Mr. Original in: Friendship is Magic

by Mister Original

Chapters

"It's a house... but filled with BOOKS!"
"It's a bomb." "*gasp* Oh, NO!" *POW!*
"Nice to meet you! ...Even though you're not here..."
"Hot sauce, I DON'T put that sh*t on EVERYTHING."
"No. That would be YOUR MOTHER."
"Get over heeere! (O_O) No, wait! Nevermind..."
"Don't. Touch. THE MUSTACHE!"
"The Elements on the Table are people, too!"

"It's a house... but filled with BOOKS!"

Author's Note

There will be a theme song!
T_T ...No, it's not the MLP theme.

...Anyway, here's my character tag.

"It's a house... but filled with BOOKS!"

Mr. Original’s Dictionary
Original Edition

Cheerfully
/CHirfəlē/
adv.

-done in a very optimistic way w/ a happy facial expression (esp. w/ eyes closed)

CHEERFULLY

Epic Shrug
/epik SHrəg/
vb.

-when James/Conscience turns their back while shrugging,* lingering at the point where their arms are at or above their shoulders (esp. w/ afterimages of the arms during the shrugging motion)
*This gesture is almost always followed by the one of two catch-phrases:
1: "And I'm okay with this!"
2: "I'm not okay with this!"

[Previously]

Twilight walked out of the door, James walking beside her as she headed for the exit.

“So, you’ve at least seen some of the town, haven’t you?” she asked.

“Well, funny story actually,” he Signature Blushed as they opened the door. Then he froze. There was the streets, the buildings, the whole city... crowded with equines. Some were flying in the air, some were levitating bags with their horn, some had neither wings nor a horn.

Twilight noticed James stopped walking and turned around. Her face showed concern. “Um... James? ...Are you alri--”

POP!

James Pop Fainted.

However long it took for James or Conscience to recover from Pop Fainting depended on how severe the cause was. Seeing a really, really inappropriate scene in a movie? That would leave them knocked out for a good two minutes or so. Getting scared the sh*t out of at a surprise birthday gathering? They'd shoot right back up in a matter of seconds. In James's current case, the matter was more like the latter.
Thus, despite all his senses having to reboot, his mind was processing everything.

So, I have fallen into a world with civilization apparently completely made of talking horses. He then remembered that he was with a violet mare named Twilight. Colorful talking horses. ...Speaking of Twilight...

He began to hear a panicked voice as his senses were finally working again.

"James? James, are you okay?" it sounded pretty worried.

His vision had completely cleared, and he blinked as his X-eyes turned back to normal. He held up his hand, "Yes, I'm fine. Just had a little bit of a mind stop is all."

Twilight held a hoof to her chest as she breathed a sigh of relief. "Phew! I thought you might've... well..."

James caught on, "Oh no! Of course not! It happens all the time."

"I just thought I might've done something wrong, or something," she said.

"No, it was all me... well, sort of. It wasn't you, though," he assured her. "Just don't pay it any mind, it's normal."

Twilight looked uncertain. "Well... if you say so..."

They opened the door again, which had closed during James's 'episode', and walked down the steps. Almost instantly, a few equines passing by turned and looked on with quite the variety of expressions. James hadn't paid much attention to their apparel before. But now that he got a good look, he noticed that a good deal of them had some expensive-looking clothing. As James thought about it, he'd realized he couldn't help but expect that.

Despite his demeanor, James was always self-conscious. He wasn't sure why he started feeling that way, but he always felt like he was being watched. He was being paranoid and he knew it, but it didn't make that uneasy feeling in the back of his mind go away.
It was easier when he was with someone. Better when he was talking to them, he almost didn't care what it was about. As the two made their way through town, James tried once again to break the ice. However, Twilight beat him to it.

"So, James, if you don't mind me asking, where did you come from?" James nodded to himself. Of course he'd be asked that eventually.

"Heh. Well, that's reasonable question. Though I'm pretty sure I'm from here, just a different dimension... or something." As he thought about that, it gave him chills. He'd feel so proud of himself if he'd really had the ability to travel to a whole other place like that. But it was something he didn't think about much. He decided not to dwell on the thought. He did not want his head to (literally) explode in public.

Twilight looked at him and her eyes slightly widened. "Really? How did you do it?"

James told her everything... well, almost everything. He'd purposely filtered out everything that he deemed weird or unnecessary. Like his stomach cussing him out, him blacking out, ...and Conscience.

"And then Princess Celestia sent for you apparently, and voila, here I am." He was tempted to exclaim 'whazzaam!' again instead of saying 'voila,' because it sounded cool... and catchy. But he was in public. An unfamiliar public, no less.

"Wow. That's fascinating!" she smiled. Unlike earlier, her smile was much more sincere this time.

"Yes. Yes it is," James catch-phrased. "So what is it that you do, if that's not too much to ask."

"Oh, well I'm the princess's student, as you may already know," she responded.

"Okay."

"Then, there's my home, which is the library."

James's eyes lit up. "You live in a library?"

"Yes, the Canterlot Library."

James nodded in approval. "Respect. Is Canterlot the name of this city, or something?" Twilight nodded.

They came to a fairly long staircase to a tall building.

That is one skinny library. But I guess that's why it's tall.

James took a closer look at the roof as they ascended the stairs. It reminded him of one of those roofs of houses in another country in movies he'd seen. They sort of looked like roofs they had in... India? ...Meh.

They stopped in front of the door. "Well, here we are," said Twilight. And then she used her horn to telekinetically open the door, making James wonder why she paused like that, when the door wasn't even locked in the first place.

As the door had been opened, it revealed another staircase, which seemed to lead to a higher floor. Over the edge, James could make out large columns of shelves heavily occupied with books.

"It's rather simple in here, not a lot of decor or anything like that. ...Nice," James nodded.

"Oh, well, thank you," she sounded flattered. They walked inside. "Spiiike, I'm home!" she called out.

James looked over at her. "You didn't tell me you lived with anyone. Not that I mind, of course." He added that last part in case he came off as rude.

Before she could respond, a voice (a young one, James noted) called back from the upper floor, "Hi, Twilight!" The voice came closer. "So, what was it the princess wanted to talk to you... about?"

The owner of the voice revealed itself to be what was supposedly Spike. As he looked at James in confusion, James responded by waving Cheerfully.

Twilight smiled awkwardly at Spike, "James, this is my assistant, Spike. Spike, James." James nodded in acknowledgement.

Umm... dinosaurs don't usually have a different color belly from the rest of their body, do they? I don't know of anyone besides Yoshi. So... probably not. Still not sure, though.

One of James's specialties was sublime. If he didn't want to be direct, he would be subliminal. Either to manipulatively get an answer from someone without asking the question... or to get a message across.

"What do you know, there are other living things in this universe."

Twilight looked over at him. "Don't you have other living things in your world?"

"Oh, of course," James replied dismissively. "We've got a ton of different organisms."

"Are there ponies like us there?" she asked.

"Um, yeah. If that's what you call yourselves, then yeah... ponies." The word sounded completely foreign coming from James's mouth.

Spike suddenly jumped in, "Do they have dragons?"

James mentally patted himself on the back. His subliminal skills had served him well once again.

"Well, I wish I could tell you yes." He watched as Spike slightly deflated. He continued, "But if it makes you feel any better, we make loads of films about dragons. ...And ones that honor you. Then they name a lot of things after dragons." Spike's mood brightened as James said that.

"Wow...," he said dreamily, already lost in his imagination.

Twilight looked amused at Spike's face. "Heh. Well, anyway, Princess Celestia asked that James stay with me."

"Hope you like long stories," James muttered.

"...Alright then, I'm going to head out and read a few books," Twilight said, using her horn to gather her saddle bags. She then levitated a few tomes from a small table just visible from the bottom of the stairs.

And then, at the worst possible time, he, made his appearance once again.

"Wait, are you serious?" said Conscience.

"F*** my life," James said under his breath as he facepalmed.

Twilight and Spike, who was brought back into reality by the new guest, stared blankly. Twilight was the first to snap out of it.

"Um... James--?"

"Twilight, Spike, Conscience," James intoned.

"Wait," Spike recovered, "you mean, as in--"

"I'm his conscience," Conscience spoke up.

"Perfect, we're acquainted. Yaaay," James said in a monotonously low voice, as he threw his arms up in mock excitement. Then he deadpanned in Twilight's direction. "So you were saying you were gonna read some books while you were out?"

"Um... y-yes," Twilight stuttered, "I'll be back in about two hours. Are you guys going to be alright?"

"Twilight, what do you think we are? Toddlers?" Conscience replied.

"No. No we aren't," James catch-phrased.

"The mustaches say it all," they said in unison as they twirled the right half of their mustaches in perfect synchronization. They got the intended reaction, as Twilight was staring, dumbfounded for a good five seconds.

"Ooo-kay... so I'll be leaving now," she turned towards the door.

"Wait!" Spike called out. Twilight stopped and turned to look at her assistant. "You're not gonna leave me here with both of them, are you? ...No offense," he added as he looked at James and Conscience.

"None taken, believe me," James rolled his eyes. Sometimes he almost wondered how he could stand Conscience himself in the first place. Almost.

And since you mention it...

James lit up as he seized the opportunity to get a break from... well, himself, in a way.

"Excuse me, Twilight," he raised his index, "but I can't help but feel he has a point. After all, I can be a bit of a handful...." He narrowed his eyes at Conscience, who mirrored the gesture. "If you know what I mean." Conscience pretended to look troubled, but a mere moment later dropped the act.

"Psh, whatever," he crossed his arms dismissively and looked away.

"Plus," James once again raised his index, "I'm always down for a good book. You being a librarian, I'm sure you know some good reads." He looked at Twilight as he said this.

Twilight's eye twitched. Only Conscience didn't notice.

"You know what, Twilight? Forget about it. I'll be fine," Spike said, attempting to keep her calm. Much to his relief, he succeeded.

"Okay, I guess you're right, Spike. I'll be back before you know it," Twilight smiled warmly before walking out and closing the door behind her. Spike and Conscience's gaze lingered on the door for a few moments.

Then Conscience Epic Shrugged. "And I'm okay with this!" He turned back around. "Look on the bright side, James. We have the chance to get to know a real, living dragon!" He got dead silence in response.

They looked around the room. "Umm... James?" Spike called.

Conscience ran to a front-house-view window. He searched the crowd of ponies outside, eventually finding Twilight. As he looked closer he noticed an tiny,out-of-place-looking thing slightly sticking out of her saddle bags. A black-and-white thing. Conscience scoffed.

"He snuck off anyway," he said darkly as he narrowed his eyes... then he threw his hands up in the air. "Ah well! It's his loss."

Spike sighed, as he began to spruce up the house before Twilight got back.

Twilight briskly trotted through Canterlot. She felt a little guilty for throwing so much responsibility at Spike like she did. But she needed to finish reading the books she'd started, and had the feeling that it was going to be near impossible with her new guest. Or more accurately, guests. Little did she know, one of those guests didn't actually take their stay.

James had a great deal of elevation inside Twilight's saddle bags, with all the books she had inside. He'd managed to shrink himself with a Mini Mushroom while no one was paying attention. It surprised him that Conscience didn't catch him.

James used the strap to slightly cover his head, which was sticking out of the bag, so no one saw him. He could still see fine if he looked to his left or his right, which was the direction of the path Twilight was walking towards. On either side of him were a hole coming from the straps being lifted more than intended, due to James's head. It started to get rather uncomfortable, so he used his hand to support the strap.

Twilight was smiling as she continued to walk down the road, completely oblivious of her company. The trip to the park itself was calming to her, all her frustration pushed to the back of her mind. It was like a natural sedative. It took only about ten minutes to get there from home. Soon, she was walking along the grass of the park. James looked from his hiding spot as Twilight walked towards a grand-looking tree that stood out among the rest of the park. Then everything was still as he felt her levitate her saddle bags from her back. He watched as she trotted over to the tree, three thick books levitating next to her, and lie down to begin reading.

James considered giving himself a Super Mushroom to go back to his normal size, but thought against it. He didn't want to cause any more suspicion than he already might've from any of the citizens. Neither towards him nor Twilight. That would be unfair to her. So he decided he'd stay shrunken for the time being. He walked over to her. With her laying down, he was about a quarter of her size, not counting the height of her neck and above as she read. He walked past her barrel, and made it to her forelegs... then he jumped and landed right onto the middle of the book.

"AH!" Twilight recoiled. Eventually she recovered. "...James!?"

James Signature Blushed, "Guess who?" His voice's pitch was much higher due to the effects of the Mini Mushroom.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed, trying not to let anyone else hear her (even though there was hardly anyone even near her).

"Excuse me, Twilight," he raised his index, "but I can't help but feel he has a point. After all, I can be a bit of a handful...." He narrowed his eyes at Conscience, who mirrored the gesture. "If you know what I mean."

At this point, James wasn't sure if he was going to get a "yes" from Twilight. Spike was looking between Conscience and Twilight, but for some reason, not him. Twilight seemed to be too lost in thought to even stay aware that anyone was right next to her. She'd probably jump if someone said her name, she seemed so distracted. That only left his conscience, who was staring right at him. However, he was staring attentively at Conscience's body language, waiting for the moment to strike.

Conscience pretended to look troubled, but a mere moment later dropped the act.

NOW!

"Psh, whatever," he crossed his arms dismissively and looked away, James immediately pulling out a Mini Mushroom afterwards. As he ate it, he heard its trademark chime.

He looked at Twilight. "Plus," James once again raised his index, "I'm always down for a good book. You being a librarian, I'm sure you know some good reads." One of the side effects of the Mini Mushroom was that it made your voice pitch higher, and slightly quieter. Thus, James had to speak in an even deeper voice, and project his voice a little more. His pitch was barely just a bit too high still, but fortunately for him, no one seemed to notice.

Twilight's eye twitched. (She still had that distant look, and didn't even look at James when he spoke.) Only Conscience didn't notice.

