The Element of Empathy

Eleanor's POV.
*Sigh* Another day, another study. Oh! Hello, viewers. Long time, no see. Have to say, it's been years. So, I'll take this time to catch you up on what's happened to my study of magic and humility among the Ponies.

Well... same time after what happened with Sunset Shimmer, Princess Celestia gained a new student. Her name is Twilight Sparkle. Her color scheme is a dead giveaway to her name. I became her study partner.

Surprisingly, Twilight is not like Sunset Shimmer.

We don't study at the castle, we study in the castle library. Assisting our studies, Twilight used her magic to hatch a dragon's egg, to become Celestia's student. Once the dragon was old enough, he became our assistant.

Twilight called him Spike, because it sounded cute.

Since it's been quite a while since we've spoken to each other, dear viewers, I should tell you what's changed about me.

Well, my ravenette hair has gotten longer, to my lower back, so I've tied it into a singular braid. I've gotten a bit taller as the years passed. I'm now about 5 foot 10 inches tall.

Since Twilight's older brother and I share similar height, we shared the same wardrobe. He had some female clothes that fit me.

Today, I am wearing a dark green t-shirt under a midnight black sweater. A dark purple beanie over my head, a pair of dark green pants and black boots. I've kept the black and green fingerless gloves Sunset Shimmer gave me, as a memento of my first friend.

On the left side of my sweater, there's a patch of purple, apple seed-shaped wisps. My very own Cutie Mark. I'm not sure what it means yet, but it looks really cool.

I'm wearing a new pair of glasses now. My old glasses couldn't fit me anymore. My new glasses are a bit slimmer and do fit.

The only things that I'm wearing that's still the same are my black choker with a ruby pendant.

Anywho, Spike and I were about to get ready to leave the library, to attend Moondancer's birthday party.

Spike was about a 4 foot tall baby dragon, with purple scales with a green underbelly, ears, spines and eyes. He wore a dark green tank top under a buttoned collar shirt, that was a little darker purple than his scales, and blue shorts.

We finished wrapping our gifts for Moondancer and made our way to the door.

However, the door flung open and threw Spike into me, "Ow..."

The pony that opened the door revealed to be Twilight Sparkle herself.

Twilight was a unicorn mare of 5 foot 5 inches tall. Her mane was well-combed and a sapphire blue with pink and purple streaks. Her coat was a light mulberry purple with gradient indigo forearms and socks. Violet eyes, dark purple hooves and leonine tail with her tuff matching her mane.

https://hioshirunsfw.tumblr.com/post/172693959043/decided-to-make-my-redesigns-of-twilight-maybe
(Ignore the wings and feathers.)

She wore a white collared shirt under a light purple sweater-vest with her Cutie Mark Patch of a pink star and six smaller white stars near the right seam. Dark blue khaki pants and tie.

"Spike! SPII-IIKE!" Twilight called, then she looked down at the floor, "Spike?"

Spike sat up and recovered from the impact, as I rubbed my head.

Twilight smiled, "There you are." She ran past us and started searching through the book, "Quick! Find me that old copy of Predictions and Prophecies." She looked at Spike and asked, "What’s that for?"

Spike looked at his tail and noticed it impaled his gift for Moondancer. He removed it from his tail and answered, "Well, it was a gift for Moondancer, but…"

An impaled teddy bear fell out of the wrapping and dropped to the floor with a squeak. I checked my present and noticed it was crushed by my big fat butt. Aw, man!

Actually, my butt is not big and fat. It's actually small due to me being tall and slender. So, technically, I don't have a butt.

Twilight sighed and resumed searching through her book, "Oh, Spike. You know we don’t have time for that sort of thing."

"But we’re on a break!" I argued, getting back on my feet.

Twilight ignored me and used her magic to grab some book from the top of the bookshelf nearest to her. She searched the books, "No…no…no…no, no, no!" She groaned in frustration and shouted, "SPIKE!!"

"It’s over here!" Spike answered from another high self.

Twilight used her magic to grab the book. But Spike still had hold of it. Spike fell off his ladder and flew toward Twilight.

Twilight looked at the book and smiled, "Ah!" She dropped the other books and walked toward the nearest the podium. I helped Spike back to his feet and we started picking the books Twilight dropped.

"Elements. Elements. E, E, E…" Twilight muttered, then read in a clear voice, "Aha! 'Elements of Harmony'. See 'Mare in the Moon'?"

