; it seemed that Andy was not in Ponyville.

Growing increasingly frustrated, James clenched his front hooves as if they were fists, tightly holding onto the anger building inside him. "This is rubbish; I can't find a way out of this place if I don't find my man. I can't leave without him. I hate to admit it, but I may even have to stay here a day or more until I find him; it doesn't matter. I'll take a break on this bench before continuing the search," James thought to himself.

"During my walk in this town, I heard some of the ponies talking about the summer sun celebration. I have no idea what it is, but it sounds like a social event. If all the ponies are gathered in one place, I might find Andy easily. I think I'll wait here." James thought to himself before lying down on the Ponyville Park bench and was willing to wait for the moment when the celebration would begin, although he had no idea what time or what it would be about.

James continued talking to himself in his mind. "Poor Andy, even though he is a fan of this cartoon for little girls, being trapped here and being alone must be distressing for him. I hope that wherever he is, he is okay."

Meanwhile, Twilight and Spike were enjoying Moondancer's party; they sang happy birthday to her, and they were the ones who ate the most pieces of cake; Twilight's favorite was vanilla, and apparently, Spike's favorite too.

Both of them were in a corner, full; they were the guests who ate the most during the party. While Twilight's other friends enjoyed playing other party games like pin the tail on the donkey.

"This party is incredible. Spike, I had a lot of fun; what about you?" Twilight asked with genuine curiosity. She cared a lot about Spike and wanted to know if her friend had enjoyed himself after all the work the original Twilight had put him through.

"Of course, Twilight! I-BRAAAPPPP!" Spike belched before finishing his sentence, a letter from Princess Celestia coming out of his mouth.

"Celestia... is this what I think it is?" Twilight asked herself inside her mind.

Spike took the letter and began to read it aloud as usual: "My most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. I hope you have a wonderful day because I have a very important quest for you. I need you to go to Ponyville and supervise the Summer Sun Celebration, and most importantly, make more friends."

"Before we leave, we must first say goodbye to the girls," Twilight said as Spike nodded and walked beside her, heading towards Twilight's friends. "Then, Spike, I will need you to do me a small favor, just one. I will need you to write a letter to my parents about my departure to Ponyville; they deserve to know that I will not be very present in Canterlot from now on. Celestia could send it to them." Twilight explained.

"Yeah, why not, Twilight? As your number one assistant, I will not refuse a task as important as that," Spike said proudly as he placed his claws on his chest.

As Twilight and Spike approached their friends, Moondancer stood in the center with her back to Twilight and Spike while the rest of her friends listened to stories from their foalhood.

Twilight picked up a balloon that was lying on the ground. She had planned to play a prank on Moondancer before saying goodbye.

Approaching very quietly, she gestured to the others to remain silent by placing one of her hooves in her mouth, signaling that they should ignore her presence and continue listening to Moondancer's story.

Moondancer got distracted by the story she had just told and proceeded to share another one with her friends. "Remember the time when—" Moondancer struggled to contain her laughter. "The time Lemon and I argued over some marbles; to this day, I still can't believe it." She paused. "At school, there was a competition in the summer of 1991 to see who could solve math problems the fastest. The winner will have a large collection of marbles that were difficult to find anywhere else in Equestria. I told myself, 'those marbles will be mine no matter what it costs me.' Lemon was also determined to get them, but I wasn't going to give up so easily. At that moment, we weren't friends; we were rivals. The only thing—" Moondancer was interrupted when Twilight, with the balloon, squeezed it so hard with her hooves that it exploded.

The sudden burst took Moondancer by surprise, causing her to jump a little and get scared.

"Got ya! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Twilight laughed as hard as she could.

Spike and the rest of Twilight's friends joined in the laughter. Twinkleshine, in particular, enjoyed the prank since she loved a good laugh.

Moondancer was momentarily frozen with fear, not being accustomed to this type of prank. However, seeing all her friends smiling and having a good time, including Twilight, eventually brought a smile to her face too.

"Phew, you really scared me, Twilight. I thought the only prankster in the group was Twinkleshine, but you? You really took me by surprise," Moondancer said, taking deep breaths to shake off the momentary scare.

"I'm full of surprises, Moondancer; what can I tell you?" Twilight paused. "Well, girls, apart from scaring Moondancer, I also wanted to tell you something very important." All of Twilight and Moondancer's friends were curious about the announcement that Twilight would make. "Celestia just sent me a letter saying that I must stay in Ponyville to oversee the summer sun celebration. I would love to stay a little longer, believe me, but as a student of the princess, I cannot disappoint her or take her quests lightly. I should leave right now. I'm sorry, girls," Twilight said, looking down, afraid of disappointing her friends.

Moondancer was the first to speak to Twilight: "Don't worry, Twilight; we know how important it is to obey the princess's orders. The fact that you came to my party is enough for me, as is your wonderful gift, which I will treasure forever."

"It's true, Twilight. At least you came here to spend time with your friends. We were really worried that you cared more about studies than us. I'm glad I was wrong," Twinkleshine explained.

"Besides, most of us live in Ponyville, so you could visit us whenever you want, and you can take advantage of this opportunity to get to know Amethyst better!" Lyra said, excited about the idea that another of her friends would move to Ponyville and meet more friends there.

"I would love to get to know you more, Twilight! I'm sure we'll get along well," Amethyst said, happy to meet a new friend.

"Thank you, girls. I'm glad you understand my situation. If possible, I will try to spend more time with each of you while I reside in Ponyville." Twilight's words hung in the air for a moment as her friends processed the news. However, before any lingering sadness could set in, Twilight, with a warm smile, took a step forward, inviting her friends into a tight, group hug.

The atmosphere shifted from a moment of understanding to one of shared warmth. Twilight's lavender coat became a focal point, surrounded by a spectrum of colorful friends. Hooves intertwined, and for a brief moment, time seemed to freeze. The embrace spoke volumes, transcending words and echoing the deep bonds of friendship they had forged.

As they held each other, the hug was not just a physical embrace but a symbol of the memories they shared, the challenges they faced, and the support they offered. It was a collective expression of love and understanding, a silent assurance that distance would not diminish the strength of their connection.

When the hug finally loosened, each friend wore a genuine smile, and Twilight looked into their eyes, conveying gratitude and affection. The bittersweet moment held the promise of future reunions and adventures, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who were part of that magical friendship circle.

Twilight and Spike departed from the party lively, embarking on a leisurely stroll toward the northern outskirts of Canterlot. Their destination awaited – the rendezvous point with the royal guards who would accompany Twilight to Ponyville. Casting a serene glow on the cobblestone streets.

The walk, spanning approximately 15 minutes, allowed Twilight to reflect on the meaningful moments shared at Moondancer's celebration. The rhythmic click-clack of her hooves echoed through the quiet city, punctuating the otherwise calm day. Twilight, lost in her thoughts, was accompanied by Spike, whose tiny steps kept pace with her longer strides.

