Burnby FghikChaptersIn the DarkIlluminationBrightIn the DarkTwilight Sparkle had just finished her studying for the night, and decided to hit the hay (pun intended.) She went up the stairs and into her bedroom for a well deserved sleep. Right as she got comfortable, something crashed downstairs. Instinctively, she turned her head towards Spike's bed; expecting him to be the cause of the noise. He was still asleep. Now in a panic, Twilight quietly went down the stairs to see what was happening. She looked around the corner to see a shadowy, unicorn-esque figure. From what Twilight saw of it, the figure appeared to be about her height. The figure's horn lit up, and books across the shelf were being pulled out and pushed back. Was it looking for something? Books were blowing past it's face, opening as the figure's horn illuminated the pages. The figure's magic abruptly stopped, as it slowly turned it's head in Twilight's direction. Quickly, she backed around the corner, hoping the figure didn't see anything. Her heart was pounding. The unnatural silence of it all just made her heart pound even more. Twilight took a deep breath, and looked around the corner. The figure was gone...? There was a bright flash from above Twilight's head. She didn't even have time to say "oh buck" before she was out. "COCKADOODLE DOOOOOOO!" Pinkie Pie yelled, jumping up and down on Twilight's bed. Without thinking, Twilight screamed and flailed her hooves allover the place. One struck Pinkie Pie, and sent her off the bed. "Get up sleepy head! We're going to be late!" "Late for wh--" "OW!" Spike interrupted, Pinkie Pie landed on his tail. "Oh no! I'm so sorry Spikey!" Pinkie Pie yelled as she jumped off of Spike. She reached into her saddlebag (that Twilight hadn't noticed earlier) and pulled out a cupcake, and neosporin. "It's alright Pinkie, I'm fine." Spike said as he stood up and brushed himself off. Pinkie pie seemed so much more jumpy today. "IDEA!" Pinkie yelled "Let's take Spike too!" Pinkie reached into her back and pulled out a leash. But rather then wondering why Pinkie carries a leash, Twilight just asked: "Where are we going?" "You don't remember? We're going to help Applejack deliver apples to Canterlot!" Pinkie responded. Twilight had no recollection of scheduling such a thing; but it's Pinkie. Best go along with whatever she says. "When are we leaving?" Twilight asked "About an hour or so. You were the one that told me to gather everypony...Did you eat another rotten apple or something? Honestly..." Pinkie Pie jumped out the window, and before Twilight could react, Pinkie Pie was floating back up in a hot-air balloon. "I'm off to go get Rainbow Dash, then Fluttershy! Go let Applejack know we are on our way! Rarity should already be there!" Pinkie Pie flew out of view, and Twilight got out of her bed. Spike and her exchanged "What the Buck?" glances. "Well Spike... Looks like you and I are going to Sweet Apple Acres." "Oh alright. Can I put on my mustache?" "No" Twilight started walking down the stairs, then stopped abruptly as she saw the bookcase. "Was it all a dream?" she thought to herself. "Twilight? You alright?" Spike asked; noticing her not-so-dramatic pause. "Oh nothing... I just...had a little nightmare last night, that's all." "Not again... Those night-mares are always causing trouble." "No Spike, just a bad dream. Besides, everypony knows night-mares don't exist." "Oh...right..." Spike apparently didn't count as 'everypony.' Twilight walked over to her bookcase and started looking through them. "Well, if we're going to Canterlot, I should probably bring a book along with me." "Which one are you going to bring?" Spike said as he made himself a sandwich. "I don't know..." she said as her eyes glazed the bookcase. "The Art of the To-Do List! Perfect! Now where did I put it?" "Don't you think it'd be easier to use the floor as a shelf?" Spike asked. "What?" Twilight asked. "You know, have all the books on the floor as one big shelf. It'd be easier to find stuff." Twilight ignored him and kept looking around the shelf. "Oh! There it is!" She pulled it out of the case and put it in her bag. "If we're going to be helping Applejack a to-do list will be very important. Organization is a key blablablahblahblahblahblah" Spike stopped paying attention, and focused on his sandwich. He had taken his last bite when Twilight was at the door and said "Come on Spike! Let's get to Sweet Apple Acres!" She magically lifted Spike onto her back, and closed the door behind her. Soon enough, they were at the Apple Farm. Applejack had bucked a basket full of apples when she spotted them, and walked over to greet them. "Glad you could make it!" she said as she reached out to shake Twilight's hoof. "Thanks for helping me do this. It's going to make this job a whole lot easier with more ponies helping." "Can you explain what we are going to do again?" Twilight said as she returned the gesture. "Well, Celestia is having a celebration tonight, and she wants lots of fresh-grown apples. She asked if I wanted to cater the event; and well, you just can't turn down the princess!" Applejack laughed as she reached down to pick up her baskets of apples. "She's going to pay a lot for 'em too. We could finally build that extra chicken coop." "Well, I'm glad I could help." Twilight said, but then she looked around. "Wasn't Rarity supposed to be here?" "Ms. Prissy Pants ran off...she stepped in some mud or something. I think she's still inside washing her hooves." Pinkie Pie landed in the field, dropping off Fluttershy. "Where's Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked. "Oh, she wanted to fly herself here. She mentioned something about taking the long way through. She should be here in a few minutes." "I'm heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere!" Rarity said as she greeted the rest of the group. "Can you believe someponys leave disgusting mud all over the ground? Beautiful Unicorns could step in it, and soil their perfectly perfect coats! Oh, and imagine what would happen if it got in their hair--" "Ah yes, Celestia forbid mud at a farm run by Earth ponies." Applejack interrupted, with very blatant sarcasm. Rarity just 'hmphed' and flipped her hair. The group laughter was broken by the sound of screaming coming from above. Rainbow Dash crashed into a pile of rotten apples...at least they were soft. Rainbow Dash climbed out of the pile, and brushed some 'smoosh' off of her. "Trying out a new trick again?" Applejack could barely get that out without laughing. "NO!" Rainbow Dash replied with a bit of frustration in her voice. "Well...maybe at first yes; but these stupid birds--" "bird's aren't stupid" Fluttershy whispered under her breath. Nopony had heard her. "I was about to perfect my triple-flip spin-wind when this flock of seagulls came out of nowhere! Next thing I know, one of them hits my left wing and sends me crashing into the Everfree forest! But being the super-ultra-extreme-awesomazing flier I am, I had barely managed to adjust my trajectory to avoid that creepy forest by landing here; on purpose!" "Whatever you say Sucarcube." They all helped Applejack load the cargo train with the apples, then loaded themselves into the passenger sections. For a while, they all just talked, and reminisce about their previous adventures. Some details were obviously exaggerated, but it was all in good fun. Soon enough, Spike started getting sleepy; he is a baby dragon after all. Twilight carried him to the back where he could sleep in peace. She was about to close the door, but she felt a motherly tinge compelling her to stay with him. She sat down in the chair near the bed and began to read her "The Art of the To-Do List" book she packed along. Twilight got to about chapter four, when the train came to a stop. Applejack knocked, then entered the room Twilight and Spike were in. "We're here! Grab your things and let's get these apples catered!" Applejack left the room, and gathered the other ponies. Twilight could see them gathered out her window; all talking and laughing with eachother. She nudged Spike. "Five...more minutes..." Spike grumbled. Twilight of course didn't grant his wish. She picked him up and set him on her back. She exited the train and grouped with the other ponies. "Let's unload this thing" Rainbow Dash said, feeling confident in doing it in ten seconds flat. Applejack opened the cargo train, and everypony helped unload barrels of apples. Rarity and Twilight were of course using their magic; they could lift a few at a time this way. The pegasusususus Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were carrying them by hoof; although Rainbow was going much faster. Applejack carries them as she always does, on her sides. Spike, was still asleep. Eventually, all the barrels were unloaded; and the train rode off. Pinkie Pie mimicked the loud "whoo-whoooo!" the train made, and then kept mimicking it the whole way to the castle. A royal guard directed them to the Grand Ballroom, and instructed where they could set up; he pointed his hoof towards a closet and said that there are decorations and tables in it. He also directed them to the nearest kitchen, if they needed to bake anything. The chef's said they'd be happy to help with anything they could. Pinkie Pie and Applejack stayed in the kitchen to make some sweets. Rarity had stayed back in the ballroom to decorate. Rainbow Dash grabbed Fluttershy and flew off somewhere, probably to the Wonderbolt's stadium. Twilight Sparkle on the other hand, went to see the Princess. Spike's firebreath has been a bit over-used lately with the whole "everypony can write letter's now" thing. And even though Spike said he could handle it, and that it was no problem; Twilight insisted she let him rest and could deliver the letter to the princess by hand--err, hoof. She asked a guard for directions