My clock read 2:00am, Canterlot slept. I can't remember sleep. I've been here for a week now, and I have not slept once. I didn't even feel tired. I haven't eaten, either. Which I guess is... good? I'm not sure what I would eat if I had to, grass? Rummage through the dumpsters?

It's been a new experience for me, being in Equestria. I worked so hard to get here, but I had no plans for what to do if I had ever actually made it. I tried to get here, researched ways to travel between dimensions, spent so long trying.

But I made it here. I succeeded. The consequences are mine as well.

Canterlot has a sewer system, a shockingly clean one, but I guess that's on par with Equestria, even their 'dirty' things are cleaner than what 'clean' is on Earth. I've been living in their sewers since I got here, only the occasional repair pony or the 'criminal elements' of city life come down here, so I'm afforded a good deal of privacy.

As for me, my humanity has given way to equinity... or ponyinity? Whatever, I'm a pony now. It happened instantly once my skin was in contact with Equestrian air, just POOF, and my arms and legs were hooves, and my face extended into a pony muzzle. I didn't expect to be turned into a pony, but I did rattle around the idea in my head before I transported myself over. What I didn't expect, was to be so... I'm unsure of the word.

I'm an alicorn, not one like Celestia or Luna, closer to what Cadance and Twilight looked like. No flowy mane for me, thank you very much. I couldn't stand even more gold on me. Yeah, my fur is gold, my mane and tail is also gold, in two different golden hues.

I hide myself in the sewer to avoid detection from the Princess, but the citizenry is just as much an issue. They've reversed the gender roles here, I never saw anything in the show that might suggest anything. Sure, there were differences, but...

It doesn't matter, I won't be interacting with them anyway. I'm perfectly content to be Canterlot's ghost.

If it becomes a problem, I'll just leave the city. Ponyville is only far in terms of height, not in length. Assuming I practice flying, I should just be able to glide my way down.

Despite having wings and a horn, I've never used either. Wouldn't know where to begin learning either. This is not to say that I haven't used magic, before.

I sing when I'm scared or nervous, don't ask me why, I don't know. I was discovered as soon as I entered, and all those people looking at me, talking at me, I panicked and started singing. All of a sudden, I was ignored again, the ponies went about their business, seemingly forgetting that I was ever there, which suited me just fine.

I can only chalk this up to magic, unless there's some prank or something? Maybe it's a secret custom that wasn't explained in the show? After all, Equestria is known for it's city-wide musicals, maybe they HAVE to ignore me or they'll be forced to sing along and they don't want to? But then, surely somebody would sing along, at least one person...

Of course, my isolation has resulted in me not making any friends. Sacrilege, I know, but... people just don't do it for me. Others. Conversing. The ponies are no different, acknowledgement just sends me packing, even from them.

I have no interest in interfering with others, I'm happy to be ignored myself, and that's why I'm not planning in attending the Summer Sun Celebration that sparks the show off.

Pre-Season-1, I'll get to be here as the show progresses, getting a front row seat as history is made. Alternatively, I can use my knowledge of how things progress to suit my needs. I could learn more, use the song to sneak around, take what I need...

My 'home' was far away from the city streets, off in a corner where nobody could find me, allowing me to not need to sing, unless I was caught. But with an entrance so close to the city streets, I can't risk detection and must sing before leaving.

"Hush now, sleep tight, mind takes flight,"

My voice of sand paper played upon my cursed tongue slowly and audibly. The words droning in an uninterested and cruel lullaby.

I exited through the door leading down into the sewer and entered another small and uninteresting room, just a place to access the tunnels. Canterlot has them around, at least five throughout the city. I was in the district the higher-class people resided in.

My hooves clip-clopped slowly along the cobble flooring as I shot my gaze all around, watching for any who may notice me. Thankfully, the room was empty, and the outside was unguarded.

"Specters move slow, drifting like smoke,"

The crickets joined me in chorus as I continued singing. I would have to sing the entire time I was out here, hell on one's throat, but I manage.

Fields of well-maintained grass and flora was arranged around the area, dotted by pristine and extravagant estates where the Nobles of Canterlot lived. Though I suppose they're the Nobles of Equestria, not just Canterlot. If there are different nobles for different places, is Granny Smith a Noble of Ponyville? Braeburn, a Noble of Appleloosa?

The image of Braeburn wearing a top-hat, monocle and tuxedo crosses my mind, and I briefly snicker at the thought, before returning to singing.

Heavy eyelids droop, beneath a darkened cloud

Two guardmares trotted past me as I wailed, not acknowledging me with even a glance, I continued on to my destination, through the rich district and into the also rich, but less district. I don't know what they call them, but it doesn't matter. Flecks of purple glinted through the night sky in the moonlight, Luna's guards, despite Luna still being in the moon..

Maybe they're just night guards, and not really hers. I'm sure Celestia will put them under Luna's command once she returns though.

There's the perfect spot in Canterlot for cloud-watching, out in the slightly less rich district's marketplace. I've come out here twice before, and nobody's caught me yet, at least, nobody's said anything to me. If people could hear me, they'd tell me to be quiet, right?

Silent footsteps echo, in deserted streets,

As I gazed up at Luna, still trapped in the moon, I was filled with one of the brief moments of happiness I am afforded. Equestria was beautiful, and I was grateful. My eyelids close in content as I feel a gust of crisp night air brush through my mane and wings.

Old reflections blur, fading out of sight.

Eternal twilight zone, no morning light.

The night will be over soon.

Author's Note