Chapters Within the confines of Twilight Sparkle's domain, I carefully rested my eyes to better concentrate at the task at hand. I braced my hooves upon the wooden surface of the Golden Oak Library and visualized myself accomplishing the assignment she laid before me.
"Moonlight!" Twilight anxiously shouted.
"What?" I whispered.
My mind drifted to all the worries and concerns I developed these past few months. During my initial month inside this bustling town, a couple of my companions lovingly provided their houses for me to reside in. Out of the kindness of Fluttershy's heart, I was permitted to sleep in the spare room at her cottage by the Everfree Forest for a few nights each week. Rarity also set up a spot for me to rest in the corner of her Carousel Boutique. Yet in exchange for this fine gift, I had to volunteer some of my time being her living dress mannequin and endure the late nights she spent finishing her projects. Trying to sleep through one of her monologues was quite exhausting in its own right. There wasn't enough space for me to bother staying inside Twilight's library, and it would have been nigh impossible for a unicorn like myself to crash with Rainbow Dash in the clouds high in Cloudsdale.
Within my second month of bouncing between places, Princess Celestia kindly offered me some nice living accommodations in Canterlot. Staying in the glamorous city for a few weeks gave me a chance to spend some much needed time training under Princess Luna's guidance. Ever since she learned of my abilities, the daring princess eagerly instructed me in how to magnify my abilities under the light of the moon. I also benefited quite a bit from her flexible skills and quick wit within each our combat lessons. Alas, I missed the company of my friends back in Ponyville. The long commute on the Friendship Express made the whole experience not sustainable in the long run.
Even with the assistance of my newfound friends, I pretty much gave up on establishing myself a place to call home. I would have considered returning to that old dead tree of mine in the forest if the thought of being away from the loving support of the ponies didn't haunt me. Nowadays, I found plenty of room to relax inside Applejack's barn over at Sweet Apple Acres. She kept the room available in case of another Apple Family reunion.
Twilight nudged her head forward. "Concentrate. Your horn will do the rest."
"I know!" I grudgingly replied.
Although Twilight Sparkle liked keeping to a steady timetable of events, she managed to pencil me in for a little magic lesson this faithful morning. Surprisingly, all the other ponies also had their own tight schedule to maintain. Applejack attended to her deliveries from Sweet Apple Acres. Rarity kept tabs on her outfits from the Carousel Boutique. Pinkie Pie assisted the Cakes at Sugarcube Corner. Fluttershy cared for the local animals that needed help recuperating in Ponyville. Even though Rainbow Dash bragged about all the important work she processed in Cloudsdale, I still had my doubts with all the times I caught her lying around on top of a wandering cloud or performing tricks in front of the Rainbow Dash Fan Club.
Twilight inquired, "Do you want me to show you how it's done?"
"Just give me a moment," I sighed.
I couldn't have asked for a better teacher than Twilight Sparkle to show me the ropes. She proved reliable as a good friend when tolerating my lack of progress. Her extensive knowledge about magic provided the proper avenue for me to advance in my own studies. The way she emitted her magic so effortlessly made it seem like child's play. I expected nothing less from Princess Celestia's protege.
On the other hand, wielding my own magic proved much more difficult than I anticipated. Twilight tried lecturing me about the history of unicorns and demonstrating how Equestrian magic flowed through the ponies. On one occasion, she attempted to boost my confidence by having me wear a pair of glasses. As amusing as it was, it didn't help improve my skills. The sporadic nature of my unique talent could not be sufficiently controlled through any real life scenarios. It chose to manifest itself under specific conditions as if my magic had a mind of its own.
Twilight tilted her head up. "Try lifting up your chin."
"I don't think that would make a difference," I smirked.
Whether or not my ability would manifest in public wasn't easy to predict. There were times I could levitate a book or move a chair whenever some pony requested it. Other times my magic helped me discover hidden items or transform objects on demand. On rare occasions, I constructed force fields or teleported away when my life depended on it. In any case, I knew I had a long way to go before matching up to Twilight's expectations.
Twilight remarked, "You put a stop to Ordain. This should come second nature."
My concentration wavered. "I just don't think I can do this, Twilight."
Twilight thought the memory of Ordain pushed me to be a better pony. In reality, my recollection of the event was always a bit hazy. The spirit of order projected his own form of mayhem among the ponies in Equestria. With the help of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, we contested against that power. We chased after him into a cave and ended his reign with a draconian book. The princesses reassured me there was no way Ordain could escape his prison a second time, but I had a nagging feeling he was too pretentious to simply give up in seeking his vengeance upon me.
Seeing my head collapse, Twilight urged, "You almost had it."
"I just can't do it," I insolently replied.
Twilight pressed her hoof against the table in the center of the room. "I admit, reconstructing a rock into a bouquet of flowers might be a bit much for you. We can try using the transformation spell another time."
I opened my eyes and looked at my mentor. "You mean like later tonight?"
Twilight giggled. "You always say that. You can't always trust the night sky to give you power."
I swung my hoof from side-to-side. "Sorry, Twilight. I thought I had it for sure this time."
Twilight walked around the rock neatly placed in the middle of the table. "Don't you fret. It has only been a couple of months. Keep practicing. It will come."
The sound of the front door opening interrupted our session. Out meandered backwards a joyful Spike, playfully moving his body to the beat of a song in his head. He stopped snapping his claws when he turned around and spotted us still working inside the library.
"I thought you would be done by now," Spike noticed.
I nodded my head. "Yeah."
"He's still working on it," Twilight remarked.
Spike tilted his head and pointed directly at me. "Hey Moonlight, do you think you can try number twenty-five on me again?"
I shook my head in disbelief. "I told you before. You don't need a mustache."
"Not even a beard?"
Twilight interjected, "Spike!"
Shying my head away from the mothering unicorn, I apologized, "Sorry, Spike."
"Alright." Spike redirected, "Have you been able to do anything new? What about casting that force field?"
I smiled. "Oh yeah, Luna taught me how to do that a week ago. Still not anywhere near what Shining Armor or Twilight can do."
"You never told me that," Twilight observed. "How were you able to cast it?"
I looked away from both Spike and Twilight. "Well, remember the day when I came over with a bruise on my leg?"
Twilight remarked, "Don't tell me that was from Luna."
I rubbed the particular spot right below my ankle. "After trying to teach me the spell for a couple hours, Luna decided to provide me with some... incentive."
Spike asked, "What she do?"
"She threw a couple rocks at me. I thought she was just fooling around! After the third one hit me in the leg, I knew she meant business. That was when I created the barrier."
Twilight prodded against her chin. "That is interesting. Luna must have realized that your magic would react if you felt threatened in some way."
I waved my hoof in the air. "More or less."
Spike deduced, "So your magic needs some sort of trigger?"
Twilight answered, "Not all of Moonlight's magic activates by reaction. He did number sixteen on his first try."
Spike asked me, "You mean you can create music from nature like Twilight?"
I commented, "That musical part of me must be hereditary. My father could call the birds with the sound of his voice, and my brother played the piano well."
Spike abruptly placed his claw upon his chest and belched up an official scroll. He reached down to pick it up and properly broke the seal.
"What does it say?" Twilight asked.
Spike cleared his throat. "Hear ye, hear ye, Her Grand Royal Highness Princess Celestia of Equestria is pleased to announce The Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st-"
Twilight exclaimed, "How could I forget? The Grand Galloping Gala is just around the corner. I'm glad Princess Celestia already provided us with a couple of exclusive tickets. Did she send you one, Moonlight?"
I smiled. "I don't really need one."
Twilight lowered her eyebrows. "Why not?"
I wiggled my hoof at the back of the scroll. "Spike, what does the rest of the invitation say?"
Spike loosened the bottom of the scroll a little more. "This year at the Grand Galloping Gala, Princess Celestia will be presenting a special event. This momentous occasion will include several pieces performed by talented musicians from all across Equestria. Moonlight Sonata will be hosting the-"
Twilight interrupted, "Moonlight? You are hosting the event? Why didn't you tell us?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "I wanted it to be a surprise. I overheard some ponies in Canterlot mention what happened at the event last year, and I made some suggestions. I never expected them to take my advice seriously and assign me as the official coordinator of the whole thing." I raised both my front hooves in the air. "Surprise?"
Twilight noted, "I'll make sure to leave that part out when I read the letter to the rest of the girls then."
Spike rolled the scroll up and placed it inside a small bag resting on the floor. "That reminds me, Rarity wanted you to come by the Carousal Boutique. She has a suit waiting for you to try on."
I shook my head. "Didn't she already make me a suit like... a couple months ago?"
Spike rolled his eyes. "You know Rarity."
"Alright. I'll run by after I get some flowers for Fluttershy."
Spike pointed behind us. "Hey look."
I turned around and noticed a bouquet of flowers on the table where the rock once stood. "Now it happens!"
Spike hastily mentioned, "Actually Moonlight, I just saw Fluttershy over at Rarity's. If you hurry, you can still catch her."
Twilight asked, "What was she doing over there?"
Spike stated, "I think they were making some adjustments in their gowns for the Gala."
I picked up the flowers off the table. "That's right. She keeps the gowns at her place." I walked over to the door. "I'll come back later if I have time."
"We'll see you later then," Twilight remarked.
When I arrived at the Carousal Boutique, I noticed a piece of thread being thrown across the room. Curious, I peered around the open door and spotted Rarity actively pacing between various unmarked boxes on the ground. I recognized her way of scrounging through the drawers. The fashionista was desperately pursuing that one specific item to finish yet another one of her outfits. I laid the bouquet of flowers down at the nearest table by the entrance and offered my assistance. "Uh, Rarity?"
Rarity pouted. "I have searched high, and I have searched low. Low and high! High and low! But I can't find it anywhere! How can I continue my work without it?"
My eyes followed her over to the mannequin. "What are you looking for?"
Without turning around, Rarity shouted into the air, "My red fabric!"
I pointed at the red upholstery that was laying right beside her hooves. "You mean those?"
Rarity imposed, "No, Moonlight. That is scarlet. I'm looking for vermilion."
A sudden chill poured down my spine. This feeling happened when my magic took control. A blanket of the night sky enveloped the entire room, all except for Rarity and a small cardboard box that hid behind the glass mirror. A twinkling star of light ushered out from the box. When my leg bumped into the side of the container, my view of the room around me slowly returned to normal. I lifted up one of the flaps attached to the box and pushed aside some turquoise fabric. At the bottom of the box lied some vermilion fabric. I held up the material in my hooves. "Is this it, Rarity?"
"Why, yes." Rarity hurried over and pulled on the cloth's tail. "I was just about to look over there too." She carried it over to a short cabinet and wove it into a disassembled gown. The anxious gal let out a sigh of relief after finally snipping the trail end of the thread. "Thank you so much, darling. Now, let us get you started with a new suit. That is why you are here, isn't it?"
I argued, "What was wrong with the old suit?"
She nonchalantly waved her left hoof at me. "You can't wear that old thing. This is the Gala! You need something special, something with more pizazz."
I rolled my eyes as she turned her back to me. "Well if you insist." I walked up onto the platform, like I normally do when she wanted me to try on something, and patiently waited for her instructions.
Rarity levitated a long strand of measuring tape out from one of the drawers and stretched it across various parts of my body. She then wrapped it around my stomach and dawdled on the results. "Hmm."
I attempted to look behind, making sure only to move my head. "What? What is it?"
Rarity yanked the measuring tape out from underneath me. "Have you lost weight?"
I chuckled. "Must be from all that training."
Rarity placed the tape back into the plastic case and levitated some apparel on top of me. "How is Princess Luna these days?"
I stretched out my hooves as Rarity covered me up. "Busy. I think ponies underestimate how much she does during the night."
Rarity pulled out her scissors and trimmed back the material. "That's too bad. I was hoping to get her opinion on some designs that were personally catered to her figure."
I suggested, "I can ask Luna the next time I see her."
"You will? Thank you, Moonlight. You can be such a doll sometimes." Rarity arranged more textiles and assembled them behind my back. "Now let me see. I'll do this. Then I'll add the red." She tightened the raiment closer around my neck. "It does look smashing on you."
I enunciated, "I think it's a little tight."
Rarity loosened the garb. "That better?"
"Much better."
Rarity opened a decorative chest filled with all the essential tools a couturier would ever need and retracted the items over my head. "We need more red and a little dash of royal blue for the tie. Let's try a nice beige color for the coat." She paused to examine the matching color patterns. "The color matches well with the brown in your eyes, but I'm not sure it works well with the purple in your mane. Maybe we should try for a darker brown, a shade of hickory perhaps." She pulled out another coat and frowned. "No, this won't do. Maybe we should try gray with a shade of black."
I observed the intricate stitching of the cloth around my body in the mirror. "It is starting to look nice."
Rarity opened another drawer and shifted through miscellaneous crafting equipment. "Now, what kind of cufflinks would you prefer?"
I sternly replied, "No cufflinks."
Astonished, Rarity replied, "Why not? All the ponies will be wearing them."
"I never could get used to them," I retorted. "I'd be fiddling with them all night long."
Rarity pulled out a stunning pair of diamond star cufflinks out of the drawer. "Not even a barrel cuff?"
I tilted my head onto my left shoulder. "Please, Rarity."
Rarity carefully placed the accessories back into the drawer. "Alright, dear. If it means that much to you."
"Thanks, Rarity."
Holding onto a small ball of yarn, Fluttershy meandered through the front entrance. "Oh, I didn't want to intrude. The door was open, and I thought it would be alright to come on inside."
Rarity asked, "Were you able to stitch up that small tear on the bottom of Pinkie Pie's gown?"
Fluttershy responded, "Yes. Thank you for letting me borrow your yarn."
"No problem," Rarity remarked. "You can stop and borrow my equipment whenever you feel like it."
"Sorry I didn't catch up with you sooner, Fluttershy." Careful not to loosen any patchwork, I nodded my head towards the table with the eloquent bouquet. "Do you think those flowers will do?"
Fluttershy put down the ball of yarn and smelled the floral arrangement. "These are lovely." She walked closer to the mirrors. "Is that the suit you are going to wear to the Gala?"
"It will be whenever Rarity is finished," I replied.