to the Royal Chambers, and of course was denied. Spike still on her back (asleep,) Twilight decided to explore on her own. She'd been to the castle many times, but it seems everytime she comes it's a different place. Twilight was going to admire the library, when Princess Luna's left wing accidentally bumped into her. "Oh, my apologies Twilight, I'm in a bit of a rush." Princess Luna said as she closed her wings. "No problem princess. What's the hurry?" Twilight asked. "It's nothing much, but I heard someponies broke into the Wonderbolt stadium. At first they were causing mischief; but other ponies showed up and enjoyed the show. They say the blue pony with the rainbow-mane is really quite amazing." "Well, that's Rainbow Dash for you..." "I want to see this for myself. I hope she'll still be there by the time I arrive." "As long as their's an audience, I'm sure Rainbow Dash will be there." "It was nice seeing you again Twilight!" Luna said as she continued her exit. "Same to you Princess!" Twilight replied, unsure if Luna heard her or not. Twilight continued towards the library, and opened the door. "I swear, this library get's bigger every time!" Twilight said out loud, not anticipating on anypony but a sleeping Spike overhearing. "It really is quite amazing, isn't it?" A soft and majestic voice called from the corner. Princess Celestia revealed herself, and Twilight offered her the letter. "Thank you" she said as her horn lit up, teleporting the letter somewhere else. Probably back to wherever she keeps the others. "How are you enjoying your stay so far?" Celestia asked. "Oh it's going great. Rarity is in the ballroom decorating. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are at the Wonderbolt's stadium, and apparently started a show. Pinkie Pie and Applejack are in the kitchen baking apple-treats for your celebrati-- Hey, what's this celebration for anyway?" Celestia got quiet for a moment, deep in thought. "Princess?" "Oh" Celestia said as she snapped back to reality. "It's... nothing special...Just you're average Celebration." Celestia blinked a couple times, and started leaving. "Well, I'm off to go do some boring diplomatic stuff, enjoy your time in the library." Even Twilight Sparkle knows Princess Celestia has a world-renowned poker-face. Celestia is hiding something. IlluminationIt was almost time for the celebration, and Twilight was still in the library; wondering what Celestia would hide, and why? Spike had woken up about fifteen minutes after Celestia left; and was occupying himself reading Stallion and Hobbes. Twilight gazed out the window, what an amazing view. She could see all of Ponyville. It was getting dark, so most of the ponies were heading in, but there were a few still out and about. Twilight was too high up to recognize any of them, they all looked like ants. One ant was running quite fast though. It was dashing right down Mane Street, then took a fast turn towards the Ponyville library. "Is it looking for me?" Twilight thought. "I hope it's nothing too urgent..." "What are you looking at?" Spike asked. "Oh, somepony is at the library, probably looking for me." Twilight responded. "I wonder what for...did you scare the little fillies again?" Spike laughed as he went back to his reading. Twilight was so distracted by her thoughts she hadn't noticed Princess Celestia walk in. "Do you like the view?" She asked, as she shared a similar glance, although her eyes were pointed more towards the mountains than the library. "It's wonderful" Twilight replied, not even showing how much Celestia had startled her. "Rainbow Dash was a big hit at the stadium today...those rich snobs seem to get a kick out of those with complete disregard for the rules" Celestia giggled a bit, and sipped some tea. Twilight hadn't even noticed Celestia had brought anything with her. "What are you doing back here? I thought you had some 'boring diplomatic work' to do." Twilight asked. "I finished that just in time for the celebration." Twilight's heart skipped a beat. "Did I miss it?" Twilight said, hiding her shock...not-so-well. "Oh, no no no. The celebration won't start until I enter the room. They need me to give some speech or something before they start." For a princess, she really seemed informal. "I noticed you weren't in your seat, so I decided to stall, and get one of my comedians up on the stage... I hope he does better than the last guy." Celestia sipped some more tea. "I went off to find you here; I had assumed you got distracted by the view like I do. Sometimes I find myself gazing out across the world for hours, when it only feels like minutes have passed by." Celestia gave a quick smile. "'Tia! Tia! It's time to raise the sun! You're running late!'" Celestia tried her best Luna impersonation, unaware Luna had walked in just at that moment. "Oh please, I do not sound like that sister." Luna said mischievously. "Are you finished yet? The comedian is running out of jokes." "How can you tell?" Celestia asked. "He started singing songs by Bruno Mares..." Luna said, hiding her head. "Oh no..." Celestia said in agreement. "Well, it's better than having Twilight dance" Spike said, and then was greeted with a quick shove to his side by Twilight Sparkle. "Well, I suppose I should get to the point" Celestia said. "I want you to come into the ballroom with me. You are my most faithful student after all." Twilight agreed, and Spike put his book into Twilight's bag. The four of them (Twilight, Celestia, Luna, and Spike) went to the ballroom. They arrived in the ballroom, and the alicorns took their seats. A guard had grabbed a chair for Twilight, and another for Spike. Celestia gave her welcoming speech, and all the guests began enjoying their Apple's and Apple-treats. Although, she still never mentioned what the celebration was for. Rarity did really well with the fancy-people. Pinkie Pie and Applejack remained in the kitchen...good call. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash never showed up; they were probably still at the stadium. The royal guards brought in special food for the royalty; however they probably mistook Twilight and Spike for royalty, because they also got some. Well, they were sitting with the princesses, can't really blame them. It all looked so good. Twilight was about to take a bite into a delicious looking pie, when Spike poked her. "What do you want Spike?" She said a bit frustrated... she really wanted that pie. "Do you still have that book I gave you?" Spike asked. "Yes..." "Can you pull it out for me? I'm bored." "Oh fine..." Twilight pulled the book out of her bag, and a paper with writing on it fell out. "What's this?" Spike reached down and picked it up and tried to read it. But couldn't. So he just sat there quietly. "Well? What does it say?" Twilight asked. "Well... There's this weird symbol on it, then a backwards 'C' an 'N' and then a 'P'" "What?" "Just look for yourself" ʞɔnp "It's upside down Spike..." Twilight said as she flipped the paper around. "Oh" Spike blushed a little, but being a purple dragon, hid it very well. "See, it clearly says..." Twilight got quiet for a moment. "Twilight?" duck "...duck" Twilight read quietly. "Hm? I didn't quite catch that" Spike said, curious as to what the note really said. "duck..? duck...? duck! DUCK!" Twilight grabbed Spike and crouched down, just as the sound of a loud explosion and broken glass filled the room. All the palace guards rushed to the Princess. But it was too late, a shadowy figure had already dashed threw the broken window, jumped over Twilight (still ducking,) and snatched Princess Celestia. Teleporting away. "W-What... What just happened?" Luna asked, trying not go go into shock. "Your sister has been kidnapped, and we've already got the guards mobilized. We are going to find her. In the mean time, you will need to fulfill her duties of raising the sun." One of the guards said. But by the look of his armor, he must have been the general. "But I can't do that! I don't know her spell for that!" "Then for the time being, we will be locked in eternal night until the Princess is returned." The general then turned to the guests. "Now all of you; do not worry. The princess will be returned. Just go home, the celebration has been postponed." The guests all started leaving. "You would think our mighty Princess, the only one who can raise the sun, the only one fit to rule us, would put up a better fight than that...Even I could have done something" A random guest murmured under his breath as he walked by Twilight; not intending for anyone to hear. But Twilight heard it. It did seem a bit odd the Princess wouldn't put up a fight at all. Too odd... Before Twilight could continue her possible theory, a group of masked figures--from the looks of it, they were all pegasus ponies--charged in through the main gate. The guests were all gone by now, the entire ballroom was in a wreck, broken glass was all over the place... "What...the...buck?" one of the figures said. They all just stood there for a while, looking around. Suddenly the royal guards attacked, and quicker than a blink, the four pegasus burst into action. A few of the guards were knocked down, but nopony could have predicted what would happen next, another mysterious figure flew in from the broken window. It's horn started glowing--must be a unicorn--and suddenly the four figures were tied up, and hanging off of the chandelier. The figure turned it's head towards Twilight, there was something familiar with it's eyes...suddenly there was a bright flash, and the figure was gone. The royal guards, keeping the 'bad-guys' tied up, carefully unhooked them from the chandelier, and carried them out of the ballroom. Twilight was going to help clean up the glass, now that all this chaos was over, when Luna tapped her shoulder. "Come with me" she said. "I have the feeling these four