The unexpected sunlight gleamed like a beacon of hope threw the large cracks in the walls.
Twilight had almost forgotten its comforting rays, and how soothing it was to feel its warmth on her aching body. Especially after spending so much time in the dark. But the light was to bright for Twilight’s enlarged pupils, forcing her to shut her eyes tightly despite her impatient desire to see the world in its calming, yellow glow once again.
It was a good several moments later before Twilight’s closed eyes could squint, and another few moments before they could fully open. It was then she was finally able to look at the light directly. When she did she found that the light she was preparing to rejoice in wasn't the sunlight she expected it to be, but a mere reflection of the moon.
“Horse feathers,” thought Twilight Sparkle, “I was hoping that was Celestia‘s light.”
The absence of fellow ponies, or any creature for that matter, had taken its toll on Twilight. While it was true the violet mare lived an introverted life, she had never been completely alone. She always had her assistant spike by her side, the two of them would work late nights in the Canterlot library together. The presence of somepony else was more comforting then Twilight had ever realized. She couldn't begin put in words how much she ached for Spike’s company right now.
It wasn't just Spike Twilight missed either. Before Nightmare Moon had taken over, Twilight had encountered five other mares who she couldn't help but think of constantly. And with these thoughts, feelings of guilt ensued.
The only thing the mares ever wanted from her was friendship. For her to trust them; laugh with them. To accept their kindness, loyalty and generosity. But she didn't. She didn't think it was important. That they were important. It was her refusal to be friends with these mares that caused the victory of Nightmare Moon, Twilight was sure of it. If she had just listened to Celestia’s letter, and the potential friends around her, things might be different.
Twilight didn't remember much about the battle of Nightmare Moon, but she did know the loss was her fault. She had worn herself out attempting to draw out the evil power Nightmare Moon possessed. Twilight was kidding herself thinking she was powerful enough to cast that kind of spell alone. She needed the other ponies help, but believed she could do it by herself.
She managed to upset all five ponies when she instructed they all go back home while she dealt with Nightmare Moon.
“Oh, I guess Little Miss Twilight Sparkle is to good for friends!” said a rather angry Pinkie Pie.
“Don’t want to be caught accepting the help of ah Earth Pony, now would ya?” a mad Applejack accused.
“Can’t let anypony in Canterlot know you’re friends with the low class Ponyvill residences!” a furious Rarity spat out.
Twilight wanted to deny their harsh claims, but was to drained from the failed spell to open her mouth. Let alone argue with them.
The last thing Twilight remembered was the cackling laughter of Nightmare Moon, and the five would-be-friends disappear out of what seemed to be thin air.
Three weeks of solitude in the dark, no longer familiar land that used to be Ponyville. She realized how lonely she truly was. Her craving for companionship only intensified with time.
She wished on the ever-present stars to find those mares again, hoping with all her heart that whatever they had before wasn't gone completely. She hoped that they might forgive her. And maybe, just maybe, with the right words spoken, they could be friends.
But as time went on, her hopes of reuniting slipped farther and farther away. Becoming more like wishful thinking with every passing moment.
Her turmoil worsened by the fact that Twilight couldn't even block out her thoughts with her books, something she could always do before.
Twilight returned to Ponyvill library, hoping to find another way to stop Nightmare Moon.
What she found was a tree alight with flames. The fire spreading too much for Twilight to even consider going in to rescue her beloved books.
She was left standing alone in the street. Staring up at everything she had ever cared about, burning brightly before her eyes. No friends. No Stories.
There was nothing but the sound of wood popping and books burning. Singing the cruel song of defeat.
Twilight rarely cried. But that night, she felt as though the tears would never stop. Steam rising as stray tears would land on the smoldered books.
She knew she was just wasting her energy, but the sight of the empty town, the burning library, her smoldered books and her missing would-be friends were just too much for her to bear.
Her loud hiccuping, nose running, eye reddening, face puffing sobs filled the endless night. Only when her obnoxious wails finally managed to put her in a restless sleep did the night become quiet once more.
That was all two weeks ago, or at least what she thought was two weeks. Though Twilight had managed to pull herself together to a reasonable extent, she couldn't help but cringe whenever thoughts of those five mares surfaced. The only difference now was that Twilight refused to let her sadness prevent her from finding new ways to survive in this world of endless night.
The effects of the missing sun were apparent throughout Ponyville. The trees of Sweet Apple Acres, along with all other sun dependent plants, were beginning to decay.
Finding food was in fact the most difficult challenge of the light-less world. Twilight did possess an adequate knowledge of edible fruits, fungi and vegetables, but applying that knowledge was much easier said then done.
Many of the foods mentioned in the texts lived deep within the Everfree Forest, where bigger, stronger, more adaptive creatures lived. She did manage to find some berries, but weren't nearly enough to live on.
Twilight found it was best not to wander too far into Everfree, anyway, she was too unfamiliar with the creatures that lived there. Besides, it even darker in the forest then anywhere else in Ponyville, the trees blocking out the moons feint light.
Twilight decided against locating naturally growing foods, and cocluded to eat the food in ponies' homes instead. She’d eat the perishables first, and store away the foods with a longer shelf life for later.
In the beginning, Twilight questioned her morals for going in a strangers home, eating their food and sleeping in their beds. It felt wrong, like breaking and entering coupled with stealing, but that feeling soon faded, considering that nopony was even in Ponyville. It eased her conscience. Besides, the only alternative was to starve in the forest and risk being eaten herself. At least in Ponyville she had shelter from the intimidating creatures of the night.
Scratch, Scratch.
Twilight jumped from the sudden sound, fear apparent in her voice “What the hay is that?” speaking to the emptiness surrounding her.
Scratch, Scratch.
“Who are you? Show yourself!”
Scratch, Scratch.
“I’m warning you! Come out now!”
The door opened revealing the scratching creature. Twilight wasn't sure what she was expecting, but the sight of the tiny yellow creature made her heart stop dead in her chest.
She felt cold and heavy. The world was spinning, she grabbed the table to support herself before daring to speak.
“Fluttershy?”