Justin Daniels - Goldwood, Mississippi

I continue to browse the internet for anything interesting. Eventually, though, I sigh before scratching the back of my hair in thought and slight frustration.

So far, nothing interesting has popped up as of yet. Usually whenever I'm browsing the web, I either expect a random ad to try offering me to go to a website that I either ignore or disable. After about a day of humoring Google with their ad blocking functions, I've been starting to see less and less advertisements.

Eventually I start a heated debate with myself that I either clear my Firefox data, or just go to YouTube, and hope another advertisement pops up... then I start to laugh at my strange ordeal. Usually I just go online to research the answers to problems, ways to use programs, and/or simply browse the web for the latest gossip... with a little YouTube on the side, of course. Now, though? Now I'm actually searching for advertisements!

Why, one may ask? Simple... I've noticed that most of the advertisements I tend to skip over involve meeting new people. After working at a convenience store for about a few weeks, though, I've noticed something that's been missing in my life... a friend.

I see lots of people walk in with their families, with their friends... with their children! And what's even worse is that some of the latter are even people I've known in school!

I still manage to keep a smile and wave at them every time they appear... but deep down inside, I always wonder the same thing... what's it like? What does having close friends feel like? How does it feel to be "out there", so to speak? What does parenthood feel like? Does having a child of your own feel anything like having a niece and nephew? ...Watching them start to grow? Seeing old friends that you instantly recognize, then call out by name? Managing to shake your old friend's hand, then rekindle the old friendship?

All of those things, and so much more, were the things I've seen on day one in my job. Ever since then, they've continued to reoccur, even to this day. I don't have to be a medium to know that it's going to happen again, come my next day of work.

I finally decide to stop searching for ads, and start researching ways to make friends. First, though, I decide to bring up a forum post that simply says "WATCH THIS! YOU'LL LOVE IT!"

Curiously, I open the link (after double-checking to make sure it's on YouTube) and watch the short little video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4By8YHOnILo

I raise an eyebrow out of curiosity as the video plays. Sure enough, the show that it represents must be intended for little children... but babysitting my little niece and nephew has made it to where children's shows are a normal thing for me. As such, I decide to take note of the show's title, and figure that I could probably have this show playing for them while I tend to the cleaning up and the housework.

As I continue watching the intro sequence to this "My Little Pony" show, however, I notice another thing about it... it tends to focus on six ponies, but the lyrics speak of "friendship". Could the show perhaps be something worth watching? Maybe... maybe not?

Deciding against my will, I look into the comments section of the forum.

After about an hour of reading the multitude of comments, I've come up with quite a few... unexpected results. Sure, lots of people instantly hate it, mostly because it's a children's show, but those like me who don't judge something over one sighting state that the show looks interesting, if not for the nature of its contents, then most likely for the messages that it gives.

I've even read a few posts that claimed that they were on the verge of suicide until they saw this show. Now, they feel as if it saved their lives, and gave them a will to live again. While most likely farfetched, it still piques my curiosity even more.

Opening Google up again, I decide to research the show a little more. Coming across a few links to the full episodes, I decide to take a look at them. Who knows? Maybe a few new ads will pop up based on my search history when this is done and over with?

After about five episodes, I come up with the conclusion that this show is, surprisingly, quite interesting! Maybe not a "life-changing" show, but definitely a good watch for my spare time.

Seeing that the show is only one season long at the moment, and on a temporary hiatus until season two, which is scheduled for later this year, I decide to sort out my daily episode intake to about one or two every week, seeing how it shouldn't be much longer until the next one is released.

As I finally end the fifth episode one last time, I open Google back up, and am surprised to find that no new advertisements show up. Seeing how I may not be finding anything else out, I decide to close the browser out.

But while my mouse hovers over the red "X" at the top-right corner of the page, I pause when I notice a new ad pop up to the side. Curious, I scroll down to get a better look at it.

"Are you a science enthusiast, but with nobody to share your ideas with? Are you an athlete, but need a place to speak to your friends about your next big game? Are you alone, and seeking to speak with someone in the same boat, WITHOUT the risk of giving out information? Please click here now!"

I hover my mouse over the "Disable AD" button, but then notice the picture change. I see a picture of a guy smiling and speaking over his headset, and a girl speaking on her laptop with her friends behind her; each smiling and chatting amongst themselves... nothing suspicious there.