trouble-makers will know what's going on. Follow me" Twilight followed the princess through the castle, and down some stairs. They arrived in a dungeon of sorts. Luna led Twilight down the hall, and pointed towards a locked cell. Inside were four pegasi; a white one, a black-ish purple one, a brown one, and a orange one. Twilight didn't recognize any of them. She was going to look at their cutie marks, but realized that may be a bit akwaed. "Who are you?" Luna asked, with a bit of anger in her voice. "Well," the white one spoke up, in a prideful, annoying, cocky voice. "We are none other than T.A.G, Together Against Government." "But..." the brown pegasus began. "Didn't we agree on the Forces Against the Good?" "Don't you remember? We changed our name because of what it spelled..." The orange one said, sighing a little. "Nopony would tell me what it said!" the brown one interjected. "Can't you read? Honestly, it amazes me how dumb you ar---" "WHITE!!!! Orange is making fun of me again!" The brown one whined. "Did not!" Orange said. "Did too!" Brown said. "Do I have to solve everything around here?" The three of them started arguing, Luna and Twilight both looked at eachother...insanely confused. The blackish-purple one just sat in the corner, ignoring the squabble of the other ponies...for a while. Suddenly he burst out: "WOULD YOU ALL JUST SHUT UP!?!?!" It all got quiet. The three other pegasi were all staring at him. "...woah. Did Nightmare just talk? He never talks..." Brown said, turning his head a little. "He must be really mad now..." Orange said. "We're so screwed..." White said. Nightmare just sat back down in his corner, and continued ignoring everything and every one. Luna turned away, and ducked her head. "Princess Luna?" Twilight whispered. "I'm fine." Luna answered...obviously lying. "What's wrong?" "I said I'm fine...And I must be going. I need to do extensive research on the sun raising spell." Luna walked away, with a small tear streaming down her cheek. Twilight was curious as to what triggered such a response... but she was also curious as to what these trouble-makers know. She walked up to the cell and asked in a very direct way. "Why are you here?" showing more anger than Luna had when she asked a question. Brown, Orange, and White were all going to say something, when Nightmare broke their words with his. "We are here to capture your princess--and we would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for your stupid unicorn magic." Nightmare lifted his hoof and pointed it at her horn." "It wasn't me!" Twilight said nervously. "It was somepony who flew threw the window!" "Nonsense! I sensed your aura when we were attacked!" "I was in the ballroom, maybe you miscalculated" "I don't miscalculate" Nightmare was starting to sound agitated. "You must have, for I was on the other side of the ballroom..." Twilight said; when suddenly, Nightmare's eyes lit up, and suddenly had his face pressed against the bars, just in front of Twilight's face. but...pegasus can't perform magic? "You listen, and you listen good. You are underestimating my true power. The only thing keeping me from busting out of this cell and slaughtering you, Luna, and everyone in this castle is the fact that these bars are enchanted with some sort of spell-block." "How were you captured so easily then? If you are such a powerful being?" Twilight thought she had an edge on him. It wouldn't make sense for someone as powerful as Nightmare claims to be, to get captured by one unicorn. "You used some sort of spell-block on me. How was I supposed to do anything?" ...apparently he still thinks it was Twilight Sparkle. But rather than agitate him again, she just went with it. "I would be out of this cell by now too, if I could get some bucking concentration going... But it's impossible with these morons in this cell with me..." "Why did you allow them to tag along?" "You have much to learn Twilight Sparkle..." Nightmare took a few steps back, and now that he wasn't in Twilight's face she could get a better image of him...or it. Nightmare had what appeared to be the body of a pegasus pony, made of shadow. There was a slight invisibility element to it. From up close, Twilight could not see anything but it's eyes, but now that she could see all of him, she realized how dangerous it could be. His mane was long and flowing like the Princess' manes, but his body lacked substance. "But first, I may as well fill you in on why Luna left..I am the one who corrupted her" "But--" "As long as there is harmony in the world, there will always be discord. There must be evil to combat the good. There must always be yang to the yin. As the world gets better, it also gets worse. You cannot defeat all evil, for it will always return. With this spell-block here, I can't break out anytime soon. There is no further purpose to you staying here." "Fine..." Twilight turned around and began to leave. She was very confused, and she hoped Luna would be OK. "Wait!" White called. "Where is Princess Celestia?" "I don't know..." Twilight said. "But I'm going to find out." BrightTwilight went back to the library, feeling hopeless. Somehow Spike had gotten home, and was already tucked into bed. Probably was Rarity or somepony... Twilight climbed into her bed, not knowing if the sun would rise for a long time. Without Celestia to raise the moon, Equestria had to rely on Luna to learn the spell in one night (and not even the entire night either.) It took Twilight a little while to fall asleep, but she knew she had to. There was some noise downstairs. Did Spike wake up? No, he was still in bed. Twilight quietly went down the stairs to see what was happening. She looked around the corner to see a shadowy, unicorn-esque figure. From what Twilight saw of it, the figur-- "YOU!" Twilight sparkle yelled, catching the figure by surprise. "Where is Princess Celestia!" She tried to use her magic to restrain it, but it was no use. The figure somehow avoided, or deflected, the attack. The figure looked at Twilight, then teleported away... What if she was dreaming again? Twilight sat down on a chair, and pondered that question to herself. She could just be dreaming again, and this whole thing would be fake again. How could she know for sure if this happened? Twilight sat for a while, when the light from the moon shone in her eye. She moved over towards the curtains to shut them, when she noticed her pencil sitting in the windowsill. Twilight had an idea. She grabbed the pencil, and went to her bookcase. She pulled out a binder, and ripped out a small scrap of paper from it. Feeling silly, she wrote "duck" on it...After she did, she realized what she did... Celestia was just kidnapped, why would this be humorous to her? She quickly shook that gruesome thought out of her mind, when something caught her eye. "Stallion & Hobbes" "Oh no" Twilight said to herself. "Whoever brought Spike home, also brought home the Princess' book. I'll have to return that in the morning." Twilight slipped the 'duck' paper into the book, also feeling silly; but again, she felt bad for doing it after. She is making fun of Celestia's kidnapping! That's not funny at all! "Oh! I left my "Art of the To-Do list back at the castle too! I guess now I'll trade the two tomorrow." Twilight let out a yawn, and made her way back upstairs. Now she'll know if she was dreaming, the paper was placed; and she would check it tomorrow morning; along with trading her book back. "WOW! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!" Pinkie Pie yelled, waking up Spike, and Twilight Sparkle. "THE PRINCESS WAS KIDNAPPED LAST NIGHT! Well.. I guess it wouldn't be called kidnapping, she is a grown mare after all... But Marenapped doesn't quite have the same--" "Umm... Pinkie... What are you doing here?" Twilight said, a bit drowsy. "Don't you remember? You told me last night that we would go see Zecora in the morning!" "Why on Equestria would we go see Zecora..." "I don't know! You're the one that wanted to go, silly!" Pinkie giggled, and lifted Spike onto her back. Well... No use arguing with Pinkie Pie. The three of them went down stairs, and out the door. But just before it closed, Twilight remembered what she set up last night...was it a dream? "Hang on!" Twilight said. Then she realized she may sound crazy if she told Pinkie what she really did. "Spike's book." "Why would Spike need a book? Zecora's way more entertaining than a silly ol' book! Like one time, me and Fluttershy--" "No Pinkie, you don't understand. Spike was reading Stallion&Hobbes from the princess' library, and accidentally brought it home. I need to return it later today." "Oh..." Pinkie pie said. Twilight wanted to check for the 'duck'...but she couldn't do it in front of anypony. Soon enough the trio reached the Everfree Forest, and then, Zecora's house. "Here is what you ordered. The special brew you wanted conjured" Zecora said, handing a bottle over to Twilight. "Although I must admit I am quite curious, why would you want a potion to make it's drinker uncontrollably furious?" So it's some sort of rage-potion? Why would Twilight need that? "Nevermind, I'm sure your reasons are kind." "Umm... Thank you Zecora! Have a nice day!" Pinkie, Twilight, and Spike all left the Zecora's house, when Pinkie asked a question: "Why did you need me to come along if you just needed to pick something up?" "I'm not--" "WATCH OUT!" Pinkie's tail twitched, and Pinkie grabbed Twilight and Spike and carried them under some trees. Just in time too, because a small red stone fell from the sky. Good thing Pinkie was there. "Woah!" Spike said as he ran over to it. "Is this what I think it is!?!?!?" "What?" Twilight asked. "This is a fire ruby! What luck!" Spike sniffed it, then licked it. "Hmm...It's not quite ripe yet. Probably needs a few more months." "Where did that come from?" Pinkie Pie