The Dawn Will Come

by defender2222

Rating: everyone
Tags: Shining Armor, Princess Celestia, Main 6, Nightmare Moon, Thriller, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Cadance
Length: 12981

A historical novel detailing The Long Night and the unknown events that led to Luna's return

The author of "Faith and Doubt" and “The Many Secret Origins of Scootaloo” recounts one of the most dramatic stories in Equestrian History- the night that changed the world forever and heralded the dawn of a new era.

On the cusp of the Summer Sun Celebration student Twilight Sparkle discovers an ancient myth in one of her family's precious tomes and a secret kept by her ancestors for centuries. Her brother, Shining Armor, worries about his sister while also preparing for what he believes to be a quiet holiday in Canterlot, all the while trying to keep the biggest news of his life hidden. Princess Cadence tries to find her place in the world, unsure she has what it takes to lead and if she will ever have the strength to protect her subjects. And Princess Celestia awaits the day a thousand years in the making, hoping for a reconciliation and fearing a war. But it is one mare that will cast the die: the Mare in the Moon. For the hour of Nightmare has come.

In the span of three days an unlikely friendship will be forged among six mares from wildly different backgrounds. A royal guard will find himself in a position he never expected, the eyes of a nation turning to him. An alicorn of love will have to guide a frightened country during its darkest hour. Equestria’s princess will face her greatest mistakes and failures. And Nightmare Moon will demand justice for the lies of a millennium ago.

Featuring some of Equestria's greatest citizens, 'The Dawn Will Come' pulls back the curtain and reveals the full story behind the return of Nightmare Moon, the redemption of Princess Luna, and the rise of the Elements of Harmony. Culled from lost records, rare interviews, and historical research, the tale of the Long Night becomes a historical thriller that will shock even those well versed in the events. See how even the smallest choice to the greatest of tragedies went to shape the heroes of Equestria and begin the country on its path to its Golden Age.

Featured 12/6/15

Published 2015-11-30 04:40:03 UTC
Last updated 2016-04-07 20:21:00 UTC

Chapter 1

June 19, 999 CE
The Moon
2:50 am

The Mare with 48 hours before being freed fights to stay awake.

She knows it is a losing battle. It’s always like this when she manages to throw off the enchantments that keep her locked within her heavenly sphere, unable to interact with the world and the ones that dwell upon it. Sometimes she is able to battle for only a few minutes before they draw her back in; once she managed for nearly an hour before defeat reared its ugly head. But always it is the same thing, time after time, nearly a thousand years. Always she returns to the dreamless sleep, a prison both kind and cruel.

She tries to cling to something, anything, that will help her stay conscious. She searches for a name but finds that not even her own comes to mind. She tries to remember what happened, why she ended up like this, how she came to be trapped within the moon, but that too is fleeting. All she gets is wisps of thought and memory that fade away before she can fully grasp them. She knows that any other being would have given into madness by now. In fact for a while she had been insane. For 200 years she allowed herself to be swallowed up by the bliss that was full blown delirium. To be crazy had been to know a measure of peace, a way to escape the pain of her existence, to deal with the loneliness swirled around her. But as time went on she found that even insanity could not help her, that even madness could become tedius. So she decided to do something different.

She became sane.

Very sane.

With this new outlook came a new drive and new desire. The desire to be FREE. She attacked the problem as best she could. She tried new approaches and new methods, testing the limits of her bounds and seeking out weaknesses. Sometimes she chased after the darkness of sleep, hoping that if she embraced it she could control it and master it. Other times she fought it tooth and hoof, doing all she could to resist the siren call. She failed, of course, but refused to allow that to get her down or discourage her. She would not surrender just because she failed. After all…

After all…

'What is failure but a lesson, my little princess?'

The ever-present call of sleep burns away in an instant. Never in the millennia she's spent trapped here has she remembered someone's voice.

And yet there it is, clear in her head. The deep, gravelly voice that to so many brought fear but to her brings comfort even if it is just a memory. She remembers strong forelegs lifting her up and with sharp clarity she could see a gray face topped with a green mane and small emerald beard. He smiles as he sings to her, the rumbles of his voice soothing her and chasing away her fears. She is so small, so helpless, but this mighty being who so easily crushes all that stands in his path cradles her and murmurs sweet nothings. She is weak, powerless… but she is protected.

'Father', she thinks dimly. 'He's my father.'

She wonders how she could have forgotten. It all seems so clear now. He had been their brother first but become their father, adopting them, making them part of his family. He was the Lord of the Sea, who had taken her and her sister in when they were fillies and raised them and loved them as his own, protecting them both-

'Sister,' she thinks suddenly, startled by this new revelation. 'I have a sister.'

That thought it like a key turning in an old lock. The memories begin to come faster. Growing up and learning to master her magic. The gaining of her cutie mark and the thrill she felt when she connected with the moon. The happy days of youth. Some of them are vague, hardly more than a glimpse, but others are so startling complete that she sobs at their beauty. The innocence. The joy.

Yet these pass and soon come the dark times. The chaos being who attacked the land, seemingly drawn to them. Her father holding off the demon to buy them time.

'He'll be okay!' her sister yelled to her even as she looked back, wanting to return to the battlefield. 'Trust me.'

'Lies,' she thinks to herself. Her father had fallen because she'd trusted her sister’s judgement. The chaotic one... 'Kill him! Destroy him! Damn him! Damn him to Tartarus!' she thought with a snarl... had turned him and his subjects to stone and tossed them into his beloved sea. If he’d been there he’d have helped her; he would never have let her sister do this to her. He wouldn’t have let her been locked away.

The thought passes by so quick she nearly misses it. Her sister. She was the one that had trapped her. She was the one that had locked her away on the moon, her moon, trapped in the dreamless slumber. She couldn’t stand the idea sharing the love their subjects and thus trapped her.

‘Celestia.’

A single name. That is all it takes. Something suddenly shifts and she feels the invisible restraints crack and snap. Her hatred grows and she uses it like kindling in a furnace to drive her forward. She remembers what she was taught, the warrior’s spirit that her father instilled within her, and begins to fight back. More tethers begin to snap away and she is startled as she gains more and more freedom to see just how trapped she is. It seems as if every time she breaks one chain she discovers there are 10 more holding her in place.

And yet she continues on, resting only for a second or two before continuing, battling back against it all.

The time for sleep is over. The time for action is about to begin.

Author's Note

First, my thanks to ShadowLDrago and CrowMagnom for their work in helping me get this story together.

As you can tell, this will be MUCH different from anything I've written. Done in the style of a historical thriller, like "Killing Lincoln" or "A Team of Rivals", the approach to this story is that it is being written hundreds of years after the fact by a scholar. Thus he is able to draw upon interviews, reports, so on, to find out things people did not know when the events occurred.

The next chapter brings us to Twilight Sparkle and the beginning of the pilot episode.

Chapter 2

June 19th, 999 CE
Canterlot Park
11:15 am

The future Alicorn of Friendship is not being a very good friend at the moment.

Canterlot is abuzz as everypony prepares for the Summer Sun Celebration. Even though it isn't going to be held in the city this year that doesn't mean that those that call Canterlot home aren't going to have some fun. All the shops are open as their proprietors hurry to fill orders, the long hours seeming less an ordeal thanks to all the bits that now overflow the registers. A little extra work now means a better life tomorrow. Those that don't have to work treat the days before the big event as a holiday and happily spend time with those they care about even as they prepare for the parties they are going to throw. Young fillies and colts happily dash about playgrounds, reenacting Starswirl the Beard's battle with the dreaded Sirens of Horseshoe Bay while teens of both genders work up the nerve to approach a mare or stallion they hope will be their special somepony. Adults too get in on the action, having lunches with dear friends and reconnecting with those they had lost touch with.

