We arrived in Ponyville two days early, as planned. We'd familiarize ourselves with the town's layout. Shortcuts, dead ends, unexpected twists and turns. We had to know them all, just in case things got way out of hoof.

I stepped off the train. Firestar and Leon were right behind me. We'd meet up at the Sugarcube Corner Bakery every 2 hours, with a map of what we'd explored. We probably looked a little strange, walking around carrying a pencil and paper, jotting down things seemingly at random. Oh well. I'd seen stranger in Canterlot, and that place was supposed to have very few unnatural occurrences.

8 hours later, we'd gotten pretty much all of Ponyville explored. We rented three rooms in the local hotel. There, we sat down, compared notes, and studied up on what we had.

The next day, we had a meeting, of sorts. We had to figure out a way to ensure Twilight Sparkle's safety. Or, at least, if we couldn't do that, we'd keep tabs on her. But how?

Eventually, we settled on a classic spy movie trick: Bug the target. When Twilight arrived, one of us would plant a listening device somewhere on her person. Celestia herself had actually sent us the device. It was colored the same shade as Twilight's skin: Purple. No one would notice the difference, including her.

We saw her coming in, and figured out where she'd land. As we watched, she disembarked from the chariot, followed by her baby dragon. If I remembered the rumors correctly, - which, being rumors, you have to take with more than a couple grains of salt - his name was Spike. Twilight thanked the chariot flyers, and they kindly snorted back.

Spike and Twilight seemed to be deep in a conversation. They walked right up to a pink pony, who was also walking in their path, and the three of them all stopped. While the pink pony just looked at her strangely, Twilight and Spike seemed to finish their conversation. Twilight looked at the pony that had been staring at her, and greeted her. Then, to our surprise, - and amusement - the pink pony just leapt in the air, gasped with shock, and sped off faster than our eyes could interpret.

We followed Twilight from a distance as she headed for Sweet Apple Acres. I chuckled at the vigorous hoofshake that the farmer mare that greeted Twilight gave her.

We all had a good laugh as she tried - and failed - to comprehend and remember all the names that were spoken to her. The amount of food she ate there also had a beneficial side effect, for us; it made her temporarily less aware than normal. Upon re-entering Ponyville, Leon simply walked up to her, and planted the bug. She barely even registered he was there. Absolutely clueless.

We, again, followed from a distance. At one point, I was glad Firestar had the pre-knowledge of one particular local, or I'd have blown our cover immediately.

A certain male, baby dragon's voice came through our earpieces, which were connected to the bug. "There's supposed to be a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds."

The two stopped, and Twilight looked up. "Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she?"

"Uh-oh." Firestar said suddenly, looking off to a side. "Don't freak, everything's fine."

"What do you-sh*t!" I exclaimed. In my earpiece, I heard two grunts. Through my eyes, a rainbow-colored streak smashed into our VIP. I reached for my pistol, but Firestar restrained me. "It's Rainbow Dash, she's not a threat."

Sure enough. The cyan-skinned pegasus got up from the mud puddle they were both in. Upon seeing Twilight still sprawled out on the ground, she said, with barely contained humor, "Uh, excuse me. Hehe!"

Rainbow Dash floated up into the air. After chuckling some more, she said "Let me help you." She flew off. A couple seconds later, she reappeared. This time, with a rain-cloud. Dash jumped up and down multiple times on top of the cloud. Water came pouring down onto Twilight.

It cleaned Ms. Sparkle, but also left her sopping wet, hair drooping.

Glancing over the edge of the cloud, Rainbow Dash laughed some more. "Oops. I guess I overdid it!" She tapped her head, thinking. "Um..uh... how about this?" She sped around Twilight so fast, we could see a visible, full-circle rainbow form around her. "My very own, patented Rain-Blow Dry!"

Dash stuck a dramatic pose. As she flew down, she stated "No, no, don't thank me! You're quite welcome." However, at the sight of Twilight Sparkle's now-poofy hairdo, she cracked up. Even falling onto her back. From a distance, we had to restrain ourselves from doing the same. I vaguely, through my teared-up eyes, saw Spike follow Rainbow's example.

