Cinematic Adventures: Shrek

A Shrek-tacular Beginning

Clear was the blue sky; bright was the sun hanging over the land. Another beautiful day began in the tiny town of Ponyville. Birds twittered as they flew through the air over the rooves of the tiny homes, all the while the denizens went about their days. Little foals raced around the streets, laughing and playing together while the adults tended to their everyday business. Today was most certainly a very peaceful and most wondrous day.

Along the outskirts of Ponyville stood the castle of Princess Twilight Sparkle. The foundation stood high and mighty as the center of power in town. Inside, the little lavender colored alicorn was in her office working on a mountain of paperwork. One of the few disadvantages of being a princess, especially one who would eventually replace Celestia and Luna as ruler of all Equestria. But alas, the amount of paperwork she had to do was merely a fraction of the daily basis for a young alicorn. A task that involved exploring the concerns of the ponies, what taxes should be legalized or if a new trade agreement was deemed necessary. All of which required her immediate attention.

Twilight Sparkle held her quill with her magic, using it to note some quick response to a seemingly endless line of paperwork. She sighed out of both boredom and exhaustion, but she continued with her work as it was the one thing keeping her busy during this peaceful time. A sudden knock at the door coaxed the alicorn to look up and before her eyes stood her most faithful assistant and good friend, Spike.

"Hey Spike!" Twilight greeted with a smile. "What's going on?"

"I was just wondering if you'd like to take a little lunch break," Spike suggested. "You've been cooped up here since we got back from Gotham last week. Figured you'd need to get out for a while."

"It's a bit difficult when there's so much work to do," Twilight responded. "Being princess isn't exactly easy; it really doesn't allow much relaxation time."

"Oh come on Twilight, even Princess Celestia takes time off for herself every now and then. What's another few more minutes going to do?"

Twilight Sparkle sighed to herself, looking back and forth between her number one assistant and the endless stacks of paperwork before her. She had been at it for days already and it seemed as though she barely even made a slight dent in it. Being that were the case, the question again repeated in her head: What was a few more minutes going to do? She placed the quill back in its inkwell and stepped out from behind her desk.

"Now that you mention it, lunch does sound great," Twilight smiled.

"Well then, follow me to the kitchen," Spike responded. "Sonata's already down there getting everything ready. You know Twi, it still amazes me you gave her a job in the castle's kitchen. I know she's trying to redeem herself, but don't you think you're putting a little too much trust in her?"

"Not at all," Twilight responded certainly. "I know it seems like a huge leap of faith after everything she and her family have done in the past. However, if it weren't for Sonata, there's a good possibility we might have gotten killed back in Gotham. That Siren is willing to risk her own life to save us all; we at least owe her a chance."

"I guess you're right," Spike nodded. "Old habits I guess."

The two continued their trek through the halls of the castle towards the kitchen, while continuing their conversation. Since they've gotten back from Gotham City, things were a bit dodgy at first starting with returning with Sonata Dusk, formerly of the Dazzlings. However, despite some general concerns expressed by the ponies and nearly every species in Equestria, Twilight Sparkle was quickly able to smooth things over with every pony. In return, the denizens were willing to give Sonata a chance to prove herself. True to her word, Twilight made the arrangements to secure a place in town for Sonata to stay and even offered her a job in the castle kitchen. To say Sonata was extremely grateful would have been an understatement.