Twilight Sparkle isn't the only one to be in the park this day but she certainly is the only one who’s chosen solitude over companionship. The members of her study group had asked her to join them for lunch but Twilight pleaded off, her mind focused on other matters. She’d also received an invitation to her friend Moondancer’s Pre-Summer Sun Celebration Party and while she promises to attend the issues that plague her have already forced those thoughts from her mind. It will take a full year for Twilight to remember and deal with the ramifications. (1)

What is drawing all her focus is a well-worn book from her childhood.

While many in Canterlot like to brag about their ancestry Twilight Sparkle isn’t one of them. If she did, however, she would easily trump all but those within the royal family. Though many falsely believe her to be a descendent of Clover the Clever Twilight is, in fact, a member of The House of Stars, which was founded a thousand years ago by Captain Silver Star, commander of Princess Celestia’s Royal Guard. A legendary figure in Equestria, Silver Star was known as the ‘Warrior Poet’ for his skills not only as a battle commander but as a writer. After years of service Silver Star suddenly retired from his post and moved to Prance where the House of Stars would remain for 350 years until they would return to Equestria and Canterlot. The House of Stars became a strong fixture within the Capital with many members of the House service Princess Celestia throughout her rule. (2)

This long lineage has caused the House of the Stars to gather up a large amount of odd trinkets and mementos, one of which Twilight has selected to read. Though it looks rather impressive, what with its thick embossed cover, beautifully rendered hoof-drawn images, and flowing calligraphy, the book is actually little more than a bedtime story for foals. Twilight herself has heard the tale many times growing up, though it always seems to change every time she hears it. Twilight’s mother and father, Twilight Velvet and Night Light, each put their own little spin on the tale, changing up lines or adding new events and surprises. This was the first time Twilight has actually read the tale, as written, for herself.

The story ‘The Tale of the Two Royal Pony Sisters’ is based on the myth of the Mare in the Moon and seeks to explain the dark shadow that appears on the lunar surface. Though there is no author listed it is held by some within Twilight’s family that the tale had been set down by Silver Star himself. It tells of how Princess Celestia once had a sister who controlled the moon just as the Princess controlled the sun(3) and for a while the land had thrived. But then the younger sister allowed her jealousy to get the better of her and attacked her elder sister, seeking to extend the night. This greed and rage transformed her into Nightmare Moon, mistress of the night. Princess Celestia battled the enraged mare and finally banished her to the moon, thus why the shadowy shape of a mare’s head can be seen by all.

What Twilight finds different, when compared to how others had told her the tale, is the little differences. Silver Star praises Luna’s night and speaks of it not as something dark and sinister but something of utter beauty. He also appears to place much blame on the ponies of Equestria rather than the Mare in the Moon; his writing of them is filled with bitterness as he describes them ignoring the night. When it comes time for the battle Twilight is surprised to find two major changes. First and foremost is the idea that the younger sister was transformed into Nightmare Moon rather than always being her.

But what most draws Twilight’s attention is the mention of the Elements of Harmony. The words seem to tickle her brain and it bothers her that she can’t dredge up the memory. Twilight prides herself on being able to absorb information quickly but finds at times it impossible to sift through all her knowledge and locate a particular fact or idea that she needs; it will only be years later, as a princess, that Twilight will develop the ‘mind palace’ she is now famous for using.

Bothered by the mention of the Elements, Twilight decides to leave the park and return to her tower. On the way she briefly encounters her study group friends who, unaware that Moondancer personally invited her to her party, ask if Twilight wants to come. The future Alicorn of Friendship lies, stating she has “a lot of studying to catch up on” and continues on her way, much to the annoyance of her friends.

Twilight’s current residence is the Student’s Tower, which is located in the farthest south-western corner of Canterlot Castle with the other guest towers (4). Though legend stated that the tower had been built by Starswirl the Bearded for his apprentice Clover the Clever, the truth is that the Student’s Tower is much younger than believed, having been constructed in the year 102 CE on order of Celestia herself. Throughout the years the princess saw the tower updated and improvements made upon it, including indoor plumbing and the construction of an astronomy window. This has led to some debate to the tower’s age as, save for a single brick located near the main door, not a single piece of the original tower remains.

The Student’s Tower has been the home of Celestia’s personal students for centuries and each has left their mark upon it; it is tradition for a student, later in life, to gift the tower with a new addition. Bubbleblow saw to the expansion of the master bath while Steadyhooves helped design the automatic cooling runes that keep the tower and its occupant comfortable during long Canterlot summers.

Twilight Sparkle has bucked the trend and already begun to add to the tower during her time as a student. With the Princess’ permission she has started a personal library within the tower, collected rare and obscure titles that might help a student in their studies. This has seen the tower, which before her time was quite open and spacious, become cozier as dozens of bookshelves were installed and quickly filled with books.

It is one particular book that is on Twilight’s mind as she rushes into the tower. She is so consumed that she doesn’t even realize she’s thrown the door open and struck her #1 Assistant Spike.

The baby dragon has been with Twilight since she became Celestia’s student; his hatching was, in fact, the final part of Twilight’s entrance exam. Set up to be a ‘No-Win Scenario’, the ‘Dragon Hatching Test’ was used to see how potential students would react to failure and thus help the professors gauge how best to teach a new unicorn filly or colt. Twilight, in a burst of accidental magic, hatched the egg to the shock of the professors, being the first to do so since the egg had been brought in 30 years earlier. Twilight raised Spike and the two have developed a unique relationship that is part sister/brother, part mother/son, and part teacher/student.

Spike is use to Twilight’s sometimes manic behavior and does not begrudge her for so rudely striking him. When she does finally notice he refuses to comment on it as his concern is on the present he’d gotten for Moondancer, which has now become damaged. Nor does he become upset when Twilight, feeling guilt that she is abandoning her friends and frustrated by her inability to remember what she’d read about the Elements of Harmony, harshly informs him they have no time for parties and other foolish things. Instead he loyally sets to work finding the text Twilight needs.

“Of all those I have met in my life Spike is the most important,” Twilight will state during her toast at the drake’s 25th birthday party. “Everything that I am is because of him… he kept me sane, he kept me humble, he kept me alive.”

The book Spike brings her, Predictions and Prophecies, is a rather odd book for Twilight to have. During her time as Celestia’s student Twilight’s learned that there are two schools of magic. The first is hard magic, which refers to understood spells whose effects are known and rarely vary. An apple-to-orange spell will always turn the apple into an orange. A teleportation spell will always teleport you. The spells have a strict set up and a strict outcome with little wiggle room. The second, soft magic, deals with spells that are more fluid and those end results have more possibilities and may be left to interpretation. Scrying, divination, and potion making fall into the soft magics.

Though Princess Celestia tried to get Twilight to study the soft magics the purple unicorn simply found herself unable to embrace them. During the first few years of her life her family moved about Equestria as her mother, a gifted inventor, had taken up positions guest teaching at several universities. The inability to stay in one place caused Twilight to seek out stability in other places, namely in daily habits and strict schedules. These traits she carries on into her adult life and she is likely to become frazzled if an unexpected delay or action occurs. For Twilight life is about order and the soft magics simply don’t offer that.

But on this day the soft magics are needed. Within the book Twilight finds what she has been looking for: the Elements of Harmony. She finds, however, the entry lacking, as it offers little information concerning the Elements. It does suggest she see a section entitled ‘The Mare in the Moon’. Twilight is unsure about this, as she has already once found her understanding of the old legend altered thanks to Silver Star’s writings, but Twilight’s thirst for knowledge drives her forward and she turns her attention to what the prophecy book has to say.

