Prologue

Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer were sisters. They were not always that way. Sunset Shimmer had grown up in another world, as a completely different species. She had come to Equestria through a magic portal, and was forced to find her way there. But, she was soon adopted by the family of Twilight Sparkle, and the two mares became students of Princess Celestia.

They were enjoying their break, by getting in some light reading. Spike, the baby dragon that Twilight had hatched, was with them. His dragon fire allowed the two mares to have quick correspondence to Princess Celestia. He then did just that, delivering a book and letter from the princess. Spike opened up the letter and read, "Dear my faithful students, Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer, I know that it is now a break from the school year. During this break, I would like for both of you to at least read this book. You both will find it very interesting. Princess Celestia."

Both mares were very interested in the book, and opened it before even looking at the title. The mares decided to read outloud, so they could do so together. Sunset started off, "'Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her alicorn magic to raise the sun at dawn; the younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies.' Huh, I thought there was only one pony who controlled the sun, Princess Celestia."

Twilight then continued reading, "'But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger alicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon."

"Well, from what I've heard, that sounds an awful lot like the other me. Except different.," Sunset said.

"Yes, because you are one over the best ponies I know," Twilight replied, before continuing to read, "'She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponykind: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took on responsibility for both..."

"'...sun and moon..." Sunset continued with her sister, before going on alone, "...and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since.' Hmm... Elements of Harmony. I know I've heard of those before... but where?"

"Maybe in one of the books at our study?" Twilight suggested.

"Maybe, let's go," Sunset said. "C'mon Spike!"

[Cue Theme]

While Twilight and Sunset were running to their study, when they ran into Twinkleshine, Minuette, and Lemon Hearts. Not literally of course, that would have been rather unfortunate.

"Twilight! Sunset! There you are! Moondancer is having a party later, in the west castle courtyard. Do you want to come?" Twinkleshine said.

"Oh, sorry. I have a lot of studying to catch up on," Twilight said.

"Yeah. I wish we could go. We kinda found something that seems important. If it turns out to be nothing, we will come, right Twilight?" Sunset said.

"Right, I guess," her sister responded.

"I'll make sure to at least send Moondancer some gifts," Sunset said, before running off after her sister.

"Do those ponies do anything but study? I think that they're more interested in books than friends," Twinkleshine asked.

"I know they don't, but it did seem important. They probably got a letter from the princess or something," Minuette replied.

Twilight and Sunset burst into their study, Spike on Twilight's back. "Spike, do you know where that old copy of Prediction and Prophecies is?" Twilight asked.

"I'll check," he said, before he, Twilight, and Sunset began searching the library.

While searching, Sunset gathered up a few things, and Twilight glanced her way. "Just getting stuff for Moondancer in case we can't make it," Sunset defended.

"Okay, fine," Twilight said.

Spike then pulled out the book. "Twilight, I found it," he yelled.

Twilight levitated it over, along with Spike, but, before he could fall, Sunny caught him in her magic.

"Ah! Elements, Elements, E, E, E... Aha! Elements of Harmony, see: Mare in the Moon?" Twilight said.

"Mare in the Moon? But that's just an old ponies' tale," Spike said.

Sunset rushed over to her sister, and turned the pages. "Mare, mare... 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!'" Sunset read.

Twilight gasped. "Sunset, do you know what this means?" she asked her sister.

"That Nightmare Moon will be returning shortly?" Sunset replied.

"Yes. Spike, take a note," Twilight said, and then dictated. "Our dearest teacher, our continuing studies of pony magic have led us to discover that we are on the precipice of disaster!"

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

Spike then finished the message, before rolling it up. "You want me to send it now, don't you?" he said.

"How'd you guess?" Sunset asked.

"One, the precipice for disaster, and two, that you two never want to wait for sending anything, and three, I know you're being sarcastic Sunset," he responded.

"Good," she said. "Besides, it's imperative that she get this, for the longest night of the thousandth year is tomorrow night. If Nightmare Moon does return, there may be no Summer Sun Celebration."

Spike then rolled it up and sent it. "All right, all sent. Though I would probably go to Moondancer's party, I wouldn't expect a reply for at least a few hours."

"I agree, the Princess normally doesn't read our letters until the evening meals," Sunset responded.

"Yes, but I know that she will respond. In all our years of being our mentor, the princess has never once doubted the word of both of us," Twilight said.

"Well..." Sunset started to say, before Spike breathed out a letter.

"Well that was fast," Twilight said. "But I knew she would want to take immediate action. Sunset, I guess you'll just have to send those gifts to Moondancer."

"Okay, fine. Give me a second," Sunset said before teleporting the presents away. "So, what did she say?"

"My dearest, most faithful students, Sunset and Twilight. You know that I value your diligence and that I trust you completely, well, as long as you're not joking," Spike started reading.

Twilight's mouth hung open.

"See, I told you," Sunset said.

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

Sunset and Twilight both gasped.

"My dear Twilight and Sunset, 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. And, I have an even more essential task for the both of you to complete: make some friends!" Spike finished.

"Looks like we're going to Ponyville," Sunset said.

"I guess so," Twilight said.

"I'm sure the princess has things handled, Twi," Sunset encouraged her sister.

"I guess so, but don't I have enough friends? I have you and Spike!" Twilight defended herself.

"If Princess Celestia thinks it's important, it must be," Sunset said. "Besides, that was one of the other Sunset's downfalls, not having friends."

"I guess so, well then, let's pack. I believe we'll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning," Twilight said, and then the three began packing.

Author's Note

And so begins the second book of my Rising Universe. Picking up right where the epilogue of The Sunset Also Rises left off!

Spike knows the words Twilight is telling him, don't let the show tell you otherwise. He grew up with Twilight Sparkle, aka Book Horse. I also added stuff about Moony's party. It's not too sad for her now. Also, classic Sunset sarcasm. I love it!

Pro tip: hit both links, for Cue and Theme. I may have put different themes in there.

I hope everyone enjoys this, as they have