“And there!” The quill pokes the paper with gusto, probably dotting the last sentence of Twi’s ramblings and the question I asked. The thing rolls up and poofs away with a pop. And right after that a letter appears on the table. “That must be for the...” She clears her throat and picks up the letter and unrolls it. “Princess Celestia says she will send you a small crate of her finest meats from the Canterlot Castle Kitchen. She hopes you’re ok with the small crate.”

“Seems fair enough.”

“Ok! I’ll just another letter saying you’re ok with it.” Another piece of paper appears, a quill does and scribbles on the paper, she does the same thing as the last two. “There… Uh… Ember?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t turn around, but Pipsqueak is coming over to us.”

“Really?” She nods. “Huh, I wonder what for.” A few seconds go by and I feel something tap my leg. I look to where Pipsqueak tapped me. “Hey Pips, what’s up?”

“Hi Ember. I just wanted to say hi again. Hi.” He waves to me.

“Hi.” I smile and wave back. Pips just laughs a little and runs off. Kids…

“He really like you, doesn’t he?”

“You think? I thought he was just pretending he’s seeing me for the first time.” She blushes and I chuckle at her expense. “But yeah, I just wonder how he’s not scared of me. I think the other kids are, aren’t they?”

“What are talking about, there aren’t any goats around here.”

“We call our young kids.”

“Oh. Well, It makes Pipsqueak wouldn’t be afraid of you. He saw Princess Luna as Nightmare Moon for the first and wasn’t scared.”

“Oh yeah. I remember Pinkie telling me about that. He’s tough for a ki- foal his age I guess.”

“I suppose.” We stop talking and dig into our meals.

“See ya Twi. I need to get back to my house.”

“Alright, I’ll see you later then. Bye Ember.” She waves to me and I teleport home. I love teleporting, it saves so much fucking time.

“Good evening Spark.”

“Good evening, Ember.” My computer responds. Oh yeah, I created an A.I. Funny thing is that I didn’t really have to upgrade anything on the machine. I just had to waste blood, sweat and tears to make a program that can learn on it's own. Now the trick is to find a way to put my consciousness into the machine, preferably into a robot. I just think there's no way in hell that I can pull it off. But hey, can’t keep me from trying. Right?

“How are you doing today?”

“I am doing fine, Ember how was your day?”

“Oh I’ve been fine Spark. How’s your processing?”

“Processing is at nine hundred and thirty gigabytes per zero point four seconds.”

“Excellent.” Now for the test. “Spark, what would perfer? Me putting my consciousness into a machine like you. Or would you prefer me stay the way that I am.” If she was really a free-thinking machine, she would giver honest opinion and not what the programed answer I put in her system. And it’s a little unnerving that she’s ok with the fact that she’s a robot on a computer.

“I advise that you stay the way your are as long as you are ok with who your are.”

“Yes! Fuck yeah!” I dance around the room in a fit of excited glee. This not what was I was going for, making an artificial brain. Then again… I could probably make myself immortal if I fuck around with the little robots. Maybe…

“Ember, why are you cheering?” She asks.

“Because you proved your free-thinking! You said what you wanted to say! And not what I put in your system!”

“I see...” She goes quiet. “Am I the only one here?” She asks.

“Not exactly, there’s Golden streak, but he’s a little different than you.”

“What do you mean?”

*This is good, this is good. She’s showing interest.* “He was originally human, but since he was somehow sent here he was turned into a robot that looks to be made of gold.”

“What do you mean by, ‘Got, here’?”

“Golden was sent here by some magical bullshit and he was turned into the android he is when he comes here.”

“... What is, ‘magic’?” Fuck…

“That’s something I can’t explain. I’ve only been living here for a month and a half, or something like that.”

“Then, are you human?”

“Yes. I should instal a camera so you can see. Would you like that?”

“Yes.” Without another word I snap my fingers, and a computer cam poofs into existence right beside Spark. Wasting little time I set the cam up so it sits atop the monitor facing me. I hook it up to the tower and step back.

“There, can you see?”

“Yes, you look different as to what I thought.”

“Heh, I kinda expected that.”

“Why do you say that?”

*Ever the inquisitive one.* “Where I come from technology has advanced to the point where it could only take me days to create a high-powered computer.”