"You know what, Twilight? Forget about it. I'll be fine," Spike said, attempting to keep her calm. Much to his relief, he succeeded. At this point, James noticed the extra distraction and seized his opportunity. He effortlessly jumped right into her left saddle bag.

"Okay, I guess you're right, Spike. I'll be back before you know it," Twilight smiled warmly before walking out and closing the door behind her.

"You snuck into my saddle bags while I wasn't looking!?" she exclaimed, temporarily forgetting her intended facade of inconspicuousness. Fortunately for them, they were the only two there a that point. Furthermore, the tree Twilight was under was closer to the middle of the park, rather than the edge of it.

"Correction, Twilight. I snuck into your saddle bags while no one was looking, not even Conscience... and that's saying something," James deadpanned as he said that last part.

"Do you do things like this all the time?" Twilight asked, sounding exasperated.

"Oh, no," James waved his hand dismissively. "I do it here and there. But it depends on the case. Like, if a someone's evil, and holding you hostage to get to someone close to you. And then they tell you to stay there while they answer the door, and on the other side is their intended target. You're not going to not stop the criminal from doing anything terrible to you or someone you care about.

"You know... dire situations."

"This was 'dire situation?'" she intoned.

James mirrored her deadpan expression. "...And then there's the few exceptions."

Twilight continued to deadpan at him.

"I mean jeez, Twilight! Is it so wrong for a guy to want to read something?" he continued.

Her expression softened. "...Oh. Is that all? Why didn't you just ask?"

James deadpanned as he raised an eyebrow. "I did, but then you were staring into space, and then your eye twitched. Which apparently had your assistant on edge, so he stopped pressing and agreed to stay with both me and Conscience."

"Oh," Twilight frowned. "...Sorry."

James smiled Cheerfully. "Well, I'm here now. And I'm okay with this!" he Epic Shrugged. Then he turned around to look at the book she was reading. "So, what is this?"

"Well, this is a science fiction novel I had started on yesterday night. I was planning on finishing it up," she replied.

"Oh, that's cool. Can I read, too?"

"Of course," Twilight smiled.

Meanwhile at the library, Spike was finishing with tidying up the house. It had been a little past one hour since Twilight and James left.

"Aaand, done," he said triumphantly to himself as he dusted off the last shelf. As he looked around the place, his eyes fell on a figure standing in the corner of the wall.

Oh yeah, I forgot he was here.

Spike walked over to Conscience. "Hey, are you alright? You've been awfully quiet over here."

Conscience turned around. "Yeah, I'm okay, nothing wrong," he assured him. He had a book open in his hand.

"You know, you don't have to stand up, let alone in the corner. We have a couch," Spike gestured behind himself to a couch in the opposite corner of the room.

"Thanks, but I'm fine where I am," Conscience replied as he continued reading.

"Oh, well, okay..." Spike trailed off as he turned and walked away.

Well, I'm done cleaning the house, so what to do now...?

Spike thought for a moment. A short moment after, his eyes lit up.

I haven't wrapped my gift for Moon Dancer yet. I can do that now!

And so he headed toward the closet, where he had it, and opened it. Inside was a small, square box. Next to it the wrapping paper and scissors, as well as the ribbons. Inside the box was said gift. Spike grabbed all of the above, and walked back into the main room where Conscience was still silently standing and reading. There, he made his way to the middle of the room, and set everything down. As he began wrapping, Conscience looked up to find the cause of the broken silence. He raised an eyebrow as he saw Spike on the floor with gift-wrapping supplies. His curiosity piqued, he closed the book he was reading, returned it to its initial spot on the bookshelf (which was right next to him), and walked over to him.

"What's that?" he asked as he looked over Spike's shoulder.

Spike jumped, startled by the voice behind him, but just as quickly recovered. "Oh, this is a present for Moon Dancer's party. She's holding one later today."

"Moon Dancer? Huh... does she set up gatherings like this often?"

"Well, not really. More like, here and there."

"Oh, okay...," Conscience trailed off. He watched as Spike started struggling with the box and wrapping paper. "So, what did you get for her?"

"It's a teddy bear," Spike replied.

Conscience looked at him in confusion. "Um... how old is this Moon Dancer again?"

"Oh she's around Twilight's age."

"..."

"I thought she'd like it," Spike continued, apparently oblivious to the silence.

"...Alright...," Conscience sounded subtly uneasy. He hadn't realized Spike was still struggling with the box and paper until he heard him grunt in frustration. "Is this the first time you've done this?"

"Well, no. I've tried to bring something to a party a few times befo--"

"No no, I mean, is this the first time you've wrapped a gift?"

Spike stopped and looked at him. "No. But I never was really good at doing this sort of thing."

"Does Twilight know how?"

"Well, yeah, but she has magic. So she wouldn't be able to teach me. Besides, even if she could teach me, she'd always be too busy studying to have time to teach me."

"Did you just say 'magic?'" Conscience asked incredulously.

"...Yeah, what of it?"

"...So... Twilight's horn started glowing and the door opened. That was--"

"Magic, yes."

"...Spike, you definitely need a gift wrapping teacher. And given the circumstances, it appears I must be that teacher," Conscience said, trying to change the subject. He succeeded.

Spike looked up and smiled at him with hopeful eyes. "Really?"

Conscience smiled back, "Sure." He was rather taken aback when Spike gave him a hug.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!" Spike sounded excited.

"Uh... yeah, sure thing," Conscience said uneasily. It wasn't that hugs felt alien to him, far from it, actually. However, he was surprised that Spike had opened up to him so much, so quickly. It had been only about an hour since they met each other, and here Spike was, hugging him like he'd known him for years. Or a day, at least.

As Spike pulled away, Conscience spoke up. "So, the first thing we need to do is get a good idea of how much wrapping paper we'll need to wrap the gift," he said, holding up the roll of wrapping paper. Spike watched attentively as Conscience continued. "Fortunately, this has three precise dimensions, since it's a rectangular prism, better yet a cube shape. It's not anything abstract, and that's a good way to start when learning."

He placed the gift wrapping paper on the floor before rolling out about three feet of it. "Usually, you'll want to make sure the paper you cut off to use is three to two-squared times the size of the box. That would apply to a perfectly square box, or at least one that's really close to one."

"Two-squared?" Spike asked.

"Yeah, you know, the number after three?"

"...Four?"

"Yes, that number."

"Why can't you just say four?"

"I just don't like the number."

"..."

"...Anyway, after you've made your measurement, you should place the box about three-fourths to either side of the wrapping paper. Of course, this is when the paper is longer when laid horizontally."

"...You said the number," Spike spoke.

"I'm sorry?"

"You said the number four."

Conscience shook his head. "No, no I said 'fourths,' with a 'T-H.' Not that number. There's a difference. Excuse my rudeness, but please don't interrupt unless it's important," his eyebrows slightly furrowed for a second.

Spike nodded.

"Good. Now let me get caught up." Conscience pulled out a brown cardboard box about twice the size of Spike's. Spike was tempted to ask where he got it, but held his tongue. Conscience quickly repeated the steps he went over, and soon, he had a strip of wrapping paper reasonably proportional to the size of the box.

"There. The next part is rather simple. Now do as I do." Spike nodded. "First, you'll want to wrap the box from the short sides," he explained as he put his words into action. Spike did as instructed. "Then you wrap the longer sides," he wrapped the longer ends of paper around his box, while Spike did the same with his.

"Now you're ready for the ribbons," Conscience said as he pulled out a paperweight and put it on top of his box to hold it. Then he walked over to Spike. "Now, here is where this gets rather tricky..."

Twilight was already halfway through her second book. James didn't say anything, but he was slightly pissed at how fast she was reading. At first he was trying to read at a decent pace, but when he got a little past the first page, she'd already be done and turn to the next pair of pages. It exasperated him to the point where he decided to ask her if she was just skimming through the book.

"No, why would I want to do that? I might miss something important!" she almost sounded offended.

"Well, I couldn't help but ask, considering it looks like you're reading a thousand words per minute," James exaggerated.

"I don't read that fast," Twilight defended.

"Sure you don't," James deadpanned as he looked down at the book again. It was only at least ten seconds, before Twilight turned to the next page.

"F***!" James snapped.

Twilight recoiled in shock at the sudden outburst. "Wh-what?"

"F***. The f-word. F-star-star-star," James deadpanned.

"What did you say that for?"

James squinted in confusion at the sincerity of Twilight's question. "Um, because I was pissed off. At you reading so fast. Why else?"

"Okay, but who just does that out of nowhere like that?"

James gave an odd look towards the camera before turning back to Twilight. "Um... Twilight? Back in my universe, there's a countless number of others who do that."

"...Seriously!?"

"Can we f*cking drop the subject!? ...Please?" James added as an afterthought.

"Yes! Yes we can," Twilight's eye twitched.

Oh boy, I got her worked up again.
...
...What a lightweight. But then again, I'd be a hypocrite if I said that I didn't.

"...Why don't you read out loud? You know, so both of us can enjoy the books?"

"Ugh...fine," Twilight groaned.

"Hey, I did it!" Spike cheered.

"See? I knew you could do it!" Conscience replied. "It looks nice."

In front of Spike was a completely wrapped gift box. It was done with red wrapping paper, and tied with gold-ish yellow ribbon. It looked amazing. Conscience had an identical one, the only difference being the larger size.

"I'll say. And in good time, too!" Spike pointed at the hourglass.

Conscience looked in confusion at the hourglass. He had almost forgotten about it until Spike said anything about it, despite its size. He couldn't miss it. So how did he forget? Not to mention...

"How do you tell the time on that thing?"

Oh, it's easy. The sand is supposed to represent twelve hours. When all the sand goes into the bottom, then it's either twelve at noon, or twelve midnight. As soon as the last grain of sand falls, it flips itself over to restart the cycle."

"...What the f***?"

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing," he remembered what Spike said about magic. "How does it flip itself?"

"Oh, Twilight cast a spell on it."

"Oh," Conscience responded as he understood, "Okay, I guess that makes sense."

"You should come with me. I'm sure Moon Dancer would be thrilled to meet you."

Conscience Signature Blushed, "Well, as much as I'd love to, I'm not exactly familiar with everyone."

Twilight opened her third book and began to read. James stood in front of her, listening as she read.

"Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria..."

What in the f*ck! James raged in his head.

"...there were two regal sisters who ruled together, and created harmony for all the land."

I call bullsh*t!

"To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn. The younger, brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom, and their subjects, all the different types of ponies."

...Wait, that's it? They raise the sun and moon? ...Meh, she did say all the land, that doesn't apply the anyone.

"But as time went on..."

I knew there was a catch...

"The younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night."

Aaand, jealousy is the way this story goes down. It's a shame... hey, that's a good song! James began to play the song in his head as he continued to listen.

"One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn."

*gasp* WHATTHEF*CKISSHEDOING!?

"The elder sister tried to reason with her."

Oh, I see where this is going...

"But the bitterness in the young one's heart, had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon."

...Oh... well, damn.
...The f*ck...?

"She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night."

Oh, that is dark... messing with the balance of nature like that...

"Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony."

Okay, one: the most powerful? That's... almost disappointing. Two: ponydom? I mean, is there even a word like that in our universe? I think NOT! ...But I could be wrong. James looked at the Elements of Harmony in the book. ...Words cannot describe a thing in my head right now...

"Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon."

James's eyes widened as Twilight read that part.

Holy, f*ck! I don't even think horror movies are this dark!

"The elder sister took on responsibility, for both sun, and moon, and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since."

...That was the most heartbreaking sh*t I've ever heard in my life. Of course, he was exaggerating to himself.

"Hmm, Elements of Harmony. I know I heard of those before... but where?" Twilight pondered, looking at the sky.

No you haven't, Twilight. I'm can surely guess you've never even heard of the Elements until now, James thought as he deadpanned at her.

His thoughts were interrupted when Twilight picked up books and trotted over to her saddle bags. "Wait, that's it? We're leaving?"

Twilight put on her saddle bags and looked over at him. "Aren't you coming?" she asked.

"I'll take that as a yes," James ran up to her and jumped into her saddle bag. Once again, he jumped into the left one.

"It's a bomb." "gasp Oh, NO!" POW!

Mr. Original’s Dictionary
Original Edition

Grief Grimace
/ɡrēf ɡriməs/
vb.

-When James/Conscience grimaces with a troubled look (esp. w/ eyes closed)

GRIEF GRIMACE

Flash
/flaSH/
vb.

-When James/Conscience moves at a super fast speed; in which a white, blinding flash of lightning* occurs
*This lightning can appear anywhere, including indoors, even when it's not possible.

***

Break-dance Kick
/brāk-dans kik/
vb.

-to stoop to a crouching position, and swing one's own legs around them in a circle

BREAK-DANCE KICK

[Theme Song]

Twilight walked down the same path she'd taken to get to the park. As she got to the bridge, three other unicorn mares approached her. The first one was a blue pony, with a darker blue mane and tail with a white streak. The second was cream-colored, with a light pink mane and tail. The third was yellow, with a turquoise mane and tail.

"There you are, Twilight!" the cream-colored spoke. James peeked out of the bag to see the source of the new voice. Fortunately, his hat helped him blend in with the shadow that the strap cast.

He saw the mare in the middle talking. "Moon Dancer is having a little get-together in the west castle courtyard. You wanna come?" the three mares leaned forward as they smiled expectantly. James almost lost his balance, when Twilight recoiled in response.

"Oh, sorry, girls. I've got a lot of studying to catch up on."

Lie..., James thought, You just read three thick-ass books, and you mean to tell me that you're still behi-- GAH!

James's thought's were interrupted again that day as Twilight suddenly made a beeline for her house.

He deadpanned at her, though she didn't notice. That's f*cked up, Twilight. You could at least tell them you're not interested. I know I would... no. No I wouldn't. He looked back at the three mares, who looked disappointed as they walked away.

"I know I've heard of the Elements of Harmony," Twilight said to herself.