Twilight finds that much of tale set within Predictions and Prophecies coincides with Silver Star’s telling. What differs is the ending; while Silver ended his story with Celestia reigning and Nightmare Moon trapped Predictions goes a step further, recounting a prophecy concerning the Shadow Mare:

‘On the longest day of the thousandth year the stars shall aid in her escape and she will bring about night eternal’(5)

Had she merely read the prophecy on its own Twilight would have written it off as the mere ramblings of a pony seeking attention at best and drunk off her plot at worst. But it is the confirmation in her family’s own book, written by the founder of her house himself, that gives her pause. The Summer Sun Celebration is only a day and a half away and Twilight knows this one is to be special, due to it being the 1000th celebration. Though she feels a brief moment of worry about bothering the Princess with such things during such a busy time, Twilight decides it better to send a letter to Celestia concerning her findings and hopefully get permission to spend her time investigating the matter further.

Her mind made up, Twilight commands Spike to take a letter.

What Twilight doesn’t know is that what she has just read is a poor translation. Originally written by Isis the Farseeing in what is now Saddle Arabia, the prophecy was translated by Equestrian ponies who did not understand some of the verb and noun usage Isis was using. Thus Twilight does not realize that the final line concerning Nightmare Moon reads a bit differently:

‘And the House of the Stars shall set her free and she shall rule the night once more’ (6)

Author's Note

(1) Some scholars have argued that Moondancer was not simply just a friend of Twilight Sparkle but in love with her. The basis for these theories are the unauthenticated scrolls known as the 'Moondancer Diaries', which contain the supposed revelation that Moondancer planned on admitting her feelings for Twilight at her Pre-Sun Celebration Party. While the author of this book could find nothing to confirm this theory it can be stated that, at minimum, Moondancer had an unhealthy fixation of Twilight; she treated Twilight leaving for Ponyville as one would the death of a close family member.

(2) This includes, but is not limited to, three captains of the Royal Guard, a Headmistress of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, four royal scribes, and at least six royal advisors. Twilight’s own parents would also end up working for Celestia, as would her brother.

(3) Before Celestia and Luna the sun and moon behaved seemingly at random, with days that could last for a week or mere minutes. Unicorns had to use their magic to help the crops grow. It would only be learned later that this was a product of Discord’s magic and the restablizing of the heavenly bodies is what drew his eye to Equestria.

(4) These include The Ambassador’s Tower, which serves as residence for visiting dignitaries who do not wish to stay at the castle, The Headmaster’s Tower, which belongs to the head of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, and the Coldwater Tower, which was abandoned and known as The Lonely Tower during Twilight’s time as Celestia’s personal servant. Other towers with less impressive names are the North Tower, the Tall Tower, and the Blue Tower.

(5) ‘Predictions of Prophecies: Equestria Abridged Addition’- The Mare in the Moon, page 78.

(6) ‘Predictions of Prophecies: Unabridged Addition’- The Mare in the Moon, Page 113

Chapter 3

June 19th, 999 CE
6:37 pm
Canterlot

Despite how much he tries to enjoy his meal, Shining Armor finds he simply can't. Not with the issues that currently plague his mind.

It isn't anything in the young stallion's life that is causing problems. Far from it; the last few years have been nothing but a joy and it looks as if it will stay this way for quite some time. He's a member of the royal guard, something he dreamed of doing since a colt, and has steadily moved through the ranks. A few have tried to start the rumor that he's only succeeding because of his lineage but these gossipmongers find their ideas promptly flattened by Shining's commanders, who make it clear the white-coated stallion is rising up thanks to his own skill and determination. Of the six Core Disciplines Shining Armor has completed 5 of the 6 with flying colors (1) and he has been approached by members of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns hoping to study the technique he used in his defensive magic test (2). His commanding officer has hinted that Shining will soon be given a command of his own, something the stallion is quite happy with. His job has allowed him to stay close to home and see both his parents and his little sister, Twilight Sparkle. And most importantly of all, though he hasn't told his family yet, Shining has fallen head over hooves in love with his sister's old foalsister, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza (Cadence for short). The two have managed to keep the romance a secret the last year and a half but Shining knows that he can't keep the secret quiet for much longer.

No, it isn't anything in his life that is causing problem. What has caused him to lose his appetite is his sister, Twilight.

Shining has been off all day, relieved of duties since he will be on guard during the Summer Sun Celebration. Thought he won't be part of the group that accompanies Princess Celestia to Ponyville Shining will have plenty to do as he watches over Canterlot and the many different parties and events schedule. The previous year saw several incidents take place that put a damper on the festive holiday; most notably twelve ponies became drunk on cider and raced wagons down High Street; though no one was greatly injured the event caused quite a scandal and the guard will be stepping up its presence to ensure nothing happens this year.

With no duties Shining has spent the day with his parents helping them prepare for their own Summer Sun Party, which he is hoping to catch the last few hours of when he gets off his holiday shift. His parents had informed him that his sister was going to a party with her friends and that she may be late; while disappointed Shining understands and accepts that he might only be able to see his sister for a few minutes before he has to head back to the barracks.

It was to his great surprise then when Twilight arrived at the house at 3:00pm, mumbling and muttering to herself while Spike took notes. Shining's parents' don't say a word and instead set another plate at the table while Twilight hunkers down in the living room.

Shining Armor is old enough to know his parents strengths and weaknesses when it comes to raising their children. While loving and caring, Night Light and Twilight Velvet are a product of their generation. They were raised by parents who believed in heavy-hoof parenting, guiding most of their children's actions, and when they had children of their own they were determined to avoid the 'mistakes' of their mothers and fathers. As such, Night Light and Velvet, like most of their peers, have allowed their children to do as they please and seek out their own destinies with little interference (3). While they did assist Twilight and Shining in achieving their dreams they only did so when asked. As such, Shining has come to see that his mother and father will turn a blind eye when it comes to Twilight and not notice when she is having emotional problems.

Such as today.

As he eats Shining Armor thinks back to the letter his sister showed him shortly before dinner. Written by Princess Celestia herself, the letter begins quite bluntly: 'My dearest, most faithful student Twilight. You know that I value your diligence and that I trust you completely. But you simply must stop reading those dusty old books!' If Shining were any other pony he would be highly offended by the insulting and condescending tone of the letter. However, his time both guarding Princess Celestia and reading over previous letters Twilight has received allows him to see the harmless jest the Princess is attempting. He knows that the phrase 'but you simply must stop reading those dusty old books' is a running joke between the princess and Twilight, referring to the fact that Celestia could tell Twilight had sent the letter from her library. Should Twilight have written it in a different location the phrase would change, becoming "And you should enjoy the sun" or "Don't eat donuts over this, you're making me hungry". It is the gentle ribbing of a teacher to her student and Shining knows this isn't what upset his sister.

No, what has caused her to brood in the next bit of the letter. While polite the Princess makes it clear that she does not wish for Twilight to focus on the topic of Nightmare Moon and denies Twilight's request to examine the myth surrounding the Mare in the Moon further. The letter ends with Celestia stating that she will be informing Twilight in the morning of a task she wishes for her to complete and that she should be packed and ready for a busy day.

Shining can tell that his sister does not like this but he can't sympathize. Not this time. He quite agrees with the Princess; if left to her own devices Twilight would shut herself away for days on end, researching endless topics before realizing that the deadline for the terror she feared had already come and went. He has seen his sister become obsessed and agrees that it is best to nip such things in the bud at the first warning signs.

