MMC: Mare in the Moon

by SugarPie777

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Alternate Universe, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Adventure
Length: 3109

Twilight goes to Ponyville to find info on Nightmare Moon, and she meets her friends too. But something's...different?

Twilight Sparkle goes to Ponyville to prepare for the Summer Sun Celebration. There, she meets a wide variety of ponies: A hyperactive mare who picks apples for a living, a pompous unicorn who focuses more on controlling the weather than anything else, a hardworking seamstress, a loud and brass veterinarian, and a strange but surprisingly social pegasus party pony. But a dark mare ruins the whole party. Can she save the day with these ponies?

Published 2020-07-14 08:30:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-09-19 03:03:24 UTC

Apple Pie

"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. And, I have an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends!" Spike read.

Twilight Sparkle groans annoyed and buries her sorrow in her hooves.

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

Twilight Sparkle thought about it and said "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."

"Then... when will you make friends, like the Princess said?" He reminds her.

"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." Twilight clarified.

The two land inside the small town of Ponyville, full of smaller house, windmills, and just more quiet than the busy streets of Canterlot.

The royal guards whinnied.

Twilight Sparkle thanked graciously "Thank you, sirs."

The royal guards smiled with pride and flew back to Canterlot.

Meanwhile, A bright yellow pegasus with a swirly soft pink mane and tail was taking a stroll through town. Spike gestured to her "Maybe the ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about." The pegasus stopped at the two "Come on, Twilight, just try!"

Twilight was hesitant but tried anyway "Um... hello?"

The yellow pegasus squeaked "O-oh, hello, are you new here?'

"Oh um..yes!" Twilight answered.

"OH MY GOODNESS!" she shouted but quieted down "Oh, I'm sorry it's just that we don't really get new ponies around here. I'm sorry, I just remembered something." and flew away quickly.

Twilight reached out a hoof "W-wait-" she sighed and put her hoof down in defeat before quipping "Well, that was interesting all right." and trotted away.

Spike sighed but followed.

"Summer Sun Celebration official overseer's checklist. Number one, banquet preparations: Sweet Apple Acres." Spike stated, pulling out a clipboard as they pulled up to a farm.

"Yeehaw!" they turned around to see a pink earth pony with a poofy raspberry pink mane and tail with a light brown stetson hat perched on her head.

The pink pony runs to an apple tree, bucking it, grabbing an apple and ate it in glee/satisfaction.

Twilight sighed and hesitantly walked to the pink mare "Let's get this over with..."

"Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle—" she's cut off by the pink mare taking her hoof and shaking it up and down

"HELLO TWILIGHT SPARKLE, IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO MEET NEW FRIENDS. I'm Pinkie Apple Pie and THIS WONDROUS FAMILY O' MINE LOVES MEETIN' NEW PONIES."

"Friends? Actually, I—" Twilight tried to correct her, but the hoofshake was so intense, it was affecting her speech.

Pinkie finally stopped the hoofshake and asks "So what's the reason for your visit: food, critique-" she gasps "did y'all just want to talk to us?" she asks happily with tears in her eyes.

Unfortunately, Twilight could not shaking her hoof up and down, not until Spike stopped her, he snickered while she glared at him.

Twilight Sparkle clears throat and starts to explain "Well, I am in fact here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you're in charge of the food?"

"Oh We sure as sugar are! Miss, You have'ta sample some! Our food is the best in town." she replied with pride.

"Well, I mean as long as it doesn't take too long..." she reluctantly answered.

She rang a triangle and screamed "Soup's on, everypony!"

Suddenly, a group of ponies (mares, stallions, fillies, etc.) galloped to the pair, somehow setting them up at a table.

Pinkie Pie somehow springs up in the middle and looked at them both "Mare and dragon, I introduce to you: MY IN-LAWS!!!" she directs their attentions to the group of multi-colored ponies.

"No thanks, we really need to-" before Pinkie shoved a small fritter in her mouth. "Yes? Okay then?" and started introducing ALL of her family.

"This here's Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp..." Each pony put an apple treat on the table until they all piled up.
Suddenly, the pink pony takes a deep breath, signaling she was not done. "Big McIntosh." she pecks his cheek, letting the two know who her husband was.

"Apple Bloom and Scootaloo." Two fillies, one holding a chocolate and probably mint layered cakes on her back and the other held a plate of apple crisp, smiled up at her. Twilight inquired about the other filly's non-apple name and how she was pegasus and not earth pony like most of them.

"Hm...adopted or maybe one of her parents is a pegasus and they're cousins."

"and...Granny Smith." she finished, giving the spotlight to an elderly lime colored mare with a bunned-up white mane and tail.