"Let me guess;" Twilight said, unamused, "You're Rainbow Dash."

Dash immediately snapped out of her laughing fit. Springing up, Spike was flung from her back. "THE one and only!" She flew up, and got into Twilight's face. "What, you heard of me?"

"I heard you're supposed to be keeping the sky clear!" Twilight sighed, and looked away.

At that, Rainbow Dash grabbed another nearby cloud, and laid down on it.

I snorted. Lazy, much?

After a second, our VIP turned full-body to face Rainbow. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the princess sent me to check on the weather."

Rainbow lazily waved a hoof in the air. "Yeah, yeah, that'll be a snap! I'll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I'm done practicing."

"Practicing? For what?"

Rainbow stood up on her cloud. "The Wonderbolts!" She pointed at a nearby poster. "They're going to perform at the celebration, tomorrow." Doing a couple back-flips while flying in the air, Dash continued. "And I'm going to show them my stuff!"

"THE Wonderbolts?" Twilight said, not quite as enthusiastic about them as Rainbow was.

"Yep!" She was back to laying on the cloud.

"The most talented flyers in all of Equestria?" Twilight was goading Rainbow Dash.

"That's them!"

Twilight snorted through her lips. "Please. They'd never accept a pegasus who can't even keep the sky clear for one measly day!"

Dash stood up, unable to ignore the blow to her pride. "Hey, I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat!"

"Prove it." Twilight replied.

Instantly, Rainbow Dash took off, her cloud disintegrating beneath her in the process. Suddenly, she was a whirlwind of speed. I glimpsed her kicking clouds as if she was in martial arts, but that was all I could catch. I could hear her saying something about loops, but I couldn't catch what. Sure enough, the sky was clear of clouds in only ten seconds.

Hovering in front of Twilight and Spike, Rainbow boasted. "What'd I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat!" She landed on the bridge below her. "I'd never leave Ponyville hanging!"

Twilight, Spike, and the rest of us just stared at her, open-mouthed in shock. A goat bleated nearby.

"Ha ha! You should see the look on your face!" Rainbow Dash casually flew, upside down, around Twilight, pretending she was laying on a bed. Albeit, one that moved around, and floated in midair. "You're a laugh, Twilight Sparkle!" Getting close, Rainbow said "I can't wait to hang out some more!"

As Rainbow did a front-flip and sped off, Spike said in awe "Wow, she's amazing!" He bounced one of the puffed-up curls in Twilight's hair, then laughed.

Twilight just groaned in frustration, and trotted off.

"Wait! It's kind of pretty, once you get used to it!" Spike followed her.

So did we, at a distance. We found ourselves heading toward's a building. The sign on the front said 'Rarity's Boutique.'

"Leon, sneak inside. We need eyes-on, in there." Firestar ordered.

Wordlessly, Leon nodded. He sped up, but managed to look like he was still casually walking along. He circled around the back of the boutique, and I lost sight of him. He's probably going to climb through a vent, or something. Maybe pick the lock on the back door.

Twilight and Spike entered the boutique. A few seconds later, I heard the rustling of paper through my earpiece. "Decorations!" Spike's voice declared. Then, in an almost hypnotized voice, he muttered "Beautiful...."

"Yes," Twilight's voice replied, "the decor is coming along nicely. This ought to be quick! I'll be at the library in no time." A slight pause. "Beautiful indeed!"

"Not the decor. Her!"

Leon's voice. "Woah. I agree!"

Apparently, he's found some kind of overwatch position. I could hear the bug picking up a mare's voice saying... something, but I couldn't pick out exactly what.

"How are my spines?" Spike's frantic voice came through. "Are they straight?"

After a slight pause, Twilight's voice. "Good afternoon."

"Just a moment please!" An unknown mare's voice came through. "I'm in the zone, as it 'twere." A small pause. "Ah! Yes, sparkle always does the trick, does it not?" Before Twilight could say anything, the mare replied to herself. "Why, Rarity, you are a talent! Now, um, how can I help you-agh!"

An amused snort from Leon. "She's scared by Twilight's hairdo."

