As we rode on the pegasus-drawn carriage, I read the letter given to the Princess.
“My dear Twilight, there is more to a young pony's life than studying, so I'm sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year's location: Ponyville. And, I have an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends!’
As I finished reading the letter, I heard Twilight groan again. Normally, this would be the part where Spike says that Princess Celestia arranged for Twilight to live in a library and if it makes her happy. But this time, I was Spike, so I decided to say something else.
“Twilight...what if Princess Celestia doesn’t want you to get involved in this crisis?”
“I’m sorry?” Twilight’s ears perked up.
“Think about it. Nightmare Moon is practically her sister. You may be talented with magic, but you can’t compete with an alicorn. It’s best to have Celestia deal with this. She sent Nightmare Moon to the moon before, she can do it again. Heck, I bet Nightmare Moon will be back on the moon by the time the celebration starts.”
“I sure hope so Spike.”
“But in the meantime, you should do what Celestia says: prepare for the Summer Sun Celebration, and make some friends.”
“Oh come on, Spike. The fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends.”
Oh, how wrong you’re gonna be.
We landed in the center of town. The horses who carried us neighed as Twilight thanked them. To be honest, it felt weird hearing ponies neigh here. As we got off, I noticed a familiar pink pony.
“Pinkie Pie...” I said under my breath.
“What did you say, Spike?” Twilight asked.
“Uh-Uh-I said...Maybe the ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about.” I saw Pinkie approaching us. “Come on Twilight, just try.”
Twilight could only awkwardly say hello, before Pinkie gasped and took off.
“Well, that was interesting, alright,” She said.
I sighed. I liked Pinkie Pie’s optimism and her constant fourth-wall breaks, but sometimes she can be too full of energy for me.
Then something struck in my mind. What if she or Discord knew who I really was? What would happen then? How would I explain myself to the other ponies? Will I end up going back? Not that I wanted to. A lot of good stuff has happened to me so far. I got hugged by Moondancer, I returned a library book, and since I knew what was going to happen, I didn’t take any beatings.
As Twilight and I headed to Sweet Apple Acres, I got out the list of what needs to be done.
“Summer Sun Celebration official overseer's checklist. Number one, banquet preparations: Sweet Apple Acres.”
We’ve only took a few steps into the farm when we heard a familiar “YEEHAW!!” We looked to see an orange pony with a cowboy hat bucking a tree full of apples. This was Applejack.
Twilight sighed. “Let’s get this over with.” She approached Applejack and said, “Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle—”
She couldn’t finish her sentence because Applejack suddenly gave her one of the firmest hoof-shakes I’ve seen on the show.
“Well, howdy-doo, Miss Twilight! A pleasure makin' your acquaintance. I'm Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like makin' new friends!”
I forgot how high Applejack’s voice sounded in the early seasons.
“So, what can I do you for?” Applejack asked as she released her grip on Twilight.
Twilight’s hoof was still shaking. I stopped it before I started to snicker. It was actually pretty funny.
“I am in fact here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration,” Twilight said. “And you're in charge of the food?”
“We sure as sugar are,” Applejack replied. “Care to sample some?”
“Sure,” I said, “We’d like to see what you've came up with.”
Twilight glared at me while Applejack rang a triangle.
“SOUP’S ON, EVERYPONY!!”
Sure enough, a pony stampede came our way. Twilight and I were able to run to the gazebo without getting trampled.
“Now, why don't I introduce y'all to the Apple family?” As Applejack introduced us to each family member, they put an apple related dish on the table. I have to admit, the food looked really delicious. I’m glad I wasn’t allergic to apples, or this would’ve been Tartarus for me.
“Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled,” Twilight said as she hopped off the table, “so we'll be on our way.” She was then stopped by one of the cutest fillies in Equestria.
“Aren’t ya gonna stay for brunch?” Applebloom asked as she gave Twilight the puppy-eyed look.
“Sorry but—” Twilight started to say, but I quickly covered her mouth.
“We’d love to,” I said. The entire family cheered while Twilight growled at me.
After eating a hearty brunch, we were on our way.
“Food's all taken care of, next is weather,” I said. I looked back to see a bloated Twilight following me. I was full from that meal, but Twilight was even fuller. She looked like she swallowed an entire watermelon.
“Ugh...I ate too much pie...” she moaned.
I looked up and noticed that the sky was cloudy.
“That’s odd, there’s supposed to be a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds,” I said.
“Well, she’s not doing a very good job, is she?” Twilight said.
Then I remembered what happened next. “TWILIGHT! DUCK!!”
Twilight quickly threw her head down just in time as a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane zoomed past her. The said pegasus quickly stopped and flew back to Twilight.
“Are you alright, miss? Sorry, I didn’t...” She then noticed how messed up Twilight’s mane was. Apparently, the wind from the pegasus’s flying caused Twilight to look like an abandoned brushable pony. The pegasus couldn’t help but guffaw at Twilight’s misfortune. I ended up chuckling as well, but I regained my composure.
