"Gooood morning, PONYVILLLLLLLLLLLLEEE!!!!" declared Rainbow Dash as she flew across her hometown, bright and early to clear away some small errant clouds to give everypony a clear and happy morning!

She flew past the Library Tree, startling Owlowiscious awake, who gave a curt "Hoo..." in response before he found himself enjoying the warm morning light. Shrugging his wings, he flew over to sleeping Twilight and gently pecked at her horn, not hurting her, merely to rouse her awake.

"Stop..." Twilight moaned as she turned over, only for Owlowiscious to flap over and then reach with his wing to tickle his owner's nose. It made her giggle before she started, "Ah... Ah! ACHOO!"

"HOO!" Owlowiscious flapped back up onto his perch while Twilight sat up in bed and stretched out any bed kinks.

"Good morning, Owlowiscious...!" Twilight gasped and looked to her window and smiled, "It's morning!"

The morning of a new day, a fresh start. The morning after one of her biggest mistakes. In retrospect, Twilight felt like such a fool, to have gone to such lengths to make a friendship report over the assumption that she was supposed to have learned something new about friendship every single week and send a report about it to her teacher, Princess Celestia. Looking back, she remembered the Sun Princess had tasked her with learning Friendship but never actually said she was to report her findings and experiences every single week!

It was my own assumption and... Twilight sighed before she sat before her vanity, making sure not to wake Spike, who still snoozed in his basket. She brushed her mane and coat, added just a spritz of her favorite perfume, Essence of Lavender, and got her game face on.
"But today is a new day!"

Magicking over her agenda, she let the positive energy fill her up as she felt a song coming on!

Alright, Twilight, what's on the schedule today?
Breakfast, shopping, and then lunch at that new café
Practice a spell, this is looking real swell, and woah!
Girl it couldn't be better!

"Mm, hey Twilight," Spike woke up, rubbing his eyes but smiled at his adoptive sister, "You're in a good mood."

"Morning, Spike," Twilight was musing on what else to add to the schedule, "And yes, I am! I just have a really good feeling about today!"

"As opposed to yesterday...?" Spike gave Twilight a cheeky look as he got up to get ready for the day as well.

"I know, not one of my shining moments," Twilight gave a sheepish grin while she made some buttered and cinnamon toast, "But today... I just can't help but feel that it's going to be wonderful!"

Shake the sleep off, and kick into the morning drill
(Twilight pulled on her saddlebags, grabbed some money, and levitated Spike onto her back)
It's another happy day here in Ponyville!
(She stepped out the door, breathing in the morning air)
No need to fear, time to spread the good cheer, and woah!
Things just couldn't be better!

Twilight trotted out merry and happy, smiling to passerby, Spike waving, as they enjoyed their toast on the go.

Call it hope or faith, whatever!
I just know in my heart, that today will be one to remember...!
(Twilight ran out into Ponyville Square)

`Cause there's Celestia's sun in the morning sky
And the mood couldn't be any brighter
And there goes Rainbow Dash a'rocketing by
(Rainbow Dash soared o'er Ponyville Square before landing beside Twilight and Spike)
And Pinkie can't smile any wider!
(Pinkie Pie popped outfrom behind the fountain statue, grinning from ear to ear as she and Rainbow joined in on the song)

It's like a funhouse ride that you just can't miss
Call it crazy and yet, is there anything better than this?
Life just couldn't be better than this!

"Hey, Twi! What's all the singing about?" asked Rainbow Dash with a laugh.

"Hi girls, I'm just feeling so good," Twilight smiled as Spike hopped off her back.
"Twilight's just feeling like today's gonna be a good one," the little dragon explained.
"And with this little schedule, that's a guarantee," Twilight nodded, only for Rainbow Dash to snatch it from her telekinetic grasp. "Hey!"

"Twi, if you wanna have a great day, then don't plan it!" Rainbow Dash tossed the schedule into a nearby public trashcan.
"Dashie's right, Twi," Pinkie threw her arm around Twilight's withers while holding her other one out, "Just go with the flow, see where the day takes you!"

"But... my schedule!" Twilight whined a little.

Twi, forget that! We'll tell you what today will bring!
First a shindig, then a bash, then more partying!
Wrap it up with a Rainboom high above (oh-woah-oh)
Yeah, you know it couldn't be better!
(Rainbow Dash flew off while Pinkie hopped around, saying hi to everypony)

"Howdy, Twilight!" Twilight and Spike turned towards the marketplace where they saw the Apple Siblings pony-ing their apple stand as Applejack held out some kind of treat, "Got somthin' here fer y'all to try!"

"Hi Applejack!" Spike said as he and Twilight approached AJ's stand.

"It's Granny Smith's latest recipe for apple pie!" Applejack cut a piece each for Twilight and Spike, the little dragon going 'Yum!' as Applejack continued, "Have a bite, got more fer th' kids' delight! Bloom?"

Applejack tossed a piece to Apple Bloom who chomped it down with one gulp, as she declared, "It just couldn't taste better!" "Eeyup!"