"Oh my stars!" Rarity's voice exclaimed. "Darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?"

Kwa-what?

"Oh, you mean, my mane? Well, it's a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair!"

"Out of my hair? What about your hair?"

"W-Wait! Where are we going? Help!"

Leon reported. "Rarity's dragging Twilight to a changing station. And... Spike is floating along... apparently his tail can helicopter... what the fu**?"

After at least ten more minutes of listening to Rarity's various "no!''s and other negative comments on whatever outfits she'd made Twilight try on, she finally settled on something.

"Talk about tight." Leon thought aloud. "It almost looks like Sparkle can barely breathe in that!"

"Now go on, my dear! You were telling me where you're from?"

Twilight's strangled voice came through, her pitch rising dramatically with each word. "I've... been... sent... from... Canterlot... to-Ah!"

There was a thump. Leon's barely contained laughter rang through my brain.

"Canterlot!?!" Rarity's ecstatic voice exclaimed. "Oh, I am so envious! The glamour, the sophistication! I've always dreamed of living there. I can't wait to hear all about it! We are going to be the best of friends, you and I!" And then... "Emeralds! What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!"

"Quick!" Twilight's frantic voice came. "Before she decides to dye my coat a new color!"

"They're heading out." Leon reported. "I'm regrouping."

Twilight burst out of the door of the boutique, and out into the air. We nodded politely to her, as she passed by, and waited for Leon. We'd done well, so far, and Ms. Sparkle was none the wiser about our true intentions. Or that we had any intentions at all, for that matter.

Once Leon arrived, we went after Twilight Sparkle, once again.

"Wasn't she wonderful?" Spike's love-struck voice filtered into our ears.

"Focus, Casanova. What's next on the list?"

Spike cleared his throat. "Um... oh, music! It's the last one."

Just as he finished, we all became aware of beautiful whistling, coming from nearby. I really hope this isn't like that old tale about the mythical Sirens.

Thankfully, it wasn't. It was just a yellow-skinned pegasus with pink hair, directing a choir of... birds? Yes, the whistlers were birds. They were perching on various branches of a tree, as the yellow-and-pink pegasus conducted them.

Wow. That must take some serious time and patience. Not to mention skill!

Evidently, however, she didn't have it all down. One bird was being rebellious. He's either unnaturally off pitch, or he's ahead.

The birds suddenly went quiet. The pegasus mare seemed to be talking to the one who was different. After a couple seconds, she flew back to where she was originally. She waved her hoof around, the way a conductor does at the beginning of a concert. As she was about to launch the birds into the song, however...

"Hello?" Twilight called out.

The pegasus mare yelped, and all the birds flew away.

"Oh my!" Twilight exclaimed, upon realizing her mistake. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to frighten your birds." As the pegasus slowly drifted to the ground, Twilight continued. "I'm just here to check up on the music, and it sounded beautiful!"

The mare landed, and merely pawed at the dirt road underneath their hooves.

Twilight smiled awkwardly, glancing around for something to break the silence. We made sure we were hidden. "I'm Twilight Sparkle." She introduced herself. After a second of being visually avoided, she stepped forward a half-step. "What's your name?"

"Um... I'm Fluttershy..." The mare mumbled out. I barely heard the "I'm," and, if it wasn't for her mouth moving, you could've convinced me the mare had stopped right there.

"I'm sorry," Twilight said, stepping forward just a bit, "what was that?"

"Um... My name is Fluttershy." The mare replied, stepping back easily a full three steps.

"Didn't quite catch that." Twilight said, stepping forward yet again.

The mare just whimpered, so high-pitch that she outdid some birds I'd heard, waking up in the mornings.

There was a tense, awkward pause, for a good five-to-eight seconds. The soft flutter of birds flapping their wings, and getting back onto the tree branches, was the only sound.

Finally... "Well, um..." Twilight started, "it looks like your birds are back, so I guess everything's in order. Keep up the good work!"

Another whimper, as the yellow mare's reply.

Twilight slowly backed up. "Oookay!" Returning to Spike, who emerged from around a bush, she said "Well, that was easy."