Rarity used the thread to tie the coat together. "There! Now all I need to do is stitch the pieces together." She cautiously pulled all the stringed pieces of clothing off my body and placed them in her hooves.
"I'll meet you back here when its time for the Gala," I stated, stretching out my legs.
Rarity replied, "I'll have it ready by then. I will see you two then."
I nervously strolled into the Carousel Boutique. My big premiere had finally arrived. All the mares were busy prepping their makeup and fine tuning their gowns for opening night. Rainbow Dash slipped on some gladiator boots and tediously brushed her hair back. Rarity carefully adjusted her crown around her horn while checking herself for blemishes inside the mirror. Fluttershy happily sat next to Applejack, attentively braiding her tail on the floor. Twilight cheerfully carried a small cosmetics kit over to the mirror by the stool.
"Ready for the big event, Moonlight?" Twilight asked.
"Almost. I just need to suit up now." I approached the mirror by Rarity. "Do you happen to have it ready for me?"
"Yes, it's right over here." Rarity tread over to the closet in her glass slippers and unzipped the cover over my outfit on the clothesline. She pulled out the attire and slipped the sleeves over my hooves. The beautician then brushed my hair back with a comb from the counter and attached the vibrant tie around my shirt.
I comfortably straightened my tie around the collar and smiled at Rarity's reflection. "Thanks for the assist."
Pinkie Pie surprisingly jumped through the curtain. "I'm ready!"
"Already?" Fluttershy asked. "But we still won't leave for another hour or two."
Pinkie Pie declared, "Well yeah! I'm going with Moonlight to the Gala. I can't miss my debut."
Rainbow Dash tied a red hair band around the tip of her mane. "Your debut? Moonlight, do you know what she is talking about?"
Pinkie Pie probably didn't notice me rapidly shaking my head. I could actually feel the remnants of my plan crumbling in the wind right before my eyes. The pressure to evade telling the truth swelled inside me. All of my friends stared at me with their utmost curiosity. Unfortunately, my bouncing associate responded before I had time to think up what to say.
"You know, for the music show. I'm going to be hosting it!"
Twilight corrected, "You are hosting the show? The letter stated Moonlight was the host."
Applejack rose from her stool with a grin on her face. "That's funny. I don't remember you saying anything about Moonlight being the host."
"Me either," Rainbow Dash added.
Twilight put her hoof over her mouth. "Oops."
Shocked, Rarity exclaimed, "You are hosting the event? You should have told me sooner! Now I know you should have worn those diamond star cufflinks."
"Don't blame Twilight," I replied. "I was the one that wanted it to be a surprise."
Rainbow Dash glanced at Pinkie Pie. "Don't worry, Moonlight. We're not blaming you."
I shrugged my shoulders. There was nothing more I could do to salvage the pieces. At least they still didn't know who we enrolled into our little shindig. "Well, the event can still be a surprise. We cooked up quite a few things for you all."
Pinkie Pie blurted out, "It is going to be awesome. Moonlight is going to go up on stage and introduce-"
I quickly shoved my hoof in her mouth. "Quiet, Pinkie!"
Pinkie Pie smiled. As I slowly retracted my hoof, she whispered, " I gotcha'. That's part of the surprise."
I checked the current time from the clock on the wall. "Think we should get going, Pinkie?"
Pinkie Pie whipped her hair back. "Anytime you are ready, Moonlight."
Unbeknownst to my attention to detail, Rarity spotted something missing from our fervent pony's head. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"Right." Pinkie Pie picked up the cutest little hat off from the counter. It was like a miniature chef's hat with a pink bow attached on the side. She plopped the adornment snuggly between the top of her mane and her left ear. "Can't forget that!"
"Wait, Moonlight," Twilight stated as we approached the door. "How are you two going to get over there?"
Outside were a couple pegasi standing ready with a chariot.
"Don't worry. Celestia already made the arrangements. We will see you down there."
I walked up to the chariot and bowed. "Ladies first."
Pinkie shouted, "Woho! Let's get this party started!"
The pegasi made their descent into the Canterlot Gardens.
"Look, Moonlight. It's Princess Celestia."
"I'm glad you could make it," she replied.
I walked off the cart. "I wouldn't let you down, Princess Celestia."
Pinkie Pie noticed the movers inside the ballroom. "I'll see if they need any help."
As soon as Pinkie Pie left, I saw Princess Celestia's face fill with discontent. "Is everything alright, princess?"
Celestia turned and looked towards the ballroom. "I hope everything does well tonight. I can't help but feel like I'm forgetting something... important."
I followed Celestia into the ballroom. Pinkie Pie was jumping up and down next to the movers as they unloaded the equipment onto the stage. There was a large buffet table wrapping around the corner of the room. There were also a couple of smaller tables holding up Donut Joe's Donutopia and The Cake's Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness.
I said, "Looks like you have everything in order. How were you able to keep the cake in one piece?"
Princess Celestia pointed at Mrs. Cake exiting from the kitchen. "I had them come and make the cake down here."
Pinkie Pie hopped in front of me. "I think the movers got bored of me. They told me to come and entertain you instead."
Celestia pointed at the archway. "There she is."
Princess Luna landed inside the ballroom. "I hope I haven't missed anything."
Pinkie Pie rushed over to greet Princess Luna. "You arrived just in time."
I said, "Princess Luna! I didn't think you would come."
"You didn't think I would miss out on your big event now would you?"
At that moment, we were all startled by a loud sound from the stage.
"Sorry, princesses." Vinyl Scratch pulled off her headphones. "I was just testing the bass."
I said, "We better get into positions before the guests start arriving."
* * *
The stage was set. Pinkie Pie and I were waiting behind the curtain. I peaked my head out and looked around the room. The ponies were all gathered around in front of the stage. I pulled my head back behind the curtain. Sweat started pouring down my face.
"I don't think I can do this."
Pinkie replied, "Sure you can."
I looked at Pinkie Pie and saw her making all sorts of funny faces. "Pinkie Pie, what are you doing?"
"Warming up!"
I took a second look through the curtain. "I think they are ready for us to start."
I walked up to the microphone and tested to see if it was on.
"Fillies and gentlecolts, I would like to have your attention. Thank you all for coming. This year, you are in for a rare treat. It is my great pleasure to host the first annual Grand Galloping Gala music show."
The audience stomped their hooves in applause.
"First up in our event, I'd like to start things off with an act that will make you shake those groove-thangs. She is a silly filly who makes great cupcakes at Ponyville's very own Sugarcube Corner. Let's welcome, Pinkie Pie!"
As I returned back behind the curtain, I heard the audience whispering to each other. They were talking about what Pinkie Pie did last year. They are definitely going to be surprised by what Pinkie Pie has in store for them this year.
Pinkie Pie hopped up to the microphone and pulled it off the stand. "It is great to be here! First thing I'd like to do to start things off is to tell a joke."
I smacked my forehead.
"What kind of pony goes after dark?" Pinkie Pie paused for dramatic effect. "A nightmare!"
The audience wasn't too pleased.
"I guess you ponies were expecting something different. How about a song?"
Pinkie Pie pulled out her pig nose and tail and started singing.
First you jiggle your tail! Oink Oink Oink!
Then you wriggle your snout! Oink Oink Oink!
Then you wiggle your rump! Oink Oink Oink!
Then shout it out! Oink Oink Oink!
I smiled. Pinkie Pie was sticking to the original script I laid out for her.
Pinkie Pie stopped singing. The curtains pulled apart and revealed two large speakers. A platform flipped open on the stage. Vinyl Scratch and her DJ table rose from underneath. The crowd's eyes were glued on Vinyl.
"Let's spin this!"
Pinkie Pie started singing her song again. This time, electronic music poured out of the speakers. The ponies were astounded at how the music converged with Pinkie's singing.
Celestia walked up to me and shouted, "Do you think this is a bit much?"
A moment later, Luna walked up to Celestia and me. "Now this is a party."
After the music ended, the audience showed their appreciation in applauding. Pinkie Pie bowed and hopped over to Vinyl. As I approached the microphone, the curtain closed behind me.
"That was Pinkie Pie singing The Piggy Dance with our surprise guest, Vinyl Scratch. Please give us a few minutes to prepare for the next act. The buffet is to your right if any of you ponies get hungry."
I went behind the curtain and approached Pinkie Pie and Vinyl in mid-conversation.
Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "They loved it!"
"Awesome work, Pinkie." I raised my hoof into the air. "High one!"
Pinkie Pie tilted her head. "High what?"
Vinyl exclaimed, "High one!"
I slapped her hoof. "It was great for you to come, Vinyl."
"That was fun! My engineering really paid off. I knew they would love watching me come out from underneath the stage."
I said, "I love what you did to Pinkie's song."
"I call it Pinkie Wubs You."
"Nice."
I waited patiently until the band members gave me the sign to go back on stage.
I walked through the curtain and up to the microphone. "Thanks for being patient. The next act may have you shedding a tear. She is a professional when it comes to playing the cello and has a heart for the classics. Give it up for Octavia!"
The curtain was pulled as I turned around. On stage was a four-pony musical ensemble. They consisted of two cellists, a pianist, and a violinist.
While holding her cello, Octavia walked up to the microphone. "Our first song is dedicated to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."
Octavia picked up her cello and carried it back to the other band members. The band played a nice smooth song.
After the song was over, Octavia announced her next song. "I would like to play this next song for our dear host, Moonlight Sonata."
Two of the band members rested their instruments. Octavia acknowledged to the pianist when she was ready. They surprised me by playing one of my favorite songs.
In the middle of the song, Pinkie Pie put her hoof over my shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"Why?"
"You're crying."
I replied, "I always become emotional when it comes to a nice waltz."
After their song was over, the audience applauded. Octavia smiled and approached the microphone once again.
"Vinyl and I are good friends, but our taste in music couldn't be any more different. In her honor, I would like to try something a little different."
Vinyl watched carefully as Octavia and the other band members raised their instruments. The ensemble played a piece that was a little more upbeat in nature.
In the middle of the song, Pinkie Pie put her hoof over Vinyl's shoulder. "Are you crying?"
Vinyl wiped away a tear from her face. "No, I just had something in my eye."
When the song ended, the curtain closed, and I approached the microphone. "Wasn't Octavia great every pony? Coming up next, Princess Luna will be providing a little something special for you all, but first we are going to have a short recess."
I left the stage and walked over to the buffet table.
Before I could grab a donut, Twilight Sparkle interrupted me. "I have been enjoying the show you put together."
"Thanks, Twilight. I couldn't do it without..."
My thoughts drifted away as my eyes noticed a pegasus landing just outside the ballroom.
"Who is that?" I asked.
Twilight turned around and noticed the pegasus walking into the ballroom. "The one in the sky-blue dress? Don't recall ever seeing her before."
"She looks familiar."
The pegasus brushed back her green hair and tried to intermingle with the crowd.
"I still have a couple minutes," I said, "I'm going to go up to her and say hello."
I made my way through the crowd and tapped her on the back. "Tell me, have we met?"
She turned around and saw my face. She shrieked and launched herself out of the room.
"Wait!" I shouted, "I just wanted to know your name!"
I chased her to the garden area, but could only watch her fly off into the distance. My head dropped in disappointment. Before I could turn around and head back inside, I was distracted by a bright light coming from the library. Curious, I walked closer to get a better look. The light grew in intensity and blinded me. With my eyes closed, I felt a large gust of wind blow past me. I opened my eyes and noticed that the light had disappeared. Without turning my head, I slowly made my way back to the ballroom. When I turned my head, what I saw left me at a standstill.
"Nightmare Moon?"
Nightmare Moon was standing in front of a small table with a plate on top. Paniced, I quickly glanced around the room. There was no stage, no large group of ponies, no princesses, and no buffet table. My eyes veered back to Nightmare Moon. She turned and looked directly at me.
"Your grace!" a pony shouted from the air.
Out came a black pegasus from the other room. He landed directly in front of Nightmare Moon and kneeled.
"Everything is going well. It is just as you wished."
Nightmare Moon hesitantly responded, "Thank you."
The black pegasus got up and rushed over to me. "Where have you been, Moonlight?"
Still shocked, I quickly gathered my thoughts together. My mouth moved, but my voice escaped me.
"Nevermind! I have to return to our guests. You can explain your whereabouts to Nightmare Moon."
The pegasus left the room. I was alone, standing in front of Nightmare Moon. I could only look straight into her blue eyes. She turned her head and looked directly back at me. My only reaction was to swallow. That was when I heard a large crash come from the kitchen, followed closely by the shouting of a pony.
"No! For the last time, your grace doesn't want you making any more muffins!"
Mrs. Cake came rushing out of the kitchen. "I am sorry, your excellency. More cake will be coming out shortly."
Another loud crash sounded from the kitchen. Mrs. Cake quickly bowed and ran back through the kitchen doors. My breathing worsened. While my head was turned, I noticed guards flying around Canterlot. The voice of Nightmare Moon had me turn my head back at her.
"I wish to speak to Moonlight somewhere more... private. Is there a place we can go without having anymore interruptions?"
A guard replied, "You can always use the room upstairs. We will stay here and guard the entrance."
Nightmare Moon climbed up the steps. "You, come with me!"
I slowly followed Nightmare Moon up the stairs. She disappeared into a dark room. I started to shake as I entered the room. It was completely black. The only light that was visible came from behind me.
I feared for my life. "What do you want with me?"
Nightmare Moon's eyes glowed. "I only want answers. Tell me, where have you been for the past hour?"
A chill ran down my spine. At first I thought it was because my nerves were giving out. Then I realized it was because my magic started working. I could see small stars appear around the room. The light behind me disappeared, and a small twinkle of light appeared within Nightmare Moon's eyes. As if lighted by the sun, I was able to see Nightmare Moon's entire body. The image of Nightmare Moon became transparent. The image of Princess Luna was shown underneath. Then in a flash, my vision returned back to normal. From that moment on, her eyes appeared less threatening.
Nightmare Moon shouted, "Tell me! What have we been doing for the past hour?"
The sound of her voice reflected the change I saw in her eyes. She was scared. I also noted that she used the word we instead of you the second time she asked me the question.
I decided to take a gamble. "We have been at a music event."
