My Little Pony: Friendship Conquers All

Chapter 1 - Life in Canterlot Shimmers

"Desire," a voice echoes. Heart's Desire lays in bed, unaware of the mare that whispers in her ear as she sleeps. "Desire, wake up. It's time to go to your meeting with Princess Twilight." Desire opens her eyes to see a light cyan mare lightly tapping her muzzle as a means to wake her up.

"Hmm?" she mutters, pulling her covers over her head in an attempt to hide from her best friend. "Five more minutes."

"Come on, Desire! You don't want to be late... again," the unicorn says, levitating the covers off the Princess's body. Her horn shines a beautiful baby blue as the cover snake off Desire's body.

Desire sighs. "Alright, I'm up now. Don't worry, Sapphire! I've only been late once!"

With a long yawn, she exits her bed and walks hazily to the bathroom. As the grey alicorn freshens up before their departure, Sapphire Moonlight feels for the purple saddlebag in a chair adjacent to the large, fluffy bed. With a few spurts of magic as a means to detect objects, she successfully packs the Princess's supplies for the day and places the saddlebag back onto the chair. Sapphire then feels for the bed and attempts to make it as best as possible, but her blindness makes it rather challenging to complete such a simple task.

"I'm ready, Saph. You got everything?"

"I-I think so," Sapphire says sheepishly. She continues to make the bed, grunting and huffing as the covers refuse to lay correctly.

"Here, let me help you!" Desire chimes happily, taking hold of the covers with her magic and perfectly laying them across the bed.

"Thanks, I was struggling there...." Sapphire rubs the back of her head, embarrassed.

"Of course," Desire says, laying a hoof on her friend's shoulder, "I am always here for you when you need help," she replies and pulls Sapphire into a tight hug. "Besides, you did well this time! I bet once you get used to your senses and continue to use the spell I taught you, you'll be able to do so much more. I'm sure of it!" She smiles at Sapphire and helps her to the door. "By the way, how did you get here all by yourself?"

"I had Solar Façade help me," the light cyan unicorn says, walking alongside Desire. "I wanted to surprise you by showing up at your house early to walk with you to your meeting." She blushes, failing to hide her joy in being the Princess of Purpose's assistant-in-training.

"Aww! Well, you really surprised me!" Desire chuckles as they continue making their way in Canterlot.

While it is early in the morning, many creatures are up and about, heading to various stores to replenish their food and supplies at home. Sapphire and Desire wave to some of their friends as they walk past the Canterlot Boutique. As Desire hums an upbeat tune, she suddenly yelps and levitates Sapphire over an uncovered pothole that she almost falls in.

"Oops! Sorry, Saph. I should've warned you about that pothole."

"It's okay! We all make mistakes. I'm always happy to have you as my eyes." She smiles as she feels for the ground. As Desire places her back down, Sapphire says, "Oh, right! Solar wanted me to give you this letter." She levitates a tiny envelope with Desire's name written in a beautiful script.

Desire looks at the dark navy blue envelope and says, "Thanks, Sapphire! Does he mind if I read it later today? I want to stay focused if the Princess has a special task for me."

"Alright! I'll hold onto it and remind you later."

The ponies stop in front of the doors to the castle. Two giant guards in golden armor stand by the doors with large spears covering the entrance. Once they see Desire, they move out of the way and bow down, opening each door with their magic. Desire and Sapphire walk inside, and the doors close behind them.