As they approached the designated meeting spot, the silhouette of the royal guards became visible. The impending departure marked the beginning of a new chapter and life as a pony.

When Spike and Twilight got on the cart that was strapped to the backs of the royal guards, they began to fly at a moderate speed in the sky.

"Spike, prepare the letter for Celestia, so she can send it to my parents," Twilight said while enjoying the wind and the sunlight that reflected on her.

Spike, always prepared for the occasion, took out a feather and a scroll. "I'm ready, Twilight," he said, paying all his attention to what Twilight was about to say.

"Dear Princess Celestia,

At this moment, I am en route to Ponyville to fulfill my mission. Unfortunately, I couldn't bid farewell to my parents as I was attending a friend's party when your letter arrived. Could you kindly compose a letter to my parents, informing them of my permanent move to Ponyville to deepen my understanding of friendship? Please reassure them that there's no need for sadness; I plan to visit whenever possible, and they can send letters to maintain our connection. Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated, Princess.

Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle"

Spike finishes writing the letter and spits fire on it, sending it to the princess.

"Thanks, man; that'll be all for now."

"You're welcome, Twilight. I'm surprised that you want to keep in touch with your parents; we hadn't seen them for months; you were so immersed in your studies." Spike said with surprise and, at the same time, pride at Twilight's change in focusing more on family and friends.

"That was the Twilight of before; now I have more objectives and goals than just studying, and I will be more sociable," she said. However, in her mind, she added, "Not only that, I will become a Pro Skater, BMX, Snowboarder, and other extreme sports, even a stunt performer. But first, I will need to use magic to bring those elements to Equestria if possible. But before that, I must find James and defeat Nightmare Moon."

"I am glad to hear that! This new side of you, I must say, I really like it," Spike said before the royal guards landed in Ponyville.

Twilight thanked the royal guards for the trip to Ponyville. They nodded and proceeded to return to the castle in Canterlot.

Twilight, after surveying her surroundings, thought, "James, I'm here; hang in there; I'll go look for you, brother."

To be continued

Chapter 3 - I Am The Night, Colour Me Black 𓍯

Nightmare Moon, despite being just one chain away from freedom, found the small moment of laughter quickly fading. Memories of the events that had left a lasting mark on her and the deep-seated jealousy and resentment towards her sister resurfaced. "Seeing black again," she muttered, acknowledging the darkness within her. If she truly intended to defeat Celestia, she knew she had to maintain her composure and set aside the intense feelings of anger that fueled her.

Nightmare Moon raised her front hoof, the one free from chains, and examined the marks etched into it from the extensive period of being bound. "I'm seeing black again," she uttered, her voice carrying a louder and more resonant tone this time.

The words Nightmare Moon repeated weren't confined to her own ears. Even in the absence of any life forms on the moon or in space, the isolation of a thousand years didn't prevent Nightmare Moon from talking to herself or even addressing Celestia, even if her sister couldn't hear her. Expressing her feelings openly, even when nopony was listening, served as a release for all the stress she carried.

The magic that Nightmare Moon employed to remove the chain had finally liberated her from the prison that seemed destined to be her eternal abode.

Standing unshackled, Nightmare Moon rose, and with a resounding scream, she declared, "SEEING BLACK AGAIN," unleashing a magical beam that obliterated an asteroid passing nearby.

"Our subjects say, 'Oh, what a wonderful princess,'" Nightmare Moon declared as she walked forward, gazing upon the planet she so desperately wanted to return to in order to enact her revenge. The planet loomed larger with every step she took, mirroring the magnitude of her jealousy towards Celestia.

"When you're singled out," Nightmare Moon paused, looking back to contemplate the vast emptiness of space, which had been her companion for almost her entire life. "The black..." She turned her gaze again, fixing her eyes on the entirety of planet Earth and Equestria. "It filters through my veins."

The fragments of the destroyed asteroid fell around Nightmare Moon, causing small tremors. "I was always your shadow," she declared, pressing one of her front hooves against the moon, which trembled on a small scale.

"Easy to ignore, hard to remember," she added as she spread her wings, preparing to take flight.

Nightmare Moon ascended in a straight line before accelerating at full speed toward the castle. "This time, it will no longer be so; darkness will reign forever, and the light will never shine in Equestria again."

Nightmare Moon flew back to Equestria at high speed with a big smile on her face. "I can see how my absence and the loss of a sister have affected you a lot, Celestia," she laughed evilly. "You're just making it easier for me, but don't worry. This is going to be another day that you will remember for the rest of your life."

Celestia has just returned to her castle after going to the post office to send the letter to Twilight's parents.

She considered the option of personally visiting them, taking the opportunity to share the challenges that Celestia has been grappling with. These issues didn't arise recently; they have been festering within the princess for a thousand years. However, Celestia hesitated, deeming it inappropriate to burden her student's parents with her personal struggles. For a long time, she has sought someone to confide in, but the princess has always felt the need to project strength, bravery, and firm leadership.

Celestia, seizing the rare moment of solitude in her room, chose to articulate her emotions: "I truly miss you, sister. I can't bear the sight of this room without your presence; it feels hollow, much like the void within me." Her voice resonated with a sense of despondency as she approached her bed.

The bed, seemingly ordinary with its comfort and softness, harbored a secret that Celestia had concealed. "These sleeping pills... I should dispose of them; they have no effect on me, and they could potentially lead to respiratory problems or infection." Utilizing her magic, Celestia delicately cut a slit in her mattress, creating a concealed space where she stashed the partially consumed bottles of three different sleeping pills, a mere few from yesterday's intake.

Celestia meticulously stitched the mattress back onto her bed, a practiced routine she had adhered to for an extended period. Like any princess in Equestria, she had subjects responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of her room. Concealing her sleeping pills within the mattress was a necessity, and over time, it had become an artful means of keeping her struggles hidden. This discreet act had become her modus operandi by the second week after banishing her sister to the moon.

The delicate needlework blended seamlessly into the fabric, concealing the hidden compartment beneath. The act was not only a practical necessity but also a symbolic gesture of suppressing the turmoil that raged within her.

As Celestia finished stitching her mattress, she turned her gaze toward the bathroom, where her cabinets held memories in the form of an amulet. This amulet served a dual purpose in her life. Not only did it allow her to transform into another pony, enabling her to discreetly traverse different cities in Equestria and gauge public sentiment, but it also held a more personal role.

In the past, Celestia had attended emotional support groups, seeking solace and understanding. Her royal stature made it challenging to participate openly, as her true form could spark inquiries and doubts about her ability to govern Equestria. This belief fueled her desire to keep her identity discreet during these vulnerable moments, seeking support without the encumbrance of her regal persona.

The amulet, once a conduit to exploration, now stood as a silent witness to the emotional struggles Celestia sought to navigate.

