The Elements of Sisterhood
~Little Snowflake's POV~
*Dream*
*Dream End*
"Hey! Snow, you awake? Wake up, for goodness sake!"
I woke up with a small moan and moved my head over to my right. My eyes fluttered open to find my study partner, an amber Unicorn named Sunset Shimmer, staring at me with a disappointed look on her face.
I lifted my head with a yawn and sat up from the picnic bench we were sitting on. I rubbed my eyes groggily and looked at the amber Unicorn filly in front of me, "What time is it?"
Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes with a scoff, "It's passed noon, you lazy filly." Then she nudged my shoulder with her hoof, "Come on. You're supposed to be helping me study with these advanced elemental spells, remember?"
I blinked at her, "Didn't the mid-term exam just happened this morning? How are you not tired from all the studying?"
Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes with a humored smile, then resumed reading the book laid in front of her. Then a voice called from the left side of the bench, "Sunset Shimmer!"
I gasped in startle and turned to see Sunset Shimmer and I were accompanied by five Unicorn fillies. I recognized the five fillies, but never got their names. They were from campus.
The first filly was in an all-blue color scheme with an hourglass for a Cutie Mark.
The second had curly pink mane and tail with cyan eyes and white fur. Her Cutie Mark was of three stars.
The third was a mint green color scheme, with a white streak in her mane and tail, and yellow eyes. Her Cutie Mark was of a harp.
The fourth was yellow with blue curly mane and tail. Her Cutie Mark was of three light blue hearts.
The last one was pale yellow with violet eyes behind a pair of glasses. Her mane and tail were red with purple streaks and her Cutie Mark was of a purple crescent moon and stars.
"That vine you made was amazing!" The blue-themed filly praised Shimmer with a smile.
The pink-maned filly nodded in agreement, "Really exquisite!"
"Would you and your friend like to come have lunch with us?" The green-themed filly asked with a bubbly smile.
I smiled and nodded, "That would be-" But Sunset Shimmer scoffed and walked away from the fillies, dragging me along with her, "Hmph! Little Snowflake and I have better things to do than socialize. We're going to re-read 'Advanced Elemental Magical Practices' and then practice for my advanced summoning spells exam." She looked back at them, "What are you studying for? Nothing. That's what."
She lifted her chin and continued walking down the dirt road. I looked back at the fillies, they looked hurt by Sunset Shimmer's words. I looked back at Sunset Shimmer and let go of her grip on my hoof.
Sunset Shimmer turned to me, "Snow? What are you doing?"
I rubbed my right foreleg, "Actually, I think I'm gonna spend lunch with some of our classmates. You know, to practice Princess Celestia's lessons on humility."
Sunset Shimmer looked at me, then at the fillies behind me. She rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Fine." Then she looked at me, "But be sure you come back soon, alright? We're study partners for a reason."
I smiled and nodded in understanding. I walked over to the group of fillies and spent lunch with them. They seemed happy that I was able to join them. We got to know each other and compared notes from our classes. The fillies were surprised that an Earth Pony was able to understand magic the same way a Unicorn can. I was even able to learn their names.
The blue-schemed filly's name was Minuette.
The pink-maned one was named Twinkleshine.
The green one was Lyra Heartstrings.
The yellow Unicorn filly was named Lemon Hearts.
And the final one with a glasses was Moondancer.
*Later that Evening, Inside Canterlot Castle...*
"Sunset Shimmer, I have heard that you're not getting along with the other students-" Princess Celestia informed Sunset Shimmer, as she, Princess Celestia and I walked down the corridors of the castle, "We've talked about the fact that personal relationships..."
"Personal relationships?" Sunset Shimmer scoffed, "Who needs anypony? The most important thing in life is to be the best."
I frowned at the amber filly, "Shimmer, making friends does not make you weak. You'll be surprised what might learn if you started opening up and accept companionship."
Princess Celestia smiled at my words and nodded, "Yes. We've talked about friendship and its importance before. As Little Snowflake says, we've discussed that you need to start opening yourself up to new friends. Remember that talk we had about humility?"
Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes, "I remember how boring it was..."
Princess Celestia sighed and lead Sunset Shimmer and I into a room with a large, well-decorated mirror. Something about the mirror made my fur stand on end, but it eventually calmed. Sunset Shimmer raised a brow at the mirror.
"Look into this mirror and tell me what you see." Princess Celestia instructed.
Sunset Shimmer wasted no time in taking a look in the mirror. She looked at her reflection and smiled, "A beautiful Pony that has nothing but power and potential."
Princess Celestia looked concerned, then turned to me, "You're turn, Little Snowflake."
I swallowed a lump of anxiety in my throat and walked toward the mirror. Sunset Shimmer stepped aside and I looked at my reflection. I saw a young Unicorn filly with pastel green fur and dark green hooves. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of hazel. Her wavy mane and tail were pastel blue with white streaks and ombre. Another reason I was named 'Little Snowflake'... Hehehe.
Around my reflection, a colorful vapor emerged. The vapor circled around my reflection and took the form of a green stallion, an amber-yellow mare, a buttercream yellow filly and an aquamarine colt. All Pegasi. My reflection had a hole in its chest. I was about to answer, but then the vapor did something else.
The vapor circled around my reflection again and took the form of six faceless Ponies and all in different colors; Purple, blue, pink, yellow, orange and white. The hole healed itself and there was an explosion of color.
I smiled and answered, "I see a family... Friends... Rainbows and smiles. A powerful magical source."
Princess Celestia smiled at my result and turned to Sunset Shimmer, "Care to try that again with our talk about humility taken into account?"