She then lighted the room. "Then it must be you."
The image I saw before me transformed from Nightmare Moon into Princess Luna.
I was happy to see her face once again. "It is you. What is going on, Luna?"
"Do you remember anything happening in the past couple minutes?"
I said, "Just that one moment there were ponies and the next they were gone."
Luna asked, "Did you see the shockwave?"
I answered, "I don't remember seeing that. I did see a strange light come from the library."
Luna took a moment to search for a good explanation for our current dilemma.
I asked, "What should we do?"
We heard the pegasus from earlier shout, "Your grace, is everything alright?"
"Your grace?" I asked.
Luna removed her light source before the pegasus could see her. The pegasus slowly walked up the steps. Luna transformed her image back into Nightmare Moon and bolted out of the room.
Luna used her royal Canterlot voice. "What is it?"
"I am sorry, my liege. I did not mean to interrupt. There is no need to yell."
I slowly walked down the steps, passing Luna and the black pegasus. As I reached the bottom, I could overhear the conversation Luna was having with the pegasus.
Luna stomped the ground. "Give me a reason why I shouldn't have the guards take you away right now."
The pegasus chuckled. "Let us not be too hasty. It's me, Night Star."
Luna asked, "And what do you do around here, Night Star?"
Night Star took a defensive stand. "I lead the Knight Brigade. I'm the one that keeps your city safe."
"Make sure you remember that."
Night Star bowed. "Of course. I only mean to please you."
"Moonlight," Luna uttered.
I turned back to Luna. "Yes?"
"See what you can find out. You have your orders."
"Yes... your grace."
"Night, you may resume back to what you were doing."
"Yes, your excellency."
Night Star turned away from Nightmare Moon and passed by me. He whispered, "I'm not done with you yet."
I only stood there long enough to see Nightmare Moon walk up to the small table in the middle of the room. I continued making my way to the next room. The cook inside the kitchen continued yelling intermittently.
Luna shouted, "Where is that cake?"
I gave out a little chuckle. The thought of Luna playing the role of Nightmare Moon was funny. That thought quickly left me as I entered the next room. Ponies were scattered by pairs in various tables around the room. Their demeanor suggested that they were terrified. Their eyes also reflected that. As I made my way through the room, I overheard a couple of ponies talking to each other.
"Why did we have to receive tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?"
"Stop complaining. The guards will hear you."
A moment later, one of the guards walked by the table. The attitude of the ponies changed.
"Nightmare Moon is the greatest! I'm so glad she is ruler."
"Things are so much better with Princess Celestia gone."
The shock of what I heard filled my eyes. I tried not to think more of it. I hurried out of the room as quickly as I could without drawing any unwanted attention. Once I cleared the room, I took a deep breath. After I exhaled, Night Star tapped my shoulder.
"Where do you think you are going?"
"Out."
"Not without your bag."
Night Star tossed the bag to me. "Right."
I pulled the bag's strap over my back.
Before I could walk away, Night Star asked, "What did Nightmare Moon want?"
Without even looking back at him, I responded, "What she wanted is between her and I."
Night Star flew over and landed in front of me. "It better not have been something about me. If I catch wind of you saying one bad thing about me to Nightmare Moon, I'll have you wishing you never became her advisor. Do you understand?"
I nodded.
"Good. I'm going to keep an eye on you. I don't know why Nightmare Moon chose you over me, but when I find out..."
The frustration overtook Night Star. He jumped once on the ground and then flew off into the air. Once I knew he was gone, I grabbed my bag and sat down. I opened the bag and found a few blank scrolls with a quill.
I pulled out one of the blank scrolls and looked at it. "This isn't very helpful."
As I gazed at the scroll, writing appeared. Being taken back for a second, I decided to read what was on the scroll. It was checklist.
[ ] Speak with the prisoners inside the dungeon.
[ ] Usher in Shining Armor's new recruits.
[ ] Make sure all guards are reported in and awake at their post.
[ ] Investigate suspicious activity within the Night Brigade.
[ ] Check in with the Hearth and Home.
[ ] Assist Twilight Sparkle with her lab experiment.
Besides a couple of names, I didn't understand anything written on the scroll. I put it back into the bag and threw it over my back.
As I meandered through Canterlot, I found the entire place quite frightening. The guards flying back and forth gave me the impression that the city was at constant alert. I passed by a couple of ruined towers. One was in pieces and the other had burn marks that could only be made by lightning. There were no ponies in the street and no decorations. Banners of Nightmare Moon's ensignia were displayed within various parts of the city.
As I turned a corner, I heard Shining Armor's voice. Excitedly, I rushed to meet him. I slowly came to a halt when I noticed his uniform. It was adorned in obsidian with onyx stones. Nightmare Moon's emblem was displayed on his chest.
"Moonlight should be arriving any second. I want you all to show him the same kind of respect you showed me."
As I came closer, I noticed three pegasi lined up at attention. One of the pegasi coughed to alert Shining of my presence.
Shining turned around and saluted. "Moonlight, I was just getting them ready for you."
Shining Armor showed off strong conviction and dignity, but he couldn't mask the conniption in his eyes.
He grew impatient waiting for a response. "Well?"
"Well, what?" I responded.
"Aren't you going to give them their assignments?"
I looked at the three cadets and then back at Shining. "What assignment should I give them?"
Shining's manner softened. He wasn't expecting me to ask for his opinion.
Still a bit puzzled, he responded, "I think Thunderlane would do well over at the observatory."
"Alright."
"Cloudchaser and Flitter work very well with each other. They should both be assigned to watch the train station."
"Very good."
Shining Armor scratched his head. "Aren't you going to take them?"
"I think you can handle it."
Shining responded, "Whatever you want, sir."
I took out the scroll out of my bag and quickly glanced over it. "Shining, do you know where the dungeon is?"
Shining Armor pointed towards the mountain. "It's in the same place as it's always been."
I put the scroll back into the bag. "Thanks."
Before I could take another step, Shining asked, "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
Shining Armor shook his head. "Nevermind."
"Anything else before I go?"
Shining Armor's voice softened. "If you are going to the dungeon, make sure the ponies there are well taken care of."
"I will."
* * *
After a short walk through Canterlot, I approached a door with two unicorns standing guard. When one of the guards saw me, he pulled the door open. Inside, I saw six ponies inside a jail cell. They were terrified and bereaved. The guard closed the door behind me. The only light source was a small hole in the ceiling that shined above the cell.
One of the ponies mocked, "What does Nightmare Moon's lackey want now?"
Another pony responded, "Just because Moonlight is under her wing doesn't automatically make him evil. If it wasn't for him-"
I recognized the pony's voice. "Cadance?"
Cadance came closer to the bars. The light beamed onto her face.
"Yes, Moonlight? What does Nightmare Moon want this time? I already told her I can't force ponies to love her."
"Cadance, it's me, Moonlight. What have they done to you?"
"They haven't done anything to me."
I grabbed hold of the bars. "I gotta' get you out of there."
Cadance moved out of the light to the back of the cell. "No!"
I let go of my grip on the bars. One of the guards banged on the door.
"Is everything alright in there, Moonlight?"
"Everything is fine!"
I placed my hooves back on the ground and looked down.
A mare inside the cell said, "Leave her alone."
Cadance responded, "Stay down, Wildfire. I can handle this."
"Tell me what to do and I'll do it" I said.
"Nothing. Don't worry about me."
I looked around the room, searching for a way to help the ponies. A thought rushed through my head.
"Guard!" I shouted.
One of the unicorns outside opened the door and darted in. "What is it, Moonlight?"
"Food was prepared for the guests. Is there any of that food left over?"
"I'm not sure."
"Go find out. While you are there, get some for yourself. In fact, bring some to all the guards. Anything that isn't used, bring them to the prisoners."
"But sir."
"That food was prepared for Nightmare Moon and her guests. I'm not about to throw any of it away."
"Yes sir."
The unicorn rushed out of the dungeon.
I said, "Cadance, I'll come back for you."
I turned around and put my hoof on the opened door.
Cadance said, "Hey, Moonlight."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
I smiled and walked out.
I strolled through Canterlot, searching for my next destination. I wasn't able to see much during the middle of the night, but I did see Night Star flying away from Canterlot. I quickened my pace to try and catch up, but I ran straight into another pony.
The pony shouted, "I'm so sorry!"
"Twilight Sparkle?" I asked.
The collision made Twilight spill her papers all over the ground. A dusty book also landed right next to me. Twilight had a small bag attached over her back.
Twilight looked at me. "Moonlight! What are you doing here?"
"I could be asking you the same thing."
Twilight opened the bag and levitated her papers inside.
I picked up the book next to me. "What is this?"
Twilight quickly levitated the book out of my hooves and into the bag. "Just another book for my research."
I remembered Twilight being on the checklist. "So what have you been up to."
Twilight said, "Just working on the lab experiment for Nightmare Moon. I don't think I can finish it."
"Why not?"
Twilight finished arranging the papers in her bag and closed it. "It be best if I showed you."
I followed Twilight Sparkle to the library tower. We walked up the steps and entered inside. Twilight opened the door for me.
"I have been doing my best, but it just isn't good enough. I've been working diligently on a way to stop a pegasus from flying like Nightmare Moon requested, but it has been hard without gaining access to the books inside the Canterlot Archives."
When I entered inside, Twilight closed the door. I followed her up the stairs to the second level. Shelves with books filled the left side of the room. An hourglass stood near the window on the far side of the room. An abandoned bookshelf collected dust on the right side of the room. In the middle stood a large table with various vials and beakers filled with different colored liquids.
"Finding the right ingredients is the hardest part. Simple ingredients, like sugar and spice, just aren't potent enough. I need special kinds of herbs found only in the Everfree Forest. If Nightmare Moon would allow me access in there, I may discover the right mixture for the potion."
I looked outside the window and noticed the archway of the ballroom down below. This was definitely the spot where the light came from.
I asked, "Twilight, have you seen anything unusual here in the past few hours?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary."
If Princess Luna and I could remember what happened before the event, then maybe it would be possible for Twilight as well. I decided to try and jog Twilight's memory.
"What do you know about me?"
"You are Moonlight Sonata, Nightmare Moon's advisor. You arrived here just months ago."
"Have we done anything together?"
"I don't believe I understand the question, sir."
"Do you know the book Predictions and Prophecies?"
Twilight Sparkle toyed with a vial on the table. "You and I both know that book is banned."
"How about the Elements of Harmony?"
Twilight dropped the vial on the table and placed her hoof on my mouth. "Not so loud!"
The vial rolled off the table and broke on the ground.
Twilight asked, "How do you know about the Elements of Harmony?"
When she retracted her hoof, I whispered, "I am your friend, Twilight. You can tell me."
"I don't believe you."
"Twilight! You can trust me. Think. What do you know of the Elements of Harmony?"
Twilight explained, "When Nightmare Moon arrived, ponies searched high and low for a way to put a stop to her. She was too strong and nothing seemed to work. Rumors spread through Ponyville of the so-called Elements of Harmony, powerful enough to defeat Nightmare Moon."
"You mean to tell me that you never found the Elements of Harmony?"
"That is correct. To this day, Nightmare Moon still rules over Equestria."
"That can't be true."
Twilight moped around and levitated the pieces of the broken vial over to a container. "It is too bad. I never thought that day would be the last day ponies joined together for the Summer Sun Celebration. What I would do just to see Princess Celestia raise the sun once more."
What Twilight told me reflected what I saw. Ponies seem to worship Nightmare Moon and Twilight acts as if she never found the Elements of Harmony.
In my frustration, I ran up and pounded on the hourglass. "It just can't be true!"
I triggered something when I hit the hourglass. An energy shockwave, just as Luna described, came out from under my hoof. I fell backwards onto the floor. The library was rearranged. The table was gone and the shelves were stocked full of books. There was no sign of Twilight Sparkle.
I arose to the sound of ponies chattering. I walked pass the hourglass and looked outside the window. Ponies were leaving the ballroom with smiles on their faces. I saw all my friends talking with each other in the garden with Princess Celestia.
The moment felt like a dream. It didn't last long. A gust of wind encircled around me as everything I saw returned back as before.
I pounded my hoof on the hourglass. "No! Take me back."
Twilight asked, "What is it, Moonlight?"
I heard the front door swing open. Twinkleshine, Lyra Heartstrings, and Minuette walked inside.
Twinkleshine said, "There you are, Twilight! Moondancer is having a little get-together in the west castle courtyard. You wanna' come?"
Twilight Sparkle said, "Oh, sorry, girls... I've got a lot of research to catch up on."
Twinkleshine said, "Well alright. We will be in the training room if you change your mind."
They closed the door on their way out.
Twilight used her magic and picked up the beaker on the table. "I'm sorry, Moonlight. I wish I could help, but I have to get back to my work."
I grunted and rushed down the stairs to the door. "If you aren't going to tell me, then I'll find out all on my own."
I opened the door and passed by the unicorns. I ran into the ballroom.
"Nightmare Moon! Nightmare Moon!" I shouted.
One of the guards responded, "Nightmare Moon had an important matter come up."
"And the guests?"
"They have been allowed to return home."
I said, "Then tell me where Night Star is."
"He is currently away," the guard replied.
I waved my hooves around in the air. "What am I supposed to do now?"
The guard replied, "If you are ready, the pegasi have been waiting patiently for you in the garden area."
"Pegasi?"
"They were told you wanted a chariot to travel down into Ponyville."
"Ponyville? Oh yes, Ponyville. You said the garden area?"
The guard pointed behind me. I walked outside and came across the pegasi with the chariot. They were laying around playing with the grass.
One of the pegasi stood up. "Moonlight! Are you ready to go?"
"Yes."
I stepped inside the cart. "We are heading down to Ponyville, right?"
The other pegasi asked, "Isn't that where you wanted us to take you, directly to the Hearth and Home?"
"Yes, take me there."
* * *
The pegasi descended down into Ponyville. They landed by a building that looked similar to the Carousel Boutique, except for one thing. There was smoke rising out of a stone chimney on the roof.
As I stepped off the cart, one of the pegasi said, "We will remain here until you return."
"Thank you kindly," I responded.
I walked up to the door and knocked.