Celestia continued looking at her amulet. Memories of several meetings invaded her head, but there was one in particular that dominated her mind. Celestia brought her hoof to her forehead, trying to remember it.

Flashback
In 1985, Golden Feather, known as Celestia, disguised herself as a common pony. She went to an establishment located in Fillydelphia to receive emotional support.

Golden opened the door, and when she entered, nothing could be heard except the sound of the door closing and the steps she took, maintaining a saddened look since her trip from Canterlot to Fillydephia. Golden was eating a donut as she headed to the corresponding room. As she continued walking through the silent hallways, she couldn't hold back the urge to cry, and she didn't want to be seen this way. For Golden, eating something sweet relieved her pain momentarily.

As Golden Feather indulged in her donut, she delicately retrieved a small piece of paper from her mane. Unfolding it with a sense of purpose, her eyes scanned the writing that guided her to the correct room amidst the labyrinthine corridors.

Room "202" awaited her presence in this expansive and intricate establishment. The hallways, devoid of life, seemed to stretch endlessly, accentuating the challenge of navigating the complex. Golden, typically assigned to the night shift, often found herself attending these support sessions.

The establishment's entrance bore characteristic signs proclaiming its purpose: 'Sadness Management, 6:50 PM.' Golden Feather, guided by the printed coordinates on the slip of paper, navigated the quiet passages, each step echoing with a mix of determination and the subdued rustling of her emotions.

Upon entering the room, Golden Feather was greeted by an atmosphere steeped in silence, a pervasive sense of dejection, and a distinct absence of smiles. The sole beacon of vitality and optimism in the room emanated from a cheerful pegasus tasked with orchestrating these sessions. This pony, clad in extravagant attire, endeavored to sustain a positive ambiance amid the prevailing gloom.

Golden, wearied and disheartened, made her way to the table. She poured herself a glass of water, a small effort to soothe her throat before sharing her own struggles. The other ponies in the room, each grappling with their own sorrow, exhibited a variety of coping mechanisms. Some engaged in repetitive readings of tips on the walls, seeking solace in the written words. Others tapped their hooves rhythmically on the chairs, lost in contemplation. A few gazed fixedly at the mural adorning the room, a picturesque landscape depicting a diverse array of land animals against the backdrop of a sunset. Despite the differences in their activities, a common thread united them—the palpable absence of joy in their expressions.

"Would anypony like to share?" inquired the pony in charge, her perpetual smile contrasting with the heavy atmosphere.

A silent gaze swept across the room, meeting a sea of downcast eyes; no hooves were raised. It appeared that the weight of their sorrows still bound many, rendering them speechless.

Golden Feather, distinguishable by her standing position and recent arrival, drew the attention of the organizing pony. With a gesture of her wings, akin to beckoning with fingers, she invited Golden to step forward.

"You, Golden, come on down," she announced, her wings guiding Golden toward the podium.

In Golden's hoof, the crumpled remnants of a disposable paper bore traces of not only donut icing but also tears. Discarding the paper in a nearby trash bin, Golden approached the podium. As she neared, the inscription on the lectern became visible: 'Communicate your needs,' and in larger letters, 'Practice self-compassion.' The poignant reminder seemed to echo the sentiments of the room.

As Golden Feather stepped up to the podium, the organizing pony gracefully descended from the stage, positioning herself on the side of the room. This strategic move allowed her not only to lend her ear to Golden but also to be readily available for any other pony seeking assistance.

Surveying the expectant faces directed toward her, Golden felt the weight of their collective attention. However, it wasn't the scrutiny that concerned her; she had grown accustomed to public speaking. Instead, her fear lay in the vulnerability of potentially breaking down while baring her soul.

Resting both front hooves on the podium, Golden hesitated as she scanned the room.

Observing Golden's apprehension, the organizing pony offered reassurance. "Take your time, Golden," she urged, her voice carrying a soothing tone. "We're all here to support each other; no one is going to judge you. It's okay to cry; that's quite common in these meetings. If you feel the need, just let it out. And if you want, each of us can offer you a hug. A warm embrace can mend even the deepest internal wounds," she encouraged, hoping to provide Golden with the comfort and encouragement she needed.

Golden nodded in acknowledgment of the comforting words from the organizing pony. Poised to share her thoughts, she leaned slightly forward, bringing herself closer to the microphone. "I... lost my sister, the only family I had left." Golden swayed back, her gaze shifting downward. As she steadied herself, she placed the microphone nearer, looking up again. "We were very close, inseparable. There were hardly any days we spent apart. She was the best sister a pony could have." A subtle glaze began to veil Golden's eyes.

"My sister and I were independent, living together happily. Everything was going well until I made new friends; my sister struggled with socializing, and my social circle was expanding daily. While she remained in the shadows, no one was there for her; she had no friends." Golden fought to hold back her tears.

"I didn't realize I was creating a fault line." She sobbed. "Until, of course, it was too late to see." Golden clenched her hooves tightly, her gaze fixated downward. "She stopped talking to me. She believed I was getting all the attention, while she was left unnoticed." Golden took a deep breath, struggling to control her emotions.

"Then one day, she said, 'Enough is enough,' leaving me alone, and she ventured far away to continue her life without me..." As Golden uttered these words, she succumbed to tears, covering her face with both front hooves.

The organizing pony, witnessing Golden's emotional breakdown, decided to offer support in any way possible to make Golden feel comforted. "Thank you for sharing your words, Golden. You don't need to continue; we completely understand the situation you're going through. If you'd like, each of us is here to offer you a hug."

"A hug is exactly what I need right now," Golden replied with a broken voice and stammered speech, struggling to hold back her tears.

"Alright, everypony, form a line and give Golden a hug, offering words of comfort as well." The organizing pony directed, and all the ponies promptly formed a line, providing Golden with warm hugs and words of solace.

Back in the present, Celestia stood in her bathroom, flushing all the sleeping pills down the toilet, reminiscing about her painful past and the loss of Luna. "I'll miss those seminars. I met many ponies at those meetings, and we supported each other. I've witnessed how they age over time, and I've had to get to know new faces. It's... the drawback of being an alicorn."

Once Celestia finished flushing the pills away, she proceeded to the more challenging task – removing the pills she had taken yesterday that were still in her system. Celestia knelt down and, with one hoof, inserted it into her mouth, reaching almost to her throat, inducing vomiting to expel the pills. She repeated the process; it was unpleasant, but there weren't many options; it was either that or jeopardize her health.

Celestia stood up and walked to the washbasin, diligently washing her hooves and mouth to eliminate every trace of dirt.

In her reflection in the mirror, a dejected Celestia was visible, consumed by sadness and guilt. She gazed at her reflection as one part of the bathroom was illuminated, while the other remained in complete darkness.

