From Solitude to Friendship

Autumn was at it's beginning, so the winds were becoming colder. The sky was dark and the moon shined as bright as it always had. A dark colored pony wearing a black cloak covering most of his body was standing on a flat plain that watched over a nearby village. The village was quiet due to the presence of the moon above. The cloak covered most of his body except a dark gray, masculine muzzle, and a black tail. His eyes were of a dark blue shade, like the ocean. The cloak itself had a mysterious red pattern on it that shined in the moonlight.

He looked down towards the small town. "Ponyville... It will only be a matter of time now." He whispered to himself. He turned around and trotted towards a lone tree on the plain. He lied down next to the tree for cover. It took him a while to close his eyes and rest, The moonlight didn't seem to comfort him very well. It wasn't long until the sun rose and the town began to become more active. Ponies were opening shops and going on about their day. the cloaked pony woke up to the sound of various chatter and business activity coming from the town. He trotted to the town. The pony noticed different signs that read various business names such as "Sugar Cube Corner," "Carousel Boutique," and "Ponyville Theater."

"Isn't there a train station, or anything?" The pony asked in frustration to no one. He was casually greeted by the residents, whom he ignored. He seemed cold towards other ponies, but he just didn't want to engage any pony. It didn't take long until a pink earth pony appeared next to him, seemingly out of nowhere. She had a frizzly pink mane with a lighter pink coat. Her tail was a mess of curls, almost looking like pink cotton candy.

The pink mare waved at him. "Hi, are you new here?" She asked with energy. Her voice was high, and it clearly annoyed Clyde."My name is Pinkie Pie, what's yours?" She asked. The cloaked pony winced at her never ending amount of energy.

"I have no time to waste, what is the strongest method of transportation in town?" He asked, unintentionally rude. This didn't seem to bother Pinkie Pie.

Her expression grew curious. "Oh? Where are you headed, mister?" She asked, tilting her head a little. His expression was growing annoyed.

"I need to find a town called Canterlot." He said, hoping she at least knew which way to go.

"We have trains that go to Canterlot all the time. I love Canterlot! What kind of business do you have there, sir?" Pinkie asked, excitedly.

"I have no reason to tell you." He said. "But, if you'll leave me alone if I tell you, I need to speak to your ruler, Celestia." Clyde hoped that would make her leave.

Pinkie's expression lit up "Princess Celestia?" She asked. "Why don't you talk to my friend, Twilight? She is Celestia's most prized student. She lives here in town." Pinkie said as she started to bounce around the pony. Her bouncing annoyed Clyde, but it also fascinated him. Her energy was endless. "Why don't I take you to her library? It's actually that tree over there." Pinkie said as she points to a tree barely 100 feet away. "By the way, you never gave me your name."

"It's Clyde." He said, a bit friendlier.

"Clyde? That's an odd name." Pinkie giggled. He chose to ignore her comment. Clyde trotted normally as Pinkie bounced cheerfully towards the tree. Clyde noticed a sign in front of it that read "Golden Oaks Library." Pinkie looked over towards Clyde. "Clyde, why do you wear that big cloak? It's not that cold, is it?" She asked, quizzically looking at his cloak. Clyde didn't respond, instead he flipped up the hood revealing the rest of his head. He had a long black mane that flowed freely with the wind.

"Any more questions?" He asked, less annoyed, but still impatient.

"Oh, I have millions of questions! But I don't want to overwhelm you." Pinkie said, still bouncing. Clyde sighed loudly as they approached the front door of the library. Clyde was about to knock, but Pinkie just opened up the door. "I know her very well, she wont mind!" She said, grinning. "Twilight?" Pinkie shouted. A purple coated pony trotted out of the room adjacent to the entrance. Her mane was a darker shade of purple with a pink streak. She was a unicorn.

"Hello Pinkie, what brings you to the library?" The pony asked. She turned her head to look at her friend to notice an unknown pony standing next to her. "Who is this, a new resident?" She asked.

The mare examined him casually. "Are you Twilight?" Clyde asked.

"Yes I am, what's your name?" Twilight asked, very politely. Pinkie started to walk towards the kitchen.

"I'm Clyde." He responded, relieved that Twilight was a much calmer pony. "I have a very important request for you. Is it true that you are one of Celestia's trusted students?" He asked.

Twilight was taken back by the sudden nature of the question. "Why yes, why do you ask?" Twilight asked, smiling.

"I need to speak to her, immediately. Can you help me contact her?" Clyde asked. Twilight's expression shifted from excited to serious.

"Why?" She asked. Pinkie had already made herself comfortable on Twilight's couch, eating popcorn.

Clyde turned very serious. "There is a serious threat that I'm sure she is aware of. But she has to know the severity of the situation. I have been searching for her for a long time." Clyde said. Twilight stepped back.

