Nightfall

by TheStoryteller

Rating: teen
Tags: Random, Slice of Life, Flash Sentry, Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Other, Nightmare Moon, Romance
Length: 35534

A parallel universe where Nightmare Moon wasn't defeated but instead Celestia was.

When Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon, her sister banished her to the moon with the Elements of Harmony. But in a separate universe, Nightmare Moon was able to turn the tables and banished Celestia to the sun. Because of this Nightmare Moon is the new Queen of Equestria, and while some welcome her rule, there are those who lurk in the shadows, waiting to put an end to the queen's rule.

Co-written by: Parodox

Published 2017-01-03 15:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2017-02-07 19:16:36 UTC

Prologue

Celestia roamed the castle hallway with a smile on her face. She had just finished raising the sun for the Summer Sun celebration. Everypony was happy and cheerful, except for one.

Her sister Luna.

Something had been causing much distraught in the younger sister. It was noticeable to everyone she met, even when she tried to hide it. Whenever Celestia tried to talk to her sister about whatever caused her such sadness she would avoid it. But this time was different.

This time Luna wanted to talk with Celestia. She requested her presence in the throne room to talk, and Celestia couldn't have been more happy. She cared deeply for her sister, more than the sun itself. To see her in the depressed state she was, brought heartbreak to Celestia.

Celestia entered the throne room where her sister sat on her dark blue throne. Luna looked at Celestia with a firm tone, "Hello sister."

"Hello Luna." Celestia smiled at her sister. "To what do I owe this welcome?"

Luna stood up. "Remember when I asked you for a longer night? When the moon and stars could shine even just for a minute longer."

Celestia frowned, "Luna we've discussed about this. We can't disrupt the order of the way things are. The sun and moon must move in harmony with the earth."

"Must it?" Luna asked. "We raise the sun and moon every time. All I'm asking for is the night to last one day. Just one day. Is that so much to ask for?"

"Yes it is." Celestia said firmly. "If we even go one minute ahead of the other, terrible...horrible things will occur because of our actions. Do you remember what we had to do to...him?"

Luna's head fell to the floor, unable to look at her sister.

"I wish there was something I could do Luna, I really do, but the reality is there isn't." Celestia said, getting no response from Luna. "I'll leave you alone to give you some time to think."

Celestia turned away from her sister and began to walk towards the door. She reached for the doorknob and froze as a shadow began to crawl up the door. Celestia turned around and her eyes widened in horror.

The sun, the giant fireball in the sky that provided light to all who lived on the earth, was being eclipsed by the moon. Celestia looked to her sister aghast, "Luna...sister...what are you doing?"

Luna continued to face the floor. "I'm sorry sister, truly I am, but you left me no choice." She raised her head, her eyes now dark teal with black slits as pupils. "If you will not let the night last than I will make it so the night lasts forever!"

The sun became completely eclipsed by the moon. Blue and black magic began to swirl around Luna, darkening her fur and mane. Blue armor appeared on her body along with a helmet. Luna was gone, Nightmare Moon stood before Celestia.

"No...sister not you too." Celestia gasped, recognizing the magic around her.

Nightmare Moon flared her wings, her horn glowed a violent blue as she shot a beam of magic at Celestia. Celestia used her magic to create a golden bubble around her, deflecting the beam.

"Sister please!" Celestia begged. "I don't want to fight you."

"Then you will lose." Nightmare gave a wicked smile, using her magic she unleashed a beam much more powerful than the last. The beam destroyed the bubble, shattering it as though it were made of glass.

Celestia collapsed, she didn't want to hurt her sister. But she knew that there was only one thing left to do. Her horn glowed yellow and the circle in the floor shifted. The circle split in two, both sides parted as a machine with five metal arms attached to a metal cylinder, each with a white orb, rose from the floor.

"I'm sorry sister, I never wanted this to happen but you leave me no choice." Celestia said, her horn glowed yellow.

And nothing happened. Celestia looked at the machine confused.

"Looking for these?"

Celestia gasped as she saw a red gem, a pink gem, an orange gem, a pink gem, a dark purple gem, and a light purple gem in the shape of a star hovering beside Nightmare Moon.

"Did you really think I would let you use these against me?" Nightmare asked, letting out a laugh. "Foolish sister, I may be younger but I'm not stupid."

"Sister...please." Celestia tried to plead. "Don't do this."

"I'm sorry sister, but mares like you need a time out. A thousand years on the sun should be long enough." Nightmare grinned, the six elements glowed with magic. "Goodbye sister."

A yellow pillar of magic erupted from the ground beneath Celestia, engulfing her in magic. Celestia was helpless as her body began to evaporate into air. Before her entire body could be evaporated Celestia said one thing.

"I'm sorry."

And then she was gone. The pillar of magic faded away, leaving only silence. Nightmare Moon's eyes returned to their natural blue, her once black fur went back to dark blue as well. Her armor turned into mist and evaporated from her body. The only thing that remained was her wavy mane, but one thing was clear. Luna was back in control.

"Sister?" She asked, unaware of what she had done. "Sister where are you?"

Then everything flooded her mind. Everything she had done, eclipsing the sun, fighting Celestia, and banishing her to the sun. Luna remembered all of it.

Luna covered her gasp with her forehooves, falling on her rump.

"I'm sorry...I didn't...I couldn't..." Luna struggled to speak, tears running down her cheeks. "Why...why did I...how..."

The doors to the throne room burst open as ponies ran in.

"Princess Luna!"

"What's going on?"

"Why is the sun and moon like that?"

"Where's Princess Celestia?"

The ponies bombarded Luna with these types of questions, until an earth pony Stallion pushed everyone back.

"Give the princess some space ya leeches!" The Stallion demanded, causing everyone to shut up. The Stallion looked at Luna and spoke in a calm and soft voice, "Princess...what has happened?"

Luna didn't know what to do. She didn't want to tell the ponies the truth, but she also didn't want to lie to them. Luna stood up and addressed the ponies, "Celestia... Celestia was attacked by a demon...and she...she was slain."

The ponies gasped.

"Not the Princess!"

"What will we do now?"

"Who will raise the sun and moon?"

"What should we do Princess?"

That last question caught Luna's attention, "what?" She asked the stallion.

"What should we do?" He asked again. "Your still a princess, surely you must know what we do?"

The stallion was right. Luna was a princess, she was a leader of Equestria, she was a goddess. The responsibility that fell on Celestia's shoulders now rested on Luna's. It was up to her to lead her subjects to greatness.

"There is no time to grief for my sister." Luna stood up and wiped away her tears. "We must move forward now. I will take on the responsibilities that my sister had. Rest assured my little ponies, I will lead you through this time of darkness."

"Thank you princess."

"Bless you your highness."

"All hail Princess Luna."

The ponies all praised Luna as she walked down the hallway. A smile grew on her face, this was everything she had wanted. Praise, recognition, love, and loyalty from her ponies. The thought of her sister's banishment was forced out of her mind as the words the ponies spoke of her filled her mind. While all the ponies were praising Luna there was one who wasn't. Something didn't sit right with the earth pony Stallion. He looked to the eclipsed moon, wondering as to how a demon could move the moon when only Luna was capable of doing that.

A dreadful thought crossed the stallion's mind. He slowly turned to Luna as she walked down with her adoring subjects. The Stallion shook his head, "no...no a'm jus being paranoid...there's no way she would do something like that."

"I mean she is Princess Luna after all."

Chapter 1. Apprentice

ROUGHLY 990 YEARS LATER

Time had passed, and in that time Equestria prospered under the rule of Queen Luna. All bowed and respected their Queen with love and loyalty, even the moon and sun bowed to the goddess as she moved both with ease. Queen Luna was said to be the most powerful being in the whole world. No creature in existence even had a sliver of power that could compare to hers.

Except for one.

In the eyes of her subjects the Queen looked happy and cheerful, but when she returned to her chambers the face of happiness turned to remorse. Not a day or night went by that the Queen missed her sister. She desperately wanted to bring her back. To see her again, to hold her, to say one word that she had longed to speak to her. But she knew that day would not be today. She knew that her sister was gone and that it would take a miracle to bring her back.

Every night the Queen would sleep alone, visiting the dreams of her subjects. Every night she would cry softly so that the guards outside her room would not hear her. Every night she felt a cold and dark emptiness inside of her. A feeling that she refused to escape from.

The feeling of loneliness.

The Queen had her subjects, but like all things they withered away and died. The friendships she had only lead to heartbreak. There was only one who had stood by her for many millennia, and compared to all the others she was the furtherest away.

But one day, while the Queen was walking along the streets of Canterlot, something rather peculiar happened. A thunderous explosion echoed throughout the city followed by a rainbow colored shockwave that flew over the city. Frazzled by what had just happen, Queen Luna didn't know what to do. She didn't have time to react to the colorful explosion as the sound of broken glass and cracking stone came from behind.

The Queen instantly turned around and gasped. Large and meaty vines had wrapped themselves around the building. The vegetation poured out of broken windows and newly formed holes in the wall and ceiling. Queen Luna acted on instinct and spread her wings, she took flight towards the house. She searched for an opening, but couldn't find one. So she made her own.

Her horn glowed dark blue before she unleashed a beam of magic onto one of the vines. The beam shot clean through the vine, and with a tilt of her head, the beam sliced through the vine as though it were made of butter. The vine dropped to the floor with a loud *THUMP*. The Queen used her magic to push back the chopped off piece of the vine connected to the wall.

Once the vine had been pushed back, Queen Luna landed in the room. Smaller vines clung to the walls, floor, and ceiling. What the Queen found most odd was that there was a large purple scaled dragon with green spiked scales from the top of his head to his tail who had green eyes was cramped in the room. There was a cactus sitting in a pot with a squeaking mouse next to it. Sitting in chairs behind a desk was a beach ball, a muffin, and a goldfish which was swimming in a fishbowl. Huddled in the far corner of the room were multiple young ponies, literally shaking in fear.

The Queen gave them a quizzical look. One of the ponies, a colt, slowly pointed his shaking hoof at something. Luna turned to where the colt was pointing and saw the source of what was happening. A unicorn filly with a lavender coat, a dark purple mane, and eyes that were completely white hovered in the center of the room by a light purple magical bubble. Sparks shot out from her horn uncontrollably as the filly had no control over her magic.

The Queen faced the filly and her horn glowed. She casted a spell that would disrupt the filly's connection to her magic. But the moment she casted the spell it instantly recoiled at Luna. She pressed against her head, hoping to suppress the sudden and unexpected pain. She looked at the filly with a face that was more confused than angry. The spell should've worked, it should've cut off the connection between the filly and her magic. Yet somehow the filly was able to reject the spell. Such a thing was impossible, the only one capable of countering the disruption spell was......her sister.

Luna looked at the filly with eyes now filled with determination. Luna shut her eyes for a second before opening them, her eyes now completely white. Her horn glowed bright blue and after taking a deep breath she shouted,

"ATLAS BREAKER!"

A light blue bubble formed on the tip of Luna's horn, the bubble instantly grew to the size where it entrapped the entire building. The growing vines ceased and began to shrink and recede back into the building. In a bright flash the cactus turned into a unicorn Stallion by the name of Nightlight, the squeaking mouse turned into the unicorn mare known as Twilight Velvet. The beach ball, muffin, and the goldfish turned back into the three judges for the 'School of gifted Unicorns' exam. The one who had turned into a goldfish had the bowl on his head, taking the bowl off the water poured onto him, soaking his clothes and fur. The once large dragon shrunk and returned back to its infant form. The large vegetation receded back into the pot it had been planted in.

"Oh...my head." The filly, no longer in a magic state, rubbed her hoof against her forehead. She looked forward to see a pair of tall legs. The filly's eyes climbed up to see that the legs belonged to Queen Luna. The filly's eyes went wide as she scrambled to her hooves and bowed so low that her head pressed against the floor.

The filly knew that she was in trouble, she knew that she was about to receive the most awful punishment ever invented. She closed her eyes and waited for her Queen to speak.

"How did you do it?"

The filly opened her eyes and slightly gazed upward to the all powerful goddess who was looking down on her. She licked her dry lips before speaking softly and frightened, "...I, um...excuse me..."

"How where you able to repel my spell. It takes an irregular amount of magic to do such a thing, so I will ask again little one. How did you do it?" Luna asked once more.

"I uh...I don't know." The filly answered quickly before cowering in fear.

Luna frowned and sighed. "You don't know...I see." Luna began to ponder. "This pony doesn't even realize the power she processes. In the wrong hooves...she would be a danger to Equestria itself. Luckily there's a simple solution."

"What is your name little one?" Luna asked.

"My name?" The filly asked, Luna nodded. "My name, is Twilight Sparkle."

"Twilight Sparkle." Luna repeated her name. "Tell me, Twilight, were you trying out for the 'School for gifted Unicorns'?"

"Y-yes your highness." Twilight answered.

"I'm afraid that a unicorn with your kind of magic cannot be allowed in that school." Luna stated.

"Oh...I understand your highness." Twilight said saddened.

"Therefore I have a proposition for you." Luna said.

Twilight sat up, "huh?"

"How would you like it if I gave you a position greater than a student in the 'School for gifted Unicorns'?" Luna asked.

"Huh?"

"Twilight Sparkle, I offer you to come with me and become my apprentice." Luna offered.

"HUH?!"

"Will you accept my offer?" Luna asked.

Twilight's mouth was agape and her eyes wide, she looked to her parents for an answer. Her parents nodded so fast they looked like complete idiots.

"YES!" Twilight screamed, leaping into the air. "Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!" Twilight said repeated, bouncing up and down around Luna. Just brimming with joy.

A smile spread across Luna's face, it made her feel happy knowing that she would have some new company in her castle.

FOUR YEARS LATER

In the royal castle, in one of the many hallways, a royal unicorn guard with white fur adorned in golden armor patrolled down the halls. Passing by windows and priceless objects sitting on display. The guard rounded a corner and his hoofsteps began to become faint until they could no longer be heard. The hallway became silent, which was short lived as one of the windows creaked open. A figure quickly entered and quietly closed the window.

The figure was a teenage looking Pegasus colt with orange fur, a spiky blue mane, and matching blue eyes. An empty sack sat on his back. The Pegasus looked left and right before running silently down the halls. The colt ran through hallway after hallway searching for something in particular. The colt peeked from behind a corner and saw his target. A large double door painted black with the shape of a white crescent moon painted on the doorway. Standing guard were two Thestral guards wearing lunar armor and were armed with spears. The colt grinned, reaching into his sack and pulling out a tennis ball.

The colt eyed a brown vase as he threw the tennis ball up and caught it back in his hoof. The colt reared back his foreleg and threw the ball. The tennis ball soared towards the pillar holding the vase and the two collided. The base wobbled and the vase fell, causing it to break.

"What was that?" One of the guards asked.

The colt clung his back to the wall and when the two guards passed by and ran towards the sound, they left the colt undetected. While the guards were busy observing the broken vase the colt made a mad dash towards the door. The colt slightly opened the door, and peeked into the room, once he was sure that it was empty he entered and closed the door behind him.

The room was lit as the sun's light entered the room thanks to the drawn back curtains. In the center of the room was a king sized bed with an oak frame that had transparent curtains around all four corners of the bed which hung from the wooden stands. The floor didn't have a speck of dirt or dust on it, it was so clean that the colt could see his reflection. The colt didn't have time to look at the furniture, he had a job to do and he couldn't return empty hoofed. The colt went to work, he began searching the room, pulling out drawers and shutting them, opening the closet door and bathroom, looking under the bed and sheets for something.

In the middle of the colt's search the door nob jiggled. The colt dashed to the closet and hid just as the door to the room opened. The colt peeked out from the small crack in the closet to see Queen Luna had entered the room. His blood ran cold and he gulped.

Luna's hooves clapped with each step she took as she approached her bed. She stood before the bed and looked at it carefully.

"I know your there." Luna spoke, her eyes still on the bed.

The colt's body became pale and sweat started to drip from his forehead.

Luna looked up from the bed and laid her eyes to the closet. "Do not be afraid, if you come out I promise that you will receive no harm."

The deal was tempting. Very tempting. The colt didn't know what else to do, he was trapped like a cornered mouse by a hungry cat. The colt's foreleg began to move towards the closet door involuntary, and opened it. The closet door creaked loudly as it swung open and the colt stepped out. There was a moment of silence between Luna and the colt, before Luna spoke.

"What is your name?" Luna asked.

The colt remained silent before responding, "Flash Sentry."

"Why are you here?" Luna asked.

"I'm here on a job." Flash said.

"What's the job?" Luna asked.

Flash shrugged, "I was told to search for something, they didn't tell me what. Just that I'd know it when I saw it."

"Who offered you this job?" Luna asked.

"Can't say, they both wore masks and cloaks." Flash responded.

"Why did you accept their job? What did they offer you?"

"Money, food, and a place to sleep in for a week." Flash said.

"Where are your parents?" Luna asked.

"Don't know, they abandoned me when I was little." Flash said.

"How did you sneak past the guards?" Luna asked.

"I created a distraction by smashing one of your vases." Flash smiled, almost like he was proud of his actions.

"Clever." Luna admitted. "You have no home or family you say."

"That's right." Flash said.

"Well then mr. Sentry, I have an offer for you. Would you like to here it?" Luna asked.

"Sure." Was Flash's response.

"I will give you food, a place to stay, and a salary on one condition."

"I'm listening." Flash said.

"You have to become one of my guards. If you prove to be loyal and worthy, then you may stay. But," Luna's tone turned dark, "if you betray my trust I will have you executed on the spot. Do we have an understanding?"

"Yes your highness." Flash gulped. "Um...may ask a question?"

"Certainly." Luna smiled.

"Why am I so willingly telling you these things?" Flash asked.

"I apologize mr. Sentry, when I discovered you had entered my room I cast a persuasion spell onto you. The spell prevents you from causing any harm to me and makes you do whatever I tell you to do. This includes telling the truth."

"So it's mind control?" Flash asked.

"Try not to think of it like that. But rest assure that when you wake up you'll be given a better life than before. Now sleep."

Flash's mind obeyed the Queen's command and shut down. His body became like jello as his eyes shut and he collapsed, sleeping soundly. Luna used her magic and levitated the guard towards her, smiling at her new recruit.

As night rolled in, the streets of Canterlot became barren and vacant. The once bustling and noisy city was now quiet. The residents of the city were now tucked away in their homes and beds. Except for one, a white Pegasus Stallion with a blonde name and green eyes trotted nervously down the stone paved streets. His eyes darted left and right, constantly looking behind him, worried that he was being followed. The Pegasus walked up to a restaurant with a hanging sign that read, Eclipsed Moon.

The Pegasus opened the door and entered the building. There were empty seats and tables with dropped food and dirt on the floor, which was being cleaned up by the maids. At the bar a grey coated earth pony with brown eyes and a black mane with a black mustache was wiping down the counters. The Pegasus walked up to the bar, the earth pony's responded by saying,

"Were closed."

The Pegasus leaned forward and whispered, "Daybreak."

The earth pony said nothing, instead he eyed a door next to the bar. The Pegasus walked to the door and opened it, inside were stairs leading down. The Pegasus closed the door behind him and walked down. The basement had a cold concrete floor with metal pipes attached to the ceiling. Some dripping water onto the floor. The basement was poorly lit further away from the stairs, but the Pegasus knew he wasn't alone.

"Your late."

The deep voice made the Pegasus jump back in fright. He cleared his throat before speaking, "I-I bring bad news...it's about the colt."

Two figures walked out from the darkness. Both wore red clothing with golden lining that covered their entire body except for their tails. The two wore a red hood over their head and a white mask that covered their face. The figure on the left was clearly a stallion and the figure on the right was a mare.

"What about the colt?" The Stallion figure demanded.

"Th-the Queen discovered him and...she...well, um...she-"

"Out with it damn it!" The Stallion roared, grabbing the Pegasus by the throat.

"She recruited him." The Pegasus cried, holding his forelegs over his face as a shield.

The Stallion said nothing, his mind processing what had been said. "The Demon...recruited him?" He repeated what the Pegasus had said, in hope of getting a better understanding.

"Y-yes sir, that's what happened." The Pegasus whimpered.

The Stallion released the Pegasus, "how?" He demanded.

"She...she hypnotized him, I think."

"Ya mean the Demon took over his mind?" The Mare spoke.

"I guess that's one way to put it." The Pegasus scratched his head. "We have to tell the rest about this, we have to warn them about what she is capable of."

"We will do no such thing." The Stallion growled.

The Pegasus looked at the figure flabbergasted, "Wha...what!"

"If our troops find out that the Demon is capable of turning the, against us then they'll run away in terror. Their hope will turn to fear and we won't stand a chance against her." The Stallion explained.

"If...if you won't tell them then I have no choice but to-"

Before the Pegasus could take another breath the mare swung her hoof against his throat. The Pegasus coughed and in doing so spat blood. He raised a hoof to his throat and examined the now bloody hoof. By the time the Pegasus had realized what had happened his body fell.

"A shame." The Mare sighed, wiping the hidden bloody blade, that was attached to her right hoof, against her clothes. "He didn't deserve death."

"Yet it welcomes him so graciously." The Stallion sighed, "we cannot let anyone learn of what has transpired here."

"I understand. But what if he found it?" The Mare asked.

"Then we've lost it. We'll have to rethink our strategy before continuing onward." The Stallion said.

"What about him?" The Mare asked, pointing to the corpse of the Pegasus in a puddle of blood.

"We'll deal with him later. For now we must vacate the area." The Stallion said. "May the Light be with you."