The princess began to rid her face of blemishes with a little water, keeping her eyes closed. When she finished cleaning herself and opened her eyes again, Nightmare Moon appeared behind her.

Celestia froze for a few seconds. She turned around, her breathing rapid; unsure if what she saw was real or a hallucination.

When Celestia dried her face with a towel, she observed that black lines appeared on the dark side of her bathroom, covering a part of the space, while her reflection, her body, was enveloped in these mysterious black lines.

Upon turning around, everything returned to normal, and there was nothing amiss. "I don't know what's happening; I can't discern if what I see is real or if my mind is playing tricks on me, but to be sure..." she thought to herself while trembling with fear that Nightmare Moon might be toying with her.

Swiftly, she headed towards her room, grasping a scroll and quill to write to Twilight about the situation. However, her intentions were interrupted when she heard a familiar voice.

Nightmare Moon was standing right behind Celestia. "Were you planning to send me a letter, sister? No need, I'm here," confidently expressed Nightmare Moon.

"No... it can't be," Celestia uttered, finding it difficult to believe that Nightmare Moon was right there, behind her.

"Oh, so many ways for me to show you how you've already lost this conflict. Since your dogma has abandoned you, it must be sad to be in your position. Our subjects will realize how completely real I am, not simply a legend as this book says," Nightmare Moon declared with disdain as she lifted the book with her magic, turning it into ashes.

"It hasn't abandoned me; I did it for a reason. I didn't want our subjects to live in fear, that one day you would return..." Celestia replied, turning around, maintaining a crestfallen look, showing no intention to defend herself. Her guilt consumed her inside.

"And you think the best option was to lie to them? Ha! What a princess you turned out to be. But your reign is already over; you're not going to convince me with nice words. I didn't come here for a family reunion." Nightmare Moon prepared to cast a spell on Celestia before banishing her to the sun.

"I'm sorry, Twilight; I'm useless. In these conditions, I can't do anything. This is all my fault; I should have found another way to deal with Luna before she became Nightmare Moon. But using the elements was the only thing I could do. Maybe there wouldn't even be another option. I'm so sorry... these feelings are taking over me," Celestia lamented within herself, blaming herself for the situation. At that moment, she lacked the courage to take any action.

"Surely you're blaming yourself again, and that's why you don't say anything. You'll have a lot to blame for the rest of your life in the sun!" Nightmare Moon launched her attack, hitting Celestia directly.

Celestia emitted a small scream before being sent to the sun, where she would spend the rest of her life.

"Phase one of my plan completed; now I will wait until midnight to announce my new reign," Nightmare Moon declared with a sinister smile. She then transformed into a cloud of darkness and drifted out of the castle room window, disappearing into the sky.

To be continued

Chapter 4 - The Multicolor Roses of Ponyville

4:30 PM

"Now that I'm in Ponyville... considering my role as a member of the Mane Six, James could be anypony. I just have to observe each one individually. If I notice somepony acting unusually and not in line with their personality, it's likely James," Twilight pondered, conversing with herself in her mind.

"According to Celestia's letter, Rarity is in charge of the decorations. Let's head to the town hall first; it's closer," Twilight instructed Spike. As they gazed at the town hall from their position, Twilight noted that it seemed physically larger than it appeared on television, captivating her attention for a few moments.

Spike and Twilight proceeded toward the town hall. Spike couldn't help but observe that the exterior lacked any decorations; it resembled any other structure.

"Twilight, do you know why there's no exterior decoration? If Rarity isn't here, this might take longer than we thought," Spike inquired while revisiting Celestia's letter, which didn't specify whether the decorations should extend to the outside.

"I'm confident it refers only to the interior. I believe the Summer Sun Celebration will be held inside the town hall, so there's no need to decorate the outside if nopony would notice it," Twilight explained as they reached the entrance of the town hall.

Twilight and Spike entered the town hall, finding it adorned with Rarity's signature creativity. As they approached, Rarity stood before a variety of colored ribbons, evidently caught in a classic dilemma of her own making.

"If Rarity is here, dedicated to her decorating duties, then James is not likely her. Nevertheless, it's only fair to extend a friendly greeting; after all, we're destined to be great friends," Twilight mused quietly to herself, observing Spike becoming entranced by Rarity's allure.

Twilight, amused by Spike's captivation, couldn't help but smile.

"Hey, Rarity! What's cracking?" she greeted in her usual casual manner.

"Oh my, you took me by surprise! I didn't realize you two were here," Rarity exclaimed, genuinely startled by the sudden appearance of Twilight and Spike.

Rarity, fixing her gaze upon Twilight and Spike, quickly realized she had never seen them before in the many years she had lived in Ponyville. Her surprise heightened, especially upon realizing that this mysterious pony knew her name.

"Sorry 'bout that. I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this is my man, Spike. We're from Canterlot," Twilight introduced herself with a casual, informal tone, a bit unusual among ponies and quite a departure from the formality often associated with Canterlot residents.

"Canterlot?!" Rarity's surprise intensified at the revelation of encountering a pony from Canterlot, a city she held in high regard. Its beauty, intertwined with history, never failed to excite Rarity.

Quickly regaining composure, Rarity cleared her throat and returned to her elegant tone, refusing to let her excitement overpower her. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my dear Twilight and Spike. However, I can't help but wonder, how do you know my name?" Rarity asked with genuine curiosity, unable to recall any prior encounters with Twilight.

"Well, Princess Celestia sent me to Ponyville to supervise the Summer Sun Celebration. Her letter mentioned the names of various ponies handling different tasks," Twilight explained to Rarity, while Spike remained captivated by Rarity's beauty.

For Rarity, this day couldn't have been better. Not only had she met a new pony and her dragon companion from the prestigious Canterlot, but she also discovered connections with Princess Celestia.

"As for my part, you needn't worry. I've already finished decorating the Town Hall. I was torn between the pink and yellow ribbon, but I ultimately chose yellow for a more unique touch that complements the interior," Rarity explained, ensuring she did a commendable job and aiming to make Twilight proud.

"I'm glad to hear that, Rarity, but before I go, I'd like to ask you something," Twilight paused, her expression thoughtful. "Have you noticed anypony acting unusually or strangely today? Anything that seemed out of the ordinary?"

Rarity pondered the question, bringing her hoof to her chin. "Hmm, I'm sorry, Twilight. For me, it's been a rather ordinary day. I haven't observed anypony behaving strangely."

Twilight felt a twinge of disappointment when she couldn't glean any information about her best friend. "Puta madre, It seems she hasn't seen James. I'll need to inquire with the others—Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. One of them must be James. If not, this quest will prove more challenging than I anticipated. But I can't afford to give up hope," Twilight murmured to herself, her gaze fixed on the floor as she delved into her thoughts momentarily.

"And who is this pony you're searching for? You don't even know her name? If you provided more details about her appearance or cutie mark, perhaps I could assist you," Rarity inquired, her attention caught by Twilight's unusual question. She was genuinely eager to help in any way she could.