"What's the danger?" She asked, worried.

Clyde was reluctant to answer. "I don't know how well you would understand. But you know of Nightmare Moon's banishment to the moon, right?" Clyde asked. Twilight looked at him, confused. Clyde continued to speak, "She is going to return soon, we need to take immediate action, she is far more dangerous than you think!" Clyde was almost yelling, unintentionally.

Twilight paused and looked at Clyde as if he were crazy. "Clyde.." Twilight started to say, but her growing laughter interrupted her.  Pinkie started to giggle as well.

"Why are you laughing? I told you you wouldn't understand. Can you bring me to Celestia or not?" Clyde asked angrily.

Pinkie raised her hoof. "You know, Twilight, why don't you let Celestia explain it all to him?" Pinkie jumped in, laughing uncontrollably. Clyde was growing angrier.

Twilight shifted her attention to Pinkie's idea. "Sure, that is a good idea, Pinkie." Twilight turned her head towards Clyde. "Clyde, I'll send a letter to her, why don't you sit in the spare bedroom for now? You look very tired." Twilight offered. She wasn't wrong, Clyde's eyes were baggy and his overall expression was droopy. It looked as if he hasn't slept in days, even weeks.

Clyde shook his head. "Thanks, but no thanks, I'll be fine waiting outside." He quickly responded.

"Please, it would be my pleasure." Twilight pursued. "By the way, that is a very interesting cloak you have on, where did it come from?" She asked.

Clyde turned his attention towards his own Cloak, wondering what was so fascinating about it. "I have no reason to tell you." Clyde said.

"That's fine, we all have our secrets. Now, why don't you go relax in the bedroom?" Twilight offered. Clyde seemed relieved that she didn't pursue him for answers.

"No thanks. I can't be a burden to you. I'll be outside if you need me. Thanks for the offer." Clyde said, and swiftly left the library.

"What could his problem be?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie shrugged. "I don't know, maybe he just needs some muffins or cookies. Those always help me in a bad mood." Pinkie said.

Twilight laughed. "Pinkie, why don't you gather the rest of the gang, I'll get Celestia over here, I am very curious as to who Clyde is, exactly." Twilight said. Pinkie nodded and left the library excitedly.

The sun was beginning to set. Clyde was sitting in front of the library, relaxing, but not really sleeping. He noticed various ponies entering and leaving the library but he paid them no mind. Twilight Exited the library and trotted towards him.

"Are you ready to talk with her, Clyde?" Twilight asked.

Clyde got up from the ground. "Yes. Thanks again for doing this." Clyde said. They both entered the library and Clyde was immediately greeted by 6 ponies that were already inside. One of them was Pinkie Pie, the others were an orange earth pony with a yellow mane wearing a cowboy hat, a yellow pegasus with a flowing pink mane, a white unicorn with a well-groomed blue mane, and a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail. The tallest of the six was the one who caught Clyde's attention the most. The taller pony had a white coat, with an aura-like mane of many bright colors.

Twilight started the conversation. "These five are my friends. You have already met Pinkie. The white one is Rarity, the rainbow one is Rainbow dash, The yellow one is Fluttershy, and the orange one is Applejack." Twilight said, pointing to each pony respectively. "And the tallest one, if you didn't already guess, is Princess Celestia." Everyone bowed except for Clyde, who quickly bowed to follow suit.

"Howdy." Applejack greeted.

"Sup?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Nice to meet you, darling." Rarity said with a cheery expression. Fluttershy waved, saying nothing.

"It's nice to meet you all, and it is especially nice to meet you, Celestia." Clyde said. He trotted up to the royal pony.

Celestia looked down to him with concern. "I heard there was a problem you needed to discuss with me, sir Clyde?" Celestia said, her voice calm, but stern.

Clyde closed his eyes for a second before speaking. "Yes. I have been in Equestria for over a year now, searching for you." Clyde said, with relief in his voice.

"Ah, where are you from?" Celestia asked.

"Well, that's where the story begins. This will be hard for you to believe, but I was not born in Equestria, or anywhere in the world." Clyde pointed his hoof up towards the ceiling. "I was born and raised on the moon." Clyde said.

Silence filled the room. "Come again?" Applejack finally asked. Clyde continued to speak.

"There is life on the moon. We refer to ourselves as 'Lunar Beings.' Over a thousand years ago, a group of ponies were brought to the moon by Nightmare Moon herself. They created a community and thrived from it. When Nightmare Moon was banished to the moon, she became the ruler of the Lunar Beings. They have evolved into generations of powerful ponies, and has become a community of war and tyranny, due to Nightmare Moon's horrid dictatorship. There are at least 500 of us scattered all over the moon." Clyde said. Every single pony in the room was in shock, excluding Celestia. No pony knew whether to believe him or think he was crazy.