I can't help but feel something's coming
(Twilight shared an excited smile with Spike)

But until it arrives might as well get this party humming!(Yee-haw!)
(Pinkie Pie started zipping around, decorating town square while Applejack and her siblings helped prepare a buffet table)

Yes, it's an earth pony, pegasus, unicorn town
But the folks couldn't be any sweeter (Sweeter!)
(Twilight and Spike helped Fluttershy as she was leading some ducklings across the way)
So call it upside, backwards, or wrong-side down
But it just couldn't feel more completer
(The locals gathered around Twilight as the rest of her friends joined her)

There's so much to do
And it's all such bliss
There's no reason to fret
What could ever be better than this?
No, it couldn't get better than-

"OhHhWHOAoAOaOaAoOooo...!!!"

Everypony flinched and froze in place as they took notice of Pinkie Pie's whole body going into an involuntary shudder.

"Pinkie are you okay?" Twilight kept her distance from the party pony before daring to ask, "Is it...?"

"Oh yeah! It's a DoOOooOooOoooOOOOzy!" Pinkie shuddered again, "Something totally unexpected is about to happen right here in Ponyville!"

Meanwhile, a lone hooded figure was walking towards the eastern edge of Ponyville. A horn poking through the brim of his hood showed he was a unicorn, his cloak, black as a shadow, dragged along the ground, a pair of worn saddlebags hung from his sides, and he sighed in relief to see cvilization after spending the last few weeks on the road.

"So this is Ponyville," he sighed as he ambled in, passing the modest-looking abodes, and shrugged, "Homey-looking."

He didn't see many ponies out and about, which wasn't that surprising given it was still the morning hours. Just past nine, he confirmed after seeing a clock tower. The further in he went, he saw more ponies going about their business, and decided to ask a local, approaching a brown earth pony with an hourglass cutie-mark.
"Excuse me, sir?"

"Hmm? Oh, good morning," the earth pony repleid with a friendly smile. "Don't seem to know you, though you are wearing a hood. You new in town, by any chance?"

"As a matter of fact, I am," the hooded pony nodded, "I just got into town and... Could you direct me to the nearest inn, hotel, bed n' breakfast?"

"Ah, you'll want the Nesting Pegasus," the earth pony pointed down the way, "Just carry on until you reach Stirrup Street, and then take a left. The inn will be straight ahead."

"Thank you, sir," the hooded pony nodded before proceeding along-

"You're welcome, Midnight."

!!!

The hooded pony almost tripped over his own hooves and whirled around, "How do you know- ?!?!"

The earth pony was gone!

He cast a sensor spell to determine where that earth pony went... only to feel nothing! No traces of tracks, no traces of translocation, not even body-warmth to indicate if he'd just turned invisible. Narrowing his eyes within the shadow of his hood, he sighed and thought, Not the weirdest thing I've ever encountered...

But it was certainly now in the Top Ten. He shrugged it off and took the pony's directions. Finding the Nesting Pegasus turned out to be as easy as it had sounded, and upon entering, he saw a counter with a middle-aged earth pony stallion reading a newspaper. The bell on the door rang as the stranger had entered, and the pony put his paper down and chuckled before saying, "Welcome to the Nesting Pegasus. Need a room?"

The hooded pony nodded and approached before levitating out a small baggy that obviously contained something. The clerk took the baggy and emptied it... to find a pristine looking gemstone! He marveled at it before gazing up at the hooded pony, who spoke softly, "I'll need a room for at least a month."

"Uh, I'll have my daughter prepare our best!" the clerk smiled, a tad excited by this small fortune that had basically dropped into his lap.

"No need, a simple room with a bathroom and closet will do, and for the record..." the hooded pony assured before leaning forward, "I like my privacy."

"Whatever you want, good sir!" the clerk assured as he turned to the wall behind him where hung the room keys. He quickly spied one for a room that met the customer's request, took it from the hook, and held it out to him.
"Room 1-13, down that way, at the end of the hall."

"Thank you," the hooded pony accepted the key and turned to head for his room.

"Um, sir? Is there anything else I can get for you?" asked the clerk.

"I've had a long journey," the hooded pony responded, "and I'd really just enjoy a nap."

"Okay, well, uh..." the clerk remembered, "There's an intercom on the bedside drawer, in case you need something later."

"Thank you," the hooded pony nodded before carrying on.

He reached the room, turned the key, and went in. It was cozy-looking, simple. One window, with the curtains drawn, which he quickly closed to stave off that annoying sunlight. A bed for two, soft coverings, the bedside drawer had the mentioned intercom, along with a lamp, there was a closet and beside it the door to the bathroom. He slid off his saddlebags, set them at the bedside, cast a ward on the door so he wouldn't be disturbed, and undid the clasp of his cloak, allowing it all to fall away.

He was a tall unicorn stallion, his body notably muscular from years of traveling on hoof, his coat a sapphire blue, a black mane with a dark blue highlight, his cutie-mark a pale bluish-white crescent moon facing upwards with its crux enclosing around a five point star surrounded by five white twinkles, and his tired eyes were the color of turquoise. There was a scar on his left wither, he had some unruly sideburns, having not shaved for a while, and strangely he had a long leonine tail ending with a tuft of black black hair with the same dark blue highlight as his mane.