Twilight couldn't divulge the details of her origins or how she and her friend came to Equestria; it was an enigma too complex for anypony to comprehend, let alone believe.

"Don't worry about it for now, Rarity. It's complicated to explain," Twilight responded with a cheerful tone, aiming to alleviate any unnecessary concern on Rarity's part.

"It's okay, dear. I wish you the best of luck in finding your friend," Rarity said as she approached Twilight. "By the way, I must say, I adore your mane, Twilight. I'm renowned for creating the most elegant and creative dresses imaginable. You'll be the epitome of fashion while searching for your friend. Moreover, you might attract the attention of some fine stallions," Rarity added, raising her eyebrows several times, under the impression that Twilight might be interested in attracting the attention of stallions.

"Stallions!?" Twilight exclaimed, surprise widening her eyes. "Mmm, how do I put this... I'm a lesbian," Twilight revealed, scratching the back of her head with a hoof, visibly embarrassed discussing such topics.

Rarity, taken aback by Twilight's revelation, responded with a breathy, "Wow..."

Twilight, a little embarrassed, looked back and down at the floor. "I guess it's not very common for two ponies of the same gender to be attracted to each other."

"No, my dear, but I don't judge anypony. Besides, I can still create a splendid dress for you. It doesn't necessarily have to attract stallions; with mares, it can work just as well," Rarity expressed understanding while taking pride in the prospect of sharing her craftsmanship with a new friend.

"I'd love to, believe me, but I still have work to do. Perhaps another day? What do you think? Right now, I have a tight schedule," Twilight suggested, acknowledging the pressing tasks of searching for her friend and overseeing the Summer Sun Celebration.

"It's okay, my dear. I'm delighted to have met you and Spikey-wikey, even though he can't seem to take his eyes off me," Rarity noticed Spike's unwavering gaze since their entrance into the Town Hall.

"That's because he can't resist your beauty. You've literally left my dude speechless LOL," Twilight chuckled along with Rarity.

Throughout this time, Spike wrestled with internal conflict, debating whether to compliment Rarity on her appearance in an attempt to win her favor. "Should I tell her? We're leaving, and I still haven't mustered the courage to let her know she's beautiful. I'm so nervous."

"Let's go, Romeo. There will be another time for you to spend with Rarity," Twilight said, placing her hoof on Spike, who remained motionless.

With time running out, Spike had to decide quickly whether to express his admiration for Rarity. As they approached the exit of the town hall, Spike, feeling desperate and hurried, realized the door was getting closer with each step. "What should I do? We're nearly at the exit, and once we leave, I'll lose sight of her, and it'll be too late."

Spike, in a final burst of determination, blurted out, "You're beautiful, Rarity!"

"Thank you, Spikey. I hope to see you again soon," Rarity said happily, raising her hoof in a goodbye gesture to Spike.

Upon leaving the town hall and confirming that Rarity was not James, Twilight scanned the surroundings. In the distance, the distinctive structure of Sweet Apple Acres caught her eye. Its unique design set it apart from the other houses in Ponyville, easily identifiable at a glance. They just needed to follow an undetermined path towards it—regardless of its length—and it would lead them straight there.

"I think we'll go see Applejack. From here, I can spot her farm, but I'm not sure about Fluttershy's location. It's not easily recognizable," Twilight mused to herself before turning her gaze to Spike. "Let's head to Applejack's, Spike. We need to ensure the banquet is ready, and who knows, maybe they'll treat us to some free food," she added with a quiet mention of the enticing possibility of complimentary food.

Twilight and Spike strolled toward the farm renowned for its exceptional apples. Although Twilight longed for a taste, more pressing matters demanded her attention—finding her friend and confronting Nightmare Moon. Even though she hadn't mastered the use of magic, she harbored a quiet confidence in her ability to face the looming threat.

Meanwhile, Spike found himself utterly captivated by Rarity. Her mere presence rendered the dragon momentarily oblivious to anything but the beautiful mare he had encountered today.

"Did you catch that, Twilight? I think Rarity likes me. She mentioned wanting to see me again soon," Spike remarked, interlacing his claws on his left cheek, a clear display of attraction towards Rarity.

"I believe she just sees you as a friend, Spike. You only just met her," Twilight reassured Spike, the two walking closely together.

"How can you be so sure? It seemed to me that she likes me, that we share the same feelings," Spike persisted, holding onto his belief that Rarity had a romantic interest in him.

"You still have a lot to learn about life, particularly when it comes to matters of love," Twilight said, a friendly laugh escaping her. It reminded her of her past life as a human, a situation similar to this one having crossed her mind.

"What do you mean by that?" Spike asked, a look of confusion etching across his face, accompanied by a raised eyebrow.

"I'm referring to how romantic relationships don't unfold so hastily. There must be a strong connection first before taking it to the next step," she paused, reflecting. "Let me share something with you. When I was just a filly, long before you were born, I fell for another filly in my classroom. She was very pretty. Want to know what she said when I asked her to be my special somepony?"

"No, what did she tell you? Was it something bad?" Spike inquired, a mixture of curiosity and concern evident in his voice.

"She told me, 'No way.' And you know why? Because we barely knew each other. All we had between us were our names." Twilight finished her explanation with a facehoof, embarrassed to recount such a personal story. Yet, she believed Spike deserved to hear it—a valuable lesson and a means for him to understand her more deeply.

"I had no idea about that. I'm sorry she refused to be your partner, but I get where you're coming from with all this," Spike said, reflecting on Twilight's past and contemplating how the same scenario could apply to her with Rarity.

"Don't worry about it; it was a long time ago," Twilight reassured Spike in a calm voice, aiming to alleviate any concern he might feel about this revelation.

Twilight and Spike finally arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, where Applejack was diligently harvesting the ripe apples.

Observing Applejack in her element, Twilight noted that she remained the same reliable and hardworking pony as always. Disappointment lingered, realizing it wasn't James either. However, optimism surged as Twilight considered the possibility of Applejack providing information about any unusual behavior among the Mane 6.

Amidst the sprawling orchard, Applejack, exhausted from the strenuous work of running and kicking trees, took a moment to catch her breath. Wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead, she reflected on the fruits of her labor, a testament to her unwavering dedication to Sweet Apple Acres.

"Yo! Applejack," Twilight called out as she approached.

Applejack turned around at the sound of the unfamiliar voice, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Noticing Twilight and Spike, Applejack studied them for a moment, her gaze lingering on their unfamiliar faces.

"Howdy there," Applejack greeted, tipping her hat back and using it as a makeshift fan to cool off after a hard day's work on the farm. "You know my name, but I don't know y'all or the little fella. Mind sharin' who you are and how you know my name?" Applejack asked with genuine curiosity, her distinctive cowgirl accent coloring her words.