A pony responded, "Come on in!"
I opened the door and saw Rarity moving items around the room. She was engrossed with another one of her projects. There was a small forge located to the left of the room. To the right, a suit of armor rested on top of a mannequin. The armor had small holes where the wings of a pegasus would fit through. Nightmare Moon's emblem was embroidered on the chest.
Rarity observed a small dent in the armor. "I'm going to be needing a hammer. Oh Spikey Wikey!"
Spike ran down the stairs. "I got it!"
When Spike made it down the stairs, he tripped and caused the hammer to fly through the air. Before the hammer could hit me, Rarity grabbed hold of it with her magic.
"Spike, you need to be more careful!"
"Sorry."
"Please excuse Spike. He can be clumsy sometimes."
I watched Rarity lift up the armor. "Rarity, what are you doing?"
"I'm trying to fix up this armor. Why are you here, anyways? I wasn't expecting you to arrive until tomorrow. Did Night Star send you?"
"Not that I know of."
"Well, you can tell him to come by tomorrow and pick it up then. By the way, did Nightmare Moon ever approve of my designs?"
"Not that I know of."
Rarity said, "For being Nightmare Moon's advisor, you sure don't know a whole lot. Pity, I was hoping to hear back from her. Spike, can you be a doll and fetch me more tin from upstairs?"
"I'm on it."
Spike rushed up the stairs.
I asked, "Rarity, how long have you been working here?"
"Almost my entire life. Why do you ask?"
"No, I mean how long have you been working for Nightmare Moon?"
"Working for Nightmare Moon? What gave you that silly idea? Oh, the designs? I simply wanted to make something special for the Canterlot guards."
I could smell something burning. It was coming from the forge.
Rarity shouted, "Spike! I need you back down here!"
Spike was running down the stairs with a couple bricks of tin. "Coming!"
I asked, "Rarity, how long have you been a blacksmith?"
"Moonlight, I am not a blacksmith. Here at the Hearth and Home, I like to be properly referred as a whitesmith."
Spike layed down the tin by Rarity and started attending the forge.
"I didn't know whitesmiths use a forge."
"I don't. I refuse to get my hooves dirty. That is why I'm happy to have Spike use Tom."
"Tom?"
"My precious hearth. I wouldn't be able to get anywhere without him. Now before you go, was there anything else you needed?"
"No, I'll be on my way."
Rarity said, "See you tomorrow."
I opened the door and left.
I rushed over to Sweet Apple Acres. If Twilight Sparkle and Rarity changed, I just had to see what else changed. I followed down the white picket fence and entered into the field. I slowed down to see a mysterious building where Applejack's barn should have been. I noticed a small stand with a sign on it.
"Flim Flam Fields!" I shouted.
A pony behind me said, "You will have to come back later if you want to buy some cider."
I turned around and saw a familiar face. "Carrot Top?"
"It has been awhile since any pony called me by that name. I go by Golden Harvest."
I asked, "What happened here?"
"What do you mean?"
I pointed to the building. "Where is Applejack's barn?"
"Applejack? She hasn't been here since Flim and Flam took over."
"How?"
Golden Harvest explained, "Well you see, the Flim Flam brothers arrived one day during the cider season and challenged her family to a contest. The winner to whoever could produce as much cider as they could in an hour would become sole cider provider for all of Ponyville. Despite their best efforts, the Apple family didn't have a chance to win over the brother's machine."
I said, "I remember that event. Applejack's friends stepped up to help with the contest. The brother's machine couldn't keep up with them, so Flam came up with the idea to have the machine accept everything. The result ruined their supply and their business."
Golden Harvest said, "Applejack's friends? I was there and no pony helped. It was only Applejack, Applebloom, Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith. The Flim Flam brothers won the competition."
"That can't be right."
Golden Harvest pointed at the hourglass in the field. "In fact, they kept that hourglass as a souvenir. Since the Apple family were unable to sell any cider, they didn't make enough sales to keep their business afloat through the winter. They eventually lost Sweet Apple Acres and had to move. It was quite sad to see them go."
I collapsed my head onto the hourglass. I arose to see the sun shining bright on my face. I could see Applejack's barn and the rest of her buildings still intact. I looked down and saw Applebloom standing in front of me.
"Hey Moonlight, what are you doing out here?"
Then in the blink of an eye, everything returned back as before.
A pony from the distance shouted, "Hey!"
"You better get out of here before Flim catches you," Golden Harvest said.
* * *
I raced back into town square.
I only walked a few steps before hearing a pony shout, "Cherries! Buy your cherries! Right here!"
I wandered closer to where the voice was coming from. To my amazement, it was coming from Applejack. She was standing in front of a cherry stand. Another pony wearing a black Wonderbolts outfit was facing her.
The pony said, "I don't want cherry pie. I want apple pie."
Applejack slammed her hooves on the stand. "I told you Soarin', I don't sell apple pies anymore."
Soarin replied, "But you made the best apple pies!"
Applejack ignored Soarin'. "Cherries! Get your cherries!"
Soarin stomped the ground and snorted. He glanced over his shoulder and flew off.
I walked up to Applejack and playfully asked, "Is that Applejack I hear?"
"Hi, Moonlight. Come to buy another cherry chimichanga?"
"Excuse me?"
"I got some fresh, straight from Dodge Junction."
"Dodge Junction? Isn't that where Cherry Jubilee lives?"
"Yeah! After hearing about the whole fiasco, Cherry gladly hired us."
Applejack looked past me and shouted, "Not them again!"
I turned around and saw a cart unravel into a giant stage.
Applejack said, "Why don't you go home? No pony wants to see your act."
A pony announced, "Come one, come all! Come and witness the amazing magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie!"
I asked, "Trixie?"
Applejack explained, "They always seem to show up the same time I do. It's bad for business, I tell ya'."
"Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!"
A pony behind the curtain whispered to Trixie, "Now?"
"Not yet," Trixie said, "Watch and be amazed at the magic of Trixie!"
The pony whispered again, "Now?"
"Not yet," Trixie said, "Behold as I-"
The pony jumped out in one of the silliest costumes I have ever seen. "And her assistance, Pinkie Pie!"
I asked, "Pinkie?"
Trixie was aggravated. "Pinkie! That wasn't the cue."
Pinkie Pie was wearing a clown outfit. She had a giant rainbow-colored wig and big red shoes. She was covered with white flour on her face and a giant red nose. Despite the interruption, Trixie tried to continue with her act.
"Behold as I-"
"Shoot me out of the party cannon?" Pinkie asked.
"Behold as I-"
"Oh! Oh! Throw some pies at me? I hope they are razzleberry," Pinkie said.
Trixie grew impatient from Pinkie Pie's constant barrage of interruptions. "Behold as I-"
Pinkie Pie waved her right hoof in the air. "Oh! Oh! Oh!"
Trixie asked, "Pinkie, do you want to go first?"
Pinkie put down her hoof and widened her eyes. "You are good! How did you know I was going to ask that?"
Infuriated, Trixie simply turns around and heads back behind the curtain. Pinkie Pie waddled up to the front of the stage. Her shoes squeaked to every step she took. I decided to come closer to the stage and watch.
Pinkie Pie pointed at me. "What would you like to see the amazing Pinkie Pie do?"
I quickly said, "Blow up some balloons?"
"Good choice!"
Pinkie Pie waddled over to the side of the stage and picked up a small bag. She opened the bag and pulled out a bunch of balloons. She started blowing them up one at a time.
"Watch as I form these balloons into an alligator!"
She grabbed the balloons and tied them together. "Tada!"
I said, "But that is a pony."
"Exactly!"
I gave out a big smile.
Pinkie Pie smiled even bigger. "What would you like me to do next?"
"Whatever you got?"
"I got it! You happen to have a pile of rocks handy?"
I bashfully looked around me with my hooves in the air.
"Nevermind, I found some."
Pinkie collected the rocks around the stage. She stacked the rocks up on a stool and placed a party hat on top. She deepened her voice and animated the rocks.
"I'm Rocky!"
Trixie's head popped out through the curtain. She checked to see how Pinkie was doing. She looked at me and became terrified.
Trixie said, "That's enough Pinkie Pie. Show's over."
Pinkie Pie stopped moving the rocks. "Already?"
"Wait," I said, "I wanted to see Pinkie Pie."
Trixie tilted her hat. "Better do what he says."
Pinkie Pie pulled out her wig and shook off her shoes. She rubbed away the makeup and plopped the red nose on the stool. She jumped off the stage and walked up to me.
Pinkie asked, "What did you want?"
"Pinkie, what are you doing?"
"My act, silly. They don't call me Pinkie the Clown for nothing."
"How long have you been with Trixie?"
Pinkie responded, "Quite awhile."
Trixie shook her hoof back and forth. "Quiet, Pinkie."
"How well do you know Nightmare Moon?"
Pinkie tilted her head. "Nightmare Moon? Oh, you mean Black Snooty!"
Trixie stomped her hoof. "Pinkie."
Applejack joined in. "I wouldn't be talking about Nightmare Moon around here if I were you."
"Why?" I asked.
"I should be going now," Trixie said.
Trixie pushed the rocks aside and transformed the entire stage into a traveling cart.
"Wait, Trixie. Where are you going?"
"I'm sorry, Pinkie. Things weren't working out between us."
Pinkie reminisced as the cart pulled away. "She always had the best party hat."
"Pinkie, what was that about?" I asked.
"I have no idea."
A pony from above us said, "Maybe because she saw me coming."
I looked into the sky and saw a pegasus in a black uniform on top of a dark cloud. There were two pegasi wearing the same costume hovering behind her. All three dropped down onto the ground.
The pegasus said, "You better not be stirring up trouble, Moonlight."
I noticed the rainbow-colored mane and realized who was speaking. "Rainbow Dash?"
Applejack said, "It's alright, Rainbow Dash. You can cool it."
I asked, "Rainbow Dash, what's with the uniform? Did you join the Wonderbolts or something?
Rainbow Dash nudged one of the pegasi behind her. "Get a load of that guys. Moonlight thinks we are the Wonderbolts."
They all had a good laugh.
Rainbow Dash said, "You were always funny, Moonlight. We're the Shadowbolts. You know that."
"The Shadowbolts? I asked.
Rainbow Dash stretched out her legs. "See the awesome uniforms Rarity made us? It was Spitfire's idea to get new uniforms ever since Nightmare Moon kicked us out and all."
A pegasus with green hair walked out from an alleyway behind Rainbow Dash. She looked identical to the pegasus from the Gala. She saw me and immediately stopped.
I pushed Rainbow Dash to the side. "You!"
The pegasus flew over our heads. I chased after her.
"Wait!"
"Where are you going?" Rainbow Dash asked.
* * *
The pegasus flew all the way past the Everfree Forest. I slowed down to catch my breath. There was no way I could follow her through the forest at night. I turned around and noticed Rainbow Dash and her pals swooping down next to me.
Rainbow Dash said, "You sure are quick with your hooves. Why were you running so fast? Did it have something to do with that pegasus?"
I gasped for air. "She has... to know... what is going on."
I heard a door open and saw Fluttershy exit out of her cottage.
Fluttershy said, "My, what is going on out here?"
Rainbow Dash said, "Go back inside, Fluttershy."
Fluttershy shrieked, "Moonlight!"
She rushed back into the cottage and slammed the door.
Rainbow Dash asked, "Now tell me, who or what are you after?"
"I don't know. I've seen her before. She recognized me. I know she knows something."
Rainbow Dash checked the bottom of her hoof. "Doesn't surprise me. You are one of Nightmare Moon's lackeys."
I responded, "She may hold the key in finding out the truth behind what happened."
Rainbow Dash quickly placed her hoof onto the ground. "Care to explain?"
"You aren't going to believe me."
Rainbow Dash walked closer and poked me in the chest. "Try me."
I resented Rainbow Dash's response. "Yesterday, Princess Celestia was ruling, not Nightmare Moon."
One of the pegasi laughed. He was quickly interrupted by Rainbow Dash.
"Quiet, Rapidfire! You guys go ahead and head back. I got things covered here."
"Are you sure, boss?" Rapidfire replied.
Rainbow Dash's stance didn't change. The pegasi nodded to each other and dashed off.
Rainbow Dash turned back to me and asked, "What do you know about Princess Celestia?"
"Princess Celestia is a caring ruler who raised the sun each day. She wouldn't stand to see us ponies divided like this."
"How would you know? It has only been a couple of months since you came to Ponyville. Are you a spy?"
I replied, "No, something happened. If I can figure out what, I may still have a chance in changing everything back."
"How do I know what you are telling me is the truth? How do I know this isn't some sort of trick?"
I deduced that if I could somehow get Fluttershy to trust me, Rainbow Dash would have no choice but to trust me too. I walked over to the cottage and knocked on the door.
Fluttershy said, "Go away. No ponies here. Just us chickens."
I knocked on the door again. "Fluttershy, can you please open the door?"
Another pony inside said, "He sounds upset. Maybe we should do what he says."
I asked, "Scootaloo?"
Fluttershy slid the door open a couple inches. "How do you know Scootaloo?"
"She is part of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The CMC."
Scootaloo poked her head out. "The what?"
I shook my head. "Nevermind. Fluttershy, can we talk?"
Fluttershy closed the door again. I continued knocking on the door.
"Come on, Fluttershy. I just want to talk!"
Scootaloo whispered to Fluttershy, "Would it hurt just to talk to him?"
Fluttershy responded, "Junebug told us not to talk to anyone from Canterlot."
I heard a couple of ponies galloping up the hill. I turned to see Pinkie Pie and Applejack run up next to Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash asked them, "What are you two doing here?"
Pinkie Pie said, "We wanted to see where you guys went."
Applejack said, "We figured it must have been something important."
I knocked once more, but there was no response. I had to come up with a solution. That was when I remembered the one thing that got Twilight's attention in the library.
I sturnly said, "Elements of Harmony."
All the ponies were stunned to hear those words come out of my mouth.
Fluttershy opened the door. "You know about those?"
Rainbow Dash flared up. "How do you know about those? Who told you?"
Fluttershy and Applejack looked at each other, and then they looked at Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash said, "Oh no. I know what you two are thinking and the answer is no. We are not taking him."
