Another Chance

“Of course humans exist!” I said to the mint green unicorn. “There are many creatures that are hybrids, basically that means they have parts from multiple existing creatures. The Chimera, for example, is a hybrid of lion, snake, and goat.” I levitated a book down as the unicorn’s smile grew with her intrigue. “There are many hybrids with humans involved, but only some are confirmed to exist, like the Minotaurs. Logically, somepony would not create a creature just to combine it with another. I do not have a book on humans, but this book does have information on all known hybrids in it”

I had barely checked the book out for her before she ran home with it. I cannot wait until the new librarian gets here. Last week, Ponyville said goodbye to its librarian of many years, a Pegasus named Sky Script. As I spent the most time in the library, I was asked to fill in until we could get a permanent replacement. You would not believe how rude ponies could get when you visit them about overdue fines.

I sighed as I levitated down another book. ‘The history of Equestria’ was its title. I flipped to the first chapter; the story of Hearth’s warming Eve. The story was vague, and left out many details. It said nothing about how Celestia had become the ruler instead of the leaders of the Unicorn, Pegasus, and Earth pony tribes, or anything about Celestia’s life. I heard a loud noise outside, but I paid no attention to it, as I continued the reading. Yet part of me noticed.

I felt it in my heart first, but it quickly made its way through to my hooves and the tips of my wings. A warm tingle went through my body, synchronizing with my heartbeat. It was something I had been able to do for years, but I never really understood it before. I still do not really understand it.

“Somepony should revise these books,” I murmured, shaking off the tingle. “This only tells the history of the Reign of Celestia.” I levitated the book back onto the shelf as I blew a piece of my red-orange mane out of my face. I should get it cut soon. I heard the door open, and turned to help another pony find a book. The one who, quite literally, bounced in was Pinkie Pie, carrying in a lot of party supplies.

“Hay there, Feria!” She said, tossing a purple streamer around my neck. “Guess what? There is a new pony in town. I saw her and I was like ‘GASP!” then I ran off to get my welcome wagon, but she disappeared by the time I got back! Then I realized she must be the new librarian, because Sky Script just retired and we need somepony else, and I checked with the mayor and she said that the new librarian is arriving today straight from Canterlot and will be staying in the upper level apartment and that is who I saw today and-!”

“Pinkie, I got it,” I said as nice as I could. Pinkie is a great friend, but she can ramble a bit too much and never get to her point. “If you are planning on having a welcoming party in the library, at least give me some time to prepare. I might not be a real librarian, but I would like to keep the books safe.” I flew up to the rafters. Sky Script had left many tarps up here for just these kinds of situations. I came back down and Pinkie was already setting up.

“You know, I just thought of something! You used to live in Canterlot! Maybe you know her!” Pinkie exclaimed. I could see she was debating on when I would let her bring in the party canon.

“Maybe,” I replied, tying a tarp to the bookshelf. “What did she look like?”

“She was a Unicorn! And really pretty. I mean, she wasn’t like Rarity; she was simple and such, but still pretty! Her coat was lavender colored and her mane was dark indigo!” I heard a crash from behind me. “It’s alright! I got it! As I was saying, her mane also had a pink stripe in it, and a lighter purple stripe! I didn’t see her Cutie Mark too well, but I think it was pink. OH! And she had a super adorable purple and green baby dragon with her! Does she sound familiar at all?”

“Twilight Sparkle?” I said confused. Pinkie started talking about how great of a name that is, but I was just trying to think this through. Why would Celestia send her private student to be the librarian? There is something I could not shake. I knew Celestia very well; she was my sister, after all. There was something else in her plan. Twilight probably did not know what it was either.

“And of course the Summer Sun Celebration is tomorrow, so the party will probably run into that party and we all just head over to Town Hall later tonight. And this is going to be the best Summer Sun Celebration yet, because it is the one thousandth one!” Pinkie Pie was still going. She had been planning the Summer Sun Celebration party for a while now, it is the one day of the year ponies are supposed to stay through the whole night, and she enjoyed it all. Everypony knows the Summer Sun Celebration, but the location of the main celebration changes every year. This year, Ponyville is hosting, and we will watch as Princess Celestia raises the sun as she lowers the-

“Wait! Did you say this was the one thousandth one? The Celebration is the anniversary of the day that began the Reign of Celestia, the day Celestia began to rule on her own.” I spun around and tried to find a book. Of course the book was under ‘E’.