Celestia, however, nodded her head. "I have always known of the Lunar Beings, but I had no idea one would be able to reach Equestria. So, how did you get here?" Celestia asked, voice very stern. Every other pony in the room were shocked. Their doubts were confirmed to be true.

Clyde stepped back. "I was Nightmare's Moon's top flier and communication source." Clyde took off his cloak, and tossed it on the floor revealing two large, powerful looking wings, matching the color of his coat. He had a strong build. "I flew from colony to colony, sending messages and communicating in her place, delivering messages to her. I hate Nightmare Moon, so much so that I used my position to meet Lunar Beings who knew of ways to break the barrier and make it to Equestria. The barrier, your spell, was not easy to bypass. Legends talked about the Celestial princess, how she would save us all. After reading many books and collecting materials avoiding her vision and using her trust, I made a portal to Equestria. I barely escaped, and Nightmare moon has caused so much suffering to all of us. We need your help. Please help us, Princess of the Sun, ruler of Equestria, Savior of the Lunar Beings." Clyde bowed down to Celestia. The princess as well as every pony else was in shock.

"Clyde, there is so much I need to tell you." Celestia said. "Nightmare Moon has already returned." Clyde's expression went from calm, to scared, to confused, then finally to hysterical.

"What? How it that possible? Equestria isn't in ruin or anything!" Clyde yelled. Celestia looked at him with a knowing expression, smiling.

"These six ponies you see here have summoned the six elements of harmony. Twilight represents Magic and friendship, Pinkie represents laughter, Applejack Honesty, Fluttershy kindness, Rarity generosity, and Rainbow Dash represented loyalty." Celestia said as the six bowed their heads as each name was mentioned. "Using the elements, they returned Nightmare Moon to her previous state, as my sister, Luna." Clyde almost fell on his back out of surprise. His mouth gaping wide.

"So... Nightmare moon is gone?" Clyde asked, in disbelief.

"Yes." Celestia confirmed. Clyde fell to the ground, all four hooves barely keeping him up.

"I don't believe you, I can't believe you!" Clyde yelled, not caring who he was yelling at.

"Do you wish to meet my sister, as proof?" Celestia asked.

"Please." Clyde answered with no hesitation. Celestia then knocked on a door, which was opened from the other side to reveal a pony with a similar structure to Celestia. She had a blue and black coat with flowing blue hair.

"You must be Clyde." The pony said, motioning towards Clyde. He stepped back.

"Are you Luna? You look so much like Nightmare Moon. Except you give off a different vibe." Clyde looked at her, quizzically. "You seem much calmer." Clyde said, keeping his guard up nevertheless.

The blue mare nodded her head. "I am Luna, and I was once Nightmare Moon. I have little memory of my time as her, so forgive me for not recognizing you. However, I do feel as if I have met you before. It must be because I am indeed the same pony." Luna said, trying to comfort Clyde. "I promise you, that part of me, Nightmare Moon, is gone." Luna said with a reassuring smile. Clyde sat stepped back, taken by too much surprise. Every pony stared at him as he was slowly processing all of this information.

"It's all over. Years of suffering, agony, all of it, over." Clyde's eyes began to water up. He flailed is hooves in the air, laughing. "It's over! Praise the elements of harmony! It's all over!" Clyde bowed down to every one of the six ponies. "Praise all of you!" The six were almost disturbed by his reaction.

Twilight spoke up. "It was nothing, we did what we had to." Twilight said. "Now that you are free, you probably want to head back home. Do you have a family at home?' She asked.

"My family was.. Taken away when I was young. I have nothing to live for there. I was Nightmare Moon's servant, and nothing else. I have no reason to ever return." Clyde said, almost somber.

"So, what will you do now, Clyde?" Celestia asked. Every pony had curious expressions.

"I... I don't know." Clyde responded. He honestly had no idea, this whole situation was too much to bear.

The overall mood in the library was pretty bittersweet. Every pony exchanged awkward looks until Twilight finally spoke up. "Clyde, why don't you stay in Ponyville for a while? You should get to know some of the residents, and get to learn a little about yourself." Twilight offered

Clyde looked right into Twilight's eyes, they were sincere. "I think I will, for now. I promise I will not burden you for long, I just need to figure out what to do." Clyde said, much calmer.

Twilight smiled, "Oh, it's no problem at all! We would be happy to have you around." Twilight said, as every pony else in the room nodded.

"I promise I will repay all of you for what you have done. You have no idea what you guys did for the Lunar Beings, and we will forever be grateful." Clyde said, bowing once more.

Applejack was the one to speak up. "C'mon sugar cube, it's nothing. You owe us no debt." Applejack said, as every pony nodded once more. Pinkie chirped up.