Twilight, however, takes this rejection personally and is moody and sullen as she picks at her dinner. All attempts to get her to converse are pushed aside and soon her parents stop trying, figuring that Twilight will talk when she is ready. Shining however isn't convinced and becomes more concerned when Spike lets spill that Twilight and him missed Moondancer's party. When Shining presses her on this Twilight tells him that she completely lost track of time and didn't miss it on purpose; a subtle glance at Spike confirms this is a lie.

Throughout the dinner Shining Armor finds his concern and worry slowly morph into utter annoyance. He tries again and again to talk about Twilight's friends but his sister continues to turn the focus of the conversation back to her theories on Nightmare Moon. She states firmly that Equestria is in danger and finally declares, after Shining asks her if she had asked her study friends for help, "The fate of Equestria doesn't depend on me having friends!"

Shining Armor drops the subject but doesn't stop thinking about it. Even as his mother serves his and Twilight's favorite desert (a chocolate and vanilla layer cake with caramel-flavored ice cream on the side) his mind goes over what his sister has said... and not said. Just as Shining isn't blind to his parents' faults he isn't ignorant of Twilight's. His little sister does not trust others easily and has problems letting others get close to her. She prefers the company of books and can easily allow her own worries and concerns overwhelm her and make her forget everything else. This serves as a vicious cycle as those that try to become her friend find her to be aloof and rude; when these friendships fail Twilight's preconceived notions of 'friendship' are confirmed and she becomes more guarded. Shining had been like that when younger, though to a lesser degree, but his time in the guard broke him completely of such habits. He’d hoped that learning under Princess Celestia would do the same but he now fears that it has only accelerated the problem (4).

As he leaves his parents' home and begins the long walk back to the castle Shining puzzles over the problem that is his sister and comes to the conclusion that her issues have become too large for even him to handle. If confronted with her negative attitude Twilight would either deny or deflect the accusation... or cut him out completely. This, Shining knoww, would destroy his sister in the end and as he makes his way up the walk he comes to the conclusion that he will need to enlist some help. Making a detour Shining moves away from the barracks and heads into Canterlot Castle itself. He has decided to take a massive gamble in the name of helping his sister.

He will ask Princess Celestia for aid.

To his surprise he finds the Princess awake in one of the smaller meeting rooms situated in the castle. A cup of tea sits next to her, a warming charm on it to keeps it just the right temperature, and a small china plate with a piece of half-eaten strawberry cake rests just within reach of the solar princess. She is going over a pile of scrolls, murmuring to herself as she reads one over before checking another. The guards stationed at the door recognize him and, assuming he is on official business, allow him to stand in the doorway till the princess notices him.

Princess Celestia has a knack for knowing when somepony wants her attention and this night is no different. With a smile she turns around but the small grin falls from her lips when she see who has come. For a brief moment Shining fears he will be sent away but Celestia merely clears her throat.

"Gentlecolts, I would like a private word with Sergeant Armor. I believe he will be enough protection if something arises."

The guards let Shining in, the white stallion swallowing up his nervousness as the princess shuts the door behind him. He has never been only with Celestia save for his official duties and finds the two of them being alone in the same room quite nerve-wracking.

Celestia, as she is want to do, first asks him to calm himself, using the same motherly voice she uses with all ponies. She then motions for him to take a seat and after a failed attempt to decline Shining Armor finds himself sitting across from the Solar Princess, a second cup of tea close at hoof.

"Tell me, Sergeant Armor... what are your intentions for my niece?" (5)

Any sense of calm Shining might have had disappears in an instant.

It takes several minutes and two cups of tea(6) and Celestia’s assurances that she is merely joking (and Shining even then isn’t a hundred percent sure she doesn’t realize him and Cadence are more than just friends) before he is calm enough to continue. He lays out the concerns he has when it comes to his sister and is relieved when Celestia agrees with his assessment. The two discuss for nearly 40 minutes Twilight Sparkle and a plan is formed. Celestia had thought to have Twilight spend the day with her while she prepares for the trip to Ponyville but now that idea is scuttled. Instead Twilight will be commanded to go to Ponyville and oversea the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. To ensure that she does not spend the entire trip focused on Nightmare Moon Celestia will provide her with a list of ponies she needs to talk to; the ones in charge of the music, weather, food, and decorations. A letter to Mayor Mare of Ponyville will be sent asking for lodgings for Twilight and Spike over the next few days. Finally, per Shining's request, Celestia adds a personal message asking Twilight to 'make some friends'. Even if the young unicorn ignores the comment both Celestia and Shining know that Spike will remember it and help steer Twilight in the right direction.

Shining Armor thanks the Princess several times before hurrying back to his barracks. He has no way of knowing it will be the second to last time he sleeps there.

Author's Note

(1) The disciplines Shining completed are Marksmanship, Hoof-to-Hoof combat, Battle Strategy, Defense Tactics, and Medical. At the time of the Summer Sun Celebration Shining is scheduled to take his final Discipline test, Leadership, in 2 weeks time. A strong score will see him offered the chance to rise to the rank of 1st Lieutenant or possibly 3rd Captain.

(2) This technique, which saw Shining use specially mined crystals to amplify a shield spell so that it could cover miles of space without draining a unicorn of their magic and last for several hours, would later be known as the Armor Defense. An improved version would be put into practice during the events of the Changeling Invasion.

(3) This style of parenting was quite popular and is still used today, though to a lesser degree. While psychologists agree that it does help fillies and colts develop strong independent identities it also encourages negative behavior due to young ones believing their actions would never be punished; this issue gained mainstream attention after the publishing of 'The Life and Times of a Reformed Bully' by therapist Dr. Diamond Tiara.

(4) During her first year in Ponyville Twilight had told many ponies that she'd "never had friends" before the finding of the Elements of Harmony; this was false. Twilight had had many friends, though many abandoned her when they felt her too self-absorbed. The rest were ones that Twilight didn't even realize were her friends and would, in her later years, work to find and reestablish a connection with. While many debate why she chose to lie it was hypothized by scholar Mindtrap that Twilight subconsciously realized how poor of a friend she was and thus felt she didn’t have the right to call these ponies her friends, or more accurately, that she was their’s.

(5) Princess Cadence is not related to Celestia by blood. Unlike the other minor princes and princesses that have earned the title of 'nephew' and 'niece', Cadence's family was adopted by Celestia in the long past. Some, like Prince Blueblood, trace their lineage to Princess Platinum. Cadence's family comes from the line of Moonstone the Brave, who was adopted by Celestia in honor of her bravery. Moonstone was the descendant of Clover the Clever, student of the legendary Starswirl the Bearded and who some believe was the half-sister of Captain Silver Star; this theory has never been confirmed.

(6) A former chef of the Princess revealed in an interview that Celestia served a special tea made from seaweed from the North Luna Sea that is said to have a calming effect on ponies; thus why she always had some ready at hand when a pony came to visit. There is credence to this theory, as Celestia and Luna spent their youth living near the sea.

Chapter 4

June 20th, 999 CE
3:30am
The Moon

The mare with less than 27 hours before being free has turned her eye towards the kingdom she once ruled.

She knows that they have forgotten about her, that much is clear. A part of her wants to rage at that but she taps the frustration down and, for once, allows herself to be rational without a hint of emotion. It has been so very long since she walked the lands of Equestria and those that originally scorned her and her night have long passed. Countless generations have come and gone and the ones that now live in her kingdom are innocent of those crimes. While she is still bitter at her treatment she will not allow the fault of others to be placed upon them. She will not be like those that betrayed her.