I stepped away from the mirror and gave Sunset Shimmer a second try. Shimmer growled under breath and looked into the mirror again, "I see a Pony who isn't powerful enough. Somepony who could be great, powerful... Somepony that could rule Equestria."
I took a look at Sunset Shimmer's reflection. Her reflection showed herself as a powerful Alicorn, but something went wrong. The reflection smirked and flames engulfed her form. The last thing we saw was a pair of menacing cyan eyes and a pair of draconic wings emerging from the flames. I froze in fear of what the mirror was showing.
Princess Celestia noticed my fear and moved Sunset Shimmer and I out of the room, "Maybe we better move on..."
"Wait, what was that?" Sunset Shimmer asked in surprise, keeping her eyes on the mirror, "I thought I saw..."
"Oh, it was probably a trick of the light." Princess Celestia assured, "Our lesson is over for today. For tomorrow, I want you to reflect on the discussion we've just had."
But Sunset Shimmer didn't do what she was asked. For days within the following week, that's all she wanted to talk about, but Princess Celestia quickly dismissed it. I couldn't help thinking about that demon that I saw in Sunset Shimmer's reflection, it sent shivers up my spine and put ice in my veins.
On the last day of the week, Princess Celestia, Sunset Shimmer and I were outside of the castle, having a nice picnic, until the weather started to get bad and Sunset Shimmer decided now to try again, "You know what's fascinating? Mirrors! About that one..."
"Sunset Shimmer!" Princess Celestia sternly spoke up, "We've been over this, we will get to the mirror and many other lessons in due time... When you're ready."
The weather got worse, as it started to rain. Princess Celestia and I began packing up our picnic and began making our way back to the castle. My ear twitched, as I heard Shimmer growl under her breath, "I am ready..."
*Later that Night...*
I laid in my bed, staring at the moon and stars in wonder. I couldn't sleep because I was worried about Sunset Shimmer and the path she was following. I looked at the moon and the stars, the stars twinkled in a strange order and the eye of the moon started to glow, as a female voice spoke within my head,
"Aid your friend... She is following a path not destined for her..."
I blinked in confusion, I rubbed my eyes and looked again. The moon was back to normal. My mind must be playing tricks on me. Then there was a loud knocking on my bedroom door. I leaped out of bed and walked toward the door. The knocking was getting impatient. I opened the door and it was Sunset Shimmer. She had a large grin on her face.
"Shimmer? What are you doing out of bed at this hour?" I whispered, as I pulled her into my bedroom, "We have exams in the morning. You should be sleeping."
"I found something in the library that might have answers about that mirror the other day." She whispered to me.
I face-hooved and shook my head, Sunset Shimmer is never gonna let this go until it's answered. I looked at Sunset Shimmer, "Shimmer, there is a reason why Princess Celestia said 'no'. We're not ready to know what that mirror can do. For all we know, it could be dangerous." I placed my hoof over her shoulder, "Please, for your safety and mine, go back to bed and be patient. We'll learn more when we're ready."
Shimmer shook her head, "We are ready, Snow. We can find out the secrets of the mirror together." She frowned, "But I won't be denied the power that Princess Celestia has hidden from me any longer. Now, are you with me or against me?"
I sighed and solemnly nodded my head to her. Shimmer smiled and we left my bedroom to sneak into the library. Sunset Shimmer lead me to a section of the library that was locked up behind double-doors. Upon the plaque, it read 'Dark Magic. No Entry.' With a quick lock-picking spell, Sunset Shimmer got the lock off and the doors opened.
"Not ready? I'll show her not ready." Shimmer mumbled under her breath, "You'd think this place would be better guarded."
Once both of us were inside, Shimmer and I began searching through the books for any mentions of the mirror or the magic it contained. We read through all sorts of books. 'The First Ponies'. 'Crossing Over'. 'Salem's Stable'. Even 'Infamous Cemeteries of Equestria'. But nothing on the mirror yet.
"Nothing on the mirror yet, but a few of these spells will come in handy..." Sunset Shimmer whispered to herself.
I put my book down in the pile, then noticed a very intriguing book, 'Canterlot Castle. A History. Volume II'. I searched through the pages and found mention of the mirror and what it really does.
I nudged Sunset Shimmer and showed her the book, "Shimmer, I think I found something."
Sunset Shimmer smiled and took the book from me to read it, "Here we go." She smiled at me, "Well done, Snow."
I gave her an uncertain look, as I noticed from the corner of my eye, the librarian dashing for the doorway. Probably to get Princess Celestia. I wanted to warn Sunset Shimmer, but her eyes were glued on the book, as she search through the pages.
"'The Crystal Mirror...'" Sunset Shimmer read, "'Every thirty moons, a portal will open to... Another world'?"
"That's not really for you to know, now is it?" A familiar voice spoke from behind us, startling Sunset Shimmer and myself. Busted!
Sunset Shimmer and I turned around to see that the source of the voice was Princess Celestia, and she was accompanied by two Pegasus guards. I looked away from Princess Celestia in shame, while Sunset Shimmer glared angrily at her teacher.
"How dare you keep this kind of magic from me!" Shimmer scowled, "You know that I'm ready for this, that I can be great!"
"You could be great." Princess Celestia corrected sternly, "I thought I saw compassion and sincerity in you, but it was nothing but ambition. You're being selfish, you need to step back and reflect-"
"I'm selfish?!" Sunset Shimmer shouted, as her horn lit up with her magical aura, but it turned black and hazy, as well as her eyes.
I gasped and took a step back. Sunset Shimmer shot a beam of the dark magic at Princess Celestia. I leaped away from Sunset Shimmer and jumped in from of Princess Celestia. The beam of dark magic hit me square in the chest and my entire body surged with pain. I felt to my side. The last thing I heard was Princess Celestia calling my name, as everything around me went black.
