In the Beginning: Curious Magic*

Little D stood inside the Ponyvill Post office and was attempting to retrieve a few letters for Applebloom. He did not realize that one must actually be the person they are claiming to be gathering the mail for.

“Look pal,” The postal worker said for the tenth time. “I can’t just let you walk out of here with all of the Apples’ mail. It’s not how we operate.”

“All I want to do is pick up someone’s letter because they’re very busy right now.”

“And I think that’s great and all, but I legally can’t allow you to walk out of here with anyone’s mail but your own.”

“It’s alright Wax,” Came a voice from behind Lilttle D. “If he’s just helping out Applejack I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“Whatever you say Miss Sparkle.” Wax reached behind himself and pulled several envelopes out of a cubby and handed them to Little D.

“Sorry,” D smiled tightly. “I’m not supposed to be handling other people’s mail. I hear it’s not legal.” Wax merely dropped the letters on the counter with a shrug and turned his attention to the next person in line. Little D snatched up the envelopes and cursed the postal worker under his breath. He turned around and nodded his thanks to a young woman in black leggings, shiny black shoes, a purple skirt, purple vest and a long sleeved white shirt. Her lavender hair stopped at her shoulders and a purple and green knee-high dragon stood at her side. "Thank you very much."

"Not a problem, a friend of Applejack's is a friend of mine."

"I wouldn't exactly call us friends, I just met her today."

"Oh, you're new to town?"

"Not exactly, I just haven't been back for a while."

"Well, since this is your first time back in a while," the dragon said. "Pinkie Pie is gonna throw you a huge surprise party!"

"A what?" Little D asked.

“Your surprise party,” the girl said. “You know, the one you’re not supposed to know about until you’re at the party,” her final statement seemed to be directed specifically at the dragon.

“I know what a surprise party is, I’ve just never had one thrown for me.”

“Then you are in for a treat!” The dragon shouted happily. “Pinkie Pie throws the best parties. Theres gonna be cake, balloons, drinks--"

"Again, all supposed to be part of the surprise."

“Trust me,” Little D chuckled. “I’ll be just as surprised even if I had no clue what was coming.”

“Well thats good ‘cuz Pinkie Pie is really gonna blow you away!”

“Spike!” The girl shouted. “Surprise party, do you understand? Surprise party.”

“Oh,” the dragon grinned sheepishly and and scratched the back of his head. “Oops.”

“It’s fine,” Little D smiled. “I’m sure that I’ll still have a blast.”

“You bet you will!” The dragon shouted. “The last party she threw was--” the dragon was cut off by a purple magic aura covering his snout that kept it shut.

“That’s enough Spike, you’ll completely ruin the surprise.” The girl then turned her attention to Little D. “So then stranger, what brought you back to Ponyville after all this time?”

“I’m looking for something,” he said simply as he stuck the letters in his back pocket. “But right now I’m looking for a book. Is there a library in town?”

“You must have incredible luck stranger,” the girl said with a smile. “I actually happen to be Ponyville’s librarian, would you like to walk back with us?”

“Once you get to know me I'm sure you'll find that my luck is rather poor, but thank you,” Little D smiled. “I’d really appreciate it.”

“Great, I just need to pick something up here really fast and then we’ll be on our way.” The girl walked up to the counter with an eager smile and was immediately handed a six foot long box. She squealed in delight and hugged her package tightly in her arms as she danced back over to Little D.

“Ok,” she beamed. “Let’s go.” She skipped out the door, followed by a smiling dragon and a quizzical Little D.

“What’s that all about?” D asked the dragon.

“Oh, Twilight’s been expecting a package from Canterlot for weeks now from some professor--”

“Excuse me?” Twilight turned around and glared at spike. “Dr. Barnard Alnitak isn’t just any professor, Spike. He is the leading expert on astrology and a personal hero of mine.”

“Why? All he does is look into space.”

“By, ‘looking into space’ Dr. Alnitak is trying to unlock the secrets of the universe.”

“What’s to unlock?” D asked. “Any wanderer could tell you the meaning of life.”

“Oh? Do you think you have the answer to the most elusive question since the dawn of time?”

“You make it sound way more complicated than it really is miss." D said and opened the door for them. They nodded their thanks as they exited the post office. "So which way are we going from here?"

“Just follow us and we’ll take you right to the library,” said Twilight as they set off to their location. “So how long ago was it that you were in Ponyvill, Mr., uh,”

“D,” D replied, “Little D and it’s been many years since I’ve been here.”