He sighed as he collapsed onto bed, and just let himself drift away.

"Mmm, this is good," Spike enjoyed the sandwich he'd ordered as he and the rest of the girls enjoyed a nice lunch at the new café that had recently opened, "So what's going on with the rest of you?"

"Well, applebuckin' season's comin' up," Applejack replied before taking a swig of her drink, "an' Nightmare Night ain't far off either."

"And some of my critters and birds are already preparing for the winter coming after fall is over," added Fluttershy.

"Say AJ, you up for another Iron Pony competition, followed by the Running of the Leaves?" challenged Rainbow Dash.

"Darlings, must we discuss competition during our lunch hour?" Rarity piped in, "I'd really rather not hear the two of you get into it yet again."

"And besides, didn't-" Twilight tried to say, only for Pinkie to interrupt with another uncontrollable bout of shuddering, causing Twilight to sigh and wait till Pinkie settled. "How much longer are you gonna keep doing that?"

"I told you, everypony," Pinkie answered, "there's a doozy coming and- GASP!!!"

Pinkie Pie gaped in utter shock down the way, and everypony followed her line of sight and saw she was looking at a unicorn pony garbed in a hooded cloak, who seemed to flinch at their taking notice of him. Immediately, he turned around and began to walk away, only for Pinkie Pie to pop up in front of him, making him whinny in alarm.
"Hi there, stranger! You new in town? I can tell, because I know everypony - And I mean everypony - in Ponyville!"

"Excuse me," the hooded pony tried to step past Pinkie, only for her to bar his way.

"What's your name? Where you from? What do you do for a living? Why are you wearing that big heavy cloak on such a warm day?"

"Leave me alone..." the hooded pony responded with a slight edge in his voice as he shouldered his way past Pinkie. But the party pony was following him.

"Oh I'm sorry, are you busy today? Well, how about I help you? That way you'll be finished sooner so you'll have more time to hang out with me and I'll introduce you to my friends, and we can spend all day having fun and getting to know each other, we can take turns doing what each of us wants- We can start with what you want, of course-"

"Good! Because I want for you to take a hike!" the hooded pony snapped.

"Ooh! A hike?! Are you an outdoorspony? `Cuz a hike sounds like fun! I dunno if Rarity will be up for it, she's more of an indoor pony, but I betcha the others would be interested!"

"Not interested..."

"Come on, it'll be fun!"

"No."

"Not even for a cupcake?"

"I'm warning you...!" the hooded pony lit up his horn, preparing a spell.

"Aw c'mon, don't be a party-pooper!" Pinkie was talented in so many ways, but alas she was so very poor in taking a hint. She reached to the hooded pony to grab his withers-

*ZAP/"OW!"*

The moment her hoof had touched the hooded pony's cloak, Pinkie had felt a sudden and sharp sting, like whenever she got too fluffy after rubbing her hooves all over the carpet.

"HEY! What'd ya do to Pinkie Pie, you jerk!"

The hooded pony let out a frustrated sigh and was about to turn around and face whoever this next annoyance was-

*TACKLE/"OOF!"*

Rainbow Dash had zoomed straight into the hooded pony, tackling him to the ground and pinned him, "I think you owe my friend an apology!"

"Get the hell off me, you multicolored maniac!" the hooded pony snapped as he made Rainbow Dash fly off of him with a thought, thought she righted herself mid-air.

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight hurried over, giving her friend an admonishing look, "I think that's quite enough."

"What?! He hurt Pinkie, Twilight! I heard her!" Rainbow Dash protested while pointing at the hooded pony, who was looking nervously at Twilight.

"I only wanted to invite him to have fun with us," Pinkie twiddled her hooves.

"Well, either way, girls, I think he just wants to be left alone," Twilight then approached the hooded pony, who shied away, no longer looking at her directly.
"I apologize for the behavior of my friends."

"Uh- No need..." the hooded pony gulped, "I did go a little too far using a Static Cloaking Ward-"

"WhOaOoAaAoOOaOaAooOHH!!" Pinkie went into yet another shuddery fit, and accidentally bumped into the hooded pony, causing them both to topple over... revealing the hooded pony's cutie-mark!

Twilight gasped upon seeing it before looking at the hooded pony as he sat up, shaking his head in a daze when he heard, "Midnight...?"

He flinched and grimaced under his hood, and the long awkward silence afterwards...

...

...

...

"Can we move this along?! Twilight, you know this guy?" asked Rainbow Dash.

Finally, the hooded pony slowly and nervously turned to see Twilight looking at him with incredulous awe. He did nothing as she stepped over and reached up to lower his hood, and her eyes widened once it fell away to reveal a face she had not seen in so many years looking back at her with distant fear.

"...Hi, Twily..." he finally managed to utter.

Author's Note

This picks up the day after "Lesson Zero"

Song is derived from "Couldn't Be Better" from UglyDolls