When I came too, I found myself back in my bedroom, laying in my bed. Was it all a dream? I looked over and found Princess Celestia sitting beside me with a sad look on her face. So it wasn't a dream.
"Princess Celestia?" I whispered, trying to find my voice.
"Easy, Little Snowflake." She told me, "You were hit with some dark magic. We don't know the extension of your injuries."
"Sunset Shimmer? Where is she?" I asked.
"Gone." Princess Celestia answered, lowering her head sadly, "I banished her from the castle and she fled through the mirror. I don't know when she's gonna come back."
"Am I in trouble too?" I asked, as I thought back on my actions and worried about the next course of action.
Princess Celestia shook her head, "No, Little Snowflake. Like I said before, I see compassion and sincerity within you. You are a good soul. You went out of your way to have lunch with the other students. You tried to convince Sunset Shimmer to be patient and get some sleep for tomorrow's exam. You even protected me from dark magic. You can stay in the castle."
"But what will I do now?" I sat up, but winced in pain.
"Rest for now, Little Snowflake. I will take care of the rest." She assured me.
With that, Princess Celestia stood up and walked out of the bedroom, leaving me to lay in my bed and stare at the sky in wonder.
The Elements of Sisterhood
~Little Snowflake's POV~
I woke up with a small moan, to the sound of the doors of the castle library flying open to reveal my study partner. It's been so many years since Sunset Shimmer was banished from Princess Celestia's teachings and fled to another world. Since then a lot of time has passed, I've been becoming better friends with the other students in Celestia's school, and gained another study partner. Unfortunately, this new study partner has problems too. She's not arrogant or prideful. She's just a little socially awkward and prefers to stick to her studies than try to make friends.
Anywho, my study partner, whom charged through the doors, was a talented Unicorn mare named Twilight Sparkle.
Twilight Sparkle's mane and tail were well-combed and a sapphire blue with pink and purple streaks. Her coat was a light mulberry purple with indigo hooves. Violet eyes and a Cutie Mark of a large pink star circled by six smaller white stars.
"Spike! SPII-IIKE!" Twilight called and she looked around the library, then she looked down at the floor, "Spike?"
Spike, our young purple and green dragon assistant, sat up and recovered from the impact, as I groggily rubbed my eyes from the long nap.
Twilight smiled, "There you are." She galloped past us and started searching through the books, "Quick! Find me that old copy of Predictions and Prophecies."
She galloped past me, as I picked myself up, "Ah, Snowflake. You're up. Good. You can help us." Twilight looked at Spike and noticed the present impaled by his tail. She asked, "What’s that for?"
Spike looked at his tail and noticed the impaled present. He removed it from his tail and answered, "Well, it was a gift for Moondancer, but…" An impaled teddy bear fell out of the wrapping and dropped to the floor with a squeak.
Twilight sighed and resumed searching through her books, "Oh, Spike. You know we don’t have time for that sort of thing."
"But we’re on a break!" I yawned, as I stretched from my nap.
Twilight ignored me and used her magic to grab some books from the top of the bookshelf nearest to her. She searched the books, "No…no…no…no, no, no!" She groaned in frustration and shouted, "SPIKE!!! SNOW!!"
"It’s over here!" Spike answered from another high self.
Twilight used her magic to grab the book. But Spike still had hold of it. Spike fell off his ladder and flew toward Twilight.
Twilight looked at the book and smiled, "Ah!" She dropped the other books and walked toward the nearest the podium.
I helped Spike back to his feet and we started picking the books Twilight dropped, to put them back where they belonged.
"Elements. Elements. E, E, E…" Twilight muttered as she used her magic to flip through the pages, then read in a clear voice, "Aha! 'Elements of Harmony'. See 'Mare in the Moon'?"
"'Mare in the Moon'? But that’s just an old ponies tale." Spike spoke up from the top of his ladder.
"Mare. Mare…" Twilight muttered, as she flipped through the pages, "Aha! 'The Mare in the Moon. Myth from olden pony times. A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria. Defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal'."
Twilight gasped and asked, "Spike. Snow, do you know what this means?"
"No." Spike answered, as I gave Twilight a worried look. However, Spike lost his balance and fell off the ladder. I caught Spike on my back, before he hit the ground.
"Take a note, please." Twilight instructed, giving Spike a parchment and quill, "To the Princess."
Spike smiled and slide down my back, "Okie-dokie."
Spike started writing, as Twilight paced and spoke, "'My dearest teacher, My continuing studies of pony magic have led me to discover that we are on the precipice of disaster'..."
"Hold on." Spike spoke up, "Preci… Preci…" He gives Twilight a lost look, as he struggled to spell the word.
"Threshold." Twilight simplified.
Spike tried again, "Thre…" But to no avail.
Twilight raised a brow, "Uh…Brink?"
Spike gave her a look. She groaned in frustration.
"Why not just say, 'We have foreseen an upcoming danger to Equestria'?" I suggested.
Twilight and Spike looked at me. I casually shrugged my shoulders, "It's as close as I can get."
Spike wrote down my suggestion and nodded for Twilight to continue. Twilight returned pacing and continued, "'For you see, the mythical Mare in the Moon is in fact Nightmare Moon, and she is about to return to Equestria and bring with her eternal night. Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true. I await your quick response. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle'."
"'Twi-light… Spar-kle.'" Spike finished and answered, "Got it!"
Twilight nodded and smiled, "Great! Send it."
"Now?" Spike and I asked.
Twilight nodded, "Of course!"
"Uh…I don’t know, Twilight. Princess Celestia’s a little busy getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration, and it’s, like, the day after tomorrow." Spike shrugged his shoulders.