I raised a brow as Spike spoke up from on top of a ladder, "'Mare in the Moon'? But that’s just an old ponies tale."

"Mare. Mare…" Twilight muttered, as she flipped through the pages, "Aha! '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'."

I closed my eyes and heard an evil laugh echoed through my head. In my black vision, all I could see was a pair of menacing, yet very sad turquoise eyes. Why?

Twilight gasped and asked, "Spike. Ellie, do you know what this means?"

I opened my eyes and quickly nodded my head. I never wanted to know, but I truly do.

"No." Spike answered.

However, he lost his balance and fell off the ladder. I caught Spike in my arms, before he hit the ground.

"Take a note, please." Twilight instructed, handing Spike a parchment and quill, "To the Princess."

Spike smiled and jumped out my arms, "Okie-dokie."

Spike started writing, as Twilight paced and spoke, "'My dearest teacher, My continuing studies of pony magic have led me to discover that we are on the precipice of disaster'..."

"Hold on." Spike spoke up, "Preci… Preci…"

He gives Twilight a lost look. Being a baby dragon, he doesn't understand large words.

"Threshold." Twilight simplified.

Spike tried again, "Thre…" But to no avail.

Twilight raised a brow, "Uh…brink?"

Spike gave her a look. She groaned in frustration.

"Why not just say, 'We're on the edge of disaster'?" I suggested.

Twilight and Spike looked at me. Spike wrote down my suggestion and nodded for Twilight to continue.

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

"'Twi-light… Spar-kle.'" Spike finished and answered, "Got it!"

Twilight nodded and smiled, "Great! Send it."

"Now?" Spike and I asked.

Twilight nodded, "Of course!"

"Uh…I don’t know, Twilight. Princess Celestia’s a little busy getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration, and it’s, like, the day after tomorrow." Spike shrugged his shoulders.

"That’s just it, Spike." Twilight replied, "The day after tomorrow is the thousandth year of the Summer Sun Celebration. It’s imperative that the Princess is told right away!"

"Impera…Impera…" Spike tried to write, but, again, didn't quite know how to spell the word.

"Important!" Twilight shouted.

The volume and force of the word threw Spike toward me and we rolled into the nearest bookshelf, "Ow..."

"Okay, okay!" Spike replied, getting back to his feet.

He took a deep breath, rolled up the parchment into a scroll and burned it with his green, magical fire breath. The cinders flew out of the window and toward the castle, "There! It’s on its way."

"But I wouldn’t hold your breath, Twi." I warned.

Twilight smugly smiled at me, "Oh, I’m not worried, Ellie. The Princess trusts me completely. In all the years she’s been my mentor, she’s never once doubted me."

I folded my arms and looked away in thought. Spike let out a burp and his fire breath morphed into a rolled up scroll.

Twilight smirked, "I knew she would want to take immediate action."

Spike opened the scroll, cleared his throat and read, "'My dearest, most faithful student Twilight, you know that I value your diligence, and that I trust you completely'."

Twilight looked out the window and smiled.

"In 3... 2... 1..." I counted down.

"'But you simply must stop reading those dusty old books'!" Spike finished.

Twilight gasped, as I smiled, "There it is."

"'I have given you an assignment for you outside of Canterlot'." Spike continued reading, "'Spike and Eleanor will accompany you. You leave as soon as possible'."

Twilight sighed.

*Later, Flying over the Plains...*
"'My dear Twilight, there is more to a young pony’s life than studying. So I’m sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year’s location, Ponyville'." Spike continued reading, as we were riding a chariot, drawn by non-morphic pegasi, to our next destination.

I couldn't believe I'm coming back to Ponyville. I've been in touch with my family, thanks to Princess Celestia's promise and Sam and I have been keeping in touch by writing letters to each other via a certain delivery mare named Ditzy Doo.

Sam explained to me that Ponyville is not as old as Canterlot or the Everfree Forest, but it's a heck of a town. Pegasi, Unicorns and Earth Ponies working together and living together as very close friends can get. It's the same town that my family live and work.

"'And I have an even more essential task for you to complete; Make some friends'." Spike finished reading Celestia's letter.

Twilight just sulked and sighed softly.

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

Twilight suddenly raised her head, "Yes. Yes, it does. You know why? Because I’m right. I’ll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library to find some proof of Nightmare Moon’s return."

"What about making friends, like the Princess said?" I asked in a concerned tone.