James was in the left saddle bag, so he didn't see the two mares Twilight was running towards. One mare was waving at her, but in her haste, Twilight didn't even seem to notice them.

Only about three seconds later, they arrived at her house. That surprised the hell out of James. They hadn't gotten to the park anywhere near this quick.

"Well, this is it," Spike said triumphantly as he picked up his present.

Conscience, who was taking the extra time to make his gift box look even fancier, look up at Spike. "Go get 'em!" He shook his fist in the air.

"Will do!" Spike saluted as he walked toward the door with a cheerful look, the present in tow.

SLAM!

Conscience Grief Grimaced as the door suddenly flew open, harshly throwing Spike back.

"Spike? Spiiike!" Twilight looked around.

James jumped out and ate a Super Mushroom, returning to normal size. He tapped Twilight on the shoulder. "Seriously, Twilight? He's right in front of you," he gestured in front of himself, before walking up the stairs.

"Conscience, I presume you've been a good conscience while I was gone?" his voice was barely from the bottom of the inside stairs.

"F*** off, okay?" the same voice responded.

"Spike?" Twilight looked at where James pointed to see a dazed Spike picking himself up, his eyes rolling in his head.

"There you are," she said. Spike recovered from getting the door slammed in his face to see her running up the stairs.

"Is Spike okay?" James and Conscience asked in unison.

"Uh-huh," Twilight didn't even look like she was paying attention.

James exchanged a glance with Conscience as they set their gaze on the stairs. To their relief, Spike eventually trudged up the stairs, with no apparent injuries. They looked back to Twilight, who was furiously searching the bookshelves.

"Quick, find me that old copy of Predictions and Prophecies," she said as she looked over to him. "What's that for?" she asked as she pointed her hoof.

Conscience's eyes widened as he looked over to see Spike's preciously-wrapped gift impaled by his tail. "DAMN IT DAMN IT DAMN IT! He worked so f***ing hard to get that finished!"

Spike turned around to look at his tail. "Well... it was a gift for Moon Dancer, but..." he trailed off as the teddy bear fell out of the box, onto the floor with a squeak.

Twilight gave him a mildly stern look, "Oh, Spike. You know we don't have time for that sort of thing."

"Someone's a shut-iiin," Conscience sing-songed quietly to James.

"But we're on a break!" Spike complained.

"Yes. Yes she is," James quietly agreed with Conscience as he nodded.

Twilight's horn began to glow as she began searching the higher shelves. Several books levitated downward towards her. "No...no... no... no no no," she grew frustrated, "Spike!"

"It's over here!" he called out. Twilight, James, Conscience looked to see Spike waving a book in the air from a ladder.

"Damn. Did you see him move?" Conscience asked James.

"No. No I didn't," James catch-phrased in reply.

The book Spike was holding began to glow like Twilight's horn, and began moving towards her... taking Spike with it.

Spike, still holding the book, was merely two yards or so from impacting the floor. Conscience immediately sprung into action.

KLPOW!

In an ethereal flash of lightning, Conscience was right under Spike in what seemed like a millisecond.

Spike looked confused, still processing the fact that he hadn't impacted the floor.

"AH!" Twilight lit up upon seeing the book she was looking for, and brought it over to her stand.

"I recommend letting go of the book next time," Conscience spoke up. Spike finally recovered and looked over at him.

"Woah, that was close. Thanks," he smiled gratefully at Conscience.

Conscience smirked, "It's cool."

"How did you get over here so fast?"

Conscience responded nonchalantly, "It's what James and I call 'Flashing.'" He put Spike down and walked over to James, leaving him utterly confused. Spike quietly sighed at the mess Twilight effortlessly made, before he began to clean it up. Again.

"So, James, while Spike was wrapping up something for this Moon Dancer, he convinced me to get something for you, too!"

"What? No I didn't!" Spike argued.

James gave him a knowing look, "I know you didn't. But him lying on you like that gives me all the more reason to not trust whatever he has in mind."

"Oh, shut up and take this," Conscience pulled out his present and threw it at James, who caught it out of reflex.

Sighing, James looked at the present. It had a note attached to it by a string. He grabbed it and read it out loud, but quietly enough so only Conscience could hear him. Twilight was 'studying' so he wasn't going to disturb her right now.

"This present will self-destruct in ten seconds after this message is read to the last letter."

It was nearly a full second before James's eyebrows furrowed, realizing what he just read. "...Sh*t."

He didn't waste any time. He quickly shoved a Mini Mushroom against the present, shrinking it to the size of a crumb. Next, he quickly pulled out a clock from Super Mario Bros. 2 and turned the minute hand less than a fourth past the twelve. He then pulled out an Invincible Star and shoved it onto the clock, before eating it. Finally, he hastily threw the miniature gift into his mouth. About three seconds later, a small trail of thick-looking smoke emerged from his ears.

Conscience smirked as James gave him a death stare. "I'm gonna kill you," he catch-phrased darkly. Then again, he always said that line in a dark tone of voice.

"Thanks. I try," Conscience remarked as he put on some sunglasses.

Fortunately for James, Twilight and Spike hadn't noticed anything. Twilight was looking through the book for a certain page.

"Elements, Elements, E, E, E... aha," she stopped on a page almost close to the halfway mark. "Elements of Harmony: See Mare in the Moon?"

"That would be Nightmare Moon, wouldn't it?" James guessed as his Invincible Star ended.

"'Mare in the Moon?' But that's just an old pony's tale," Spike said from the ladder as he was balancing a stack of books in his hands.

"Psh. If this world is as magical," James air-quoted the last word, "as this book says, then I'm not sure if there's such a thing as a 'pony's tale.'"

"Whatever the f*** that is...," Conscience muttered.

Twilight continued to flip several pages further. "Mare, Mare, aha!" she stopped on a page closer to the middle of the book. "Mare in the Moon, myth from olden pony times: a powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria. Defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on longest day of the thousandth year, the star will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal!" she gasped.

"Spike, do you know what this means?"

Conscience spoke up, "It means that this world is f***ed in a matter of da-- OW!" He was interrupted as James smacked him in the back of his head.

"WHOOOAH!" Spike flailed about as the ladder fell from under him.

James looked up and narrowed his eyes. "I got this."

KLPOW!

James caught Spike in his hands and gently placed him on the floor. "Spike, you should really be more careful." Before Spike could thank him, Twilight levitated a parchment and quill over to him.

"Take a note, please. To the Princess."

"O-key dokey," Spike prepared to write.

Conscience looked at her in confusion. "Um, unless your postal system is run by hyperactive hedgehogs, I don't think mailing a letter to the Princess is the most efficient thing to do. We might as well say whatever to her in her face, rather than waste time waiting for the mail to go by."

Twilight ignored him,

"My dearest teacher,..." James almost forgot that she was the Princess's student until she'd said that.

"My continuing studies of pony magic have lead me to discover, that we are on the precibus of disaster."

"Hold on," Spike interrupted. "Prese-... preci...?"

"P-R-E-C-I-B-U-S," Conscience spelled the word out. "As in something hazardous or bad is bound to occur."

"Oh," Spike quickly wrote down the word. "Okay!"

"For you see, the mythical Mare in the Moon is, in fact, Nightmare Moon. And she's about to return to Equestria, and bring with her eternal night! Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true. I await your quick response.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle."

James gave an incredulous look. "Your last name is 'Sparkle?'"

"Twi-light... Spar-kle. Got it!" Spike finished.

"Great. Send it," Twilight replied without missing a beat.

"...Now?" Spike asked.

"Of course!" Twilight replied.

Spike hesitated. "Eh... I don't know, Twilight. Princess Celestia's a little busy getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration. And it's like, the day after tomorrow."

Conscience deadpanned, "What in the f*** is the Summe-- ow, damn it!" James thumped Conscience in the nose, cutting him off.

"That's just it, Spike," Twilight said back, "The day after tomorrow is the thousandth day of the Summer Sun Celebration. It's imperative that the Princess is told right away," she leaned forward, as if trying to stare into his soul.

Twilight deadpanned (at the camera) as Spike put the quill back to the parchment, "Impere-... imperi...?"

"IMPORTANT!" she verbally blew him to the ground, literally.

"Okay, okay!" Spike got up.

That was when James and Conscience got a taste of their own medicine (it wasn't the first time). They stared, looking dumbfounded as they watched Spike blow flames onto the parchment, which vaporized and sparkled as it flew out of the window.

"There. It's on its way," Spike said. As James and Conscience finally recovered from their stupor, Conscience spoke up.

"That's mail for you, folks!" he gestured at Spike as he gave a large smile (to the camera).

"But I wouldn't hold your breath..." Spike put up a clawed finger.

"Oh, I'm not worried, Spike. The Princess trusts me completely. In all the years she's been my mentor, she's never once doubted me."

James and Conscience raised an eyebrow in perfect sync as they watched Spike suddenly belch out a green flame. "What in the f***?" Conscience muttered to himself. Then the flame transformed into a parchment scroll.

"DAAAAAAAAAMN!" Conscience and James recoiled in surprise.

"Princess Celestia is a speed-reader... and writer for that matter," James deadpanned.

"See? I knew she'd wanna take immediate action," Twilight spoke triumphantly.

Spike opened the scroll and cleared his throat, preparing to read.

"My dearest, most faithful student Twilight,

You know that I value your diligence, and that I trust you completely."

"Wow, the Princess really thinks very highly of you, Twilight," Conscience smirked. Twilight blushed at his comment. Spike continued.

"But you simply must stop reading those dusty old books!"

Twilight gasped.

"Oh, snap!" Conscience Break-dance Kicked.

"Nice to meet you! ...Even though you're not here..."

Author's Note

Okay, everyone! There's something you NEED to know at this point.

Whenever a word is underlined, that means that me or Conscience fired a single shot with a gun.
This also applies to Exploding (see Mr. Original's Dictionary), where the font color is red.
Example of shooting: POW!
Example of Exploding: BOOM!

If a word only has certain letters underlined or colored, then we only fire during that part of the word.
This does apply to Exploding.
Example of shooting: "You, sunovabitch!"
Example of Exploding: "No one calls me stupid!!

If a word has a pattern where every other letter is underlined, that means we fired rapidly. It does not matter what gun is being used.
This does NOT apply to Exploding.
For example: "RRRRRRRRRRRR!!

Got that? ...Good. Enjoy! *jumps inside pipe*

"Nice to meet you! ...Even though you're not here..."

Mr. Original’s Dictionary
Original Edition

Explode
/ikˈsplōd/
vb.

-when James/Conscience releases a great deal of emotion in the form of an explosion* (usually in anger)
*The explosion,which engulfs James or Conscience, is a pillar shape and doesn't even last a full second. The range of the explosion is not much wider than either of them. Unless someone is touching them, or right above them, this explosion is most likely harmless. Otherwise, it is dangerous.

***

Tornado Spin
/tôrˈnādō spin/
vb.

-to wind one's self up , and spin on one foot (esp. w/ arms held out straight beside them): i.e. A SPINNING TOP

TORNADO SPIN

James looked perplexed as he, Twilight, and Spike rode in a flying chariot. (Conscience merged with James before the flight, so the chariot wouldn't be as heavy.) It was strange enough that there were two pegasi pulling the chariot (and keeping it from falling below them- or even leaning back for that matter- due to lack of momentum). But they were also kicking their legs, as if they could actually gallop on thin air. It was beyond him how they managed to pull it off. Not to mention how they seemed to think galloping on nothing did help, if at all.

Apparently, Spike either got a second letter without James noticing, or he was on the same letter, but the Princess started a new message on the same parchment. Because heard Spike read word-for-word, and as he spoke, James heard another introduction to the letter.

"My dear Twilight,

There is more to a young pony's life than studying. So I'm sending you to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year's location, Ponyville."

"Oh, that is beyond cliche," James rolled his eyes. "Maybe in my universe, there's actually a town called 'Humanville,' or some sh*t," he threw his hands up in the air in mock excitement.

Spike continued.

"And, I have an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends,

he looked at Twilight as he read that part.

"Oh, snap!" James Tornado Spun. Twilight moaned in frustration.

Spike tried to cheer her up. "Look on the bright side, Twilight. The Princess arranged for you to stay in a library. Doesn't that make you happy?"

He succeeded. Twilight's head rose, "Yes. Yes it does." James stopped spinning as he heard his catch-phrase being used. "You know why? Because I'm right. I'll check on the preparations as fast as I can. Then I'll go back to the library to get some more proof of Nightmare Moon's return."

"Then... when will you make friends, like the Princess said?" Spike asked.

"She said to check on preparations. I am her student, and I'll do my royal duty. But the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends."

"I don't know, Twilight," James spoke up in mock uncertainty. "As far as I can tell, the Princess is pretty intelligent. I'm sure she knows what she's doing. You should have a little faith in her." The second the two pegasi guards came to a landing, James deadpanned. "Conscience, get out."

And out, came the Conscience. "Ooh," he looked around, "this place looks welcoming."

The two guards neighed to signal their arrival. "Thank you, sirs," Twilight smiled at them. They smiled and nodded. Then James and Conscience followed behind, and walked up to the guards.

"Conscience, tip me," James held out his hand. Conscience groaned in exasperation and socked himself in the back of the head, producing a crisp twenty dollar bill. It landed smoothly in James's hand.

James then held the bill by the side and held it out to the first pegasus. "We appreciate it very much," James nodded. The two guards looked in confusion at the dollar bill. They exchanged glances. Eventually the second one shrugged to the first, who hesitantly took the bill in his mouth before they turned to leave.

"You take care now!" James called out to them as they flew away.

Conscience glared at him as they caught up with Twilight and Spike. "You better be glad I don't have to Coin Punch myself so hard to get that much money."

"Shush," James intoned.

"You're welcome," Conscience replied sarcastically.

"Maybe the ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about," Spike spoke up as a pink mare walked in their direction. She then stopped in front of them. "Come on, Twilight, just try!" Spike gestured at the mare.

