Nightmares and Harmony

Pinkiamenia Dawn Pie was a name known by many ponies. Unfortunately, it wasn't just because she was the personal student of Princess Celestia. Many ponies knew this pink ball of energy because of her extravaganzas. These were over-the-top parties full of everything one could imagine. Yes, even including the kitchen sink. These so-called-parties were so full of extreme games, decorations, and food that ponies who have attended such a party would label it a disaster.

Princess Celestia had taken on this filly as a protégé because her magic was impressive, but rumor had it the true reason behind this decision was to mitigate disater. Supposedly, Pinkie's magic was even more hazardous than the mare herself. The princess had recently cut back on Pinkie's party privileges, a decision with which the many nobles of Canterlot were undoubtedly pleased. Now a full-grown mare, Pinkie prefers to goes by her middle name, Dawn, because it seems more fit for a unicorn of her caliber. (And it definitely had nothing to do with Prince Flash Sentry at all.). Nowadays, she spends her time learning spells and simply planning extravaganzas.

On the day before the Summer Sun Celebration, Dawn searched her library for anything on "essential party elements." Even though Princess Celestia had given her this room and filled it with books several years ago, this was probably only the fifth or sixth times she actually used it. Books had never really been her thing, as she preferred to learn from experience. However, books were currently her only research material as the princess had denied her request to host a party once again. Dawn was sure that once she had planned the perfect party, Princess Celestia would let her throw it. After all, why else would the princess have gifted Dawn a book about party planning? If only this first chapter had explained exactly what the 6 essential party elements were. It would have made this search 1,000 times easier.
she was researching essential party elements with her assistant dragon, Gummy, when he came across a book titled, "Elements of Harmony."

"Hey Dawn!" Gummy, Dawn's assistant dragon, called across the room. He was standing on one of the shelves about 12 hooves high, waving a gold-trimmed leather book titled 'Elements of Harmony.' "This one looks interesting."

Dawn grabbed the book with her telekinesis and brought it over to a stand to read. Gummy climbed down from the shelves and made his way over to her. Glancing at the cover, Dawn commented, "Elements of Harmony....hmm, maybe it has something to do with singing? That would be a GREAT addition to our summer celebration."

"I didn't know Princess Celestia put you in charge of the Summer Sun Celebration." Gummy remarked as he watched Dawn flip through the book.

"She didn't. At least not yet." Dawn turned to look at her assistant. "But one of these days, she might give me the privilege and I'll be ready!" Dawn turned back to the book, which had landed on a page titled: 'Mare in the Moon.' This chapter probably contained some songs for Nightmare Night. Not one to pass up an opportunity to plan any kind of party, Dawn decided to read through the chapter. As she flipped the page to continue reading, dust floated in the air, causing Dawn to sneeze. Hopefully, the information she gained would be worth going through these dusty books.

Unfortunately, Elements of Harmony wasn't a book about singing, rather it appeared to be some kind of history book.
Normally Dawn would immediately throw this book on the floor for Gummy to put away, but something about what it contained made her keep reading. Her hooves tapped rhythmically on the ground, a side effect of her anxiousness. Deciding to start again from the top, Dawn flipped back to the first page and began reading aloud. "The Mare in the Moon, myth from olden pony times. A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria, defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal!" What had started as simple hoof-tapping grew into a dance. The party pony was both nervous and excited. She was nervouscited! "Oh foal, I got to tell the princess right away! Gummy! Where's the paper?"

"Wait? Right now?" Gummy questioned, "Maybe you should wait, the Princess is kind of working on the Summer Sun Celebration right now. Maybe you could tell her in a week?"

"That's just it, Gum! The thousandth year of the longest day is the Summer Sun Celebration! There's not a moment to spare."

"Okaaaay. Whatever. I'll write, you talk."

"My Dearest Teacher," Dawn started, "I write to inform you that we are on the precipice of disaster!"

"Prec-Precip....uh?" Gummy interrupted her, utterly confused.

"....Huh. I don't know." Dawn paused. Suprisingly, she didn't remember learning that word. Let alone how to spell it. "That word came out of nowhere. Brink. B-r-i-n-k. Brink. Use that instead."

Gummy nodded, scratching out the other word and inserting the new one.

Dawn continued. "For you see, while I was researching essential party elements, I discovered that the mythical Mare in the Moon is, in fact, Nightmare Moon. She's about to return to Equestria, and bring eternal night! Something must be done to make sure this awful prophecy does not come true. I await your quick response. Your faithful student, Pinkiamenia Dawn Pie."

"...P-i-e. Pie." Gummy muttered. "All finished."

"Send it to the princess."

"Are you sure?"

"Gu---ummy. We already went over this."

"Fine." Gummy tossed the letter into the air and exhaled, shooting small green flames around the paper. Both flame and paper disappeared, only to reappear mere hooves from the Princess's face. It was the only bit of magic Gummy could do, as he was still technically a baby dragon. The pair had discovered this useful fact many years ago when Dawn was still a filly. She often used this to her advantage, playing a few pranks here and there. No matter what situation she was in at the moment, Princess Celestia would receive the letter mere seconds after it was sent. That led to some rather unpleasant situations for the monarch, and some rather long lectures for the student. Gummy prayed that she was alone in her room this time.

"There, you happy?" Gummy stated more than asked, rolling his eyes in the process.

"Very." Dawn replied, ignorant of Gummy's sarcastic tone. "I know the princess will want to take immediate action."

Seconds later, Gummy burped.

"See! I told you she'd want to do something about this." Dawn exclaimed, stomping her hoof for emphasis. This somehow triggered her magic, as Dawn soon began floating through the air haphazardly. "Whoo-hoo!" Dawn pumped her front hooves in the air, enjoying the random magic. "Hey Gummy, would you read it to me?"

Reluctantly the dragon unrolled the scroll to read. You know, sometimes he wished he had been hatched by that older mare, Cadenza. At least she was level-headed...and grounded. Clearing his throat, Gummy began to read. "Dear Dawn, You know that I admire your dedication to planning, and that I value your magical discoveries,"

Dawn cheered.

"-But when did you start reading dusty old books?"

Dawn crashed into a nearby bookshelf. She was on the ground in seconds, covered by a mountain of the aforementioned 'dusty old books'.

"What?" She gaped, completely taken aback. "I thought she'd be proud I read a book that wasn't about parties or planning or party planning."