“Are you Rainbow Dash?” I asked.
“The one and only!” The pegasus declared. “Why, you heard of me?”
“I heard you were supposed to be keeping the sky clear.” Twilight sighed. “I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather.”
“Yeah, yeah, that’ll be a snap,” Dash said as she laid on a cloud. “I'll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I'm done practicing.”
“Practicing for what?”
“The Wonderbolts! They're gonna perform at the Celebration tomorrow, and I'm gonna show 'em my stuff!”
“Well, they can’t perform in a cloudy sky,” I said. “Nopony will see them, and I doubt they’ll let a pegasus in if she can’t keep a sky clear for one measly day.”
That got her attention. “Hey! Listen, dragon! I can clear this sky in ten seconds flat.”
“Prove it,” I said.
As the pegasus cleared the sky, I counted the seconds. Surprisingly, it was exactly ten seconds.
“What'd I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat. I'd never leave Ponyville hanging.” Rainbow Dash chuckled as Twilight and I were left with dumbfounded expressions. “You should see the look on your faces. Ha! You two are a laugh. I can't wait to hang out some more.”
“She’s amazing!” I said as she flew off. Although, in reality, I’m not really a fan of her. I’m not saying she’s the worst pony I’ve met, but if I arranged the Mane 6 in order from best to worst, she would be at the worst. I'm not really a fan of characters full of themselves.
Twilight and I headed to the Town Hall next. I knew who were going to meet there: Spike’s long-term crush, Rarity. I’ve been a fan of Sparity for a while, and I could see them together under the right conditions. I just needed to know how I could ease myself into the relationship.
We entered the Town Hall and saw the decorations.
“Beautiful,” I said.
“Yes,” said Twilight. “The décor is coming along nicely. This ought to be quick. I'll be at the library in no time. Beautiful indeed.”
“Not the decor. Her!” I pointed at the white mare with a curly purple mane. She was checking which ribbon looked better on the post. “How are my spines? Are they straight?”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Good afternoon,” she said to Rarity.
“Just a moment, please!” Rarity said, “I'm 'in the zone', as it were.” After looking at all the ribbons, she finally decided to go with one that sparkles. “Oh, Rarity, you are a talent. Now, um, how can I help you—WAH-HA-HA!! Oh my stars, darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?!”
“Oh, you mean my mane?” Twilight asked. “It’s a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair!”
“Out of my hair? What about your hair?” Rarity then pushed Twilight out of Town Hall. I followed after them.
At the Carousel Boutique, Rarity was trying different outfits on Twilight. She finally picked one that she thought looked good on Twilight.
“Now go on, my dear.” Rarity said as she tighten Twilight’s corset. “You were telling me where you're from.”
Since Twilight could barely breathe, let alone talk, I explained to Rarity, “Twilight and I came from Canterlot. We were sent here to—”
Rarity quickly released her grip from Twilight, sending the latter falling forwards.
“Canterlot?!” Rarity exclaimed. “Oh, I am so envious! The glamour, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all about it! We are all gonna be the best of friends!” She then took a closer look at the gems on Twilight’s clothes. “Emerald? What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies.”
“Quick!” Twilight said, “Before she decides to dye my coat a new color.”
I quickly followed after her. As we were leaving, I called out to Rarity, “See you later!”
That was four of the Mane Six that we've met, and I know who's the last one.
Ah, a man/dragon after my own heart of not liking Rainbow that much. She kinda grew in me when the show ended so I like her a little nowadays.
This chapter kinda worries me. Ah mean... it's so scripty. We need the pulse poundin' action of them book returnin' shenanigans.
Dun DUN DUNNN.
Of come on Sparity. Really
This story is incredibly bare bones thus far (end of chapter 2). It's mostly a direct copy of what happened in the show with only slight differences, and those differences are generally not explored at all. The protagonist hasn't given any indication that he's really thought about what just happened, there's really no reaction there. He is suddenly Spike one moment and the immediate thought is "I'm going to be Spike, just better". No wondering what happened or how, nothing about whether it's appropriate to try and make changes or what kind of effects that would have, no thoughts on what he left behind. It feels less like a story to me, and more like what you get when you skim over a story for a general idea of what happens.
On a side note, it wasn't known by Twilight (or anybody else, really) that Nightmare Moon was Celestia's sister, or that Celestia was the one that banished Nightmare Moon. The legend merely mentions the two sisters, but doesn't give names. This bit of information isn't learned until after Nightmare Moon is defeated, so I find myself disappointed that there was no reaction from Twilight when Spike suggested they were sisters, or that Celestia had banished her in the past. What I initially thought was going to be a slip up on our Spike imposter's part that would lead to something interesting ended up just being an oversight on the author's part.
Here's another question. Does this human in Spike's form actually get a crush on Rarity, or is he just trying to play out the role he was given? He says he was a fan of Sparity, but that was before he even sees her in person. If he does get truly smitten, I think it odd that he would be able to so closely recreate the same lines that Spike originally said since he'd be quite heavily distracted. There is no actual insight into his thoughts for the entire encounter with her. You'd think a scene so pivotal from the original Spike's perspective would seem a little more important to explore with somebody new in his body.