"Uh... hello?" Twilight smiled nervously. James and Conscience waved Cheerfully from behind.

The mare gasped dramatically, startling them, before zooming past them.

The group stood there and stared for a few seconds as she ran off.

"I like it here already!" Conscience chirped Cheerfully.

"...Well, that was interesting, alright," Twilight quirked an eyebrow before walking in the same direction. Spike sighed as he followed her, James and Conscience close behind.

"Meh, don't give up so quickly, Twilight. Maybe she was just a special case. I'm sure not everyone in this town does that," James looked around at some of the townsfolk. As he caught some of their gazes, he waved. To his delight, some waved back, causing his smile to slightly grow.

The group of four continued to walk down the dirt path, passing by a numerous bunch of apple trees. Spike looked at the parchment in his hand as he read. "Summer Sun Celebration: official overseer's checklist. Number one. Banquet preparations: Sweet Apple Acres."

"Son of a bitch pudding...," James cursed quietly as he lightly Coin Punched himself in the back of his head, producing a five dollar bill into the smirking Conscience's waiting hand.

"YEEEEEHAAAW!"

They turned to see the source of the voice, which turned out to be an orange pony with a brown stetson hat. They watched as she galloped up to a tree and kicked it with her hind legs, causing all the apples in the tree to shake, falling into the waiting baskets below. She stood proudly as she crossed her foreleg with her other.

"Oh, I can do that, Conscience bragged as he cracked his knuckles while stepping forward. James wasn't having it. At least, not yet.

"Not now, Conscience," he held Conscience back with his arm.

"Damn it," Conscience muttered as he crossed his arms and pouted.

Twilight sighed, "Let's get this over with..." They walked towards the pony. James noticed this one didn't have wings, or a horn. For some reason unknown to him, that relieved him. "Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle."

"I'm James, and this is Conscience," James spoke up gesturing to Conscience, who waved Cheerfully.

Twilight gasped in surprise as the pony suddenly grabbed her hoof and shook vigorously. "Well howdy do, Miss Twilight! A pleasure makin' yer acquaintance. Ah'm Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like makin' new friends." At that, James and Conscience both stifled a laugh as Conscience held up a box of Apple Jacks cereal.

"'Friends?'" Twilight said the word as if she had never heard of it in her life. "Actually-y-y, I-I uh..."

Applejack pulled away (and Conscience quickly put away the box of cereal). "So. What can Ah do ya for?" she winked at Twilight.

Twilight's eyes were shut, as she was still shaking her hoof rapidly. Spike had to grab her hand to stop her. She glared at him as he stifled a laugh. James smiled in amusement while Conscience's face was red as he snorted, trying his hardest not to collapse on the ground cracking up.

"Ahem. Well, I am in fact, here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And, you're in charge of the food?"

"We sure as sugar are!" Applejack replied. "Would ya care to sample some?"

"Well, as long as it doesn't take too long," Twilight raised an eyebrow as Applejack zoomed off before she could even finish. She went over to a rusty-looking triangle dangling by a rope. She took a (triangle stick?) and rapidly tapped it against the insides, playing its chime.

"SOUP'S ON, EVERYPONY!" she called out.

"Did she just say 'everypony?'" Conscience furrowed his eyebrows.

James didn't get to reply as a giant crowd of ponies stampeded them from behind to a waiting table.

"Ooh, a tablecloth! Classy," James admired as he looked down at the plaid yellow and orange cloth.

Applejack popped up next to Conscience, who was at one of the ends of the table. "Now, why don't I introduce y'all, to the Apple family."

Twilight tried to make her escape. "Thanks, but I really need to hurry--" She was cut off as an plate with an apple fritter on it appeared in front of her face, held by one of the ponies that came out from the crowd.

Applejack spoke up. "This here's Apple Fritter... Apple Bumpkin,Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple...," Applejack continued to name ponies of the family as they zoomed to the table, put down an apple-related dish, and zoomed away just as quickly.

James looked over at Conscience. "What the f***!?" he mouthed silently to him. Conscience only shrugged his shoulders as Applejack continued to name everyone.

"Apple Cinnamon Crisp...," Applejack finally paused for a breath. A deep one, she was talking pretty fast for a long time. "Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, aaand...," she paused dramatically as she shoved a green apple into Twilight's mouth. "Granny, Smith. Up an at 'em, Granny Smith, we got guests," she said to an elderly mare, who was snoring as she rocked gently in a rocking chair.

Granny Smith stirred before she blinked her eyes open groggily. "W-Wha..? Soup's on? I'm up, here I come, ahm comin'..."

"What did she say?" Conscience whispered to James.

"I don't know. 'Soup's on,' and then I didn't get the rest," James whispered back.

Applejack put her foreleg over Twilight's back. "Why, I'd say, they're already part of the family!"

Twilight's eye's widened as she said that, before she did a spit take with the apple that was shoved in her mouth. "Ahaha," she laughed nervously, "Okay, well... I can see the food situation is handled, so, we'll be on our way."

Most of the Apple family members looked a bit devastated as she said that. "Aren't you gonna stay for brunch?" a small, sad voice asked.

Twilight and the others looked down to see Apple Bloom, who was giving the most adorable sad look she could possibly seem to manage.

Conscience spoke up. "...Well, you can't say 'no' to that face!" he Signature Shrugged.

James almost didn't care. Almost. That face was cute, and he wouldn't mind if he did stay. But at the same time, he had eaten a few hours ago. So he didn't have to get something to eat right then and there.

Twilight wasn't having it. "Sorry. But we have an awful lot to do," she said with a sympathetic look.

"Awwww," most of the Apple family (and Conscience) looked towards the ground sadly.

Twilight looked around. She just wanted to hurry up and finish, but she didn't want to upset anyone. "...Fine."

The Apples cheered happily.

"I say, when it comes to cooking, they sure don't f*** around," James rubbed his stomach contentedly.

"No kidding," Conscience agreed, licking his lips. "I counted fourteen Apple puns. Fifteen if you include Applejack."

"Uuugh," Twilight moaned in discomfort, "I ate too much pie...,"

Spike looked at the checklist as he, Twilight, James, and Conscience walked down the dirt road once again. "Food's all taken care of. Next, is weather."

"If you tell me that you guys can control the weather here, then I will, at the drop of a hat, call bullsh**," Conscience spoke up.

Spike defended, "But, we can control the weather he--"

"BULL-SH**!" Conscience interrupted.

POW!

"AH! DAMN IT!" Conscience winced in pain as James shot him in the leg with a handgun. Twilight and Spike looked in horror. James noticed this, and assured them.

"Don't worry, we do this all the time," he waved his hand dismissively as he put the gun back up.

"Yeah, I'm alright," Conscience winced. Hesitantly, they continued walking, James and Conscience following behind.

"Hmm," Spike placed the pencil he was holding against his chin. "There's supposed to be a pegasus pony named 'Rainbow Dash' clearing the clouds," he said while looking up at the sky.

Twilight looked around the sky, James and Conscience following suit. "Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she." That was all she got to say before something rammed right into her, splashing her into a puddle of mud... wherever the f*ck that came from.

"HO-LY, SH**!" Conscience cried out in surprise.

They looked over to Twilight, then their eyes fell on the figure on top of her. It was a sky blue-coated pegasus mare with a rainbow mane and tail.

Said mare blinked a few times as she recovered (rather quickly) and looked down to see who she ran into. "Hhheheheheh. Um... excuse me?" James was going to help Twilight up and ask if she was alright, but the pegasus spoke up. "Aheh. Let me help you!"

They watched as she zoomed away, quickly returning with a grey cloud in tow. She moved it on above Twilight before jumping on it repeatedly, causing a sh*tload of rain to pour on top of Twilight. James's mouth opened slightly in shock.

POP!

Conscience Pop Fainted.

After a few seconds, the mare stopped as the cloud turned white. She looked over the cloud with the other three, to see Twilight completely drenched, her mane and tail drooping with moisture.

The mare laughed lightly. "Oops. I-I guess I overdid it," she tapped her chin with her hoof. "Um, uh, how about this!"

Twilight's eyes widened as the pegasus suddenly flew a round her at breakneck speed. "My very own patented, Rainblow Dry," she said as she finished. "No no, don't thank me. You're quite welcome."

There was a short silence, before Conscience shot up and broke it. "Hey look, the mud puddle's gone!"

Rainbow Dash looked and saw that Twilight's mane and tail had gotten all curly and puffy. She bit her lip and teared up slightly as she snorted, then fell on the ground laughing. Spike soon followed suit upon seeing Twilight.

James and Conscience exchanged glances. "It's not that bad," Conscience shrugged.

"It really isn't," James shook his head in agreement.

Twilight didn't look amused. "Let me guess. You're Rainbow Dash."

The mare stopped laughing and shot up, launching Spike in the process. "Thee one and only," she pointed to herself proudly. She flew back into the air. "Why, you heard of me?"

"I heard you're supposed to be keeping the sky clear," Twilight sighed. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather."

"Yeah, yeah, that'll be a snap. I'll do that in a jiffy, just as soon as I'm done practicing," Rainbow Dash replied nonchalantly from a cloud she was relaxing on. James and Conscience looked unnerved at the position she was lying in.

"That does not look comfortable, not for a pony, at least," Conscience whispered to James. James was speechlessly staring at Rainbow, as he slowly shook his head in agreement.

"Practicing for what?" Twilight asked.

"The Wonderbolts!" Rainbow Dash replied dramatically while pointing at a poster that was adhered onto one of the houses. "They're gonna perform at the celebration tomorrow. And I'm gonna show 'em my stuff," she said as she did a loop in the air.

"Thee Wonderbolts?" Twilight smiled coyly.

"Yep."

"The most talented flyers in all of Equestria?"

"That's them," came the reply.

Twilight scoffed, "Please. They'd never accept a pegasus who can't even keep the sky clear for one measly day."

"Oh, snap!" Conscience Break-dance Kicked.

Upon seeing the smug look on Twilight's face, James quickly caught on: she was using reverse psychology. "Oh, I see what you're doing...," he said to himself. He could tell it was working, because Rainbow Dash turned around, looking offended.

"Hey. I can clear this sky in ten seconds flat," she glared at Twilight.

"Prove it," Twilight challenged as James pulled out his pocket watch.

And she did. She flew all over the sky punching and kicking clouds. "Loop-de-loop around, and wham! What'd I say. Ten. Seconds. Flat. I'd never leave Ponyville hangin'," she landed on the bridge as James put his watch up.

"...Damn," Conscience raised an eyebrow.

Rainbow laughed as Twilight, Spike, and Conscience stared dumbfounded. "Ahaha. You should see the look on your face. Ha. You're a laugh, Twilight Sparkle. I can't wait to hang out some more." Twilight's eyes widened as she said that.

"Wow. She's amazing," Spike pointed at Rainbow, who flew away, leaving a trail behind. He snorted in laughter as he remembered Twilight's mane.

Twilight grunted in annoyance as she started walking towards a tall, pointy building in front of them.

"Wait! It's kind of pretty once you get used to it," Spike ran to catch up with her, James and Conscience following close behind.

"Decorations," Spike said as he marked it down on the checklist. "...Beautiful...," he sounded entranced.

"Yes. The decor is coming along nicely," Twilight agreed as she caught up with him. "This oughta be quick. I'll be at the library in no time. Beautiful indeed."

"Not the decorations. Her!" Spike pointed at a white unicorn mare with a violet mane and tail, who was levitating various ribbons in front of her face.

"No... no... no... oh! Goodness, no," she spoke aloud to herself.

"How are my spines? Are they straight?" Spike asked, checking. Twilight rolled her eyes and walked over to the mare.

"Good afternoon."

The unicorn cut her off. "Just a moment, please. I'm in the zone, as it were. Oh yes, sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Rarity, you are a talent. Now, um, how can I help yo-- WAHAHAAH!" she yelped as she turned around to look at Twilight. "Oh my stars, darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?!"

"Oh, you mean my mane? Well, it's a long story," Twilight replied.

"Those are my favorite," Conscience deadpanned.

Twilight continued, "I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair."

"Out of my hair? What about your hair?" Rarity went behind Twilight and began to push her toward the exit.

"Wait," Twilight protested. "Where are we going? Help!"

Conscience looked over to James, "Uh, couldn't she just levitate her with her horn?"

"Well, from the perspective of the one being lifted, that would probably be even ruder than pushing them," James replied as they followed along.

He and Conscience both raised an eyebrow as they watched Spike fly behind them with the tip of his tail, hearts for eyes.

"What in the f***?" they intoned in unison.

After the struggle, their destination turned out to be Rarity's house, a fancy (and purple) house that reminded you of a merry-go-round.

Inside, Rarity was deciding on something for Twilight to wear. It was not proving to be simple.

"No, no, uh-uh. Too green."

"Too yellow."

"Too poofy!"

"Not poofy enough."

"Too frilly."

"Too... shiny."

Finally she seemed to settle for the next selection: a saddle-looking piece with several various gems instilled. "Now go on, my dear. You were telling me where you're from." And then she pulled on the strap, making it tighter.

Twilight strained, having trouble breathing. "I've... been sent... from Canterlot...to...," she didn't get to finish as Rarity let go in surprise.

"Canterlot!? Oh, I am so envious, the glamour, the sophistication... I've always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all about it!" Twilight's eyes widened at her next words. "We're gonna be the best of friends, you and I."

"Wow, she makes it sound like paradise," James muttered.

"I thought we were fixing her hair, not her entire appearance," Conscience replied impatiently.

Rarity's eyes fell on the saddle Twilight was wearing, and recoiled slightly. "Emeralds!? What was I thinking... let me get you some rubies!" With that, she ran into another room to do just that.

Twilight jumped on her chance like she was going to die if she didn't. Immediately turning away while Rarity was distracted, she made a run for the door. "Quick! Before she decides to dye my coat a new color!"

Spike sighed in adoration at Rarity. James and Conscience simply jumped into a pipe, and reappearing outside to catch up with Twilight. Why? Because they were complicating.