Motion. The shy mare had suddenly perked up, now not even hiding her face. "A baby dragon!" A soft, high-pitched voice exclaimed from the mare's mouth. She sped - nigh-on teleported, really - over to Spike, knocking Twilight away three clear feet. "I've never seen a baby dragon, before!" The mare stated enthusiastically, closely studying Spike. "He's so cute!"

Spike looked back at Twilight, who was comically sprawled on all fours on the ground. "Well, well, well!" He declared.

"Oh, my!" The mare said, surprised. "He talks! I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful, I..." She leapt into the air, fluttering in place. "I just don't even know what to say!"

Suddenly, a purple glow surrounded Spike. He floated up, and over to Twilight, who'd gone to the other side of them. As she deposited Spike on her back, she said hurriedly. "Well, in that case, we'd better be going!"

"Oh wait! Wait!" The mare rushed over to them, and followed, walking behind Twilight. "What's his name?"

"I'm Spike!"

"Hi, Spike! I'm Fluttershy. Wow! A talking dragon! And, what do dragons talk about?"

"Uh... What do you wanna know?" Spike asked.

"Absolutely everything!" Fluttershy declared.

Twilight groaned in defeat, before she even began her argument.

"Well," Spike started, both him and Fluttershy completely oblivious to Twilight "I started out as a cute little purple and green egg...."

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"And that's the story of my whole entire life!" Spike declared.

Sweet Celestia, finally! And I thought Jackson could talk forever!

"Well, up until today!" Spike added, after a second.

Oh, please no.

"Do you wanna hear about today?" Spike asked.

No.

"Oh, yes, please!" Fluttershy almost begged him.

NO!

Spike yelped as Twilight whipped around almost faster than my eye could track. "I am so sorry," She apologized, not really sounding sorry, "how did we get here so fast?"

We'd found ourselves in front of a giant tree. And... What the fu**? If I said treehouse, you'd get the wrong image. But that's pretty much what it was. The tree was hollowed out, with lights, windows, you name it, inside. It even had doors and a balcony, coupled with a lamp, hanging from a second-floor window. A pony-sized sign with a book painted on it showed that this was the town's library. Oh, that's right. Celestia had arranged for Twilight to stay there, for the night.

"This is where I'm staying, while in Ponyville," Twilight continued, "and my poor, baby dragon needs his sleep!"

"No, I don-!" Spike said, turning around. He was interrupted when Twilight subtly bucked him off, and onto the ground.

"Ahh, wook at dat!" Twilight exclaimed, using baby-speech. "He's so sweepy, he can't even keep his wittle bawance!" As Twilight smiled - totally convincingly, not - up at Fluttershy, Spike glared at her.

Twilight's plan backfired, however, when Fluttershy zipped over and picked up Spike. "Poor thing!" She said, hovering in the air, cradling Spike like a newborn, "We simply must get him to bed!" She flew through the door, which Twilight had magically opened.

Twilight rushed in, grabbed Spike, and pushed Fluttershy - rather rudely, I might add - back out the door. "Yes, yes!" She exclaimed hurriedly. "We'll get right on that! Well, good night!" She slammed the door.

I nodded to Leon, and he went into a nearby alley. Climbing up to the roof of a nearby building, he'd get a line of sight going inside the library.

From our earpieces, we heard Spike huff. "Rude, much?"

"Sorry, Spike. But I have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming!" Nightmare Moon? Who the he** is she? "And we're running out of time! I just need to be alone, so that I can study, without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time! Now, where's the light?"

A party-whistle announced the jump-scare "Surprise!" At least two dozen voices yelled. I grabbed my ear, and groaned. By the stars, that's loud! My ear barely caught Twilight's moan, hurting as it was, from the yelling and party-whistling.

"Surprise!" I very high-pitched mare's voice repeated. "Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie!" She continued, speaking at a rapid-fire pace. "And I threw this party just for you!"

I kid you not, I swear I heard a cartoon-like bouncing. "So," Pinkie Pie continued, "were you surprised? Were you? Were you? Huh, huh, huh?"