Not sure why he would say that, or why Twilight wouldn't stridently object to it, given that she has no idea about Luna.
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It actually makes less sense in the show that Twilight was surprised considering she was the one that read the story of how the youngest sister fell to her jealousy and became Nightmare Moon. It specifically mentions their relationship in the legend. The rest of the Mane six could be excused by saying the legend was old and not commonly known but Twilight specifically read the story that says they're sisters.
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Rarity was always my least favorite. To me she was always the one who acted least like her element in the show. Her being selfish, stuck up, and taking advantage of Spike's infatuation just got on my nerves.
For me Rainbow's brash behavior fits an archetype of false bravado hiding insecurities and I can sympathize cause I'm loyal to a fault and can't make deep connections to others cause deep down I know my loyalty is unique and other people don't have similar values even if they are well meaning so I connect slowly but deeply and cover it all with a false mask of aloofness.
Then again none of the characters in the show are consistent. The show writers often wrote characters out of character for their morality lessons. So Rarity becomes greedy for an episode to teach that you should stick by your friends rather than seek fame at the cost of friendship. While Rainbow becomes an extra idiot who can't learn anything despite somehow being a weather manager and leading a team of ponies to control the weather of Ponyvile to teach that not everyone learns the same way.
You would think that it was gnawed on by rats, but no.
She was not that lucky -Rainbow Dash got at it
It's strange that you kept this if you are going to make changes then why keep spike's crush if no one would be suspicious if it didn't happen.
Oh, ok. So it’s not just me!
I love this one, I don't know why, but I love it.
I think you forgot about that he isn't really Spike or just copied original script to be lazy
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Realistically, a human in Spike's body, in this exact situation, has the best chance of shacking up with Rarity out of all ponies, assuming they actually like her personality.
She's the element of generosity, he's a creature who is defined by greed, a genuinely healthy relationship between them would be the stuff that romance novelists would envy, and I feel like Rarity probably reads romance novels.
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The problem is that Rarity won't live as long as Spike.
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The character does say he's a fan of Sparity, so maybe he's just playing a little cooler rather than the gobsmacked idiot that Spike was at the start of the show?
Personally, I never was, and quite frankly it'd be another episode years down the line solved by NOT considering Rarity at all.
It seems odd that the narrator doesn't describe how Rarity looks to him. It's one thing to have a ship, but actually being in the world of the show must surely be different from watching it on a screen.
Original Spike I can understand but the Man/child Spike lewding Rarity is just ugh
Spike, stop stealing Twilight's lines!
Hold the phone. Just a chapter ago Celestia wanted to talk to Twilight herself. Why is there a letter with the canon script on it?
Explain... EXPLAIIIIN!
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Explain!
what you mean by Arkansas10102070
Indeed. This chapter is a bare bone construction that needs to be filled. Lore, worldbuilding, character development of the MC and the side of others. Not just regarding what we see but was is in between scenes...
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Knowing Twilight, she listen to Spike like someone would to music with Lyrics. You hear it but only acknowledge key elements if you even listen at all...
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Than again she is kinda raised by Celestia so since her almost second mother dont tell her about the familie she lost ( quite a topic never to mention ) she probably think Celestia is a solo foal. A bookworm like Twilight probably read all books about her. Books Celestia edited over centuries...
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The fandom takes character development and its established character traids more seriouse than the story writers.
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Marshmallow butt is still a nice butt ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Seriously how come? Bad sound equicment? Changed voice actor?
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Spike stole Twilights line
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Probably lazy
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That a view point i never had. Nice one! 👏
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There a amazing fan storys that solved that problem
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I think it's more so her voice actor didn't have the voice for AJ down at that point.
I wonder when Spike will make his own decision...
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Sounds about right.
Sure their are some out their but this first time i come across an isekai where person turned into spike. Seems interesting thus far.
Sad she ignored Spike
Oh Joy, the 'rarity is a pedo'-ship. Well I can hope it will only be background nonsense
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Tf you talking about mate?
Common pitfalls 101. People really don't like it when a chapter follows a show's episode word for word. Last chapter did a good job of being its own thing. This one was way too copy/pasted. I'm also not sure about maintaining the Spike-Rarity crush. I can't tell whether it's you genuinely liking that ship or just you trying to stick to script. But I feel like the human as spike is taking this way too calm and normal. There's a difference between liking a ship, and genuinely wanting to replace a shipped character with yourself, and I find it difficult to imagine someone actually having the confidence to attempt it in a real setting. Feels to me like an easier said than done thing.
Only because we can change things, not always do we should do it.
Like it's counterproductive to sabotage everything and expect to run everything smoothly despite the fact that the foundation of canon is mixed up to mutch.
Not changing everything is the right thing to do sometimes.
For shame. Everypony knows Rainbow Dash is best pony. Arrogance is practically a virtue as long as you can back it up.