That doesn’t mean she will be kind, however.

That was her mistake the first time. She’d tried to be kind and understanding, forgiving every slight and every insult, and it made her appear weak in the eyes of her subjects. They grew bolder and afforded her less respect than they showed Celestia, who took on the role of disapproving mother that demanded respect and promised love. By the time she herself realized her folly and tried to stand up against the elitists they’d just laughed in her face. Worse, her own sister had joined in with them, telling her to leave such issues to her and not meddle in those types of affairs. All had forgotten she was meant to rule… even her sister… and had she not stood firm she would have forgotten herself.

The Mare in the Moon glowered at that. Her sister had been wrong then and she was wrong now, that was plain enough to see. When she wasn’t tugging herself slowly free of the restraints that mystically bound her ethereal being to the moon she watched Equestria, using her farsight and ability to enter the dreams(1) of her subjects. What she found disturbed her. It was clear that in the time of her absence ponies had become more brazen and showed less respect for their princess. They did not cower in dread at her anger or thank the high heavens for even the smallest blessing. In their minds Celestia had become more mortal and was no longer a figure to fear and worship.

She would change that.

Soon it would be her time to rule. Soon she would return and she would remind the ponies of Equestria of who she was and what it meant to be a princess. If they bowed and showed her respect then they would be rewarded. Should they fail…

…then she would work out some of her own pent up aggression upon the transgressors.

Author's Note

(1) Though nowadays the presence of Princess Luna in one’s dreams is a welcomed sight back then the lunar monarch was not the banisher of dark dreams that she is now. Though she could not interfere with dreams she had, from time to time, slipped in and observed them, causing great frights in those ponies that observed her. This fueled, in part, the creation of Nightmare Night, which seemed to be the night when Nightmare Moon was most awake, as well as the legend of Bloody Marey.

Chapter 5

June 20th, 999 CE
9:30am
Ponyville

As the chariot she rides begins to descend down towards the Main Street of Ponyville Twilight Sparkle can't help but feel annoyed and a bit betrayed by her mentor.

She'd stayed up till nearly midnight the night before going over ancient scrolls and out-of-print books hoping to find more references to Nightmare Moon and the Elements of Harmony but had no luck. She'd finally gone to bed with the plan of waking up by 9:00 am (later than her normal wake time but nothing unusual on the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration) so that she might seek out her teacher and request once more to have access to the sealed off sections of the Canterlot Royal Library. This never came to pass as, at 7:44 am, she was awaken by the sound of Spike belching out a letter to the princess that informed her she only had an hour before she needed to get to the Canterlot Chariot Station so she might catch her flight to Ponyville. She was so frazzled by this that Twilight didn't have time to create a checklist and thus only realized half way through the flight that she forgotten to pack a saddle bag.

Twilight has Spike read over the letter several times, hoping that perhaps she's misheard the drake and the princess is NOT sending her off to a small town she hasn't even heard of(1) to babysit some ponies and make sure they don't screw up the celebration. Her mood isn't helped by Spike's continued needling of her to 'make some friends', something Twilight simply doesn't get. Even without the threat of Nightmare Moon hanging over their heads this is the Summer Sun Celebration, the biggest holiday in Equestria, and there would be simply too much to do for her to waste time making friends with ponies she'll never see again.

Ponyville was, in those days, an average village in the middle of the fruit belt. While officially the same size of Canterlot in square miles (if one did not include the neighboring farms such as Sweet Apple Acres; with these it was nearly five times the size of the capital) the population was a 1/8th of the mountain city. Ponyville could be divided into three rings. First was Ponyville proper, which was a cluster of roughly 34 buildings that included many houses, a town hall, a bakery, three candy shop, a Quill and Sofas, a library, three schools (an elementary, a middle, and a high school), a library, a dress shop, four cafes/restaurants, and a farmer's market. Outside of this was the second ring, filled sprawling fields dotted with homes and some smaller specialty shops as well as the local Weather Bureau. The Outer Ring, and by far the largest landmass, was made up of the local farms and forest-hugging cabins.

Despite its rustic appearance Ponyville was already home to a wide array of noteworthy ponies even before its Golden Years. Counted among its numbers that day were famed cellist Octavia, Top Equestrian DJ Vinyl 'DJ Pon-3' Scratch, the mysterious inventor Doctor Whooves, and wealthy industrialist Filthy Rich(2).

Twilight doesn’t know or care about any of this. Her entire focus at this moment is getting through her assigned duties as quick as possible so she can turn her attention back onto the threat of Nightmare Moon. She'd found out shortly before she departed Canterlot that Spike and her would be staying at the Golden Oaks Library, using the currently empty carekeeper's quarters as their own until the end of the celebration. Twilight has already made a note to get a hold of an inventory of the books on hand to see if any might be helpful.

If Twilight is doing all she can to ignore Celestia's command then it can be said Spike is making it his sole focus. He, like Shining Armor, has seen the warning signs and knew that his friend needs to break out of the dangerous spiral she's entered into. As the two walk the streets Spike presses Twilight to try and follow Princess Celestia's advice and attempt to make a new friend.

Twilight Sparkle is not one to walk up to a random pony and say hello. Every connection she's made up until that point has involved her allowing the world to come to her. But Spike remains stubborn and Twilight, in a fit of desperation, decides to humor him and say hello to the first pony she sees. Her opinion of such interactions does not falter when said new pony leaps into the air, lets out a gasping shriek like a drowning mare bursting to the surface, and zips off in a cloud of dust.

This strange chance encounter marks the first meeting between the ponies that will later be known as the Mane 6(3).

---DAWN---DAWN---DAWN---

June 20th, 999 CE
11:15 pm
Sweet Apple Acres

As she says hello to another set of cousins Jacqueline 'Applejack' Apple wishes they'd all just leave and never come back.

Of course, the moment these thoughts enter her mind she is ashamed. Family is an important thing to the Apples and Applejack knows that not a single one of her cousins, uncles, or aunts mean any ill will. Still, as she forces a smile on her face and makes herself nod politely as another one approaches her the young mare wonders if she'll begin screaming or start crying first.

Nearly every member of the Apple Family is currently at the farm, some having crossed the length of Equestria to be there. This, however, isn't a family reunion and Applejack is happy for that small miracle; she simply isn't ready to try and manage the beast that is an Apple Family Reunion. No, this gathering is all about assisting the Apples of Ponyville as they prepare all the food for the Summer Sun Celebration. This task has fallen upon the family for years but with Princess Celestia scheduled to attend none of the Apples want to see the family name tarnished in the slightest. They've brought their recipe books and special pans, pots, and plates, each working hard to produce enough food not only for the massive gathering of Earth Ponies but also for all those that will be coming to the gathering scheduled for dawn the next day. Secret Apple Family recipes will be showcased in less than 24 hours and every member of the family wants a chance to claim the princess sampled one of their dishes.

Applejack's mind isn't on any of this. Instead she is trying to find a way to escape the cruel torture she's been forced to endure for the last few hours.

"Applejack," her cousin Braburn says gently, giving her a look that makes it clear he can't decide if he should smile or frown. "Ya know they'd be proud of ya, right? Ya know that?"

"Yeah," Applejack says hoarsely, unable to meet his sympathetic eyes.

For most of the ponies now gathered at Sweet Apple Acres this is the first time they've seen the Apples of Ponyville since the incident; just over eight years since Applejack's parents Brown Snout and Bohemian Orange were stolen away.