asked, looking up. "I don't know" Twilight asked. Spike was too busy admiring his good fortune to care. "Let's just hope another doesn't fall and hit us on our heads." They all made their way back to Twilight's Place, and finally, Twilight was all alone. She could check her book for the paper. She pulled it out of her bag, when she heard Fluttershy scream from outside. Twilight ran outside to see her chasing rabbits all over town. "Oh Twilight!" Fluttershy said as she floated over. "Somepony unlocked my bunny cage and all of the bunnies got loose!" "That's terrible! How can I help?" Twilight asked to help without even realizing it. The book will have to wait, helping friends is important. "Go get Applejack! She'll know what to do!" Fluttershy squealed again as a bunny hopped onto her head. Twilight stuck the book in her bag and headed for Sweet Apple Acres. "Applejack!" Twilight called. "Oh hey Twi. What's up--" Applejack said. "Fluttershy's bunnies got loose and are rampaging all over town!" "I'm on it." Applejack ran into town. From what Twilight could see, she ran into Fluttershy who appeared to be explaining the whole thing. Applejack nodded and the two of them separated. Looks like that was under-control. There was a rustle in the bushes behind Twilight, she turned around to see three small figures disappearing into the foliage. Twilight followed them to find the Cutie Mark Crusader's clubhouse. Twilight listened in on the meeting going on inside. "I'm sure you all know why this meeting was called" Scootaloo announced. "Actually... Not really" Sweetie Belle said... "Fluttershy's bunnies got loose! Remember?" Applebloom said. "Oh right!" Sweetie Belle said. "Yeah! And I think we should help out." Scootaloo said. "Why?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Our cutie marks might be in bunny wrangling!" Applebloom said, getting excited. Twilight giggled a bit at even the possibility of such a funny talent. "Exactly." Scootaloo said. There was a quick "3, 2, 1, GO!" chanted by all three fillies, and then there was the sound of hooves running around. Twilight ran into the bushes to avoid being seen. The Cutie Mark Crusaders ran out and then into town, not even noticing Twilight. "It's going to be a great day!" Scootaloo said. "I can feel it!" ...Great day? Day? Twilight looked around to find the sun shining! It was day! Luna did it! Or Celestia was found! Either way, Twilight got to the castle as fast as she could. She ran to the library to see Luna staring out the window. "Oh, greetings Twilight Sparkle." "You did it Luna!" Twilight said, abandoning all the formality expected when talking to royalty. Luna didn't respond. She stood there quietly, gazing across Ponyville. "Princess?" "I didn't do anything..." "But...That's impossible. How else would the sun have been raised?" "I'm not sure...But I'm glad it did. If it didn't I'm sure there would be total chaos in the town." "I wonder what could have been powerful enough to raise the sun?" "It would take some pretty great magic to accomplish such a feat." Then the two of them had the exact same idea. Could it be possible? Luna readied the chariot, and Twilight and her hopped in. If this magician was powerful enough to raise the sun, surely she would have a way of finding Princess Celestia. They landed just on the other side of the Everfree forest, next to a small shack with a moon and wand drawn on it. Luna approached the door and knocked on it. "Who dares disturb my great and powerful slumber?" a voice from inside called. "It is I. Princess Luna. We request your assistance." Luna replied. "...We?" the voice asked as the door opened, revealing an arrogant blue pony. "As you can see, I brought along Twilight Sparkle." "Why did you bring that little whelp along?" "You and I are both aware that you two are the most powerful unicorns in Equestria." The blue pony liked the acknowledgement of her prowess. "What do you want?" She said. "Are you aware of what events transpired last night?" Luna asked. "Even though the Great and Powerful Trixie knows everything, she does not know of what events you are speaking." The blue pony said...being an annoying third-person talker as always. "Princess Celestia was kidnapped the other night, and we had believed this would cause the world to rest in an Eternal night. However we awoke this morning to see...it was morning. The sun was out." "So you believed that only the Great and Powerful Trixie could have accomplished such a feat?" "Yes. Did you?" "Alas, Trixie did not. For the Great and Powerful Trixie requires at least 9 hours of continuous Great and Powerful Beauty Sleep. She wouldn't be bothered by waking up early enough to raise the sun." It appeared that the annoying blue pony went into show-off-mode, and is talking in a Pseudo-Royal-Canterlot-Voice. "If Celestia is missing; and neither Princess Luna or you raised the sun, how is it possible it was raised?" Twilight asked. "I don't know, but I guess we need to focus on the task at hand. Locating the Princess." Luna said. "Trixie--" "GREAT AND POWERFUL Trixie" the blue pony interrupted. "Are you able to use any locator spells." "My apologies, but the Great and Powerful Trixie's cannot perform a trick such as that." Ugh...Will this blue pony just shut up. "However, The Great and Powerful Trixie may have means of saving your princess." "What is that?" Luna asked. "Time." "What?" Twilight gasped. "The solution to your problem, is altering the timeline. You say she was kidnapped correct? Then the only way to save her is to stop whomever it was from kidnapping her, by kidnapping her yourself!" "Couldn't I just stop the kidnapper?" "No! Nopony can know it's you. Not even the Great and Powerful Trixie knows what would happen if such were to occur. The possible outcomes of an event could be catastrophic! You must wear a disguise. And the Great and Powerful Trixie may have something laying around for Twilight Sparkle to use." The blue pony entered the shack and pulled out a chest. "Inside is the costume. Do not show it to anypony, or else they would know it's you." "Why me?" Twilight asked. "Because the costume lacks wing-holes, and is the improper shape for the princess." Oh, and in-case you haven't realized, the blue pony is Trixie. "What will the princess do then?" "She will maintain everything else in Equestria. However that will not be effective, because you may alter the timeline significantly enough to disrupt even the moment happening right now." "I see" Luna said. "Then I'd best be off. Twilight, you and Trixie must save the Princess." Luna hopped into the chariot and flew away. Meanwhile Twilight stayed to learn the secrets of time. Trixie entered her shack, and called back to Twilight. "The Great and Powerful Trixie beckons you to enter..." Twilight entered the shack, and shut the door behind her. "First the Great and Powerfu--" "Can you just stop that..." Twilight said under her breath, hoping that Trixie wouldn't hear...but as luck would have it, she did. "You dare question The Great and Powerful Trixie's amazing method of speaking!?!?!?" "...It's kinda annoying..." Twilight said, trying not to offend. Trixie took a step back, got quiet for a minute. "I suppose it is..." Trixie said, totally not in an annoying way. If Twilight hadn't known better, Trixie almost seemed like a nice person. "Let's get to work on time-traveling." "What's the spell? What do I need?" Twilight asked, a bit too enthusiastically. "You need to train yourself first." "Train? for what?" "To defend yourself in-case someone spots you. Or to attack whoever kidnapped the princess." "Oh." "Probably the most useful spell will be a spell-block. Do you know how to do this?" "No, but I had a book about it...Although now that I think of it, it strangely disappeared a couple nights ago." "Then you must go back in time and get it. You need to learn some kind of spell-block if you ever want to defend yourself against magic." "How do I go back in time?" "I wish we didn't have to skip all your training, but learning the spell-block is important." "Couldn't you teach me?" "I don't know one. It's pretty ancient magic you know. I think the last unicorn to use it was Starswirl the Bearded. Which I happen to know a certain Twilight Sparkle keeps an extensive collection of books on." Trixie giggled a bit. It was as if she was an entirely new person. "However, although the spell-block is ancient magic; I have been working on some time magic. However it requires a few 'ingredients.'" "What are they?" "Hair from a brown rabbit; some Zap Apples; a Fire Ruby; and lastly, fire." "How am I supposed to get Zap Apples? They don't harvest all that often. And any Zap Apples left unharvested go away after the harvesting season is over." "I can imagine you can use something made of zap apples, such as jam." Trixie licked her lips. "I love zap apple jam; the harvesting season usually falls during my birthday. So my mother used to always get me some for my birthday. Once my mother left, I always promised myself that if I ever got some, I'd try to be a nicer pony." Trixie cracked a quick mischievous smile, but quickly hid it away, hoping Twilight didn't see it. "I think I can gather the ingredients alright. I'm sure they'd have a lot of that stuff at the castle." "Good luck!" As Twilight was leaving, she turned her head back and giggled as she said one last thing. "You know Trixie, without your ego; you're a pretty ok pony." "Thank you. I suppose I should leave my Great and Powerful ways behind me. Nopony seemed to like a show-off." Trixie said. Twilight left the shack, and made her way back to her house. It did seem off Trixie changed her mood so quickly, especially when Twilight complained. It's not as if they were on good terms or anything. In fact, it was odd that Trixie even allowed Twilight within 200 hooves of her home! This whole week has been awfully strange.