"And with you."

Chapter 2. Greetings from Ponyville.

999 years later. 72 hours before Celestia's return

Queen Luna was between a rock and a hard place. She was in her bedroom sitting on her bed, lying against a wall of pillows. She wasn't doing anything but stare at the ceiling, contemplating. Thinking about the day.

*knock knock*

"My Queen?" A feminine voice belonging to a mare asked on the other side of the door.

"Speak." Luna spoke, continuing to stare at the ceiling.

"Um, well...I-I'm here to bring you your breakfast." The mare said.

Luna turned on her side, her back faced the doorway and her front faced the door to the balcony. "Just leave it outside, I will eat when I am ready." Luna stated, after a moment of silence she spoke again, "why are you still here?"

"A-apologizes your highness." The mare stammered. "It's just...well..."

"Speak your mind servant." Luna said, "there is nothing you need to fear."

The mare took a deep breath before speaking. "Were worried about you."

Luna turned on her side and faced the door. "Who's we?"

"All of us your majesty." The servant answered. "The Royal Guard, the staff, the Court, and Twilight."

Twilight. The mares name echoed inside Luna's ears. It made her heart sink a little further than it already was.

"Thank you for your concern." Luna said, sitting up in her bed. "But there is no need for it. Return to your duties and inform the rest of the Guard, Staff, and the Court that I am well. I'm just dealing with so many things at the moment."

"As you wish your majesty." The servant spoke. Luna didn't need to see her to know that she had bowed before leaving.

Once the sound of hoofsteps became faint the thought of Twilight Sparkle returned to the Queen. She arose from her bed and walked to the glass door leading to her balcony. On the balcony sat a rather large mechanical device, with gears visible on its long nose tube. The device was a modded telescope with a wheel of lenses each capable of measuring certain distances. The telescope was aimed at one thing, the thing that caused Luna distraught every time she saw it.

The sun.

Luna found herself gazing up at the bright ball of light in the sky once more. A weak smile spread across her face. "You should see what the marvels our subjects have created, Sister." She spoke to the sun. "Look at all they've accomplished in such a short time. Towering buildings that touch the sky, devices capable of letting ponies speak to one another who are miles away from the other, they finally found a cure to that annoying disease, I think it was called Equine Influenza I think." Luna sighed. "You would've loved to see the world our children have made. It's absolutely beautiful."

Silence. Luna wasn't surprised, she had spoken with her sister everyday and everyday she always got the same response. Silence. Pure and absolute. Luna sighed once more, she didn't even know if her sister was listening anymore. She closed her eyes and walked away from the glass doorway, fighting back the tears that were beginning to form. She opened her eyes and found herself staring at her reflection.

A mare, an Alicorn mare, with a dark royal blue fur coat, her forever waving mane was a lighter shade of blue with white sparkles in it. Upon her head sat a dark blue crown laced with precious gems and jewels, but in the center of the crown was the symbol of a full moon covering the sun. The crown was a symbol of her rule, of her power. Luna looked away from her crown and focused on the only thing that had changed. Her once piercing blue eyes were now teal with black slits for pupils. Her eye change was unexpected, it worried her subjects that she might've been cursed. Luna calmed their fanatic imaginations by telling them that it was merely a side effect of her growth.

Luckily they bought it.

Luna's horn glowed with magic, causing her mirror to do the same. "Show me my Apprentice." She ordered. "Show me Twilight Sparkle."

Luna's reflection faded, and was replaced with the image of the eighteen year old mare, Twilight Sparkle. From Luna's point of view however, she could only see Twilight.

"Mirror, zoom out please." She asked.

The mirror obeyed and the image changed. Twilight's appearance shrunk and now Luna could see everything. Twilight was in the Canterlot Library, lying on the floor reading an opened book with stacks of books surrounding her. It didn't take a genius to know what Twilight was doing, yet the sight of her actions caused Luna to frown.

The sound of the library's doors opening came from the mirror and Spike the small dragon entered the image, carrying a stack of books.

"I got everything you asked for Twi." Spike said. "Where should I set them down?"

"Right there is fine." Twilight pointed, not looking up from her book even for a second.

Spike walked to where Twilight had pointed and dropped the tall stack of books. Spike dusted his claws off and walked next to Twilight. "What'cha studying for now?"

"Botany." Twilight answered bluntly.

Luna was taken aback. "She's studying...plants? Why would she-" Luna mentally facehoofed, knowing full well that the question was a rhetorical one. She was Twilight Sparkle, she ate knowledge like Pacman ate those yellow pellets. Luna didn't mind her Apprentice studying, but a line had to be, no, needed to be drawn. Luna didn't want Twilight to spend her whole life studying, she wanted her to go outside and make some friends, do things that girls do, fall in love, start a family, those kinds of things. But instead, Twilight was wasting her time in the library. Reading books.

Luna sighed once again, using her magic, the image in the mirror faded and her reflection returned. She had tried letting Twilight make friends in Canterlot, but the residents in the city were...grouches is the word she used. Luna tried to find other places her Apprentice could go to make friends. But none seemed worthy. Luna spotted something in the corner of her eye, something white. She turned her head slightly and saw that it was only her white board calendar. A large white board with a seven by seven square pattern on it with words written in erasable marker. Luna approached the white board and examined it. She looked to the date three days from today because, unlike the rest of the board, it had only one thing written on it.

Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville

The Summer Sun Celebration. A day Luna had declare would happen every year on the day she had banished her sister. The day was celebrated by all and was more popular than Hearths Warming. But this year's celebration was special. Ever since her sister's banishment, Luna spent weeks looking over the spell she had casted to seal away Celestia. She never truly found the spell but the only one that sealed an Alicorn away the longest was the spell that sealed a pony away for one thousand years. In three days it would officially be one thousand years, in three days her sister would return.

Luna clenched her teeth and hooves. What would she say? What would she do? How was she supposed to act when she saw her sister? Millions of questions compared to the first three flooded her mind. Then she remembered, her Apprentice. The answer to her incapability of being social was starring her right in the face. A plan began to form in Luna's brain. One, she declared, that would be so foolproof that it couldn't fail.

But first, she had to quench the rumbling in her stomach.

The next day. 48 hours till the return of Celestia

"For the hundredth time Twilight, there's no secret code or message." Spike groaned, crossing his arms.

"But why would she go to all the trouble of sending the letter?" Twilight asked, removing the magnifying glass. "Why wouldn't she just teleport me herself instead?"

"Maybe she thinks you need the exercise?" Spike shrugged.

Twilight came to a halt and whipped her head around at Spike very very unhappy. "Are you calling me fat?!"

"What?! No!" Spike shouted in defense. "I just thought you needed the exercise because you've been cramped up in a library for an entire day."

Twilight glared at Spike before turning away from him and continuing on her path. Queen Luna sent a letter to Twilight, via Spike, that had only six words in the middle.

Meet me in the Throne room.

Twilight being Twilight, thought that her Queen must've put a secret message in the letter. So as she and Spike, who was riding on her back, made their way to the castle Twilight was examining the letter all over with a magnifying glass.

The two armored pony's who were guarding the entrance to the castle let Twilight and Spike enter without hesitation. Despite her eyes glued to the letter, Twilight was able to navigate the halls with ease. It wasn't until Twilight stood in front of the throne room doorway that she rolled up the letter and gave it to Spike. With her magic, the doors opened loudly and Twilight entered.

The Throne room was larger than any other room in Canterlot. With color glass paintings on the side walls, a luxurious red carpet leading up to the golden steps that was attached to the golden base upon which the two thrones stood. The right throne was made with a golden frame that had two armrests, red cushions sewn into the bottom and back of the throne, and the symbol of the sun embedded in the top of the throne. The left throne had a blue frame that also had two armrests, grey cushions sewn into the bottom and back of the throne, and the symbol of the crescent moon embed into the top of the throne. Sitting in the left throne was Queen Luna herself, in all her glory. Spike leaped off of Twilight and the two did as was customary and bowed.

"Rise my Apprentice and her assistant." Luna ordered and Twilight and Spike rose. "Do you know why I have summoned you?"

"I don't my Queen." Twilight answered. "Your, uh, letter wasn't very detailed."

"I preferred to discuss this importance with you personally." Luna admitted. "Tell me Twilight, do you know what will occur in two days?"

Twilight tilted her head in confusion. "The Summer Sun Celebration of course."

"Correct once again my Apprentice." Luna smiled. "This years celebration will be taking place in the small quaint town known as Ponyville. As you might've know, this year's celebration marks the one thousand of them all. As such I am sending you to Ponyville to oversee the preparations."

"What!" Twilight blurted.

Luna raised a brow.

Twilight cleared her thought and spoke more respectfully, "apologizes my Queen, but what about my studies here in Canterlot?"

"Oh please." Luna scoffed. "You've read every book in that dusty old building. Surely you have them all memorized by heart."

Twilight wanted to protest but failed to find any ground to build it on. With a sigh of defeat she asked, "when do I leave?"

"In one hour." Luna answered.

"An hour!" Twilight screamed. "This is all so sudden, can't you at least give me more time?"

"If I give you more time the only thing you'll do with it is waste it on more books." Luna stated. "Besides, this assignment of yours is also a test."

Twilight's ears perked up at the words test. "What kind of test?" Twilight asked.

"One that cannot be studied, cannot be taught, but can only happen upon instinct." Luna said in a riddle. "Now go pack, you'll be staying in the Golden Oak Library till the celebration has passed."

"But-"

"Fifty minutes now." Luna stated, pretending to look at an invisible watch on her foreleg. By the time Luna looked up Twilight was gone and a trail of dust had been left in her place. Luna slightly chuckled to herself.

*knock knock knock*

"Enter." Luna ordered.

The door opened and a eighteen year old Flash Sentry wearing dark blue royal armor with the crescent symbol on his breastplate but no helmet. "You requested my presence my Queen?" Flash asked as Luna used her magic to close the doors.

"That I did Sentry." Luna confirmed as Flash approached her and bowed. "Do you know of my Apprentice, Twilight Sparkle?" She asked as Flash rose.

"Only by name my Queen. I here she is very intelligent and powerful when it comes to magic." Flash said.

"Well your not wrong." Luna muttered. "I have a task for you. As one of my most loyal and trusted guards, I ask that you guard my Apprentice while she is in Ponyville fir this year's celebration."

"I graciously accept." Flash bowed.

"Excellent." Luna but her two hoof tips together and smiled. "The train leaves in fifty minutes from now. You'll only be there for two days so there's no need to overpack."

"The only thing I will need is my armor and sword." Flash rose.

"I see. Very well then, you are dismissed." Luna said, before Flash could exit she added, "and Sentry."

Flash paused and looked back to Luna.

"Keep Twilight safe." Luna asked.

Flash grinned and responded, "I'll make sure she doesn't even lose a hair." He said, as he closed the door behind him.

The train station. One of busiest and crowded places to be. Especially in Canterlot. The train was said to be the fastest mode of transportation there was to offer, and after a race between the train and airship, it had become official. At the station, the Canterlot train sat puffing out clouds of steam and fumes all while the ponies waited for the train to be in ready condition. Flash Sentry stood at the station looking out away from the train. He still wore his dark blue lunar armor but this time he had the helmet and a sheathed sword wrapped to his side. The train would be ready in ten minutes, so he was curious as to where Twilight Sparkle was.

Then something caught his eye, or something's rather. An object flying at high speeds rushed towards him, he gripped his sword ready to strike. But before he unsheathed his weapon the object stopped right in front of him and dropped. Upon closer examination, Flash noticed that the object was a suitcase. Then, out of no where, two other suitcases came flying, stopped, and dropped on top of the first. More cases came, each stopping and stacking on top of the other. Soon there was a tall tower composed of at least nine suitcases.

"We gotta hurry Spike!"

The loud yell caught Flash's attention. He looked past the suitcases to see Twilight Sparkle, with Spike on her back, racing towards the train. When she was close enough Twilight skidded to a halt in front of Flash.

"Twilight Sparkle I assume?" Flash asked.

Twilight looked startled upon hearing her name from the Stallion. "Um...yes, who are you?"

"My name is Flash Sentry." Flash introduced himself. "My Queen sent me here to guard you while your in Ponyville."

"What?! No no no no no no no. There has to be some sort of mistake, I don't need a guard." Twilight protested.

"My Queen begs to differ." Flash said, then looking to the towering suitcases. "What is in all of those?"

"Well this one has all of my essentials." Twilight showed Flash the suitcase she pulled from the tower. "Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash, clothes, things like that."

"And the rest?"

"Books." Twilight said bluntly.

"Books?" Flash asked.

"Books." Twilight answered.

"Why do you have so many?" He asked.

"I just wanted to do some light reading, that's all." Twilight smiled innocently.

The train whistle blew. "All aboard!" The Conductor yelled. "Next stop, Ponyville!"

Flash looked back to the large stack of suitcases for Twilight's "light reading".

"Alright, let me just grab my books and-HRK!" Twilight's body locked up and the became limp as she fell. Before she could hit the ground Flash scooped her up and sat her on his back.

"What the-why did you-HRK!" Spike's body locked up and also went limp when Flash chopped him in the back of the neck, and just like he did with Twilight, he scooped him up and sat him on his back.

Flash picked up the suitcase containing all of Twilight's essentials with his mouth. He walked into the train and entered his designated car. He walked to the booth belonging to him and opened the sliding door. He took Twilight's suitcase and laid it in the shelf above the booth. He then sat both Twilight and Spike down in the booth across from him. He took his seat just as the train began to move.

Twilight's eyes slowly fluttered open. She looked across from her to see Flash sitting with his legs crossed. She groaned as she moved her stiff body and stretched.

"Oh colt...I had the weirdest dream." She rubbed her eye. "You, Spike, and I were at the train station and you purposely left my suitcases filled with books at the station." The gears in Twilight's head then begun to spin. Slowly her head lifted to Flash with wide eyes. "Flash...were are my books?"

"That depends." Flash said. "Are we in a dream?"

"No."

"Then there at the station." Flash answered.

Twilight starred at Flash flabbergasted. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "Excuse me." She said opening the window she stuck her head out and shouted.

"SON OF A-

Due to this book being rated teen, the no no words coming out of Twilight's potty mouth cannot be written. Please wait while I skip to the end.

"-WITH A BUCKET FULL OF FROGS!" Twilight heaved, finished with her rant. She pulled her head back in and closed the window. She looked at the window for a couple of seconds before turning to face Flash. "Do you have problem?" She asked.

"Not that I know of. Why?" Flash asked calmly.

"You just left nine suitcases worth of books at the station! I was going to use those to study before the test begins, and thanks to you I'm probably going to fail!" Twilight complained.

"First, from what my Queen has told me you've read every book Canterlot has to offer ten times over." Flash stated. "Second, the test has already begun, and I'm the one who is grading you."

Twilight froze, she looked at Flash motionless for half a minute before clearing her throat. She shuffled her body so that she sat upright and put on an innocent smile. "I think you and I got off on the wrong hoof. My name is Twilight Sparkle, what's yours."

"Flash Sentry." Flash said. "Or would you prefer to call me 'the hairy egg stealer'?" Flash asked, talking about the name Twilight had called him during her rant.

"Oh that! I wasn't talking about you I was talking about someone else." Twilight chuckled nervously, sweat beginning to form on her forehead. "So mr. Sentry, can I call you Flash?"

"You may." Flash said.

"Wonderful." Twilight's smile grew. "So Flash, would you be so kind as to tell me what this test is all about?"

"Nope." Flash answered.

Twilight's left eye twitched. "Excuse me."

"My Queen was very strict with me, and ordered me to not give you any information or hints about the test." Flash explained.

"But...then how am I supposed to do the test?" Twilight asked, still holding up her fake smile.

"This is a test that cannot be studied for, cannot be taught, it can only happen by instinct." Flash explain, "and besides, the test has already begun."

"Can you at least tell me how I'm doing?" Twilight pleaded.

"I can." Flash answered.

"Yes!" Twilight cheered.

"And your failing."

Twilight's once cheerful face shattered and became one of sadness. Like her heart broke apart and was shattered into a million pieces. Her body slumped against the seat, the front of her mane covered up her eyes and the depressed state she was in seemed to be giving off a sad aura.

"I failed the test." Twilight's body fell to the floor as though she was made of liquid. She then curled up into a ball and rocked herself back and forth mumbling.

"I said you are failing. That doesn't mean you have failed. Yet." Flash stated.

Twilight jumped from the floor and pressed herself against Flash. "You mean I still have a chance?!" She yelled frantically.

"Um...yes." Flash responded in his uncomfortable state.

Twilight sprung back into her seat and sat. "So what do I have to do to not fail the test?" She asked.

"Can't say." Flash answered. "There's many ways to fail."

"Oh." Twilight's saddened state returned.

The train whistle blew and the wheels screeched as they tried to brake. The train jerked to a halt and steam hissed out from the wheels. "All disembarked for the town Ponyville!" The conductor yelled.

Twilight sat the still sleeping Spike on her back and Flash grabbed her suitcase. The two walked off the train and towards the town. On the way, Twilight used her magic to grab her suitcase out from Flash's mouth and levitated it next to her. She opened the suitcase and took out a piece of rolled up paper before closing the suitcase shut.

"Queen Luna gave me a list of everything I'm supposed to do tomorrow, one day before the celebration begins." Twilight explained. "Will doing what's on the list make me fail?"

"No." Flash answered.

Twilight sighed in relief. She unrolled the list and began reading.

"I thought you said you're supposed to do all of that tomorrow?" Flash asked.

"There's no harm in getting a head start." Twilight responded. "Besides, it says here that the first thing I'm supposed to do is greet somepony."

"If you insist, there's somepony right there." Flash pointed.

Twilight looked to where Flash was pointing to see an earth pony mare with a pink fur coat, a pink poofy mane, and light blue eyes who had three balloons for a cutiemark. The mare was bouncing up and down with glee while humming a tune.

"Greetings earth pony." Twilight waved.

The mare stopped mid-bounce, her head turned around like an owls then her body did the same. She instantly closed the distance between her and Twilight. She then inhaled very deeply and shouted,

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

The mare then shot through the sky and crash landed in the town. Leaving a perplexed Twilight and Flash.

"Um...you too."

Author's Note

Well here's chapter 2 hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 3. Preparations

48 hours till Celestia's return

"What...was that all about?" Flash asked.

"I'm, not sure." Twilight said, trying to process what had just happened. "So...does getting yelled at by a mare count as a greeting?"

Flash gave Twilight a look that said 'you're not serious are you?'.

"Worth a shot." Twilight gasped, "that isn't going to affect my score is it?!"

"Maybe." Flash said smugly, walking off towards Ponyville.

Twilight caught up to him and walked by his side, "you're not a nice pony, you know that right?"

"I wasn't sent here to be nice, I was sent here to grade you on the test." Flash said, using the test as an excuse towards his real purpose.

The two pony's, and unconscious dragon, entered into the middle of the town. Where some of towns population was gathered and doing stuff. Twilight looked to Flash to see that he was showing that expressionless guard face.

"He's toying with me." Twilight thought. "He knows that that greeting with that other mare is going to give me a failing score. I'll show him, I'll greet somepony so well that I'm gonna blow this test out of the water. Now I just need to find somepony to...to...what's the word I'm looking for? Talk to, I need to find somepony to talk to. Now let's see." Twilight began scanning the area, looking at the all the ponies in the town square. "Those two are talking, she's growing plants, that one right there doesn't look like she's focused in on anything. Ooh wait, there's someone!"

Twilight targeted a grey Pegasus mare who had a blonde mane and tail, and bubbles for a cutiemark, who was busy staring off into space. Twilight walked forwards with the intent of speaking with the mare while wearing a smug face.

"Where are you going?" Flash asked.

"To say hello." Twilight answered. She approached the grey Pegasus by the left side and stopped. "Hello there." She gave the Pegasus a warm smile. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, what might your name-GAH!" Twilight recoiled.

Because of Twilight's approach, and where she stopped, she only saw one half of the mare's face. Once she had gotten the mare's attention however, the mare did as customary and turned to see who was speaking. Facing Twilight, she was no able to see her yellow eyes, one eye looked at her while the other looked elsewhere.

The mare gave Twilight a warm smile. "Hello Twilight."

"Um...hi..." Twilight said cautiously. "So...what's your name?"

"My name?" The mare asked, pointing to herself. "I can't really say it, but my friends call me Ditzy, Derpy, Bubbles, Muffin, Lazy Eye, and some others. You can call me whatever you want though."

"Um...does Bubbles sound okay to you?" Twilight asked.

"Of course silly." Bubbles smiled. "Were friends so you call me whatever you want." A ringing went off, Bubbles looked at the watch on her foreleg and gasped. "Oh no! I'm sorry, but I've gotta go. If I'm late my boss is gonna kill me." Bubbles panicked, spreading her wings and taking flight. "See you later Twilight!" She yelled before flying out of sight.

"...okay." Twilight didn't know wether to wave or not.

"Congratulations." Flash said, appearing out of nowhere. "You just talked to somepony without them screaming at you and running off."

"Shut up." Twilight groaned. "Let's just get to the Golden Oaks Library." Twilight started to walk off.

"And where is that exactly?" Flash raised a brow.

Twilight halted and facehoofed, knowing that she should've asked Bubbles for directions. She groaned loudly and punched the ground repeatedly.

"If your looking for the Golden Oaks Library I can help."

Twilight looked up with relief. Then she saw that the one speaking was the pink mare. "Oh, its you again." She said flatly.

