The Next Generation

The Next Generation

Preparations, Parties, and Disaster

Everything Twilight had said was swimming through Midnight's mind as she waited. Wish was taking forever to get cleaned up, and she was becoming impatient. The wait was good though, for she needed time to think all of these life-changes through.

She was now Princess Twilight’s student! That was probably way more profitable than being a simple jeweler, then again, she had no idea what kind of perks there was to being a Princess’s student...yet. She certainly was going to ask.

“I’m done!” Wish called.

Midnight sighed in relief, her sister walked out of the bathroom with a big smile on her face. Her mane was pulled into a towel and she was wearing one around her body. She looked pretty adorable.

“Well, it’s about time.” Midnight said, trying to sound annoyed. She was failing because of how awkward and cute Wish looked.

“Hey! You try and get frizzy hair to go straight after its been pretty much destroyed by fire...I had to use some of your miracle growth shampoo.” Wish replied, she lowered her eyes in shame.

Midnight’s eyes widened and she tried not to laugh. She was a bit annoyed that Wish used her expensive shampoo, but it wasn’t a surprise that she had to use it. She just hoped she hadn’t used too much.

“It’s fine, as long as you didn’t use the whole bottle. Come on, we should probably get going.” Midnight replied.

She used her magic to help her sister dry off, and her eyes widened in surprise as she lifted the towel off her sister’s mane. Her once frizzy, unkempt mane, was now very sleek and pretty, it looked very nice.

“Wow!!” Wish said happily.

Midnight laughed and the two of them walked out of the house and into the streets.

Ponyville was bustling with tons of different ponies. Some of them stared at the two attractive sisters as they walked by, Wish flaunted her new beauty while Midnight smiled coyly. Midnight knew how to handle all this attention, but her sister didn’t. Wish was beaming proudly and Midnight couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

“Okay, what’s the first thing on the list?” Midnight asked.

The two sisters were done all their parading and Wish smiled, “hm...Official Overseer’s Checklist….blah blah, um...oh here it is! It looks like the first thing we need is food.” She replied.

The obvious place to go would be to Sweet Apple Acres. In addition to harvesting the apples, the farm made all sorts of apple treats, perfect for the anniversary celebration. Nopony could resist old style apple brown betties!

“Alright, let’s head over to the apple farm. We’ll see if we can talk to anypony there and get them to cater for us.” Wish nodded in agreement, and hopped eagerly onto her big sister’s back.

“OK, let’s go!”

Midnight stood stone still, looking back towards the would-be passenger on her back. “And why do you think I’d carry you over there?”

“Well, I can’t take any chances with these gorgeous locks.” she replied, running a hoof through her mane. “What if I trip and fall in the dirt?” Midnight, continuing to stand, stared at her diva of a sister until she dismounted.

“You’re becoming more like me every day.” She said, reminding herself to hide the shampoo when she returned home.

Sweet Apple Acres wasn’t too far, but even so, Wish was very tired. Her stubby legs weren’t very suitable for long walks, and Midnight felt a little bad for her.

“Are we there yet? My hooves are killing me.” Wish complained.

Midnight rolled her eyes, but nodded and smiled. Wish beamed as she saw all of the beautiful apple trees around her. She had never been to Sweet Apple Acres before, and this was very exciting!

Midnight however, wasn’t too impressed. She wasn’t an easy mare to impress, and a simple apple farm didn’t seem too exciting.

The two mares wandered down the dirt path until they came to the farmhouse. It was a small, quaint house, with red bricks and very nice paint. Midnight smiled as she walked up to the house, and knocked.

“What do we say?” Wish whispered.

Midnight actually had an idea, but she didn’t have time to explain, because a mare with a creamy yellow coat and a soft yellow mane answered the door. Her mane was very wavy, and she blinked in surprise as Midnight smiled at her.

“Hello there, my name is  Midnight. I am Princess Twilight’s personal student, and I-” Midnight was stopped in her tracks as she felt her hoof being shaken violently.