Applejack said, "If he knows about the Elements of Harmony, then maybe we should."
Rainbow Dash stumbled over her own words. "But... I... he..."
Scootaloo asked, "Can I come?"
Fluttershy said, "You should stay here where it's safe, Scootaloo."
Rainbow Dash crossed her arms. "Fine, let's go before I change my mind."
I asked, "Where are we going?"
Rainbow Dash said, "You'll find out when we get there."
Rainbow Dash steered us to a small house down the hill. She walked up to the front door and knocked.
A pony from inside asked, "What's the password?"
Raindow Dash responded, "Cranky Doodle Donkey."
The door opened, and we entered inside.
Another pony further inside the house asked, "Is that you again, Toola Roola?"
The pony that opened the door replied, "It is just Rainbow Dash. It appears she brought along some friends."
Inside the house were two rooms. One room was completely surrounded with paintings. The paintings were either hung up, laid on easels, or leaned up against the wall. In the next room, there was a couch and a table with chairs.
Beside the couch was a pony admiring a painting. "Oh Twilight Sparkle. How can you keep on living the way you do? Someday I will find a way to rescue you out from that tower of yours, my fair princess."
Rainbow Dash said, "Hey, Wrek."
Wrek took in a deep breath. "Yes, RD? What is it this time?"
"We need to ask you something."
Wrek turned around and was taken back by the number of visitors inside his home. Wrek looked directly at Fluttershy and smiled.
"Nice to see you again, my dear Fluttershy. May you allow me the privilege in drawing your sweet face once more?"
Fluttershy blushed. "That is quite alright, Wrek. We actually came here-"
Wrek looked at me and interrupted, "Well, if it isn't Moonlight Sonata. I owe a pony an apology. It appears the sun will indeed rise once again."
Applejack asked, "You know Moonlight?"
"My dear mare, I don't think there is a pony in all of Ponyville that hasn't heard of Moonlight."
Rainbow Dash intruded, "Wrek, Moonlight knows about the Elements of Harmony."
"I see. It is just as the pony predicted."
Rainbow Dash asked, "What pony?"
Wrek laid down on his couch. "A couple hours ago, I was surprised by a pony at my door. My colleague dismissed his plea to enter when he didn't provide the right password. Instead of leaving, the pony insisted in speaking with me. There was something about him that persuaded me to accept his request."
Applejack asked, "Who was it?"
"I do not recall. Did we ever catch his name, SB?"
His colleague responded, "I don't remember."
"In any case, I invited the pony in for some tea. He liked that very much. We had a very nice discussion about the recent events in Equestria. He seemed eager to hear about Nightmare Moon and continued telling me about the Elements of Harmony."
Rainbow dash asked, "What else did he say?"
"The next thing he told me was very interesting. He said he was looking for you specifically, Moonlight."
I asked, "What did he want with me?"
He slid off the couch and wandered over to a small bag by the table. He pulled out a scroll and handed it to me.
"He merely told me to give you this letter if you ever arrived."
As I unrolled the scroll, Pinkie Pie asked, "What does it say?"
Dear Moonlight Sonata,
If you are reading this, then you too have found things out of place. The original timeline, that you and I know, has been altered. I know how to fix the problem, but I will need your assistance. From what I have gathered, Nightmare Moon was never stopped by the Elements of Harmony. We must correct this.
I have come by the knowledge of the existance of a time scroll that allows a unicorn to travel to the past. You must find this scroll and use it. Please be aware that when you use the scroll, you will be sent back within the altered timeline. That is why it is crucial for you to transport yourself to the right moment in time. Do not be afraid if all of this seems impossible. Nothing is impossible. You are living proof.
A blast from the past,
A friend
P.S. If you somehow encounter me in the past, remind me never to eat pears. I hate pears.
"Altered timeline?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Time scroll?" Applejack asked.
"Quantum Physics?" Pinkie Pie asked.
I placed my hoof on my chin. "I recall hearing about a time scroll inside the Starswirl the Bearded wing."
Rainbow Dash asked, "How do you know that?"
"Twilight Sparkle told me."
"The egghead that stays in the Canterlot library?"
"That would be her."
There was a knock at the door.
SB asked, "What is the password?"
The pony from outside said, "I don't remember."
RD walked over to the door and said, "Let me try. What's the password, Rarity?"
"Rainbow Dash, let me in! You know it's me!"
"Not until you say the password."
Wrek said, "That's enough RD. Let her in."
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and opened the door for Rarity.
"Thank you," Rarity said, "Oh my, I wasn't expecting there to be so many ponies."
Wrek bowed. "You are always welcome here, Rarity. Today has been an eventful day."
Rarity nodded. "Nice to see you again, Wrek."
"Likewise."
Pinkie Pie asked, "Hey, aren't you that blacksmith in the Hearth and Home?"
Rarity responded "Whitesmith, darling."
"What are you doing here?" I asked Rarity.
Rarity went to the couch and sat down. "I have been searching high and low for you, Moonlight. I went to take out the trash when I noticed your chariot still sitting in my front lawn. The poor pegasi must have been out there for hours. But don't you worry, Spike is taking good care of them."
"How did you find me?"
"When you never returned, I left in search for you. Fleetfoot told me that you were with Rainbow Dash at Fluttershy's cottage. When I arrived, Scootaloo directed me here. What are you all doing here anyways?"
I answered, "I'm trying to find answers."
Rarity asked, "Care to expound?"
Pinkie Pie interrupted, "Hey look, your horn!"
"My horn?"
Rarity said, "Your horn is glowing, darling."
Once again, my magic took control of my sight. The room faded away and the night sky was the only thing I could see. One of the stars glowed and gave me sight of a small painting. As I walked closer, my vision returned to normal. The source of the light came from beside the couch. There were four different paintings leaning up against the wall. I pushed aside three and picked up the last one.
"It's her."
"Her who?" Pinkie Pie asked.
Wrek glanced over my shoulder and looked at the painting. "Aw yes. That one. Your friend seemed to like that one too."
"When did you draw this one?"
Wrek grabbed the painting out of my hooves. "This one? Let me see. It must have been about a year ago. It's an interesting tale. I awoke one night hearing a pegasus cry from the corner of the room. I asked her some questions, but she didn't answer me. I guided her over to my couch and made some tea. When I returned, she had fallen asleep. I placed the tea on the table, grabbed a canvas, and started drawing. Before I could put on the final touches, she disappeared without a trace."
"She must be the one behind all of this."
Rainbow Dash asked, "What are you thinking?"
"I need to get back to Canterlot and I'm taking all of you with me."
Rainbow Dash asked, "Why? What are you going to do?"
I replied, "As much as I would like to return by myself, I'll be needing some assistance. The pegasus I keep running into might be behind the alteration, but I feel like there is more behind the scenes I don't yet know about."
Applejack said, "If you need our help, then count me in."
Rainbow Dash said, "Count me in."
I said, "If you are coming, make sure you remove your outfit, Rainbow Dash."
"But I love this outfit!"
Wrek said, "You can place it over on the table until you return."
Rainbow Dash pulled off her Shadowbolt uniform and laid it on the table.
Rarity nodded with the other ponies. "I think we can all agree on coming with you, Moonlight, but what is the plan in getting us in? We all can't fit on your chariot and the guards won't let just any pony on the train."
Rainbow Dash said, "Even if we were able to pass over the gates, we wouldn't be able to sneak past the guards."
Pinkie Pie asked, "How 'bout I use my party cannon?"
I said, "Actually, I already have a plan. Follow me and I'll explain on the way."
* * *
"Halt! Who goes there?" a guard asked at the train station.
"Is there something the matter? I asked.
"Moonlight Sonata? What are you doing here at the train station? Weren't you provided a chariot?"
"I am taking in some prisoners. If you could, send some pony to retrieve the pegasi in front of the Hearth and Home. I will no longer be needing their services."
The guard replied, "Yes sir."
The guard allowed us to pass onto the train. The train pulled away from the station and made its way to Canterlot.
I said, "We should take this time to rest. It has been a long night."
The sound of the train coming to a stop woke us up. We had arrived at Canterlot. The doors opened and we stepped out on the platform.
"What now?" Applejack whispered.
I said, "Now I need to see Twilight Sparkle. If any pony knows where to find books and scrolls, it would be her."
Night Star dropped down in front of me. "Where have you been, Moonlight, and why do you have all these ponies with you?"
"I caught these ponies conspiring against Nightmare Moon."
"Very well then. I apologize for my outburst. I'll be taking them down to the dungeon immediately."
"No!" I shouted.
Night Star was surprised. He turned and glared into my eyes.
"I want them to come with me when I present my case to Nightmare Moon."
"You know the rules. All prisoners must be escorted directly to the dungeon. Besides, Nightmare Moon is currently unavailable."
I asked, "Where is she?"
Night Star scratched his chest. "How should I know? I'm only following orders. She hasn't returned since the party. Now, will you allow me to do my job, or will I have to call for the guards and arrest you for disobeying Nightmare Moon's orders?"
I clenched the ground. "No, Night Star. You may proceed."
"Glad to hear it."
Night Star flew over the ponies and nudged them forward. Fluttershy lowered her head. Applejack walked over to Fluttershy and tried consoling her. Rainbow Dash spread her wings out to take off, but Rarity convinced her to back down.
With Night Star taking the ponies to the dungeon, I knew I had to hurry over to the library. I rushed through the garden and ran up the stairs. I busted open the door. Twilight Sparkle was laying on the ground asleep.
"Twilight Sparkle!"
Twilight woke up. He immediately started pouring liquid back and forth between two vials in an attempt to appear busy. "Don't worry, Moonlight. I almost have it!"
I ran up the stairs. "Put the vials down. I have something to ask you."
Twilight placed the vials onto the table and with one eye open replied, "What is it, sir?"
"Do you happen to know where I can find a time scroll?"
Twilight said, "Those scrolls would be kept inside the Canterlot Archives."
"Inside the Starswirl the Bearded wing?" I asked.
"I believe so," Twilight replied.
I looked around the room and made sure no one was listening. I quietly asked, "One other thing, do you have the book on Obscure Unicorn History?"
Twilight responded, "Why are you whispering? The book is right over there."
Twilight Sparkle walked over to the bookshelf. She browsed through the books and pulled one off the shelf. She placed the book on the table.
Twilight asked, "If you don't mind me asking, why would you want to read this book?"
"I need to see something."
I opened the book and flipped through to page 70. "Here it is."
Twilight asked, "Starswirl the Bearded?"
I slowly glanced through the chapter. I found the account about the pegasus on page 87.
I entered my study room one day only to notice a pegasus hiding behind one of my bookcases. The pegasus was cowering in fear. I asked her why she was in my room, but she was too terrified to respond. She kept muttering the same words over and over, 'I just want to go home.' I asked for her name and she responded 'Sumica'. She was gray with green hair and her cutie mark was a deck of cards. When I checked the room for any suspicious behaviour, she vanished.
"That has to be her."
Twilight asked, "Sumica, sir?"
That moment, a guard kicked open the door. "Sieze her!"
A couple of unicorns rushed up and grabbed hold of Twilight. Twilight asked, "What did I do?" As Twilight was pulled out of the library, more guards came in and began tearing the place apart.
I asked the guard, "What's going on? What's the meaning of this?"
The guard responded, "Sorry for the intrusion, Moonlight. We have just received word that Twilight may be withholding books prohibited by decree from your royal highness."
I said, "I need her to finish her research. You can come back when you have further proof of this accusation."
"Orders are orders, sir."
"Who gave you these orders?" I asked.
The guard replied, "Why, Night Star did."
I gritted my teeth. "Night Star?"
I darted out of the library and ran to the front door of the dungeon.
I asked the guards, "Night Star, where is he?"
"He turned in the prisoners and left."
I tried to open the door but was stopped by the guards.
One of the guards said, "I'm sorry sir. Night Star ordered us not to let any pony in until further notice."
"Let me pass. I need to see the prisoners."
The guard replied, "Hey, you may have special privileges in Canterlot, but as part of the Night Brigade, we take our orders directly from Night Star. The only way you are coming in here is if Nightmare Moon or Night Star is personally with you. That is unless you want to join your friends."
I was infuriated and desperate. Night Star had stopped me at every corner. With Princess Luna missing, my last resort was to use the time scroll in the Starswirl the Bearded wing.
* * *
I approached the Canterlot Archives. Four unicorns were standing guard.
"Halt! Who goes there?" one of the guards shouted.
"Let me pass," I commanded.
"Moonlight Sonata? I'm sorry sir. We have our orders. This is a restricted area. Even you aren't allowed in."
I stomped the ground. "I have orders from Nightmare Moon herself. Now let me pass!"
The guard hesitated. He eventually decided to open the door for me. As I walked inside, the guard dashed off into the air.
The room was neat and tidy. All the books and scrolls were properly ordered and arranged on the shelves. I went over to a shelf and pulled down one scroll after another in search of the time scroll.
A few minutes went by before I could hear some commotion outside. Night Star was conversing with a guard.
"Where is he? He should know better than to enter into a restricted area."
One of the guards said, "I think he went this way!"
I quickened my search. Night Star and the guards entered the room.
The guard shouted, "There he is!"
Another guard asked, "Hey, what is he doing?"
I noticed the guards coming at me. I pulled down one last scroll. It was the one I was searching for this whole time. I read the scroll and closed my eyes to concentrate. I focused on the time just before Nightmare Moon arrived in Ponyville. I opened my eyes hoping that it worked.
The guard shouted, "Stop him!"
I closed my eyes and tried to focus my magic again. I thought of how much my friends needed me to travel back and fix the timeline.
I opened my eyes to see a pony walk by me. She said, "Hurry, it's almost time."
It was a success. I officially traveled back in time. I rushed by a giant pony statue and inside the building. That is when I saw my old friend.
"Doctor Whooves!" I shouted.
"That's my name, but I don't believe we have been introduced."
"It's me, Moonlight Sonata."
Doctor Whooves shook his head. "I only just arrived in Ponyville."
"There isn't enough time! I need to, wait... you don't know me?"
"No, should I?" Doctor Whooves asked.
"I got your letter from Wrek. I'm here to help."