"Hi there." The pink one smiled. "Names Pinkie Pie, greatest party planner in Equestria, nice to meet you Twilight Sparkle and Flash Sentry."

Both Twilight and Flash looked at Pinkie perplexed and slightly frightened. "How did you know our names?" Flash asked skeptical.

"Oh that's easy." Pinkie Pie giggled. "I know everything about everyone. I also know where you guys need to go."

Flash loosened his grip on his sword's hilt. "You know how to get to Golden Oaks?" He asked.

"Of course." Pinkie responded. "The Golden Oaks Library is on the other side of town. You just need to go straight that way till you reach the edge. Once you two are there look for the tree with door and some windows, cause that's what your looking for."

"Thanks for the directions miss Pie." Flash said.

"No need to be formal Flash, everyone just calls me Pinkie." Pinkie giggled. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go do a secret thing off camera." Pinkie said, bouncing off.

"Wait!" Twilight shouted, causing Pinkie Pie to stop and land. "Before you go I mush know, why did you scream at us?"

Pinkie Pie starred at Twilight and blinked a couple of times before responding with a, "I dunno." Pinkie shrugged before bouncing away.

"But-" Twilight tried to protest but was cut off by Flash.

"Best if you just let her go." Flash said. "Let's just get to the Library."

For once Twilight found something that she and Flash agreed on. She was worn out and wanted nothing more than to collapse in bed. She willing followed Flash down the streets towards the edge of town and

Hiya Storyteller!

Pinkie! How did you get here?

Silly author. I go wherever I please, now hold still.

Where did you get that duct tape? Where did you get that rope? Why are you smiling at me like that?!

Oh no.

Oh yes.

Hello Watcher, in case you couldn't tell, it's me Pinkie Pie! Calvin, or Storyteller as you know him, is kinda...tied up at the moment. Get it? Because I tied Calvin/Storyteller up with rope and duct taped his mouth and shoved him into a closet full of dolls whose eyes stare into your soul.

I feel like I've accomplished many great things today. Anywho, I guess you could say I'm hijacking this story. For how long, you might ask. Well I'm gonna ride this ship till Calvin/Storyteller breaks free I guess. So let's get to it then.

Flash and Twilight made to Golden Oaks, but for some reason it took them so long that it's almost night time because the suns setting. Those guys are really slow. So yeah they made it to the Library, I guess this is the part where I explain what it looks like because this book lacks visuals.

Let's see...it's a tree. It's got branches...some leaves on the top...there's a circular glass window and a wooden door. Can't really go into detail with a door. There's also a balcony sticking out with a telescope pointing up. Um what else? Oh right, the inside. The entire inside is carved out, the floor is the trees truck so it has a ripple pattern. There's a circular table with a marble horse head in the center. The circular walls are carved out and are made into bookshelves, which are holding books. A lot of books from the looks of it. Theres another door which leads to the kitchen, which I have no idea how it fits in there, um there's a stairway leading to the second level. On the second floor is the bedroom, which has a queen sized bed for Twilight, across from her bed is the guest bed where Flash is gonna be sleeping, and then there's a little doggie bed for Spike. Then there's two dressers, one for Twilight and one for Flashy, and two tall dressers, one for Twily and one for Flash. There's a door which leads to the bathroom, in there is a sink with a faucet, a potty, and a tub that also doubles as a shower.

I'm not the best at explain things, sorry bout that. I would be better though if Somebody wasn't constantly banging on the door I trapped them in!

Oh wait, hold on. Things are happening, what do I use for when someone is talking? Quotation marks, that's what I use.

Normally Twily would be up to her ears in books right now. But because of the day she was having she had a change of heart. After setting her suitcase on her bed and putting the snoring Spike in his bed, she went into the bathroom, and after locking the door, drew herself a hot bath. Flash on the other hoof, stood next to his bed. He lifted up his helmet and laid it on the bed. He then unlatched the straps to the armor on his forelegs and hindlegs and sat all of them on the bed. He did this with all of his armor, removing his sword last. He gathered up his armor and put them in the tall dresser thingy. He hung his sword's strap on the wooden pole thing that's on the corner of the bed.

Twilight was finished with her bath, and after washing off with a towel, wrapped a towel around her waist and mane. She unlocked the door and exited the bathroom, causing the hot steam inside to fume into the bedroom.

"What a day." Twilight sighed. "It has been nothing but frustration after frustration, and thanks to you-"

Twilight cut herself off the moment she saw Flash with his spiky blue mane, clean orange coat, and piercing blue eyes. Twilight hadn't seen Flash without his armor on, to her he looked like a completely different pony. Flash glanced at Twilight, who was frozen in awe upon seeing the orange Pegasus.

"You were saying?" He asked.

"Oh! Um...nothing...don't worry about it." Twilight said flustered, her face redder than a tomato.

I guess you can call Flash a salad since Twilight saw him undressing.

...

...

Screw you guys, my jokes are funny.

"You sure you're okay?" Flash asked. "You look a bit red." He took a step forward.

"I'm fine, really!" Twilight blurted, flailing her forelegs.

Is that the right word? Is flailing a word? Doesn't sound like one, oh well, no going back now.

"You sure?" Flash asked.

"Positive." Twilight said, her red cheeks returning to normal.

"...okay." Flash shrugged, not wanting to press Twilight any further. "Listen, can I talk to you about something?"

"...you don't need my permission to talk to me. Say what's on your mind." Twilight said.

"Alright...well..." Flash took a deep breath before continuing. "Its about you and I. I think you were right when you said 'we got off on the wrong hoof'. I'm not here to hurt you or judge you, I'm here to help you."

"You have a funny way of showing it." Twilight huffed.

"If I could give you hints about the test I would. But my Queen ordered me not to." Flash explained.

"Why the hay would she do something like that?" Twilight demanded.

"Because she believes in you." Flash answered. "Because she believes that you can pass this test no matter what it throws at you. Because you're Twilight Sparkle, Queen Luna's apprentice, famed to be the most powerful Unicorn in Equestria, you can do anything if you put your mind to it. This test is the easiest one I think she could've given to you. So I know you'll do great."

Twilight starred at Flash in awe, her jaw muscles moved by she couldn't produce any words. Well except for two, "thank you." Twilight smiled.

Flash smiled back. I know this might be cheating but... Flash thought, extending his foreleg at Twilight. "What'da say Twilight? Let's forget the past and start over." Flash offered. "Hello, my name is Flash Sentry, it's a pleasure to meet you. What might your name be?"

Twilight's eyes fell onto Flash's extended foreleg. She thought back to all the things he did in their time together. All the stupid and jerky things the two did and said to one another, and here he was, offering her a do-over. Twilight grinned weakly and shook Flash's foreleg. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, it's a pleasure to meet you Flash Sentry. I hope you and I can be good friends."

"Me too." Flash smiled warmly.

Now I know what your thinking. Romantic scene between Flash and Twilight, that must mean this is gonna be a Flashlight story. Well you couldn't be wrong anonymous viewer. You wouldn't believe how squiggly and curvy this story's path is about to go. There's so much that's gonna happen and so much that has yet to happen. Unless of course the Author, I call him that now, cancels this story in which my and everyone else's existence will stop and time will be frozen forever. But that'll never happen, I hope.

Pinkie Pie!

GAH! Calvin, I mean, Storyteller, I mean, Author! How did you escape?!

I broke out of the ropes and ripped of the duct tape.

But how did you get out of the closet?

After you locked the door you threw the key into the closet and said "try and escape now".

I should've known that was a stupid idea. But it doesn't matter, what's done is done and it can't be changed.

It's true that I can't stop you, I honestly don't think anything can, but I can send you back and there's no stopping that.

Oh yeah? Well I'm gonna spoil some of the plot line before you do! For you see, the real ship that's gonna take place in this story is Fl-

*POP*

And from out of thin air, Pinkie Pie reappears.

"Awwww, no fair. Now I can't spoil the ship." Pinkie whined.

Ah, it feels good to be back. As for you, little-miss-trouble-maker, you're gonna go home and get ready for the next day.

"You're not the boss of me." Pinkie Pie huffed, turning around, sitting down, and crossing her forelegs.

Either you go home and get ready or just stay there. Either one is fine by me.

"Just skip to the next day already!" Pinkie Pie huffed. "I'll go home and sleep while you're doing that."

Alright, have it your way.

The next day. 20 hours till Celestia's return.

The sun slowly rose from its rest and shined its light down onto the slumbering town of Ponyville. While some awoke to the suns rays others awoke to the ear piercing sound of their alarm clocks. Twilight however, awoke to neither of these two. The curtains drawn and no clock in sight to awake the pony from her slumber. Instead a more subtle thing awoke her. A thin brown smoke made its way up the stairs and flew to Twilight's bed. The smoke swept underneath her nose, tickling her nostrils and sense of smell. She inhaled the sweet scent of the smoke and hummed with delight.

Her eyes slowly opened and saw the smoke begin to retract itself. Once it was at the top of the stairway the smoke formed a hand and made an alluring motion with its finger, telling Twilight to come and follow. Twilight removed her sheet and sat up from her bed before following the smoke. The smoke lead her downstairs to the circular table in the room. Three chairs had been pulled up to the table and in one sat Spike. In front of him was a plate with a stack of pancakes that was covered in syrup and had butter melting on the top. Spike cut the pancakes with his knife, picked them up with the fork, and shoved them into his mouth.

He caught sight of Twilight, and with a mouth full of pancakes, said, "Gooh mornin Twihight."

"Don't talk with food in your mouth Spike, we've talked about this." Twilight rolled her eyes.

Spike swallowed the pancake mash in his mouth in one gulp before speaking again. "Sorry. I said good morning."

"Good morning to you too Spike." Twilight said sniffing the air, "what is that wonderful smell?"

Spike cocked his head in confusion. "You mean you can't tell?" He asked. "Its these pancakes. There really good, here try one." Spike offered, stabbing his fork into the top pancake and offering it to Twilight.

Twilight slid the pancake off of the fork and brought it towards her with her magic. She looked to the bottom of the pancake to see brow spots. These spots were melted chocolate chips embedded into the pancake. Twilight brought the pancake to her mouth and took a bite out of it.

Her eyes widened and her pupils enlarged. The sugary and sweet taste of the cake swept across her entire tongue. The taste was absolutely amazing, not to bland, not to sweet, but perfectly in the middle of the two. She chewed the piece in her mouth for a couple more seconds but to her it felt like hours. It had come time to swallow the wonderful food. She swallowed and the mashed food fell down her throat. She looked back to the pancake still caught in her magic.

Without any warning or hesitation she scarfed down the rest of the cake seconds. She licked her lips, trying to recover whatever bit of goodness had been stuck on them.

"Pretty good right?" Spike asked.

"Pretty good?" Twilight repeated, sounding almost like she was appalled by what Spike had said. "It wasn't just good Spike. It was absolutely amazing! I've never tasted something so good before in my life! It was so good, I want more. I need more." Twilight licked her lips while rubbing her hooves as she eyed Spike's stack of pancakes.

Noticing where she was looking, Spike stood between the pancakes and Twilight. "Oh no you don't, these ones are mine."

"But you have so many." Twilight stated. "Surely you can spare one."

"Heck no! These pancakes were baked for me. If you want some go get your own." Spike pointed to the kitchen.

Twilight rushed towards the pancakes reaching for them. But before she could even touch one, Spike held her back.

"Come on Spike, I just want one." Twilight whined, desperately grasping for the stack.

"Yeah, one stack of pancakes. My pancakes by the way." Spike stated.

"Instead of fighting over Spike's pancakes, why don't you eat your own."

Both Twilight and Spike stopped moving and looked to the kitchen door where Flash now stood, balancing two dishes holding a stack of pancakes with syrup running down its sides and a slap of melting butter on top. Flash made his way over to the table and gently sat it on the table.

"These are for you Twilight, eat up." Flash said, "and don't kill anyone over them."

Twilight quickly backed away from Spike and dusted herself off while slightly chuckling, a hint of red on her cheeks. She took her seat and dug into her pancakes. Flash sat his plate down in front of him and took his seat before he began eating as well.

Once there were no more pancakes left, Flash gathered up the dishes and silverware and washed them off in the sink. After that he and Twilight went upstairs. Flash opened up the tall dresser were his set of armor had been hung. He picked up his helmet and placed it over his head only for it to float off and hung itself back inside the dresser. It didn't take a genius to figure out what had happened, Flash glared at Twilight, silently demanding the reason behind her action.

"Could you maybe, not where the armor? Just for today that is." Twilight asked.

Flash raised an eyebrow as to why Twilight would request such a thing but decided it would be best to do as she said. He walked over to the side of his bed and strapped on his sword. He may have been fine not wearing his armor but he wouldn't go anywhere without his weapon. Wether Twilight liked it or not.

Spike grabbed the list of Twilight's to do list and hopped on her back. With everything ready the trio set out for their assignment.

"So what's first on the list?" Flash asked. "Besides greet a pony." Flash added.

Spike handed Twilight the list, she took it and unfolded it with her magic. "Says here were supposed to meet a mare named Applejack. She's in charge of food for the festival. It also says we'll find her at Sweet Apple Acres."

"We passed that while searching for the library didn't we?" Flash asked.

"Yeah, three times actually." Twilight added.

The trio made their way to the farm. The two passed through the gate entrance and saw the majestic beauty of the orchard. Apple trees stretched as far as the eye could see, and in the middle of the orchard was the red barn. The trio looked around and saw an orange earth pony mare with a blonde mane and tail who wore a cowgirl hat who had a green Apple with the top half covered in caramel. The three assumed that the mare was the one they were looking for. They approached the mare as she raised her hind legs and kicked against the trunk of an Apple tree.

"Excuse me?" Twilight spoke up, getting the mare's attention.

The mare stopped kicking against the tree and tipped her hat up, revealing her light blue eyes. "Good mornin' what can I do ya fer?" The mare asked in a southern accent.

"Your name is Applejack right?" Twilight asked.

The mare chuckled, slightly shaking her head. " 'Fraid you've got the wrong pony ma'am. The one you folks are lookin' for is ma daughter."

Twilight blushed in embarrassment. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry miss."

"It's alright. Name's Caramel, ma daughter is 'round back setting up the grub." Caramel gestured to the barn.

"Thank you very much." Twilight said as she, Flash and Spike made there way to the other side of the barn.

"Woah." Flash said in awe.

In front of Twilight, Spike, and Flash was the biggest stack of pies ever seen. The pies were stacked in the shape of a pyramid and reached all the way to the top of the barn. There were crates filled with glass bottles carrying a light brownish liquid stacked in a cube. There were stacks of so many foods, and each one was related to apples.

"Hi there." A voice piped up.

The trio search for who the voice belonged to.

"Down here."

Twilight, Flash, and Spike looked down to see a filly with yellow fur, who had a red mane and tail with a bow in it, and she had blue eyes. She also spoke in a southern accent.

"I hear y'all are lookin' fer ma sis." The filly turned around. "Follow me."

The group followed the filly past the stacks of food and earth ponies stacking food. The filly stopped and so did the group. "Hey sis, folks here ta see ya." She hollered.

An earth pony mare jumped down from the stacks of crates and landed in front of the filly. The mare had orange fur, a blonde mane and tail, emerald green eyes, she wore a cowgirl hat, and she had a three red apples for her cutiemark.

"Y'all must be the inspectors we've been hearin' 'bout. Folks call me Applejack, you can too." Applejack extended her hoof.

"Nice to meet you Applejack." Twilight took Applejack's hoof. "My name is Twilight Sparkle-"

"Mighty kind of ya to visit this here farm of ours." Applejack smiled, shaking Twilight up and down like she was a fluffy doll.

Once the world had stopped spinning for Twilight, and she prevented herself from falling down, she responded, "yeah...sure...no problem."
"So, what foods would you like to test?" Applejack asked.

"Test?! No no no no." Twilight waved her hooves. "We're not here to try any of the foods, we're just her to make sure all of them are ready."

"Aren't ya gonna stay for brunch?"

Twilight's first mistake was looking down at Applebloom. The moment Twilight's eyes met hers she had lost. Applebloom's pupils grew three times their normal size and her lip quivered as she gave Twilight a pout. The face was so pure and sad that it could've made the toughest of ponies mere butter in her hooves.

"I really shouldn't." Twilight protested, but couldn't look away from Applebloom's pout.

"Well...I guess one wouldn't hurt."

19 hours till Celestia's return

"Ooooohhhhhhh." Twilight groaned in absolute misery as her stomach churned and groaned. "Whyyyyyyyy!" She whined.

"I told you not to eat so much." Flash sated in a matter-of-fact tone. "Your stomach can only take so much."

"I'm with Flash on this one Twi." Spike agreed, now riding on Flash's back.

"Well you two weren't under the pressure of a sad filly." Twilight barked. "Did you see her face? Would you have said no to a face like that?"

"Yes." Flash responded.

Twilight looked at Flash confused and appalled. "You have no soul." She said flatly.

"I get told that more than you might think." Flash said before looking to Spike. "What's next on the list Spike?"

Spike pulled out the list and scanned it before responding. "Says here we're supposed to meet a mare name Rainbow Dash who's in charge of clearing the clouds."

They all looked up and sure enough, there were still clouds in the sky.

"Well whoever she is, she's doing a very poor job." Twilight stated.

"Spike, you said the mare's name was Rainbow Dash right?" Flash asked, eying a certain cloud.

"Yeah. Why?" Spike asked.

"Does it say anywhere what she looks like?" Flash asked.

Spike scanned the entire front sheet before flipping it over. "Hey, it does. Says here she's a Pegasus mare with cyan fur, a rainbow colored mane, violet eyes, and a cloud with a red, yellow, and blue lightning bolt coming out of it. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason." Flash said, picking up a small rock he threw it at the cloud he was eying.

Fun fact about clouds in Equestria. They're like balloons, they're nothing more than visible air. Only thing is that every cloud has a magical layer around it that makes it able for Pegasi to walk on them. The bigger the cloud, the stronger the layer. However, like I said before, clouds are like balloons, if anything punctures the layer the clouds structure is disrupted and it becomes nothing but air.

Which is every unfortunate for the cyan Pegasus sleeping on the cloud Flash threw the rock at. The rock did as Flash intended it would do, it flew through the layer and the cloud poofed back into air. With nothing holding her up anymore, the cyan Pegasus fell into the puddle of mud that was beneath her cloud.

The Pegasus flailed about and spat out some mud she caught in her mouth before standing up and scouring the area. Her mane and fur were covered in mud spots. "Alright." She growled angrily. "Who interrupted my nap?! I swear, when I get my hooves on you I'm gonna...do something bad."

"Rainbow Dash I presume." Flash asked.

The Pegasus closed the distance between herself and Flash, leaving a rainbow streak behind her. Her nose touched Flash's, her eyes narrowed, and she growled (literally), "you. You're the one who threw that rock didn't you?"

Flash pushed Rainbow back before answering. "I did, but would you like to hear why?"

"Sure. It'll make me feel better when I pound you into a pulp." She threatened, rolling her right foreleg around in a stretch motion.

"I did it because you were sleeping on the job." Flash answered, standing firm. "You were ordered to clear the sky of any clouds and the sky is absolutely full of them."

Rainbow Dash lowered her foreleg and scoffed, "is that what this is all about? I was gonna clear the sky, no problem. But I decided to take a nap before I did."

Flash turned to Twilight and asked, "Twilight, how long will it take an average Pegasus to clear all the clouds above Ponyville?"

"With the total number of clouds being two hundred and forty, and you'd need to use a lot of force to break apart the cloud correctly or else it'll just put itself back together, not to mention using all that force would drain your body, which would reduce speed and power, I'd say it would take an average Pegasus a total of eighteen hours to clear these all." Twilight answered mathematically.

The word average stuck to Rainbow Dash's brain like she had been insulted, and she was. "It takes a Pegasus eighteen hours to clear all of this huh? Well, watch me do it in eighteen minutes."

"Eighteen minutes?" Twilight scoffed, "That's impossible."

"Impossible is my middle name." Rainbow Dash arched her legs and spread her wings. "Now watch and learn."

With that she took off into the sky, a rainbow colored streak followed her as she flew. She flew to the edge of Ponyville and began to circle the town. She then began to shorten the circle as she drew closer to the center of the town. Rainbow's circle was like a lasso, pushing all the clouds to the center. Soon all of the clouds were bunched up, Rainbow then flew around the entire surface of the clouds, mashing them all together into one big super cloud.

With the cloud complete, Rainbow shot up into the air a good distance and stopped. She eyed the cloud mushed cloud she had created, making sure she had aligned herself just right. Once she was sure, she shot downwards at record breaking speeds. Her forelegs extended as she cut through the air, closing in on the cloud.

*KA-BOOOM!*

Rainbow Dash shot straight through the large cloud and struck the mud puddle she had crashed in. The once massive cloud had been punctured, causing its entire structure to explode outwards. Small droplets of water, which had form inside the cloud, had dropped behind Rainbow creating an arched rainbow behind her. The wet mud spots on her had been blown away thanks to the extreme air pressure Dash had been put in.

But much couldn't be said for other. Rainbow took a look at the trio and burst out laughing as she fell onto her back. Flash, Twilight, and Spike were all just covered in mud. Twilight and Flash's manes were frizzy and not so good looking thanks to the explosion and mud sticking. But the three all had looks of awe and disbelief as they starred where the massive cloud once stood.