“Well, ain’t this an honor! The name’s Honey Butter. What can I do ya for today?” Honey replied, cutting Midnight off.

Midnight sighed and Wish tried not to giggle at Honey’s accent. Midnight’s forced smile wasn’t even noticed by Honey, so Midnight continued ‘smiling.’

“I’m here to help Princess Twilight with her Coronation Anniversary Party, and your fine establishment was on the top of the list.” Midnight exclaimed, this statement made Honey smile.

“Well, ah ain’t too sure if this place is ‘fine’ enough for yeh fancy ponies, but we’ll do our darndest to make sure nopony goes hungry.” Honey replied.

Midnight blinked and Wish laughed, she liked this mare and Honey smiled at Wish’s happy expression.

“Well, I think that this place will do. I admit it seems a bit...rustic for a Princess, but if she thinks its suitable, then I will too.” Midnight said.

Honey smiled kindly, she Midnight and Wish walked down the dirt path towards the farm. The ponies walked in an awkward silence.

“So, how’re you likin’ the farm?” Honey asked.

The three ponies were now in a large flower covered field, and there was a bright colored blanket with many decorations hung over the trees.

“I’ve already started to decorate a little.” Honey explained, as Midnight looked over the decorations.

Well, there will be less to decorate now, so that’s no big deal. Midnight thought.

“This is so pretty! Is this where the dinner is gonna take place?” Wish asked.

Honey nodded proudly, “Yup, but It needs a bit more decoratin’. Too bad I don’t have any fancy magical powers like you do.” She replied, looking at Midnight in particular.

Midnight sighed, she had feared this. Honey was probably going to make her do most of the work now. She shook her head.

“Sorry, but I’ve got important business to take care of. We gotta go see who’s in charge of….Wish?” She asked, looking at her sister.

Wish blinked in surprise, she had been too busy looking at all of the pretty decorations to even notice her sister.

“Oh! Right, uh...we’re supposed to find out who’s in charge of entertainment.” Wish replied as she looked at her list.

Midnight grinned and nodded stoutly. “Well, it’s been great really, but we must be heading now. Come on, Wish.” Midnight said.

Wish smiled and waved to Honey who sadly waved back, “I hope you don’t miss this party. It’s gonna be the best one of the year I bet.” She replied.

Honey’s eye gave a little twitch as she said this, and Midnight wondered why. She seemed to have lost her accent as well. Midnight’s ears flicked backwards and she walked away from the still twitching Honey and joined her sister, who was already halfway down the road.

“Why’d you slow up back there?” Wish asked as they trotted along. “I thought you were right behind me.”

Midnight sighed at this, she had no idea how to explain to her young, innocent sister that who they had just talked to what might be a crazy farm pony. Especially since she had seemed to like her.

“I uh, I just thought I heard something strange that’s all.” Midnight replied, lying only a little.

Wish nodded, she didn’t seem to know when Midnight was lying, so the older mare sighed in relief. She would tell her if that pony did anything dangerous, she told herself making her guilt waver for now.

“Ooh, look at this place!” Wish exclaimed excitedly.

They stopped at a strange looking house, it had a big stone structure, and the windows looking outside looked to be like stained glass. Midnight blinked in surprise as she noticed this, and wondered how well off this pony was to even afford something like that.

The house looked more like a church, Midnight noticed as the walked, it had a very nice garden and a wrought iron fence around the entire thing. Wish had never been to a church before, so she only thought this place looked very pretty.

As Midnight knocked on the door, she noticed something strange. All the lights seemed to be out, or dimmed down. Because there was little to no light coming through the door’s tiny window.

“Maybe nopony’s home?” Wish asked.

Midnight shrugged and then started as the door slowly creaked open. “Who’s there?” A musical, but quiet voice asked.

“Uh...Midnight Twinkle, miss. I’m Princess Twilight’s new protege, and it says on the list of preparations that you are the one in charge of entertainment?” Midnight replied.

The voice sighed and a light pink hoof opened the door so that the two ponies outside could see her.