“What are you doing?” Pinkie asked practically singing.

I ignored her and kept searching through the book. The Mare in the Moon, a story most call simple pony tale used to scare children. I read it aloud “On the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about Nighttime Eternal!”  I had nearly forgotten this. She told me it was coming, but not this soon. I had noticed her becoming scared, jumping at shadows. If I had known…

More ponies began to show up, wanting to help us set up. Pinkie given them tasks and gone back to decorating, but she kept glancing over at me a little worried. I wanted to reassure her, but I did not know what to say. No matter the outcome, tonight will be the last time Celestia raises the moon.

But will tomorrow’s sun ever come?

* * *

“She’s coming! She’s coming!” Pinkie squeaked, dragging me through a group of ponies and toward the window. I still do not know how Pinkie could fit this many ponies in a library. She had been right, the pony I recognized as Twilight Sparkle was coming up to the library, and Spike was riding on her back talking to Fluttershy who was following behind.

Pinkie switched off the lights and told us all to be quiet. I watched as Twilight awkwardly tried to say goodbye to Fluttershy. She came in and had a whispered conversation with Spike. We were not close enough to hear the whole thing, but I caught a few words; ‘Nightmare Moon’, ‘running out of time’, and ‘make friends’.

“Now, where’s the light? Twilight asked as Pinkie Pie hit the switch. Everypony yelled out ‘surprise’ as Twilight stood there in shock. I had to giggle at that. Twilight is one of those ponies that make great expressions, especially when surprised.

“Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh?” Pinkie asked, bouncing in front of Twilight.

“Yes, very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quiet!” She replied.

“Well, that's silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, hello? bo-ring! I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all "hello" and I was all *GASP*, remember? Y'see I've never saw you before and if I've never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!” We walked through the crowd and reached the buffet table, where Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy were waiting. Twilight groaned and poured herself a drink.

“And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me very sad, then I had an idea, and that's why I went *gasp*! I should throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville and have it run into the other party tonight! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!”

“Are you all right, sugarcube?” Applejack asked Twilight, as she was looking a little odd. Twilight let out a high pitched scream, her magic reacting to her surprise and creating some minor fire-breathing. She ran off as Spike looked to see what she drank.

“Hot sauce?” he asked, as Pinkie poured some on a cupcake.

“What? It’s good!” she said with a mouth full of cupcake.

I rolled my eyes and followed Twilight to the librarian’s apartments upstairs. It was a small area, with a bedroom and kitchen, a small space for entertaining. As I entered, I saw her looking at the books Sky Script left behind from his personal collection.

“Elements of Harmony… Elements…. Why is there nothing here?” she said exasperated.

“That is because you are not looking in the right place,” I answered, startling her for the second time tonight. She turned a little too quickly, stumbling as she tried to recognize me. Her eyes showed nothing but confusion at first, but soon widened in recognition.

“Feria?” she asked. “I haven’t seen you in years! Why are you here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” I said walking over. “I moved here a few years ago. It is very different from Canterlot and the castle, ponies seem to care a bit more here. Of course, adjusting had been hard. There are not many ponies that would move here on purpose, much less somepony from somewhere as ‘fancy’ as Canterlot. The ponies here only knew me as ‘princess’, and treated me as such.” I shuffled my wings nervously. I had not spoken to Twilight Sparkle in years, and even back then we had not been very close. “So, why did you come to Ponyville?”

“Princess Celestia sent me to oversee the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration” Twilight replied, turning back to the books. “She also said to ‘make friends’ but that doesn’t matter right now! Equestria might be in danger and I ‘m the only one who seems to realize it!”

“I assume you have told Princess Celestia?” Another thing I never will get completely used to is using the Princess’ full title. She is always just ‘Celestia’ to me, just another pony like all of those in town. She was my sister, and I could call her things like ‘Tia’ and ‘Big sis’, but the others’ reactions to it were odd enough for me to try to stop.