"The looks on your faces!" Rainbow Dash yelled, breaking out into a fit of laughter. "Hahahahahaha!....haha...heh...whew...that was actually pretty fun." Rainbow Dash's laughing fit stopped as she stood up. "You guys are really dorky looking, you know that right? But I like that sorta thing, so we should hang out some time." The trio continued to stare. "Oh-kay...we'll see ya later." Rainbow Dash said as she jetted off.

"Flash." Twilight spoke, not taking her eyes off where the cloud once was.

"Yes Twiight." Flash responded, also no moving his eyes.

"We just saw her clear all the clouds I eighteen seconds. Right?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah...we did." Flash answered.

Rainbow Dash reappeared on the cliff away from the trio and yelled from the distance. "Hey you! The unicorn! What's your name?"

"Twilight Sparkle!" Twilight yelled back.

"Your the one living in that library, right?" Rainbow shouted.

"Yeah!" Twilight shouted back.

"Ya like books?" Rainbow shouted.

"Of course!" Twilight shouted back.

......

"You're an egghead!" Rainbow Dash shouted before zooming off.

18 hours till Celestia's return

After taking their sweet time adjusting, the trio headed off to their next destination. They headed to the center building of the town where a mare named Rarity was in charge of decorations. The inside of the center building were banners and other decorations that I can't think think of.

"Beautiful." Spike muttered.

"No argument there." Flash agreed. "These decorations are amazing."

"I wasn't talking about the decorations." Spike said.

Flash and Twilight looked to see what Spike was talking about. On the stand in the middle of the room, a unicorn mare with white fur who had a dark purple mane that was styled, along with blue eyes, and three gemstones for a cutiemark.

"That must be Rarity." Flash stated, looking at the back of the list. "Description matches, she's the one we're supposed to talk to."

The trio approached Rarity, who was looking back and forth between two banners.

Flash gestured for Twilight to speak and she did, "Hello miss, my name is Twilight Sparkle. I was sent to inspect your work for this year's festival."

"Hmmmm." Rarity hummed, looking between the two banners. "I simply can't decide. Lyra dear, can you please look these two over and choose one for me?" She asked the mint green colored unicorn as she levitated the two banners and laid them on top of her head. "I'm terribly sorry about that deary, I've been working none stop trying to make this place perfect." Rarity spoke, turning around. "Now, what was your name ag-aaaaAAAAAAH!" Rarity screeched the moment she saw the trio. "My goodness Darling, and Sir, what happened to your mane's and coat?" She asked, almost demanded.

"What, this?" Twilight asked, observing the mud on her fur. "A mare named Rainbow Dash splashed mud on us. I was planning on washing it out after I got everything done-"

"I'm going to stop you right there." Rarity interjected. "If you wait to long, that mud will dry and it'll be impossible to get out. Then you'll have to roam the streets looking like a monster that has crawled out of a swamp!"

"But-"

"Please wait Dear, it is very rude to interrupt someone when they're talking." Rarity stated. "As I was saying, I can't allow such a travesty to happen. Lyra, you and the others hold down the fort while I take care of something. I won't be gone long." Rarity pulled Flash and Twilight with her. "Don't worry, I'll have you three cleaned up in no time or my name isn't Rarity."

The Carousel Boutique. Home to the fashionista in Ponyville named Rarity. Inside, one the second floor, Rarity drew a bubble bath for her three guests. Flash and Spike bathed themselves in the guest bathroom, while Rarity personally cleaned Twilight in the main bathroom. Twilight sat at the edge of the tub uncomfortably as Rarity brushed and picked the mud out of her mane.

"That Rainbow Dash, always causing a ruckus wherever she goes. I swear, that mare needs a grounding something fierce." Rarity said, rubbing the brush against the mud spot on Twilight's back.

"Um...miss Rarity." Twilight spoke nervously.

"Darling please, call me Rarity. Miss Rarity makes me sound so old." Rarity said.

"Okay...Rarity...do you have to be washing me?" Twilight asked, a slight blush on her cheeks. "Don't get me wrong I am very grateful for your help, but I'm more than capable of bathing myself."

"Oh Darling, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. We're both girls." Rarity said, trying to reassure Twilight.

"It's not that...well actually it kinda is." Twilight admitted, shuffling her body uncomfortably. "I've never really had a grown mare, besides my babysitter and mom that is, actually give me a bath."

"Well you have nothing to fear. Once I'm done you'll look better than ever." Rarity smiled.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Flash unlocked the bathroom door and stepped out while drying off his mane. When he removed the towel his once spiked back mane was now combed forward with a couple pieces of hair sticking out. He folded the towel back up and sat it on the floor next to the door. Flash looked in front of him at the display stand to see Spike looking adoringly up with his head held by his claws and his elbows resting on the stand.

On the stand was Twilight with a neatly combed and washed mane, silky looking fur, and sparkling eyes. Rarity was standing next to her, tightening a saddle to her back.

"Is she okay?" Flash asked, observing the chocking mare.

"Yeah she's fine." Spike said while staring off into space, he handed him the list. "Twilight said it's gonna be a while, so she wanted you to do the last thing on the list for her."

"I can't do that. I'm supposed to stay by Twilight's side at all times." Flash said.

"Twilight's gonna be fine. I'm a fire breathing lizard remember? I've got this." Spike said.

Flash decided not to waste time with arguing and took the list.

17 hours till Celestia's return

"The last thing on the list is to meet a Pegasus mare named Fluttershy who is charge of the orchestra." Flash said to himself. "It tells me what she looks like but it doesn't tell me where she is. I've been all over this town and I haven't seen any mare that matches the description."

Something small tugged on Flash's hindleg. When he looked to see what it was he saw that it was a white furry bunny rabbit bearing an innocent smile. "Hey there little guy, what are you doing here?" He asked.

The bunny hoped away and made a 'follow me' motion with his arm. Curious, Flash decided to follow the bunny. Flash followed the bunny past the edge of the town and towards a cottage beside a small stream.

"That was very good." A soft voice spoke. "Let's try one more time. If you don't mind of course."

Flash paused as a beautiful and angelic voice sung. The voice was soft, yet audible. It gave Flash comfort and made him feel warm. He looked to the bunny to see him disappear behind the side of the cottage. Flash followed the bunny and turned around the corner of the cottage. The bunny hoped into the forelegs of a yellow Pegasus mare, who had a long silky pink mane, teal eyes, and three butterfly's as her cutiemark.

"Angel Bunny. Where have you been, you had me worried sick." The mare said softly as she hugged the bunny so delicately.

"Um...hi." Flash spoke.

Fluttershy looked up to Flash and smiled warmly. "Hello stranger. Are you the one sent here to inspect my birds?"

"Ah...yes. Yes I am." Flash said.

"Wonderful. Come sit and hear them sing. If you want to that is." The mare offered.

Flash walked forward and sat in front of the birds hanger upon which three rows of different colored birds sat.

"Would you mind telling me what your name is?" The mare asked. "Mine is Fluttershy. Sorry for not telling you firsthoof."

"It's alright. Nothing that you need to apologize for that is. My name is Flash Sentry, it's nice to meet you." Flash said.

Fluttershy nodded before turning to the birds. "Alright everyone, let's give our friend the performance we've been practicing for. Begin, now."

The birds sung in perfect harmony, their notes low at first then rising. They sung with grace and perfection on each note. Flash closed his eyes and allowed the sweet song to take his mind adrift. When the song was finished Flash reopened his eyes.

"How did we do?" Fluttershy asked.

"That was..." Flash paused, trying to think of a word to describe what he had just heard. "Amazing." Flash finished.

Fluttershy blushed. "I'm glad you liked it. We all worked very hard to perfect the song. It makes me happy knowing that it was all worth it."

"Well, I see no further reason for inspection." Flash stood up. "Thank you very much for your time Fluttershy."

"Would you like to stay for tea?" Fluttershy asked. "If you don't have any plans of course."

"As tempting as your sounds, I'm afraid I must return to my duties. Have a pleasant day Fluttershy." Flash said.

"Have a pleasant day yourself, Flash Sentry." Fluttershy said back as Flash walked away.

10 minutes till Celestia's return

The time had come for night to come again. Luna had lowered the sun and raised the moon, signaling to all the ponies it was time to rest. But Luna had other plans, instead of resting in her bed and visiting others dreams, she found herself at the entrance of the Castle of the two Sisters. She took a deep breath before opening the door and entering.

Time had not been kind to the old structure. Moss and vines grew along the columns and pillars. Spiderwebs found in ever creak and crevasse. Memories of old started to return to Luna with every step she took and every room she passed. Yet despite the long period it had been science she was away, she knew the castle like the back of her hoof. She walked into the throne room, the room which had taken the full force of destruction. The glass window behind the two now destroyed thrones had a hole in it. The walls had cracks and chunks missing, the rug was torn and worn out. And the stand which held the Elements of Harmony hadn't moved an inch.

Luna summoned a piece of paper which contained information about the spell she had used. "According to the spell, after one thousand years have passed the one who was banished shall return to where the banishment took place."

She pulled out a watch she had with her to check the time. 6:25 it read. The time was drawing closer. While it might not have been exact, Luna knew that her sister would return, she knew that she would be back, she knew that it was inevitable.

Then it happened.

A bright yellow light appeared in front of Luna. The light blinded her but she refused to shield her eyes. Instead she confronted the light and stood her ground. The light slowly began to fade, until all that remained was a bright yellow figure with Celestia's appearance. Two bright balls appeared on the figure's face for eyes.

It was her. It was Celestia. Even though her appearance had change, Luna knew that it was her sister. No words were spoken, for their were none to be said. Luna knew what would happen next, she knew all along. It was time for her to face judgement for what she had done.

A large smile grew onto the figure's face, and without any hesitation, lunged at Luna.

Luna closed her eyes and awaited her inescapable fate. As the figure drew closer and closer to Luna, two words escaped her lips. Two words that she wanted to say since the day of her sister's banishment. Two words that her sister had said to her. Those two words were,

"I'm sorry."

Author's Note

The plot thickens.

Chapter 4. Pinkie why?!

Even though time progressed forward, the light of the full moon kept the night lit. Under normal circumstances, this would've caused panic and chaos between the ponies but today was an exception. Today was the day of the Summer Sun Celebration, a day to commemorate the passing of Luna's sister, Princess Celestia. Nine hundred and ninety nine of those year's had passed and the memory of Celestia never once vanished, Luna made sure of it, every year on the date Celestia had vanished Luna would create an astronomical event.

An eclipse.

While the moon was still in orbit, instead of raising the sun and moving the moon, the moon would remain still while the sun made its way. The sun would pass behind the moon and create an eclipse. In doing so, the sun's radiation would seep past the corners of the moon, making them even brighter. After ten minutes, Luna would move the moon and set it down over the horizon.

This year would mark the one thousandth, and it was taking place in Ponyville. Everypony, and I mean everypony, from every corner of Equestria came to Ponyville to see the wondrous display up close. This massive cluster of ponies spilled into the down like rushing water. The town had never been so packed before in its entire time.

The Apple family had set up shops all over town, selling apple related refreshments. Whenever someone got hungry, all they needed to do was walk about ten feet before bumping into a stand. While all of this was happening, Twilight Sparkle was observing it from the telescope on her balcony, with Flash and Spike behind her.

"Geez." Spike said, leaning over the edge. "Look at how many ponies there are. Has it ever been this crowded?"

"Keep in mind Spike, that this year is the one thousandth." Twilight stated, looking away from her telescope. "Some ponies might only go once or twice. But I can't think of anyone who wants to miss out on this." Twilight said, going back to her sightseeing. "Only problem is that I have no clue how we're gonna get to the center with this huge mob."

"We could fly over them." Flash suggested.

"Yeah, but only if you're strong enough to carry both me and Spike over there, that ain't happening anytime soon." Twilight said, still looking through her telescope.

While looking through the telescope, her vision of the center vanished and was replaced by a large eye.

"GAH!" Twilight yelled as she stumbled back and fell on her haunches.

"Hiya Egghead."

Twilight looked up to see Rainbow Dash standing on the edge of her balcony, smiling innocently.

"Rainbow Dash. What are you doing here?" Flash asked.

Rainbow hopped down and said, "all these ponies are so noisy, I can't get a wink of sleep back at my house. So I thought maybe I could crash at yours."

Twilight quickly stood up, "what?! How can you sleep on the most important daynight of the century?" She demanded.

"Pffft, you mean the whole 'Summer Sun Celebration' thing? I've been to that at least a hundred times now. Just because I'm skipping one day doesn't mean the end of the world." Said Rainbow.

"But this year is the one thousandth. You won't get another chance like this ever again." Twilight said, trying to convince Rainbow Dash.

"Meh." Rainbow shrugged. "If you've been to one, then you've been to them all. This one's just more crowded than the others."

Twilight was about to protest but was cut of by Flash, "say, Rainbow Dash. How fast can you fly while carrying a pony?" He asked.

"Pretty fast." Rainbow answered before raising a brow with an intrigued look. "Why do you ask?" She asked

"I was wondering if you could carry Twilight over to the center since the crowds are so big." Flash answered.

"I don't know. Sounds like a lot of work, what's in it for me?" She asked.

"You said we should be friends right?" Flash asked, Rainbow nodded. "Well don't friends help out other friends?"

Rainbow Dash tapped her chin as she pondered. "Hmmmm...you make a fair point. All right, I'll do it." Rainbow said, flying underneath Twilight and sitting her on Rainbow's back. "Hold on tight Twilight, you're in for a bumpy

"Hiya Watcher." Pinkie Pie said, bouncing up and down. "Remember me? Of course you do."

Pinkie? How did you...

"Don't worry Author, I know you spent a while planning all this stuff but I'm gonna be that guy and skip to the good parts." Pinkie Pie said with a smile.

What?! Why would you do that?

"Because I can." Said Pinkie Pie. "But don't worry, I'm only doing it for now. So you can continue."

Um...okay. Due to Pinkie's impatience, the scene has been rushed to the center of Pinyville. Inside is the entire Mane six, Flash, and Spike, along with a large crowd of ponies that couldn't fit. Spotlight's shined on the curtains leading to the balcony where Luna was meant to enter.

Fluttershy' birds began to sing, signaling that the celebration was beginning. Everyone was awaiting in anticipation for their Queen to enter. The curtains were drawn back and a hoof stepped forward. Then the crowd became confused.

What should've been Queen Luna that stood before them definitely looked like Luna, yet was not. The mare Alicorn standing on the balcony had a black coat of fur and waving mane was a darker shade of blue. She wore light blue armor on her hooves, chest, back, and a helmet that covered her head and neck. The Alicorn smiled, showing off her sharp jagged teeth as she spoke loudly.

"Greetings my ponies. It is I, your queen, Nightmare Moon!" Nightmare Moon spoke with a loud and booming voice.

"Um..." all eyes locked on the mare known as Bonbon as she spoke. "Don't you mean 'Queen Luna' your highness?"

Nightmare frowned in disappointment, "perhaps an explanation is required. You see, long ago, when Celestia was still alive, I took over her body and tried to defeat Luna. But alas, I was defeated thanks to the Elements of Harmony. But now I have returned, and this time I've taken over your precious Queen's body. Now you will all bow to me and abandon your so called 'Queen'."

"This is a joke right?" A guard spoke. "There's no way our Queen would let something like this happen."

"It seems you all require a demonstration, and we seem to have a volunteer." Nightmare Moon smiled, her horn glowed dark blue as the guard that spoke out instantly turned to stone, a horrified expression on his face.

Before anyone could process what had just happened, in an instant all of the other guards in the room, except of Flash, was instantly turned to stone. Then there was an earsplitting crack and every stone statue shattered into pieces.

Ponies screamed in fright upon seeing the horror that had just unfolded.

"Now that I have your attention, do you believe me now?"

"You monster!" Flash roared. "Release our Queen at once!"

Nightmare Moon vanished in a puff of smoke and reappeared in front of Flash. "You dare to oppose me Pegasus? You dare to face me alone?"

"He's not alone."

Nightmare Moon became puzzled as Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Spike, and Fluttershy, who hid behind Rainbow, rushed to Flash's side.

"It seems there are others who defy my rule. I can only assume that no matter what I say or do your faith will not be swayed?" Nightmare Moon asked.

Twilight glared at Nightmare and slowly demanded. "Give. Us. Back. Our. Queen."

She looked between the six mares and frowned. She sensed no fear, except for Fluttershy, in any of the mares. In fact she sensed something much more important. She smiled before continuing, very well. If your faith cannot be broken so easily then I shall wear it down piece by piece." Nightmare Moon's horn glowed and her eyes became pure white, and instantly every pony in Ponyville began to turn to stone, from their hooves all the way to their head. "I shall make a bet with you seven ponies and dragon. Come to the Castle of the Twin Sisters and face me. If you succeed in defeating me, then I shall release your Queen and free the stoned ponies. But if you fail, then you must worship me as the new Queen whether you like it or not. Do we have a deal?" she asked, extending her hoof towards Twilight.

"Deal." She said, shaking the hoof.

"I can't believe you did that!" Spike screamed. "Now were all gonna get turned to stone and Nightmare Moon is gonna kill us!"
Spike ranted on and on in the corner of the library. After Nightmare Moon turned into a mist and left, the first thing the group did was head back to Golden Oaks and try to find any information on Nightmare Moon. Books had been tossed on the floor as everypony searched for some information they could use.

"Crying isn't going to help Spike." Flash said, fast reading through the book in his hooves.

"Flash is right." Twilight said. "We can't just lie down and do nothing." Twilight let out a frustrated grunt as she threw the book she was reading behind her and began looking through another one. "There must be something we can use."

While everyone was frantically looking through books, Pinkie Pie was lying on her stomach casually reading a book. She stopped and looked up. "Can I tell them or no?" She asked.

I suppose. Their never gonna find out unless you do something.

Pinkie Pie smiled before looking back to everyone. "Hey guys, I think I found something."

"What'd ya find?" Applejack asked as everyone gathered around Pinkie Pie.

"Nightmare Moon said she was defeated by the Elements of Harmony right?" Pinkie asked, everyone nodded. "Well it says here, that a long time ago a powerful creature named Discord caused chaos and destruction all over Equestria." Pinkie stated, pointing to the page of both Celestia and Luna with six gems circling behind them and from the gems a rainbow beam shot from them at a strange and bizarre creature, turning him to stone. "It says here that the six gems are known as Honesty, Kindness, Generosity, Laughter, Loyalty, and Magic. It also says that they are located in the Castle of the Twin Sister's. All we need to do is find these six Elements, use them against Nightmare, and get our Queen back. There's just one problem, the six elements are in the most dangerous place in Equestria."

"The Everfree Forest." Everyone said, now standing at the edge of the untamed and crazy forest.

Not much could be said about the forest, all that anyone ever did find out about the place was that the weather controlled itself and that it was home to some of the most dangerous creatures in Equestria. Few dared to tread in the forest and those who did barely escaped with their lives. Now the group of ponies had to enter this forsaken land if they hoped to return their Queen.

Wasting no time, the group entered the forest and

Hello again Watcher. Remember how I said I wasn't going to skip anything? Well I lied.

Pinkie! What the heck are you doing?!

I was getting bored, so I've decided to just skip ahead.

You can't do that! Think about all the things the Watcher is missing.

Yeah right. Don't worry dear Watcher, you're not missing much. Everything that happens is the same as what happens in the show. The cliff that everyone is walking on collapses, Applejack holds onto Twilight before she falls, she then tells Twilight to let go and Twilight does and is then carried to safety by Flash. After that, they run into a Manticore and try to fight it. But Fluttershy helps the poor little thing by pulling a thorn out of its paw. Then they all come across a ravaging river where a sea monster is whining over his Moustache. Rarity cuts off her tail and gives it to the sea monster who gives them safe passage. Then they all came across a bunch of scary looking trees where I sang a song, did a dance, and stuck my tongue out at them. Finally they all got to the broken bridge. Dashie flew over to the other side and fixed it but was tempted by the 'Shadowbolts'. She chose her friends over the Shadowbolt's offer and everyone made it to the castle. They all got to the castle, Nightmare Moon was there, said something like "you'll never defeat me." Twilight tried to use her magic to activate the Elements, didn't work. Nightmare Moon busted the Elements into pieces. Twilight then realized that her friends were the Elements and used them to return Nightmare Moon back to Queen Luna.

...

...

There are no words to describe my hatred right now.

Oh lighten up Author. I've skipped as far as I'm gonna skip. You can take the rest from here. Have fun.

As Pinkie had said, Nightmare Moon had been defeated and Luna returned. Her coat and mane were lighter than before and her eyes were deep blue with normal pupils. She stood up and rubbed her head while letting out a groan. "I didn't think that would hurt so much."

"Your highness!" Everyone shouted, embracing Luna in a bear hug.

"My Apprentice. What has happened?" She asked.

"It was awful. Some horrible spirit possessed you and you turned ponies into stone and you tried to take over Equestria!" Twilight explained quickly. "But I was able to bring you back thanks to my friends."

Luna's ears perked up at the word 'friends'. She glanced over at Flash who gave a simple nod. "Twilight's friends. Would you be so kind as to give my Apprentice and I a moment?"

Twilight's friends complied and exited the room. Leaving only Flash, Luna, and Twilight. "Is something wrong Luna?"

"Do you remember the test I had assigned to you?" Luna asked.

Twilight's irises shrunk and her face went pale. "The test!" She screamed, her hooves pushed against both sides of her head. "I completely forgot! What with everything that had happened I was so caught up in trying to get you back! I'm so sorry, is there still time to finish the-"

"Calm down Twilight." Flash said. "You actually passed the test with flying colors."