"Psss, Twilight," Spike whispered, prompting her to lean down so he could share his thoughts. "I think you should introduce yourself first and let them do the same. It might help avoid unnecessary confusion. We know their names because Celestia wrote them in the letter, but it's not like we've known them for a long time," Spike suggested, covering his mouth with his claws to prevent Applejack from overhearing their brief conversation.

"You're right; I was just trying to be friendly. But you've got a point; it's probably for the best," Twilight responded in hushed tones.

"You two know I'm here, right? I can hear you whispering," Applejack remarked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"Geez, Applejack, relax. We're not apple-stealing secret agents," Twilight responded with a touch of sarcasm. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this here is my bro, Spike." Twilight affectionately gave Spike some headpats as she mentioned his name. "We're here because Princess Celestia asked me to supervise the Summer Sun Celebration, and her letter mentioned your name."

Applejack, upon hearing Twilight's explanation, adjusted her hat and gained a clearer understanding of why this pony, previously a complete stranger, knew her name.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Twilight and Spike. No hard feelings about the suspicions earlier, but reckon it might be smoother if you introduce yourself first next time and let the others follow suit. That way, we can avoid these kinds of mix-ups," Applejack teased Twilight, her playful tone laced with good-natured ribbing.

"That's exactly what I told her!" Spike chimed in, joining Applejack in laughter.

Twilight, realizing they were both amused by her initial misstep, sighed in frustration. Yet, it wasn't a human-like sigh but rather a pony-esque exhale, accompanied by a soft little neigh—a detail that momentarily surprised Twilight.

"Applejack, have you seen Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy lately?" Twilight inquired, hoping to gather information about James and discern which member of the Mane 6 he might be.

Applejack wiped away a tear from laughter before responding, "Haven't seen 'em since this mornin'. Rainbow Dash is probably takin' it easy instead of takin' care of her duties. Fluttershy's in charge of the music—you likely already knew that."

Twilight slammed one of her front hooves against the ground in frustration, unable to extract any helpful information about her friend. "Dammit! It's no use asking anymore. I'll have to find them myself. One of them must be acting differently," Twilight muttered to herself.

"Twilight? What's goin' on with them?" Applejack inquired, noticing Twilight's distress.

"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to know where they are, if they mentioned anything to you," Twilight replied, scratching her head with a nervous undertone in her voice.

"We ain't crossed paths for many hours, as I said. They're takin' this celebration seriously—well, except for Rainbow Dash, I reckon," Applejack responded, casting a disappointed glance aside, believing that Rainbow Dash was likely off napping somewhere, as was her usual habit.

"But as for the banquet, everything's set, right?" Twilight pressed on.

"Of course, the banquet's ready. We finished it an hour ago. How 'bout a little sample?" Applejack offered, her pride evident as she extended the invitation to share not only her cooking but also the efforts of her entire family.

"I would love that. Could it be takeaway, though? Unfortunately, I can't stay longer; I have very important matters to resolve," Twilight explained, a tinge of regret in her voice for not being able to spend more time with the Apple family.

"Yeah! We'll pack it up for ya while I introduce you to each member of the Apple family. They've whipped up some delicacies you've likely never tasted in your life," Applejack exclaimed proudly, making her way to the metal triangle to produce a resounding clang, calling the entire Apple family to join them.

Upon hearing the resonant clang of the metal triangle, the entire Apple family swiftly gathered around Twilight. Each member, with alacrity, presented their distinct apple specialty to her, while Applejack efficiently and proudly introduced each of her kin, making it easy for Twilight to remember their names. As each family member was introduced, Twilight extended one of her hooves in a friendly greeting, introducing herself and Spike.

As the Apple family continued their warm hospitality, Twilight couldn't help but marvel at the size of the food package she was handed. The sheer volume of the delicacies took her by surprise, and a hint of amazement flashed in her eyes as she contemplated the feast before her, a tempting array of Apple family creations. The tantalizing aroma wafting from the assortment of treats further heightened Twilight's anticipation, and for a moment, she entertained the thought of savoring the entire culinary ensemble all by herself.

"This should last us like a whole week, man. I can't wait to eat it all," Twilight said, teasing Spike in a friendly manner.

"And what about me? I want part of the banquet too," Spike expressed concern, sensing Twilight's apparent eagerness to consume the entire feast herself.

"You'll only get the crumbs and a small piece of apple. Everything else is exclusively for me. I'm being totally fair," Twilight declared with mock seriousness.

"What?! That doesn't sound fair at all. That wouldn't even fill an ant's stomach," Spike retorted, crossing his arms in frustration.

Twilight, unable to contain her laughter, erupted into a boisterous "HAHAHAHAHA" accompanied by a loud neigh that resonated throughout the Apple family farm. Her sudden outburst caused her to immediately cover her mouth with both hooves, attempting to stifle the echoing laughter.

Applejack, noticing Twilight's involuntary neigh, couldn't help but burst into laughter. "I reckon you must come from them fancy cities like Canterlot where it ain't common to do that. But don't you worry, it's normal for ponies to let out a neigh now and then, and some folks just can't help it. Just try to avoid it in them formal situations."

"Understood, Applejack. Thank you kindly for the food, and I extend my thanks to all the Apples. I'm truly grateful," Twilight expressed her gratitude as she readied herself to carry the food package.

"You're welcome, Twilight. It's a pleasure. 'Round here, Apples do their darnedest to make new friends feel right at home," Applejack said with a warm smile, her cowgirl accent coloring her words.

Twilight proceeded to take the package full of food, securing it on her back. It proved to be as weighty as carrying only two bricks. "Spike, lend me a hoof with this. Seriously this time, or I won't even give you the crumbs," Twilight asserted with a faux-serious tone.

"I hope you're joking..." Spike responded in a low, slightly concerned tone, hefting the package onto his back.

With the food-laden package now on their backs, Twilight and Spike moved at a pace akin to a snail's crawl. Minutes ticked by, and they hadn't even covered half the distance out of the farm.

Observing their slow progress, Applejack grew genuinely concerned for her new friends. "Twilight, Spike... y'all sure you don't want an extra hoof?" she offered, her cowgirl accent lending a warmth to her words.

"No, Applejack, don't worry." Twilight struggled to keep the package from toppling. "My place ain't that far, just five hundred meters away, I reckon," Twilight said, offering a completely improvised estimation of the distance to her home.

Meanwhile, James lounged in the park, growing weary of reclining on the bench for fifty minutes. A stray bouncy ball caught his attention, seemingly abandoned and ownerless. Intrigued, he rose from the bench, claimed the ball, and sought refuge under a tree to shield himself from the direct sunlight.

Positioned in the shade, James engaged in a simple yet absorbing pastime. He threw the bouncy ball from his perch, aiming it towards another tree on the opposite side of the road. The rhythmic repetition became his sole source of amusement, a repetitive routine that had occupied his time for what felt like an eternity.