The facts of the tragedy are such: Brown and Bohemian had decided to visit the Apples of Fillydelphia and packed up their wagon. Applejack and her brother Macintosh 'Big Mac' Apple were forced to stay behind, both having caught a bad case of hay fever. They were cared for by their grandmother Cultivar 'Granny' Smith-Apple. Brown and Bohemian had been two days into their journey when they arrived at the Coltson Bridge on the morning of January 15th. Eyewitnesses state that the Apple parents were about halfway across when the first support gave out, sending them and 53 other ponies into the frigid waters of the Coltson River below(4).

The death of her parents greatly affected Applejack and, for a brief few weeks, drove her from Sweet Apple Acres, the painful reminders of her parents’ absence too much for her. Though she attempted to start a new life in Manehattan under the care of her Aunt and Uncle Orange, Applejack in the end returned to the farm(5). But she wasn’t blind to the fact that it hurt the rest of her immediate family. Granny Smith suddenly found herself having to raise her grandchildren while also mourning the death of her son. Big Macintosh gave up his dream of becoming an actor to take up work on in the fields.

Shaking herself out of her morose thoughts, Applejack trots over to the one member of her family hit hardest by the tragedy and having the worst time this morning.

When the Coltson Bridge collapsed 55 ponies were sent into the icy waters below. Only one was brought out alive. On that day of great tragedy the populous latched onto this little miracle, who had survived only because her parents had thought to place her in padded water proof basket rather than in a saddle bag.

Bloomella "Apple Bloom" Apple was only a few months old when Wonderbolt Stormy Flare pulled her from the river. Though she has no memory of what happened that day and bears no physical scars from the incident the tragedy of Coltson Bridge would weigh upon her for much of her life. During a lecture she gave in Baltimare she stated, "Most folks thought I wanted my cutie mark on account of jealously or bullyin' or things like that. And why that might be true the real reason is that the moment I came out of that icy river the hopes and dreams of all them ponies that didn't make it were placed on me. I knew from a right young age that I had a responsibility to live my life to the fullest... to not squander what I was given and what my folks and everyone else had taken away. I carried their hopes and dreams."(6)

Applejack can see that the reunion is weighing on her little sister and making her think about those pressures. The normally hyperactive filly has become quiet and shy, sticking near Big Macintosh whenever one of their relatives comes by to introduce themselves. Nearly all just wish to say hello to Apple Bloom, seeing as they haven't met her until today, but all the new faces are getting the young filly anxious. Applejack watches as Big Mac politely but firmly forces one of their uncles to move along when he begins telling stories about Brown Snout and she decides to get her sister out of the crush of ponies before her brother does something he'll regret. The eldest of the Ponyville Apple siblings don't have to say a word as Applejack gathers up her little sister and gives the excuse that they need to go fetch some firewood for the bonfire they'll be setting up later on in the day.

"Ya know they're all just bein' friendly, right?" Applejack asks her sister once they are away from the party.

"I know," Apple Bloom replies, scuffing her hoof against the ground. She stands tight to Applejack's legs, ready to scramble to safety under her sister if somepony suddenly appears. Applejack lets her, though she can't help but feel disappointed; Apple Bloom hasn't done this in years but it seems the reunion has caused her to become skittish. Applejack knows things would be easier if there were some fillies and colts her own age around but unfortunately none of the families with children made the trip. That has left Apple Bloom all alone with a mob of new aunts, uncles, and older cousins that all want to meet her and ask her questions. Applejack also admits to herself that the rest of her immediate family isn't handling things any better either. Granny Smith feigned falling asleep in her rocker 20 minutes earlier to avoid the looks of pity and the words of condolence that rain down on them. Big Macintosh looks fine, if a bit stern moments earlier when he was shielding his baby sister, but Applejack knows her brother is a stallion with big muscles and a bigger heart and even after all these years the thought of his mom and dad are making him cry on the inside. As for Applejack she feels ashamed of the anger and annoyance she feels whenever somepony comes over and expresses regret over their lost. It isn't their fault, as her extended family is merely being their normal friendly and caring selves, but the farm pony is realizing something has to be done.

Applejack looks up at the clouds and realizes that what they all need is a distraction. The Apples are warm, inviting folk who enjoy hard work, and if they had something or somepony to pull their focus away from her family and tap down their need to offer condolences then the entire reunion might end on a high note. The problem is that Applejack simply can't think of a way out. They are already busy baking for the Summer Sun Celebration but they have entered that time frame when there is little to do. In a few hours all the Apples will be prepping and packaging all manner of apple-related treats but for now all the heavy lifting has been done and there are no pressing tasks before them. Applejack can't bring herself to lie or create a problem, leaving her stuck.

Just as she is preparing to accept her fate and trudge herself and her sister back to the gathering that she spots an unusual sight. There, ambling down the road, is a purple unicorn with a short bob manecut and a baby dragon at her side. Apple Bloom eyes go wide and she looks at her sister, wondering if she is seeing things. Applejack merely grins and tells her sister to go spread the news. The little yellow filly happily does so, thrilled to have an actual reason to interact with her kin that doesn't involve mourning and lose.

Applejack makes a move to greet the newcomer, only to stop short. She doesn’t want to come on too strong and frighten her potential salvation off so rather than instantly seek out the unicorn Applejack decides to play it casual. This entails her rushing towards one of the few apple trees that hadn’t been harvested yet and giving it a solid buck.

The mare doesn’t catch on that Applejack has already noticed her and introduces herself. “Good afternoon, my name is Twilight Sparkle.”

Applejack doesn’t let Twilight get out another word, her own impatience causing her to quickly grab Twilight’s forehoof and give it a hard shake that leaves the purple mare shaking. Applejack quickly introduces herself before asking what she can do for Twilight, hoping that whatever the mare needs will take a good long while to complete.

When Twilight reveals that she is there to supervise the food preparation for the Summer Sun Celebration Applejack, for once, does not feel any annoyance that “some city slicker who wouldn’t know an apple fritter if it bit them on the flank!” has come to make sure she can do something she’s been doing for years. While much of this is because Applejack is thankful for the distraction a quieter part of her is intrigued by the unicorn before her. Twilight lacks the snootiness that many bureaucrats have when they come to her farm, nor has she given Applejack the impression she’s looking down her nose at her. The orange mare is intrigued as she rings the dinner bell and hollers for her extended family (who had been waiting for just that signal after Apple Bloom informed them of a visitor).

Applejack happily sits Twilight down at a picnic table then introduces each of her family members, the mares and stallions offering up a sample of the food they have personally made for the Celebration. Through the roll call Applejack keeps an eye on Twilight, pleased that the mare, while clearly startled and a bit frazzled by the sudden parade of ponies, hasn’t freaked out. The only moment of worry comes when, after introducing Apple Bloom, Applejack seeks Twilight open her mouth. Fearing that the purple mare will say something about the ‘miracle foal’ and thus ruin her plans, Applejack quickly shoves an apple into Twilight’s mouth before finishing(7), adding at the last minute that she sees Twilight as ‘already bein’ part of the family’ to help cement the idea in her relatives heads that they should focus their attention of Twilight.

Applejack’s slapped-together plan almost crumbles seconds later when Twilight, clearly shell-shocked from the bombardment of Apples, tries to excuse herself and make an escape. What keeps her from leaving though is Apple Bloom’s plea for her to “stay for brunch”. Twilight attempts to wiggle out of the invitation but the entire Apple family let their disappointment be known(8). In the end though it is Apple Bloom’s look of distress that convinces Twilight to stay. Though Twilight doesn't know it at the moment, that small act of kindness wins her the eternal friendship and staunch loyalty of the entire Apple family; especially Applejack.