Doctor Whooves said, "I don't know any pony named Wrek."
I took a moment to glance around the room. Fluttershy was up preparing the birds. I also noticed Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash in the crowd, but Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie were no where to be seen.
I said, "Something is wrong."
That was when I saw Sumica enter inside. She took one look at me and fled. I pursued after her.
"Sumica!" I shouted, "I'm not going to lose you this time!"
There was a flash of light where Sumica was. She suddenly vanished. I wasn't able to believe it.
Doctor Whooves walked up behind me. "Did you know that pegasus?"
In disbelief, I said, "I can't believe I lost her."
I began to feel disoriented. I could feel pressure build inside my head. I turned to Doctor Whooves and tried explaining everything as fast as I could.
"That pony altered the timeline somehow. You wrote me a letter explaining what to do. Oh and you also told me to remind you never to eat pears. You hate..."
I was teleported back to the Archives.
"...pears," I finished saying.
A guard shouted, "There he is!"
Two guards came up and grabbed hold of me.
Night Star prominently asked, "Where did you go? What did you do?"
I scowled at Night Star.
Night Star ordered, "Guards, take him to the dungeon for questioning."
The guards dragged me to the dungeon, opened the door, and shoved me inside the cell. They left and closed the door.
I looked at all the ponies and blushed. "Hey guys."
"Moonlight?" Cadance asked.
Rarity asked, "What happened?"
I explained, "Night Star stonewalled me."
Twilight Sparkle asked, "Did you go to the Canterlot Archives?"
I said, "I did. I even found the time scroll."
Twilight Sparkle said, "So it does exist."
I kicked around a rock on the ground. "Yeah. I even used it to go back in time, but I wasn't able to fix the timeline. Whatever changed happened before the appearance of Nightmare Moon."
Rainbow Dash asked, "What does that mean?"
I pouted and went deeper in despair.
Cadance said, "Don't do this to yourself, Moonlight."
Tears dropped from my face. "But I tried my best. It should have worked."
Cadance put her hoof on my shoulder. "I may not know what happened or what you may have done, but I know you tried your best. I know you have a good heart inside of you. You're just like Shining Armor. Although you may answer to Nightmare Moon, you continue to help those who are in need. I also see it in Night Star."
"Night Star?" I mumbled.
"You can't give up now. You have ponies that have put trust in you. We can't do this without you."
Rarity said, "Cadance is right, darling. Don't beat yourself up. Now tell us, what can we do? Isn't that the reason why we are here in the first place?"
I wiped the tears away from my face and cracked a smile. "Ok. Just give me a moment to think."
I was locked away with my friends inside the dungeon. The least I could is take the time to gather my thoughts.
I said, "Time must have been altered before Nightmare Moon arrived. If I could figure out when, I may still be able to find a way to fix the timeline."
Applejack said, "How are ya' going to do that?"
I looked at all the ponies in the cell. "By taking a history lesson. I want all of you to tell me your life story. Applejack, you can go first."
Applejack stepped up. "Ok then. The earliest I can remember is when my parents dropped me off at Sweet Apple Acres with Granny Smith and my brother, Big Macintosh. I didn't want to grow up on that farm, so I decided to move in with my Aunt n' Uncle Orange in Manehattan. I never felt so homesick in all my days as I did right then. I gathered up the courage to return home. That was when I got my cutie mark.
"I continued living on the farm and help take care of Applebloom, that was until the Flim Flam brothers came along. They showed off their fancy machine and boasted how much quicker they could make cider than us. Granny Smith was foal enough to accept that challenge. The competition was a disaster.
"We lost the rights to sell cider in Ponyville and soon after lost the apple-selling business. We had to leave Ponyville. That was when we met up with Cherry Jubilee in Dodge Junction. She gave us a place to call home in exchange for selling her cherries."
I said, "Well that explains why you were selling cherries. What about you Rarity?"
Rarity stepped up. "I began my work as a fashionista very early in my years. I even helped out with the costumes in the school play. I tried my best to make them spectacular, but nothing seemed to work. I went out of my way in search for that special pizzazz.
"In my search, I found an abandoned baby dragon. The poor thing was crying his little heart out. I figured if the dragon was hungry, I could just find something to feed him. I tried giving him hay, grass, flowers, but he didn't like any of it. That was when my magic took over, and I discovered my hidden ability to find gems. I picked up one of the gems and gave it to the baby dragon. I was amazed to see him eat it right in front of my eyes. I instantly fell in love. I took him home and named him Spike."
I asked, "You raised Spike?"
Rarity said, "I'm not finished!"
"Sorry."
Rarity continued, "Yes, I raised Spike. He was such a big help at the Carousel Boutique, but my business slowed down when Nightmare Moon arrived. That was when I commissioned my new line of work as a whitesmith. I renamed my place the Hearth and Home and worked on any suit of armor that was sent my way."
"Is that it?" I asked.
"Pretty much."
After I gave Rarity a couple seconds in case she had more to say, I said, "That can't be right. Twilight was the one that raised Spike. She was the one that hatched the egg."
Twilight corrected, "I never did hatch that egg."
I asked, "Then what happened?"
Twilight stepped up. "My parents enrolled me in Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, but I never was able to pass that entrance exam. I didn't give up. I continued exerting effort in learning more about magic. I had a lot of encouragement from my parents, my brother Shining Armor, and also Cadance.
"One day I became distraught. The ponies in school never appreciated me. That was when I found a new best friend I could talk to. I named him Smarty Pants. I eventually gained my cutie mark and continued to press on in learning more about magic."
I asked, "So you never became Celestia's protege?"
Twilight responded, "Princess Celestia's protege? No. I wasn't that good."
Pinkie Pie started jumping up and down with her hoof in the air.
I asked, "Pinkie Pie, do you want to go next?"
Pinkie Pie stepped up. "It's a great story. Once upon a time, long before the peaceful rule of Celestia, and before ponies discovered our beautiful land of Equestria, ponies did not know harmony. It was a strange and dark time. A time when ponies were torn apart, by hatred."
I interrupted, "Pinkie, can you skip to the part where you came onto the scene?"
"Oh yeah, that. That's the good part. My sisters and I were raised on a rock farm outside of Ponyville. We spent our days working the fields. There was no talking. There was no smiling. There were only rocks. We were in the south field, preparing to rotate the rocks to the east field when all of a sudden I heard an explosion. I went to investigate.
"A wheel came off of a unicorn's cart. I offered to help, but she wanted to fix it all on her own. That was when I found a bag full of all sorts of balloons and stuff. I was so excited. The pony put the wheel on and introduced herself as Trixie. She invited me to come with her and be her jester.
"During my first show, I didn't know what to expect. Trixie introduced me and I jumped on stage. I did whatever came to my mind. The crowd loved me! That was when Trixie enlisted me to be part of her act, and we have been making ponies laugh and be amazed all over. And that's how Equestria was made."
I said, "What? No, you never went with Trixie."
"Sure I did."
"No, you told me you got your cutie mark from seeing the sonic rainboom."
Pinkie Pie questioned, "The what?"
I said, "The sonic rainboom! You mean you never saw it?"
Twilight Sparkle said, "I have never seen one."
Rarity said, "Neither have I."
I asked, "Rainbow Dash, didn't you do a sonic rainboom when you were a filly?"
"Sonic rainboom? That's only an old mare's tail."
I said, "Alright, then tell me your story."
Rainbow Dash stepped up. "I lived with the other pegasi up in Cloudsdale. It was during a race at Summer Flight Camp that I discovered something special. I found out what it felt like to fly with the wind in my mane and the adrenaline rushing through my body. That is what I liked, flying fast and winning.
"I always dreamed to be part of the Wonderbolts, but never expected things to go like the way they did. It wasn't too much longer after Nightmare Moon appeared at the Summer Sun Festival that the Wonderbolts disbanded. I was surprised when Spitfire approached me and asked me to be her partner in a sky team for Ponyville, the Shadowbolts. I accepted and have been with them ever since."
I asked, "What about Fluttershy?"
"What about her?"
"You never defended her honor?"
Rainbow Dash said, "Defend Fluttershy? I don't remember her being in trouble."
I asked, "Fluttershy?"
Fluttershy stepped up. "Oh my. Well I was there at the Summer Flight School with Rainbow Dash, but she never needed to defend me. I had the sweetest trainer. She made sure nothing bad happen to me."
I asked, "Was she gray with a green mane, like the painting at Wrek's place?"
"I don't know. Her cap was always covering up her face. She was always in uniform. I wasn't really paying attention. She might have not ever come up to me, but I knew how much she cared."
I said, "That had to be when the timeline was altered."
Rarity asked, "So that one event changed everything?"
I replied, "Yes, Rarity."
Twilight said, "All this seems far-fetched. One of the rules of time travel is that there is a single fixed history that is unchangeable. Even if you traveled into the past, there would be no way they could alter the future."
I said, "Yes Twilight, but what if it is possible for some pony to retain their very being when the timeline is altered. They would break the rule and be immune to the aftermath. What troubles me is if the timeline really was altered, why wasn't I affected?"
"You must have used magic," Twilight said.
"Magic?" I asked.
Twilight explained, "Science and mathematics may always follow a set number of rules, but we have yet to understand the full potentiality of magic. Instead of asking why it happened, perhaps we should ask how it happened."
I said, "I agree. A unicorn might be able to use the time scroll and travel to the past, but Sumica is a pegasus. How was she able to travel back through time? There must be more to this."
Our conversation came to an abrupt halt when we heard commotion outside the dungeon. Night Star and Princess Luna were arguing.
Night Star said, "But Nightmare Moon, Moonlight was inside the Canterlot Archives."
Luna said, "He was there because I sent him there. You had no grounds to throw him into the dungeon."
"He refused to tell us-"
"I don't care!"
The guard opened the door. Princess Luna walked in ahead of Night Star.
Luna said, "Now if you would excuse us, Night Star, I would like to be alone with Moonlight."
Night Star moaned, snapped his wings out, and shot out of the room. The guards shut the door behind him.
Rainbow Dash asked, "What do you want Nightmare Moon?"
I said, "Easy, Rainbow Dash. She's a friend."
Luna smiled and transformed from the image of Nightmare Moon to her former self.
Twilight Sparkle pulled herself up to the bars. "Can it be?"
Pinkie Pie said, "That's a neat trick! Can you teach me how to do that?"
Applejack said, "Uh, Nightmare Moon?"
"For now, you can call me Princess Luna," she responded.
I asked Luna, "Where did you go?"
Princess Luna explained, "I'm sorry if I caused you any alarm, Moonlight. I refused to stand by and wait around. I had to see things for myself."
"I was worried. You were gone a very long time. I feared the worst. What happened, Luna?"
"I was delayed. Nightmare Moon kept the guards on a tight leash. Everything was in order. Shining Armor was assigned to train the new recruits, the Night Brigade were ordered to watch over the dungeon and the Canterlot Archives, and the rest were given various duties within Canterlot."
I said, "What about Night Star?"
"I found out that Night Star and you were Nightmare Moon's eyes and ears in Equestria. Night Star's primary role was watching over the Night Brigade. When questioning the guards of his whereabouts, I was informed he went missing just after the party ended.
"I went up to the observatory and searched for him. He was flying away from Canterlot, towards Ponyville. I followed him as far as I could. I lost him in the Everfree Forest."
Fluttershy said, "The Everfree Forest? Why would he go there?"
Luna replied, "I'm not sure and I'm afraid to find out. Do you know what is out there?"
Fluttershy said, "Trees?"
Applejack said, "Timberwolves?"
Twilight said, "The Elements of Harmony?"
Pinkie Pie said, "Cake?"
I said in a sturn voice, "Ordain."
Rarity asked, "Who is that?"
I asked Rarity, "You mean you never heard of him?"
"No."
"Has any pony heard of him?"
All the ponies shook their head.
I explained, "In our timeline, there was a fellow by the name of Ordain that reeked havoc in Equestria. He was originally trapped inside the Canterlot Archives by Starswirl the Bearded. When I arrived in Ponyville, Ordain lured us into a trap and broke free. We chased him back into the Everfree Forest and put a stop to him."
Luna interjected, "Or so we thought. Do you think he is still trapped in the Canterlot Archives in this timeline?"
I said, "I just came from there. There was no seal, and the hourglass was moved."
Luna said, "Night Star was upset to find you in there. What were you doing?"
"I figured I could use a time scroll and reverse the effects."
Luna said, "Let me guess, it didn't work?"
"No."
Twilight asked, "Luna, may I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"I've heard why these ponies were arrested and thrown in here, but what about me? Why am I in here?"
I responded, "No pony told you?"
Twilight shook her head. "No."
I said, "The guard told me that you were holding onto some books you weren't supposed to have."
"You mean the prohibited books decreed by Nightmare Moon?"
"I don't think they had any proof. They were tearing the place apart when you left."
Twilight plopped down in relief. "That means they didn't find them."
I said, "You mean you do have some? Did you keep them in the library?"
Twilight explained, "I studied a lot of books and came by old blueprints of Canterlot. It showed all the different passageways that were built within the city. It even showed an underground cave.
"That was when I discovered a small crevace in the side of the mountain. I followed the stairs up to a small balcony looking over the city. I looked at the designs and tried to find a way inside the mountain. I moved a picture frame and went inside. The place looked abandoned, and I figured it was the best place to hide my stash."
Princess Luna said, "That sounds like my place."
I said, "You should check it out."
Luna said, "No doubt Night Star will be watching me closely here on out. I think you should come with me."
Rainbow Dash asked, "What about the rest of us?"
Applejack said, "You two go on ahead."
"Applejack!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
Applejack said, "We barely set our hooves out there from the start and looked where we ended up. We can survive in here a little while longer until Luna gives the all clear."
Rarity said, "Oh but please hurry back. I don't want my mane to get anymore dirty than it already has."
Luna nodded. "Guard!"
I quickly said, "Luna, your disguise."
Luna changed her form back to Nightmare Moon. "Thanks, Moonlight."
The guard opened the door and walked in.
Luna said, "I want Moonlight released into my custody."
"Yes ma'am."
The guard took out his key and opened the cell door for me. We left the dungeon and made our way to the passageway inside the mountain.