"I've tallied one hundred and fifty bounces... and the summer sun celebration hasn't even kicked off; seems it's an evening affair. Perhaps I ought to seek out a different form of entertainment. And who knows, maybe I'll come across Andy on my exploration. Once I hit two hundred bounces, I reckon it's time to venture further into this town," James mused aloud, his mutterings accompanying the sound of the bouncy ball rebounding off the tree, a rhythmic pattern that he had become adept at catching with his hooves.

As James allowed time to slip away, engrossed in the rhythmic play with the bouncy ball, he instinctively glanced to his right. To his surprise, a pony soared toward him, wearing a distinctly frustrated expression.

Baffled, James pondered, "That pony looks downright annoyed... I have no idea who she is or what I might have done. If I spill the beans about transforming into a pony from another universe, she's likely not gonna buy it. Better to play the fool and pretend I'm clueless about whatever I've supposedly done," James mused internally, maintaining his focus on the approaching pony.

"I finally found you, Rainbow Dash," Sassaflash exclaimed, placing a hoof to her face in a display of disappointment. However, after a few seconds, she refocused her gaze on Rainbow Dash. "I get that you take your sweet time doing your tasks, but you were supposed to clear the sky. It's been a while since you were assigned that task, and here you are, playing with a ball."

James, now even more perplexed, raised an eyebrow, still trying to make sense of the situation.

"I had to clear the sky because, if not, you probably would've done it when it was too late or even tomorrow," Sassaflash explained, gesturing with her hoof toward the sky.

James glanced at the sky and saw no noticeable difference since he had woken up.

"First off, I have no clue about what you just said. Second, what does 'clearing the sky' even mean? Is it a game, an activity, a job? I don't grasp that concept. For me, the sky is the sky, period," James replied, genuine confusion in his tone.

Sassaflash was taken aback by Rainbow Dash's response. She couldn't believe that Rainbow Dash, of all ponies, didn't understand such a basic concept as clearing the sky.

"You're kidding, right? I can't believe it. Rainbow Dash herself is asking me questions like these," Sassaflash remarked, her tone tinged with disbelief.

"I'm dead serious, alright? I have no idea what a clearing sky is. The last thing I remember is waking up on a cloud; that's all I know," James insisted, his tone genuinely perplexed. Despite his sincerity, it was challenging for Sassaflash to accept that Rainbow Dash seemed oblivious to the concept of clearing the sky.

"Look, Rainbow Dash, I don't know what kind of joke you're trying to pull, but it's not flying with me. I'm not in the mood for this right now. I just need you to get your tasks done next time," Sassaflash stated, her frustration apparent. She remained unconvinced by Rainbow Dash's apparent ignorance, dismissing it as either an elaborate joke or an excuse she wasn't in the mood for.

"I'M NOT KIDDING, GODDAMNIT!" James exclaimed, his voice rising, and in his frustration, a loud neigh escaped him. He quickly covered his mouth, surprised by the sudden emergence of this natural pony sound.

Sassaflash tilted her head back in surprise and bewilderment. "Well, that was rude, Rainbow Dash, but considering it's coming from somepony as reckless as you, I guess I shouldn't be surprised," Sassaflash remarked, casting a disappointed glance to the side.

James released an annoyed sigh. "Are you done complaining? Why don't you go do something else?"

Sassaflash redirected her attention toward a purple pony accompanied by a dragon approaching them. Having never seen this duo before, she chose to wait for their arrival.

"Rainbow Dash, look, behind you. Have you seen that pony before? She also has a dragon," Sassaflash pointed in their direction with one of her front hooves.

James turned around, noticing the presence of the purple pony and the dragon. This surprised him, as he harbored a fondness for dragons, and having one as a 'pet' sounded appealing.

"No, I don't remember seeing that pony before," James clarified.

"I wonder what Rainbow Dash was doing in the park; I thought she would be flying around..." Twilight pondered, immersed in her thoughts. "Maybe, just maybe, it could be James! I have no doubt about that, and he seems to be arguing with Sassaflash." Twilight murmured to herself as she briskly walked towards Rainbow Dash, excited to finally find her friend.

"Twilight, can't you go a little slower? Carrying that package wasn't easy; I've never exercised so much in my life," Spike complained while wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Twilight let out a small laugh. "Every minute, you give me more reasons not to share any of the food the Apples gave us with you. Tomorrow, we're getting up early to exercise. What do you think?" Twilight teased Spike.

"Why are you doing this to me, Twilight? You can keep the food, but please, for whatever you want, I don't want to get up early to exercise!" Spike pleaded dramatically.

"Hahaha, it's okay, Spike. I was just teasing you, lazy dragon," Twilight chuckled as she bent down so Spike could climb onto her back.

Twilight took a few steps, finally reaching Sassaflash and Rainbow Dash.

"Hey, I've never seen you two here before. You must be new to Ponyville or coming to visit? By the way, my name is Sassaflash," Sassaflash greeted the duo with a warm smile.

"Nice to meet you, Sassaflash. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and this is Spike. We came from Canterlot and just moved to Ponyville," Twilight said as she and Sassaflash shook hooves.

"I heard some screams when I left my house. Is everything okay here?" Twilight asked with a combination of curiosity and concern.

"Nothing serious. Rainbow Dash being Rainbow Dash. She was supposed to clear the sky before the Summer Sun Celebration, but as always, she was lazy and supposedly forgot. Now she jokes that she doesn't remember anything and doesn't know what clearing the sky is when it's something she's been doing practically her entire life," Sassaflash said, teasing Rainbow Dash with a playful tone.

Twilight glanced at the sky for a few seconds before returning her gaze to Sassaflash. "The sky is clear; some other pony must have done it."

"Exactly, it was me. Otherwise, Rainbow Dash wouldn't do anything in the end," Sassaflash said while directing a look of frustration and disappointment towards Rainbow Dash for a few seconds.

"I thank you, Sassaflash. In fact, I am in charge of supervising the Summer Sun Celebration. Thank you for taking care of this. Rainbow Dash and I will have a conversation about this," Twilight expressed her gratitude to Sassaflash. Not only had she finally found her friend, but the weather issue was also resolved without many problems.

Sassaflash proudly stated, "No problem, Twilight. Unlike Rainbow Dash, I am a responsible pony." Sassaflash spread her wings and prepared to fly. "See you soon, Twilight and Spike!" She took off, flying towards Cloudsdale.

James leaned against the tree with his front hooves crossed, showing annoyance at everything Sassaflash said about him.

Twilight approached and whispered in James' ear, "It's me, dude, Andy. Let's talk in Japanese, so as not to cause confusion. This conversation must be private."

James was surprised and felt happy to finally find his friend; he smiled immediately upon hearing her words.