Midnight tried not to gasp, the pony was wearing a lot of makeup (more than she ever wore), black mascara donned her eyes and white eye-shadow on her lids. She wasn't wearing any lipstick, thank Cadence, but Midnight could swear she was wearing a little bit of blush. Her mane was beautifully long, and it was red with black streaks. Her bangs were styled, but still a little rough.

“Hello there I’m-” Midnight was cut off by the mare’s sigh. “I heard you, you’re the Princess’s new student, well congratulations. I don’t care. I do however, care about performing and if it says I’m on the list, well, that’s just fine. My name is Vogue, and I’m guessing you are here to check up on me?” She asked looking at the two mares suspiciously.

Midnight glared, how dare this mare interrupt her!? She had just about enough of all these rude ponies...but she didn't want to get into trouble. So, sucking in a deep calming breath and swallowing her pride, Midnight forced a smile.

“Yes, we are. It’s Princess Twilight’s orders. So if you wouldn't mind us coming in and seeing what the entertainment is?-” Midnight tried to get herself on the other side of the door, but was stopped by Vogue.

“Why must you insist on coming in my home? If you would kindly step aside, I will give you a performance.” Vogue replied testily, she flicked her red and black bangs with her hoof as Midnight walked backwards a few steps.

“Oh, alright then. I’m sorry, I didn't mean to intrude.” Midnight replied.

She felt like this pony could beat her up if she wanted to, so apologizing couldn't hurt.

“That’s quite alright...Now this is the song I’ve prepared for the Princess. Ahem.”

Twilight smiled as she walked down the streets of the Crystal Empire, everything around her glittered brightly as she made her way to the castle. All the crystal ponies were quite busy it seemed, it looked like they were getting ready for their own celebrations. Twilight felt honored that ponies everywhere were celebrating her accession today.

The guards near the castle all saluted her and Twilight smiled at them, Cadence was supposedly here, so it wasn't a surprise seeing so many of them around.

“Cadence? Are you in here?” She asked loudly, her voice echoed through the walls.

After a while, Twilight’s ears pricked up to the sound of hooves. “Twilight! I’m so glad you could come!” Cadence replied.

There she was, Cadence, like Twilight herself, had grown immensely through the years and was now almost as tall as Celestia once was. Her mane had also become more like Celestia’s as well, although it was more pink and purple than blue and green.

Twilight smiled and hugged her sister-in-law. She had missed her for quite some time, and it was lovely to be together again.

“Cadence! I’m so excited for tonight! They’re are quite a lot of parties scheduled, I’m a bit worried I won’t be able to attend each of them.” Twilight told her as she pulled out of the hug.

Cadence laughed, “I’m guessing you’ll be attending Ponyville’s party first? I hear they’ll have quite the performer tonight. Vogue...something. I’m actually thinking of going to the one in Canterlot, and then Shining wanted to visit the Los Pegasus festivities...you know how they love to party.” Cadence replied.

Twilight giggled, the two made their way towards Cadence’s bedroom, where she had said she had stored away a ‘fabulous’ dress for Twilight. Twilight wasn’t too keen on dressing up, but since it was such a special occasion, and their would be a lot of ponies looking at her tonight, she thought she could at least give the dress a chance.

“Los Pegasus, huh? I didn’t think Shining was into that kind of fun.” Twilight replied with a smirk.

Cadence opened her bedroom door with her magic and smiled. “Well, he says that since you're grown up now, you don’t need your big brother hanging over your shoulder all the time. I think he just wanted an excuse to go out one night and party.” Cadence replied.

Twilight pondered this for a while, and as Cadence walked over to her giant closet she sighed.

“Something wrong, hon?” Cadence asked. Twilight shook her head.

“No...no I’m fine. I’ve just been having weird feelings lately is all.” Twilight replied, with a sad smile.

“Weird feelings? What kind of weird?” Cadence asked in concern.

Twilight herself had no idea what was bugging her so much lately, but it seemed like a dark cloud had been forming over her head for days now, and it had shown itself again this afternoon.