Spike still had that hypnotized look on his face as he sat on Twilight's back facing backwards. "Wasn't she wonderful?" he asked in a distant voice.

James and Conscience exchanged a glance. "...Meh," they shrugged in perfect sync.

"Focus, Casanova," Twilight said to Spike. "What's next on the list?"

Spike cleared his throat, "Oh, eh, music! It's the last one."

"Yesss," Conscience hissed as he pumped a fist in the air.

Just then, they heard some birds singing. It wasn't a random cacophony of individuals, but rather a group singing together.

"Damn. Those birds got talent," James complimented.

They followed the singing voices, and noticed it was coming from behind a clearing of bushes. They went through the clearing, to find a light yellow pegasus with a light pink mane and tail. She was waving her foreleg like a conductor as she floated barely a few yards from the ground. In front of the pegasus was a tree full of birds, the source of the singing.

They watched as she flew up to a blue jay and said something, the bird eventually nodding in reply.

As she flew back to her initial spot, Conscience Signature Shrugged. "Discount Snow White. Ow!" James smacked him upside the head.

"Shut up," he hissed at Conscience. "Maybe the birds can talk, too."

"Hello!" Twilight suddenly called out, startling the mare and the birds, who flew away in fright.

"Nicely done, Twilight," Conscience deadpanned at her.

"Oh my. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to frighten your birds. I'm just here to check up on the music, and it's sounding beautiful," Twilight smiled.

The light-colored pegasus, who was floating down to the ground as Twilight spoke, landed. She looked away from her gaze and lightly kicked the ground nervously. Upon seeing that, Conscience Cheerfully held up a sign that read: Luigi fan!!!

Twilight smiled awkwardly and looked around. She decided to try and break the ice. "I'm Twilight Sparkle... what's your name?"

"Um," the mare said timidly, "...I'm Fluttershy."

"What did she say?" James whispered to Conscience.

"I think she said Fluttershy," Conscience whispered back.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Twilight asked.

"Um... my name is Fluttershy," the mare mumbled quietly, taking a step back.

"Diiidn't quite catch that," Twilight said. At that, the mare whimpered as she hid behind her mane. There was a long, uncomfortable silence.

"...Canterlot would eat her alive...," Conscience said quietly as he shook his head. After a few seconds, the birds from earlier came back and perched on the tree.

"...Well, um, it looks like your birds are back. So I guess everything's in order. Keep up the good work!" Twilight smiled nervously. The mare whimpered again in response. Twilight walked back slowly," Ooo-kay..."

Conscience turned around with Twilight as Spike walked out of the bush. James's gaze lingered on the timid pegasus. He noticed she was still looking at them. "Well, that was easy," Twilight said.

James watched as the mare shot up and gasped at the sight of Spike. "A baby dragon!" She practically bowled over Twilight, sending her flying right over Spike's head. Conscience snorted in laughter as he held up a sign that read: Zero f*cks given.

"Oh, I've never seen a baby dragon before! He's so cute," she cooed at the dragon.

"He's a baby!?" James and Conscience exclaimed incredulously at Twilight, who was too dazed to answer.

"Well well well," Spike proudly crossed his arms as he smirked at Twilight.

"Oh my. He talks. I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful. I-I just don't even know what to say!"

That was when Twilight levitated Spike onto her back. He looked a little dizzy from it. "Well, in that case, we'd better be going," Twilight said politely before turning to leave.

KLPOW!

James and Conscience Flashed next to Twilight, and walked with her. However, the pegasus wasn't finished, as she followed close behind.

"Wait, wait! What's his name?" she asked.

"I'm Spike," he replied.

"Hi, Spike. I'm Fluttershy," she replied.

"See, I knew it," Conscience said to James.

"Wow, a talking dragon. And... what do dragons talk about?" Fluttershy asked.

"Well... what do you wanna know?"

"Absolutely everything."

James's eyes shot wide open, while...

POP!

Conscience Pop Fainted (though he fell forward). This surprisingly didn't faze Fluttershy, as she was still staring at Spike attentively. Twilight groaned in annoyance as they continued to walk. (Conscience was still unconscious on the ground behind them.)

"Weeell, I started out as a cute little purple and green egg...," Spike began.

The sun was now touching the horizon, and the sky was a blend of dark-ish and light yellow. The group of four walked down the road, cottages and other buildings surrounding them. James had Pop Fainted halfway through the story (which was about twenty minutes ago) due to a rare case of Too Much Information-itus, or 'TM Itus' for short. Conscience had only Flashed back to them no less than five minutes ago. His wide eyes twitched constantly and uncontrollably as Spike went on and on about his life. This was the second stage of TM Itus. There was a difference between long stories and over-detailed stories. James and Conscience knew that very well.

"...And that's the story of my whole, entire life," Spike finished. Conscience's eyes finally relaxed.

"Oh, thank goodness!" he sighed in relief.

"Well, up until today," Spike leaned forward. "Did you wanna hear about today?"

Conscience's eyes widened again. "Nooo! No, God, please no!" he Exploded, actually startling Spike and Fluttershy.

Twilight must have been too annoyed to be frightened, because she whirled around and gave a polite smile, that Conscience could obviously tell was strained.

"I'm am so sorry. How did we get here so fast? This is where I'm staying here in Ponyville, and my poor baby dragon needs his sleep," she said while making a pout. Conscience, admittedly, thought it looked adorable.

"No I don't," Spike argued. But Twilight held the innocent smile on her face as she launched Spike off her back and onto the ground beside her.

"Aw, wook at that. He's so sweepy he can't even keep his wittle bawance," she cooed at him. Conscience furrowed his eyebrow in exasperation at the way she slurred her L-pronunciations.

Fluttershy scooped him up. "Poor thing. We simply must get him to bed," she said as she flew inside. Twilight had other plans, however.

She raced inside and nicely pushed Fluttershy back outside. "Yes yes, we'll get right on that. Well, g'night!" And with that, Twilight shut the door in Fluttershy's face.

KLPOW!

James appeared behind Fluttershy. "Oh, hello again," he waved Cheerfully. "'Scuse me...," he politely moved past her, and went inside.

He came inside to see Spike glaring at Twilight.

"Huh. Rude much?" he said, his claws on his hips.

"Well, you weren't helping either!" Conscience glared at him.

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

Spike and Twilight jumped in fright when the lights suddenly turned on to reveal a large crowd of ponies with party hats and streamers surrounding them. "SURPRIIIIIISE!" they all shouted.

James looked around and saw three familiar mares at the front of the crowd. "Hey, I remember you guys from Canterlot," he said quietly to himself. Spike smiled as he looked around at everyone. Twilight moaned in annoyance. Conscience Signature Shrugged.

"Hot sauce, I DON'T put that sh*t on EVERYTHING."

Mr. Original’s Dictionary
Original Edition

Sharply
/ SHärplē/
adv.

-to do something so quickly, that it makes the sound of a whip

"Surpriiise!" the pink pony from earlier exclaimed again. "Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie and I made this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were you, were you, huh huh huh?" she jumped over Twilight, landing behind her, in less than a second.

"Yes. Yes we were," James replied.

"No. No we weren't," Conscience responded.

"Very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quiet," Twilight emphasized the last word.

Pinkie looked at Twilight like she said something crazy and mildly humorous. "Hah-well that's silly. What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean duh. Boooring!"

"I would actually like that," Conscience spoke up.

"Yes. Yes I would," James agreed.

Twilight walked through the crowd of ponies, Spike, James, Conscience, and Pinkie following her. Pinkie continued seemingly in very little (if at all) breath, "Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all "hello" and I was all *gasp*, remember? Y'see I've never saw you before and if I've never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!" Conscience did the cuckoo-in-the-head gesture to James while pointing at Pinkie Pie. In response, James smacked him in the back of the head.

Twilight groaned, though Pinkie didn't hear her. Not like she'd notice, she seemed too busy talking. "And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad," she pouted as she said that, while she popped up here and there around Twilight, who took a bottle and poured its contents into a drinking glass.

James had gotten slightly pissed at Pinkie's words. Just because Twilight was new to a town didn't mean she didn't have any friends. And just because she didn't have any friends (if she didn't have any) didn't mean she was lonely. Did she think Spike was following Twilight around for his health? No. And it's not like she's not friends with her friends in her previous home anymore, just because she moved. Maybe she was too damn excited to realize what she was implying? James hoped that was the case. Actually, he demanded that be the case.

"Then I had an idea, and that's why I went *gasp*! I must throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!" Pinkie said as Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy approached them. At that, Twilight made a face as she paused her drinking in mid-sip. She turned around to reveal her face burning red.

"Are you alright, sugarcube?" Applejack asked in concern. Twilight's ears then blew out a lot of steam, before she made a beeline upstairs.

Pinkie's expression melted. "Aww, she's so happy she's crying." James facepalmed loudly.

"No. You done pissed her off," Conscience shook his head.

"And drove her away," James added, his head still in his hand.

Spike picked up the bottle and turned it over. "Hot sauce...," he read out loud before Pinkie tilted it, pouring it onto a cupcake. "Ooh..."

Conscience's jaw dropped and James's face crunched up when Pinkie tossed the cupcake in the air, and caught it in her mouth. "What? It's good," she said as she saw the looks her friends were giving.

POP POP!

James and Conscience Pop Fainted.

Twilight had her head under the pillow that was in the bed she was in. Her head rose as she looked at the clock on the wall. It was few minutes past four in the morning. Twilight groaned. She was doing a lot of that lately.

Just then, James walked up the stairs. "I'm sure I already know the answer, but Pinkie Pie is starting up a game of Pin the Tail on the Pony... the f***," James muttered the last part. "They were wondering if you wanted to join them."

"NO! All the ponies in this town are c-razy! Do you know what time it is?"

James smirked. "It's, HAMMER TIME!" He pulled out his hammer (which of course was black) and swung it in random directions. Twilight was staring, dumbfounded. After a few seconds, he cleared his throat and put his hammer back up. "Anyway, Spike told me it's the evening of the Summer Sun Celebration. Everyone is supposed to stay up, or they'll miss the Princess raise the sun!"

His expression became devoid of any mirth as he spoke. "I do feel for you, as far as this day has gone. But while I empathize about how the citizens here are something else, I don't think you're giving them a chance. This is a special occasion, after all," he said as he walked downstairs. Twilight rolled her eyes as she repeated his words in a mocking tone.

KLPOW!

Twilight jumped in surprise when she suddenly saw James back in the room. He pointed at her Sharply. "Don't get disrespectful, Twilight," he said darkly as he narrowed his eyes, before Flashing back downstairs.

Twilight sighed and rolled on her back, the pillow on top of her. "Ugh, here I thought I'd have time to learn about the Elements of Harmony but, silly me. All this ridiculous friend-making has kept me from it!" As she rolled to her side facing the window, her eyes fell on the moon.

"Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night," she restated what she read earlier in her book, which she then levitated to her face (wherever the f*ck she got it from). "I hope the Princess was right... I hope it really is just an old pony tale..."

Just then, Spike entered the room. "Come on, Twilight, it's time to watch the sun rise!"

The tall, pointy building where Twilight became acquainted with Rarity, turned out to be the Town Hall. James, Twilight, Spike, and Conscience currently stood in the main room along with a giant crowd of other ponies. They continued to enter the building occasionally. Some of the pegasi hovered in the air.

As they stood waiting, Pinkie zoomed up to them. "Isn't this exciting? Are you excited 'cause I'm excited I've never been so excited-- well except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went *gasp*. But I mean really, who can top that?" James facepalmed in response.

Just then, the birds sang a majestic introduction while Fluttershy conducted with her hoof.

"That sounded nothing like what they were singing during practice," Conscience said to James.

"Maybe they were working on their voice or pitch, or something?" James guessed.

The spotlight shone on a mare on the stage, who had a faded brown coat, and a grey-ish white mane and tail. "Fillies, and gentlecolts...," she began.

"What in the f***!" James mouthed.

"As mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" she continued, in which everyone appauded. (Except Twilight, Spike, and James. Twilight, because she wasn't completely focusing on the ceremony. Spike, because he was on Twilight's back and was holding on to her neck for balance. And James because he almost never applauded.)

The mayor waited for everyone to settle down before she spoke again. "In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year."

With his peripheral vision, James noticed Twilight from the corner of his eye, looking elsewhere. He looked up to see what she was looking at. His gaze fell on the moon. His eyebrow rose when he noticed how faster than usual the stars seemed to be moving. His other eyebrow rose when he realized the stars were moving towards the moon. But his eyes shot wide open when he saw the crater shape he saw when falling, disappear. His mind was already on the case.

Wait. Twilight said that Nightmare Moon was banished in the moon. And that in this time period, the stars will help her escape... well that's f*cking cheating! But now that I think about it, the shape looked like a unicorn. And then you put everything together. The stars moved to the moon, they met up, and the unicorn face disappeared. Which would mean... oooh sh*t. She's coming.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard Conscience snoring lightly. He glared at him, and was going to smack him awake, but thought against it. He'll let him sleep... for now.

The mayor continued, "And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land. The very pony who gives us the sun and moon each and every day. The good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..." James rolled his eyes. "Princess Celestia!"
The birds' voices complimented the music that followed after. Rarity used her teeth (instead of her damn magic, James noted) to pull the curtain, revealing... nothing.

"Huh?" Rarity realized there was no one behind the curtain.

"This can't be good," Twilight said to herself.

"Damn it, that was quick!" James hissed under his breath.

The ponies began to mumble in confusion and a little bit of terror. "Remain calm everypony. There must be a reasonable explanation," the mayor tried to reassure everyone.

"Oh, there's an explanation alright...," James said with an indifferent expression.

"Ooh! Ooh! I love guessing games Is she hiding?" Pinkie spoke up.

Rarity turned to the audience, "She's gone!"

"It apparently took you over ten seconds to figure that out," James deadpanned.