"Up'n'attem, Granny Smith, we got foreign newcomers." Pinkie says, making Twilight inquire that she had never been to Canterlot either.

Granny Smith snorts awake "Wha..? Soup's on?" and started to stumble to the rest of the family "I'm up, here I come, ahm comin'..."

"There's actually one more but sadly-" Pinkie's smile faltered "The Celebration is working her hard." She shook it off and pulled her foreleg over the unicorn "Anyway, I'd still like to say you're part of the family!"

Twilight goes wide-eyed and starts to nervously laugh before trying to excuse herself "Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled, so we'll be on our way."

Suddenly, one of the fillies Apple Bloom meekly asked "Aren't you gonna stay for brunch?" with puppy eyes to match.

The other, Scootaloo, guilt-tripped her with "Yeah, we worked really hard.." and gave her own puppy eyes.

"Sorry, but we have an awful lot to do..." Twilight reluctantly excused, trying not to show her guilt

But then the Apple family all gave disappointed sighs.

Twilight finally gave in " ...fine."

We finally pan put with the whole Apple family cheering.

Rare Dash

"Food's all taken care of, next is weather". Spike said walking in front of Twilight.

Twilight stumbles behind, her belly swollen "Ugh... I ate too much pie..." she groaned.

"Hmm, there's supposed to be a unicorn named Rarity clearing the clouds with her magic" Spike said, looking around even up at the sky to find the unicorn.

Twilight looked around too, while she didn't find the unicorn, there were still a dozen clouds in the air "Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she? I mean not saying a unicorn couldn't but she'd had to be in a professional group or be very powerf-"

She was interrupted immediately by a powerful blast cut her off, knocking her into the mud "Yep, she's powerful...OW!”

"Hey! Are you okay?!" a white unicorn with dark violet curled mane and tail came running over.

"I'm so sorry, I was aiming for one of those clouds and I guess I aimed too low" The unicorn grimaced in guilt/embarrassment.

"Um, I'll help you" and then threw her magic into a cloud just above Twilight, making it rain.

However, Twilight was now drenched. "Uh-Oops! Guess I used too much magic" she put her hoof on her chin in thought and got an idea.

Rarity's horn lit up and wind started to blow, nearly blowing Twilight away. Rarity stopped the spell and asked "Well, what about now? Technically, it's used to blow away clouds, but what's to say it can't make a good manedryer".

Then, Rarity actually looked at Twilight and her mane and tail were puffy and curly.

Rarity tried to keep her snickers down and apologize but it was too funny. "I-I'm so s-orry"

Spike took a good look at Twilight and started laughing as well.

Twilight simply quirked an eyebrow and asked "So you're Rarity Belle?"

Rarity's eyes suddenly widened and she stops laughing "Um..yes?" she trots to Twilight and asks "Good things right?"

"Well, I heard you were supposed to be keeping the sky clear, which I guess you did". she sighs before smiling and saying "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather."

"Oh of course, it really was an honor for the Princess to give me cleaning duty for the Sun Summer Celebration" she frowned "T'was kind of sad, I'm the only one she picked but that just means I have do an even more extraordinary job."

"Oh, that's actu-" Twilight started but was cut off.

“Also, the fame, business, and exposure” Rarity says, eyes glistening in wonder “Especially the Wonderbolts. They might look your average flight team, but they’re actually a part of Equestria’s military, and they actually integrated a weather program.”

“Of course” Twilight thought, rolling her eyes before giving a sarcastic grin and asking “The Wonderbolts?”

“Yes” Rarity says not catching on.

“The most talented flyers in all of Equestria” Twilight said.

“Yes?” Rarity says a little confused and raises an eyebrow at Twilight’s tone.

“Pfft! Please. They'd never accept a Unicorn who can't even keep the sky clear for one measly day.” she scoffs.

“Hey! I’ll have you know I could clear this sky in ten seconds period.” Rarity says, clearly offended.

Twilight narrowed her eyes and mockingly smiles “Prove it.”

“Oh, It. Is. On” Rarity says before galloping away, jumping and destroying one cloud in a blue light, then another, and another.

“Loop-de-loop around.” she throws her magic in that order and destroys three clouds, before finishing the last cloud “and there! What did I tell you? Ten. Seconds. Period. Ponyville is such a humble town, it could be destroyed if we aren’t careful.” she says before chuckling “You should see the look on your face. Ha! You're quite intriguing, Twilight Sparkle. Maybe we could spend more time together, hopefully under less hostile circumstances” Rarity say, differing her tone on the last bit causing Twilight to look away from her harshly she treated her.

Rarity gallops off, taking out more clouds on her way.

“Wow, she's amazing!” Spike says, and starts to fluff Twilight’s still fluffy mane while giggling.

“Rrgh.” Twilight groans and walks away to their next destination.