Did someone push the triple speed button on reality?

"Very surprised." Twilight replied. "Libraries are supposed to be quiet." There was a hinting tone in her voice, at the end.

Pinkie's laugh came through. "That's silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet?"

One that doesn't deafen anyone who participates?

"I mean, duh! Boooring!"

A click on my radio. Leon didn't want disrupt our listening, but he was reporting that he was in position. That was fast. How good of a climber is he?

"You see," Pinkie continued, yet again, "I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all 'hello,' and I was all-" She imitated her gasp. "Remember? You see, I never saw you before, and if I never saw you before, that means you're new, because I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville! "

Pinkie apparently didn't hear Twilight's groan of defeat, because she continued, oblivious. "And if you're new, then you hadn't met anyone yet. And if you hadn't met anyone yet, then you must not have any friends. And if you don't have any friends, then you must be lonely. And that made me so sad!"

Dear Celestia, does this woman even know what not talking is like? Is this the town of the endlessly-rambling talkers?

"And I had an idea!"

Oh, please! Just shut her up, someone!

"And that's why I went-" She imitated her gasp, again. "I should throw a great big, ginormous, super-duper, spectacular welcome party, and invite everyone in Ponyville! See?"

Is there such a thing as breathing, here?

"And now you have lots and lots of friends!"

A moment of blissful silence, then... "Are you alright, Sugarcube?"

A chuckle from Leon. "She thought the hot sauce was the fruit punch."

Firestar and I completely lost it. I barely heard Pinkie's remark, which sent us even further over the edge. "Ah, she's so happy, she's crying!"

After we recovered, Leon apparently saw something. "What the fu**? Okay, there is definitely more than a few screws loose on Pinkie Pie. Hot sauce on cupcakes?"

I blinked.

Firestar's face showed what I was feeling, and he put it into words. "...Um... yeah, what the he**?"

"Twilight left the room." Leon reported. "I think she's... yep, there she is. She's entering a bedroom. Far side. I've got a good view on the front and sides of the tree, though. Recommend Firestar find an overwatch position with eyes on the back."

"Agreed." I turned to Firestar. "Go."

He nodded, and walked off.

"Two, Three," I addressed them both over the radio, "I'm heading into the house. I'll mingle as a party-goer. I'm turning up the radio volume, so I can hear." By then, music was blaring from inside. Apparently, someone had either brought or found concert-level speakers. That's got to be at least eighty decibels.

I opened the door, and the noise level multiplied. Yep, this is loud. I've used a lawn mower, and this is comparable. I can barely hear myself think. I slipped inside, and mingled.

A few casual greetings, rounds of small-talk, and cups of fruit punch later, and I'd met probably half of Ponyville. Rainbow Dash was nice enough, but slightly self-centered. Pinkie Pie was... Pinkie Pie. There's not really much to say about it. Fluttershy couldn't say a word, to me. Well, at least she lives up to her name. I think I was most disturbed, when it came to Applejack.

"Well, howdy-do!" She said to me, as I walked up to a spot next to her on the snacks table.

"Hey." I greeted her back.

"Ya know, Ah don't remember your face. What's your name?"

"Allen. You're... Applejack?"

"That's me. So, how ya doin'?"

"Doing fine, thanks. You?"

I was a little confused, when Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Now, Ah don't know what, but somethin's up, with you. Ah've got a keen eye for spotting dishonesties. Are ya sure yer alright?"

I blinked. "Um... as far as I can tell, I am." I held up a hand, as she opened her mouth, again. "Yes, there are some things that could be improved, but no, there's nothing anyone can do about it. Please, if you're going to pry, don't."

Applejack flushed. "Sorry, pardner. I get a mite curious, sometimes. Ah forget that not everyone wants ta share their problems with a complete stranger. Still, somethin's gettin' to you. Ah won't ask, but Ah do suggest you try ta fix it, whatever it is."

"I-I'll try." I was nervous, and thoroughly creeped out. I'd better watch what I say, around her. Closely.

After a couple more minutes, Leon's slightly-amplified voice reported "Got some sounds on the bug. Twilight's groaning, again."