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

The carriage landed and the Pegasi whinnied, indicating we have reached our destination. Twilight, Spike and I exit the carriage. I gave the Pegasi a carrot each, and they returned to Canterlot.

"Maybe the Ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about!" Spike spoke up, as an earth pony mare skipped toward us.

The mare stopped in front of us and smiled. She was 5 foot 3 inches tall. Her fur was a light pink color with dark pink eye shadow and lighter pink neck markings. Her forearms and socks start a darker pink and turn white with light blue nails and hooves. Her mane and tail were a darker shade of pink, with a yellow streak, and were poofy and wild. Her eyes were a light shade of blue.

Like she was made of cotton candy. Or gumballs.

https://hioshirunsfw.tumblr.com/post/172718636273/and-the-last-one-of-main6-sugar-pinks-i-hope

She wore a white t-shirt with light blue sleeves and trimmings, under a pair of dark pink overalls with rolled-up legs. Upon the left side of the hip on her overalls, was a patch of three party balloons. Two blue and one yellow.

"Come on, Twilight. Just try." Spike encouraged Twilight.

Twilight looked at the mare and waved her hand in uncertainty, "Uh…hello?"

The mare jumped into the air with a long gasp of surprise. Then she zoomed off somewhere. That was one odd Pony.

Once calmed, Twilight noted, "Well, that was interesting, all right."

With that, she walked off. Spike and I sighed and followed after her. This is not gonna end well at all.

*Sweet Apple Acres...*
Twilight Sparkle's POV.
"'Summer Sun Celebration Official Overseer's Checklist. Number one, banquet preparations, Sweet Apple Acres.'" Spike read the Checklist, as we entered a large farm, full of apple trees.

"Yee-Haw!!!" A pony shouted, startling Spike, Eleanor and I.

We turned and saw an orange earth pony mare run and kicked an apple tree, with buckets around it. The apples fell in all of the baskets.

Not one missed.

The pony folded her arms and crossed her hooves proudly. She was 6 foot tall. Her mane and tail were blonde and her eyes were green. Her mane and tail were in a low ponytail. Near white socks, forearms, freckles under her eyes and on her shoulders, blaze and underbelly, with dark brown hooves and nails.

This pony has human traits in her ancestry.

https://hioshirunsfw.tumblr.com/post/172718247148/aj

She wore a cowgirl, setson hat, a light green tank top under a denim vest-coat, and a pair of matching shorts with a brown belt. Upon her vest-coat was a Cutie Mark Patch of three red gala apples in a triangular formation.

I sighed, "Let's get this over with." I walked to the pony with a smile, "Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle."

The mare grabbed my hand and shook it violently, "Well, Howdy-doo, Miss Twilight. A pleasure makin' your acquaintance. Ah'm Applejack. We, here, at Sweet Apple Acres, sure do like makin' new friends." She introduced herself in a very strong Southern accent.

"Frie-e-e-ends? Actua-a-ally-y-y-y, I..." I tried to explain, but she let go of my hand.

"So, what can Ah do yah for?" Applejack asked me with a kind smile.

I was still shaking my hand, so I couldn't speak. Eleanor grabbed my hand and stopped it from shaking. Spike supressed a laugh.

"Well, I am, in fact, here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you are in charge of the food?" I explained and asked her.

Applejack smiled, "We sure as sugar are. Would yah care to sample some?" She replied, then asked me.

"Well, as long as it doesn't take too long." I answered with an raised eyebrow.

Applejack rang a loud triangle bell, then shouted, "Soup's on, everypony!!"

On cue, a large group of ponies charged toward us and carried us to a round table. Applejack appeared beside us.

"Now, why don't Ah introduce y'all to the Apple Family." She said, with a smile.

"Thanks, but we really need to hurry." I tried to explain, but a pony with a plate of apple fritters stopped me.

"This is Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious. Gold Delicious. Caramel Apple. Apple Strudel. Apple Tart. Baked Apples. Apple Brioche. Apple Cinnamon Crisp..." Applejack introduced the ponies, as each gave us their specialty. Leaving us with a large pile a apple related treats.

She took a deep breathe, before she carried on, "Samantha, Big McIntosh, Limelight Suki Ginger, Apple Bloom, Stephen and... Granny Smith." She finished, before putting an apple in my mouth.

Samantha was a young human female. She was a teenager, around a year younger than Ellie. Shoulder-length blonde hair. Light blue eyes and lightly-tanned skin.

