Prologue: Young, And Foolish
~BlackRoseRaven

“Welcome to Equestria, traveler. I know you must be confused right now, but rest assured that you are in no danger. Many like you have come to us in recent years, and we are all too happy to welcome new friends, from even the most distant worlds. My name is Princess Celestia, and it is my honor to be able to greet you like this.”

The stallion's purple eyes gleamed with hope and happiness as he looked up at Princess Celestia: the regal, proud mare stood with a warm and friendly smile on her face. She emanated maternal love, dreams, rapture... with her flowing rainbow mane and the way her ivory body shone, she was a goddess, right out of a fairy tale, standing here before him. She was salvation, given form and life. “This... this is amazing! I'm... I'm a pony!”

Celestia laughed quietly, nodding warmly and replying kindly: “Yes. You are an Avatar: the body you have taken on is a representation of who you truly wish to be.”

The stallion laughed, looking down at one of his dark hooves, then over his foreleg: it was incredible. From what he could tell, he was a dark, rich green, and... hooves, he really had hooves! He looked back with awe over his body, and saw that he even had a cutie mark now on his flank, like... like he was a real pony!

He looked wonderingly upwards as Celestia smiled softly at him, continuing gently: “Many of the travelers who arrive here want to take on a new name. They find it helps with acclimating to this strange new world, and human names sometimes sound a little strange to Equestrians. Why don't you take a minute to think about what you would like to be called?”

The Avatar nodded awkwardly, and then he dropped his head forwards, thinking hard even as Celestia explained: “This world is very different from your own. In Equestria, magic is real, and the weakening of the border between our worlds has not only allowed Avatars to cross into our reality and assume the shapes of ponies, but brought mythical creatures to life and revealed new and glorious places to explore.

“As a unicorn, you will be able to use magic...” Celestia stopped and smiled slightly as the stallion blinked, then reached up in surprise to touch his own horn with a stupefied look on his face. “And I already sense that you are a creative, determined soul. As with all Avatars, nothing would please me more than finding a place to help you fit in, here in Equestria, until you feel that you should return to your own world.”

“I don't think I'm ever going back.” the stallion murmured, and then he blushed a bit as Celestia stepped forwards and reached up to tenderly touch his shoulder.

“You might be surprised what you miss, once it's gone.” the ivory mare replied kindly, and then she smiled again. “I would like for you to stay here in Canterlot, where you can be trained as a Dream Weaver. I will personally ensure that your every need is taken care of: in return, once you finish your training, you will be able to use your magic to share memories of your world with me. What I am tasking you with is difficult, but I have faith in you.”

The stallion blushed as he looked up, then he nodded firmly before saying warmly: “Yes, Princess Celestia! It... it would be an honor!”

He stopped, then laughed before looking up and adding with a blush: “And... I think I've chosen a name for myself. It's... well...”

The Avatar looked up with a smile before he spoke the word, and Celestia smiled back, even as she tilted her head inquisitively. What a strange name for such a seemingly-happy pony to choose...