Twilight stopped hyperventilating and blinked at Flash two times. "Excuse me?"

"My dear Apprentice. You are the most intelligent and powerful unicorn mare I have ever met. But everyday I see you wasting your time on your books and studies. There is more to life than mere words in a book. So I sent you here to Ponyville in hopes that you might make some new friends." Luna explained, "and now that you have, I hereby ask of you, my faithful Apprentice, to stay in Ponyville and spend time with your new friends. Do you accept?" She asked.

"Of course." Twilight said, not even giving the offer a second thought. "But..." she glanced over to Flash. "What about him? He's my friend too."

"Then he shall stay here with you. If that is alright with him." She asked Flash.

"It would be an honor, my Queen." Flash said, bowing respectfully.

"Then it is decided, from now on you shall tell me all about your friendships every week. I look forward to what might occur." Luna smiled.

1 hour before everything

As the yellow figure with resemblance to Celestia came closer and closer to Luna, she didn't move a single inch. She had awaited her sister's return for one thousand years, and now she was gonna get what was coming to her. Luna closed her eyes and awaited her demise.

But it never came.

Luna felt a warm embrace as her eyes shot open to see the figure wasn't attacking her, but hugging her. The figure pulled away and smiled at Luna, who was at a loss for words.

"W-w...why are you-" she chocked, failing to properly speak.

The figure spoke with a ghostly voice that a slight echo. "It is alright sister. I do not wish to harm you."

"But...but why?" She demanded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I imprisoned you on the sun. I botched the spell, destroying your body but leaving your spirit in tact. I deserve punishment."

"But I cannot give it." Celestia said. "You are my sister, and I could never hurt you no matter what crime you've done. I have been watching you ever since you took over, and I have never been more proud. I know you feel guilty over everything you've done but I'm here to tell you that I forgive you."

"But I don't deserve forgiveness!" Luna screamed.

"Yes you do. You have done so much and ask for so little. The only thing I ask of you know is to not feel sad over what you have done. I want you to show me that smile sister. Show me the smile of my sister when she was happy and full of joy." Celestia begged.

Luna looked at her sister and memories of the two spilled into her mind. All the happy and wonderful times they had spent together. A feeling washed over Luna, a feeling that she hadn't felt for a thousand years. It had been so long she had forgotten how good it had felt.

How good it had felt to smile.

Author's Note

This wasn't mentioned, in fact I don't think it ever will be, but Nightmare Moon was just a facade that Luna used to help Twilight with her test. Also so that way the Elements of Harmony could be used because Luna was no longer connected to them. Anyway, sorry this chapter was so short. It was supposed to be longer but thanks to a certain Pink menace it wasn't. I'm trying to keep her out but no matter what I do I can't. So I guess I will just have to keep trying.

Chapter 6. Buck till the sun goes down. (part 1/2)

Deep within every living organism is the double helix strand, information carrier, known as DNA. DNA stores genetic information inside rungs which make up every living thing, and it is famously known throughout all of the town that the Apple family's genes always have one thing in common. They have a hard time breaking habits. When the Apple family starts doing something in patterns it sticks to their brain like glue. This trait comes in use for so many things, like waking up at a certain time without the need for an alarm clock, or planting crops without needing to count how many seeds there needs to be, the list goes on. Of course there are flaws to this genetic trait the family shares. One of which is when someone from the family starts doing something and keeps on doing it even when there's no reason for it. This caused problems for some of the family and made things difficult. One such instance is about to happen right now.

In Sweet Apple Acres, a cry of delight was shouted from the cowgirl Applejack. She gazed at the enormous about of apple trees bearing their red fruit which glistened in the sun's light. Behind her was her mother and brother, who had bandages around his sides. Today was harvesting day, and due to Big Mac's injuries he couldn't provide any help. Applejack on the other hoof, was as, in her words, "healthier than an ox on steroids". Her words, not mine.

Applejack was so determined that she could do as good of a job as her brother that she swore she could clear the entire field by herself. Her mother and brother tried the to protest but like I said about the family's genetics. Once they start doing something, they have a hard time stopping.

Meanwhile, Queen Luna had used her magic to raise the sun just to the right angle before releasing her grip on the sun.

Fun fact, while some do not wish to believe it, the world is actually flat. It's shape similar to that of a coin. Long ago, about one thousand years ago, a chaotic creature by the name of Discord appeared. Wherever he went, havoc and destruction followed. One day, Discord did something that no one else's had saw coming. Back then, the world had actually been a round sphere, it wasn't until Discord used his magic that the world shrunk and became shaped like a coin. It was the most bizarre thing, of course you couldn't just walk of the edge and fall into deep space, the earth still had its gravity but it was lighter and not as strong. Because of this, the sun and moon could no longer rotate around the world as they normally did. Luckily, the twin sisters had a solution, every day and night they would control the movements of the sun and moon every second of the day.

This, of course, put an enormous strain on their magic and weakened them. Luckily, a short cut had been discovered. It was during the night when Luna had become so tired that she could no longer maintain her hold on the moon. But as it turned out, once Luna had lost her grip, the moon didn't stop moving. But rather kept on moving across the sky until it reached the edge of the planet. Scientists began to do research, and discovered that the reason for the moons continuing movement was because of earth's gravity. Even though it was weaker now it still had a strong enough pull to allow the moon, and/or sun, to graze over the surface of one side until it reached the edge. That's when it took Alicorn magic to pull it to the other side. This gave the sister's ease that they no longer had to pull something that had tremendous weight.

When Queen Luna had released the sun, it slowly moved its way into the sky all by itself. With her number one job completed, she approached her fine sitting chair and cracked open a book. Before she could finish reading the first sentence, her door was burst open and immediately shut. The sudden action startled Luna, she looked to the door to see an earth pony colt with orange fur and had dark blue mane and eyes. The colt had a resemblance to Flash, except this one was younger, an earth pony, and had a different mane style. The colt let out a sigh of relief as his back slid down against the door. It was then that he saw Queen Luna and went pale. The colt stumbled to his hooves and while forcibly laughing said,

"Why, this isn't the bathroom. My mistake." He said opening the doors.

And was met with the steel tips of four spears.

Four of Luna's guard, wearing golden armor, growled at the colt. No doubt it was them the colt had been fleeing from. One of the guard grabbed the colt by the back of his neck and lifted him so that they were face to face.

"Do you know the penalty for intruding on the Queen's chambers?" The guard demanded in a growl.

"A slap on the wrist and ten minutes in time out?" The colt asked meekly.

"Execution." The guard said with a satisfying growing on his face.

"You will do no such thing!"

All eyes turned to the almighty Queen of Equestria. Upon her appearance the four guards bowed. Luna stared into the scared blue eyes of the colt.

"Release him." She ordered.

The guard holding the colt sputtered in protest, "b-but your highness...this colt-"

"Is terrified that you're going to slit his throat." Luna said darkly. "Now release him." The guard dropped the colt, who then scampered behind Luna and peeked behind her foreleg at the guards. "Leave us." She ordered, and the guards left closing the doors behind them. Once they were gone Luna lifted the colt up with her magic and began examining him all over his body. "Do you have a name?" She asked while examining the colt.

"Um...First Base." The colt answered, nervous as Luna continued observing him.

"Do you have any parents?" She asked.

"Not that I know of." First Base answered.

"Do you have a home?"

"No."

"Do you have any family? Brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts?"

"No."

Luna stopped her observation and sat First Base down. She pondered, looking at First Base. His answers were almost exactly the same as Flash's when she and him had the conversation long ago. First Base couldn't have been lying, her spell forbid him from doing so. But this colt wasn't like Flash. Flash was careful, silent, making sure no pony saw him, whereas First Base was the exact opposite. He was loud, drew a lot of attention, and didn't come here with a purpose. She had to do something with him, she couldn't leave him with her guards, otherwise they'd rip him to shreds, he couldn't stay with her because she couldn't walk around with a colt for the entire day, and she was pretty sure she couldn't just drop him off at a daycare.

A solution entered Luna's head, one that she wished didn't have to happen but seemed the only thing to do.

Back in Ponyville, at Golden Oaks Library, Twilight's groggy and bloodshot eyes slightly opened. She shifted her body in bed and slowly rose from her bed to get a better understanding as to what happened, and instantly regretted it. The moment her legs touched the floor her vision became black, her ears started ringing, her sense of taste and smell were cut off, and she couldn't feel anything. She didn't know what was happening until all her five basic senses returned and she saw that she was now lying on the floor. With her sense of touch back, it immediately sent the signal of pain to her brain. Twilight tightly shut her eyes and bit her lip, trying her best to ignore the pain, as she slowly began to pick herself up. Which resulted in the loss of her five senses. Again.

When they all came flooding back, she had noticed that she wasn't lying on the floor like last time. Instead, she was leaning against the strong support of Flash.

"Easy now." He spoke softly, knowing that Twilight's ears were very sensitive at the moment. "It's a bad idea for you to be up right now."

Flash carefully guided Twilight back to her bed and laid her down before covering her up.

"What...happened?" She asked, her mouth dry and stunk of morning breath.

"Well..." Flash rubbed the back of his head rather awkwardly. "You got drunk." Flash said bluntly.

"Not that." Twilight moaned, covering both eyes. "I mean what happened just now?"

"Oh...that." Flash rubbed his chin in wonder. "It's probably just because of your hangover, that's all."

"Okay." Twilight said, beginning to sit up.

Flash, knowing exactly what Twilight was doing, gently pushed her back down so that her head rested on the pillow.

"You probably shouldn't move. I think it'd be best if you just stay in bed." Flash said, not leaving until he confirmed that Twilight understood what he was talking about.

"But I-" Twilight tried to protest but was cut off by Flash.

"No buts. Whatever you have planned can wait, for now get...some..." Flash trailed off, noticing Twilight had fallen asleep and was snoring somewhat softly. "Sleep." Flash finished before shaking his head and exiting downstairs.

He entered the main room where he saw Spike lying on the table on his belly, trying desperately to nurse it with his claws. He groaned loudly like an animal that had been overfed. At first Flash had thought that Spike had gotten into the raw sugar and was suffering from a stomach ache. Thinking nothing of it he made his way towards the kitchen.

*BBBBBBUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRPPPPP!!!!*

Until Spike unleashed the most ungodly sounding burp in the world.

The burp had been triggered by his teleportation magic used for letters between Twilight and the Queen. Only this time something bigger than a letter seemed to be coming. A massive and thick cloud of smoke was sent flying like a missile from Spike's mouth. The smoke clumped together and stuck to the ceiling. It balled itself up very tightly until it popped,

And First Base jumped out. He gave Flash a smile and said with glee,

"Hiya brother."

Pinkie Pie was bouncing up and down like the giddy mare she was throughout Ponyville, only this time she had a specific place she was heading towards.

"Hiya Watcher. How's it going?" She asked, continuing to bounce.

Pinkie, your not going to do what I think your going to do. Are you?

"Of course not silly." Pinkie smiled. "All I'm doing is exactly what I'm supposed to do."

What do you mean by that? You're only supposed to do nothing.

"Silly Author." Pinkie giggled. "You may have the power to control time and space here, but that's only because of your fancy smancy book." She mocked.

What did you do?

"Oh nothing to big. Just sorta merged two chapters together, that's all." Pinkie said without a care.

You did what?! When?!

"While you were sleeping." Pinkie said to the sky. "I merged chapter 6 and chapter 7 together. So I guess you can call this chapter 6.5"

Okay...don't panic, I can fix this.

"I'm afraid you can't do that Author." Pinkie continued to show that evil and wicked smile. "What's done is done, and what has been done cannot be undone."

I'm going to get you for this. I don't know how. I don't know when. But I can promise you that-

"Hi Dashie!" Pinkie yelled to the rainbow maned mare watching something from a lone cloud.

Her head spun towards where she heard her nickname only to see that no one was there. Shrugging it off she went back to what she was doing and cane muzzle to muzzle with Pinkie.

"Whatcha doing?" She asked.

Rainbow Dash stumbled back before regaining her balance. "Pinkie." She frowned, grabbing the pink menace and pulling her away from the edge. "Keep quiet and sit still." She hissed, holding her muzzle shut.

The two sat in silence as they observed a house for a while until the mailmare, Bubbles, appeared. She wore her royal blue mailmare outfit along with her mailmare hat and brown saddle bag strapped by her side. She landed in front of the houses mailbox and opened up mail bag which contained a neatly organized set of mail. She pulled several letters from her bag with her mouth and opened up the mailbox.

In doing so, multiple long colorful rubber snakes were flung out and draped on Bubbles. The sudden act caused Bubbles to scream in surprise and drop the letters. Her ears perked up at the sound of laughter, loooking behind her and up a bit she saw Rainbow Dash laughing on her back. It was then that Bubbles figured out she had been the victim of one of Rainbow Dash's pranks.

A smile grew on Bubbles face as she too started laughing. "Good one Rainbow Dash." She hollered so that the mare could hear her.

Once Rainbow Dash had stopped laughing she swooped down and landed in front of Bubbles, picking up the letters she had dropped. "Thanks for being a good sport Depry." Rainbow Dash grinned, giving the letters back to Bubbles/Derpy.

"No problem Dash." Derpy smiled, taking the letters and putting them into the mailbox.

With her job done, Derpy flew away. Dash went back to the cloud she was watching from to see Pinkie, who had constructed a chair from the cloud while she was tapping her foreleg impatiently and was giving Rainbow a frown.

"What was that?" Pinkie asked, still frowning.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, knowing where this was going. "Let me guess, you think I was being mean to Derpy because I pranked her right? Well let me tell you what I've told Rarity and Applejack, my pranks are just practical jokes. If Derpy can take it then anyone can-"

"I'm gonna stop you right there." Pinkie said, petting a cat figure she had molded from clouds. "You see miss Dash, I'm not mad that you pranked Derpy." She said, throwing the cat away and closing the distance between her and Dash, pressing the tip of her muzzle against Dash's. "I'm mad that you used such a weak prank."

Rainbow blinked. "You're...what?" She asked confused.

"Your prank had no class, no structure, no punchline, and above all else, wasn't funny." She grabbed Rainbow and pulled her to her side where they good a perfect view of the towns center.

Derpy flew into the town square and hovered. She opened her satchel and pulled out a box that instructions written on it. She cleared her throat before yelling,

"Excuse me! Is there anyone here named," Derpy paused looking at who the package had been addressed to before shouting, "Iama Duffus!"

The town square stayed silent.

"Iama Duffus!" Derpy shouted again. "First name, I-am-a. Last name, Duffus."

Unable to hold it any longer, everyone in the town square burst into hysterical laughter. Derpy looked at everyone confused before realizing what must've happened.

Derpy facehoofed, "how could I have been such and idiot?" She asked herself. "I must've mixed up the address, boy what clutz I am." Derpy sighed before storing the box back in her bag and taking off.

"Now that is how you pull a prank." Pinkie declared, showing off her satisfied smile.

"Pinkie...I had no idea you were so good at pranks." Rainbow Dash said. "You gotta show me all of your tricks."

"With pleasure."

Flash sipped his hot chocolate calmly, trying his best not to flip out. Across from him sat First Base, holding his own mug of hot chocolate in his hooves. After First Base had said he was Flash's brother, he was a bit frazzled by what had been said. Luckily, a letter from Queen Luna containing information on First Base arrived thanks to Spike. In the letter it addressed that First Base was to stay with Twilight and Flash until she learned what to do with him. So now Flash was stuck babysitting a colt and a mare suffering from a massive hangover.

"So First Base." Flash sat his mug down. "Care to tell me a bit about yourself?"

First Base took a sip from his mug before responding. "There's not much to be said, I can't remember a thing besides being in the Canterlot castle."

Flash raised a brow, suspicious of First Base's memory. "You don't remember?" He asked.

"Not a thing." First Base made a goofy grin.

"Flaaaaaaash!" Twilight moaned from upstairs. "Can you get me some more soup?"

Flash facehoofed and groaned. "Don't move." He ordered First Base as he went into the kitchen.

There, sitting on the heated stove, was a tall black pot filled with tomato soup. He took a bowl and poured some of the soup into it. He took the steaming soup upstairs and gave it Twilight. He returned downstairs and to his horror saw that First Base had vanished. The door to house swung itself closed, giving a clear indication as to where First Base had went. "Spike, take care of Twilight for a while, I'll be right back." He said, rushing out the door.

"No...problem." Spike said wearily, weakly doing a thumbs up.

Flash bolted out the door and scanned the area for First Base.

"You-who!"

Flash whipped his head to the left to find First Base a good distance away from him, waving at Flash with that idiot smile of his. Base stuck out his tongue before dashing off, Flash spread his wings and took flight after him. Flash chased First Base through almost all of Ponyville, waiting for a chance to swoop down and catch him. But every time Flash got close, First Base would make a turn and Flash would fall back.

The two continued this little chase of theirs until First Base ran to the outskirts of the town and, because he wasn't looking where he was going, ran into somepony. Base collided head first into a filly about the same age as him except she had dark orange fur, a darkish purple mane, and matching purple eyes. When the two collided they both landed on their rumps, rubbing the wound on their heads.

"Ow!" They both winced.

"Sorry about that, I wasn't looking where I was going." First Base apologized.

"Can't really blame yah, cause I wasn't looking either." The filly chuckled.

First Base's eyes widened when he saw the bruise on the filly's forehead. "Ohmygosh I'm so sorry." First Base immediately apologized.

"What? This?" She asked, rubbing the bruise. "Oh, I'll be fine. Trust me, my head's a lot tougher than you might think."

"Oh...kay." First Base said. "My names First Base by the way." He said, extending his hoof.

"Scootaloo, nice to meet ya First Base." Scootaloo shook First Base's hoof.

"Nice to meet you Scootaloo."

First Base went pale. He didn't want to, but his head began to turn involuntary and to his horror he saw Flash. Flash was looking at both Scootaloo and Base with the warmest and kindest of smiles. But First Base knew that beneath that look it was anything but warm and kind.

"Pardon my interruption, but I have to do this." Flash said, grabbing First Base and Scootaloo and taking to the sky.

Just as the stampede of cows ran over where they all once stood.

"What the-where did this stampede come from?" First Base asked.

"Not important, right now we need to stop them before they flatten Ponyville." Flash declared.

"Looks like she's already taken care of it." Scootaloo pointed.

Before any of them could understand what had happened, the stampede of cows had been rounded up and placed behind a wooden fence thanks to Applejack and her dog Winona. She caught sight of Flash and waved at him.

"Well howdy Flash, how's the weather up there?" She asked.

Flash landed in front of the pen that the cows were locked in and sat both First Base and Scootaloo down. "Applejack...how did you..." Flash was at a loss for words, trying to comprehend what had just happened.

"Round up all these doggies?" She finished for Flash. "I'm a country gal remember? If I can't round up a couple of wild cows then I ain't no cowgirl. Speaking of cows," she turned to the trapped cows, "what in tarnation got into y'all?"

"Mooooo." Was the cows response before clearing her throat. "Oh terribly sorry about that dearie, it's just that Matilda here saw a snake after that Griffon took off and it scared the jelly outa us."

"I see, well next time try not to stampede towards ma hometown okay?" Applejack asked, opening the gate.

"We promise. Oh this is so embarrassing." The cow said, as she and the others walked away from Ponyville.

"Thanks Applejack, who knows what might've happened if you hadn't stopped them." Flash sighed in relief.

Applejack gave Flash a frown. "Flash, I know it might not seem like it, but the only bad thing that would've happened is someone getting a bruise or a scrape."

"But that was a full on stampede of cows, who knows what damage they might've caused." Flash protested.

"Not a whole lot really, maybe a few broken mailboxes and some dug up grass but nothin else really." Applejack said, looking behind Flash. "Say, where'd that filly and colt run off to?" She asked.

Flash looked all around and sure enough, both First Base and Scootaloo had disappeared.

"Buck." He muttered under his breath, facehoofing.

The next day

"Ah...nothing makes me happier than messing with your book." Pinkie smiled, sitting underneath a tree and talking to the sky.

Well this is the last time, I've used every inch of my power to keep you out and this time you will stay out.

"Pfft." Pinkie scoffed. "You can't stop me, watch." She braced herself and leaped into the air, disappearing into nothing.

Then reappearing and shot back beneath her tree.

"Ow!" She groaned rubbing her head.

Ah-ha! I knew I'd get you this time, no more messing with the book for you.

"Hrmph." Pinkie pouted, crossing her forelegs. "I might not be able to mess around with your book, but I still know what's going to happen."

Then I suggest you play your part.

"Yeah yeah, I'm on it." Pinkie sighed in defeat, putting on her normal smile and skipping off into town.

Pinkie continued to skip all the way until she reached Rainbow Dash's house, where she pulled out a microphone and shouted.

"RAINBOW DASH!!!"

A brown figure landed hard in front of Pinkie and yanked the microphone away from her.

"What the heck is your problem?!" The figure demanded.

The figure was a female griffon. Whose race weren't exactly known for their nice behavior. Griffon's were harsh, rude, and straight up jerks. So it made some sense as to why one of them was friends with Rainbow Dash. This griffon had brown feathers and a white chest, she had white feathers on her head, and had yellow eyes.

"What kind of moron yells in a microphone when it's barely morning?" She demanded.

"Oh you must be Gilda, nice to meet you. My name is Pinkie Pie, the super duper party pony in all of Equestria." Pinkie introduced, grabbing her party Cannon off screen and firing a bunch of confetti onto Gilda's face.