She wore a white collared shirt with light blue pants and darker blue sneakers. She reeked of baking and sugar. She must work as a baker somewhere.

Big McIntosh was a large stallion of 6 foot 7 inches tall. His fur coat was a brick red color. Mane and tail were a ginger orange color in neat combed style. Green eyes. His mane reached to his shoulders. His forearms, blaze and socks were a lighter red color. Dark beige hooves with well-kept fetlocks.

He wore a red collared shirt, with pockets over his pectoral muscles, and a pair of denim jeans. On the left pocket of his shirt was a patch of a shining green apple.

Limelight Suki Ginger was a female adult human. Quite a pony name for a human, but I'm not complaining. Her skin was lightly tanned with freckles on her shoulders. Blonde hair just past her shoulders. Light green eyes.

She wore a light green t-shirt under a denim vest coat. Brown khaki pants and working boots. She was covered in dirt and dust, which indicated she has been working on the field.

Apple Bloom was a young, yellow filly, of 4 foot 8 inches, with a pink bow in her red mane. She wore a pale yellow t-shirt and a pair of denim overalls. She had no Cutie Mark yet.

Stephen was a large human male at 6 foot 3 inches tall. Only four inches shorter than Big McIntosh. His skin was light and his head was shaved bald. But, his eyes were a light green, which indicated he was a ginger, like Big McIntosh.

He wore a red shirt with blue jeans and dark work boots. He too was covered in dirt and dust. And his hand showed hard worked in cracks. He must've been helping Limelight out.

And Granny Smith was a female was an elder mare. She stood at least 5 foot 6 inches tall. 5 foot 9 if she stood upright. Her fur coat was a pale green. Her mane and tail were white, due to age, and tied in a bun. Golden eyes of wisdom and life-long lessons. Her forearms, blaze and socks faded to a near white color. Her nails and hooves were a light brown.

She wore an old-fashioned dress with a white apron and a plaid shawl over her shoulders. On her apron was a large patch of an apple pie.

"Up'n'attem, Granny Smith. We got guests." Applejack woke the elder pony.

"Wha..? Soup's on? Ah'm up. Here Ah come, Ah'm coming." She woke up and walked over to us.

Applejack put her hoof over my shoulder, "Why, Ah'd say they're already part of the family."

Limelight looked at Ellie and smiled, "Oh my gosh! Ellie!" She threw her arms around my study partner, "My goodness! How much you've grown. We missed you so much."

Ellie hugged Limelight back, "It's good to see you guys too, Mum."

I spat the apple out, and gave them a nervous smile, "Okay. Well, I can see that the food situation is handled. So, we'll be on our way."

"Aren't yah gonna stay for brunch?" Little Applebloom asked in the same Southern accent, giving us a sad look.

"Sorry, but we'd an awful lot to do." I told her as gently as I can. Everypony sighed in sadness. I looked around, trying to find a way out of this, but I gave up, "Fine."

Everypony cheered.

*Later, in Ponyville...*
"Food is taken care of. Next is the weather." Spike informed me.

"Ugh, I ate too much pie." I moaned over my full stomach of apple pies and cakes.

I'd admit, the food was good, but very filling on the first two servings. Spike and Ellie didn't look as bad as I did. Spike only ate some apple fritters, while Ellie ate two apple straddles and an apple cinnamon crisp. We had to leave early.

"Hmm... There's supposed to be a Pegasus Pony, named Rainbow Dash, clearing the clouds." Spike told us.

We looked up and the clouds were still around.

"Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she?" I asked.

The next thing I knew, Ellie pushed me aside, as something flew into her. The collision caused her to fall into the mud puddle with a Pony. Both human and Pony were covered in mud.

The Pony was a light cyan pegasus mare, with spiky rainbow mane and tail. Her feathers were rainbow-themed as well. Her eyes were a rose pink.

https://hioshirunsfw.tumblr.com/post/172717804468/dashie
I'm guessing she was Rainbow Dash.

She was 5 foot 3 inches tall, like the pink pony, and wore a black tank top under a blue and white sports jacket and darker blue yoga pants. Her Cutie Match patch was a cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt on her left legging.

The pegasus mare got up and looked at Ellie, she giggled, "Um... 'scuse me?"

Ellie got back up on her feet, but didn't look amused. Rainbow giggled again, "Here, let me help you."