Twilight simply sighed and shook her head. “I’ve just been feeling kinda depressed lately. I’m sure it’s no big deal.” She replied quietly.

Cadence ‘mhed’ her sympathy, she had stuck her head inside her closet and had started to shift through all her many dresses.

“It’s just that...I’ve been thinking about why Celestia choose me to be a Princess in the first place. I mean, I know I had successfully completed the study of the magic of friendship, but other than that...I was just a simple mare before. I’m not sure why Celestia even wanted me to take her place. I’m not even all that special, all I do is summon the stars while you raise the sun and the moon.”

Twilight said, degrading herself but not knowing how badly it was affecting her.

“Twilight,” Cadence pulled her head out from the closet. She could read Twilight well enough to tell that it was a big deal. “Celestia was the wisest pony to have ever lived, and she wouldn’t let just anypony become her successor.” She raised the melancholy Princess’s chin. “I don’t know why she chose you either. But she could see inside you, and she saw that you had potential. Does that make you feel better?”

Twilight gave her sister in law a sheepish smile. “A little. Thanks Cadence.”

“No problem Twilight. Now, this dress is buried in here somewhere…”

Cadence continued to rummage through the closet, leaving Twilight to think on what she'd said. It was good to hear that ponies still had faith in her. But the ifs continued to whirl around in her mind. What if Celestia was wrong? What if I hadn't actually learned enough about friendship?

What if I'm not meant to be a Princess?

"Ah-ha! Found it! Won't this just be..." Cadence turned to face Twilight, but was met with only an empty room. Twilight was nowhere to be seen. "Twilight?"

It was then she noticed the French window to the balcony was open, which was latched just moment ago.

"Oh no." Cadence dashed out to the balcony, hoping to catch Twilight, but she could see nopony. "Twilight!" She called out at the top of her lungs, but in vain. Her sister was gone.

Midnight had to admit, Vogue's performance had been good. She clopped her hooves on the ground along with her sister, who was whistling. Vogue smiled and bowed. “I’m guessing you liked my song?” She asked.

Wish beamed at her, “yeah! I’m sure Princess Twilight will love it! It’s so beautiful!” She praised, making Vouge smile back.

“Thanks, I think I’ll head over to the town hall now. It’s getting late.” Vogue replied softly.

Midnight took a quick glance at the sun and she noticed that is was going down. She gasped and began to sweat a little, she hoped everything was ready!

“I’m sure everything’s ready if you ponies wanna head down to the Town Hall with me.” Vogue said, seemingly reading Midnight’s thoughts.

She was looking at her with an odd expression and Midnight took a deep breath, “no, that’s okay. We can head down there by ourselves. Come on, Wish.” Midnight replied.

Wish nodded and skipped along behind her sister, who was looking more nervous than she had been before. The little filly waved to Vogue who waved back and began to walk to the hall herself, taking her slow careful steps she usually did.

Town Hall was beautifully decorated, thanks to a pony who was standing before Midnight now. The pony was a pink unicorn mare, she had bright green hair that hung down to her her shoulders. It was very straight, her eyes were a bright blue, which matched her cutie mark, which seemed to be a blue flame.

“Oh wow, this place looks gorgeous!” Midnight exclaimed.

She didn’t even realize that she said that out loud, and she blinked in surprise. Ember chuckled and walked over to her. “Thanks! I’m glad you like it.” She replied.

Midnight blushed. “Oh...uh you're welcome.” She sighed in relief  as the pony turned away.

She was in no mood to talk to anypony. She smiled at her sister  who had grabbed a bunch of snacks for the two of them. They walked towards the center of the hall.

She and her sister joined a bunch of ponies that were gathered around. The mayor smiled at them all from a balcony, the mayor was a kind, older looking mare, with gentle green eyes and a yellow coat. Her mane was a sky blue.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts, ponies of all ages. I welcome you to the ten-thousand year coronation celebration!” She called, making all the ponies around her cheer and stomp their hooves.

