The Element of Empathy

~Eleanor's POV.~

I woke up with a gasp, as the doors of the castle library flew open to indicate my new study partner's return. That's the third time I've had that dream this week. Who was that Pony? What's her connection with Princess Celestia? Or is it me? Why would I dream that?

Oh, hey there, viewers. Long time no see. :D

It's been a very long time since my family and I were teleported to the world of Equestria, met Sunset Shimmer and I became her study partner, only for her to leave to another world.

I'm now 25 years old, a citizen of Equestria and a talented mage. I've been studying the arcane arts with my classmates and they think I'm doing very well. They still think I'm odd for being a human, but they accept me as a young mage, since humans of the old days used to be able to use magic as well.

Even my sense of style has changed. I am now wearing a white collared shirt, under a dark grey sweater-vest. Black khaki pants with white socks and black mary-jane shoes. Similar to my new study partner...

Speaking of... My new study partner, that opened the door, revealed to be a young Unicorn, named Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight Sparkle was a Unicorn mare. Her mane and tail were well-combed and a sapphire blue with pink and purple streaks. Her coat was a light mulberry purple and violet eyes.

She wore a white collared shirt under a purple sweater-vest and dark blue khaki pants. Her Cutie Mark patch a large pink star and little white stars was located on the left hip of her sweater-vest.

"Spike! SPII-IIKE!" Twilight called, 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 rubbed my head. Spike wore a light green t-shirt under a purple un-buttoned shirt and matching shorts.

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

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

An impaled teddy bear fell out of the wrapping and dropped to the floor with a squeak.

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 argued, getting up to my feet, as I stretched my arms 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 growled in frustration and shouted, "SPIKE!"

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

Twilight used her magic to grab the book. But Spike still had hold of it. Spike fell off his ladder and flew toward Twilight, landing with a face plant.

Twilight looked at the book and smiled, "Ah!"

She dropped the other books and walked toward the nearest the podium. I helped Spike back to his feet and we started picking the books Twilight dropped.

"Elements. Elements. E, E, E..." Twilight muttered 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'?"

My eyes widened as Spike spoke up from on top of a ladder, "'Mare in the Moon'? But that's just an old pony's tale."

"Mare. Mare..." Twilight muttered, as she flipped through the pages, "Aha! 'The Mare in the Moon. Myth from olden pony times. A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria. Defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal'."

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

Why?

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

"No." Spike answered.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Threshold." Twilight simplified.

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

Twilight raised a brow, "Uh...brink?"

Spike gave her a look. She groaned in frustration.

"Why not just say, 'We have foreseen a premonition of the future'?" I suggested.

Spike and Twilight looked at me with raised brow. "Vision." I simplified.

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

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

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

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

"Now?" Spike and I asked.

Twilight nodded, "Of course!"

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

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

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

"Important!" Twilight shouted.

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

"Okay, okay!" Spike replied, getting back to his feet. He took a deep breath, rolled up the parchment into a scroll and burned it with his green, magical fire breath. The cinders flew out of the window and toward the castle, "There! It's on its way."

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

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

I tilted my head 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, "There it is."

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

Twilight sighed.

*Later, Flying over the Plains...*

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

I remember Ponyville being mentioned by my family. A few years ago, my mother grew tired of the city life in Canterlot that she wanted to move to a more simpler and quieter life, but didn't want to move too far from where I was. So, my family moved to Ponyville. Mum kept her job as a nurse for the local hospital. Sam became waitress at the local cafe. And Steve joined construction and repair.

We kept in touch via mail. Our mail courier is a delightful and helpful Pegasus mare named Derpy Hooves, but I call her Ditzy Do.

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

Twilight just sulked and sighed softly.

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

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

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

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

The carriage landed and the Pegasi whinnied, indicating we have reached our destination. Twilight, Spike and I exit the carriage.

"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 and her mane and tail were a darker shade of pink, and were poofy and wild. Her eyes were a light shade of blue.

She wore a light blue t-shirt under a pair of pink overalls, with a light blue charm bracelet on her left wrist, and her Cutie Mark patch of three party balloons was located on her right pocket.

She looked like she was made of cotton candy. Or gumballs.

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

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

I quickly shook my head and waved my hand with a small shy smile.

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

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

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

*Sweet Apple Acres...*

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

Not one missed.

The pony crossed her arms proudly. Her mane and tail were blonde and her eyes were green. Her mane and tail were in a low ponytail. She wore a cowgirl, setson hat, a white tank top under an orange un-buttoned shirt. Denim shorts with a brown belt. Her Cutie Mark patch of three red gala apples in a triangular formation was located on her right hip of her shorts.

Twilight sighed, "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 her hand 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.

I smiled sweetly, "Nice to meet you, Applejack. I'm Eleanor, but you can call me Ellie."

"Frie-e-e-ends? Actua-a-ally-y-y-y, I..." Twilight tried to explain, but 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 hand, so she couldn't speak. I grabbed her hand and stopped it from shaking. Spike suppressed a laugh.

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

Applejack nodded with a proud smile, "We sure as sugar are. Would you and your friends care to sample some?"

I smiled, "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 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." She smiled.

"Thanks, but we really need to hurry." Twilight Sparkle tried to explain, but a pony 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 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 my mouth.

Big McIntosh was a large Earth Pony stallion. A couple of inches taller than Steve. His fur coat was a brick red color. Mane and tail were a ginger orange color in neat combed style. Green eyes. His mane reached to his shoulders. He wore a dark red collared shirt with pockets, and blue khaki pants. His Cutie Mark patch of a shining green apple was located on his left pocket.