She flew off and returned with a small raincloud. She jumped on top of it a few times, making the cloud rain on top of the human. Rainbow looked at her result. Ellie was soaked, skin, clothes and hair. Her expression didn't change, but I bet she felt slightly embarrassed.

"Oops. I guess I overdid it." The mare said, trying not to laugh. Then she suggested, "Umm... How about this?" She flew around my soaked study partner in great speed, creating a small tornado, "My very own, patterned, Rain-Blow Dry. No, no. Don't thank me. You're quite welcome." Rainbow said, as she landed and looked at the results.

Ellie's mane was in a large mess. She looked similar to a sad clown. Rainbow Dash burst into laughter, as Spike followed her, when he saw her 'new look'. I kept my composure.

"Let me guess. You're Rainbow Dash." I concluded, getting Rainbow Dash's attention.

She stopped laughing and stood up, "The one and only." She took off into the air and looked at me, "Why? You heard of me?"

"I heard you're supposed to be keeping the sky clear." I snapped, but I calmed down and smiled, "I'm Twilight Sparkle. And the Princess sent me to check on the weather."

"Yeah, yeah. That'll be a snap. I'll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I'm done practicing." Rainbow Dash told me, lounging on a cloud.

"Practicing for what?" I asked.

"The Wonderbolts! They're gonna perform at the Celebration tomorrow. And I'm gonna show them my stuff." Rainbow explained, flying to another cloud.

I smirked, "THE Wonderbolts?"

"Yup." Dash answered.

"The most talented fliers in all of Equestria?" I asked.

"That's them." Rainbow answered again.

"Please. They'd never accept a Pegasus, who can't keep the sky clear for one measly day." Ellie teased with a smile.

"Hey! I can clear the sky in ten seconds flat!" Rainbow defended.

"Prove it." Ellie dared.

Rainbow Dash gave her a look, and began flying around, kicking out every cloud in the sky. She flew very fast, that the wind picked up whenever she fly past us.

"Loop-de-loop around and wham!" She muttered, as she hit the last cloud. "What did I say? Ten seconds flat. I'd never leave Ponyville hanging." Dash gloated with a smile.

Spike and I had our mouths open from shock, while Ellie smiled and clapped her hands.

"You should see the look on your face." Rainbow Dash laughed, as she flew by behind me, "You're a laugh, Twilight Sparkle. I can't wait to hang out some more." With that, she flew away.

"Wow. She's amazing." Spike was able to say with a smile.

I gave him a blank look, as he began playing with the Ellie's messy hair, trying not to laugh.

I looked at Ellie with a genuine smile, "Thanks, for pushing me out of the way."

"It's no problem, Twi." Ellie replied, smiling back at me, then walking to the Town Hall.

I followed Ellie to the Town Hall. "Wait. It's kinda pretty once you get used to it." Spike lightened as he followed us.

As we entered the hall, Spike got the checklist out, "Decorations. Beautiful..." Spike said the last part love-struck. There were banners of ponies, the sun and the moon, colorful streamers and all sorts. It was very beautiful.

"Yes. The decor is coming in nicely. This oughta be quick. I'll be at the Library in no time. Beautiful indeed." I said, as we looked around the hall.

"I agree." Ellie said, with a small smile.

"Not the decor. Her." Spike replied, pointing to a unicorn mare.

She was 5 foot 7 inches tall with an elegant build. Her fur coat was a very pale grey, nearly white. And her mane and tail were purple-blue, wonderfully combed with a natural curl. She wore light blue eyeshadow over her darker blue eyes.

https://hioshirunsfw.tumblr.com/post/172694727108/another-one-it-was-hard-to-work-with-rara-cause

She wore a dark grey turtleneck and a pair of moderate grey pants. Her Cutie Mark patch was three diamonds located on her right hip.

The Unicorn mare was using her magic to pick out a colored ribbon, "No. No. No. Oh goodness no."

"How are my spines? Are they straight?" Spike asked, checking himself. I rolled my eyes, and walked to the unicorn.

"Good afternoon." I greeted her.

"Just a moment, please. I am in the zone, as it were." The unicorn told me, as she continued to looked at the colored ribbons. She smiled, and tied a red sparkly ribbon in a bow, around the pillar in front of her, "Ah, yes. Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Rarity, you are a talent."

She looked at me, "Now, um, how can we help yo-" She gasped in shock as she saw Ellie's messy hair, "Oh my stars, darling. Whatever happened to your coiffure?"

