It was the day of the Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville. Ponies all around town were doing their part to get ready for the festival.

Tricky was once again making his rounds, checking with each of his friends and their parts in the performance. As he trotted across the town square, a sudden loud gasping sound caught his ear.

Tricky turned his head just in time to catch a pink blur shooting past and knocking him off-balance. When the dust settled, Tricky noticed the cause of Pinkie's (who else?) excitement: a lavender unicorn and her baby dragon companion. He watched as the pair walked off, seemingly on important business.

Tricky wracked his brain as he continued on his way. Where had he seen that unicorn before? He had nearly reached his doorstep when he froze in his tracks.

"It's her!"

Tricky remembered that day like it was yesterday... He sat on his welcome mat, thinking of the first and only time he'd seen her: Shining Armor's sister Twilight Sparkle. He was standing in line to enlist with the Royal Guard for the first time. Shining Armor, then just a rookie and star recruit, was leaving the castle for a vacation. At his side was the most beautiful pony Tricky had ever laid eyes on.

From the way they laughed together, Tricky was certain Shining Armor had the perfect job AND the perfect mare. But just as he lowered his head to wallow in despair, his ears caught the tail end of their conversation.

"-ounds like you're doing great, sis!"

Tricky raised his head. His sister? Of course! She looked to be about Tricky's age, and Shining Armor was clearly much older. There was hope! Tricky smiled and scratched at the ground, anxious to get in and be just like Shining Armor and impress his sister.

Unfortunately, it was not to be, as it was the first of many attempts that ended in denial for one reason or another. Mostly one: Tricky just wasn't built to be a soldier, they said. Stick to your talent, they said.

Fast forward some years, and despite growing up and even making a decent living in Ponyville, Tricky still hadn't given up his dream. It seemed he had almost forgotten about Twilight Sparkle. Now she was here in Ponyville. Certainly she was here for the Summer Sun Celebration. That would mean...

Tricky's eyes widened. She was going to see him perform! At once he felt excited and terrified. Though it was nothing more than a teenage crush at the time, his admiration hadn't changed after these few years. What if his performance flopped? It's not like Twilight knew who he was anyway, but...

Tricky sat there for a while, contemplating his fate. He didn't notice the approaching hoofsteps, or the face of his roommate approaching his. She hovered in front of him for a moment before opening her mouth.

"Hey."

Tricky jumped and slid on his hindquarters until he hit the door.
"Ah! You scared me!" He blushed a bit and rubbed the back of his head. He tried to get Twilight out of his head. He'd never told anyone about that day, not even Ditzy. There was no reason to let it slip now.

"What's the matter, nervous?" Ditzy sat next to him and looked out at the neighborhood.

"A little... A lot of important ponies are going to be there tonight... I don't want to mess this up."

Ditzy poked his shoulder.
"Don't worry, it's going to be great! You've done a great job putting our act together." She smiled wide and Tricky couldn't help smiling back at his best friend.

"I hope you're right."

After an evening of festivities, the time had come for Celestia to raise the sun. Ponies from all over Equestria gathered in the town hall. The mayor gave a speech and introduced the Princess. Rarity, Ponyville's resident unicorn fashionista, pulled back the curtain to reveal... No one.

The officials scrambled to find the Princess, until a malevolent cackling rose above the clamor. Nightmare Moon had returned! Tricky and his friends watched in terror as the evil pony declared the night would last forever.

After everypony ran screaming from the town hall, Tricky slowly made his way home. He felt crushed. He couldn't work for Nightmare Moon, and surely she wouldn't appreciate his magic tricks. He'd probably end up working on a rock farm somewhere. Ditzy was already home, waiting for him. The two didn't speak, instead sharing a solemn glance.

Red Steel paced back and forth in his dorm room, mumbling to himself.

"What else are we supposed to do? The rest of the Guard from Canterlot are already here; our job is to sit and wait for their orders." Rocky, Red's earth pony Guard partner, watched him expectantly for an answer.

A red-hot spark jumped from Red's horn.
"I don't know! I can't just sit here while our Princess is being held somewhere!"

Rocky sighed.
"There's nothing we can do. We're just town guards... Nothing ever happens here anyway."

"Arrrrgh!" the furious unicorn shouted out the window at the endless night.

Aria Breeze buried her muzzle in a history book, looking for details about Nightmare Moon. Rain Slick watched his cloudmate intently.

"I thought it was just a legend. Shouldn't you be reading a pony tale book?"

"Most legends come from actual events whose details were lost over the ages."

"... Oh," Rain replied, content. "I wonder what it will be like working in the dark from now on..."

Aria looked up at him.
"I want to know where Princess Celestia has gone, and why."

Rain returned her glance with a shrug. "Beats me."

Diamond Shine stared glumly out the window of her parents' house. Being an only foal to a pair of busy ponies, she was used to spending time alone. However, she missed their company now more than ever. By now they were on the other side of Equestria, "seeing the world," as they put it.

Diamond wondered how they were reacting to the change. Were they thinking of her right now? She rested her head on her hooves and waited for something, anything, to happen out there.

Everypony was startled by the flash of light that came out of the Everfree Forest. It was blinding in the darkness of eternal night.
Tricky, Ditzy, Rain, Aria, Red, and Diamond were all together in the town square when Princess Celestia returned with none other than Princess Luna.

After Celestia raised the sun, Tricky was just working up the courage to ask if he could still put on his show. However, before he got a chance, Celestia called for attention.
She announced that Twilight Sparkle was staying in Ponyville to study the magic of friendship! Tricky was so happy, he forgot all about the performance until the next day.
Tricky and his five friends did finally put on that performance, and it was a big hit in Ponyville. Ponies were even starting to recognize him on the street! Whenever asked about how he pulled it off, he reminded them that he couldn't have done it without his friends.

Author's Note

This marks the end of Episodes 1 and 2 of Season 1. My plan is to write a chapter per episode from here on out, but we'll see what happens as we go.