In the DarkTwilight Sparkle had just finished her studying for the night, and decided to hit the hay (pun intended.) She went up the stairs and into her bedroom for a well deserved sleep. Right as she got comfortable, something crashed downstairs. Instinctively, she turned her head towards Spike's bed; expecting him to be the cause of the noise. He was still asleep. Now in a panic, Twilight quietly went down the stairs to see what was happening. She looked around the corner to see a shadowy, unicorn-esque figure. From what Twilight saw of it, the figure appeared to be about her height. The figure's horn lit up, and books across the shelf were being pulled out and pushed back. Was it looking for something? Books were blowing past it's face, opening as the figure's horn illuminated the pages. The figure's magic abruptly stopped, as it slowly turned it's head in Twilight's direction. Quickly, she backed around the corner, hoping the figure didn't see anything. Her heart was pounding. The unnatural silence of it all just made her heart pound even more. Twilight took a deep breath, and looked around the corner. The figure was gone...? There was a bright flash from above Twilight's head. She didn't even have time to say "oh buck" before she was out. "COCKADOODLE DOOOOOOO!" Pinkie Pie yelled, jumping up and down on Twilight's bed. Without thinking, Twilight screamed and flailed her hooves allover the place. One struck Pinkie Pie, and sent her off the bed. "Get up sleepy head! We're going to be late!" "Late for wh--" "OW!" Spike interrupted, Pinkie Pie landed on his tail. "Oh no! I'm so sorry Spikey!" Pinkie Pie yelled as she jumped off of Spike. She reached into her saddlebag (that Twilight hadn't noticed earlier) and pulled out a cupcake, and neosporin. "It's alright Pinkie, I'm fine." Spike said as he stood up and brushed himself off. Pinkie pie seemed so much more jumpy today. "IDEA!" Pinkie yelled "Let's take Spike too!" Pinkie reached into her back and pulled out a leash. But rather then wondering why Pinkie carries a leash, Twilight just asked: "Where are we going?" "You don't remember? We're going to help Applejack deliver apples to Canterlot!" Pinkie responded. Twilight had no recollection of scheduling such a thing; but it's Pinkie. Best go along with whatever she says. "When are we leaving?" Twilight asked "About an hour or so. You were the one that told me to gather everypony...Did you eat another rotten apple or something? Honestly..." Pinkie Pie jumped out the window, and before Twilight could react, Pinkie Pie was floating back up in a hot-air balloon. "I'm off to go get Rainbow Dash, then Fluttershy! Go let Applejack know we are on our way! Rarity should already be there!" Pinkie Pie flew out of view, and Twilight got out of her bed. Spike and her exchanged "What the Buck?" glances. "Well Spike... Looks like you and I are going to Sweet Apple Acres." "Oh alright. Can I put on my mustache?" "No" Twilight started walking down the stairs, then stopped abruptly as she saw the bookcase. "Was it all a dream?" she thought to herself. "Twilight? You alright?" Spike asked; noticing her not-so-dramatic pause. "Oh nothing... I just...had a little nightmare last night, that's all." "Not again... Those night-mares are always causing trouble." "No Spike, just a bad dream. Besides, everypony knows night-mares don't exist." "Oh...right..." Spike apparently didn't count as 'everypony.' Twilight walked over to her bookcase and started looking through them. "Well, if we're going to Canterlot, I should probably bring a book along with me." "Which one are you going to bring?" Spike said as he made himself a sandwich. "I don't know..." she said as her eyes glazed the bookcase. "The Art of the To-Do List! Perfect! Now where did I put it?" "Don't you think it'd be easier to use the floor as a shelf?" Spike asked. "What?" Twilight asked. "You know, have all the books on the floor as one big shelf. It'd be easier to find stuff." Twilight ignored him and kept looking around the shelf. "Oh! There it is!" She pulled it out of the case and put it in her bag. "If we're going to be helping Applejack a to-do list will be very important. Organization is a key blablablahblahblahblahblah" Spike stopped paying attention, and focused on his sandwich. He had taken his last bite when Twilight was at the door and said "Come on Spike! Let's get to Sweet Apple Acres!" She magically lifted Spike onto her back, and closed the door behind her. Soon enough, they were at the Apple Farm. Applejack had bucked a basket full of apples when she spotted them, and walked over to greet them. "Glad you could make it!" she said as she reached out to shake Twilight's hoof. "Thanks for helping me do this. It's going to make this job a whole lot easier with more ponies helping." "Can you explain what we are going to do again?" Twilight said as she returned the gesture. "Well, Celestia is having a celebration tonight, and she wants lots of fresh-grown apples. She asked if I wanted to cater the event; and well, you just can't turn down the princess!" Applejack laughed as she reached down to pick up her baskets of apples. "She's going to pay a lot for 'em too. We could finally build that extra chicken coop." "Well, I'm glad I could help." Twilight said, but then she looked around. "Wasn't Rarity supposed to be here?" "Ms. Prissy Pants ran off...she stepped in some mud or something. I think she's still inside washing her hooves." Pinkie Pie landed in the field, dropping off Fluttershy. "Where's Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked. "Oh, she wanted to fly herself here. She mentioned something about taking the long way through. She should be here in a few minutes." "I'm heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere!" Rarity said as she greeted the rest of the group. "Can you believe someponys leave disgusting mud all over the ground? Beautiful Unicorns could step in it, and soil their perfectly perfect coats! Oh, and imagine what would happen if it got in their hair--" "Ah yes, Celestia forbid mud at a farm run by Earth ponies." Applejack interrupted, with very blatant sarcasm. Rarity just 'hmphed' and flipped her hair. The group laughter was broken by the sound of screaming coming from above. Rainbow Dash crashed into a pile of rotten apples...at least they were soft. Rainbow Dash climbed out of the pile, and brushed some 'smoosh' off of her. "Trying out a new trick again?" Applejack could barely get that out without laughing. "NO!" Rainbow Dash replied with a bit of frustration in her voice. "Well...maybe at first yes; but these stupid birds--" "bird's aren't stupid" Fluttershy whispered under her breath. Nopony had heard her. "I was about to perfect my triple-flip spin-wind when this flock of seagulls came out of nowhere! Next thing I know, one of them hits my left wing and sends me crashing into the Everfree forest! But being the super-ultra-extreme-awesomazing flier I am, I had barely managed to adjust my trajectory to avoid that creepy forest by landing here; on purpose!" "Whatever you say Sucarcube." They all helped Applejack load the cargo train with the apples, then loaded themselves into the passenger sections. For a while, they all just talked, and reminisce about their previous adventures. Some details were obviously exaggerated, but it was all in good fun. Soon enough, Spike started getting sleepy; he is a baby dragon after all. Twilight carried him to the back where he could sleep in peace. She was about to close the door, but she felt a motherly tinge compelling her to stay with him. She sat down in the chair near the bed and began to read her "The Art of the To-Do List" book she packed along. Twilight got to about chapter four, when the train came to a stop. Applejack knocked, then entered the room Twilight and Spike were in. "We're here! Grab your things and let's get these apples catered!" Applejack left the room, and gathered the other ponies. Twilight could see them gathered out her window; all talking and laughing with eachother. She nudged Spike. "Five...more minutes..." Spike grumbled. Twilight of course didn't grant his wish. She picked him up and set him on her back. She exited the train and grouped with the other ponies. "Let's unload this thing" Rainbow Dash said, feeling confident in doing it in ten seconds flat. Applejack opened the cargo train, and everypony helped unload barrels of apples. Rarity and Twilight were of course using their magic; they could lift a few at a time this way. The pegasusususus Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were carrying them by hoof; although Rainbow was going much faster. Applejack carries them as she always does, on her sides. Spike, was still asleep. Eventually, all the barrels were unloaded; and the train rode off. Pinkie Pie mimicked the loud "whoo-whoooo!" the train made, and then kept mimicking it the whole way to the castle. A royal guard directed them to the Grand Ballroom, and instructed where they could set up; he pointed his hoof towards a closet and said that there are decorations and tables in it. He also directed them to the nearest kitchen, if they needed to bake anything. The chef's said they'd be happy to help with anything they could. Pinkie Pie and Applejack stayed in the kitchen to make some sweets. Rarity had stayed back in the ballroom to decorate. Rainbow Dash grabbed Fluttershy and flew off somewhere, probably to the Wonderbolt's stadium. Twilight Sparkle on the other hand, went to see the Princess. Spike's firebreath has been a bit over-used lately with the whole "everypony can write letter's now" thing. And even though Spike said he could handle it, and that it was no problem; Twilight insisted she let him rest and could deliver the letter to the princess by hand--err, hoof. She asked a guard for directions to the Royal Chambers, and