"That’s just it, Spike." Twilight replied, "The day after tomorrow is the thousandth year of the Summer Sun Celebration. It’s imperative that the Princess is told right away!"
"Impera…Impera…" Spike tried to write, but, again, didn't quite know how to spell the word.
"Important!" Twilight shouted.
The volume and force of the word threw Spike toward me and we rolled into the nearest bookshelf, "Ow..."
"Okay, okay!" Spike replied, getting back to his feet.
He took a deep breath, rolled up the parchment into a scroll and burned it with his green, magical fire breath. The cinders flew out of the window and toward the castle, "There! It’s on its way."
"But I wouldn’t hold your breath, Twi." I warned.
Twilight smugly smiled at me, "Oh, I’m not worried, Snow. The Princess trusts me completely. In all the years she’s been my mentor, she’s never once doubted me."
I lowered my head slightly and looked away in thought. Spike let out a burp and his fire breath morphed into a rolled up scroll.
Twilight smirked, "See? I knew she would want to take immediate action."
Spike opened the scroll, cleared his throat and read, "'My dearest, most faithful student Twilight, you know that I value your diligence, and that I trust you completely'."
Twilight looked out the window and smiled.
"In 3... 2... 1..." I counted down.
"'But you simply must stop reading those dusty old books'!" Spike finished.
Twilight gasped, as I smiled, "And there it is."
"'I have given you an assignment for you outside of Canterlot'." Spike continued reading, "'Spike and Little Snowflake will accompany you. You leave as soon as possible'."
Twilight lowered her head and let out a disappointed groan.
*Later, Flying over the Plains...*
"'My dear Twilight, there is more to a young Pony’s life than studying. So I’m sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year’s location, Ponyville'." Spike continued reading, as he, Twilight and I were riding a chariot, drawn by two Pegasus guards, to our next destination, the small town of Ponyville, which rested at the foot of the mountain below Canterlot.
"'And I have an even more essential task for you to complete; Make some friends'." Spike finished reading Celestia's letter.
Twilight just sulked and sighed softly.
"Look on the bright side, Twilight. The Princess arranged for you to stay in a library." Spike tried to encourage, "Doesn’t that make you happy?"
Twilight suddenly raised her head and smiled, "Yes. Yes, it does. You know why? Because I’m right. I’ll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library to find some proof of Nightmare Moon’s return."
"What about making friends, like the Princess said?" I asked in a concerned tone.
Twilight shook her head, "She said to check on preparations. I am her student, and I’ll do my royal duty, but the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends."
The carriage landed and the Pegasi whinnied, indicating we have reached our destination. Twilight, Spike and I exit the carriage.
"Thank you, sirs." Twilight thanked them. The guards snorted, and they returned to Canterlot.
"Maybe the Ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about!" Spike spoke up, as an Earth Pony mare skipped toward us.
The mare stopped in front of us and smiled. Her fur was a light pink color with raspberry pink hooves, almost like bubblegum. Her mane and tail were raspberry pink, like her hooves, and were poofy and wild. Her eyes were a light cerulean, and her Cutie Mark was of three party balloons.
There was a sweet scent coming from her. It smelled like cotton candy and baked goods...
"Come on, Twilight. Just try." Spike encouraged Twilight.
Twilight looked at the mare and waved her hoof in uncertainty, "Uh…hello?"
Suddenly, the pink mare jumped into the air with a long gasp of surprise. Then she zoomed off down the road. That was one odd Pony.
Once calmed, Twilight noted, "Well, that was interesting, all right."
With that, she walked off. Spike and I sighed and followed after her. This is not gonna end well at all.
*Sweet Apple Acres...*
"'Summer Sun Celebration Official Overseer's Checklist. Number one, banquet preparations, Sweet Apple Acres.'" Spike read the Checklist, as we entered a large farm, full of apple trees.
"Yee-Haw!!!" A pony shouted, startling Spike, Twilight and I.
We turned and saw an amber-orange Earth Pony mare run and bucked a nearby apple tree, with buckets around it. The apples fell in all of the baskets. Not one missed.
The pony crossed her hooves proudly. Her mane and tail were blonde and her eyes were green. Her mane and tail were in a low ponytail. Near white freckles under her eyes, with dark brown hooves. She wore a cowgirl, Stetson hat, and a Cutie Mark of three red gala apples.
Twilight sighed and lowered her head, "Let's get this over with." She walked to the Earth Pony mare with a smile, "Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle."
The mare grabbed Twilight's hoof and shook it violently, "Well, Howdy-doo, Miss Twilight. A pleasure makin' your acquaintance. I'm Applejack. We, here, at Sweet Apple Acres, sure do like makin' new friends." She introduced herself in a very strong Southern accent.
"Frie-e-e-ends? Actua-a-ally-y-y-y, I..." Twilight tried to explain, but the mare, Applejack, let go of her hoof, "So, what can I do ya for?" Applejack asked with a kind smile.
Twilight Sparkle was still shaking her hoof, so she couldn't speak. I grabbed her hoof and stopped it from shaking. Spike suppressed a laugh.
I smiled and bowed my head, "Pleasure to meet you, Applejack. My name is Little Snowflake. We came from Canterlot to see how the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration are coming along." I explained, "And I take it that you and you kin are in charge of the food?"
"We sure as sugar are." Applejack nodded with a proud smile, then asked, "Would you and your friends care to sample some?"
I nodded with a small smile, "We'd love to, Applejack."
"Well, as long as it doesn't take too long." Twilight answered with an raised eyebrow.
Applejack rang a loud triangle bell, then shouted, "Soup's on, everypony!!"