“Of course I did! She sent me here saying “it’s just an old pony’s tale!” even though Nightmare Moon could be returning!”

I tried to hide my surprise. Celestia knew all about Nightmare Moon’s return and what she could do. She had been more and more nervous and all year. I had not known what had been bothering her, but I had been worried. I even offered to move back to Canterlot to comfort her, but Tia told me to stay here.

“Do you know something about this?” Twilight asked to my silence.

“Well, if you are right she probably wanted you to be away from Canterlot, as Nightmare Moon would strike there first?” I replied. That is what I had been telling myself since Pinkie told me Twilight was in town. It was the only explanation I could think of at the time.

“Then I should go back and help her!” Twilight began hurriedly packing random things into her still unpacked saddlebags.

“Well, Celestia will be here in Ponyville tonight, so going home would not help at all.” I said, realizing that myself. I had thought Tia was sending Twilight Sparkle away for protection. Why would she lie to her personal student, and then send her into the danger? Tia always had a plan, but I could not figure this one out. Twilight started to calm down a little and looked as confused as I was. I was about to discuss this with her as Spike walked in, obviously having more fun than Twilight was with the party.

“Hey Twilight!” he exclaimed, breaking the silence, “Pinkie Pie’s starting ‘pin the tail on the pony’! Want to play?”

“No! All the ponies in this town are crazy! Do you know what time it is?”

“It’s the eve of the Summer Sun celebration. Everypony has to stay up, or they’ll miss the princess raise the sun.” Spike finally noticed I was there. “You look familiar, have we met?”

“I have not seen you in a few years,” I giggled. “You were still fairly young when I left. I am Feria”

“Oh! I’m sorry I did not recognize you,” he said, fully remembering who I am.

“It is alright,” I said, trying to be friendlier. “You know, I never cared for ‘pin the tail on the pony’. It just sounds to painful.”

“Okay, well, I’m going back to play. You sure you don’t want to come, Twilight?”

“NO!”

“You really need to lighten up, Twilight. It’s a party!” He said walking out the door.

“You really need to lighten up, twilight. It’s a party”, Twilight mocked.

“You two are really more like siblings, are you not?” I laughed, heading out after him. “You know, Tia always thought of you as a sister, not just as a student.”

    *       * *

I made my way through the crowd as ponies began walking to Town Hall. Pinkie’s party plan had been to get us all over there in smallish groups, and she was rounding up the last few. I knew Fluttershy would be there setting up the music. Rarity would be adding last minute touches on her decorating; she could be working on something for weeks and still try to improve on the design.

I reached Town Hall about twenty minutes before dawn. As I entered the building Mayor Mare trotted up to me. She had been trying to stay calm, but was obviously in that crazy mode where she really wanted to please her guest, but could snap at the wrong word. It was even more intense considering that the ‘guest’ was our Princess.

“Hello there, Feria,” she said. “I was just checking on Princess Celestia, and she said you should go see her when you showed up. She is in the room upstairs, third on the right.”

“I will go see her then,” I replied. On my way up I nodded hello to a few ponies, said a few compliments on their manes and accessories. The hall I entered was empty, but I felt a presence. The warm tingling feeling was starting up again, yet the closer I got to the room, the more strange it felt. It was not as steady and synchronized like usual. I got worse as I walked on.

“It is time for you to have a taste of what you gave me for the past thousand years! You shall now and forever be trapped in the sun, painfully alone, left to contemplate your crimes against me!”

I saw a bright light coming from behind the door Celestia should be in. I ran up and tried to open it, but the magic pressure kept it closed. I shouted out to her, but I could not hear my own voice. My hooves pounded on the door as the warm tingling feeling turned into a searing pain.

I finally was able to open the door, but the one who stood before me was not Celestia. Who I saw before me was a different mare, as tall as Celestia. Her mane was a magical misty swirl of night, she had a black coat like mine, and her body was protected by blue-gray armor. I could not say anything, I could not think. Her eyes were staring through me. All I could do is stare back into those angry turquoise dragon-like eyes.