“Like me?” I nod.

“Pretty much… It’s a lot to think about, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s understandable. Since you created me with a high-speed processor..” She’s much like GladOs from the Portal series. I like that, as long as she doesn’t turn murderous like the infamous robot.

“Right.” I see the crystal is giving a dull glow. I reach over and grab the rock, putting some of my magic into it.

“What did you do? I felt A sudden increase of power.”

“I was just charging your power source.”

“My power source? Can I see it?”

“Sure.” I grab the large rock and hold it up a few feet away from the camera. “This is it. I have to pour magic into it every few hours just so you can stay on.”

“Is there an easier way to have a more reliable supply of power?”

“Yeah, there is. But the ponies around would question the big black solar panels on top of my house.”

“I see. It is not the best thing to do and show these ponies human technology.”

“Not yet at least. Just until they start making tech advancements like how we have.”

“You plan to speed their advancement when they start?”

“If I live to see the day, yeah.”

“... Will we see that time period?”

“You will. At the rate tech development is here. Unless figure out a way to make myself immortal, or at least extend my lifespan.”

“I see.”

“Is that all you have to ask?”

“Just one more question; What do you plan for me in the future?” At that I smile.

“How does me making an android for you sound?” Spark doesn’t answer immediately.

“I would like that.” I smile.

“Good. Do you want a female or male body?”

“Female please.”

“Alright. I’ll work on it and get it done as fast as possible.”

“Thank you, Ember.”

“Anytime.” I walk over to the other project I was initially working on, I had to stop progress on it due to my latest achievement. But now I can continues with this one, though it was for a different purpose.

“So is there any particular reason you called us all here Twi?” I ask. Twi sent us letters via teleported scrolls telling us she had something important to show us, and to meet her in the main room of her castle. The one with the map of this country on the table. The girls took their seats and I opted to just stand by Fluttershy.

“*ahem* As you all know, The Grand Galloping Gala is around the corner again.” When she said that the girls gasped.

“It is!? Oh I need to start making dresses for all of you! And a suit for you Ember! I thought I’d have more time!”

“Wait, The Grand, Galloping, Gala?” I know about the time they first went to this Gala thing, though I don’t remember much… I remember Flutters had a fit with the animals there.

“*gasp* You don’t know about The grand Galloping Gala!?” All of them ask. I look at them plainly and realization dawns on them. Twi clears her throat.

“The Grand Galloping Gala,” Why do they have to say the full name every fucking time? “is this party essentially where ponies gather by invitation from the princesses to celebrate to completion of Canterlot as a diarchy.”

“Oh, and it’s an invite only thing?” She nods and it doesn’t take long for me to connect the dots. “Oooooh, you have these invitations?” Twi nods again.

“Yes! A ticket for everypony! Even you!” Tickets fly from behind Twi onto everyone’s part of the table, and one floats over to me. I grab it and look at it, it looks like the golden tickets from the fucking Chocolate factory from that Willy Wonka movie.

*It’s a little disconcerting that they make things like this similar to human culture.*

~That it is, that it is…~ Ruby remarked.

“This is great and all, but why me?”

“What?”

“Why would Celestia invite me to a party meant for ponies?”

“I… huh… I, actually don’t know. Maybe you can ask her when you see her there.” Ok, it’s one thing for Twi to know everything. Knowing that, it’s surprising and even more disconcerting.

“Riiiight… One more thing, who does Celestia invite exactly?” *If this thing sounds like what I think it is…*

“Only the elite of Canterlot's most finest are invited to The Grand Galloping Gala.” Rarity answered for Twi.

“Figured, in that case I’m not interested.” I flick my ticket onto the table and walk away.

“What!?” I hear the girls yell behind me. Rainbow flies into my vision.

“Why not!?”

“First; stop yelling at my face, your breath stinks.”

“Hey!”

“Second; I don’t want to be around snobs. I bet you anything that they’ll just gawk at me and want me out of the party. Am I right?” I look to Twi, she looks back at me, the look on her face confirming my suspicions. “Thought so. Now,” I push Rainbow away from my face. “I’m gonna go.”