Luna and I went up the broken stairs around the mountain. Suddenly, Princess Luna grabbed hold of me and pulled me off the edge. She hovered just underneath the stairs with me in her arms. I tried to speak, but Luna shushed me. I looked up into the sky and saw Night Star flying away from the top of the stairs.
I whispered, "Night Star? What is he doing here?"
Luna replied, "He must know of the secret entrance. It is the only reason he would be here."
I looked up to Luna. "What should we do?"
"I'll follow him. See what you can find in my room." Luna pulled my body up a couple times. "By the way, have you lost weight?"
"Yeah, a little."
Luna placed me on the stairs and chased after Night Star. I went to the top of the stairs and pulled a picture frame. The wall slid open. Inside was a dark, damp room. There was only a small sliver of light shining through the ceiling. Half of the room was filled with debris. There was an old bookshelf still intact at the end of the room. Beside it was a wrecked fireplace and a dusty, old bed.
I walked over to the bookshelf and started taking out the books one at a time. Most of the books were either ripped, torned, or partially burned. I even pulled out a copy of Predictions and Prophecies.
As I placed the books back on the shelf, I was startled by a sound coming from the entrance. I jumped behind the bed. I looked at the entrance and saw nothing. Underneath me, I felt a small budge where I landed. I pulled out Starswirl's journal.
I heard another sound come from the entrance. This time, the encased wall slid open. My heart was pounding and sweat was pouring down my face. I was relieved. It was only Princess Luna.
"Moonlight, you must get out of here. He is coming back!"
I placed the book back down and got up from behind the bed. Luna grabbed hold of me and hid beneath the stairs. Night Star returned and went inside the room. He was only there for a few seconds and left with a book within his grasp.
Luna whispered, "What did you find?"
"There were certainly a lot of books, but I'm more concerned with the book Night Star left with. It's Starswirl's journal."
"We have to follow him."
"You should go. I don't exactly have wings."
"Maybe you don't have to."
Luna gazed down to the garden. She noticed the chariot that the pegasi used for me earlier. She glided down and placed me into the cart. Luna went under the reigns. She launched with the chariot and chased after Night Star.
* * *
We soon saw Night Star land at the entrance of a cave inside the Everfree Forest. Princess Luna placed the chariot down at the crossroads. We pushed the cart into the bushes and hid. Night Star flipped open the book he was carrying.
Luna asked, "What is he doing?"
Night Star read the book for a couple minutes and then walked into the cave.
I said, "I remember this place. This is where I left Ordain. There used to be a rockslide covering over the entrance."
Luna said, "Must be the timeline. We should be careful here on out."
We walked inside the cave. We slowly went through a tunnel and into a large room. The room turned pitch black. Then, we heard a voice.
"I figured you would have learned your lesson from last time."
We felt weak at the knees. Our horns glowed bright and lit the room. Energy was pouring out of us. The energy seeped over into a small book on the ground. The book's pages were flipping back and forth. Princess Luna slowly lost her disguise.
"That isn't Nightmare Moon," Night Star said.
The voice replied, "Princess Luna and Moonlight Sonata. The two I have been looking for."
Night Star said, "Wait, Ordain. This wasn't part of the deal."
"I never promised anything."
My legs buckled underneath me.
"You will never get away... with this... Ordain," Princess Luna said just before collapsing on the ground.
I wasn't able to stand anymore. My eyes blurred and I collapsed to the ground.
* * *
"Wake up!" Night Star shouted as he poured a bucket full of water over my head.
I saw Princess Luna open her eyes. She was laying down right beside me. I could see drips of water fall from the bottom of her chin. I was alert, but I still felt as if a giant rock hit me in the head.
Princess Luna moaned, "What do you want, Night Star?"
Night Star lowered his body to match our level. "I have a few questions for you."
I asked, "Why should we answer you?"
Night Star pointed over to the closed book on the ground. "Because Ordain is going to break free any moment, and I want to know who you really are."
"I'm Princess Luna."
Night asked, "Where is Nightmare Moon?"
I said, "Not here anymore."
"She couldn't have just vanished," Night objected.
Night Star rose and paced the floor. "I've been trying to find a way to stop Nightmare Moon for a year now, and you are telling me that she just disappeared? I worked hard to make a name for myself and gain her trust. I had a plan, but you just had to ruin it. I'm going to ask you again, where is Nightmare Moon?"
I said, "Tell me first, how do you know Ordain?"
Night Star was puzzled. "Why are you asking me that? You were there."
"Humor me."
"A couple months ago, I was researching into the history of Starswirl the Bearded in the behalf of Nightmare Moon. Inside his wing, I heard a strange voice calling out to me. I notified Nightmare Moon, and she sent me to investigate. The search was in vain. Nightmare Moon wasn't able to hear the voice.
"A couple days later, you visited the city and shared the same experience I did. We went into the Canterlot Archives together and fell right into Ordain's trap. He drained your magic and weakened the both of you. He used that power to break the seal and escape out of his prison. I tried to keep Ordain from leaving the room, but he froze my legs with his powers. He tried attacking Nightmare Moon, but she managed to deflect every one of his blows. That was when you used your magic and had him pulled back into the book. Ever since, you became Nightmare Moon's new favorite pony.
"Nightmare Moon quickly regained her strength and commissioned me to burn the book. Before I had the chance, I heard Ordain's voice. He persuaded me to spare his life in exchange for putting an end to Nightmare Moon's reign once and for all. Ordain told me about his place in the Everfree Forest. This is where I hid his book."
Princess Luna said, "You shouldn't have put your trust in Ordain like that."
Night Star shouted, "Quiet, whoever you are!"
The air started to encircle around the book. The book flipped open and black smoke rose out of the book. The smoke disappeared and Ordain appeared.
Ordain said, "Much better. Now where were we? Aw yes, Princess Luna and Moonlight Sonata. So glad you could join us."
I asked, "What did you do this time?"
Ordain chuckled and said, "I think you mean, what did I do out of this time."
Ordain prepared for another one of his long monologues.
"It was no fun being imprisoned inside a book, so I came up with a plan. Instead of waiting around for an opportunity to break free like last time, I figured I would simply change the past. I just had to carefully pick out the right time period. Being a master of time, I would be immune to any aftershocks of the new timeline. All I had to do was grab the closest pony and send them back in time.
"Things proved a bit more difficult than I first anticipated. I tried stopping that pony that ensnared me inside the book in the first place. That didn't work. I tried to change Princess Luna's past. That didn't work. A couple more tries later and I finally came up with a plan that couldn't fail. Do you remember when Twilight Sparkle wouldn't cooperate with me in restoring my memory? It was because she was confident in her abilities! What if I could change it so that she wasn't as confident?"
I sturnly said, "You changed it so she never became Princess Celestia's protege."
"Why must you interrupt me? Yes, I changed it so she never became Princess Celestia's protege. She was only able to pass that test because the magical principles of the sonic rainboom triggered her prowess. I just had to make sure that didn't happen. What a mess that stirred up. I wasn't sure if I should keep the new timeline as is or revert it back. I decided to keep it when Night Star here greeted me. I figured I would just play it by ear and see how things turned out. It couldn't turn out more perfect. Now I'm out and I'm going to get rid of both of you."
Ordain clapped his paws together once. Energy started to pour in.
I shouted, "Luna!"
Princess Luna was able to muster enough strength to stand up. Her horn glowed and small black squares started to appear in front of her. As they pieced together, they formed a giant invisible barrier. Ordain clapped his paws twice and directed an constant beam of energy towards Luna. The beam was so powerful that it was slowly chipping the barrier away.
I shouted, "Hold on, Luna!"
Ordain chuckled. "You still have some fight left in you. I wonder how much more that barrier will hold."
Princess Luna shouted, "As long as I can stand!"
Ordain said, "By the looks of it, that won't be too much longer."
The energy beam grew in intensity and ripped the outer corners of the barrier. I used all my effort in standing up and using my magic to reinforce the barrier.
Luna said, "Moonlight, see if you can send him back inside the book."
"I don't see it."
Night Star grinded his teeth. His emotions were getting to him. He looked at us and back at Ordain.
I shouted, "Night Star!"
Night Star bucked the air and flew away from the battle. He came back with the book. Ordain caught sight of Night Star as he descended over him.
Ordain asked, "Where do you think you're going?"
While keeping the energy beam flowing with one paw, Ordain shot out freezing water from his other paw at Night Star. The water caught on Night Star's wings and instantly froze them. Night Star fell to the ground, dropping the book. Ordain continued shooting ice as he pulled his paw towards Night Star. Night Star rolled forward, grabbed the book, and threw it. Ordain finally reached Night Star and completely engulfed him with ice. The book slid just short from my reach.
I pulled my magic away from Luna's barrier and focused it on the book. Ordain used both his paws to accentuate his beam. Princess Luna jumped to the side just before the beam broke through the barrier. I activated the trap spell. Gusts of wind began pulling Ordain towards the book.
Ordain said, "Not this time!"
He shot an energy ball in front of him. The ball exploded and tore a hole in space. Lightning contemporaneously poured in all directions. At the last second, he jumped through the hole.
"No!" I shouted.
I tumbled my way over, but it was too late. The hole collapsed before I could reach it.
I looked over to Princess Luna and asked, "What are we going to do now?"
Sparks continued flying through the room where the hole collapsed.
Princess Luna and I were dismayed. Ordain was able escape.
Luna said, "Moonlight, focus your magic on the sparks."
"What is that going to do?"
Luna said, "Try and move the energy waves."
I concentrated on the point where the portal closed. My vision of the room turned into the night sky. The tears in space began to converge on the point where the portal closed. I could now see clearly the ripples of electricity that were flying in the air. I moved the sparks closer together. The ripples converged and exploded into a giant portal.
"I did it, Luna. Come on!"
Luna lifted her body up and gravitated towards the portal.
I looked behind me and saw Night Star still frozen. "We will come back for you!"
I ran through the portal and landed right beside Luna. The portal collapsed behind me. We ended up back in the middle of Canterlot. Although out of breath and now unable to stand, I still was able to observe the guards encircling around Ordain.
Ordain raised his arms up. "Citizens of Ponyville, I have returned."
Shining Armor asked, "Who are you?"
Ordain dropped his arms down in dissappointment. "I'm Ordain."
The guards began talking amonst themselves.
Ordain waved his paws around. "You know, the spirit of order."
The guards could only respond by shaking their heads.
Ordain continued in his frustration, "I outsmarted you all. I rearranged Equestria to my liking. I have the power... what is the deal? Have you all lost your memory?"
With her head on the ground, Princess Luna said, "No... but you have. You don't seem... to recall what you did to history."
Ordain turned around towards Luna. "Didn't I leave you in a cave?"
Hearing Luna's voice, Shining Armor said, "That isn't Nightmare Moon. Who is she?"
Luna said, "Moonlight, now is a good time to trap him in the book."
My stomach churned. "Oh no. I left the book back in the cave."
Ordain gave out a chuckle and said, "Poor Moonlight. Did you lose a little bit of your memory too?"
That moment, Ordain's face was hit by something juicy. He wiped it away from his face and licked his paw.
"Is that blueberry?"
"It's razzleberry!" Pinkie Pie shouted.
I looked over to my right. Pinkie Pie was holding onto her party cannon. Pinkie Pie wasn't alone. Rainbow Dash was flying on top of a lightning cloud. Rarity was holding her hooves up in the air. Applejack, Fluttershy, and Cadance were also present.
Applejack said, "I may not know who you are, but you clearly don't know who you dealin' with."
I rolled my head over. "Twilight? How did you get out of the dungeon?"
"Don't worry about that right now. We have more pressing matters."
"Let's see how tough you ponies are after I'm done with you," Ordain said.
Ordain jumped up and floated in the air. He clapped his paws once, twice, and then let out an energy shockwave. Shining Armor rushed over inbetween Twilight Sparkle and I. He generated a force field that covered over the three of us. The shockwave flashed over the rest of the ponies. All of them lost their wings and horns.
Reactions could be heard all throughout Canterlot. Ordain looked down at Shining Armor and saw the force field he generated.
"Well, it looks like I missed a couple."
Shining Armor stomped the ground and commanded, "Ordain, you return them back to normal this instance."
Ordain landed onto the ground. "Or what?"
Cadance said, "Don't do it, Shining! He's taunting you!"
Ordain shot a beam at Cadance. Before the beam could hit her, Shining jumped into its path. Shining dropped to the ground, and the force field that was protecting Twilight and I fell.
"I couldn't bare to see you get hurt again. I love you, Cadance."
Cadance cried while enwrapping herself around him. "Oh Shining."
Twilight took a stand in front of Ordain. "Hey! Leave them alone!"
Intrigued by Twilight's sudden outburst, Ordain asked, "What makes you think you can stop me?"
Ordain was surprised by her answer and then decided to put it to the test. He tore up ten rocks from the ground and threw them at Twilight. Twilight bucked three of the rocks, dodged two, and then striked two with her magic. Then she grabbed hold of the tenth rock and repelled it back to Ordain. Ordain dodged it. He smiled. Clearly he was amused by Twilight's performance.
"You sure are a quick one. Can you do it again?"
Ordain lifted up another ten rocks and threw them at her. Twilight Sparkle dodged three, slid under one and blasted an energy wave through the other six. Ordain applauded.
"This is quite entertaining. You are just full of surprises."
I said, "Luna, we need to come up with a plan. Twilight can't keep this up forever."
Ordain formed another wave of rocks and combined them together. Ordain sent the giant rockmass towards Twilight. Twilight tried to grab hold of it with her magic, but it was too much. She shot a beam at the last second that broke it apart. A large cloud of dust filled the air.
I asked, "What about the Elements of Harmony?"
Princess Luna said, "He is immune."
"What if I reversed their effect?"
"Even if you had the strength to do that, we still don't know where the Elements of Harmony are in this timeline."
A thought rushed through my mind. "That's right. We don't know where the Elements of Harmony are."
"That is what I said."
The dust began to clear.
I shouted, "Hey, Twilight! Did you ever come across Discord?"
Twilight asked, "I don't think now is the time to be asking that."