On cue, a large group of Earth Ponies charged toward us and carried us to a round table. Applejack appeared beside us, "Now, why don't I introduce y'all to the Apple Family."
"Thanks, but we really need to hurry." Twilight Sparkle tried to explain, but an Earth Pony mare with a plate of apple fritters stopped her.
"This is Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious. Gold Delicious. Caramel Apple. Apple Strudel. Apple Tart. Baked Apples. Apple Brioche. Apple Cinnamon Crisp..." Applejack introduced the Ponies, as each gave us their specialty, leaving us with a large pile a apple related treats.
She took a deep breath, before she carried on, "Big McIntosh, Apple Bloom and... Granny Smith." She finished, before putting an apple in Twilight's mouth.
Big McIntosh was a large Earth Pony stallion. His fur coat was a amaranth red color. Mane and tail were a ginger orange color in neat combed style. Green eyes. His mane reached to his shoulders. Dark beige hooves with well-kept fetlocks. His Cutie Mark was of a shining green apple.
Apple Bloom was a young, yellow Earth Pony filly, with a pink bow in her red mane. She had no Cutie Mark yet.
And Granny Smith was a female was an elder Earth Pony mare. Her fur coat was a pale green. Her mane and tail were white, due to age, and tied in a bun. Golden eyes of wisdom and life-long lessons. Her hooves were a light brown. She wore a plaid shawl over her shoulders and a Cutie Mark of an apple pie.
"Up'n'attem, Granny Smith. We got guests." Applejack woke the elder Pony.
"Wha..? Soup's on? I'm up. Here I come, I'm coming." She woke up and walked over to us.
Applejack put her hoof over Twilight's shoulder, "Why, I'd say they're already part of the family."
Twilight Sparkle spat the apple out, and gave them a nervous smile, "Okay. Well, I can see that the food situation is handled. So, we'll be on our way."
"Aren't yah gonna stay for brunch?" Little Apple Bloom asked in the same Southern accent, giving us a sad look.
"Sorry, but we'd an awful lot to do." Twilight told her as gently as she can. Everypony sighed in sadness.
I gently nudged my study partner and she looked at me. "Come on, Twilight. We can stick around for a little bit longer." I encouraged, then my stomach growled. Twilight and Spike looked at me and I gave them an embarrassed smile, "Hehe... Guess that serves me right for missing breakfast."
Twilight looked around, trying to find a way out of this, but she gave up, "Fine."
Everypony cheered.
*Later, in Ponyville...*
"Food is taken care of. Next is the weather." Spike informed Twilight and I, as we entered the streets of Ponyville.
"Ugh, I ate too much pie." Twilight Sparkle moaned over her full stomach of apple pies and cakes.
I'd admit, the food was good, but very filling on the first two servings. Spike and I didn't look as bad as Twilight did. Spike only ate some apple fritters, while I ate two apple straddles and an apple cinnamon crisp.
"Hmm... There's supposed to be a Pegasus Pony, named Rainbow Dash, clearing the clouds." Spike told us, looking up at the sky. Twilight and I looked up and the clouds were still around.
"Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she?" Twilight asked.
I gasped and pushed Twilight aside, as something flew into me. The collision caused me to fall into the mud puddle with a mare. the mare and myself were covered in mud.
The mare was a light cyan Pegasus mare, with spiky rainbow mane and tail. Her eyes were a rose pink. Cutie Mark of a white cloud with a rainbow colored lightning bolt. I'm guessing this Pony was Rainbow Dash...
The Pegasus mare got up and looked at me with a small chuckle, "Um... 'Scuse me?"
I got back up to my hooves and tried to dust myself off, keeping my composure. Rainbow Dash chuckled again, "Here, let me help you."
She flew off for a second and returned with a small raincloud. She jumped on top of it a few times, making the cloud rain on top of me. Rainbow Dash looked over to see me. I was soaked. Fur, skin, mane and tail. I kept my composure, but I felt cold and embarrassed.
Rainbow Dash suppressed a laugh, "Oops. I guess I overdid it." Then she thought for a second, "Umm... How about this?" She flew around me in great speed, creating a small tornado, "My very own, patented, 'Rain-Blow Dry'. No, no. Don't thank me. You're quite welcome." Rainbow smiled proudly, as she landed and looked at the results.
My mane and tail were a mess. I looked like a sad dark clown. Rainbow Dash burst into laughter, as Spike followed her, when he saw my 'new look'. The only one that kept her composure was Twilight Sparkle.
"Let me guess. You're Rainbow Dash." Twilight concluded, getting Rainbow Dash's attention.
Rainbow Dash stopped laughing and stood up proudly, "The one and only." She took off into the air and looked at Twilight, "Why? You heard of me?"
"I heard you're supposed to be keeping the sky clear." Twilight snapped, but she calmed down and smiled, "I'm Twilight Sparkle. And the Princess sent me to check on the weather."
"Yeah, yeah. That'll be a snap. I'll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I'm done practicing." Rainbow Dash told her, lounging on a cloud.
"Practicing for what?" I asked with a raised brow.
"The Wonderbolts!" She pointed to a poster of the Wonderbolts nearby, "They're gonna perform at the Celebration tomorrow. And I'm gonna show them my stuff." Rainbow Dash explained, flying to another cloud.
I smirked as an idea came to me, "The Wonderbolts?"
"Yup." Dash answered.
"The most talented fliers in all of Equestria?" I asked.
"That's them." Rainbow Dash answered again.
"Please. They'd never accept a Pegasus, who can't keep the sky clear for one measly day." I teased with a smile.
"Hey! I can clear the sky in ten seconds flat!" Rainbow Dash defended.
"Prove it." I dared.