I looked at Eleanor with slight concern, "Oh, you mean her mane? It's a long story. We're just here to check on the decorations, and we'll be out of your hair." I reassured Rarity.

"Out of MY hair? What about HER hair?" Rarity asked, as she jumped behind me and started pushing Ellie to Carasol Boutique.

Spike and I followed, of course Spike used his tail to fly.

Silly love-struck dragon.

*A Little Later...*
Rarity sorted Ellie's hair. Then got her trying her new outfits for humans, as she judged them on her, "No, no, uh-uh. Too green. Too yellow. Too poofy. Not poofy enough. Too frilly. Too... shiny."

We stopped at a dress that made her look similar to a princess.

"Now go on, my dear. You were telling me where you're from." Rarity encouraged, as she tightened the corset of the last outfit.

Ellie struggled to breath as she spoke, "We've... been sent from... Canterlot... to-" Rarity stopped pulling with a gasp, causing Ellie to fall forward and bump into me, "Ow..."

"Canterlot? Oh, I am so envious! The glamor, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all about it!" Rarity smiled with glee and stars in her eyes. She got a little too close to me and Ellie, as she continued, "We are gonna be the best of friends, you and I..."

Then she looked at the emerald on the chest of Ellie's corset, "Emeralds?! What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!" And she walked off.

I quickly took hold of Ellie's hand, "Quick! Before she decides to dye your hair a new color!" I told her and Spike, dashing out of the boutique.

Spike sighed, as I picked him up and placed him over my shoulders.

*Outside Ponyville...*
"Wasn't she wonderful?" Spike asked, still love-struck and thinking about Rarity.

"It was very generous of her to fix my hair." Ellie smiled. She was back in her casual outfit.

"Focus, Casanova. What's next on the list?" I told and asked Spike.

Spike cleared his throat and looked at the Checklist, "Oh, uh, music. It's the last one."

I smiled, then we heard a group of birds singing. Spike, Ellie and I went to investigate and saw a yellow pegasus mare. Her back was facing us, so we couldn't see her face.

She was 5 foot 2 inches tall with a delicate feel to her build, from what we can see. Her mane, feathers and tail were pink.

She wore a light green sundress and matching fingerless gloves. Her Cutie Mark Patch was three pink butterflies on a light blue sash around her waist. So graceful and gentle.

The pegasus was conducting music with a bunch of birds. A blue jay was a little out of rhythm, so the Pegasus kindly told him.

"Hello." I greeted, accidently startling the pegasus, and scaring the birds away.

The pegasus looked at me and Eleanor. Her eyes were a light blue and were hooded, to add to her delicate figure.

https://hioshirunsfw.tumblr.com/post/172717203633/cute-and-petite-fluttershy

"Oh, I'm very sorry for my friend, here. We didn't mean to startle you." Eleanor apologised, "We're just here to check on the music, and it's sounding beautiful."

The pegasus landed, scuffed her hoof, and avoided eye-contact, not saying a word.

I gave her a nervous smile, "I'm Twilight Sparkle."

The pegasus still said nothing.

"My name is Eleanor." Ellie introduced herself in a gentle tone.

"What's your name?" I asked.

The pegasus spoke in a soft, and very quiet voice, so I couldn't hear her.

Eleanor nodded with a smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I'm sorry. What was that?" I asked her, getting closer, so I could her hear her.

She spoke again, but more quietly and backed away a little.

"Didn't quite catch that." I told her.

The pegasus backed away again, and squeaked. The birds came back.

"Well, um, it looks like your birds are back. So, I guess everything's in order. Keep up the good work." I encouraged the pegasus.

She squeaked in reply.

"Okay." I told her, walking off.

Spike walked out of the bushes with a smile.

"Well, that was easy." I told him with a smile of my own.

I heard a gasp from behind me, "A baby dragon."

The pegasus charged from behind me and stopped in front of Spike, making me and Ellie fly a few feet away from them, "Ow..."

"Oh. I've never seen a baby dragon before. He's so cute." The pegasus said, staring at Spike with a sweet smile.

"Well, well, well...!" Spike said with a cheeky smile, and crossed his arms.

"Oh my, he talks. I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful, I just don't know what to say." The pegasus said cheerfully, hovering during the last part.

Eleanor recovered and smiled, "Heh. I didn't know you had a thing for animals."

The pegasus smiled back at her, "Oh, yes. I love all animals. Big and small."