I proposed my question to the rest of the ponies. "Does any pony know Discord?"
All the ponies simply shook their heads from side to side.
Rarity asked, "Discord? Who is he?"
A voice in the air asked, "Did some pony say my name?"
Ordain dropped his head down to his chest. "Oh no. Not him."
Discord appeared leaning over Ordain's shoulder. "Are we having fun?"
Ordain rolled his eyes back at him. "What do you want, Discord?"
"I wanted to see how you were doing. Can't I check in with my little brother every now and then?"
Rarity asked, "You mean they're brothers?"
Discord responded, "Can't you see the resemblance?"
Ordain shook his head. "Why show up now? Can't you see I'm having a moment."
Discord said, "It isn't easy breaking out of a stone prison. So tell me, what have you been up to for the past thousand years."
Ordain said, "None of your business."
Discord said, "Alright, let me guess. You trapped yourself in time."
"No."
Discord tried another idea. "Did Princess Celestia banish you to the moon?"
"No."
"I got it! Some pony outwitted you."
"Ugh!"
Amused, Discord said, "That's it, isn't it? How did they do it?"
Ordain mumbled, "I don't want to talk about it."
"He was trapped in a book," I said.
Discord laughed uncontrollably. "A book?"
Ordain responded, "I said I don't want to talk about it."
"Decided to do a bit of reading, eh my good chum?" Discord joshed.
"Well at least I wasn't frozen in stone," Ordain rebuked.
"At least I left in style."
"Can I please go back to what I was doing?"
Discord snapped up a chair and some popcorn. "Alright. Have your little fun. You aren't going to win."
Discord watched as Ordain clapped his paws together.
Discord tossed the bag of popcorn and got up from his chair. "Wait, you still haven't learned how to snap?"
"Don't be telling me how to use my own abilities."
"But things go by much quicker."
Ordain attempted to clap his paws together but was interrupted by Discord again.
Discord snapped his fingers. "Like this."
The sun suddenly came up and every pony shielded their eyes to adjust to the light.
Rainbow Dash asked, "How is this possible?"
Discord snapped again. "Or like this!"
Rainbow Dash's cloud turned pink. "Ew, what is this?"
The cloud rained over Applejack's head. "That's odd. Tastes like chocolate."
Pinkie Pie glided over and bumped Applejack out of the way. "Let me see that!" She flipped over and opened her mouth. "It is!"
Ordain shook his paw in anger. "I told you stay out of this."
Discord said, "I have to ask, what was your plan after all this?"
"I was... I was... I... I can't remember."
The sun quickly dropped down, and it became night again.
Fluttershy said, "Night again, already?"
Discord said, "I thought the spirit of order would at least have a plan."
Ordain scoffed, "At least I wasn't defeated by a couple of princesses."
Discord scorned, "Well at least I actually ruled Equestria for a time."
Ordain teased, "For being the spirit of disharmony, you sure were horrible at it."
Twilight asked, "Can I say something?"
Both Ordain and Discord responded, "Stay out of this."
Trying to gather his thoughts, Ordain asked, "Now where were we?"
Discord said, "You were throwing a tantrum."
Ordain stomped in the air. "I was not!"
Ordain had enough. He used his powers and sent an energy wave against Discord. Discord disappeared and reappeared behind Ordain.
Discord said, "Don't deny it. You are just too slow."
"Enough!" Ordain shouted.
He generated an enery ball so powerful that lightning started to strike in all directions.
Discord simply stated, "Always the dramatic. Well I think that's enough fun for one day. Hey, Ordain!"
"What?"
"You have a page!"
He summoned a giant book and closed Ordain inside it. The lightning strikes stopped and the energy dissipated. The book shrunk to normal size and dropped down to the ground.
Discord said, "I don't know who came up with the idea to trap him inside a book, but I find it hilarious!"
Discord dropped down to the ground and picked up the book. "Now let me show you how it's done."He threw the book over his shoulder and snapped open an umbrella. "I think it is time for a little bit of chaos."
Discord looked around at all the ponies. "What should I do first?"
Pinkie Pie's party cannon launched a pie at Discord. The pie hit him in the face.
"Ok, who threw that?" Discord licked his face clean. "Hey, razzleberry."
The ponies all looked at Pinkie Pie.
"It was an accident!" Pinkie Pie said.
Discord snapped a party balloon and a pin in front of Pinkie Pie. The pin popped the balloon, and the air tossed Pinkie back to a wall.
"Hey, you can't do that!" Without her wings, Rainbow Dash jumped off the cloud and charged Discord.
"I'm so afraid," Discord mocked.
He snapped and turned the ground where Rainbow Dash was into quicksand. Rainbow Dash was swallowed up to her chest. The ground then returned to normal.
Discord asked, "Does any other pony want to try?"
I asked, "Princess Luna, what are we going to do?"
Luna replied, "I don't know."
Discord laughed and said, "Oh, I'm so happy I decided to come back and take over again. Oh, this is far easier than I ever expected it would... hold on, who are you?"
Vinyl Scratch pulled up a giant mechanical speaker. "Alright, everypony, take a seat. I got this."
Discord laughed. "And what, pray tell, is that?"
Vinyl Scratch responded, "Ah, its nothin' special, it's just my BASS CANNON!!"
Viny pressed the red button on top. The speaker opened up. Music poured out as a giant beam of light shot out towards Discord. Discord screamed at the sight of it.
Rainbow Dash stared at the light. "So awesome."
Pinkie Pie jumped over to Vinyl and said, "That was amazing!"
Vinyl said, "Aw shucks, it was nothing."
Applejack said, "Where did you get such a crazy contraption?"
"I built it myself. I am an engineer afterall."
Twilight Sparkle meandored over and asked "How did you know we would be needing it?"
Another pony walked up and said, "I believe I can answer that."
"Doctor Whooves?" I asked.
Doctor Whooves took out a scroll. "First I need to give you this, Twilight."
He handed the scroll to Twilight. She unrolled the scroll and looked over it.
Twilight said, "This is a scroll to restore magic!"
Doctor Whooves said, "Use the scroll on Moonlight and Princess Luna. I'm going to need them at full strength."
Twilight used her magic on Princess Luna and me. As soon as our strength returned, we stood up.
Luna said, "Thanks. I really needed that."
Doctor Whooves said, "Now that you are standing again, you may want to sit back down. I have an urge to tell you my story."
I asked, "Why? What happened?"
Doctor Whooves explained, "Perhaps I should began when I first arrived in Ponyville. It was such an unusual place filled with ponies who cared about each other. To help me out, I enrolled a pegasus as my assistant. She was a bit ditzy, but very good at keeping her eyes open from the sky.
"It was the day of the Summer Sun Celebration, and Nightmare Moon crashed the party. I thought for sure I would have to intervene, but Twilight and her friends did a marvelous job breaking her spell with the Elements of Harmony. Instead of moving onto the next place, I found Ponyville captivating. There was a rare form of essence that flowed through the ponies that you couldn't find anywhere else.
"Of course, not all the ponies respected my privacy. There was one time I traveled through the marketplace and was confronted by the cutest little pony. I had to buy some apples just to get her to leave me alone. Another time, Pinkie Pie pushed up a welcome wagon and began singing to me."
Pinkie Pie said, "A welcome wagon? Why didn't I think of that?"
DING! Doctor Whooves looked around. DING! "Oh, where did I put that thing."
Vinyl pulled off the back of the speaker. "Oh hey, you left your device in my speaker." Vinyl handed the device to Doctor Whooves.
I asked, "What is that?"
"This is my timey-wimey detector. It goes ding when there's stuff. I used it to trail after the anomalies in Ponyville. I just had to make sure to keep it away from Fluttershy's place."
I asked, "Timey-what?"
Doctor Whooves said, "It was a better name than wibbly-wobbly detector. Doesn't quite describe it well enough."
Twilight asked, "What anomalies?"
"Rifts in space and time. They are all over the place. You just can't see them. It was as if giant space worms tore holes in the fourth dimension. That must be where they got the name wormhole. In fact, I wonder if anyone has actually seen a wormhole."
Vinyl said, "You doing it again."
"Right. The rifts. The first one I discovered was at a cider competition. The ponies were feuding over some trivial thing, and the mayor needed a pony to start the event. To get close enough to the device, I volunteered. I turned the hourglass. And then it happened. Nothing. I waited and waited and waited. Nothing. They removed the hourglass after the competition, but the rift was still in place."
I asked, "Was that in Sweet Apple Acres?"
Doctor Whooves said, "That sounds about right."
I said, "I bumped into that hourglass earlier. It had me cross over to another timeline for a few seconds. Same thing when I bumped into the hourglass in the library."
"Interesting... I found a rift there too. It was the same frequency. Very much like the one left by the pegasus."
"Yes. My assistant was the one that stumbled upon her. They ran right into each other. She got up and walked away from me. That was when my detector went off. I wasn't about to have her get away. I trailed her, but the closer I got to her, the faster she ran. Then she disappeared. The rift was still there, but there wasn't much I could do about it. All that running and she just suddenly vanished into thin air. Got my hooves all muddy too."
I asked, "How did you find out about the time scroll?"
"I guessed."
"What?"
"Oh it was when Twilight Sparkle was going on about a huge catastrophe. She said she met her future self. I followed her to the Canterlot Archives. My detector went off, and I saw an explosion. Time. Unicorn. Place with a bunch of books and scrolls. Stuff."
I said, "But that doesn't explain how you knew I was going to be at Wrek's place."
"I can explain that. After the explosion in the Canterlot Archives, I decided to build the Time Refractor. Kept that thing on me at all times."
I asked, "You mean that brace around your leg is the device?"
"Yep. Such a cozy fit too. Sure glad I had it on when that big explosion hit. Why, it was the same time I was tracking down that rift. I followed it to a house and knocked on the door. That nice fellow let me in. We had a nice discussion. Feels like it was just yesterday."
I said, "That was today."
"I must be getting old. Or would that mean I'm getting younger? Anyways, when I brought up the Elements of Harmony, he seemed surprised. His recollection of past events was different than mine. It was when I discovered that explosion must have been some temporal displacement. I asked him for a scroll and wrote a note in case you happen to come by his place."
I asked, "You mean you didn't know I was going to be there."
"Temporal displacement. Elements of Harmony. A pony with connections. It was enough for me. If not, I had planned to write out a couple more letters."
I asked, "And when did you meet up with Vinyl?"
"The shockwave fried my timey-wimey detector. I had to find a replacement part. Wrek was kind enough to direct me to an engineer he knew, Vinyl. He also told me that in order to get on the train, I would simply ask for Shining Armor. That would get me into the city.
"I found Vinyl at her place down in the basement. She was working on a super weapon. She directed me to where the replacement part was in the room. I took a look at Vinyl's speaker and recalibrated the sonic frequency. That must have been when I put down my detector."
"Shortly after, we heard a large noise outside. We went to investigate."
Vinyl said, "That was when I decided to test this bad boy out."
I asked, "I still don't understand how Princess Luna and I dodged the effects of the shockwave. Ordain too."
"Best way to explain it is with a coin. Every decision, every action we take gives off two separate results - either something happens or it doesn't. Lay the coin flat and it only reveals one side. One side of the coin shows the results if it did happen, while the other side of the coin shows if it didn't. Princess Luna and you contain a rare gift that sets you on the outer border of that coin. No matter how the coin lands, you retain your very presence. Ordain simply flipped the coin. The essence of the coin is still intact, but only one side is shown.
I asked, "Is that why it is still night and Princess Celestia didn't show up when Princess Luna transferred over?"
Twilight asked, "Why did you have me use that scroll on Princess Luna and Moonlight?"
"I need your help. I compiled the data of all the rifts in Equestra, and they all gravitate close to a single point. The hourglasses act as relay stations. When I used the three hourglasses and triangulate them, I was able to find the place where all the rifts originated, theoretically of course.
"I would have fixed the timeline myself, but I needed a point in time. That was why I sent you the letter Moonlight. Did you happen to find the right time?"
I replied, "Yes I did."
Luna asked, "Did you need me too?"
Doctor Whooves said, "Yes. When I used my device to find the origin, the device pointed me upward into the sky. I need you to fly me up."
Rainbow Dash asked, "How does this restore us back to normal?"
Doctor Whooves said, "When Moonlight restores the timeline, everything should go back to normal."
I said, "I've done it once before in the caves. I should be able to replicate the procedure again."
Twilight said, "Does this mean we won't remember any of this?"
Doctor Whooves said, "Exactly. Only Princess Luna, Moonlight, and I will be able to retain our memory of the experience."
Applejack asked, "So this means goodbye?"
I said, "Oh Applejack, don't fret. I'll still see you all afterwards. I'll tell you all about it." I looked at Ordain's book. "What about Ordain?"
Doctor Whooves reached down and picked up the book. "I'll make sure he doesn't change the timeline again."
I asked, "Wait, where were you when Ordain first striked Equestria?"
Doctor Whooves said, "You don't want to know."
Luna grabbed one of the nearby chariots, and Doctor Whooves and I got on. We took off into the air. Luna said, "Tell me where I need to go."
"It seems the rift is that way." He triangulated the centroid of the three points and pointed the device. "They seem to be coming from that giant cloud."
I said, "It's coming from Cloudsdale."
It was inside one of the buildings. We entered in and Doctor Whooves pinpointed the spot. With conjuction with his sonic screwdriver, I was able to form a portal.
Doctor Whooves said, "You know what to do."
I went through the portal and found Sumica putting on a uniform.
"Sumica!" I said.
"You can't be here," she replied.
"Sumica, stop this."
"I can't."
She started to wobble around. "I don't feel well."
I responded, "It's ok. Come back with me."
With a flash she was gone and so was the rest of Cloudsdale. The entire world around me transformed into Luna's place. I
"Where am I? What happened?"
Luna responded, "Slow down. I think it worked."
She opened the door, and we could see the sun shining out.
I said, "I think it worked too. You think that was the last time we heard of Ordain?"
Princess Luna replied, "Maybe. I'm sure Doctor Whooves would make sure of that."
I asked Luna, "Should we tell the others what happened?"
Luna asked, "Do you think any of them will believe us?"
I smiled. "Maybe we will tell them in time."