Rainbow Dash gave me a look, and began flying around, kicking out every cloud in the sky. She flew very fast, that the wind picked up whenever she fly past us, "Loop-de-loop around and wham!" She muttered, as she hit the last cloud, "What did I say? Ten seconds flat. I'd never leave Ponyville hanging." Rainbow Dash gloated with a smile.
Spike and Twilight Sparkle had their mouths open from shock, while I smiled and clapped my hooves. An amazing feat of speed and agility.
"You should see the look on your face." Rainbow Dash laughed, as she flew by behind us, "You're a laugh, you two. I can't wait to hang out some more." With that, she flew away.
"Wow. She's amazing." Spike was able to say with a smile.
Twilight Sparkle gave him a blank look, as he began playing with the my messy mane, trying not to laugh.
Twilight looked at me with a genuine smile, "Thanks, for pushing me out of the way."
"It's no problem, Twi." I replied, smiling back at her, then walking to the Town Hall. Twilight Sparkle followed me to the Town Hall.
"Wait. It's kinda pretty once you get used to it." Spike lightened as he followed us.
As we entered the hall, Spike got the checklist out, "Decorations. Beautiful..." Spike said the last part love-struck.
There were banners of ponies, the sun and the moon, colorful streamers and all sorts. It was very beautiful.
"Yes. The décor is coming in nicely. This oughta be quick. I'll be at the Library in no time. Beautiful indeed." Twilight examined, as we looked around the hall.
"I agree." I nodded in agreement, with a small smile.
"Not the décor. Her." Spike replied, pointing to a Unicorn mare.
Her fur coat was a very pale grey, nearly white. And her mane and tail were purple-blue, wonderfully combed with a natural curl. She wore light cornflower blue eyeshadow over her azure eyes. Her Cutie Mark was of three blue diamonds.
The Unicorn was using her light blue magic to pick out a colored ribbon, "No. No. No. Oh goodness no."
"How are my spines? Are they straight?" Spike asked, checking himself. Twilight Sparkle rolled my eyes, and walked to Rarity, while I lightheartedly giggle.
"Good afternoon." Twilight greeted the Unicorn.
"Just a moment, please. I am in the zone, as it were." The Unicorn told her, as she continued to looked at the colored ribbons. She smiled, and tied a red sparkly ribbon in a bow, around the pillar in front of her, "Ah, yes. Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Rarity, you are a talent."
She turned and looked at Twilight and I, "Now, um, how can we help yo-" She gasped in shock as she saw my messy mane, "Oh my stars, darling. Whatever happened to your coiffure?"
I tilted my head in confusion, then looked at my bangs, "Oh, you mean my mane?" Then I assured, "It's a long story. My friend, Twilight, and I are just here to check on the decorations, and we'll be out of your hair."
"Out of my hair? What about your hair?" The Unicorn mare asked, as she jumped behind me and started pushing me out of the Town Hall and to the local boutique. Spike and Twilight followed, of course Spike used his tail to fly.
Silly love-struck dragon.
*A Little Later, inside Carousel Boutique...*
After the Unicorn mare, Rarity, sorted my mane, she got my trying her new outfits for Ponies of my coat color, as she judged them on me, "No, no, uh-uh. Too green. Too yellow. Too poofy. Not poofy enough. Too frilly. Too... shiny."
We stopped on a saddle that made me look similar to a princess.
"Now go on, my dear. You were telling me where you're from." Rarity encouraged, as she tightened the corset of the last outfit.
I struggled to breathe as I spoke, "We've... been sent from... Canterlot... to-" Rarity stopped pulling with a gasp, causing me to fall forward and bump into Twilight Sparkle and Spike, "Ow..."
"Canterlot? Oh, I am so envious! The glamor, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all about it!" Rarity smiled with glee and stars in her eyes. She got a little too close to Twilight and I, as she continued, "We are gonna be the best of friends, you and I..."
Then she looked at the emerald on the chest of my saddle, "Emeralds?! What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!" And she walked off.
Twilight quickly nudged me and made her way to the exit of the Boutique, "Quick! Before she decides to dye your coat a new color!"
Spike sighed, as I picked him up and placed him over my back.
*Outside Ponyville...*
"Wasn't she wonderful?" Spike asked, still love-struck and thinking about Rarity.
"It was very generous of her to fix my hair." I smiled.
"Focus, Casanova." Twilight told Spike, "What's next on the list?"
Spike cleared his throat and looked at the Checklist, "Oh, uh, music. It's the last one."
I smiled, then we heard a group of birds singing. Spike, Twilight Sparkle and I went to investigate and saw a very familiar yellow Pegasus mare. Her back was facing us, so we couldn't see her face.
From what we could see, the mare's mane and tail were a cherry blossom pink. Her fur and feathers were a butter-cream yellow. Dark golden hooves. Her Cutie Mark was of three pink butterflies. So graceful and gentle.
The Pegasus was conducting music with a bunch of birds. A blue jay was a little out of rhythm, so the Pegasus kindly told him.
"Hello." Twilight Sparkle greeted loudly, startling the Pegasus, and scaring the birds away.
The Pegasus looked at me and Twilight. Her eyes were a moderate cyan color and were hooded, to add to her delicate figure.
A smile grew on my face. The Pegasus mare was my twin sister, Fluttershy.
Fluttershy looked at me and a smile grew on her face, "Snow? Is that you?" I gave her a small nod. She landed on the ground and wrapped her forearm around my neck in an embrace, "Oh! It's so good to see you again. It's been so long."
"Oh, It's good to see you too, Flutters." I giggled, "And I'm very sorry for my friend, here. We didn't mean to startle you." I let go of my sister and smiled, "We were just here to check on the music, and it's sounding beautiful."