I contemplate my next move carefully, then realize that my virus protection is on, and up-to-date. Deciding that my computer's safety wouldn't be an issue, I middle-click the link, opening it in a new tab. If I get an alert, then this website is out of the picture.

Twilight Sparkle - Ponyville, Equestria

As I trot along through the beautiful sandy streets of Ponyville, I can't resist the urge to smile and wave at my neighbors; some of which even smiling and waving back in response!

My friends and I returned from the Grand Galloping Gala not too long ago... one week, in fact! As such, the impact that the trip made for us has been nothing short of straining, despite us solving the short-term problems that night.

For starters, Applejack still feels slightly let down that she wasn't able to amass in any bits for her family, and even began doubting the quality of her apples after some... well, rude comments were made... which leads me to my next friend on the list.

Rarity still feels quite lonely, after realizing that her "true love" was everything but what she expected him to be. I can relate, and would've spoken to her about Blueblood sooner, had I known more about his true nature. To me, he just seemed like another Canterlot Noble, only considering Princess Celestia as his aunt due to certain diplomatic reasons that she never really spoke to me about. Never would I have taken him for that kind of Noble, though... at least I reported his rude behavior to his "Dear Auntie Celestia", which made Rarity smile a little.

Pinkie Pie locked herself in her room for the first three days, and since then, hasn't really been as cheerful as she once was. She feels like she failed to make the party something worth remembering.

Rainbow Dash... well, she's been exercising twice as much as usual, and even pushes her body towards dangerous levels. I fear that she may be thinking she's unworthy of joining the Wonderbolts, and is going through a "do or die" phase... which worries me very much. I may have to even check on her now, just in case she's trying to lift up a mountain... literally.

Then there's Fluttershy... well... I'd rather not say. She's been just like Pinkie Pie, only rather than three days of locking herself indoors, she claimed that she's going to be "hibernating to make herself one with the animals"... but we all know that that's impossible for ponies to do. Regardless, I still sneak food for her in every day, as well as offer her a shoulder to cry on.

So where does this leave me? I hate to say it, but my time at the Gala was... actually a whole lot more fruitful than theirs. While I never really got to speak with Princess Celestia as much as I had planned, I was still able to do so in the end... and yet, because they weren't able to enjoy their time at the Gala as much as me, I feel deep sorrow.

And my sorrow finally shows the moment I step into my home, "Golden Oak Library". I magically close the door behind me and, after letting out a long, drawn-out sigh, close my eyes and let the tears fall on the floor freely.

Why does this whole scenario have to be so difficult?!

"Twilight? Are you okay?" comes a comforting voice from behind me. Turning around, I notice Spike standing there with a worried look on his face.

Despite the ordeals that we had at the Gala, Spike was the least affected by it... and yet, like me, he doesn't feel any better because of the way how things turned out for the girls and I.

I wipe my tears from my cheeks and weakly smile at him. "Oh... hello, Spike. Y-yeah, I... I'll be fine. Just... lost in thought, is all."

Spike sighs before walking up to me. He gently places a claw on my shoulders and pats me on the back before shaking his head left and right. "Twilight, it's been a whole week, now. You and the girls shouldn't be so depressed like this! What if this is all just another test from Princess Celestia? I mean... sure, the odds of that are quite unlikely, what with her being there at the end and all, but... well, you know how she can be at times."

I lightly chuckle at him, gently pat him on the scalp, then trot towards my bedroom. "Thank you, Spike... but I just need some time to relax, if that's okay."

He sighs again before nodding his head. "Well... don't forget that I'm here, okay? If any of you need me, I'll be tending to the bookshelves."

I nod my head appreciatively before slowly trotting up the stairs. "Okay, Spike... and thank you. Believe me, I doubt if any of us would be able to recover without your help."

He smiles and places his balled up claws on his waist triumphantly before walking to the bookshelves to tend to their contents. I smile at him one last time before the lower half of the house is no longer visible, due to the wall being there, dividing the library from the house.

I step into my room and place my saddlebags next to the door before plopping down onto my bed. I levitate the nearest book up to my face before studying its contents. Eventually, I get so lost in my readings that I don't even notice the door knocking hours later.

After I finish reading, I decide to close the book, only to yelp when I find a strange looking book at the lower corner of my bed.