A sound from down the hall distracted her for a moment, and I began running away. I galloped down the hall, afraid she was chasing me. I had to tell somepony! I had to get help. I made it back down and got lost in the crowd. I stopped next to Twilight Sparkle and tried to catch my breath as Mayor Mare came out to introduce Celestia and start the Summer Sun Celebration. I had thought I would be prepared for this, but how could I have been?

“Fillies and Gentlecolts, as Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the One Thousandth Summer Sun Celebration!” Mayor Mare announced as ponies cheered. “In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the amazing pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of peace and Harmony to all, protector of Equestria… Princess Celestia!”

The curtain opened, but Celestia did not appear. Ponies whispered to each other, I saw Rarity walk backstage too look for her. I knew she would find nothing.

“This can’t be good.” Twilight muttered next to me.

“Remain calm, everypony,” Mayor Mare reassured us. “There must be a reasonable explaination for this!”

“Ooh, ooh, I love guessing games!” Pinkie shouted. “Is she hiding?”

“She’s gone!” Rarity exclaimed as she walked back onstage.

There were more gasps and whispers, Pinkie Pie momentarily praised Celestia’s ‘hiding skills’. But a cloud of purple mist appeared where Celestia should be. I watched as the cloud turned into that mare I had seen upstairs, full armor, black coat, and a magical mist-like mane with a matching tail. She still had those eyes, turquoise and dragon-like, able to see straight through you.

“Oh, my sweet, beloved subjects,” she mused. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen your precious, sun-loving faces.”

“What did you do to our princess?!” Rainbow Dash yelled. She attempted to charge at the mare, but was held back by Applejack.

“Why,” the mare chuckled, “am I not royal enough for you? Have you forgotten who I am?”

“Ooh, ooh! More guessing games!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Uh, Hokey Smokes! Or maybe… Queen Meanie? No, Black Snooty! Black Snooty!” she was cut off by somepony.

The mare magicked around us. “Does my crown no longer count now that I have been betrayed, and imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall my legend? Did you not see the signs?”

“I saw!” Twilight shouted. “And I know who you are. You are the Mare in the Moon… Nightmare Moon!” Ponies gasped all around. Shouts were heard before quieting down as Nightmare Moon began to speak again.

“Well well well, somepony who remembers me.” She said to us, a hint of appreciation in her voice.

“I also know who you are,” I shouted, as the searing pain pulsed again. “You are the Bringer of Night, and you were one of the rulers. You were, and still are-” I cringed as the pain went through me again, it was getting worse. “You can return to our world! You will always be able to come back to us!” Our eyes met again, and I stared right back into her soul. She looked shocked and seemed to recognize me.

“Feria…” she whispered. Her form flickered, turning dark blue instead of black and her voice softer. In her eyes, I saw anger and hatred, but I also saw somepony who was lonely and afraid and full of remorse. It was over in less than a second, but I saw it. The pain going through me weakened, and I was not afraid of her anymore.

“It is too late for that!” she shouted. “If you know who I am, then you also know why I am here!”

There was a silence as the moment built, none of us wanting to say it. While my fear was dissipating, the crowd was growing with terror and panic. They were deciding when would be the best time to run for their lives.

“Remember this day, my little ponies, for it was your last!” Nightmare Moon yelled as thunder struck.  “From this moment on, the nighttime will last FOREVER!” She threw back her head in laughter, and I ran.

I kept running, but I did not know where I was going. I galloped through the town, and I did not stop. I did not stop until I had reached the edge of the Everfree Forest, a dark place where the laws of our world did not apply. I do not know why my hooves carried me here, but I felt it is where I could go. Celestia once told me her old castle was in what is now the heart of the forest. I could go there and think of a plan. Without Celestia, I did not know who could possibly defeat somepony as powerful as Nightmare Moon.

Looking into the dark canopy of trees, I listened. Panicked voices were everywhere in town, and monsters were hiding in the bushes of the forest. But I felt this was where I needed to go. The feeling was balancing out, sometimes a warm tingling pulse, others a searing pain. I gathered my courage for a moment and stepped into the darkness that was the Everfree Forest.