"Oh, it's okay, Snow. I understand." Fluttershy smiled.
Then Twilight Sparkle walked up to Fluttershy and smiled, "Good evening. I'm Twilight Sparkle."
Fluttershy looked at Twilight and scuffed her hoof against the ground.
"What's your name?" Twilight asked.
"Um... I'm... Fluttershy..." Flutters answered in her quiet voice.
"I'm sorry. What was that?" Twilight asked her, getting closer, so she could hear her.
Fluttershy repeated her words, softer and more quieter than before, backing away from Twilight
"Didn't quite catch that." Twilight told her.
Fluttershy backed away again, and squeaked in timid fear. I stood in front of my twin sister and glared at Twilight, "Twilight, you're making her uncomfortable. Step back a bit."
Twilight tilted her head, "You know this Pony, Snow?"
I nodded, "Yes. This is my older twin sister by 5 minutes." Then I gently pushed the mulberry Unicorn back a bit, "Now back up a bit."
Twilight took a step back from me, then she noticed the birds returned to the tree. She looked at Fluttershy, "Well, um, it looks like your birds are back. So, I guess everything's in order. Keep up the good work."
Fluttershy squeaked in reply. I put my hoof over her shoulder and gently smiled, "You're doing great, Flutters. Keep up the good work, okay?" Fluttershy looked at me and gave me a small smile.
"Okay." Twilight muttered, walking off. Spike walked out of the bushes with a smile. "Well, that was easy." Twilight smiled.
I heard a gasp from behind me, "A baby dragon."
Fluttershy charged from behind me and stopped in front of Spike, making me and Twilight fly a few feet away from them, "Ow..."
"Oh. I've never seen a baby dragon before. He's so cute." Fluttershy cooed, staring at Spike with a sweet smile.
"Well, well, well...!" Spike said with a cheeky smile, and crossed his arms.
"Oh my, he talks. I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful, I just don't know what to say." Fluttershy smiled excitedly, hovering during the last part.
I recovered and smiled at my older twin sister, "Heh. I didn't know you had a thing for animals."
Fluttershy smiled back at me, "Oh, yes. I love all animals. Big and small."
I gave her a happy smile, pleased to find out that my timid sister has found something that she loves.
Twilight used her magic and levitated Spike onto her back, "Well, in that case, we'd better be going." Then she began walking off. I quickly followed her by her side.
But Fluttershy followed close behind us and spoke to Spike, "Wait, wait. What's his name?"
"I'm Spike." Spike introduced himself.
"Hi, Spike. I'm Fluttershy." Fluttershy introduced with a smile, "Wow, a talking dragon. And what do dragons talk about?" She asked Spike.
"What do you wanna know?" Spike asked.
"Absolutely everything." Fluttershy answered with a smile. Twilight groaned in frustration and annoyance, while I smiled at my twin sister.
"Well, I started out as cute little purple and green egg..." Spike began telling his story to Fluttershy.
*Later, Outside the Golden Oak Library...*
"...And that's the story of my whole entire life. Well, up until today." Spike finished his story, then asked Fluttershy, who followed us all the way, "Do you wanna hear about today?"
"Oh, yes please." Fluttershy insisted.
Then Twilight turned to her, before Spike could say another word, "I am so sorry. How did we get here so fast? This is where I'm staying while in Ponyville. And my poor baby dragon needs his sleep." She lied to my twin sister.
"No I don't." Spike shot back, but Twilight lightly kicked, knocking him off her back, making it look like he fell.
"Awww... wook at dat. He's so sweepy, he can't even keep his widdle bawance." Twilight cooed in a baby tone. Spike and I gave the lavender unicorn a glare.
Fluttershy picked Spike up, "Poor thing. You simply must get into bed." She flew into the library, but Twilight stopped her and pushed her out.
"Yes, yes, we'll get right on that. Well g'night." Twilight told Fluttershy.
I was about to say something, but Twilight nudged me into the library and slammed the door in Fluttershy's face and locked it. It was very dark in the library.
"Well, that was very rude, Twilight Sparkle." I told Twilight with a cross glare, as Spike folded his arms.
"Sorry, guys. But I have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming, and we're running out of time! I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy Ponies trying to make friends all the time." Twilight explained, then realized how dark it was and began looking around, "Now, where's the light?"
The light was switched on, and everypony was in the library yelling, "Surprise!!!"
Twilight groaned in annoyance.
"Surprise!" The pink mare from before shouted with a large smile on her face, "Hi. I'm Pinkie Pie. And we threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh?"
"Very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quiet!" Twilight Sparkle answered, saying the last part in extreme annoyance.
"Well, that's silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring!" The pink mare, Pinkie Pie started chatting, as Twilight went off to get a quick drink, "Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all "hello" and I was all... " Pinkie Pie took a deep gasp, then continued, "Remember? Y'see I've never saw you before and if I've never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!"
Twilight groaned a little. She stopped at the drink table, and started pouring some juice, from the red bottle, into a cup. I drew a blank, unsure how to explain to the mulberry Unicorn that she was gonna drink a cup full of hot sauce.
Pinkie Pie continued with her story, "And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, then I had an idea, and that's why I went- !" Pinkie Pie took a deep gasp again, "I must throw a great, big, ginormous, super-duper, spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!"
Suddenly, Twilight stopped drinking, and turned to see everypony. She tried to say something, but her face was turning red and she was crying
"Are ya alright, SugarCube?" Applejack asked Twilight.
Twilight's mane and tail burst into flames, as she jumped into the air, and dashed to the washroom.
"Aww! She's so happy, she's crying." Pinkie Pie said with that huge smile plastered on her face.