By the time he'd finished talking, I'd turned up the bug's volume. I really hope this doesn't damage my ears. Getting eardrums magically fixed is not a pleasant experience.

"Hey, Twilight!" Spike's voice came through the bug. "Pinkie Pie's starting 'Pin the Tail on the Pony!' Wanna play?"

"No!" Came the heavily-annoyed reply. "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 raising the Sun!" A caring tone came into Spike's voice. "You really should lighten up, Twilight. It's a party!"

Twilight's falsetto voice quietly mimicked gibberish talking. "Ugh! Here I thought I'd have more time to learn about the Elements of Harmony. But, silly me! All this ridiculous friend-making has kept me from it!"

After a few moments, Twilight spoke softly, as if quoting from something she'd read (which she was). "'Legend has it that on the longest day on the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night.'" She sighed. "I hope the Princess was right. I hope it really is just an old pony-tale."

"Come on, Twilight!" Spike yelled from somewhere a distance away. "It's time to watch the sunrise!"

Personally, I liked this part of the Celebration. Not the waiting, that I could do without. But, when you finally see the full beauty of the sunrise, it just fills you right up, with emotion. Of course, usually, I had to pretend that I wasn't watching. I was a Royal Guard; I had to maintain their image. I could only watch through my eyes. I couldn't turn my head, or my body, but it was worth it. Every time.

We all filed into the large hallway that was most of Ponyville's City Hall. Pegasi were floating around, trying to find the best spots. Unicorns and Earth Ponies were scrambling for front-seat views. Me? I preferred a spot in the far back. I could see it all, and I didn't have to worry about getting too crowded. Leon and Firestar were on one of the top balconies, also in the back. I'd loaned them my pack with the sniper rifle, but they were only to put it together if they needed to use it. For now, the pack stayed zipped up, sitting on the floor, right next to them.

For some reason, I felt a sense of foreboding. The strangest part, though, was when Firestar and Leon both claimed to feel the same. We'd all then made sure that our pistols were loaded, and within easy reach. It was alarming enough to have a bad feeling, yourself. When you're entire team felt it, for no explainable reason, you're probably going to be thoroughly creeped out.

Spike was sitting upon his surrogate mother's shoulders, blocking her head from our view. However, Twilight's bug was still active, as it should be for another two days, and Pinkie's voice coming through confirmed it. "Isn't this exciting?"

For once, we all could actually see Pinkie and Twilight's interactions. Pinkie was nigh-on teleporting. "Are you excited? 'Cuz I'm excited! I've never been so excited! Well, except for the time I saw you walking into town and I went-" She, yet again, imitated her gasp. "But, I mean, really. Who can top that?"

This is going to be a bona fide real-life version of one of the most common cliches in literary history, I just know it.

Suddenly, the choir of birds gave a dramatic opening tune, accompanied by musical instruments that weren't in view. A spotlight went all the way from the ceiling to the stage, at the front of the packed hallway. The mayor of Ponyville, coincidentally named Mayor Mare, began her introduction. "Fillies and gentlecolts! As mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!"

I couldn't help it. As everyone else cheered, I yelled right along with them. "Wooh!"

Once everyone quieted down, Mayor Mare continued. "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 very pony who gives us the Sun and the Moon each and every day; the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria; Princess Celestia!"

Rarity pulled a rope, and the stage curtains above Mayor Mare pulled back, and the spotlight centered itself onto that stage, and Fluttershy's band of birds and instruments dramatically greeted... nothing. Celestia was missing. My eyes widened. What the he**?

"Huh?" Rarity gasped in shock.

Amongst the gasps and murmurs of everyone, the listening bug picked up Twilight's muttering "This... can't be good."

Mayor Mare, nervousness slightly creeping into her voice, tried to settle down everyone's unrest. "Remain calm, everypony! There must be a reasonable explanation."

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie jumped up. "Ooh! I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" She looked around the room, still hopping.

Unbelievable.

Rarity came out from checking backstage. "She's gone!"