"Ooh, she's goood," said Pinkie. James had to resist the urge to facepalm really loud at that point. Pinkie then yelped when she noticed a strange blue figure moving in where Princess Celestia should've been. Other ponies gasped as, gradually, they all noticed too.

"Oh, no," Twilight said before the mist formed into a tall, black-coated mare. Her mane looked like her entire self did a few seconds ago. "Nightmare Moon." Spike fainted, falling off Twilight's back. James quickly caught him, and gently placed him on the floor before returning his attention to the mare up front. He noticed she had both wings and a horn.

"Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little sun-loving faces," she spoke.

"F*** youuu!" James called out as he narrowed his eyes.

"What did you do with our princess!?" Rainbow Dash demanded, before she tried to fly towards her. But an orange mare grabbed her tail in her teeth.

"Whoa there, Nelly," Applejack said, Rainbow's tail muffling her voice.

The mare chuckled darkly. "What? Am I not royal enough for you?" she furrowed her eyebrows. "Don't you know who I am?"

"Ooh, ooh! More guessing games!" Pinkie spoke up.

"No! No they don't," James cut her off.

"Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?" the mare sized up Fluttershy, who flinched visibly.

She got in Rarity's face. "Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"

"I did. And I know who you are," Twilight spoke up.

"Ahem!" James cleared his throat loudly.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "We know who you are. Your the Mare in the Moon: Nightmare Moon." All the ponies gasped, which annoyed James, because he was sure no one else seemed to know who Nightmare Moon was.

"Well well well. Somepony remembers me," Nightmare Moon smiled wryly.

"Excuse me, but no one here has lived long enough to 'remember' you," James intoned.

Nightmare Moon ignored him. "Then you also know why I'm here."

"You're here to... to...," Twilight gulped.

The dark mare chuckled. "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last. FOREVER!" Twilight grimaced as Nightmare Moon laughed evilly as her mane began to swirl above her, and lightning flashed around her. It was at this time that Conscience happened to awaken, as his head suddenly shot up.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" he Exploded. Fortunately, everyone was too focused on Nightmare Moon to notice... which was surprising, you couldn't miss the explosion he made. The only one who did notice was James, who deadpanned at him.

[Ending Song]

Author's Note

Theme Songs will vary. The Ending Song... well... they won't be the same every time.

Since this is the same episode, but two different parts, there will be a theme song in the next chapter.
Hooray for us! XD

Also, another Ending Song!

"No. That would be YOUR MOTHER."

[Previously]

Conscience looked around at his environment in confusion. He appeared to be on the sidewalk of a highway street. There was a fence on both ends of the road, and there was another road below that intersected the road he was on.

What was odd was that there was no traffic, not so much as a SIGN of a single vehicle was in sight. Conscience was going to Epic Shrug in delight at this discovery, but then he realized he was moving. He looked down to see that he was on a bike. HIS bike, no less. What color? You guessed it- black! Surprisingly, he had managed to coast while keeping good balance, without even realizing it. That was, however, when he lost his "auto focus" and began to tilt to the side. On reflex he straightened himself out, and began pedaling.

He continued to look at his surroundings to see if he could recognize where he was. But all he could see besides the road was the white, stormy-looking sky. Before he could get any idea of where he was, his eyes widened as he noticed something as his eyes fell on the road behind him... it was collapsing. FAST. It continued fall, gradually reaching him. And further behind the collapsing bridge... was darkness. Conscience shook his head in denial. He was NOT falling into some dark void. Not in his own damn DREAM.

He pedaled faster. And faster. He pedaled like his life depended on it. And it did... in this dream, it sure did. The highway bridge was endless. Conscience couldn't see any sign of it ending. No trees, no turns, no buildings, no traffic lights, or POLES for that matter. Of course he could've just got off his bike and Flashed away, and quickly lose the falling debris. But he wanted to out-bike it. Why? Because he was complicating.

The bridge rumbled quietly as it continued to fall. He looked ahead of him, and sighed in relief when he noticed that the sidewalk was ending. Maybe then, he could get off the road and get a clue of his location... hopefully. He got to the end of the sidewalk, and rid off the curb, onto the vacant street. He nearly dented his bike's handles from gripping it too hard, when he realized that the highway road continued on seemingly indefinitely.

"Oh, COME ON!" he shouted in outrage. He was about to turn around just to give the darkness 'the finger' before falling in, but then he realized something. "This is a dream. I can control what happens in here. Aw Conscience, you dunce," he smacked himself in the forehead.

"Rrrrrrrrr--" Conscience shut his eyes and grunted in concentration. He stopped when he heard something. It sounded like... voices. He opened his eyes. He almost did a wheelie in joy when he saw a giant crowd of people in the far distance. He was pretty damn far away, but it was still something.

"Are they having a gathering, or something? It looks like they showed up for a parade."

He realized there was still a rumbling sound and turned around... and deadpanned when he saw that the highway was collapsing even FASTER. Then he heard the crowd began to chant something.

"TWENTY! NINETEEN! EIGHTEEN!..."

"What?" Conscience asked to himself. "What are they saying?"

They continued to chant. "FIFTEEN! FOURTEEN! THIRTEEN!..."

Conscience was then able to tell what they were saying. "Oh, they're counting! I gotta think of something to say at the end of the countdown! Come on, Conscience, think think THINK...," he turned around to see the collapsing bridge getting REALLY close. He couldn't give up now. He was almost there.

They continued to chant. "TEN! NINE! EIGHT! SEVEN!..."

"GAAAAAAAAAAA--!!" Conscience yelled in frustration as the debris was RIGHT behind him. But it didn't matter, he was only a few seconds away.

"FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE!"

And then he made it. Before everything went black for a split second.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

[Theme Song]

Nightmare Moon laughed evilly as she stood over the terrorized crowd of ponies.

"Seize her! Only she knows where the Princess is!" the mayor cried out to the guards, who flew in the air, charging at the dark mare.

Nightmare Moon glared at the oncoming pegasi. "Stand back, you fools!" she laughed evilly as her eyes flashed, harshly throwing back the guards with a flash of lightning. She again turned into a blue mist. All the ponies in the way ran to the other corners of the wall as she stormed out of the door.

James turned to Conscience, "Conscience, get in."

"Aw, but I just woke up," Conscience protested.

"Get in here, damn it," James glared.

"Ugh. Fine, Mr. Bossy. LIKE A BOSS," Conscience sighed before merging with him.

At this point, Rainbow Dash escaped Applejack's hold and rushed out the door. "Come back here!" she called as she attempted to fly aftter the retreating mist. But it was too far gone.

"Nighttime? Forever?" Rainbow looked down at the ground in dismay. Upon looking down, her eyes fell on Twilight, who was running out of the Town Hall, a sleeping Spike on her back. James was right behind her. "Where are they going?" she asked to herself as her gaze followed them.

Spike was twitching slightly, almost entirely out of it. "We gotta stop Nightmare!" he shot up groggily before lying back down, unconscious.

Twilight threw his blanket over him, in which he shifted to a more comfortable position. "You've been up all night, Spike," she smiled warmly at him. "You are a baby dragon after all." She turned the light off she walked downstairs to begin her research. She had to find a way to stop Nightmare. As she made her way downstairs, there was James, waiting. He jumped, startled, when Twilight started throwing books everywhere. The part that made him jump was the way the ground shook.

"Elements, Elements, Elements, ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?" she fretted.

"And just what are the Elements of Harmony!?" Rainbow Dash suddenly came out of nowhere and got in Twilight's face, and continued to fly in her face, gradually cornering her. "And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh!? Are you a spy?"

KLPOW!

James was in Rainbow's face. "Hey, you better calm down. She's on your side, not hers."

Fortunately, Applejack came to the rescue, and pulled Rainbow's tail. This got her to stop pressing. "Simmer down, Sally," she said as Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy came in behind them.

"She ain't no spy. But she sure knows what's goin' on. Don't you, Twilight?" she asked she, and the other four ponies, looked at Twilight.

Twilight looked at them all before she began to speak. "I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her."

"Without killing her, that is," James raised his index.

Twilight continued. "But I don't know where they are. Where to find them. I don't even know what they do!"

"The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide," Pinkie spoke up, looking at a particular book. James's lips subtly curled upward in amusement when Twilight bowled her over. "How did you find that?" she asked baffled.

"It was under 'E!'" Pinkie sing-songed as she bounced back to her friends, apparently unfazed by getting tackled.

"...Oh," she said as she began flipping through pages in the book. Eventually she stopped on one page. James walked next to her as she began reading.

"There are six Elements of Harmony. But only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty. The sixth, is a complete mystery. It is said, the last known location of the five Elements, was in the ancient castle of the Royal Pony Sisters." Everyone was too focused on Twilight reading, so no one noticed the blue mist that lingered a few seconds in front of their window.

"Hey, Twilight, what's that?" James asked, pointing at the right page.

"Huh? What's what?" she asked.

"That," James pointed at a caption that was below a picture of a black colored gemstone.

Twilight read the caption. "Many studies of magic in ancient time have lead to believe that the seventh Element, Fighting, may lead to corruption of the Elements of Harmony. Therefore, it has long since been rejected of use. Though, this belief has never been proven true."

James nodded. "...Okay. That's all it says about that?" he asked, his eyes darting around the page.

"Yes, that's it," she replied as she continued reading. "And it says the castle is located in what is now..."

"The Everfree Forest!?" the six ponies exclaimed in unison. James was just looking ahead with a serious expression.

There was a long pause as Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack stared at the forest hesitantly.

Eventually, Pinkie broke it. "Weee! Let's go!" she proceeded to start walking, but Twilight stopped her in her tracks.

"Not so fast... look, I appreciate the offer. But I really'd rather do this on my own."

James gave Twilight a quizzical look. "Twilight, you saw the way everyone reacted to this place. And you want to walk into this apparently dangerous place alone? I'm afraid I can't let you do that."

"We sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone," Applejack agreed, Twilight blanching on the f-word. "We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple." She, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash entered.

"Especially if there's candy apples in there!" Pinkie added, in which Twilight stared at her blankly. "...What? Those things are good." She then followed the others, leaving Twilight and James.

James looked at Twilight as he gestured a hand towards the forest. "Well, shall we?" he said Cheerfully. Twilight sighed before walking to catch up with them, as did James.

"So, none of you have been in here before?" Twilight asked from the front.

"Oh, heavens no. Just look at it. It's dreadful," Rarity practically squeaked.

"And it ain't natural. Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria," Applejack added as a blue mist stealthily seeped into the rocky ground everyone walked on.

"Come on. It's not that bad," James replied from the back.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Twilight asked Applejack fearfully.

"No~pony knows," Rainbow replied slowly in a creepy voice. "You know why?" she asked as she prowled towards Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and James.

"Rainbow, quit it!" Applejack glared. Rainbow ignored her as she continued to walk towards the other four. Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie were visibly scared. James had a mildly exasperated look on his face.

"'Cause everypony who's ever come in has never. come. OUT!" she jumped, startling the three ponies.

At that point, the cliff they were all standing on gave away, as the blue mist snuck away unnoticed. Fluttershy and Rainbow took to the air, while everyone else fell.

"Fluttershy, quick!" Rainbow called as she raced after the others.

"Oh my goodness oh my goodness," Fluttershy mumbled to herself as she flew down as well.

Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack slid uncontrollably down the slope that formed from the broken cliff. James had regained control, and was sliding on the side of his leg as he held his hand out to keep from sliding too fast. Rainbow picked up Pinkie, while Fluttershy grabbed Rarity by her tail. Applejack caught hold of a root sticking out of a surface with her teeth. James, who had made it to the edge first, pulled out his cape from Super Mario World and slowly parachuted to the ground below safely.

Twilight was the only other to reach the end of the cliff. She nearly slipped as she finally came to a stop, her hind legs dangling off the edge. Applejack let go of the branch she was biting onto, and slowly slid down to Twilight.

"Hold on! Ah'm a commin'!" she called out to Twilight.

"Applejack, what do I do?" Twilight panicked as she failed to get any footing on the edge. Applejack grimaced, before she looked up, then back to Twilight.

"...Let go."

"Are you crazy?" Twilight protested.

"No Ah ain't. Ah promise you'll be safe," Applejack replied.

"That's not true!" Twilight argued frantically.

Applejack gave her a mildly stern look. "Now listen here. What Ah'm sayin' to you is the honest truth," she gave her a reassuring smile, "Let go, and you'll be safe."

Twilight looked at her. She closed her eyes... before hesitantly, she let go.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAH!" she screamed before something caught her. She looked beside her to see Rainbow and Fluttershy. She yelped in fright when Fluttershy nearly dropped her.

"Sorry girls," she apologized. "I'm not used to holding anything more than a bunny or two." Twilight watched as Applejack skillfully jumped down steps that were conveniently on the side of the cliff.

"Wow, talk about the trust game for real!" James chuckled.

As Fluttershy, Rainbow, and Twilight slowly descended toward the ground, a blue mist slunk away and charged right at a nearby beast, who roared in pain.

"Get over heeere! (O_O) No, wait! Nevermind..."

Mr. Original’s Dictionary
Original Edition

Sonic Facepalm
/ sänik fāspä(l)m/
vb.

-when James/Conscience facepalms so hard, that it results in a powerful shockwave

"And once Pinkie and Rarity were saved, whoosh! Me and Fluttershy loop-de-looped around and wham! Caught you right in the nick of time," Rainbow Dash boasted as she did a loop in the air, before landing next to Twilight.

"It wasn't that close," James rolled his eyes. "You caught her before she even made it halfway down. And also... is that a catch-phrase?"

"Is what a catch-phrase?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"You know, 'loop-de-loop around, and wham!' That's the second time I heard you say tha-- what, in the f***!"

James didn't get to finish, as a giant creature had come into view. It looked like a lion with bat wings, and a scorpion tail.

Twilight gasped, "A manticore!" As if it knew what she was saying, the manticore stood on his hind legs as he let out a loud roar.