Spike picked up the bottle and read the label, "Hot sauce..."
Pinkie Pie poured some on to a cupcake and ate it without a single flinch from the sauce, "What? It's good."
*Later, that Night...*
I walked out of the library for a breath of fresh air, from being around so many Ponies. I've never been one for crowds, or loud noises, or parties. So I just needed some time alone to think. I might not look like it, that dream from this morning really got me thinking...
What if Twilight Sparkle was right? What if Nightmare Moon is coming back to bring eternal nighttime? Why did Princess Celestia send us to Ponyville? Are we really here to check on the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration?
I shook my head. No, Princess Celestia sent us here for another reason. She instructed Twilight to try and make some friends, which Twilight has been so distracted with the return of Nightmare Moon that she completely dismissed it as nothing.
Suddenly, like years ago, the moon's face turned to me and its eyes glowed. I blinked and a vision flashed before me.
*Vision*
*Vision End*
I gasped and opened my eyes, catching my breath. I couldn't wrap my mind around this. Why, Great Moon? Why are you speaking to me? Why show my these visions, if Twilight already figured it out? Why not show it to anypony else? What makes me so special?
"Snow? Are you alright?" I heard my twin sister's voice speak from behind me.
I gasped in startle, turned to the yellow, timid Pegasus and faked a smile, "Yeah. I'm alright, Flutters. Just been staring at the stars for too long."
Fluttershy nodded with a warm smile, "Oh, okay. I noticed you were outside on your own, and I thought you could use some company." Then she gasped, "Oh! I almost forgot, it's almost time to see the sun rise. I must get to the Town Hall and get my birds ready."
With that, she flew down off to follow the other ponies making their way to the Town Hall. I looked at the moon one last time, before following after my twin sister.
*Later, inside the Town Hall...*
Everypony gathered around the grand stage, as we waited for the mayor, Mayor Mare, to introduced the coming of the celebration. Pinkie Pie dashed right next to Twilight Sparkle.
"Isn't this exciting? Are you excited? 'Cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited-- Well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went..." Pinkie took a deep gasp, then continued, "But I mean really, who can top that?"
I kept my eyes on the moon and the stars. The stars were moving closer to the moon, quicker than before. Fluttershy's birds sang their song, as a spotlight shone upon Mayor Mare, an adult, light brown Earth Pony mare with white mane and tail, wearing glasses and a business tie.
"Fillies and Gentlecolts. As the Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration." The Mayor announced.
Everypony cheered in joy.
"In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year." The Mayor continued, as I looked at the moon.
I saw the stars enter the moon, and the unicorn crater formation disappeared. I held my breath.
"And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..." The Mayor began the introduction of Princess Celestia.
I saw Fluttershy look at her birds with a smile, "Ready".
"Princess Celestia." The Mayor finished, as Rarity pulled the rope, Fluttershy's birds sang, and the curtains revealed to show nothing.
"Huh?" Rarity exclaimed, as she noticed and began to look backstage.
"This can't be good." I heard Twilight whisper to herself, as everypony began to mumble to themselves.
"Remain calm, everypony. There must be a reasonable explanation." Mayor Mare told everypony, as they went quiet.
Pinkie Pie jumped in excitement, "Ooh, ooh. I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" She asked, as she began looking around.
Rarity returned with a shocked look on her face, "She's gone."
Everypony gasped in shock and horror.
"Ooooh. She's good." Pinkie said with a smile, until she yelped loudly.
A mist of dark blue and stars appeared on the balcony. Everypony was tense and began muttering. I narrowed my eyes and prepared myself.
"Oh no." Twilight grimaced, as the mist took the form of a young adult alicorn.
The alicorn was covered in black fur. Her eyes were turquoise with a menacing glare. Ethereal mane and tail that looked like the night sky. She wore light blue armor breastplate. Her Cutie Mark was patch of night sky with a crescent moon. Upon her breastplate was a crescent moon emblem.
"Nightmare Moon."
Spike gasped and fainted.
"Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little, sun-loving faces." Nightmare Moon greeted, with an evil smile on her dark face.
"What have you done with our Princess!!?" Rainbow Dash asked her in a 'demanding to know' tone. She dashed to fight Nightmare Moon, but Applejack was able to catch her by the tail.
"Whoa there, Nelly." Applejack calmed.
Nightmare Moon chuckled. "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Do you know who I am?" She asked with a serious look replacing her smile.
"Ooh, ooh. More guessing games. Um, Hokey Smokes. How about... Queen Meanie? No. Black Snooty. Black Snoot-" Pinkie Pie guessed with a cheerful smile, but Applejack put an apple in her mouth, to stop her from talking.
Nightmare Moon looked around the crowd of ponies, then laid her eyes upon me. The other ponies around me stepped away from me, as Nightmare Moon flew toward me.
She smiled, "Well, well. You must have been chosen to welcome you queen on her return." Then she raised my chin to look at her in the eyes, "Tell me, my little warrior, where are the others?"
I refused to answer her. Nightmare Moon frowned at me, "Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?" Then, she flew to Rarity, "Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"
"I did!" Twilight Sparkle spoke up, catching everypony's attention, including Nightmare Moon's, "You're the Mare in the Moon. Nightmare Moon." She finished.
Everypony gasped in shock and fear.
Nightmare Moon chuckled again, "Well, well, well. Somepony who remembers me. Then you must know why I here."
"You're here to..." Twilight tried to answer, but couldn't bring herself to finish. "To..."
"Remember this day, little ponies. For it will be your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!" Nightmare Moon announced, laughing evilly, as thunder and lightning flashed and crashed. Her mane and tail flew upward, forming a small tornado over her head.
To Be Continued....