As everyone else gasped in shocked horror, my jaw set. Rarity had only confirmed what I'd been suspecting. Something had happened to Celestia. But what? What could possibly take her down?

Oblivious to the seriousness of the situation, Pinkie continued to believe her theory that Celestia was hiding. "Ooh! She's goooooood." Suddenly, she shrieked. "Ah!"

As everyone else gasped, in the same shocked, horrified way, I watched as dark blue, wispy, fog-like tendrils of magic curled around the upper stage, where Celestia should've been standing.

"Oh no!" Twilight whispered, the bug barely picking her up.

A flash, and a tall, pitch black-skinned alicorn mare, clad in ancient armor of the same color of the magic tendrils, appeared on the stage.

"Nightmare Moon!" Twilight whispered, just quietly. Spike fainted, and fell to the ground.

What the fu** is going on, here? I thought pony-tale legends weren't real!

"Oh, my beloved subjects!" A deep, female voice came out of the mysterious arrival. It was magically amplified, and it filled the room. Standing near a corner, I could even hear a very faint echo. "It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little, sun-loving faces."

"What did you do with our Princess?" Rainbow Dash yelled out. She moved to fly at Nightmare Moon, but Applejack grabbed her from behind.

Nightmare Moon chuckled. What the he**? Even her laugh sounds evil. Talk about cliche?

"Why," Nightmare Moon finished chuckling, "am I not royal enough for you?" Her voice took a serious turn. "Don't you know who I am?"

"Ooh! Ooh! More guessing games!" Pinkie exclaimed.

...How can she be this stupid?

"Um, Pokey Smokes? How about... Queen Meanie? No! Black Snooty! Black Snooty!"

Applejack, still holding onto Rainbow Dash, reached for the snack table next to her, and used an apple as a gag for Pinkie Pie, who continued attempting to guess, without seemingly noticing the obstruction.

Thank you!

Nightmare Moon flew to Fluttershy, who trembled and looked away, looking as if she would try.

"Does my crown no longer count, now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?" Nightmare Moon got in Rarity's face. "Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"

"I did!" Twilight spoke up. "And I know who you are! You're the Mare in the Moon! Nightmare Moon!"

As if no one had registered that something bad was happening, everypony gasped, again.

"Well, well, well!" Nightmare put all her attention on Twilight. "Somepony remembers me. Then you also know why I am here!"

Twilight stuttered with fear and nervousness. "You're here to... to..." She gulped, unable to finish her sentence.

Nightmare chuckled. "Remember this day, little ponies; for it was your last!" Her voice went low and quiet, but was still clearly audible. "From this moment forth, the night will last forever!" As she started laughing maniacally, lightning hit, as if to punctuate her point. Which was probably her doing.

"Two, Three, set up that sniper!" I whispered into my earpiece, hoping they weren't in too much shock to respond. I really hope they can set it up, in time. It'll take at least a minute. Is Nightmare Moon going to stay that long?

"Seize her!" Mayor Mare exclaimed. "Only she knows where the Princess is!"

Three Royal Guard Pegasi flew up, and went after Nightmare Moon.

"Stand back, you fools!" Nightmare yelled. Her eyes glowed, and she stomped on the floor. Lightning came down, and hit all three Royal Guards. Nightmare Moon laughed, again.

As I moved to check on them, I saw the magical fog that had been surrounding Nightmare Moon the entire time close in on her. It became thick enough to completely obscure her from view. Suddenly, the whole, foggy form moved, As if there was no one inside it. The back doors to the City Hall opened, and the fog flew out. There was definitely nothing solid inside it. Somehow, Nightmare Moon had transformed herself.

Rainbow Dash got out of Applejack's grip, and flew after Nightmare Moon. "Come back here!"

Twilight grabbed Spike, and ran out. Where the he** is she going? She can't be chasing Nightmare Moon, already!

I reached the Royal Guards. One was laying on the ground, dazed. The other two were sitting up. One was rubbing his head, the other was shaking his own. They'll be fine.

"Two, Three, we're following Twilight. Pack up, and rendezvous outside the library."

Author's Note

PROBABLY NEEDS EDITING.

And that's episode 1!