"Oh, is that what it's called?" James squinted in confusion.

"We've gotta get past him!" she said to everyone. Fluttershy, who looked worried, hesitated.

The manticore leaped in front of Rarity and swiped a paw at her. Rarity crouched, dodging the attack before countering with a kick in the face.

"Take that, you ruffian!" she taunted at the manticore, before it roared in her face... distorting her mane. "My hair!" she cried. She yelped as she saw the manticore in her face before she darted away.

"Wait," Fluttershy called out quietly as Rarity ran past her. But she didn't hear. Fortunately, James, who was going to throw a flash bang at the manticore, did hear her.

Seeing as everyone was distracted, he decided he was going to have to get their attention. He flattened his hand out he held it in front of him... before swinging it to his forehead, resulting in a powerful shockwave- his Sonic Facepalm. It threw Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy off their hooves. Rainbow was flying, but the shockwave made her lose control for a moment. Applejack, who was in the air and was going to ride the manticore like a bull, was thrown back a few yards. The shockwave also had its effect on the manticore, who was harshly thrown on its back.

As everyone regained their bearings, James walked over to Fluttershy and helped her up. "If you have any ideas, you'd better act on it now," he said too her.

She smiled and nodded. All the other ponies recovered in time to see Fluttershy walking up to the manticore. They all cringed in fear for their friend as she approached him. James instinctively grabbed for his sniper when the manticore reared his paw back to swipe at her, but hesitated when he saw it pause as Fluttershy nuzzled his other paw. The manticore looked at her as if it was considering something, before he held his paw out in front of her, revealing a large thorn.

"Aw, you poor, poor little baby," Fluttershy cooed.

"'Little?'" Rainbow repeated incredulously.

"'Baby?'" James raised an eyebrow.

"Now this might hurt for juuust a second," Fluttershy warned as she leaned forward. She gripped the thorn in her teeth, and pulled it out.

"Fluttershy!" everyone called out as the manticore roared out in pain. They calmed down, though, when it began to purr while licking Fluttershy in a loving manner.

"Aw, that's adorable," James smiled in amusement.

Fluttershy giggled as she cooed, "Aw, you're just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are."

Everyone else smiled as they walked past the manticore.

"How did you know about the thorn?" Twilight asked Fluttershy as she caught up with her.

"I didn't. Sometimes, we all just need to be shown a little kindness," she replied.

"Heh, and a new style," James chuckled as he looked at Fluttershy's hair. Twilight smiled as she went to catch up with everyone.

When they left, the offending thorn transformed back into a blue mist, before inconspicuously following them.

"Ohhh," Rarity shuddered slightly. "My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck." Just then, everything became dark as they got to an even thicker part of the forest. "Well, I didn't mean that literally," Rarity mumbled.

"Be careful what you wish for!" James replied Cheerfully.

"That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces and we wouldn't even know it," Twilight stressed, unaware of the blue smoke that slithered past their legs.

Eveyone was mumbling apologies, as they kept bumping into each other.

"Oh, wait. Ah think Ah stepped in somethin'," Applejack said as she raised her hoof to her face to inspect it.

"Aaaaah!" Fluttershy screamed as she looked past Applejack.

"It's just mud," Applejack looked at Fluttershy before she turned around.

"Ah!" she yelped as she jumped away from the tree in front of her, which had a mouth sharp-looking teeth.

Everyone looked around at the trees that bore their teeth with malicious faces, before they let out a scream of terror. Everyone except James, who just shuddered. It wasn't that he was scared. But the giant-sized, hostile looks of faces on the trunk of the trees were rather unnerving. It vaguely reminded him of those trees from a certain brutal fighting game.

"Don't. Touch. THE MUSTACHE!"

The mares screamed at the growling tree faces, causing James to deadpan at them.

"Did you girls just scream twice at a some trees?" he asked incredulously.

Fluttershy was going to answer 'yes,' when they heard laughing.

"Huh?" they all turned to see Pinkie right in front of a tree, laughing in its face as she made faces at it.

"Pinkie, what are you doing? Run!" Twilight called out.

"Why? They're not even doing anything," James realized.

"Oh, girls, don't you see?" she began bouncing in a rhythmic pace.

"When I was a little filly, and the sun was going dooooown..."

"Please don't do this to me...," James muttered to himself.

"Tell me she's not--" Twilight was cut off as Pinkie continued.

"The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frooooown.''

"She is," Rarity said to Twilight.

"I'd hide under my pillow, from what I thought I saw. But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way to deal with fears at all."

"Then what is?" Rainbow asked, causing James to give her an odd look.

"She said 'Pin-kie, you gotta stand up tall, learn to face your fears. You'll see that they can't hurt you, just laugh to make them disa-peeeeear.'"

James pulled out a silencer. "F*** this," he said before he shot himself in the head. Good thing Twilight saw him, they'd probably freak out.

James opened his eyes. He was woken up by his Song Senses, which helped him sense when a song was finished. As he recalled the events that led up to him shooting himself, he sighed in relief. As his senses cleared up, he realized someone was laughing. He picked his head up and looked around to see the mares all lying down on the ground, laughing like there was no tomorrow.

"What the hell's so funny?" he asked under his breath as he looked around in confusion.

A laughing Pinkie, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy; and a very baffled James, walked out from a clearing of bushes. James caught himself before he bumped into Fluttershy, who- along with the others- stopped in their tracks in front of a river. The currents seemed to be flowing very strongly.

"How are we gonna cross this?" Pinkie asked.

"Same way we survived that fallen cliff," James replied Cheerfully. It was then that they all heard a voice nearby.

"I don't know if that's grief, fear, surprise, realization, shock, or pleasure," James deadpanned. "But I sure would hope that it is not pleasure."

They followed the voice, which happened to come from behind a clearing of bushes. They peeked over the clearing to see a violet serpent holding his head in both his hands, a troubled look on his face.

"Boo-hoo-hooo. What a world, what a world!" he slammed his fists into the water.

"Oh, thank goodness, it's grief," James sighed in relief.

"Excuse me, sir," Twilight spoke up. "Why are you crying?"

"Well, I don't know," the serpent shrugged his arms. "I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked! past me..." James had to turn around so the serpent didn't see him cracking up silently at the way he described the blue smoke. "...and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off. And now, I look simply horrid," he wailed as he fell back into the water in dramatically, splashing water all over everyone. Except James, who Flashed back in time to miss the water. The mares looked none too happy to be drenched suddenly.

"Oh, give me a break," Rainbow muttered.

"That's what all the fuss is about?" Applejack asked in exasperation.

KLPOW!

"Hey hey, show some consideration," James furrowed his eyebrows slightly. "What if you got your whole mane shaved off, or something? I know I'd kill someone if they f***ing did something like that to my mustache," he balled up a fist.

"I agree. How can you be so insensitive?" Rarity held her nose up high as she walked up to the serpent. "Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales."

"I know," he sniffed.

"And your expertly coiffed mane."

"Oh, I know, I know," the serpent slicked his mane back.

"Yes, that is pretty damn good," James complimented.

"Your fabulous manicure," Rarity continued.

POP!

James Pop Fainted.

"It's so true," the serpent agreed.

"All ruined without your beautiful mustache," her smile fell.

As did his. "It's true, I'm hideous!"

"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected!" she bit off one of his scales.

"Ow! What did you do that for?" the serpent shed a single tear.

"What? What happened?" James asked as he got up.

Twilight asked, "Rarity, what are you--"

XZING!

Everyone's eyes widened (except the serpent, who fainted dramatically) as Rarity cut off part of her tail. Her horn then began to glow as she levitated it up to the torn half of his mustache... and fused it together.

"Ohhohohoho! My mustache! How wonderful!" he gushed as he looked at his new mustache.

"You look smashing," Rarity smiled at him.

"Oh, Rarity. Your beautiful tail..." Twilight looked sympathetically at Rarity's tail as she walked up to her.

"Oh," she turned to James and the girls, "it's fine, my dear. Short tails are in this season. Besides... it'll grow back."

"So would the mustache," Rainbow muttered to Twilight.

"But it takes time, Dash," James deadpanned at her. He took another glance at the serpent's mustache. This was one of those moments where his OCD kicked in. "Um, Twilight? Does there happen to be a color spell?"

"Yes, but I haven't learned it yet," Twilight replied.

"Son of a bitch pudding...," James cursed quietly to himself.

Twilight gasped as she noticed the currents had stopped. "We can cross now! Let's go! AH!" she yelped as the surface she was standing on suddenly rose. The surface she stood on turned out to be the serpent.

"Allow me," he offered as he made a path with his long body. The girls gladly accepted, and bounced across to the other side. James, simply glided across with his cape. As he made it to the other side, a thought struck him.

"Couldn't Dash and Fluttershy just fly across?" he mused.

After a few more minutes of walking, Twilight spoke up. "There it is! The ruin that holds the Elements of Harmony. We made it!" Sure enough, past the fog was the remains of a door, with very little wall surrounding it. Twilight bolted for the castle.

"Twilight. Wait for us!" Applejack called out as she and the others galloped after her (ran in James's case).

Twilight looked back, "We're almost there! Whoa!" Twilight almost fell into the gap below, as her front hooves landed on thin air. She managed to keep from falling over the edge before Rainbow pulled her back up.

"What's with you and falling off cliffs today?" she quipped.

"Twilight, what would you do without us?" James shook his head.

"Now what?" Pinkie asked.

"Duh," Rainbow answered while flapping her wings.

"Oh, yeah," Pinkie said as she watched her friend fly down the pit, and then fly to the other side, the other end of the bridge in her mouth.

Rainbow was getting ready to tie the bridge together, when she heard a voice. "Raainbooow."

"Who's there?" she asked suspiciously.

"Raainbooow," the voice repeated.

"I ain't scared o' you! Show yourself!" Rainbow punched at the air.

"We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria," the voice said.

"Who?" Rainbow asked, confused.

"Why, you, of course!" the voice replied.

"Really?! I mean... Oh yeah, me," Rainbow tried to play it off cool. "Hey, uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that, would ya? 'Cause, I've been trying to get into that group for like, ever."

"No, Rainbow Dash. We want you to join us. The Shadowbolts." the voice revealed itself to be one of three pegasi, all dressed in a dark-colored uniform. "We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria, but first, we need a captain," said the voice, which came from the mare in the middle if the group. Rainbow beamed as she realized what they were getting at.

"The most magnificent--"

"Yep," Rainbow responded without missing a beat.

"...swiftest--"

"Yes."

"...bravest flyer in all the land."

"Yes, ha, it's all true," Rainbow boasted.

"We need... you."

"Woohoo! Sign me up!" she flew over to the bridge. "Just let me tie this bridge real quick then and we have a deal."

"NO!" the mare stopped her. "It's them, or us." Rainbow looked worried at the dilemma she faced.

"Rainbow, what's taking so long?" Twilight called out. Then she saw the other pagasi. "Oh, no," she breathed. "Rainbow!"

Upon hearing Twilight, the mare glared at them as her eyes began to glow, causing the fog to build up between them.

"Don't listen to them!" Twilight's voice was muffled by the fog.

"Well?" the mare asked as Rainbow stood silently. After a few seconds, she made her decision.

"You." The mare smiled deviously at Rainbow's answer... until she clarified it.

"Thank you, for the offer, I mean. But," she tied the other side of the bridge to the rocks, "...I'm afraid I have to say no." And with that, she flew back over to her friends. Flustered, the three pegasi vaporized into blue smoke, and combined into one before slinking away.

The girls cheered as Rainbow appeared in front of them. "See? I never leave my friends hangin'." Twilight smiled as they all made it to the other side of the bridge. Before they got close to the door, however, James heard a voice.

"Shh," he stopped them. "...Do you hear that?" They all listened closely as they looked in the direction James was. Then he heard it again. "It sounds like crying," he said. He ran in the direction the voice was coming from, the girls following him.

They peeked through a clearing of trees to see a little filly, crying into her forelegs. She had a light blue coat, a brown mane and tail. James walked up to the filly, the mares behind him.

"Hey, there," he said softly, "are you alright?"

The filly looked up, but then she yelped in terror upon seeing the owner of the voice. "Please don't hurt me," she whimpered as she backed up against a tree behind her. James wasn't going to let up that easily.

"Don't be scared. I wanna help."

"Really?" she looked at him.

"Yes. Are you lost?" he asked, in which the filly sniffed and nodded.

"Okay, would you like it if we helped you get back home?" The filly gave a small smile as she nodded in reply.

James turned to the girls. "Maybe I could just take her and Flash her home real quick, then head back here. It should only take no more than thirty seconds to get back." Unknowingly to them, the filly behind them smiled evilly as she got up.

"Of course, James. We can wait for you, then," Twilight said.

"Thirty seconds!?" Rainbow complained. "That's too long."

Twilight's eyes widened when she looked at the filly again. "James, look out!" she cried.

At, the filly leaped at James while vaporizing into a cloud of blue mist. James, who had his arms crossed, simply sidestepped. Nightmare Moon had missed her target, thank goodness. Though it did come with a price, as it hit Twilight instead.

"Ah!" she recoiled in surprise. Everyone's eyes widened as the smoke disappeared inside her chest.

"Twilight, darling! Are you alright?" Rarity asked in concern.

"I... don't feel any different," Twilight responded uncertainly. Suddenly, her hoof shot up, punching Rainbow Dash.

"Hey, watch it!" she backstepped.

"That wasn't me," Twilight shook her head in confusion. She suddenly turned to James. "I can't control it!"

James raised an eyebrow as she charged at him. "Oh, sh--"

KLPOW!

James Flashed behind Twilight as she got close to him. She turned around to face everyone. "Please, do something!" she ran to Rarity and tackled her. As she got up, Rainbow and Applejack were charging towards her. Quicker than she thought she could, Twilight turned around and kicked both of them, sending them back a few yards.