"I have a great idea!" Pinkie shouted. "Why don't we have Clyde stay with all six of us, one at a time, for six nights. That gives him one week to try different things, and find out what he will want to do!" Pinkie jumped for joy at her idea.

Celestia walked towards Clyde. "That is actually a wonderful idea, and if every pony else agrees, then I have a small favor for you, Clyde." Celestia said, voice a lot less stern, but more friendly.

"It is a fine idea." Rarity said.

"Sounds good to me!" Applejack said, with high optimism.

"That would be fine, as long as he can handle flying!" Rainbow Dash said, with enthusiasm.

"That's fine.." Fluttershy said, quietly, still keeping her distance. That was the first time Clyde has heard her speak. She had a very soft voice that you had to listen closely for.

"Is it okay with you, Clyde?" Twilight asked.

He nodded. "That's fine. If it will help me repay my debt to you all, then I have no problem with it." Clyde said. Celestia nodded and looked at him.

"Since every pony agrees, like I promised, I have a request for you. Consider it your way of repaying your debt to me." Celestia said, with a smirk. Luna looked at her sister, confused.

"Sister? What is it that you have planned?" Luna asked.

Celestia giggled, "Clyde, I want you to write to me every night, after spending time with one of Twilight's friends, and her included. I want you to tell me how they demonstrate friendship, and how they helped you in any way. Anything you want to write about them, go ahead." Celestia glazed her vision around the six other ponies. "Consider this a test of friendship, I trust you will not fail." Celestia said, chuckling.

"Such a simple task? That's how you want to to repay you, Celestia?" Clyde asked. Celestia grinned.

"Absolutely." She said plainly. "Twilight, I trust you to organize this agreement however you like, as long as I get a letter sometime, there wont be any issues." Celestia said to her prized student.

"Yes, ma'am!" Twilight said, happily.

Luna spoke up. "Sister, we should get going, we have business to attend to." Luna said.

Celestia gave one last look to the seven ponies. "Very well, I will see all of you later. I look forward to you letters, Clyde." Celestia said. Every pony waved goodbye. Celestia and Luna teleported away. Clyde took a moment to sit down, and stared at nothing.

Rainbow Dash hovered in the air next to him, waving her hoof in front of his eyes. "Still in shock there?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You'll get used to us sooner or later. I know we are pretty amazing, but we are still normal ponies." She said, every pony giggled at her remark.

Twilight spoke up. "So, should we discuss in what order Clyde should stay with us? Twilight asked.

"You should be first darling, after all, you are basically the leader of our little group." Rarity said.

Twilight rolled her eyes, but nodded. "Sure. Rainbow should be second then, because she seems to be dying to see what his wings can do." Twilight giggled.

"How did you know?" Rainbow asked. Every pony looked at her with annoyed expressions. "Okay, okay, maybe I was a bit obvious.." She finally said.

Twilight looked around the room. "Any takes for third?"

"I'll take him. After Rainbow Dash, he will need a break from all of that activity." Rarity offered. Applejack chuckled.

"Then I'll take him fourth, since he will need a break from... you." Applejack said, giving a playful nudge to Rarity.

Twilight nodded at both Rarity and Applejack. "Okay, and then I think he should stay with Pinkie next, because what ever she has planned for him, Fluttershy will remedy it." Twilight said laughing. Every pony was laughing at this point.

Clyde looked around at every pony. "You are all so close, it's amazing. All of your personalities clash, yet, you get along so well. I look forward to meeting you all." Clyde said, bowing.

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Okay, enough with the bowing, please!" Rainbow said, almost annoyed.

"Sorry, just used to it, that's all." Clyde said. Every pony was thinking about what they would do with a pony that hasn't experienced anything more than Nightmare Moon's tyranny. Every pony was excited.

"Well, it is late, We should all head home. Well, you guys should, I'm already here." Twilight said, laughing. "Clyde, you can stay in the spare bedroom I offered you before, and I will not take no for an answer!" Twilight demanded. Clyde simply nodded, too exhausted to care. The other five ponies said their goodbyes and headed home.

Twilight walked Clyde over to the spare bedroom. "Well, good night, Clyde, it has been quite a day." Twilight said.

"It has." Clyde said, not sure what t say. "And, hey, I'm sorry for being so impolite before. I can't thank you enough for what you girls did." Clyde said.

Twilight shook her head. "It is nothing. Have a good night Clyde, see you tomorrow." Twilight said as she began to head upstairs.

"Good night." Clyde responded. Clyde entered the bedroom. All it had was a bed, which was more than enough for him. "It is so unreal... All of those years of terror, over... It can't be real." Clyde whispered to no pony but himself. He couldn't sleep, All he did was lay in bed, deep in thought.