"That's when I knew," Applejack later states in an interview with the Apploosa Press. "That's when I knew that Twilight Sparkle was gonna be my bestest friend in this whole dang world. When she looked down at my sister and agreed to stay purely because she saw a filly near tears I knew that this was a mare I wanted by my side."

The matter settled, Twilight joins the Apple Family for lunch and soon loses herself in a whirlwind of laughter and stories.

Author's Note

(1) Twilight could be forgiven for this attitude. While nowadays it is perhaps the 3rd best known city in Equestria back then many maps forgot to even list Ponyville.

(2) Some theorize that Ponyville's proximity to the Tree of Harmony is the reason powerful and famous ponies seem drawn to it. In researching this book it was discovered that nearly a third of those listed in Fact Check's 'Who's Who of Famous Historical Equestrians' had some link to Ponyville, outnumbering even Manehattan and Canterlot.

(3) This name was coined by J. Jawin' Jabberer, editor of the Manehattan Bugle, after the events of the Changeling Invasion. Though he used the term in an article blaming the mares for failing to prevent the Invasion other papers picked up the title for the group and soon used it in a more positive light. When Princess Twilight ascended J. Jawin' was heard stating "Always knew that mare was special! Never doubted her for a second!"

(4) In a strange twist the tragedy of Coltson Bridge would be investigated by structural expert Rainbow Blaze, the father of Applejack's friend Rainbow Dash. It is unknown if the two realized the connection.

(5) Applejack would learn later in life that her aunt and uncle purposely acted like elitists to try and convince her that life in Manehattan was not for her; the earth pony would come to thank her mother’s brother and his wife for this.

(6) The lecture was given at an event celebrating the opening of the Cutie Mark Crusader Baltimare Youth Center

(7) Twilight, in fact, did not know who Apple Bloom was. She would learn about Apple Bloom and the events of Coltson Bridge a year later while researching the Pie Family Tree and its possible connection to the Apple Family.

(8) A diary entry from Crisp Apple reveals that many of those at the gathered knew how awkward things had become between themselves and the Ponyville Apples and wanted Twilight to stay as a distraction almost as much as Applejack and her family did.

Chapter 6

June 20th, 999 CE
11:07 am
Canterlot Castle

The future ruler of the Crystal Empire is suffering from a panic attack.

Those that only know Princess Cadence(1) from what the media says about her would be shocked to find that the pink alicorn could even have a moment of self doubt, let alone a panic attack. Ever since she came to live with her aunt Cadence has been a darling of the media, with reporters clamoring to write the next glowing article about her. It isn’t because of her looks, which are quite stunning and turn many heads, or her royal title that draw the love of the press. Cadence earned the adoration of those around her through her charity work. The ‘One Heart Program’ was set up by Cadence to help underprivileged fillies and colts get a decent education and become more productive members of society. Her fundraisers have become the talk of Canterlot, with members of the elite class fighting tooth and nail to donate more than their neighbors in hopes of snagging a place of honor next to the pink alicorn princess. What endears her more to those that watch her actions is how involved she is with the day-to-day runnings of the organization. Rather than being a pony whose only claim to being charitable is cracking open their checkbook, Cadence works daily, refusing to use her title of ‘princess’ to get her out of the daily grind. Aides have gone on record to state that she will work for days on end with almost no sleep and refuse to let others wear themselves down when she can handle the task herself.

This goodwill has allowed her to avoid the many pratfalls and traps that commonly trip up the upper crust of Canterlot Society. Of all the ponies that live in the capital it’s the reporters and editors at Canterlot’s three major papers (The Canterlot Times, The Daily Press, and The New Equestrian) that feel safest in attacking the Canterlot 1%. The front pages of all three papers are commonly emblazed with bold headlines discussing the comings and goings of the royalty and elite of Canterlot .

“The press is a fickle beast,” Fancy Pant will write, “loving you one moment then turning on you the next. How long these moments last sometimes depends purely on how much time it takes you to browse a newsstand.”(2)

Cadence is well aware that she has led a charmed life when it comes to the press. Just this morning she saw the Times’ Social Section reporting that Prince Blueblood had tried to hit on Upper Crust and nearly come to blows with Jet Set, the Press stating that it was Upper Crust who’d flirted while Jet Set stood on like gelding, and the Equestrian is saying that Jet Set was a brute and Blueblood had tried to defend Upper Crust’s honor. Cadence knows the truth is much more likely to be mundane; it wouldn’t surprise her if Blueblood had asked Upper Crust for a napkin and that was the totality of their interaction that night. The public is always hungry for gossip and the papers are happy to feed their addiction.

It doesn’t matter, however, how the media sees her; at the moment Cadence is far from the calm, collected mare that the media portrays her as.

Cadence sought out her aunt this morning with a single goal in mind: finding some task, any task, that she can do for the Summer Sun Celebration other than the one Celestia has in mind for her. The solar princess will be heading to Ponyville for their Summer Sun Celebration in a few hours and if Celestia has her way Cadence will be opening up Canterlot’s Summer Sun Celebration the next morning.

This is not something Cadence wants to come to pass.

She hides it well but Cadence has always had a fear of performing in front of crowds. During her normal daily life she can mingle with thousands but tell her she has to give a speech in front of 10 ponies and the pink mare will seize up with fright. Her public appearances for her charities are carefully scripted and kept as short and to the point as possible; the fact that this pleases those in attendance who are used to presenters prattling on for hours on end is merely an added bonus.

Cadence had been hoping her aunt wouldn’t force her to lead the Celebration but as time went by and the minutes ticked away the pink alicorn had realized that her hopefully prayers had born no fruit. Thus she rushed to her aunt’s chambers and had spent the last 25 minutes doing all she could to try and find some way out. All her suggestions, however, were pushed aside. The citizens of Canterlot, in the face of not having the solar princess herself lead the start of the ceremonies, are expecting something nearly as grand and won’t settle. Cadence offered up replacements but none of them worked. Sapphire Shores is giving a concert in Manehatten and even if she did consider canceling there wouldn’t be enough time to get her and her backup dancers to the capital in time. Ziggy Stardust is putting on a show in Fillydelphia and Colt Rock always spends the holiday in his native Detrot. Cirque du Pon-Aa is in Prance on a 10 week tour while J. Cougar Watermellon is in the hospital having his appendix removed.

It was only when Cadence suggested Prince Blueblood that Celestia bid her to stop, a smile on her lips. Cadence found herself joining her aunt in laughing at the sheer absurdity of the suggestion, though for the pink mare her chuckles were a bit more nervous.

Once they gained control of themselves Celestia launched into her ego-boosting spiel. Cadence listened on as her aunt praised her and told her how she can handle the celebration with ease, how it won’t be a big deal and that she has the utter most confidence in her.

Cadence focused on her breathing exercises, knowing it would be wildly inappropriate to scream and curse in her aunt’s face.

“They say that there is a thin line between love and hate,” Cadence will tell her biographer, “and I am proof of that. While love is my special talent I do feel anger and rage just as strongly as any other pony… perhaps more so. Sometimes I wonder if that is my curse; to be able to heal the rifts that form between other ponies so easily while my anger must be handled the old fashion way.”(3)

What the alicorn of love needs now aren’t words of how well she will do and how her fears are unfounded. Unfortunately for her that is all her aunt can give her. The citizens of Canterlot are expecting a princess to usher in the start of the Summer Sun Celebration and with Celestia down in Ponyville Cadence is the only princess left.