of course was denied. Spike still on her back (asleep,) Twilight decided to explore on her own. She'd been to the castle many times, but it seems everytime she comes it's a different place. Twilight was going to admire the library, when Princess Luna's left wing accidentally bumped into her. "Oh, my apologies Twilight, I'm in a bit of a rush." Princess Luna said as she closed her wings. "No problem princess. What's the hurry?" Twilight asked. "It's nothing much, but I heard someponies broke into the Wonderbolt stadium. At first they were causing mischief; but other ponies showed up and enjoyed the show. They say the blue pony with the rainbow-mane is really quite amazing." "Well, that's Rainbow Dash for you..." "I want to see this for myself. I hope she'll still be there by the time I arrive." "As long as their's an audience, I'm sure Rainbow Dash will be there." "It was nice seeing you again Twilight!" Luna said as she continued her exit. "Same to you Princess!" Twilight replied, unsure if Luna heard her or not. Twilight continued towards the library, and opened the door. "I swear, this library get's bigger every time!" Twilight said out loud, not anticipating on anypony but a sleeping Spike overhearing. "It really is quite amazing, isn't it?" A soft and majestic voice called from the corner. Princess Celestia revealed herself, and Twilight offered her the letter. "Thank you" she said as her horn lit up, teleporting the letter somewhere else. Probably back to wherever she keeps the others. "How are you enjoying your stay so far?" Celestia asked. "Oh it's going great. Rarity is in the ballroom decorating. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are at the Wonderbolt's stadium, and apparently started a show. Pinkie Pie and Applejack are in the kitchen baking apple-treats for your celebrati-- Hey, what's this celebration for anyway?" Celestia got quiet for a moment, deep in thought. "Princess?" "Oh" Celestia said as she snapped back to reality. "It's... nothing special...Just you're average Celebration." Celestia blinked a couple times, and started leaving. "Well, I'm off to go do some boring diplomatic stuff, enjoy your time in the library." Even Twilight Sparkle knows Princess Celestia has a world-renowned poker-face. Celestia is hiding something.
IlluminationIt was almost time for the celebration, and Twilight was still in the library; wondering what Celestia would hide, and why? Spike had woken up about fifteen minutes after Celestia left; and was occupying himself reading Stallion and Hobbes. Twilight gazed out the window, what an amazing view. She could see all of Ponyville. It was getting dark, so most of the ponies were heading in, but there were a few still out and about. Twilight was too high up to recognize any of them, they all looked like ants. One ant was running quite fast though. It was dashing right down Mane Street, then took a fast turn towards the Ponyville library. "Is it looking for me?" Twilight thought. "I hope it's nothing too urgent..." "What are you looking at?" Spike asked. "Oh, somepony is at the library, probably looking for me." Twilight responded. "I wonder what for...did you scare the little fillies again?" Spike laughed as he went back to his reading. Twilight was so distracted by her thoughts she hadn't noticed Princess Celestia walk in. "Do you like the view?" She asked, as she shared a similar glance, although her eyes were pointed more towards the mountains than the library. "It's wonderful" Twilight replied, not even showing how much Celestia had startled her. "Rainbow Dash was a big hit at the stadium today...those rich snobs seem to get a kick out of those with complete disregard for the rules" Celestia giggled a bit, and sipped some tea. Twilight hadn't even noticed Celestia had brought anything with her. "What are you doing back here? I thought you had some 'boring diplomatic work' to do." Twilight asked. "I finished that just in time for the celebration." Twilight's heart skipped a beat. "Did I miss it?" Twilight said, hiding her shock...not-so-well. "Oh, no no no. The celebration won't start until I enter the room. They need me to give some speech or something before they start." For a princess, she really seemed informal. "I noticed you weren't in your seat, so I decided to stall, and get one of my comedians up on the stage... I hope he does better than the last guy." Celestia sipped some more tea. "I went off to find you here; I had assumed you got distracted by the view like I do. Sometimes I find myself gazing out across the world for hours, when it only feels like minutes have passed by." Celestia gave a quick smile. "'Tia! Tia! It's time to raise the sun! You're running late!'" Celestia tried her best Luna impersonation, unaware Luna had walked in just at that moment. "Oh please, I do not sound like that sister." Luna said mischievously. "Are you finished yet? The comedian is running out of jokes." "How can you tell?" Celestia asked. "He started singing songs by Bruno Mares..." Luna said, hiding her head. "Oh no..." Celestia said in agreement. "Well, it's better than having Twilight dance" Spike said, and then was greeted with a quick shove to his side by Twilight Sparkle. "Well, I suppose I should get to the point" Celestia said. "I want you to come into the ballroom with me. You are my most faithful student after all." Twilight agreed, and Spike put his book into Twilight's bag. The four of them (Twilight, Celestia, Luna, and Spike) went to the ballroom. They arrived in the ballroom, and the alicorns took their seats. A guard had grabbed a chair for Twilight, and another for Spike. Celestia gave her welcoming speech, and all the guests began enjoying their Apple's and Apple-treats. Although, she still never mentioned what the celebration was for. Rarity did really well with the fancy-people. Pinkie Pie and Applejack remained in the kitchen...good call. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash never showed up; they were probably still at the stadium. The royal guards brought in special food for the royalty; however they probably mistook Twilight and Spike for royalty, because they also got some. Well, they were sitting with the princesses, can't really blame them. It all looked so good. Twilight was about to take a bite into a delicious looking pie, when Spike poked her. "What do you want Spike?" She said a bit frustrated... she really wanted that pie. "Do you still have that book I gave you?" Spike asked. "Yes..." "Can you pull it out for me? I'm bored." "Oh fine..." Twilight pulled the book out of her bag, and a paper with writing on it fell out. "What's this?" Spike reached down and picked it up and tried to read it. But couldn't. So he just sat there quietly. "Well? What does it say?" Twilight asked. "Well... There's this weird symbol on it, then a backwards 'C' an 'N' and then a 'P'" "What?" "Just look for yourself" ʞɔnp "It's upside down Spike..." Twilight said as she flipped the paper around. "Oh" Spike blushed a little, but being a purple dragon, hid it very well. "See, it clearly says..." Twilight got quiet for a moment. "Twilight?" duck "...duck" Twilight read quietly. "Hm? I didn't quite catch that" Spike said, curious as to what the note really said. "duck..? duck...? duck! DUCK!" Twilight grabbed Spike and crouched down, just as the sound of a loud explosion and broken glass filled the room. All the palace guards rushed to the Princess. But it was too late, a shadowy figure had already dashed threw the broken window, jumped over Twilight (still ducking,) and snatched Princess Celestia. Teleporting away. "W-What... What just happened?" Luna asked, trying not go go into shock. "Your sister has been kidnapped, and we've already got the guards mobilized. We are going to find her. In the mean time, you will need to fulfill her duties of raising the sun." One of the guards said. But by the look of his armor, he must have been the general. "But I can't do that! I don't know her spell for that!" "Then for the time being, we will be locked in eternal night until the Princess is returned." The general then turned to the guests. "Now all of you; do not worry. The princess will be returned. Just go home, the celebration has been postponed." The guests all started leaving. "You would think our mighty Princess, the only one who can raise the sun, the only one fit to rule us, would put up a better fight than that...Even I could have done something" A random guest murmured under his breath as he walked by Twilight; not intending for anyone to hear. But Twilight heard it. It did seem a bit odd the Princess wouldn't put up a fight at all. Too odd... Before Twilight could continue her possible theory, a group of masked figures--from the looks of it, they were all pegasus ponies--charged in through the main gate. The guests were all gone by now, the entire ballroom was in a wreck, broken glass was all over the place... "What...the...buck?" one of the figures said. They all just stood there for a while, looking around. Suddenly the royal guards attacked, and quicker than a blink, the four pegasus burst into action. A few of the guards were knocked down, but nopony could have predicted what would happen next, another mysterious figure flew in from the broken window. It's horn started glowing--must be a unicorn--and suddenly the four figures were tied up, and hanging off of the chandelier. The figure turned it's head towards Twilight, there was something familiar with it's eyes...suddenly there was a bright flash, and the figure was gone. The royal guards, keeping the 'bad-guys' tied up, carefully unhooked them from the chandelier, and carried them out of the ballroom. Twilight was going to help clean up the glass, now that all this chaos was over, when Luna tapped her shoulder. "Come with me" she said. "I have the feeling these four trouble-makers will know