"Look," Gilda shook off the confetti, "I don't know who you are, and I don't care. Just stay far away from me because if you don't, I will make your life a living hell." She threatened.

"Okay, I'll be sure to keep my distance." Pinkie said, putting some space between her and Gilda. "Is this far enough?"

Gilda flew away.

"Say nothing if this is far enough."

"..."

"Okay, thanks for the warning." She shouted. "Jerk." She muttered under her breath, beginning to plot the gruesome ideas she had in mind for Gilda's punishment.

Author's Note

Finals. Were. The. Worst! Never before have I had as much trouble with finals as I've had with this year's. My brain is pretty much fried, so please excuse any dumb things in this chapter. This wasn't meant to be a two parter but I said "screw it." Got to a stopping point, and left it on a cliff hanger.

As always thanks for reading, now excuse me while I go take some Advil.

Chapter 7. Buck till the sun goes down (part 2/2)

Silence, the absence of sound, truly there isn't a more peaceful thing. No interruptions, no noises, just silence. It was paradise for a reader like Twilight, who had just woken up. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the flowers were blooming. Yes it was in fact a beautiful day, a perfect day one might say.

"I'm not some kid you know! I'm more than capable of handling myself!"

Of course, because the universe is a prick, because today was a perfect day that meant something bad was bound to happen.

"I don't care if you're a kid or not, the Queen gave me orders and I plan on following them to the letter!"

Twilight sighed, marking her page with a bookmark and closing up the book she was reading. She placed the book on her nightstand and walked downstairs, where she found the cause of all the yelling.

"I've been managing on my own just find without any help, why should I start now!?" First Base demanded.

"Maybe if you stopped and thought for a second, you'd see how stupid it would be if you left!" Flash shouted back.

Twilight watched from the steps as the two barked at each other for what seemed like hours. Finally Twilight had enough.

"SHUT UP!" She boomed, causing the treehouse to shake.

Both Flash and First Base braced themselves as the treehouse shook violently. Once the shaking had stopped both Flash and First Base turned to Twilight.

"What on earth are you two bickering about?" She asked.

First Base made a pouty face and his pupils grew. "Brother won't let me go out and play with Scootaloo because he's a meanie."

Flash rolled his eyes. "You're seriously not pulling the 'pout face' are-"

"You poor thing." Twilight rushed to First Base's side and hugged him tight, before glaring at Flash, "how could you Flash? This little colt just wants to play with his friend. Why should he be denied such a privilege."

Flash's mouth went unhinged, the gears in his brain slowly turning. "Note to self, Twilight has a will as strong as melted butter." Flash mentally said. "You can't be serious, do you even know why he's here?"

Twilight paused, "he's your brother. Right?" She asked looking between First Base and Flash. "I mean, the resemblance is uncanny."

"He is not my brother!" Flash's anger flared. "And if he was then I most certainly wouldn't let him out of my sight." Flash began to cool down, "his name is First Base, and he doesn't have any memory of parents or any family. The one thing he does know is that he's somehow lived on his own for about a year." Flash stated. "As for why he's here, that's because he broke into Queen Luna's castle and she can't do anything with him so we have to babysit him until our Queen can do something about it."

"Queen Luna." The words rolled off First Base's tongue. "I've always wondered, why is she called Queen Luna instead of Princess Luna? I mean, wouldn't you have to marry a prince to become a queen?"

Both Flash and Twilight thought about what First Base said. "He makes a good point, for a princess to become a queen she would have to marry someone, but I haven't seen any husband married to Luna ever since I became her apprentice." Twilight said.

"That is weird, you'd think we'd have a king but there never has been one for-" Flash shook his head. "Don't try and change the subject!" He barked at First Base. "We still have to decide what to do with you-"

As if by some miracle, and by that I mean completely coincidental, the door was burst open and a pink blur rushed in. I'll give you three guesses who it is.

"Twilight!" Pinkie squealed, crushing Twilight in a tight squeeze before releasing her. "Where have you been?! I was so busy plotting the demise-I mean birthday of a very special griffon that I completely forgot to check on you. It wasn't until I didn't see you at Applejack's award ceremony that I remembered so I got here as fast as I could." She then saw First Base. "When did you guys have a kid?"

"He's not our kid." Both Flash and Twilight blurted in embarrassment.

"Yeah I'm not their son." First Base declared. "I'm just his brother." He pointed at Flash.

"He's not that either. He's just some kid we have to watch for the Queen." Flash said.

"Oh, well you guys better find someone else to watch him. Because you guys need to go help Applejack." Pinkie said.

"Wait why? What's wrong with her?" Twilight asked, becoming worried.

"Oh it's nothing to bad, she just looked like she was very sleep deprived that's all." Pinkie smiled before rubbing her chin. "No wait, that is a bad thing and you have to get over to Sweet Apple Acres at once."

Nice safe.

"I would but..." Twilight glanced over to First Base. "I was ordered by the Queen to watch him, I can't just leave."

"Of course you can silly, you just need to leave him with Spike." Pinkie pointed to the snoozing dragon.

"I don't think that's the best idea." Flash pointed out, looking at the dragon. "He was up all night taking care of somepony. Flash said, glaring at Twilight. "I think we should let him sleep."

"He'll be fine." Pinkie said grabbing both Twilight and Flash. "Now move your lazy butts and let's get moving."

And with that, Pinkie dashed off out the door, carrying both Twilight and Flash in tow. First Base watched as they sped off until they could no longer be seen. He looked to Spike to see that he, was in fact, still sleeping. With nothing holding him back, First Base left the house. Making sure to lock the door behind him.

"Pinkie!" Twilight screamed. "Slow down!" She demanded, her hindlegs being plowed through the dirt as she tried using them as breaks.

"Not now Twilight!" Was Pinkie's response. "Were making great time!"

"Where exactly are you going?!" Flash demanded.

Pinkie came to a complete stop, her momentum disappearing. But Flash and Twilight's did not. When Pinkie stopped, Flash and Twilight went flying. Luckily, they were still being held by Pinkie's hooves, her forelegs stretched a good distance before recoiling, pulling the two back, and setting Flash on Pinkie's right and Twilight on her left. Despite their daze, they were able to make out the sign above them which had the words Sweet Apple Acres inscribed on it.

"Here we are." Pinkie smiled, hopping onto the farm before coming to a stop. She turned around to see both Flash and Twilight still standing at the entrance, frowning. "What are you guys doing?" Pinkie asked. "We gotta get moving."

Flash took a step forward. "Nopony's going anywhere until you explain what's going on." He said.

"I'm with Flash on this one." Twilight agreed. "What is it that's wrong with Applejack?"

"There's no time to explain." Pinkie tried to motion both Flash and Twilight towards the farm. "I've got things to do, and Griffon's to ki-I mean celebrate."

"It won't take long. Just tell us what's going-"

"Well howdy there...guys."

The slurred voice of the country mare caught everyone's attention, and they were shocked even more when they saw the condition she was in.

The mare before the group did have a resemblance to Applejack, but she looked....unwell. Strands of her once neatly combed mane stuck out from her hat, and it was dirty with a substance that could've been described as mud, there were also traces of mud on her fur coat and tail. Beneath her half opened eyes were dark circles which indicated that she hadn't gotten enough sleep the past few days.

Fun fact about the natural body, it needs sleep. It needs sleep just as much as it needs water. The body can go a day without sleep and have no side effects from it. However, if the body continues to not rest for more than a day, that's when things start to go downhill. Two days without sleep will cause your body to weaken and become frail. Three to four days without sleep will cause your mind to not function properly, and five to six days without sleep will start to cause permanent damage. Luckily, the body will most likely shut itself down after three or four days, unless of course some unknown variable is being used to stimulate the boy.

"What's all this here bickering going on between y'all?" Applejack asked, swaying a bit to the right which caused the apples in her basket to shift. "For petes sake, I could hear ya from the edge of the field. Think of the neighbors guys. Think of the neighbors."

For a second, Flash and Twilight starred at Applejack in disbelief before slowly looking to Pinkie, who gave them a look that said 'that's your problem'. With no reason for staying, Pinkie walked off the scene.

Twilight tried to get a grip of the situation and approached Applejack. "Applejack. Are you okay?"

"You look like hell." Flash pointed out, receiving an elbow from Twilight on his foreleg.

"Ain't nothin' ya two." Applejack slurred, walking towards both Flash. "Just a bit tired from workin, that's all."

Flash recoiled back and faced away from Applejack, trying his best to avoid her breath which reeked of alcohol. "Applejack, have you been drinking?" He asked, still avoiding her breath.

"Only a bit." Applejack said, not knowing the actual amount she consumed. "You know, just to keep me awake sorta."

"Why does it look like you haven't slept in days?" Twilight asked.

"I may've spent the entire last night working." Applejack yawned. "On bucking all these trees."

"When you say 'all of these trees' you mean-" Flash gestured to every tree in Sweet Apple Acres. "Every apple tree?"

"Darn tootin." Applejack hooted, swinging her foreleg.

"But that's..."Twilight paused doing some math inside her head. "If S.A.A is five thousand feet in length and width, and the area is a square, then multiple that number by four... and if each tree takes up about five feet...that would come to a total of..." Twilight's eyes widened. "Applejack, you're planning on bucking nearly four thousand trees?!"

"Four thousand?" Applejack scoffed. "Twilight, there's a lot more than four thousand apple trees in ma orchard."

"That's not making things better." Flash said flatly.

"Applejack, there's no way you can do this all by yourself." Twilight said, trying to convince Applejack to let her help. "We're your friends, and I bet that if we all work together-"

"Woah now missy." Applejack warned. "I said that I would do all this on ma own and that's exactly wut I'm gonna do."

"But-"

"No if, ands, or buts. If y'all came here to try and talk me out of this then I'm sorry ta say that ya've wasted your time." Applejack said, walking past Twilight with a now sour expression. "Now if y'all would excuse me. I've got work ta do."

Twilight was about to protest, but stopped when Flash laid a hoof on her shoulder. "Don't bother, she's past the point of talking her out of it."

Twilight sighed, lowering her head to the point where it almost touched the ground. "There must be a reason for her stubbornness, if only we knew what?"

"Well if ya want ta know, all ya gotta do is ask."

Both Twilight and Flash craned their heads to the left where an aged mare with a light green fur coat which seemed to have faded thanks to her age, she had orange eyes, and the back of her white mane was tied up into a bow. She was sitting in a wooden rocking chair which slowly rocked back and forth.

Both Flash and Twilight shared a look before Twilight spoke. "Um...I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting miss..."

"There's no need for them formalities dear, you're on a farm for petes sake. Names Granny Smith by the way, I'm Caramel Apple's mother and Applejack's grandmother." Granny Smith introduced. "I hear ya folks are trying ta talk Applejack into getting help from her friends, is that right?"

Flash and Twilight nodded simultaneously.

"Gonna be mighty hard that is." Granny sighed, looking down. "Us Apple's have always been know for our stubbornness. Once we start something and get into the habit of doin' it, we have a hard time stoppin'. If ya want ta help Applejack ya might wanna go talk to her mother, Caramel." She craned her neck towards the barn. "You'll find her in there, she's most likely praying. Best of luck to y'all."

Pinkie Pie lived in the basement of Sugarcube Corner, curtesy of the Cake's generosity. When the shop first opened there wasn't a basement installed, it wasn't until Pinkie Pie showed up that she made the basement herself.

In two hours.

Nopony knows how she did it, but she did. The Cake's agreed that Pinkie could stay as long as she helped out around the shop. Pinkie agreed, just as long as no one set foot in the basement. The basement was the size of very building itself, large enough to have three rooms. A bathroom which took up 1/4 of the basement, a bedroom which took up another 1/4 of the basement, and finally the living room which took up 1/2 of the basement. The living room had four tables full of party supplies such as wrapping paper, balloons, piñatas, and a bunch of other stuff that I wish not to go into detail. In the corner was her party cannon sitting beside a filing cabinet which sat beside a wooden desk with pencils in a cup, some books in the selves on the back frame, and a quill sticking out of a cup of ink.

The door opened and Pinkie trotted in, closing the door behind her. She hummed a lively tune as she approached the filing cabinet and pulled out the top drawer. Inside was an assortment of files with tabs sticking out with names written on them. Names which had been organized in alphabetical order. Pinkie strolled through the files before stopping at the one labeled "Gilda". Pinkie lifted the file out and and opened it up, scanning through its pages. The pages she was reading contained information about everything on Gilda. Everything. Her personality, her interests, what she liked, what she disliked, what chapters she would appear in, what she would do, when and where she would it, and what would happen because of it. It was here, of course, that Pinkie learned to break the fourth wall and alter certain events. Speaking of which.

Hey Pinkie we need to talk.

Pinkie looked up and responded. "What? Can't you see I'm busy?"

I want to make a deal. I want you to stop altering the story, reading what's going to happen, and breaking the fourth wall.

To that Pinkie burst out laughing. "Or what? You have no power here."

Perhaps, this might change your mind.

A piece of paper appeared in front of Pinkie, which she picked up and read. She frowned, setting the paper back down, face down. "Alright, maybe I didn't account for that." She admitted. "Okay, I'll stop altering the story and looking ahead in the story. But you can't stop me from breaking the fourth wall."

Acceptable, do we have a deal?

"Only if you keep your end of the bargain." Pinkie said.

Wonderful, thank you for your cooperation.

The first thing First Base did when he left was try and find Scootaloo. But because he forgot to ask where she lived, he was currently wandering the town aimlessly, trying to find his new friend. Occasionally he would ask around, giving the ponies he talked to a description of what she what she looked like but it was to no avail as no one knew who she was. First Base knew he only had a limited amount of time before Flash and Twilight returned home to find he was missing.

"Lookin for somebody?" Pinkie asked, popping out of the bushes First Base was walking past.

He jumped back in surprise by Pinkie's sudden appearance, falling on his rump.

"Did I scare ya little one?" She asked, giving him that innocent smile of hers.

"More like startled." First Base answered, getting up. "Who are you?"

"Name's Pinkie Pie, but you can call me Pinkie." She extended her hoof for a hoofshake.

First Base glanced at the hoof before looking to Pinkie. "How did you know my name?" He asked.

"Oh, I know lots of things." Pinkie smiled before her pupils dilated. "Lots of things." She said a bit more darkly.

"O...kay." First Base said, taking a step back ready to bolt.

"Your looking for Scootaloo right?" Pinkie asked.

First Base took a step forward, now interested in what Pinkie had to say. "Yes! Do you know where she is?"

"The same place you should be right now." Pinkie pointed over to a building with a triangular roof that had a bell tower on top and a playground behind it.

First Base looked back to Pinkie with a confused expression. "School?" He asked.

Pinkie nodded. "Don't know why Flash and Twilight didn't put you there in the first place." Pinkie shrugged. "Doesn't really matter now, school's gonna let out any minute-" Pinkie cut herself off as she looked over to her right and her happy expression turned sour.

"What is it?" First Base asked, looking over to where Pinkie was looking.

It took him a while but First Base eventually saw what it was Pinkie was frowning at. In the crowd of ponies, Gilda stuck out like a sore thumb. She strolled on over to a stand which was selling various treats and had a stack of cupcakes out on display. Gilda looked over and saw that the pony working at the stand was busy with a customer. After making sure no one was watching her, she casually walked forward, her tail was used to pick up on of the cupcake's on display and dropped it in her claw.

"Excuse me miss."

Gilda continued walking, taking a bite out of the cupcake.

"Excuse me miss. You there, the Griffin."

This time Gilda did stop, but she didn't stop taking bites out of the cupcake. She turned around to the one calling her to see that it was the pony selling the cupcakes.

"Um, you didn't pay for that." He stated, pointing at the cupcake in Gilda's claw.

Gilda was midway from taking another bite, the cupcake a couple of inches away from her. She looked at the pony, an angry expression plastered on her face.

"Excuse me?!" She barked, closing the distance between her and the stand, slamming her claws against the wooden board.

The pony fell on his rump in surprise, a terrified look on his face as the Griffin's looming shadow covered him. He gulped before trembling, "y-y-you didn't...pay for...that."

Gilda grabbed the pony by the collar and brought him to her. "What are you, some kind of conmare?" She barked.

Confusion was added to the pony's fearful expression. "Wh-...what?" He squeaked, which ended up making Gilda even more furious.

"I paid you for that cupcake and now your accusing me of stealing!" Gilda barked, raising her balled up fist and then opening it, revealing her razor sharp talons. "I oughta claw out your eyes for doing that."

The pony, somehow, gathered up his courage and said, "you never paid me at all." He stated.

Gilda was so very tempted to leave a red mark on the pony's face, but instead she just dropped him. "Oh I get it." She said quietly. "You think that just because I'm a Griffin, just because of all the rumors going around that Griffons are nothing but thieves and liars. That gives you the right to accuse me of stealing something which I haven't even stolen."

"What?! No, it has nothing to do-" the pony tried to protest.

"Oh no, of course it has nothing to do with me being a Griffin. How much was the cupcake again, hmm? Was it ten bits? Twenty bits? No wait, it was fifty bits right?" Gilda said, opening her bag full of bits a laying some on the taple.

"Please stop." The pony pleaded.

"You know what your right. It's probably worth all of my money isn't it?" She asked, dumping the entire bag of bits onto the table and sliding it towards the pony. "Here's one hundred and fifty two bits, I'll take my cupcake which I have already paid for!"

The pony shoved the pile of bits away from him and back towards Gilda. "Take your money and take your cupcake. I'm sorry I caused you any trouble Miss." The pony apologized.

"Apology accepted." Gilda said, sliding the pile of bits off the table and into her bag. "Just make sure it never happens again." She took her cupcake and walked away from the stand. "Sucker." She said under her breath, taking another bite out of the cupcake.

First Base's jaw became unhinged and he was filled with shock. "Did she just...how did she...what?!" First Base yelled, trying to wrap his head around what he had just witnessed.

"Yeah that Gilda sure is a big meanie." Pinkie said, continuing to frown. She looked back to the school to see that students were pouring out of the doorway. "Oh hey, school's over." Pinkie said Base. "If you wanna go talk to your friend how's the chance to do it." She waved her hoof in front of Base. "Helloooo? Did you hear me?"

"I heard you but," First Base paused looking back and forth between Gilda and the School, "I can't just sit back and pretend that didn't happen. I want to do something about it, and not just be silent."

Pinkie laid her hoof on First Base's shoulder, giving him a nod of approval. "I know exactly how you feel."and She said before smiling sinisterly. "It just so happens that I've got a plan to get grid of Gilda, and it just so happens that I'm in need of an assistant. What'da say?"

First Base grinned, "deal." He agreed, as both he and Pinkie walked into Sugar Cube Corner.

Caramel Apple was kneeling before a wooden crate, her hooves folded in the prayer position. She wore a thin, transparent white veil over her head as she prayed to a small alter of the symbol of the sun carved from marble. Strands of hay were scattered all over the place, except for the area around the crate because Caramel had swept before praying. Her prayer was interrupted by the knocking on the barn door.

"Come in." Caramel said, standing up and removing her veil as Flash and Twilight entered.

"Hello Mrs. Apple, sorry if we're interrupting you." Twilight apologized.

Flash took notice to the small alter Caramel had been praying to. "I never knew you were a Solarestral Mrs. Apple."

"Indeed I am." Caramel said, looking to the alter. "It was actually my great great...well let's just say many great grandfather who founded the religion."

Twilight, now eager to learn more about the Solarium religion, quickly rushed up to Caramel. "Ooh, please tell me about your religion." Twilight begged. "I've always wanted to lean more about it but...Queen Luna forbid me from learning about and I never knew why."

"Well Twilight Sparkle, I'd be more than happy to tell you about ma culture." Caramel sat down, gesturing Twilght to do the same. "Sit." She offered.

Twilight sat and looked to Flash, who seemed uneasy. "Aren't you gonna sit and listen too?" Twilight asked.

"I already know about the Solarium." Flash stated. "So I'll just stay right here."

Twilight frowned. "I'm sorry about him Mrs. Apple."

"It's quite alright, not everyone is as understanding, and please, call me Caramel." Caramel said.

"Okay Mrs-I mean Caramel." Twilight corrected.

Caramel grabbed a small stick and drew two pictures in the dirt, a picture of two Alicorn's. "Long ago, there existed two Alicorn Sisters. The one of the sun and the one of the moon. They protected the world from darkness both the moon and sun shining down upon the world. But the ponies of the sister of the sun became fond of the elder sister and praised her, while the sister of the moon was not. The moon's light began to dim, the sun shining brighter than before. The darkness invaded the sister of the moon and took control of her. She brought nightmares to the ponies while they slept. The sister of the sun confronted the sister of the moon and the two fought. In the end, the sister of the moon defeated the sister of the sun. But before she was defeated, the sister of the sun absorbed all of the evil inside of the sister of the moon. We will never forget the sister of the sun's sacrifice, she saved us all from an eternal nightmare of darkness and for that we are truly grateful."

"Wow." Twilight said in amazement, before becoming perplexed. "But Queen Luna is the only Alicorn that ever lived. She never had a sister."

"Whether or not Queen Luna is the sister of the moon matters not." Caramel stood up. "As I said, the sister of the sun absorbed all of the evil inside of her before she was killed. Now then, you didn't come here to hear about ma culture did ya? You're here because of Applejack, right?"

Twilight stood up. "That's right. We were hoping you might have some idea on how to convince Applejack into letting us help her."