She smiled and waited for the crowd to stop their cheering to begin her speech again. “Our lovely Princess Twilight has been kind and gentle to us for so many years, we wish to thank her today by honoring her with her own celebration! But first, we wish to welcome our very own pop-rock singing sensation, Vogue Styles!”

The mayor finished her speech and the curtains pulled back, Vouge was standing in the center of the balcony, and she began her beautiful song.

Twilight fled through the wild EverFree, her thoughts were clouded and she really had no idea what she was doing. But it didn’t feel right, everything around her was shrouded in darkness and Twilight could barely see.

Why does nopony care about my talents!? Do they only care that I’m a Princess now? She thought as she ran.

She began to cry as she remembered all those ponies who did care about her. Her mother, her father, her friends and Spike, who now was a fully grown and dangerous dragon and lived oh so far away.

Twilight’s thoughts were now becoming clouded with darkness. What would happen if I just…..went away for a while? Would anypony actually miss me?

She knew this was probably silly, that Shining Armor and Cadence would miss her. But then again, she thought, those two are always so busy. She sighed and stomped her hoof angrily.

The darkness clouded around her and she smiled a little. She wasn’t afraid anymore. She welcomed the darkness. She welcomed anything that would love her for who she was, not what she stood for.

The serene calmness of the darkness was actually rather nice, she felt like she was being hugged and comforted by it as it wrapped around her body.

Twilight’s mind was changing, little by little, and the EverFree’s  magic seemed to be helping it, egging on the dark thoughts.

Her eyes began to water even more as the darkness consumed her entire form. Now though, these tears weren’t of painful emotions, they were just tears of sheer pain.

The darkness seemed to notice this and made her transformation quick, her body began to float up into the night sky, stars around her seemed to wink out one by one. Twilight’s body lengthened just a little, since she was already so tall, but her wings changed. They changed into a sharper, more agile form.

Her mane grew as well, and instead of her normal purple and pink aura, it became pitch black.

The darkness wasn’t done yet. It made her have bright eyes that were a bright yellow, and her pupils were now only slits, like a cats.

Twilight smiled, and her teeth became deadly sharp. Now the darkness had finished her transformation. It went away and Twilight became saddened. She felt like that dark force was her only true friend now.

But the darkness seemed to be leading her down a path, it looked like it was heading towards the old castle she and her old friends had once rebuilt. She smiled a tiny smile and followed the trail, not caring what the darkness would do to her again, not even caring that it had changed her. She had been so lonely, and the darkness had helped ease her loneliness, she just wanted a friend.

“Thank you, thank you. You all are too kind.” Vogue said as she finished her song.

She had been bowing for quite some time now, and Midnight flushed with jealousy. How could this pony be so talented? She wished she could be like her.

“Wow! Wasn’t that awesome! I love her voice so much!” Wish exclaimed, hopping excitedly.

Midnight rolled her eyes at her and tried to feign her jealousy. “She’s not that good. I bet she doesn’t even sing other genres.” Midnight said, trying to sound haughty.

Wish sighed, “whatever.” She knew her sister was jealous. She couldn’t  hide anything from her.

The mayor clapped her hooves together and smiled proudly at Vogue. Midnight glared at the two of them, she never got any kind of recognition for all the hard work she did. But she didn’t have any time to gripe about this, for the mayor spoke.

“Well now. I think we’re ready to see our beautiful Princess! Would you please step forward, your highness? We’re all so impatient to see your shining face!” The mayor said.

Midnight rolled her eyes, it was obvious that the mayor was sucking up but nopony else seemed to notice for they all were clapping their hooves again.

She joined them and waited with the crowd….and waited….and waited.

The mayor chuckled nervously  and went behind the curtain. She shouted with a couple of ponies who mumbled something Midnight couldn’t hear  back, and she came out looking flustered.

“The Princess is missing!” She screeched.

Everypony gasped and Midnight’s eyes widened. She was going to be in so much trouble.