I grabbed Spike's hand, "Well, in that case, we'd better be going."

I began walking off, as Ellie followed me, by my side.

But the pegasus followed to talk to Spike, "Wait, wait. What's his name?"

"I'm Spike." Spike introduced himself.

"Hi, Spike. I'm Fluttershy. Wow, a talking dragon. And what do dragons talk about?" The pegasus, Fluttershy, introduced and asked Spike.

"What do you wanna know?" Spike asked.

"Absolutely everything." Fluttershy answered with a smile. I groaned in frustration and annoyance.

"Well, I started out as cute little purple and green egg..." Spike began telling his story to Fluttershy.

*Later, Outside the Library...*
"...And that's the story of my whole entire life. Well, up until today." Spike finished his story, then asked Fluttershy, who followed us all the way, "Do you wanna hear about today?"

"Oh, yes please." Fluttershy insisted. I quickly turned to face Fluttershy and faked a smile.

"I am so sorry. How did we get here so fast? This is where I'm staying while in Ponyville. And my poor baby dragon needs his sleep." I lied to Fluttershy.

"No I don't." Spike shot back, but I tripped him over with my tail, making it look like he fell.

"Awww... wook at dat. He's so sweepy, he can't even keep his widdle bawance." I said in a baby tone. Spike and Ellie gave me a glare.

Fluttershy picked Spike up, "Poor thing. You simply must get into bed." She flew into the library, but I stopped her and pushed her out.

"Yes, yes, we'll get right on that. Well g'night." I told Fluttershy, as Ellie walked into the library.

I slammed the door closed and locked. It was very dark in the library.

"Rude much?" Ellie asked me with folded arms.

"Sorry, guys. But I have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming, and we're running out of time! I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time." I explained.

I realized how dark it was and began looking around, "Now, where's the light?"

The light was switched on, and everypony was in the library yelling, "Surprise!!!"

I groaned in annoyance.

"Surprise!" The pink mare from before shouted with a large smile on her face.

"Hi. I'm Pinkie Pie. And we threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh?" The pink mare introduced, then asked me, jumping all over the place.

"Very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quiet!" I told her, saying the last part in extreme annoyance.

"Well, that's silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring!" The pony, Pinkie Pie started chatting, as I went off to get a quick drink. "Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all "hello" and I was all... " Pinkie Pie took a deep gasp, then continued, "Remember? Y'see I've never saw you before and if I've never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!"

I groaned a little. I stopped at the drink table, and started pouring some juice, from the red bottle, into a cup. I think Eleanor was about to try and say something, because I heard her draw a blank.

Pinkie Pie continued with her story, "And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, then I had an idea, and that's why I went ...!" Pinkie Pie took a deep gasp again, "I must throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!"

Suddenly, my throat and tongue felt very hot. I stopped drinking, and turned to see everypony. I tried to say something, but the burning sensation in my throat and tongue got hotter and hotter.

"Are ya alright, sugarcube?" Applejack asked me.

My mane and tail burst into flames, as I jumped into the air, from the heat in my mouth and dashed to the washroom.

"Aww! She's so happy, she's crying." Pinkie Pie said with that huge smile plastered on her face.

*Later, that night...*
I was in my room, trying to get think of a way to convince Princess Celestia that Nightmare Moon is coming. But, Pinkie Pie's party's loud music was too distracting. I looked at the clock and moaned.

I know for a fact that Ellie wasn't participating in Pinkie's party. She hates loud noises and big crowds. Add them all together and you've got a party.

The door opened, making the music louder than it should be, and Spike entered my room, with a lampshade over his head.

"Hey, Twilight. Pinkie Pie's starting 'Pin-The-Tail-On-The-Pony.' Wanna play?" Spike asked, lifting the lampshade so he can see me.

"No!! All the ponies in this town are CRAZY! Do you know what time it is?" I snapped at Spike, then asked him, looking at my clock again.

"It's the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration. Everypony has to stay up, or they'll miss the Princess raise the sun." Spike answered with a smile, then his smile faded, "You really should lighten up, Twilight. It's a party." After that, Spike left.

I mocked his words in a squeaky voice, then sighed in frustration, "Ugh, here I thought I'd have time to learn about the Elements of Harmony but, silly me, all this ridiculous friend-making has kept me from it!"

Then, I heard a voice singing, coming from the balcony,

'Ask not the Sun,
Why She sets,
Why She shrouds her light away.
Or why She hides her glowing gaze,
When Night turns crimson gold to grey....'