"Yatto mitsuketa, aitsu, boku wa nanji no aida kono kōen de machi-tsudzuketeita." (Finally found you, dude, I've been waiting in this park for who knows how long.)" James said, extending his hoof like a fist.

Twilight extended her hoof, also colliding with James's. "Kōdai, onaji koko, aitsu, watashi wa anata ni mata aitai to omotta." (Same here, dude, you don't know how much I wanted to see you again.)"

"Soshite doko ni ita no? Anata ga sono poni ni ieta koto wa hontō desu ka? Anata ga Kanterurotto to iu machi kara kita?" (And where have you been? Is it true what you told that pony, that you came from a city called Canterlot?)" James asked curiously, bringing a hoof to his chin.

"Hai, sore wa hontō desu, watashi wa purinsesu no roiyaru gādo no okage de koko ni kita, tomodachi to pātī ni itte ita node, sore de watashi wa sukoshi jikan ga kakarimashita" (Yes, it's true, I came here thanks to the princess's royal guards who brought me, I was at a party with some friends, that's why it took me a little longer to get here.)" Twilight explained.

"Anata wa watashi o sagashite iru koto yori mo, pātī ni itta hō ga yoi to iu kotodesu ka? Okotta hazu nanoni, watashi wa omae ni anta ga kono kātūn no hōfan datte kimochi ga yoku wakatteru kara na, genki no uragawa o teisuru koto wa arimasen ga, soredemo, koko wa equestria de saisho no hi, tomodachi ni fureru no wa iya datta shi, tomodachi to no tenshon wa kurayami ni narenakute ii. Watashi wa sore o wakatteiru" (Are you telling me that you were at a party instead of coming to find me? I would be angry with you, but I remember that you are a fan of this cartoon, I would do the same if it were in One Piece, I'm not gonna lie, but still, you disappointed me there, bro)" James said, teasing Twilight a little bit.

"Sōiuna, watashi wa anata ga sono pātī ni ikutsumo ni itta koto ga nai hō ga ii to iu wake ja naku, sore yori mo watashi wa poni to kārā ga atsumatte iru hi no hōga aru, sore ga watashi no yūjin to no ibasho no kōka o motte kuru no wa betsu ni nai, watashi wa mondansā o sabishiku sasenakute ii to iu kimochi ga arimasendeshita, genjitsu wa terebi no ue to wa chigau, ruuru wa kawarimasu" (It's not that I minded being with the ponies more than with you, but remember that we are transformed into characters who have family and friends, if I didn't attend that party, a friend would never talk to me again and I didn't want to have problems just in our First day in Equestria, seeing it on television is not the same as being there physically, the rules change.)" Twilight explained.

"Wakarimasu, shikashi watashitachi wa koko de zutto sumu koto wa nai hazudesu, koko kara deteku hōhō wa aru nodesu ka? Saigo ni kono sekai o detara iinodesuga, sono ato nani ka hōhō ga arimasu ka, koko o amerika ni modosu tame no" (I understand, but you say it as if we were going to live here forever, is there any way to get out of here? I mean, is all of that really necessary, if in the end we leave this world, you must know a way to get out of here and return to America.)" James asked with compression but at the same time with some concern.

"Kyōki ni naranai de kudasai, shikashi watashi wa koko kara deru hōhō o shiranai" (Don't be crazy, but I don't know any way to get out of here.)" Twilight said, looking at the floor.

"NANI!?" (WHAT!?) James was shocked to hear that they would be trapped in Equestria.

"Demo atarashī hōhō o sagashite mitai, equestria wa sumu ni wa ii basho da, soshite watashi wa yūnikōn, tabun itsuka wa mahō o manabi, ferrari ya watashitachi ga itsumo hoshikatta mono o motte iru kamo shirenai, subete no bideogēmu... shikashi mahō o tsukatte watashitachi no sekai kara genshi o motarasu hōhō o mitsukeru koto ga dekiru kamoshirenai" (But look on the bright side, Equestria is a good place to live, and I'm a unicorn, maybe one day I can learn magic and have what we always wanted, like Ferraris, all the video games in our world... maybe I can find a way to bring elements from our world through magic.)" Twilight said with a happy tone to try to reassure James.

"Sonna ni jikan ga tatsu to, watashitachi no amerika no jinsei wa dō naru no ka?" (It sounds tempting... but I don't know, what will happen to our life in America?) James asked looking back."

"Watashitachi wa sore o ato ni shinakya ikemasen, amerika de wa watashitachi ni mae ni hiroi mirai ga arimasendeshita, kanarazu ekuineshia de wa, watashitachi wa motto ekisaitinguna, futsū janai seikatsu o motsu dakedenaku, watashitachi ga itsumo hoshikatta subete no mono o motte iru koto ga dekimasu" (We have to leave it behind, in America we did not have a great future ahead of us, unfortunately we had to live in that country without hope, here in Equestria, I am sure that not only would we have more exciting and less ordinary lives, but also, the possibility of having everything we always wanted.)" Twilight said as she rested her hoof on James to try to make him feel better.

"Wakaranai na, ore wa subete o kangaeru jikan ga hitsuyō da, kore wa, zero kara hajimeru yō na mono da, kono sekai ni nani mo shiranai kara, kono ni jikan ga kakarimasu" (I don't know bro, I'll need time to think about all this, it's like starting from scratch and I don't know anything about this world, it won't be as easy for me to get used to it as it is for you.)" James said.

"Shinpai shinaide, watashitachi wa issho ni iru kara, watashitachi ga kanōna subete no kata ni tasukete agemasu, koko ni kita no mo, watashitachi ni wa mokuteki ga arimashita" (Don't worry, we're in this together, I'll help you in any way I can, if we came here it was for a purpose too.)" she paused "Let's go see Fluttershy, I still need to make sure everything is in order for the summer sun celebration and in the way I will explain to you the necessary that you need to know."

"Arigatō, dōdo, boku wa koko ni hitori de inai no ga ureshī" (Thanks, dude, I'm glad that at least I'm not in this alone.)" James also put his hoof on Twilight, and they both headed to look for Fluttershy even though James doesn't know who she is.

Meanwhile, Spike, who was listening to the entire conversation in a strange language, only had a headache trying to make sense of every word that came out of James and Twilight. "I didn't understand a word of what Twilight and Rainbow Dash just said, but it seemed like it was something important, I'll still ask her," Spike said in his mind.

To be continued

Author's Note

In this episode, I decided not to detail much about the places because everyone here knows Ponyville. I would see it as very unnecessary to detail a place that has already been seen many times, and my version of Ponyville is practically the same as the show.

If you don't like it, in the following chapters I can go into more detail, but that means the chapter would be longer than usual, more than eight thousand words. If I were to go into detail in this chapter, it would take me more than ten thousand words, and I don't like to write chapters that are too long because then it becomes too heavy for the readers. This episode has more dialogue than anything else.