“And you said you came here looking for something?”

“A few things,” he nodded. “But I think I’m on the right track.”

“That’s good to hear, can we help you with anything?”

“Not just yet, no. I just need to get that book for Applejack and run a few other chores, actually, I you could point out how to get to either the,” he reached into his chest pocket and pulled out the piece of paper Applebloom gave him and opened it. “‘Carousel Boutique’ or ‘Sugar Cube Corner’?”

“I can take you to Carousel Boutique!” Spike shouted.

“Thats very kind of you Spike,” D smiled. “But I recognize that grin of yours. No young man is that excited for clothes, there’s someone you’re looking forward to seeing there, isn’t there?”

“Just the most amazing, perfect, caring, beautiful, generous, beautiful,”

“You said beautiful twice,”

“She’s really,” Spike sighed blissfully, “really beautiful.”

“Who is?” D asked Twilight.

“Our friend Rarity, she’s the owner of the boutique.”

“You’re little friend seems to be quite infatuated with her.”

“Thats a bit of an understatement, if you plan on sticking around for a little while I’ve got some stories I could tell.”

“I’m sure you do, but I’m not here for stories,” D said with a smile. “I hope you understand.”

“Ok, well, if you change your mind I’m usually at the library.”

“Thank you for your offer, I hope I can take you up on it someday.” They continued on in silence for a little while longer before they came to a large oak tree with a door set into it and a wooden sign next to it with a book painted on it. “Is this the library?”

“Yes it is. It was built shortly after Ponyvill was founded.”

“Thought it looked familiar,” D grumbled and scratched his chin. “Hasn’t changed a bit since the last time I was here.”

“Well, I’ve made sure to keep it in pristine condition since I moved in.”

“And what a good job you’ve done.” D smiled. “Mind if we go inside?”

“Of course.” Twilight handed her box to Spike then opened the door and ushered D inside. D looked around the lobby slowly.

“Lotta books in here.”

“Well, it is a library,” Spike said dryly as he carried the box up a flight of stairs.

“And speaking of books,” Twilight started. “you were here to pick up one for Applejack, right?”

"That’s right,” D nodded.

“Then this is it,” Twilight waved her hand a book encased in a purple aura came floating down from the shelves and over to Little D. D looked at the book and smirked at the title.

“'The Complete Encyclopedia of Apples: Everything we Know About Every Apple we Know of'. A very specific audience, eh.”

“Applejack’s family owns one of the largest apple orchards in all of Equestria,” Twilight explained as D started flipping through the book. “She told me that she wanted to start growing more exotic fruits so this will give her plenty to choose from.”

“I’ll say,” D closed the book and examined the worn red leather cover. He unslung a white back pack from his shoulder and put the book into.

“Where did you get that?” Twilight asked.

“My bag? I’ve always had it.”

“Really? I don’t remember you having it when we met.”

“Nah, it’s the same color as my shirt. It probably just blended in.”

Twilight just shook her head. “I’m fairly certain that you didn’t have it.”

D shrugged in return. “Don’t know what to tell you. I definitely had it.” D then looked at the stairs and saw Spike coming down. “Hey, Spike. I’ve got everything I need here, you mind taking me over to the boutique?”

“You bet!” Spike sprinted down the stairs and out the door.

“Well wait for me,” D chuckled and turned for the door.

“Hey, D?” Twilight called.

“Hmm?”

“Before you leave, I was just thinking about about how you said ‘any wanderer could yell you the meaning of life’ and it sounds like you got a pretty good idea yourself. Do you mind sharing?”

“I’d love to, but I don’t think you’ll be too fond of the answer.”

“Try me.”

“Death, Miss. Sparkle, answers all of life’s callings.” With that, Little walked out the door and Twilight was positive he wasn’t wearing a bag.

“Very interesting,” she muttered aloud. “Very interesting indeed.” She waved her hand at a shelf and began pulling out books and looking for something that will help her understand what just happened and prepare for what might happen. “Last time someone showed up out of the blue and seemed off like that the entire town was put under a dome. Not gonna let that happen again.” She looked back at the door and shook her head. “He’s definitely more than just a wandered. Just what is he looking for?” His mention of death made her mind take a turn for the worst.

She shuddered.

Author's Note

This has been changed since it's 2013 debut.