what's going on. Follow me" Twilight followed the princess through the castle, and down some stairs. They arrived in a dungeon of sorts. Luna led Twilight down the hall, and pointed towards a locked cell. Inside were four pegasi; a white one, a black-ish purple one, a brown one, and a orange one. Twilight didn't recognize any of them. She was going to look at their cutie marks, but realized that may be a bit akwaed. "Who are you?" Luna asked, with a bit of anger in her voice. "Well," the white one spoke up, in a prideful, annoying, cocky voice. "We are none other than T.A.G, Together Against Government." "But..." the brown pegasus began. "Didn't we agree on the Forces Against the Good?" "Don't you remember? We changed our name because of what it spelled..." The orange one said, sighing a little. "Nopony would tell me what it said!" the brown one interjected. "Can't you read? Honestly, it amazes me how dumb you ar---" "WHITE!!!! Orange is making fun of me again!" The brown one whined. "Did not!" Orange said. "Did too!" Brown said. "Do I have to solve everything around here?" The three of them started arguing, Luna and Twilight both looked at eachother...insanely confused. The blackish-purple one just sat in the corner, ignoring the squabble of the other ponies...for a while. Suddenly he burst out: "WOULD YOU ALL JUST SHUT UP!?!?!" It all got quiet. The three other pegasi were all staring at him. "...woah. Did Nightmare just talk? He never talks..." Brown said, turning his head a little. "He must be really mad now..." Orange said. "We're so screwed..." White said. Nightmare just sat back down in his corner, and continued ignoring everything and every one. Luna turned away, and ducked her head. "Princess Luna?" Twilight whispered. "I'm fine." Luna answered...obviously lying. "What's wrong?" "I said I'm fine...And I must be going. I need to do extensive research on the sun raising spell." Luna walked away, with a small tear streaming down her cheek. Twilight was curious as to what triggered such a response... but she was also curious as to what these trouble-makers know. She walked up to the cell and asked in a very direct way. "Why are you here?" showing more anger than Luna had when she asked a question. Brown, Orange, and White were all going to say something, when Nightmare broke their words with his. "We are here to capture your princess--and we would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for your stupid unicorn magic." Nightmare lifted his hoof and pointed it at her horn." "It wasn't me!" Twilight said nervously. "It was somepony who flew threw the window!" "Nonsense! I sensed your aura when we were attacked!" "I was in the ballroom, maybe you miscalculated" "I don't miscalculate" Nightmare was starting to sound agitated. "You must have, for I was on the other side of the ballroom..." Twilight said; when suddenly, Nightmare's eyes lit up, and suddenly had his face pressed against the bars, just in front of Twilight's face. but...pegasus can't perform magic? "You listen, and you listen good. You are underestimating my true power. The only thing keeping me from busting out of this cell and slaughtering you, Luna, and everyone in this castle is the fact that these bars are enchanted with some sort of spell-block." "How were you captured so easily then? If you are such a powerful being?" Twilight thought she had an edge on him. It wouldn't make sense for someone as powerful as Nightmare claims to be, to get captured by one unicorn. "You used some sort of spell-block on me. How was I supposed to do anything?" ...apparently he still thinks it was Twilight Sparkle. But rather than agitate him again, she just went with it. "I would be out of this cell by now too, if I could get some bucking concentration going... But it's impossible with these morons in this cell with me..." "Why did you allow them to tag along?" "You have much to learn Twilight Sparkle..." Nightmare took a few steps back, and now that he wasn't in Twilight's face she could get a better image of him...or it. Nightmare had what appeared to be the body of a pegasus pony, made of shadow. There was a slight invisibility element to it. From up close, Twilight could not see anything but it's eyes, but now that she could see all of him, she realized how dangerous it could be. His mane was long and flowing like the Princess' manes, but his body lacked substance. "But first, I may as well fill you in on why Luna left..I am the one who corrupted her" "But--" "As long as there is harmony in the world, there will always be discord. There must be evil to combat the good. There must always be yang to the yin. As the world gets better, it also gets worse. You cannot defeat all evil, for it will always return. With this spell-block here, I can't break out anytime soon. There is no further purpose to you staying here." "Fine..." Twilight turned around and began to leave. She was very confused, and she hoped Luna would be OK. "Wait!" White called. "Where is Princess Celestia?" "I don't know..." Twilight said. "But I'm going to find out."
BrightTwilight went back to the library, feeling hopeless. Somehow Spike had gotten home, and was already tucked into bed. Probably was Rarity or somepony... Twilight climbed into her bed, not knowing if the sun would rise for a long time. Without Celestia to raise the moon, Equestria had to rely on Luna to learn the spell in one night (and not even the entire night either.) It took Twilight a little while to fall asleep, but she knew she had to. There was some noise downstairs. Did Spike wake up? No, he was still in bed. Twilight quietly went down the stairs to see what was happening. She looked around the corner to see a shadowy, unicorn-esque figure. From what Twilight saw of it, the figur-- "YOU!" Twilight sparkle yelled, catching the figure by surprise. "Where is Princess Celestia!" She tried to use her magic to restrain it, but it was no use. The figure somehow avoided, or deflected, the attack. The figure looked at Twilight, then teleported away... What if she was dreaming again? Twilight sat down on a chair, and pondered that question to herself. She could just be dreaming again, and this whole thing would be fake again. How could she know for sure if this happened? Twilight sat for a while, when the light from the moon shone in her eye. She moved over towards the curtains to shut them, when she noticed her pencil sitting in the windowsill. Twilight had an idea. She grabbed the pencil, and went to her bookcase. She pulled out a binder, and ripped out a small scrap of paper from it. Feeling silly, she wrote "duck" on it...After she did, she realized what she did... Celestia was just kidnapped, why would this be humorous to her? She quickly shook that gruesome thought out of her mind, when something caught her eye. "Stallion & Hobbes" "Oh no" Twilight said to herself. "Whoever brought Spike home, also brought home the Princess' book. I'll have to return that in the morning." Twilight slipped the 'duck' paper into the book, also feeling silly; but again, she felt bad for doing it after. She is making fun of Celestia's kidnapping! That's not funny at all! "Oh! I left my "Art of the To-Do list back at the castle too! I guess now I'll trade the two tomorrow." Twilight let out a yawn, and made her way back upstairs. Now she'll know if she was dreaming, the paper was placed; and she would check it tomorrow morning; along with trading her book back. "WOW! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!" Pinkie Pie yelled, waking up Spike, and Twilight Sparkle. "THE PRINCESS WAS KIDNAPPED LAST NIGHT! Well.. I guess it wouldn't be called kidnapping, she is a grown mare after all... But Marenapped doesn't quite have the same--" "Umm... Pinkie... What are you doing here?" Twilight said, a bit drowsy. "Don't you remember? You told me last night that we would go see Zecora in the morning!" "Why on Equestria would we go see Zecora..." "I don't know! You're the one that wanted to go, silly!" Pinkie giggled, and lifted Spike onto her back. Well... No use arguing with Pinkie Pie. The three of them went down stairs, and out the door. But just before it closed, Twilight remembered what she set up last night...was it a dream? "Hang on!" Twilight said. Then she realized she may sound crazy if she told Pinkie what she really did. "Spike's book." "Why would Spike need a book? Zecora's way more entertaining than a silly ol' book! Like one time, me and Fluttershy--" "No Pinkie, you don't understand. Spike was reading Stallion&Hobbes from the princess' library, and accidentally brought it home. I need to return it later today." "Oh..." Pinkie pie said. Twilight wanted to check for the 'duck'...but she couldn't do it in front of anypony. Soon enough the trio reached the Everfree Forest, and then, Zecora's house. "Here is what you ordered. The special brew you wanted conjured" Zecora said, handing a bottle over to Twilight. "Although I must admit I am quite curious, why would you want a potion to make it's drinker uncontrollably furious?" So it's some sort of rage-potion? Why would Twilight need that? "Nevermind, I'm sure your reasons are kind." "Umm... Thank you Zecora! Have a nice day!" Pinkie, Twilight, and Spike all left the Zecora's house, when Pinkie asked a question: "Why did you need me to come along if you just needed to pick something up?" "I'm not--" "WATCH OUT!" Pinkie's tail twitched, and Pinkie grabbed Twilight and Spike and carried them under some trees. Just in time too, because a small red stone fell from the sky. Good thing Pinkie was there. "Woah!" Spike said as he ran over to it. "Is this what I think it is!?!?!?" "What?" Twilight asked. "This is a fire ruby! What luck!" Spike sniffed it, then licked it. "Hmm...It's not quite ripe yet. Probably needs a few more months." "Where did that come from?" Pinkie Pie asked, looking up. "I