I got out of my bed and looked out my window, to look at the balcony. I saw a shadow of a figure singing to the moon. Its voice was soft and pure.

'For silent falls the guilty Sun,
As day to dark does turn.
One simple truth, She dare not speak,
Her light can only blind and burn.'

The figure stopped singing and looked at me. It's eyes were glowing a brilliant scarlet. I gasped, then it ran away. I sighed and looked at the moon. There was a shape of a mare's head, and four stars were circling around it, getting closer to the moon, as they circled.

"'Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night.'" I reprised, as I looked at the moon again.

"I hope the Princess was right... I hope it is just an old ponytale." I told myself. The door opened again and it was Spike again.

"C'mom, Twilight. It's time to see the sun rise." He told me. As everypony left the party and ran to the Town Hall.

*Later, inside the Town Hall...*
Everypony gathered around the grand stage, as we waited for the mayor, Mayor Mare, to introduced the coming of the celebration. Pinkie Pie dashed right next to me.

"Isn't this exciting? Are you excited? 'Cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited-- well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went..." Pinkie took a deep gasp, then continued, "But I mean really, who can top that?"

I noticed Ellie was staring at the moon. Like she was entranced by something.

Fluttershy's birds sang their song, as a spotlight shone upon Mayor Mare, an adult, light brown pony with white mane and tail, wearing glasses and a business attire and tie.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts. As the Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration." The Mayor announced. Everypony cheered in joy.

"In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year." The Mayor continued, as I looked at the moon. I saw the stars enter the moon, and the mare formation disappeared. I held my breath.

"And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..." The Mayor began the introduction of Princess Celestia.

I saw Fluttershy look at her birds with a smile.

"Princess Celestia." The Mayor finished, as Rarity pulled the rope, Fluttershy's birds sang, and the curtains revealed to show nothing.

"Huh?" Rarity exclaimed, as she noticed and began to look backstage.

"This can't be good." I told myself, as everypony began to mumble to themselves.

"Remain calm, everypony. There must be a reasonable explanation." Mayor Mare told everypony, as they went quiet.

Pinkie Pie jumped in excitement, "Ooh, ooh. I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" She asked, as she began looking around.

Rarity returned with a shocked look on her face, "She's gone."

Everypony gasped in shock and horror.

"Ooooh. She's good." Pinkie said with a smile, until she yelped loudly.

A mist of dark blue and stars appeared on the balcony. Everypony was tense and began muttering. I held my breath in fear.

"Oh no." I grimaced, as the mist took the form of a young adult alicorn.

The alicorn was covered in black fur. Her eyes were turquoise with a menacing glare. Ethereal mane and tail that looked like the night sky. She wore an indigo Greek dress with dark blue armour. Her Cutie Mark Patch was splodge of night sky with a crescent moon on her right hip.

"Nightmare Moon."

Spike gasped and fainted.

"Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little, sun-loving faces." Nightmare Moon greeted, with an evil smile on her dark face. Ellie was the only one that didn't show fear. It was like she knew Nightmare Moon, or something like that.

"What have you done with our Princess!!?" Rainbow Dash asked her in a 'demanding to know' tone. She dashed to fight Nightmare Moon, but Applejack was able to catch her by the tail.

"Whoa there, Nelly." Applejack calmed.

Nightmare Moon chuckled. "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Do you know who I am?" She asked with a serious look replacing her smile.

"Ooh, ooh. More guessing games. Um, Hokey Smokes. How about... Queen Meanie? No. Black Snooty. Black Snoot-" Pinkie Pie guessed with a cheerful smile, but Applejack put an apple in her mouth, to stop her from talking.

Nightmare Moon stared at Fluttershy, as she asked, "Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?" Then, she flew to Rarity, "Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"

"I did!" I spoke up, catching everypony's attention, including Nightmare Moon's.

"You're the Mare in the Moon. Nightmare Moon." I finished. Everypony gasped in shock and fear.

Nightmare Moon chuckled again, "Well, well, well. Somepony who remembers me. Then you must know why I here."

"You're here to..." I tried to answer, but I couldn't bring myself to finish. "To..." I gulped in fear.

"Remember this day, little ponies. For it will be your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!" Nightmare Moon announced, laughing evilly, as thunder and lightning flashed and crashed. Her mane and tail flew upward, forming a small tornado over her head.

To be continued...