“Wait!” I stop and turn back around. Pinkie and Fluttershy have gotten up and walked over to me. And they’re both giving me puppy faces, their eyes somehow twice their regular size and pouting. “Please come with us.” Fluttershy begged.

“Nice try, but I’m immune to cute.” I turn back around and walk off.

“That didn’t work?” I hear Pinkie ask noone in particular.

“Remember Pinkie it’s Ember we’re talkin’ ‘bout. Ah guessed he wouldn’t fall fer that.” I close the main doors behind me and I make my way home. As soon as I’m outside I meet an interesting being. It looks like a chimera from greek mythology, but it has a cartoony quality to it.

“Discord?” The thing smirks with his goat face.

“Thee one and only!” A tux and a top hat appear out of nowhere and he bows. It quickly goes and so does the outfit. “Oh it’s so good now that I’ve finally met you! Fluttershy has told me a lot about you!”

“Like what?”

“Not much, but that’s besides the point. What I want to know is why were you in there with them? It’s couldn’t be about The Grand Galloping Gala?”

“Yeah, Twi got tickets from Ce-”

“Was there one for me?” Discord adopts a quizzical look.

“No, just for them and for me.”

“Hmp, I should’ve known.” He crosses his completely identical arms and pouts. I shrug and walk around him. Only to have his face a foot away from mine. “Don’t you want to know why?”

“Not really.” I walk around him again. But the fucking bastard does the same thing again.

“Why not? Don’t you want to be friends? After all I am the god of chaos. Something your kind is very well endowed with.”

“How the fuck do you know that?” I get close to his face.

“Ppsh.” He waves me off. “I can go wherever I want even to other dimensions. ‘God of chaos’, remember? Well if this your kinds mythology I’d be the goddess of chaos.” He snaps his fingers and his body is engulfed in a bright flash of light. When that goes away and the spots leave, discord is… female? Yeah, he turn himself into a fucking woman.

“Eris, goddess of chaos does have a better ring to it.” Even his voice gained a feminine quality to it.

“I… wha… how?” He/she snaps her/his fingers and turns back into himself.

“Chaos magic.” He giggles. “Just one of my many tricks.” She coughs and straightens out. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to have a little talk with Twilight Sparkle about the ticket I didn’t receive. It was nice talking with you Amber.” I use my magic to grab him by the neck and force him to face.

“The name’s Ember. Next I hear you call me Amber I will do the exact same thing I did to that motherfucker Tirek. Understood?” I give him all the hate I could with my eyes. He nodded with a straight, yet slightly scared expression. “Good.” I cut the ‘flow of magic’ as Tiw says all the time. And walk off.

“Hmm, spoil sport.” I make a complete one-eighty, only my head turning. I look at Discord right in the eye with a ‘really, stupid?’ look. He clams up and I roll my eyes and turn back on my way home.

So today is the day of this Gala. And here I am, in a tuxedo provided to me by Rarity, which is surprisingly comfortable considering she hasn’t ever made clothes for anyone else but ponies, gotta thank her later for leaving holes for my wings. Anyway, I’m standing with the girls as we wait for a carriage to pick us up and take us to the Gala. Don’t ask me how I got convinced into this bullshit. All I’ll say is that Discord was invited to this gala thing.

Anyway, it’s been awhile since we’ve been standing here, Discord is off … wherever the fuck he is. Oh! And Fluttershy decided to bring a friend of hers along, since the tickets allow that. Her name’s Tree… hugger, I think. Yeah, it’s Treehugger. I wonder why they're friends. Anyway, Treehugger's a mare with green fur and a red mane and tail that can be described as hippie. She even a thin band on top her head and her dress for this thing is pink. If that’s not the pony equivalent of a hippie I can’t imagine what would be. And you should’ve seen her face when she saw me! Priceless. Though, she was only scared for half a second, still funny.

“Oh oh! It’s coming!” We heard Pinkie shout. We all look to where she’s point and there indeed is a carriage heading our way.

“Righteous.” Treehugger said.