don't know" Twilight asked. Spike was too busy admiring his good fortune to care. "Let's just hope another doesn't fall and hit us on our heads." They all made their way back to Twilight's Place, and finally, Twilight was all alone. She could check her book for the paper. She pulled it out of her bag, when she heard Fluttershy scream from outside. Twilight ran outside to see her chasing rabbits all over town. "Oh Twilight!" Fluttershy said as she floated over. "Somepony unlocked my bunny cage and all of the bunnies got loose!" "That's terrible! How can I help?" Twilight asked to help without even realizing it. The book will have to wait, helping friends is important. "Go get Applejack! She'll know what to do!" Fluttershy squealed again as a bunny hopped onto her head. Twilight stuck the book in her bag and headed for Sweet Apple Acres. "Applejack!" Twilight called. "Oh hey Twi. What's up--" Applejack said. "Fluttershy's bunnies got loose and are rampaging all over town!" "I'm on it." Applejack ran into town. From what Twilight could see, she ran into Fluttershy who appeared to be explaining the whole thing. Applejack nodded and the two of them separated. Looks like that was under-control. There was a rustle in the bushes behind Twilight, she turned around to see three small figures disappearing into the foliage. Twilight followed them to find the Cutie Mark Crusader's clubhouse. Twilight listened in on the meeting going on inside. "I'm sure you all know why this meeting was called" Scootaloo announced. "Actually... Not really" Sweetie Belle said... "Fluttershy's bunnies got loose! Remember?" Applebloom said. "Oh right!" Sweetie Belle said. "Yeah! And I think we should help out." Scootaloo said. "Why?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Our cutie marks might be in bunny wrangling!" Applebloom said, getting excited. Twilight giggled a bit at even the possibility of such a funny talent. "Exactly." Scootaloo said. There was a quick "3, 2, 1, GO!" chanted by all three fillies, and then there was the sound of hooves running around. Twilight ran into the bushes to avoid being seen. The Cutie Mark Crusaders ran out and then into town, not even noticing Twilight. "It's going to be a great day!" Scootaloo said. "I can feel it!" ...Great day? Day? Twilight looked around to find the sun shining! It was day! Luna did it! Or Celestia was found! Either way, Twilight got to the castle as fast as she could. She ran to the library to see Luna staring out the window. "Oh, greetings Twilight Sparkle." "You did it Luna!" Twilight said, abandoning all the formality expected when talking to royalty. Luna didn't respond. She stood there quietly, gazing across Ponyville. "Princess?" "I didn't do anything..." "But...That's impossible. How else would the sun have been raised?" "I'm not sure...But I'm glad it did. If it didn't I'm sure there would be total chaos in the town." "I wonder what could have been powerful enough to raise the sun?" "It would take some pretty great magic to accomplish such a feat." Then the two of them had the exact same idea. Could it be possible? Luna readied the chariot, and Twilight and her hopped in. If this magician was powerful enough to raise the sun, surely she would have a way of finding Princess Celestia. They landed just on the other side of the Everfree forest, next to a small shack with a moon and wand drawn on it. Luna approached the door and knocked on it. "Who dares disturb my great and powerful slumber?" a voice from inside called. "It is I. Princess Luna. We request your assistance." Luna replied. "...We?" the voice asked as the door opened, revealing an arrogant blue pony. "As you can see, I brought along Twilight Sparkle." "Why did you bring that little whelp along?" "You and I are both aware that you two are the most powerful unicorns in Equestria." The blue pony liked the acknowledgement of her prowess. "What do you want?" She said. "Are you aware of what events transpired last night?" Luna asked. "Even though the Great and Powerful Trixie knows everything, she does not know of what events you are speaking." The blue pony said...being an annoying third-person talker as always. "Princess Celestia was kidnapped the other night, and we had believed this would cause the world to rest in an Eternal night. However we awoke this morning to see...it was morning. The sun was out." "So you believed that only the Great and Powerful Trixie could have accomplished such a feat?" "Yes. Did you?" "Alas, Trixie did not. For the Great and Powerful Trixie requires at least 9 hours of continuous Great and Powerful Beauty Sleep. She wouldn't be bothered by waking up early enough to raise the sun." It appeared that the annoying blue pony went into show-off-mode, and is talking in a Pseudo-Royal-Canterlot-Voice. "If Celestia is missing; and neither Princess Luna or you raised the sun, how is it possible it was raised?" Twilight asked. "I don't know, but I guess we need to focus on the task at hand. Locating the Princess." Luna said. "Trixie--" "GREAT AND POWERFUL Trixie" the blue pony interrupted. "Are you able to use any locator spells." "My apologies, but the Great and Powerful Trixie's cannot perform a trick such as that." Ugh...Will this blue pony just shut up. "However, The Great and Powerful Trixie may have means of saving your princess." "What is that?" Luna asked. "Time." "What?" Twilight gasped. "The solution to your problem, is altering the timeline. You say she was kidnapped correct? Then the only way to save her is to stop whomever it was from kidnapping her, by kidnapping her yourself!" "Couldn't I just stop the kidnapper?" "No! Nopony can know it's you. Not even the Great and Powerful Trixie knows what would happen if such were to occur. The possible outcomes of an event could be catastrophic! You must wear a disguise. And the Great and Powerful Trixie may have something laying around for Twilight Sparkle to use." The blue pony entered the shack and pulled out a chest. "Inside is the costume. Do not show it to anypony, or else they would know it's you." "Why me?" Twilight asked. "Because the costume lacks wing-holes, and is the improper shape for the princess." Oh, and in-case you haven't realized, the blue pony is Trixie. "What will the princess do then?" "She will maintain everything else in Equestria. However that will not be effective, because you may alter the timeline significantly enough to disrupt even the moment happening right now." "I see" Luna said. "Then I'd best be off. Twilight, you and Trixie must save the Princess." Luna hopped into the chariot and flew away. Meanwhile Twilight stayed to learn the secrets of time. Trixie entered her shack, and called back to Twilight. "The Great and Powerful Trixie beckons you to enter..." Twilight entered the shack, and shut the door behind her. "First the Great and Powerfu--" "Can you just stop that..." Twilight said under her breath, hoping that Trixie wouldn't hear...but as luck would have it, she did. "You dare question The Great and Powerful Trixie's amazing method of speaking!?!?!?" "...It's kinda annoying..." Twilight said, trying not to offend. Trixie took a step back, got quiet for a minute. "I suppose it is..." Trixie said, totally not in an annoying way. If Twilight hadn't known better, Trixie almost seemed like a nice person. "Let's get to work on time-traveling." "What's the spell? What do I need?" Twilight asked, a bit too enthusiastically. "You need to train yourself first." "Train? for what?" "To defend yourself in-case someone spots you. Or to attack whoever kidnapped the princess." "Oh." "Probably the most useful spell will be a spell-block. Do you know how to do this?" "No, but I had a book about it...Although now that I think of it, it strangely disappeared a couple nights ago." "Then you must go back in time and get it. You need to learn some kind of spell-block if you ever want to defend yourself against magic." "How do I go back in time?" "I wish we didn't have to skip all your training, but learning the spell-block is important." "Couldn't you teach me?" "I don't know one. It's pretty ancient magic you know. I think the last unicorn to use it was Starswirl the Bearded. Which I happen to know a certain Twilight Sparkle keeps an extensive collection of books on." Trixie giggled a bit. It was as if she was an entirely new person. "However, although the spell-block is ancient magic; I have been working on some time magic. However it requires a few 'ingredients.'" "What are they?" "Hair from a brown rabbit; some Zap Apples; a Fire Ruby; and lastly, fire." "How am I supposed to get Zap Apples? They don't harvest all that often. And any Zap Apples left unharvested go away after the harvesting season is over." "I can imagine you can use something made of zap apples, such as jam." Trixie licked her lips. "I love zap apple jam; the harvesting season usually falls during my birthday. So my mother used to always get me some for my birthday. Once my mother left, I always promised myself that if I ever got some, I'd try to be a nicer pony." Trixie cracked a quick mischievous smile, but quickly hid it away, hoping Twilight didn't see it. "I think I can gather the ingredients alright. I'm sure they'd have a lot of that stuff at the castle." "Good luck!" As Twilight was leaving, she turned her head back and giggled as she said one last thing. "You know Trixie, without your ego; you're a pretty ok pony." "Thank you. I suppose I should leave my Great and Powerful ways behind me. Nopony seemed to like a show-off." Trixie said. Twilight left the shack, and made her way back to her house. It did seem off Trixie changed her mood so quickly, especially when Twilight complained. It's not as if they were on good terms or anything. In fact, it was odd that Trixie even allowed Twilight within 200 hooves of her home! This whole week has been awfully strange.