"You have to control it, Twilight! Don't let it beat you!" Pinkie called out to her. Twilight then turned around. She grunted as she tried to will her body to stand still. Unfortunately it didn't work as she turned to Pinkie. She grimaced and shut her eyes when her horn started glowing. Rainbow and Applejack were getting up, but then Pinkie was thrown at them, knocking them all to the ground.

"Sorry!" she apologized.

James hadn't done anything yet, because he didn't know if she was incapable of breaking free. But this was starting to get out of hand. He had to find out how to get that thing out of Twilight. Her mind was free, but her body was being controlled. So if he knocked her out, Nightmare would still be able to control her. Either that or...

He was so busy trying to find a solution, that he didn't notice Twilight charging at him until it was too late (she said to look out, but he wasn't paying attention). His jaw dropped as she impaled him in the stomach.

Then he deadpanned. "Okay, one: that was brutal. Two: horns are a lot sharper than I gave them credit for. Three: what the f***, Nightmare!" He winced as Twilight dropped him on the ground. Then she looked over to Fluttershy, who was cowering and shaking like a massage chair.

"Fluttershy, run!" she cried. Fluttershy looked up, nearly on the verge of tears, as Twilight's horn began to glow again.

Then she heard a clicking sound before James said something. "Sorry about this."

POW!

The five mares, four still recovering, watched in horror as James shot Twilight in the head. Time seemed to slow down, especially for her, as her horn stopped glowing, a look of shock on her face. James looked stone serious as he watch Twilight fall to the ground lifelessly. Time then went back to normal speed.

"J-James," Applejack stammered, "what... what have you done!?"

The five mares teared up as James ate a Star Candy from Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. He then stood over Twilight's corpse, and put his hands behind his back.

"Nightmare Moon can't control Twilight if she's dead," James narrowed his eyes as he looked at the ground. No sooner had he said that, did the nightly smoke rise from Twilight's body before flying away towards the castle.

"B-but was there no other way?" Rarity choked back a sob.

"Maybe there was," James replied, "...but did we know that 'other way?'"

Rarity looked down in silence.

"No. No we didn't," he pulled out a 1-UP Mushroom. "But sometimes you'll be forced to make a choice like this, and time won't wait for you to figure it out. ...Good thing I have the luxury of having more than one chance." With that, he stooped down on one knee. He took the Mushroom and pressed it against Twilight's side, causing it to chime before disappearing, and the word '1-UP' appearing above her for a split second.

Twilight blinked a few times before she opened her eyes. She looked up to see Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash (who James was surprised didn't jump him for killing Twilight) smiling tearfully at her.

"Girls? What happened?"

Too happy for words, they settle for a group hug. Twilight stood where she was awkwardly as the other five mares hugged her. She was confused as to why, until she remembered what happened before she blacked out. She pulled away from the hug and turned to James.

"You shot me!?"

"If it makes you feel better, you stabbed me first," James did not laugh, he did not smile, he did not so much as say it as if it was a joke. He was completely serious.

"Forgive me, but I did it, because I cared. And sometimes, you have to fight for the ones you care about," he closed his eyes. It was a moment after that he felt something wrap around him. He opened his eyes to see Twilight hugging him... which surprised him, since he never knew Twilight to hug someone as long as he's known her (let alone someone who just shot her).

Her voice was soft. "...I forgive you."

That really surprised James. It's nice that she did forgive him. But he didn't expect her to forgive him this quickly. He wasn't sure what he wanted to say, so he simply nodded.

"Let's finish this, girls," she gave a look of determination before leading the way back to the castle.

The seven came inside, entering the room. Right in front of them was the very thing they'd been searching for. They had made it.

"Whoa," Applejack looked around in awe. "Come on, Twilight. Isn't this what you've been waitin' for?"

Twilight walked in, followed by James. "The Elements of Harmony. We found them!" Rainbow and Fluttershy flew up to the Elements. "Careful... careful...," she said as they grabbed each of the spherical stones and laid them on the ground before Twilight.

"One, two, three, four... there's only five," Pinkie looked at Twilight.

"Where's the sixth?" Rainbow asked.

"The book said 'when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed,'" Twilight answered as she crouched down to get a better look.

"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked in confusion.

"I'm not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back," she commanded. "I don't know what will happen."

Her horn began to glow. "Come on now, y'all. She needs to concentrate," Applejack said as they headed out the door.

Just then, the dreaded mist came flying into view. Twilight was focusing, and didn't notice it move to the Elements. Upon getting there, it began to swirl around them. Twilight opened her eyes.

"AH!" she yelped in surprise. Everyone stopped in their tracks as they heard Twilight's voice.

"Twilight!" they cried.

Twilight saw the swirling smoke carrying something at the top. "The Elements!" she jumped into the cyclone before it disappeared. Right before the others could get to her.

"The Elements on the Table are people, too!"

James stood there watching the five mares run around the room, with a deadpan on his face. It wasn't like it was going to reappear in the same spot, it was highly unlikely. Possible, but unlikely. So if that was to be the case, why the f*ck were they still in the room, looking for her like she was hiding somewhere?

"Twilight, where are you?" Applejack called out.

"Look!" Rarity called as she looked through a window. The others went to see what she was looking at. There, they saw light flashing from another part of the castle.

"Come on!" Applejack commanded as she lead the way, the others following her.

Twilight coughed as the smoke dissipated. She looked up and gasped when she saw something holding the Elements. Or, more accurately, somepony.

Nightmare Moon chuckled darkly as lightning flashed around her. Twilight gasped... again. James would've given her that deadpan if he was there. Twilight put on a look of determination as she lowered her head, preparing to charge.

"You're kidding. You're kidding, right," the dark mare deadpanned.

Twilight's horn glowed as she galloped towards her. Nightmare Moon charged at her. Twilight's horn glowed even brighter as she got closer. Nightmare Moon was going to run right into her when...

*POP*

The tall mare looked around in confusion as Twilight was nowhere to be seen. She looked behind her to see Twilight right in the middle of the Elements.

"Ugh," Twilight groaned as she held her head for a second. "Just one spark. Come on, come on..." the stones began to glow the same color of her horn. Nightmare Moon transformed into smoke once again and zoomed over to Twilight. Suddenly, the Elements zapped her back a few yards. She looked up to see the Elements still glowing, now surging with electricity.

"No. No!" Nightmare Moon looked distraught while Twilight smiled triumphantly. Then, to Twilight's dismay, the stones stopped glowing.

Twilight gasped. "But... where's the sixth Element?"

Nightmare cackled evilly as she stomped on the ground. Twilight watched in horror as the stones shattered into shards.

"You little foal! Thinking you could defeat me? Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night, will last, forever!" the dark mare laughed as lightning flashed everywhere.

KLPOW!

"You're so terrible, that lightning appears when you laugh!" James threw a petty insult.

Twilight turned around to see James glaring at Nightmare Moon, as well as the shadows of the others coming up the stairs. She gasped as her eyes twinkled, before she turned to the mare.

"You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony, just like that? Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony, are right here!" she said as they all stood heroically (except James, who had his hands behind his back).

"What?" Nightmare Moon looked around in confusion as the shards of the Elements began to rise and glow various colors.

"What in the f***?" James looked up at his hat in confusion as he saw something glowing above. He took off his hat and looked at it to see the 'J' logo on it started glowing white. "And I'm okay with this!" he Epic Shrugged before putting his hat back on, and turning back around to face Nightmare Moon.

Twilight spoke again. "Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... Honesty!" As she said that, the orange-glowing shards began to orbit around her.

"Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... Kindness!" Twilight continued as pink-glowing shards floated around said pegasus.

"Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of... Laughter!" Pinkie struck a dramatic pose as blue-glowing shards surrounded her.

"Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of... Generosity!" the surrounding shards of Rarity's Element glowed a dark-ish purple.

"Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of... Loyalty!" Rainbow Dash was then surrounded by red-glowing shards.

"And James," she finished, causing James to look at her in confusion, "...who did what he felt he had to do to protect me from harm's way, represents the spirit of... Fighting!"

"Wait, what?" James's hat suddenly turned white.

Twilight continued. "The spirits of these six got us through every challenge you threw at us."

"But you still don't have the final Element. The spark didn't work," Nightmare Moon tried to sound triumphant.

"But it did! A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you," Twilight's eyes teared up. "The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all...," she turned around. "...are my friends!"

Suddenly a spherical purple-glowing stone with a six-pointed star appeared. Everyone- except Nightmare Moon, who turned away and shielded her eyes with a foreleg- watched in awe as it glowed brightly, more so than the others, as it floated down to hover over Twilight's head.

"You see, Nightmare Moon," Twilight said, "when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... Magic!"

Said Element's glow began to brighten to a blinding intensity, before it flashed. The shards of the mares' Elements combined into a necklace that formed around their necks, a crystal-looking stone on each one. Twilight's Element transformed into a crown, and landed on her head as she floated towards her friends, who were doing the same.

James looked down as he noticed something. "What the..." he began to float along with the others.

As he joined the others, a rainbow shot up in the shape of a double helix.

"Noooo!" Nightmare Moon yelled as the beam fell on top of her. "Noooooo!"

James deadpanned at her from inside the field of light as the rainbow swirled around her. "Did you seriously just repeat yourself like that!?" he asked in exasperation. His voice was, however, drowned out by the increasing sound of the power.

Twilight then opened her eyes, which were glowing white.

Everyone was lying down on the ground when all the light dissipated.

"Oh, my head," Rainbow Dash groaned.

"Everyone okay?" Applejack asked.

"Oh thank goodness!" Rarity exclaimed while looking at her tail.

"Why Rarity, it's so lovely," Fluttershy complimented.

"I know. I'll never part with it again!" Rarity replied as she shook her tail joyfully.

"No, I mean your necklace. It looks just like your cutie mark.

"What? Oh." Rarity looked at it, before looking at Fluttershy's. "So does yours." Fluttershy gasped as she looked in awe at her necklace.

"Look at mine, look at mine!" Pinkie bounced over to Applejack.

"Aww, yeah!" Rainbow smirked at hers.

"Gee, Twilight. Ah thought you were just spoutin' a lot of hooey. But Ah reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship," Applejack said to Twilight.

"Indeed you do," an elegant voice spoke.

The mares turned to see the sun rising, as well as a bright light, which floated through a window. When the light reached the floor, the light dissipated to reveal none other than the princess of the sun. Pinkie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow all bowed before her.

Twilight gasped. "Princess Celestia!" she ran up to her.

"Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student," Celestia smiled as she nuzzled Twilight. "I knew you could do it."

"But... you told me it was all an old pony tale," Twilight frowned.

"I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. Now if only another will as well," Celestia approached what was left of Nightmare Moon. It was night blue mare with a slightly lighter mane and tail.

"Princess Luna," she addressed the mare lying on the floor. Said mare gasped as she regained consciousness and looked up at Celestia.
"It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this," she crouched down to look Luna in the eyes. "Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister."

"Sister?" Twilight and Rainbow Dash said in unison.

"Will you accept my friendship?" Celestia asked as she stood up.

The mares leaned forward expectantly, full of suspense. Pinkie may have been full of a little too much, because she yelped as she lost balance, falling forward.

"I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!" Luna tearfully ran up to Celestia and nuzzled her.

"I've missed you, too," Celestia returned the affection, tears in her eyes as well.

Pinkie sniffed and blew into a hoofkerchief (wherever the f*ck she got that from) and began crying a fountain of tears. Then she abruptly stopped.

"Hey! Do you know what this calls for?" Then she paused as she sniffed at the air. "Wait... do you smell something burning?"

The mares all turned around... and gasped in shock when they saw James lying unconscious on the floor, ablaze with fire.

"JAMES!" everyone except Luna exclaimed as they rushed to his aid. (Not that he needed it, his clothes were fire-resistant.)

All the ponies of Ponyville cheered as confetti rained down from above. Four pegasus guards arrived, carrying a chariot with Princesses Celestia and Luna.

Spike appeared in front of the crowd, and ran up to Twilight and hugged her.

Luna frowned and hung her head, as did everyone else. She blinked in surprise and looked up as two pegasus fillies perched a crown of roses on top of her head. She smiled warmly at her sister. Twilight frowned as she looked at the ground.

"Why so glum, my faithful student? Are you not happy that your quest is complete, and you can return to your studies, in Canterlot?" Celestia asked as she walked up to Twilight.

"That's just it. Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them," Twilight said softly.

Celestia smiled before she spoke. "...Spike, take a note please," she said to Spike, who pulled out a parchment and quill (wherever the f*ck he got that from).

He began writing as Celestia continued. "I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree, that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville."

Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Applejack cheered as they ran in for a group hug. (James stood by as he smiled in content.) "Oh, thank you, Princess Celestia. I'll study harder than ever before!" Twilight said from the center of the hug.

All the ponies cheered, confetti still falling from the sky.

Words could not describe the look on James's face when he saw Conscience run up to him from the front of the crowd. "Conscience!?" he Exploded, causing some of the ponies in the front to stop cheering and look at them in surprise. "When the f*** did you get out?"

"Oh," Conscience smirked. "I came out before you guys even went to the Everfree Forest. I was in the library. You know... read a long-ass book, succumbed to OCD, cleaned the sh** out of the place, got bored.... And guess what. I found out we could've gotten back to our house any time!" he pulled out their key. "It actually works on any door with a lock, as far as I'm concerned. You just turn it into a lock, open it, and whazzaam! We're home free."

James looked dumbfounded. His stare was distant. He almost Pop Fainted, but Twilight's voice snapped him out of it.

"James? You're leaving?" she looked sad. James looked around at everything: the ponies, the town, the Princesses.

Then he walked to a nearby door, and inserted the key. Twilight's face fell when he opened the door. But her mood brightened again at his final words before he and Conscience left.

"I'll be back very, very soon. Count on it," he winked at her before he closed the door.

[End Song]

Author's Note

Me: *waggles eyebrows* That's right, everyone, I can cliffhang!
Conscience: ...No, you can't. T_T
Me: ...Shut up! >=(
*shoots self in the head*