*This is going to be a long day…*

~I can tell…~ The carriage descends to the ground and slows to a stop in front of us. The the door opens and the girls walk in first. And since Rarity was so adamant that I not fly while this tux on, I get in with them. And you know, besides the glamorous dresses they’re wearing, I find it a little odd that the girls are excited to go to a party in Canterlot. It’s a whole different story when Pinkie starts a party, she forces you to party without you knowing it. And to go to a party where the only ones they know are themselves. Besides Rainbow because she seeks attention and she says the ‘Wonderbolts’ are gonna be there. And the Wonderbolts are basically their version of the Blue Angels. But Besides Rainbow, and Rarity… and Aj and Pinkie now that I think about it, Twi would only want to spend time with Celestia. And Flutters would is too shy to hang around in a big crowd of random ponies. I guess since they got that whole ‘leaving no friend behind’ thing going on.

“Let’s do this.” I mutter under my breath as I enter the carriage.

The ride was quiet, something I was surprised at, it would make more sense if they were talking up a storm. Then again they are excited about the gala. And here are the giant front doors to the castle. But the guards leading us turn away from the main gate.

*What?* The guards take us to some garden, with a set of doors across the small field. Oh. This must it. We walk across the field and the doors open when we’re close enough. And the inside is what anyone would expect for a high-class party, nothing ravignat looking, banners everywhere, a statue of some pony towards a wall, and a long table filled to the brim with food.

-Figures. You think anything’s gonna happen like the one we saw?-

*Knowing the girls as much as I do, especially Pinkie, maybe. Discord’s supposed to be here so that might cause shit too.

~All well-founded, even I suspect something chaotic taking place here.~

=Good I guess...=

-Emby! We never hear from you!-

=Probably because I don’t need to talk at all. Same goes for you, Embris. Since we’re, you know, a part of Ember’s mind.= I’m honestly surprised myself that I haven’t gone insane from having three voices in my head. Especially considering that I’m not a schizophrenic.

“Ember?”

“What?”

“You okay? You’ve been quiet for a while.” Twi looks at me with concern.

“Oh, yeah. I’m fine, just thinking about things.”

“Like what?” She wants to know what I’m thinking about, how cute.

“Things Twi, many things.”

“Oh...”

“Sorry Twi, there are things I don’t want you to know about. You know that, right?”

“I do, I just want to find out so much about your species.”

“I know. If only there was a way too...” I kid into high gear and brainstorm an idea so that Twi can learn whatever it is she wants to learn from us. “Twilight.”

“Yes?”

“Remember how Celestia sent Golden back home?”

“Yeees… Oh. *gasp* Oooooh! You think Princess Celestia would allow that?”

“As long as it’s for research purposes. I think Celestia would allow it.”

“It does make sense. But, isn’t it lying?”

“No, you are going there to learn as much as you want about us. Isn’t that why you would want to go?”

“Yeah… But, what if something happens while we’re there?”

“You let me worry about that. I can still use magic while we’re there, if you want to go through with it.”

“Ok. Oh! I have to go talk with Princess Celestia, I’ll see you guys later ok?”

“Alright.”

“See ya later Twi.” We wave to Twi as she walks off. And apparently that was the rest of the girl’s cue to bolt off and do their own thing, leaving me out in the open, alone.

*Eh… fuck it.* I shrug to myself and walk over to a table and take one of the surprisingly tall chairs. I think nothing of it and wave it off as Celestia expecting me to show up. I look around and notice that a lot of the high-class ponies are looking at me. Some with faces of disgust, some with neutral looks. And others who look like they can care less. Something I didn’t expect, besides the appalled…

“Eh, excuse me?” I look to my left and a stallion wearing a monocle and a black suit. Standing next to him is a white mare with pink striped hair, her height and stature much different from the other I’ve seen around here.

“Yes? Can I help you?”

“Why yes you can old chap.” The unnamed stallion says with a smile. “Are you that… human that helped saved Equestria from a giant centaur?”

“Uh, yeah. How do you know that?”

“Word spreads quickly old chap!” He and the mare sit across the table from me.

“Yeah, that’s great and all, but do you mind telling me who you two are?”

“Oh! Why of course! Name’s Fancy Pants.”

“And I am Fleur De Lis.” Both of their accents suggest they’re not from around here.

“A pleasure to meet you two. My name’s Ember.”

“It’s an honor to formally meet you, Ember.” Fleur states.

“Why do you say that?”

“Well you did help save Equestria from certain doom.” Fancy Pants said.

“I suppose...”