I tilt my head confusedly before cautiously scooting towards it. Its frame isn't cloth... it's metal! In the center of it, my cutie mark rests; engraved into it like a journal.

My eyes widen in shock as I slowly start to recognize what it is... a miniature personal computer, or a "Mini-PC", as some would call it!

I don't recall ordering one, though, which strikes me as odd. In fact, I even recall them being quite new, with knowledge of them still being quite limited from the public!

Did... did Princess Celestia send it to me?! This would've cost her a fortune, even on princess standards!

I waste no time in opening it, basking in the majestic glow of the new device. The plastic wrap is even still there, and not a single print is on it! If I didn't know any better, I'd say that I'm, quite literally, the first pony... no, the first living creature to touch this particular device... and it feels breathtaking!

The interior lighting matches the highlights of my mane and tail, and the buttons are colored similar to my mane and tail's primary colors. The shell on the inside, however, is the same color as my fur. The exterior, however, is more of a yellowish copper color.

Wasting no time, I tap on the power button, and before I know it, the computer springs to life, seemingly for the first time!

I spend about an hour going through the usual startup processes. Connecting to the PonyNet isn't that difficult, however, since my home literally has an antenna on top that includes a far more advanced connection speed than the average pony's home could handle... probably a reason why so many ponies use their "E-Phones" in the library when my work hours begin.

Upon reaching the search site named "Google", I notice right away that there's an advertisement on it already. The advertisement reads, "Are you a science enthusiast, but with nobody to share your ideas with? Are you an athlete, but need a place to speak to your friends about your next big game? Are you alone, and seeking to speak with someone in the same boat, WITHOUT the risk of giving out information? Please click here now!"

I roll my eyes after having seen that same advertisement several different times, and roll the mouse wheel towards the "Remove AD" button.

Before I could reach it, however, Spike opens the door and calls my name, causing me to quickly jump up and bump the left mouse button... but I'm too startled to even notice.

"S-Spike! W-whatever happened to knocking?!" I stutter out, only to realize the awkwardness of the situation.

Both of our faces turn red and he quickly covers his eyes before turning around. "S-sorry! I didn't see anything, I swear!"

I quickly shake my hooves defensively before shaking my head. "N-no, it's not what it looks like! I-I'm not doing anything like that, honest! I-I just didn't expect you to come barging in the door, is all!" I levitate my Mini-PC in front of my face and reveal the screen to him. "See? Nothing at all!"

He leans his head closer to the screen to get a better look at it. Then his eyes shoot open before he gives me a smug smile. "Oh, really now?" Then he rolls his eyes and turns towards the doorway. "Well, I guess I'll just leave you to chatting with your, um... colt-friend, then!"

I blink confusedly at him before tilting my head to the side. "Um... what do you mean by-" he closes the door, no longer in my room, "-that?"

I slowly rotate the Mini-PC to where I could see the contents on the screen. When I see it, however, my cheeks only heat up even more than they were a second ago, as I notice that I'm now on that chatting website, and am apparently connected with someone.

Thinking quickly, I decide to try exiting out of the browser. Before I can, however, a message pops up, breaking my movement down into a complete halt.

JD: "Um... hello?"

My gut instinct tells me that this is just some random bot, and that I should just close the browser now... but my curiosity also matches the instinct.

I continue to wait for a moment, unable to move, until I realize the words "JD is typing something in..." appear right above the typing window.

Then, another message appears.

JD: "You aren't a bot, are you?"

Again, I'm at a loss for words. I don't even know what to do at this point! I could easily just close the browser, but then I would leave someone who could be in need of a friend behind... and ever since I moved into Ponyville, I've never once wanted to go back to that old lifestyle... not after seeing what loneliness could do to some individuals.

On the other hoof, this could be a bot itself! For all I know, it could be a potentially dangerous criminal! Hay, it could be anyone! Maybe somepony I know!

But... why name itself "JD", then? And just what does that even mean?!

Eventually my curiosity gets the better of me. My mouse drifts towards the chat bar, stopping at the center of the words, "Type here..." I click the words, making them vanish, and replacing them with a blinking vertical line at the far-left corner of the bar.

Taking a deep breath, I raise my hooves to the keyboard and begin typing.

TS: "Wait! Sorry, I was interrupted by something, and didn't notice your message! Um... hello!"