Caramel sighed. "'Fraid this is partially ma fault, or ma family's really. She ain't gonna see reason until she's passed out cold." Caramel slightly chuckled.

"So, were just supposed to let her run her course until she decides to accept our help?" Flash asked.

"'Fraid so." Caramel sighed. "I really wish I could help y'all some more."

"It's okay Caramel. We're sorry for interrupting your prayer." Twilight said as she made her way towards the door. "Let's go Flash." She said as they both left.

Once they were gone Caramel frowned, looking to the small alter she had been praying to.

"Where is she?" Rainbow Dash tapped her hoof impatiently, leaning against the poorly constructed tower made of wood that she had built. Which slowly rocked back and forth with the gentle wind. Rainbow Dash had zero patience, which made her very unhappy as she waited for Applejack.

"Heya Crash."

Rainbow Dash turned her attention towards the griffin descending towards her and with a cocky grin replied,

"Hey yourself, egg-for-brains." Rainbow joked.

"Whatcha doing out here?" Gilda asked before gazing at the tower. "And what the heck is that?"

"That?" She asked looking to the tower. "That's just a tower a built for AJ. See, she's gonna jump off it and crash on that end of the seesaw and while she's doing this I'm going to be on that end of the seesaw and once she crashes onto that end it'll send me flying. Pretty cool right?"

Gilda looked at her friend curiously before replying. "Firstly, why would you want to get launched from a seesaw? What's the point in this whole thing?"

"Uhh, I don't know. Maybe because it'll be freaking awesome!" Rainbow Dash declared.

"...right...secondly, there's no way that thing can support any weight at all. In fact it looks like it's about to keel over any second." Gilda said, referring to the wobbling tower.

"Pffft." Rainbow scoffed. "It'll be fine."

"I dunno Rainbow, the thing looks pretty unsafe. And why are you even doing this anyways?" Gilda asked.

"Because it's gonna be awesome!" Rainbow Dash declared, jumping into the air.

"Well I see there's no point in trying to talk you out of it. So I guess I'm gonna have to just sit here and make sure you don't hurt yourself." Gilda said, taking a seat on the ground.

Meanwhile, in Sugar Cube Corner, both Pinkie Pie and First Base were in the kitchen. Neatly kitchen tools laid out before them, along with a big bowl. Both First Base and Pinkie wore a chef hat and a white apron.

"So...you still haven't told me what we're doing." First Base stated.

"All will be revealed in due time young grasshopper." Pinkie patted First Base on the head. Then the bell attached to the door jingled, signaling someone had entered. "Or right now I guess." Pinkie shrugged as Applejack entered the room.

She looked terrible, and when I say terrible I mean terrible. She looked sleep deprived, drunk, completely out of it, and looked like she hadn't had a shower in weeks.

"Mornin' y'all." Applejack slurred.

"It's the afternoon Applejack." Pinkie stated with a smile. "And how are you today?"

"Good, lets bake us some cupcakes." Applejack declared, fumbling with each step she took.

"Okay then let's begin." Pinkie said pulling out a piece of paper with listed ingredients. "First we'll need three cups of flour."

"Sure thing." Applejack saluted, walking outside, scooping up three piles of dirt in her hoof, and dumping them in the bowl.

"Next we'll need one cup of sugar." Pinkie said reading off the next item.

"Alright." Applejack said, stumbling over to the cabinet and pulling out a box labeled 'salt' and dumping half of it into the bowl.

"Next we'll need one stick of butter." Pinkie said.

Applejack opened up the fridge and grabbed the thing sitting next to the butter. A block of cheese. Which she had cut in half and dropped into the bowl.

"After that we'll need three eggs." Pinkie stated.

The eggs part Applejack got right, only thing is she didn't crack the eggs open rather just dropped them into the bowl.

"Finally we'll need two tablespoons of baking soda." Pinkie said.

Applejack opened up the fridge, pulled out a can of Coca-Cola, and drained the entire thing into the bowl.

"Once all ingredients are in the bowl, take a whisk and start stirring the ingredients." Pinkie read, giving Applejack a whisk.

"Seems easy enough." Applejack said, taking the whisk and plunging it into the bowl. She tried stirring but the thick block of cheese and butter refused to budge.

"Oh silly me I almost forgot, we need milk to make the mixture all slushy." Pinkie giggled.

Applejack left the whisk in the bowl and walked back to the fridge. She pulled out a jug of coconut milk and poured a large amount of it into the bowl. She tried to mix up the ingredients once more but they still wouldn't budge.

"Why don't you try heating it up in the microwave?" First Base suggested.

"Great idea Base, that way the butter will be all mushy and easier to mix." Pinkie said, taking the bowl and shoving it in the microwave.

"How long does butter take to melt?" First Base asked.

"One minute." Pinkie answered, punching in the numbers.

After one minute had passed Pinkie pulled the bowl out and sat it in front of Applejack, who was finally able to mix it. Applejack put all of her remaining strength into mixing the bowl. After two minutes had passed she stopped.

"Alrighty then," Pinkie paused opening a cabinet and pulling out a large circular shaped metal object that looked like what you would find on a cupcake except larger in size. "Just pour it in here and we'll be on our way."

"Hold on a...second." Applejack said, having a brain fart. "I thought we was makin...cupcakes."

"We are." Pinkie answered.

"Except were just making one big cupcake instead of multiple little ones." First Base explained.

"Oh...well that makes perfect sense!" Applejack declared, tipping the bowl over the metal holder.

A greyish brown thick goop poured into the container, making sloshing and gurgling sounds as it moved. Pieces of broken egg shells stuck out of it along with pockets of air. Pinkie took a spatula and scooped every drop of the liquid out into the bowl.

First Base and Pinkie leaned over to behold their abomination. They both smiled wickedly as Pinkie sat it inside of the oven.

"How long are we supposed to cook it fer?" Applejack asked.

"Normally it would take about half an hour. But with author powers-"

"-it's done!" Pinkie declared, opening the oven and pulling out the large grey cupcake.

The...thing...did have resemblance to a cupcake, only it was three times bigger and grey. Pinkie pulled out a carton of white frosting and smeared it all over the top of the cupcake. Then she added rainbow sprinkles and a cherry on top.

"Mare, this special somepony must be pretty important ta deserve that treat." Applejack pointed to the cupcake.

"Applejack you have no idea how right you are." Pinkie smiled viscously. "Come on Base, let's go deliver this to that 'special someone'.

"Mare...this friend of yours must be the slowest pony in the whole world." Gilda said, pointing out that at least an hour had gone by since she arrived.

"She said that she would help me with this." Rainbow Dash grumbled.

"Maybe she realized how stupid your idea was and just decided not to show up." Gilda suggested.

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "That's not like Applejack. She's not the kind who would just not show up without telling me something."

"Oh you don't have to worry about Applejack." Pinkie Pie said, her head popping out from off screen. "She's just a little bit sleepy that's all."

"Oh. It's you." Gilda frowned, narrowing her eyes.

"What's up Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow Dash asked, not looking in her direction.

"Oh nothing much." Pinkie Pie smiled innocently.

First Base walked up to Gilda presenting her with the cupcake. "Pinkie Pie and I made this just for you. Hope you like it."

Gilda took the cupcake in her claw and examined it. Since the bottom half was covered, she couldn't see the grey batter which had been used. She looked at Pinkie in disbelief and asked, "you guys made this for me?" She asked.

Both Pinkie and First Base shook their heads a bit to eagerly.

"Gee, thanks." Gilda said peeling off the thin paper which had covered the bottom. "Look...I know I've probably been kinda a jerk to a lotta ponies but the truth is...the truth is because I'm jealous." Gilda admitted, looking towards the ground.

Gilda's statement caught both Base and Pinkie off guard. They both shared a glance before Pinkie spoke, "You're...jealous?" She asked in curiosity.

"Yeah that's right, I'm jealous." Gilda sighed. "I look at how kind and selfless all you ponies are and compared to Griffonstone...well it's like comparing a beg of gold to a bag of trash. I mean all the griffins in my town are straight up jerks, and I guess that jerk-ness rubbed on me and made me be a jerk to you ponies." Gilda smiled. "But you know what? Tomorrow I'm gonna try and be better, be nicer to others and treat everyone the way I want to be treated."

Both First Base and Pinkie whipped away a tear. "That was beautiful Gilda." Pinkie sniffed.

"Well, enough sentimental crap. Time to dig in." Gilda said, closing her eyes and opening her mouth wide.

"Gilda wait!" Pinkie and Base protested, trying to stop her.

*CRUNCH!*

But it was to late, Gilda took one big bite out of the cupcake, chewed, and swallowed it in one big bite. Her eyes went wide, her beak dropped open in shock as her head slowly moved towards Pinkie and First Base.

"This." Gilda said pointing to the cupcake.

"Gilda I can explain." Pinkie pleaded.

"Is."

"We didn't know that you were being a jerk because you were jealous." First Base pleaded.

"DELICIOUS!" Gilda shouted, happily taking another bite and chewing it.

Both Pinkie and First Base were at a loss for words as Gilda chewed the cupcake. "You...like it?" Pinkie asked, confused.

"Of course I like it, it's amazing." Gilda smiled. "Although next time don't add frosting and sprinkles. It makes it to-"

*GRUMBLE!*

Gilda clenched her stomach, and covered her mouth, dropping the cupcake. "Oooooohhh." Gilda groaned in pain, her pupils dilated and her breathing increased. "Pinkie, did you put cheese in that?" She demanded.

"Um...yes. Why?" Pinkie asked.

"I'm can't digest cheese!" Gilda shouted. "Whenever I eat cheese it clogs up my-AAAAAAHHHHH!" Gilda yelled in pain.

"Oh colt." Both Pinkie and First Base looked at the other and cringed.

"Applejack." An echoed voice that sounded sweet and soft called out her name.

"Applejack." A new voice, this one sounded more deep than the other, most likely belonging to a Stallion.

"Applejack." The sweet voice called out her name once more.

"Hey Applejack, wake up!" The Stallion voice shouted.

"Wah-huh?" Applejack said startled, her hindlegs kicked against the trunk of the tree behind her causing all of the apples to fall from its branches. She looked in front of her to see both Flash and Twilight. Twilight looked worried, Flash looked somewhat annoyed.

"You were bucking in your sleep." Flash stated. "And I might not be any kind of doctor but I'm pretty sure that's not good for you."

"Flash is right Applejack. This isn't healthy, I don't know how much more your body can take of this." Twilight said, expressing her worry.

Applejack looked behind her and smiled triumphantly. "Heh, well y'all don't need ta worry any more. Look at that." Applejack pointed to the entire field of empty apple trees. "I did it. I bucked every tree without anypony's help."

"What about those trees?" Flash asked.

"Huh?" Applejack followed Flash's gaze and to her horror she saw that an entire area, equal to the one Applejack had cleared, still had apple trees bearing fruit.

"But...I...how...when...gnffbbdf." Applejack mumbled complete gibberish as she collapsed onto her back. "I can't do this." She admitted curling into a ball and rocking herself back and forth. "I bucked every tree. I know that I bucked every tree. Why are there more trees to buck when I've already bucked every tree? I don't understand, why-"

*SMACK!*

Flash had had enough and decided to take action. He walked up to Applejack and slapped her across the face, breaking her out of her insanity. He grabbed her by the collar and brought her close, "now you listen to me Applejack." Flash said angrily. "I don't care what kind of gene your family has that makes you prone to habit but this ends right now. So here's what you're going to do, you're going to march upstairs, climb into bed, get some rest, and don't come back out until you're ready to accept our help. Do you understand me?"

"But-"

"I didn't ask for your opinion, I gave you an order and you will follow it to the letter! Do you understand me!" Flash barked.

"Yes sir." Applejack squeaked.

"I said, do you understand me!" Flash barked once more.

"Yes sir!" Applejack saluted as though she was a soldier.

"Now march up to your bedroom and get some rest on the double!" Flash ordered.

Applejack quickly ran into her house in the blink of an eye. Flash let out a deep breath as he returned to his calm state. He glanced over to Twilight who was completely flabbergasted.

"What?" He asked as though nothing had happened.

"Don't what me!" Twilight shouted. "What the heck was that just now?!"

"I gave Applejack an order and she followed it." Flash said simply. "Now let's go home, this day has been exhausting."

Pinkie and First Base watched in silence as Gilda was carried on a stretcher by two medical ponies.

"Gilda I am so sorry." Pinkie apologized. "I had no idea that you couldn't eat cheese. I promise that it will never happen again."

"Yeah, it won't happen ever again." Gilda said causing Pinkie to smile with hope. "Because I'm never coming back to this town!" Gilda roared, bolting upright. "You hear me Pinkie Pie! I'm never coming back because I don't want to see you ever again!" The two medical ponies restrained Gilda as she continued to shout and yell but it was muffled out as her mouth and body were strapped down then the medical ponies made their way towards the hospital.

"Wow...maybe it was a good idea to give Gilda that cupcake after all." First Base said.

"Yeah, can you imagine that living with us?" Pinkie asked. "No thank you."

"Still, don't you think that maybe it was our cupcake which drove Gilda off the edge and made her so angry?" First Base asked.

"Aren't you supposed to be in Golden Oaks right now?" Pinkie asked, dodging First Base's question.

"Oh shoot you're right!" First Base shouted running off.

Both Flash and Twilight entered their house and were welcomed by Spike reading a comic book. Flash looked around and after noticing First Base's absence he asked, "Spike, where's First Base?"

Spike looked up from his comic book and said, "I dunno. I'm not his foalsitter."

Flash facehoofed and groaned. "Spike you had one job!"

Chapter 5. The Tickets

The day was like any other. The moon made way for the sun, signaling to everyone that it was time to get up and do something. What was unique about this day was that Twilight, along with Flash and Applejack, were carrying baskets full of this weeks harvest. Spike rode on Twilight's back as the three ponies walked, picking out apple after apple from the basket and tossing them out.

"Glad ya'll could help me with this weeks harvest." Applejack thanked the two ponies beside her.

"Think nothing of it Applejack." Twilight proclaimed. "After all, we're more than happy to help out a friend."

Spike threw another apple out from the basket and it hit Twilight's head. Spike dug into the basket, pushing away any of the apple's he didn't like. Spike was then pulled out by Flash, who gave him a scowl.

"What do you think you're doing?" He asked, holding Spike by the back of his neck.

Spike responded. "Just trying to find myself a snack, that's all."

Flash turned Spike around so that he could see the trail of apple's he had left behind them. "What's all this then?" He asked.

"I couldn't find the right one." Spike said with a terrible excuse.

"Speaking of snacks," Twilight said, using her magic to pick up all of the apple's in the trail and sat them back in the basket, "I skipped breakfast and would love to have a daffodil sandwich right about now."

"Perfect!" Spike proclaimed, holding up a bright red, visibly juicy, delightfully delicious apple that seemed to be shining.

Twilight couldn't help but stare. Hunger on the brain, she licked her lips, imagining how good the apple would taste."Oh Spike, that looks absolutely delic-"

*CRUNCH*

In an instant the once shining apple of juicy goodness was shoved into Spike's mouth in one big bite. Spike slowly mushed up the apple, letting its juice swim around in his mouth before swallowing. He let out a sigh as he slouched and patted his belly while Twilight scolded him. However though, karma took affect and Spike's eyes went wide. His stomach gurgled and his claws clasped over his mouth. He tried to hold it in but failed to prevent himself from burping up a green puff of smoke, which tightened into a ball and transformed into a rolled up letter.

The letter dropped into Flash's hooves, unfolded it, and then read it out loud.

My faithful Apprentice. As you might've known, this year's Grand Galloping Gala is coming up. As customary, I have given you, your assistant Spike, and that guard of yours a ticket to this event along with an extra ticket for your plus one. Be sure to meet the dress code by bringing a dress and the guard to wear a suit. The same applies to your plus one. I await your ~~appearance~~ presence.

Your Teacher and Queen, Luna

Flash pulled out four golden tickets from the letter, which glistened in the sun. The gears inside Twilight and Applejack were turning until they both came to the same realization. They both gasped and yelled, "THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA!" They both squealed like little school girls, bouncing up and down.

"I can't believe I'm going to the Grand Galloping Gala!" Twilight exclaimed. "I mean, sure I knew what it was at the time. Back then I didn't give the event a second thought, but now that I have friends this is going to be wonderful!"

"Ya said it girl!" Applejack hooted. "I can't wait ta go. I can picture it now."

Applejack's idea of what the Gala would be like

A line of ponies stretched all the way to the very entrance of the castle could be seen. Everyone waiting and just buzzing with anticipation for the sweet, sweet goodness of good old fashioned apple's. Everyone would pay mighty nicely for their fill of apple grub. The wooden stand which Applejack was running had all kinds of apple treats.

Here's a list: they had apple pie, apple crisp, caramel apples on a stick, apple fritters, apple fries (a real thing), sliced apples with peanut butter, apple juice, apple cider, apple salads, apple chips, apple cake, apple cookies, apple sundaes, apple smoothies, and of course, apple sauce.

"And with all of that money we could replace that sorry old barn, Macintosh could replace that sorry old plow, and Granny could replace that sorry old hip." Applejack explained.

"That's nice and all but," Flash held up the four tickets, "there's only room for four of us."

Applejack did the math and counted Flash, Twilight, Spike, and herself. "There's already four of us. I don' see why y'all can't bring me along."

"She makes a good point Flash." Said Twilight. "Alrighty then, Applejack would you like to join us at the Grand Galloping-"

"Now wait just a second!"

Before anyone had a chance to be confused, a rainbow colored blur shot from the tree and landed in front of Twilight, but also causing Applejack to stumble back. The object was Rainbow Dash.

"Did you say you guys have an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala?!" She demanded, squishing Twilight's cheeks.

"Um...yesh." Twilight spoke through her puckered face.

Rainbow released Twilight and said, "you've got to take me! Every year the Wonderbolts show up at the Gala and they're my hero's. I've always wanted to be one, and if I show my stuff to them. They've gotta let me join."

Rainbow Dash's idea of what the Gala would be like

High up in the sky, a cloud shaped race track with Pegasi dressed in Wonderbolt tracksuit's, wearing circular goggles, flying with a trail of smoke behind them, soared around the track in circles with a cheering audience in cloud stands. They had come for a show and were about to get one they'd never forget. From out of no where a rainbow blur sweeps past even the fastest Wonderbolt. Who was this speed devil mare that clearly surpassed any existing Pegasus. The blur crossed the finish line and came to halt. The crowd gasped before exploding in cheer upon the blur's appearance.

It was Rainbow Dash. The most fastest, famous, and sexiest mare in all of Equestria. While the crowd cheered her name, the Wonderbolts offered Rainbow Dash for the um-teenth time to be their supreme and awesomest leader. Rainbow Dash thought 'why not' and accepted.

From that day forward, Rainbow Dash became the most known mare not just in Equestria, but in the whole world. Every Stallion wanted to be with Dash, every mare envy Dash, and in some cases it was the other way around. But all that matter to Rainbow was that she was worshipped as a goddess among everyone.

"So you gotta take me." Rainbow Dash said, no one actually seeing her vision. "The Gala is my one and only shot of becoming a Wonderbolt."

"Well..." Twilight paused. "I guess that does make sense-"

"Now wait just a dang minute!" Applejack interrupted, not giving Twilight a second to reconsider who she was taking. "Firstly, Rainbow you said you were to busy to help me out with the harvest, and now I find out that you were napping. In one of my tree's no less." Applejack stated, eyeing a blanket on the tree branch above them and pillow back against the truck.

Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, knowing that the cat was out of the bag. "Heh heh...I uh...was tired from all the clouds I had busted. Yeah that's it."

Applejack snorted and narrowed her eyes like a bull eying a red toreo. "Secondly, Twi already said she was taking me to the Gala." Applejack stated firmly, pointing to herself.

"Actually I haven't decided on who I'm giving the ticket to yet." Twilight admitted, holding up the extra ticket she took from Flash.

"Then I say we hoof wrestle for the ticket." Rainbow Dash declared. "Winner gets the ticket."

"Deal." Applejack agreed, both of them zipped to a stump, locked hooves, and began to wrestle.

Until Twilight ended their little match by pushing the two apart. "Girls! Who gets the ticket is my decision and my alone. Now I'm going to need some time to think about it, "her stomach grumbled, "and some lunch."

"But-" both Rainbow Dash and Applejack tried to protest but failed to do so as Twilight cut them off.

"But nothing. I'll decide when I want to and possibly after I've eaten lunch." Twilight declared as both she, Spike, and Flash walked off.

The moment the three were gone both Applejack and Rainbow returned to their hoof wrestling match.

As Flash, Twilight, and Spike all walked along the roads in Ponyville Twilight was in deep thought as she tried to figure out who the extra ticket would go to.

"You can't do it, can you?" Flash asked, breaking Twilight from her thoughts.

"Huh?" She asked in a slight daze.

"Choosing someone who gets the extra ticket." Flash said. "They're both equal friends with equal reasons as to why they should go. No matter which one you choose, the other one is gonna be heartbroken."

Twilight sighed and her head sunk. "You're right. I hate to admit it but you're absolutely right. I can't decide between the two if I know I'm just gonna hurt someone."

As the three were passing by Sugar Cube Corner, a pink blur dashed out from the shop and collided with Twilight. The two tumbled until they unfolded and came to a stop. The pink blur was Pinkie Pie, she opened her eyes to see the four tickets on her nose. She gasped,

"Line?" She asked in a whisper.

