Friendship Report: chapter 1

“You can’t be serious!”

>”I am Anonymous, and I stick by my judgement.”

“But…but…this is my home! I like it here!”

>”Please Anon. This is necessary. No-one should live their life like this, hiding away from others.”

“But you and Luna are all the friends I need! I’m perfectly happy with my life!”

>”That you may be. However, there will come times when neither I nor my sister will be there for you. You know that. And that is why I think you should go. You are not the first I have sent out to discover friendship, Anon. My protégée, Twilight Sparkle, was sent out not 4 years ago, and she has adjusted well to her life.”

“But… I’ll miss you. And I have no doubts that you’ll miss me.”

>Celestia sighs, and drapes a wing over you, as the two of you stare out over the palace battlements.

>”Yes, Anonymous. I will miss you dearly. But do not fret. We will remain in contact frequently, as I will expect a bi-weekly friendship report from you.”

“What! You can’t expect me to make friends in a fortnight!”

>Celestia smiles to herself. “I think you will find one pink mare will rise to that challenge with gusto.”

“Come on Cello, first you’re kicking me out of the house, and then you want me to make friends in a fortnight! Be reasonable!”

>”I know you are afraid, Anon. It shows in your eyes. You do not wish to associate with others, for you fear your very essence will drive them away. Let me assure you Anon. My student, her friends, the residents of P0nyville… you will not find more accepting p0nies in the entire kingdom. And I am not kicking you out! I cannot force you to go, and you will always be welcome here, but… please. I am just doing what I think is best, what I think you need.”

>A single tear falls down your cheek as you contemplate what the future held. You had lived in the Canterlot Palace, under Celestia’s watchful eye, ever since you were a child, but yet you knew… you knew and felt that you were different. You stood taller than the p0nies, you didn’t have hooves, and you were hairless exempt for your head. You shied away from p0nies, the distrust and contempt in their eyes haunting you in your sleep. And now, you were facing the prospect of forsaking your sacred sanctuary from the accusing glances of Equestria… and for what? Friends? You didn’t need friends. You had Celestia, and you had Luna. They were family, and your closest friends.

>But when you looked into Celestia’s eyes, and when you saw the silent pleading, the underlying concern that only a mother could harbour, your resolve was broken.

>Yeah… you’ll do this. If not for yourself, then for her.

“F-fine. I’ll go. If you think that’s the best course of action-“

>”I do.”

“Then it’s decided.”

>Celestia smiles, tears forming, and you pull her into a stiff hug.

“Gee mom, don’t get so soppy on me.”

>”You know fine rightly that you are no kin of mine. That being said, I care for you like anyp0ny would.”

>Her words, though meant as comfort, sting you. You could still remember your previous life on Earth, though time had distorted your memories. You were just 6 years old when you woke up in Celestia’s bed chamber… and that was almost 19 years ago.

>How were mom and dad doing? Did they still miss you?

>You would never know.

“So, when must I leave?”

>”I have arranged for a pegasus escort to take you tomorrow morning.”

“Tomorrow morning… that early… See you in the morning, then. I’m going to go hang with Luna tonight; you know how hard it is to wake her up in the morning.”

“Goodnight then, my friend. I wish you pleasant dreams.”

>”And may you have twice as many, Celestia.”

>You give Celestia a quick peck on her cheek, before turning from the balcony, walking along the darkened, silent corridors of the palace.

>You knew this place like the back of your hand, and it didn’t take you long to reach Luna’s quarters.

>”Son of a bitch!”

>Yup, sounds like Luna alright.

>You open the door to her room, the sounds of vidya blaring out. Inside sat Luna, magical aura surrounding the controller, as she rubbed her temples with her hoof.

>”I just don’t fucking get it!”

“Try placing the blue portal on that wall over there.”

>Luna whips her head round. “WHO DARETH ENTER… oh, hey Anon. Sup?”

“If you can pause that for a sec, I’d like to talk to you.”

>Luna pauses the game, and turns expectedly to you.

“Listen, I’m moving to P0nyville in the morning.”

>”Wait what!”

“Celestia thinks I should make some friends, and that P0nyville would be the perfect place.”

>”Seriously? That’s so lame, dude.”

“Yeah, I’m just going to crash here tonight because I won’t see you in the morning, when I leave.”

>”That’s ok… are you ok?”

“Yeah, I’m fine… let’s just play some video games until we collapse. How does that sound?”

>”Sounds like a plan.”

>Luna’s horn glows and the Xbox disk tray opens. She levitates in a copy of Marevil vs Capcolt 3, and so begins your last night in Canterlot.

 

>You stood at the entrance to the palace, gulping nervously as the chariot lands in front of you.

>You never had gotten over your fear of heights, it seems.

“Wait, Celestia? Who will I be staying with?”

>”You will have your own accommodation. I’m sure somep0ny will direct you to it when you reach P0nyville.”

>Celestia levitates your luggage onto the back of the chariot, before turning to you.

>”Remember to keep in contact, Anonymous. But do let your heart ache. Everything will work out, I assure you.”

“And I believe you. Goodbye, Celestia.”

>You embrace her briefly, before tearfully boarding the precarious vehicle that would take you to your new home.

>As it takes off, rising quickly into the sky, you wave to Celestia, watching her get further and further away. When she was little more than a dot in the distance, you turn back round, feeling sick inside.

>You were leaving the place you’d spent most of your life. You’d seen it all in Canterlot – griffons, changelings, Discord... Was this really the right thing for you to do?

>Guess it’s too late now.

>It’s a new dawn…

>It’s a new day…

>It’s a new life, for me…

>And you need to throw up.