It's been a little over two years since the portal between Equestria and Earth opened, and Twilight had a feeling that something would happen- anything, really. She approached Princess Celestia at her throne, Spike on her back. The girls were back at home: Twilight didn't want to scare them, so she said that this trip was for a top secret meeting between the princesses.

"Princess Celestia, I have the feeling that keeping the portal in tact might have been a mistake. What if somepony happens to.. maybe.. fall into the portal? It is just in front of the school, and if anypony is quite as clumsy as I am, I can see somepony falling through. That could expose us, and make us vulnerable to invasion, couldn't it?"

Princess Celestia nodded. "I've thought many times about the portal since the incident with Sunset Shimmer, Princess Twilight, and fortunately, we have had royal guard keeping a watchful eye on it for years now."

Twilight frowned, but nodded, feeling she should trust Princess Celestia's judgement no matter what. Something was eating away at her, though. Sunset shimmer got past the guards, who says nopony else could?

A day later, as Twilight Sparkle and Spike stepped off of the train, onto the platform, she was greeted by her friends. Pinkie Pie threw glitter and confetti, blowing a party horn, "Welcome home!" she squealed, and turned, hopping away to take lead for the trip to Apple Acres. Twilight followed close behind, bombarded by questions from the others.

Applejack walked close to Twilight, keeping her step in time with hers. "So, how did the meetin' go, Twilight?" she asked.

"Yes, how did it go?" Rarity chimed, and the girls looked at her with excited gazes, eager to hear any news first-hoof.. Aside from Pinkie, who was a little oblivious to the potential urgency of the meeting.

Twilight shook her head knowingly, and let out a light chuckle. "It was just for all of us to touch base and make sure nothing suspicious was going on in any of the kingdoms," although Twilight didn't consider Ponyville her kingdom, she did feel it was her duty to protect her friends at home, "and everypony is quite alright."

Rainbow Dash swooped down, bearing a great big grin and said, "Trust me, Twilight, if anypony threatens any of our friends, you can be sure I'll give em a beating they won't forget!" she threw a few punches at an invisible target, and everypony had a good laugh.

The next few days went quite well, all was normal, until a new pony arrived on the platform. She looked tired. Her coat was a pastel orange, and her cutie mark was covered by the cape draped over her back. Her ginger mane and tail were messy, and she wore a big yellow bow on her head. Her eyes met Twilight's, and they lit up. Twilight was just on her way to put a package for her brother on the train until she saw her. As Twilight lifted the box and put it on the train, giving the okay to the conductor, she looked curiously at the new pony, studying her freckled face. The new pony approached her first.

"Hello, Twilight. M-my name is Ember Note," she swallowed, and her ears stayed low, feeling a bit intimidated, as Ember's height was less than average, so Twilight almost towered over her, "I was told I would find you here, in.. P-Ponyville, is it..?" she asked, trying so hard to maintain eye contact.

Twilight furrowed her eyebrows and tilted her head a little, Spike finally catching up to her and taking a deep breath. As Spike caught sight of Ember, his eyes lit up and a stupid smile took over half of his face. "Who is this, Twilight?" he asked, sitting before her.

Twilight made a face, "Ember Note, apparently. Well, it's nice to meet you, Ember," she said, finally smiling. Though she could feel something different about this pony, she refused to be anything but kind to her, "And yes, welcome to Ponyville."

Ember breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, dropping down to a sitting position. She finally turned to look at Spike, who hadn't taken his eyes off of her, "W-well hello there, M-Mister.. Dragon?"

Spike gasped, "How did you know that was my last name? Are you psychic? Cool.." he said, his eyes glazing over as he took in her beauty again.

Ember let out a nervous laugh, and Twilight put a gentle hoof on her shoulder, "You seem nervous, Ember, let me show you around so you can get a feel for Ponyville. We can talk about what you came here for after you get settled."

Ember nodded, standing once more, and letting Twilight take lead to the library, Spike following closely behind.

The girls were all in Twilight's library, and Pinkie Pie was the first to notice the new face.

"Yippee! Another new friend! Hi there, I'm Pinkie Pie! I can tell you're new, since I've never seen you around here! Wowee, you're short! What's your name?" she asked, and as Ember opened her mouth to speak, Pinkie Pie blurted, "Wait! Lemme guess! Soft but fiery eyes, orange mane," she lifted Ember's cape, "Bass note and a measure for a cutie mark… I'm gonna say… Applebloom! Wait, no, that's her sister.." she said, pointing to Applejack.
Ember backed up a little, her ears lowering, and Rarity spoke up.

"Ember Note," she said, smiling as she approached her, more calm than Pinkie Pie. Ember looked confused, and it showed on her face, "It's embroidered on your cape, dear," she finished.

Ember let out a little laugh, and nodded, feeling a little silly.
"Nice to meet you, Ember, you can call me Rarity," she said.

"How's it going, I'm Rainbow Dash," Rainbow Dash said with a knowing smile as she flew over and lowered herself to the floor. Applejack followed suit, introducing herself as well.

Fluttershy and Ember locked eyes, and she approached Fluttershy, voice soft as she said, "Well.. What's your name?"

Fluttershy was a bit taken aback by Ember's gentle voice, and with a little smile and worried eyes, she said, "Fluttershy."

"Nice to meet you, Fluttershy," she said, somehow confident before the beautiful pony. Fluttershy stood a little straighter as she looked down at the short girl, and nodded, "You too, Ember.."

Twilight smiled, and stepped into the middle of the room, "Ember, you're welcome to stay here with me, and if not, I'm sure everypony else would gladly open up their homes for you."

Fluttershy nodded, as did the other girls, but Ember quickly said, "I'd like to stay with Fluttershy."

Twilight raised an eyebrow, and laughed a little, "I don't know if she'd really be.."

"Of course you can stay with me, Ember, I'm glad to allow anypony in need of a place to stay to share my home with me."

Twilight was half inclined to believe Ember cast a spell on Fluttershy, but she had no horn, so she let it go. For now.