Bats

"BATS!" She screamed, standing up and dancing on her hoof tips in disgust. She then stopped and took a closer look at the so called "bats". She jumped into the air and gasped once more, "are these tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?" She asked.

"They are." Twilight answered, taking the four tickets back with her magic.

"The Grand Galloping Gala, I've been wanting to go ever since I was a little filly. Role the thing."

Pinkie's idea of what the Gala would be like

A large party with ponies of all kind, from the strongest earth pony to the smartest unicorn. Everyone was dancing and singing and drinking punch and doing party stuff, and it was all thanks to Pinkie Pie. Bringer of joy and laughter, the world just wouldn't be the same without dear Pinkie. Everyone was lucky that Pinkie was there to give them all a wonderful party.

"The Grand Galloping Gala." Rarity, who has appeared out of nowhere, exclaimed with excitement.

Pinkie cut Twilight off by saying, "yep, Twilight, Flash, and Spike have an extra ticket." Pinkie, still smiling, furrowed her brow in anger. "You interrupted my idea, I hope you realize that Pinkie Pie will not forget what you have done this day."

Rarity, ignoring Pinkie's threat, said, "the Grand Galloping Gala. The very symbol of elegance and class. I can see it now, mare's partnered with stallion's as they danced with the utmost form of grace."

Rarity's idea of what the Gala would be like

The dance floor was abuzz with ponies wearing suits and ponies wearing dresses. Dancing with one another in both grace and dignity. Every mare seemed to stand out with their colorful dresses, but what's this? Who is that entering through the doorway.

The royal guards bowed, mistaking Rarity for royalty, they'd never even assume that she was a simple mare from Ponyville. No one could stop themselves from starring at the beautiful gem that walked amongst them. But Rarity didn't care, she had only one thing in mind.

In the center of the dance floor was a unicorn mare with a pure white coat, a long silky royal blue mane and tail, ruby colored eyes, had three musical notes for a cutie mark, and wore a simple blue dress. The mare's name was Symphony. Adopted niece to Queen Luna, and the one Rarity envied above all else. She was dancing with a handsome young Stallion, Rarity tapped the Stallion's shoulder and got his attention.

The Stallion would turn away from Symphony and to Rarity. The Stallion would be a gentlecolt, how could he possibly refuse such an offer from a beautiful mare. The Stallion would smile at Rarity and give her hoof a slight kiss, accepting her request. As the two danced with even more grace and beauty than everyone else, Symphony became overcome with jealousy and left the Gala in humiliation.

"You simply must take me along." Rarity begged. "I can't allow a mare like her to whisk away my Prince Charming."

"Well...I guess you do-HEY!" Twilight shouted as a white bunny snatched the four tickets away and ran off.

The bunny hopped to Fluttershy, who was passing by, and showed her the tickets. "Angel dear, you know that stealing isn't something very nice." She protested until she got a closer look at the description on the tickets. "Oh goodness, these are tickets to the Gala."

Flash approached Fluttershy and asked, "Miss Shy, may I please have those tickets back?" He asked, extending his hoof.

"Oh, of course." Fluttershy said, giving the tickets back to Flash. "I see there is four of them, who's all going? If you don't mind me asking, that is."

"These three are for me, Spike and Twilight." Flash explained, holding up the three tickets then holding up the fourth. "This one goes to a guest that Twilight has to decide."

"Oh...I see..." She paused. "Do you think...maybe...I could go?"

"That's Twilight's decision, not mine." Said Flash. "If you want to go, you'll have to ask her."

Fluttershy and Flash went back to Twilight and Fluttershy asked her, "um...excuse me."

Twilight whipped around and sighed in relief instead of frustration. "Thank you Flash." She said, taking the tickets back before noticing Fluttershy. "Oh hi Fluttershy, how are you doing?" She asked, hoping to avoid any mention of the tickets.

"Well, actually Twilight..." Fluttershy hid behind her mane. "I was wondering...if you would..." She tapped her hooves together timidly. "Take me...to the Gala...as your plus one."

Twilight facehoofed, she should've known that it was pointless to try and avoid the subject concerning the Gala. "Uggghhh. Go ahead, tell me why you should go?"

Fluttershy, ashamed with herself that she was causing her friend such distraught, said. "Oh no, it's quite alright. I don't wanna go if it means I'm gonna hurt you."

"It's not gonna hurt me Fluttershy. I'm just having a hard time deciding. In fact," Twilight's lit up. "If your reason is good enough, then maybe I can choose you and everybody else will understand."

"Um...okay then..." Fluttershy whispered. "Well...I don't really care all to much about the dances and the party. The only reason I want to go to the Gala is because of all the wondrous creatures in the garden."

Fluttershy's idea of what the Gala would be like

While everypony danced and bellowed with laughter inside the castle, Fluttershy found comfort in the peace and quiet of the royal gardens. As she passed by the colorful blooming floors, the calm and cooling sensation had begun to set in. The gentle breeze slightly swayed her mane back and flung the tender sent of the flowers right at her. Fluttershy felt at peace with herself, no longer afraid but rather warm and comfortable.

Her ears perked up in attention to the soft chirps of baby birds. The chirps, rather than loud and annoying, were soft and delicate. Other animals began to make their appearance to Fluttershy the further she went into the gardens. There were chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, birds, and a bunch of other animals. They would come to Fluttershy and surround her with comfort and love, and in return she would do the same. Just as she would do for any other creature.

"And that's why I want to go." Fluttershy finished before adding, "but only if you'll take me that is Twilight. Twilight?"

Fluttershy had become so caught up in her story that she failed to notice that Twilight, Flash, Spike and the other girl's had left. Something tapped her foreleg, she looked down to see her bunny Angel holding a sheet of paper in his paw. Fluttershy picked up the paper and began to read what had been written.

Dear Fluttershy.

Thank you for telling me your reason for wanting to go to the Gala. But unfortunately, ~~your story has only made things harder~~ all of my friends story's, yours included, all have a very good reason to go. But I need more time to decide on who should go. Please understand, I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but I needed to leave for lunch because I can't think straight on an empty stomach.

Your friend: Twilight Sparkle

Fluttershy sighed as she let her foreleg set back down, releasing the paper and letting it fly away with the wind. "I don't deserve to go Angel. My reason's really stupid, I mean...why go to the Canterlot gardens when there's so much wildlife right here? I understand why Twilight would choose someone else...so why do I feel like I should go?"

Angel Bunny gestured with his paw for Fluttershy to lean down. She did so and Angel whispered something in her ear.

"Your right Angel Bunny!" Fluttershy proclaimed. "I do deserve to go...but how do I convince Twilight?"

Angel whispered something else in Fluttershy's ear, which caused her to recoil in shock and gasp with a deep blush on her cheeks. "Angel Bunny no! I could never do something like that. I'm not that kinda mare."

Angel facepalm before he hopped onto Fluttershy's back, climbed up her neck, sat on the top of her head, pulled back her ear, and whispered something else.

"Oh...is that all? I thought I was going to...well the way you said it...I'll just go get dressed now." Fluttershy said, flying off to her cottage.

*WHAM!*

*WHAM!*

*WHAM!*

Twilight raised her head only to instantly bring it down and smack it against the table, creating a small bruise on her forehead. Sure it hurt like hell, but if it meant she would forget this day in the near future she was more than happy to kill some brain cells.

"That isn't going to help you, you know?" Flash asked, before taking a sip out of the straw in his strawberry banana smoothie.

Twilight's hunger was still very present, her stomach grumbling every minute, constantly reminding her to eat. She ignored Flash, raised her head, and instantly brought it down onto the table, where she remained motionless.

"Finally given up?" Flash asked.

Twilight remained silent for a second before responding. "I'm stuck.".

"What was that?" Flash asked.

"I'm stuck!" Twilight shouted with irritation.

The Stallion waiter approached the table and asked, "would Madame like some assistance?" He asked in a Prench accent.

"Yes please." Twilight said in defeat.

The Prench waiter dislodged Twilight's horn from the wooden table, and after she thanked him he pulled out a flip book and a pencil and asked, "is Madame ready to order?"

"Yes, I would like a daffodil sandwich please." Twilight placed her order.

The Stallion wrote on the flip book before turning to Spike and Flash, "and for the gentlecolt's?"

"I'm good." Flash said, taking another sip out of his smoothie. "Maybe another refill later."

Spike eyed Flash's drink before saying to the waiter, "I'll have what he's having."

The waiter wrote on the flip book and repeated what he had wrote, "1 daffodil sandwich, 1 strawberry banana smoothie, and one refill later on. Your order will be ready as soon as possible." The Stallion said, putting away his flip book and pencil before heading towards the restaurant.

"So, now that he's gone, any idea who you're gonna give the ticket to?" Flash asked.

*WHAM!*

Twilight wished she could go back to temporarily forgetting about the Gala and her decision. But thanks to Flash's reminder, such a thing seemed out of reach. Twilight raised her head and threw it at the table. But before she could collide with it something stopped her.

"As much as I enjoy watching you get dumber with every hit, I'm afraid that if you don't stop then I'll have to use force." Flash said, holding Twilight back.

"Flash is right Twilight." Spike agreed, siding with Flash. "That bruise is starting to look really bad."

Twilight sighed and slumped down in her chair. "Applejack wants to go so she can raise money for her family, Rainbow Dash wants to go so she can meet her hero's and possibly join them, Pinkie Pie wants to go because it's said to be the greatest party in all of Equestria, Rarity wants to go so she can meet this 'Prince Charming' guy, and Fluttershy wants to go so she can meet all of the animals." Twilight listed off as she held the spare ticket in her hoof. "Only one gets to go, while the others have to miss out." Twilight groaned. "There's so many variables, not only does my decision reflect off on their stories but it also reflects off of how bad the others will feel, how badly their trust will be broken, and how damaged our friendship will be." Seeing no other option, she asked, "Flash what should I do?"

Flash slurped the last bit of his smoothie very loudly for an awkward minute. When Twilight tried to speak Flash would hold up his hoof, telling her to wait. Once he was done slurping he let out a sigh of refreshment and responded, "Twilight, if you were to go to the Gala what would you do?"

The question caught Twilight off guard. "Huh?" She asked, tilting her head.

"If you went to the Gala, what would you do?" Flash repeated his question.

Twilight thought for a moment before responding. "I guess I'd just talk with Queen Luna and be with her."

Flash shook his head in disappointment. "That has to be the worst idea I've heard yet." Flash said. "You can talk with the Queen anytime you want via letter through Spike. Why waste a ticket to the Gala over something like that?"

"Great Flash." Twilight huffed. "Now you've made things even more difficult by adding an extra variable."

"Well if it helps I could always give away my ticket." Flash offered.

"Stop it! You're not helping!" Twilight shouted, her mind beginning to involuntarily form equations.

"Your sandwich Madame." The waiter said, placing Twilight's plate and sandwich in front of her as well as Spike's smoothie, and a new smoothie for Flash. Twilight licked her lips in anticipation as she levitated the sandwich to her mouth. Just as she was about to take a bite she stopped herself when she realized the waiter was walking away without her paying.

"Um, excuse me sir." Twilight said to the waiter, who turned around. "I forgot to pay you."

"Keep your money Madame. Consider the food and drinks on the house." The waiter said.

"How come?" Flash asked. "What's the occasion?"

"There is no occasion good sir. Consider it thanks for your Pegasus friend in keeping the rain away from the restaurant." The waiter said before entering the restaurant.

Twilight and Flash shared a look before turning up to the sky. The sky had turned from its beautiful blue to a sorrowful grey as dark clouds mashed into one covered the entire town. Except for a large hole that had been punched into the cloud layer above the restaurant. Standing on the edge was the culprit of the hole in the clouds, Rainbow Dash.

"Hi bestest friend in the whole wide world who I've know forever." Rainbow Dash said, with a very large smile.

"Rainbow." Twilight spoke, looking up at the hole in the cloud. "Why is there a hole in the clouds?"

"Well, I know how you said you were hungry and once I saw you were sitting outside I knew you were gonna get soaked. So I decided to put a little hole in the clouds to keep you guys dry." Rainbow Dash explained.

"You wouldn't happen to be doing this so you'll try and persuade me into giving you the ticket." Said Twilight, seeing right through Rainbow and discovering her intentions. "Are you?"

"Pffft, What? No." Rainbow brushed off the accusation. "I do this for all of my good friends."

"You mean the good friends who are trying to find shelter from the rain?" Flash asked, talking about the wet ponies scurrying to their homes and out of the rain.

"Um...yeah." Rainbow said sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head.

Twilight, now very agitated, said to Rainbow, "I'm only gonna say this once, put the clouds back right now."

"But-"

"No buts!" Twilight roared, not giving Rainbow a chance to speak. "I won't let anyone else try and add more variables to the equation. So you put those clouds back right now."

"But then-"

"Do it or I'll make sure you'll never even get a glimpse of this ticket." Twilight threatened.

Rainbow Dash flew off and dragged back a large clump of clouds which she used to fill the hole. Satisfied, Twilight was about to enjoy her meal until it was ruined by the rain as it fell from the clump of clouds.

"Smart Twilight." Flash grumbled, his entire body now completely soaked. "Real smart."

Rarity then appeared and instantly noticed Twilight, "Twilight dear." She gasped, wearing a purple raincoat with the hood over her head and a matching umbrella on her saddle. "You're wet."

"No, really. I hadn't noticed." Twilight grumbled sarcastically before she was pulled away by Rarity.

"You must come with me at once." She stated, galloping off with Twilight in tow.

After Flash had finished drinking the last of his smoothie, he grabbed Spike and took off after Rarity.

Rarity burst through the doors of her Carousel dramatically, lightning flashed behind her with her raincoat floating in the wind. She quickly entered and pulled Twilight in, after Spike and Flash entered they closed the door behind them. Rarity dragged Twilight upstairs and into the bathroom, she locked the door and began working her magic.

First, she dried Twilight's entire body with towels. Then she wetted her mane and styled it, after that she quickly dried it off via blow dryer, and finally she put a beautiful six petal pink flower in her mane. Once she was done, Rarity took Twilight back downstairs where Flash and Spike had already dried off.

"Let me guess." Twilight spoke in a monotone. "The only reason you're doing any of this is so I'll give you the ticket right."

Rarity looked appalled as she gasped. "Twilight, how could you think so little of me? Just because I wanted to help you doesn't mean I'm doing it for the ticket. I'm the Element of Generosity remember, if I stooped so low as to try and persuade you into giving me the ticket then what kind of mare would I be?"

Twilight blinked. "Gosh I...I'm sorry Rarity. After Rainbow Dash tried to get the ticket by clearing a hole in the clouds I just thought...well...never mind, thank you so much for helping me out. Now if you'll excuse me I'm still really hungry." Twilight said making her way towards the door.

"Did somepony say they were 'hungry'?" Applejack bursted through the door and yanked Twilight outside. Where she met the most welcoming sight she ever laid eyes on.

The rain had stopped and Pegasi were clearing away the clouds. One of the Pegasi had removed a piece of Cloud and allowed a ray of sunlight to shine down upon the wooden stand of apple foods, making them shine like holy fruits from heaven itself. The mere sight was enough to break Twilight's frail spirit.

"We got apple-" before Applejack could list off the numerous amounts of apple treats, Twilight threw the extra ticket, which stuck to Applejack's face and said,

"Take it!" She shouted like a crazy pony, grabbing anything she could get her hooves on and hoarding it like a dragon.

Applejack peeled off the ticket and watched in horror as her friend gobbled down food like a machine. The sight disgusted Applejack, then her eyes fell on the ticket. The bright shining golden ticket which would ensure better finance for her family. Then she looked back to her friend, who was still eating. How easily she had given up the ticket over a couple things of food, it just didn't sit right with Applejack. Actually, it didn't sit with her at all.

She gripped the ticket and spoke, "Twi stop." Twilight stopped, with a green apple inches away from her open mouth. "I'm sorry, I didn't think this was gonna happen. Take your ticket back Twi, I don't deserve it."

Twilight ate the apple before taking the ticket back. She let out a sigh of relief, her hunger now satisfied. "Thank you Applejack, that really hit the spot."

"Twi, can you do me a favor?" Applejack asked.

"After what you did for me. Name it." Twilight said.

"I'm gonna round up all our friends and meet ya back at your house. Sound good?" Applejack asked.

"Easy peasy lemon squeezy." Twilight slurred.

As it turned out, there was apple cider at Applejack's stand. Which Twilight drank all at once. No one could ever learn the secret recipe of the Apple family's famous cider. But, thanks to a scientist in Ponyville, two major components were discovered that gave it its rich flavor. Apple's and alcohol.

"And then, he fell down a flight of stairs with the bucket on his head." Twilight burst into a fit of laughter, drunk out of her mind, after telling Flash the story about her babysitter and her brother.

Twilight was incapable of walking home due to her intoxication, so it fell down to Flash to carry her back.

"He looked like a turtle! He squirmed on his back trying to get up like a turtle!" Twilight laughed hysterically on Flash's back.

"Is she always like this when she's drunk?" Flash asked Spike.

"This is the first time she has been." Spike replied.

Flash looked at Spike bewildered before letting out a groan, imaging the bumpy ride he had in store. They approached the Golden Oaks Library and saw that the lights had been turned on from the opened window. Flash had thought maybe they had left the lights on when they had left. That thought, along with the majority that is used for brain function, was thrown out upon entering the tree.

Critters of all kind were working on dusting and cleaning the bookshelves and books themselves. They were doing it much like an organized machine. The birds would pick up the books and fly them over to the beavers who would then use their tails to beat away the dust, then it would be flown to the squirrels who would clean and dust off the pages, after that it would be given back to the birds who took them back to their shelves. Raccoons where picking away dirt and cobwebs in the hidden cracks, and the bunnies were using their bushy tails as dusting swabs.

But what had caused Flash to come to a dead stop, his brain fried, and his jaw unhinged was Fluttershy.

Wearing a maid outfit.

Proped up against a short stool was Fluttershy, wearing a French maid outfit with leggings. Her propped pose left her rear visible underneath her black skirt as she dusted a row of books with a duster in her mouth. While all of this was happening, Angel bunny was laughing and pointing at her. Twilight rolled off of Flash's back and made a loud thump, catching Fluttershy's attention. Her head swung around and a slight blush swept across her cheeks when she saw an opened mouthed Flash.

"Welcome back." She said meekly. "I hope you don't mind...the animals and I thought about helping you guys out with spring cleaning."

Flash, who was still trying to desperately understand the situation, remained mute and unmoving. Twilight stood up and slurred,

"So...you think you can just waltz on in here, wearing that, and think I'm gonna give you the ticket?" Twilight asked approaching Fluttershy, swaying with each step.

"Well...it wasn't my idea." Fluttershy protested. "Angel said it might help."

"Well guess what missy?!" Twilight shouted throwing her hooves into the air. "I quit!"

Fluttershy blinked twice. "You...quit?" She asked.

"That's right, I quit!" Twilight shouted, using her magic to summon forth a piece of paper and a ready to write quill. "Spike, take a letter." She said, shoving the paper, quill, and tickets at Spike.

"Dear Queen Luna, it's me, Twilight Sparkle. I just wanted to say that these tickets of yours were the most absolute worst thing you could've given me. So you know what, take your tickets back and shove them back from what ever butt you pulled them from! Because I don't want them, and I'd rather let nopony go if none of my friends get to! Sincerely, your Apprentice, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight spoke as Spike wrote down everything she said. "You get all that?" She asked.

"Um..." Spike clawed his head, re-reading what he had wrote. "Are you sure you want to do this? I mean what if-"

"Send the bucking letter before I shove it down your throat!" Twilight roared.

Spike rolled up the letter and burned it, upon which it turned into a green smoke and faded from the room.

The green mist traveled at sound breaking speed towards Canterlot. Where the smoke was then sent to the mail room. The room was filled with letters and paper and ink and quills all together in one place. In the crowded room sat a unicorn Stallion with a pale yellow coat of fur, grey mane and mustache, blue eyes, and wore a red sweater vest. The green smoke appeared in front of him and turned into the letter from Twilight. The Stallion picked up the letter and read it.

Once he was finished, he leaned back and bursted out laughing. But his laughing ceased when the four tickets dropped out. He quickly brought to him a piece of paper and a wet quill with his magic. With the two now in his magic he wrote,

My dear Apprentice. You're clearly drunk or on some king of drug. The way your letter is written makes it painfully obvious. But I shall forgive you, this isn't the first time I've received a drunken letter. I understand your problem and have an easy and simple solution, it was foolish of me to send four tickets when I should've sent eight, one for you and your friends. I have corrected this and sent you eight tickets this time, however the dress code remains. I await your arrival my faithful Apprentice.

Your Queen, Luna.

With that, the Stallion put four extra tickets into the letter, rolled it up, and roasted it over a candle with a green flame. The letter became smoke and lifted the room. As it did, the Stallion thought to himself,

'I guess it was unavoidable. We had hoped to not drag anyone else into this but there's no going back now. What's done is done, and our goal is almost complete.' The Stallion though looking at a sun shaped symbol on his hoof. "We have hid in the shadows for to long. Soon the world will see the light." The Stallion said inside his head before returning to his work.

Author's Note

I'm afraid I have some bad news. Finals for my school are coming up and I have been nonstop studying for them. Because of this there might not be a new chapter this week or the next. Sorry, :ajsleepy:.

Luckily though, I was able to get this one done just in time. So that's something I guess.

Also, this is the picture that inspired me to dress Fluttershy up as a French maid.

That's all for now, I'll get back to you all when finals are over.