Cadence leaves her aunt’s chambers with Celestia’s jest of her not trying to put Blueblood in a dress ringing in her ears. The pink alicorn smiles at that but quickly finds her smile falling as her fears take center stage in her mind. She wanders back to her room, deep in thought, all the failures and mistakes she could make in front of the entirety of Canterlot jostling in her mind, fighting for dominance. She is so consumed by her worries that she barely notices the two guards she passes before heading down the hall that leads to her chambers.

Her room, while opulent when compared to those of a standard pony’s, is rather plain for Canterlot Castle. A large sitting room with several padded benches perfect for entertaining guests, a single step leading up to her canopy bed with yellow sheets so pale them look white when the sun hits them right. To the left is her private bath while to the right is a small kitchenette that Cadence herself asked to be installed, should she desire a quick snack and not wants to bother the castle chefs. Two great windows give her a breathtaking view of Canterlot stretched out before with the rest of Equestria just beyond.

It is her desk, however, that draws her focus at the moment. Cadence receives fan mail every day and she hopes now that answering some letters will help take her mind off the morning that is to come. She moves forward only to catch movement to her right, a shriek escaping her lips as the sheets shift and a form rises up. Her cry dies just as quickly as the sheet pulls away, revealing the blue mane and white coat of her coltfriend Shining Armor.

She doesn’t have time to feel any amusement over the misunderstanding. The sound of hooves outside her door warns her of the guards’ approach and Cadence quickly flies over to the bed, landing on top of Shining’s body and hiding him from sight just as the door is thrown open and the royal guard hurry in, their wings spread and faces grim as they look for the source of Cadence’s fright. The pink alicorn shifts slightly, pressing her belly against the squirming form of her coltfriend, and flashes a bashful smile at the guards. The guards look at her, waiting for answers, and Cadence blushes as she claims she’d laid down only to discover a spider on her pillow. She can tell that it is only her royal status that keeps the guards from rolling their eyes; instead they merely nod and march out, letting the door swing shut behind them.

Cadence waits a moment before finally rolling off Shining, who takes a gasp of air before looking at her. The two stare at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter, collapsing on the bed as they are attacked by a fit of the giggles. This latest episode of absurdity fits in perfectly with how their relationship has gone thus far.

The courtship between the princess and the royal guard began when the two were teens. Shining Armor had just begun basic training when his sister entered Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns and became the princess’ personal student. One day shortly after Twilight moved into the castle Shining went to go visit her, fearing that his sister would be homesick and lonely. Shining soon found out that Princess Celestia, knowing of this possibility, had arranged for several older mares and colts to serve as foalsitters/honorary big siblings to the students of her school. One such mare was Cadence(4), whom Shining found playing with his little sister.

A friendship soon bloomed between the two of them and it became well known in the castle that the two were close. When neither were handling their official duties it was not uncommon to find them wandering about Canterlot, having lunch together or spending time in the park or at a play.

The question of when they stopped being just friends and became a couple is confusing even to them. Shining Armor will tell a reporter from ‘Stallions’ Fitness’ that their first true date was when they’d gone to a music festival only to get caught in a rainstorm and have to huddle under water vendor’s tent, as this was when they shared their first kiss. Princess Cadence will inform a curious Twilight Sparkle that her and Shining’s first date was when he took her to the movie ‘Flash Fortune and the Lost Planet’, as that was when she realized Shining was the stallion she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

Whatever the case may be, Shining Armor and Cadence became a couple and with this joyous change in their relationship has come a world of problems. For the last year and a half the two of them have kept their relationship a secret, fearing the backlash that would result from the reveal. Shining Armor fears what the media would say of Cadence for dating a commoner, even one of famous ancestor and growing standing in the Equestrian Army. Cadence is terrified that Shining would be kicked out of the royal guard for mixing business with pleasure. Thus the two of them have resorted to clandestine meetings and stolen moments to express their feelings for one another while maintaining the illusion they are merely friends.

As she gets over her giggle fit Cadence looks over at Shining Armor and for a brief moment fantasies about throwing open the doors of her room and declaring to all that she is in love with him. She dreams of renouncing her crown and status and the two of them running off together, going to some far off land where they’d never heard of alicorns or princesses and the two of them could simply be Cadence and Shining. Perhaps they could open a little Bed and Breakfast and be known as that pony couple down the road that likes to kiss in public. No more sneaking around, no more fears about backlashes. Just normality.

It is, of course, just a dream. Cadence cannot bring herself to be that selfish, not when it will require Shining Armor to sacrifice all he’s worked towards.

“Did I ever consider breaking up with him?” Cadence will say when posed the question by a reporter from the Times. “Never. As frustrating as it was at times to sneak around like that it was worth it. My life without Shining Armor would have been so empty… to cast him away just to make my life easier would have been like snuffing out the sun and stars and living forever in darkness.”

Finally able to talk without snorting, Cadence asks what Shining is doing there. As bold as he has gotten in recent months he has never before been so brazen as to enter her room. Her chambers have always been private and the risks if he were caught in there are simply too great for him to merely want to see her.

Shining’s smile falls and he quietly begins to lay out his concerns about his sister. He starts slowly, talking about seeing her at their parents’ but as he continues he begins talking faster with fewer pauses until his words start to flow together like a rushing river. It is only Cadence’s time conversing with young fillies that allows her to keep up with the rambling monologue and Shining tells her about how Twilight has become obsessed with Nightmare Moon and how she mistreats her friends and Spike and how he fears that she is going to grow up to be a lonely pony who lives with 50 cats and screams at colts to stay off her lawn. Cadence eventually slides next to him, using her magic to comb his mane as he trails off, his fears for his little sister weighing heavily on him.

When he finally stops Cadence begins to try and soothe him but finds her own fears come bubbling up and soon she is rambling just as badly as he was, telling him all about how her aunt has put her in charge of the Summer Sun Celebration and how scared she is and how she just knows something terrible is going to happen. It is Shining’s turn to comfort her and Cadence ends up pressing her face against his shoulder as she continually mumbles, “Why me? Why me?”

The two of them spend the next hour easing each others’ fears. Rather than the empty words Celestia used to try and calm Cadence, the couple finds ways to help each other. Cadence, feeling bad that she’d managed to lose touch with Twilight, promises to reconnect with her favorite filly and try and help her be more outgoing. In turn Shining tells Cadence that he will pull some strings so that he is part of her guard when she leads the Summer Sun Celebration; it won’t look unusual, as most will see it simply as him being a good friend to her and wanting to help her out. With him backing her up she will have at least one friendly face at the Celebration.

Cadence, feeling better about what is to come and now having thoughts of Twilight to keep her mind off of her fears, feels much better about what is to come and thanks Shining for his help. The two share a quick kiss before Shining sneaks out of her room, leaving the pink alicorn to turn her attention finally to her fan mail. Her worries about what may happen the next morning have lessened with the knowledge that, whatever may come about, her Shining Armor will be near her to lend her support.

She has no idea just how much support she’ll soon need.

Author's Note

(1) Cadence’s family royal pedigree can be traced back to Moonbeam the Bright, the granddaughter of Clover the Clever, who was risen to royal status by Princess Celestia herself for her help during the early months of Celestia’s solo reign of Equestria. Moonbeam was rumored to be the half sister of Captain Silverstar.

(2) “A Good Life Is Its Own Reward” by Fancy Pants, page 114

(3) “A Crazy Little Thing Called Love: The Life of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza” by Quick Type, page 34

(4) Cadence would also foalsit Lyra Heartstrings; Twilight would meet Lyra through Cadence and the two would eventually form a study group with Lemon Hearts, Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Moondancer. Lyra and Cadence remained good friends after Lyra moved to Ponyville, with the princess making her a bridesmaid at her wedding.