Apple Bloom was a young, yellow Earth Pony filly, with a pink bow in her red mane. She wore a yellow shirt under a pair of denim overalls and 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. She wore a plaid shawl over her shoulders and a light green dress with an apron around her waist. A Cutie Mark patch of an apple pie was located on her apron.

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

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

Applejack put her arm over Twilight's shoulder, "Why, I'd say they're already part of the family."

I swallowed the apple with wide eyes, and Twilight gave them a nervous chuckle, "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. 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 really 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 fritters and an slice of apple cinnamon cake.

"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. She wore a black sports tank top under a blue jock jacket and black sports leggings. Her Cutie Mark patch of a white cloud with a rainbow colored lightning bolt was located on the chest area of her top.

I was guessing that this Pony was Rainbow Dash...

Rainbow Dash got up and looked at me with a small chuckle, "Um... 'Scuse me?"

I got back up to my feet 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 rain cloud. 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. Hair, skin and even my clothes. I kept my composure, but I was 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 hair was a mess. I looked like a sad 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, "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 hands. I've heard that Rainbow Dash was fast, but to see it in person... Wow!

"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 hair, 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 decor 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 decor. Her." Spike replied, pointing to a Unicorn mare.

Her fur coat was a very pale grey, nearly white. Her mane and tail were purple-blue, wonderfully combed with a natural curl. She wore light blue eye-shadow over her darker blue eyes. She wore a white t-shirt under a light grey blazer and light grey formal pants. Her Cutie Mark patch of three blue diamonds was located on the left side of her blazer.

The Unicorn mare was using her 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 her eyes, and walked to the Unicorn mare, while I gave a lighthearted 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 hair and bangs, "Oh my stars, darling. Whatever happened to your coiffure?"

I tilted my head in confusion, then looked at my bangs, "Oh, you mean my hair?" 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 asked, as she jumped behind me and started pushing me out of the Town Hall and to a place called 'Carousel Boutique'. Spike and Twilight followed, of course Spike used his tail to fly.

Silly love-struck dragon.

*A Little Later...*

After the Unicorn, Rarity, sorted my hair, which was now shorter and easier to maintain, she got my trying her new outfits for humans, 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 dress that made me look like a Victorian princess of darkness.

"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 glamour, 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 area of the dress, "Emeralds?! What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!" And she walked off.

Twilight quickly grabbed my hand and dashed toward to the exit of the Boutique, "Quick! Before she decides to dye your hair a new color!"

Spike sighed, as I grabbed Spike's hand and dragged him behind us.

*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 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 color. She wore a light green sweater and a pair of white khaki pants. Her Cutie Mark patch of three pink butterflies was located on her right hip. 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 light blue and were hooded, to add to her delicate figure.

I quickly shook my head and spoke, "Oh, I'm very sorry for my friend, here. We didn't mean to startle you." I apologized politely and softly, "We're just here to check on the music, and it's sounding beautiful."

The Pegasus landed in front of us, put her hands behind her back, scuffed her hoof in the ground, and avoided eye-contact, not saying a word.

Twilight looked at me, then gave the mare a nervous smile, "I'm Twilight Sparkle."

The Pegasus timidly still said nothing.

"My name is Eleanor." I introduced myself in a gentle tone, "What's your name?"

The Pegasus spoke in a soft, and very quiet voice, "Um... I'm... Fluttershy..."

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

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

The Pegasus, 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. The birds came back.

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

The timid Pegasus squeaked in reply.

"Okay." Twilight muttered, walking off. Spike walked out of the bushes with a smile. "Well, that was easy." Twilight told him with a smile.

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 looked at Twilight and 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, "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 bashful smile. I think I'm falling for the timid Pegasus.

Twilight grabbed Spike's hand and dragged him close to her, "Well, in that case, we'd better be going."

She began walking off. I quickly followed her by her side.

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

"I'm Spike." Spike introduced himself.

"Hi, Spike. I'm Fluttershy." Fluttershy introduced herself, then smiled with excitement, "Wow, a talking dragon. And what do dragons talk about?"

"What do you wanna know?" Spike asked.

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

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

*Later, Outside the Library...*

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

"Oh, yes please." Fluttershy insisted.

Then Twilight turned to Fluttershy, 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 the gentle Pegasus.

"No I don't." Spike shot back, but Twilight lightly kicked, 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, as I walked into the library.

Twilight Sparkle slammed the door closed in Fluttershy's face and locked it. It was very dark in the library.

"Rude much?" I asked Twilight with a 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 pony 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?" She introduced, then asked me and Twilight, jumping all over the place.

"Very surprised." Twilight Sparkle told her, then added in annoyance, "Libraries are supposed to be quiet!"

"Well, that's silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring!" 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 lavender 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 you 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 breathe 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 looked up at the moon, as four stars circled around it, getting closer as they circled. The moon's eye glowed. I blinked, as a vision played in my mind.

"Nellie? Are you alright?" I heard a voice speak from behind me.

I blinked, as my vision returned to normal. I shook my head and turned to see Pinkie Pie and faked a smile, "Yeah. I'm alright. Just been staring at the stars for too long."

Pinkie Pie smiled, "Okay. Applejack called me to get you. It's time to see the sun rise." Her smile grew tighter, "You know what that means?"

With that, she hopped off to follow the other ponies making their way to the Town Hall. I looked at the moon one last time, then followed the excited Earth Pony mare.

*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 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 mutter 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 a dark blue Greek dress with a light blue armor breastplate. Her Cutie Mark was splodge of indigo night sky with a crescent moon. Located on the chest area of the armor.

"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. A Child of the Night to welcome her queen's 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?" She glared at me, "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...