Spike runs after her “Wait! It's kinda pretty once you get used to it!”

Apple Jewel

"Decorations. Beautiful..." Spike muttered.

The town hall was beautiful covered in steamers, pillars of flowers, as well as celestial tapestries.

"Yes, the décor is coming along nicely. This ought'a be quick. I'll be at the library in no time." Twilight said before complimenting "Beautiful indeed."

"Not the decor." Twilight turns to Spike as he points to the front to reveal a mare "Her..."

The mare was orange with a light blonde mane pulled into ponytail with a bejeweled ribbon and a silky but spiky tail. A trio of blue sapphire diamonds shown on her flank.

"No. No. Oh heavens, No!" the mare said picking through sashes

Spike was lovestruck with the mare before brushing his spines up and holding his tail "How are my spines? Are they straight?"

Twilight rolled her eyes and greeted the orange mare "Good Afternoon"

"Just a moment, please! I'm expressin' ma craft." she had a western accent (albeit more southern belle), was she the relative that couldn't make to the Apple's reunion?

"Oh, yes! Glitter ties everythin' up, don't it? Applejack, you have made it! Now, um, how can I help ya—" At the sight of her mane, Applejack makes what could only be described as fusion of a gasp, scream and a yelp "I don't mean to be rude! But what in Celestia's name happened to your mane?!"

Twilight looked up at her puffy mess of a mane "Oh you mean this? Well, it's a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair!"

"Out of ma' hair?! Heavens to Betsy no, we're doing something about your hair." Applejack started to push Twilight to an unknown location.

"Wait! Where are we going?! Help!" Twilight objected alas Spike was too lovestruck with AppleJack to care about Twilight's discomfort.

At the Carousel Boutique

AppleJack can be heard indecisively picking through clothes "No, no, nah."

Inside, Twilight could be seen wearing many clothes.

"Too extra." Twilight is in an exact copy of the Statue of Liberty's outfit.

"Too floral." Twilight is now in yellow floral semi-formal dress, her mane is changed to being more wavier.

"Too poppy." Twilight is in a red and orange frilly ensemble with pompous orange sleeves, and a saddle sewn on. Twilight's mane was even wavier now, so much she could fit right in the 80s.

"Not poppy enough." Twilight was reduced to wearing pink, blue and white polka dotted dress that looked like it was from the 50s, the back of her mane was puffed up, and she looked annoyed at her ridiculous dress.

"Too middle aged." Twilight seemed to look like a strange pony version of Marie Antoinette and started at her wrapped up mane.

"Too... sweaty." Twilight had a orange worn out t-shirt, a yellow and light blue sweatband, and blue sweatpants. She looked finished with the outfits.

Finally, she had a white bedazzled necklace and saddle on, looking content "Now go on, sugarcube. You were telling me where y'all are from." then started to pull on the saddle like a corset.

Twilight winced but choked out a "I've... been sent... from Canterlot... to—"

AppleJack let go of the string leaving Twilight to crash "What?"

"Canterlot?! Is it everything I dreamed of there?! The privileges, the sophistication! I'd give my left leg to live there! I can't wait to hear all about it! We are gonna be the best of friends, you and I...and I'll tell you some stories of my life in Manhattan. I know it ain't as big as Canterlot but we'll make it work" and put a forehoof around Twilight's neck whilst Twilight became anxious "Emeralds?! My mistake. Let's get you some rubies!" And ran off.

Twilight took the chance to run and yelled to Spike "Quick! Before she decides to dye my coat a new color!"

Spike just sighed still lovestruck.

Rainbow Breeze

Spike sighed in memory of the southern belle "Wasn't she wonderful?"

"Focus, Casanova. What's next on the list?" Twilight asked.

Spike clears his throat and replies "Oh, uh, music! It's the last one!"

They hear a birdsong fanfare in the distance, they sneak in a bush and see a pegasus with a cyan coat, magenta eyes, and a rainbow-striped mane and tail. She seemed to be conducting the birds. A bluejay was chirping off-key.

"Okay, stop, stop" the birds stop their song "Excuse me, Mordecai? I mean no offense, but your rhythm is just a little bit off. Now, let's get this back on track. A-one, a-two, a-one two three-"

"Hello!" Twilight suddenly greeted causing Rainbow to scream and bolt upward in fear, causing her bird choir to flee.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to frighten your birds. I'm just here to check up on the music and it's sounding beautiful." Twilight apologized.

Rainbow looked down and landed back on the ground, her shock turned to annoyance as she did.

"I'm Twilight Sparkle. What's your name?" Twilight awkwardly asked.

"I'm Rainbow Dash" Rainbow nonchalantly muttered.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Twilight asked.

Rainbow Dash, even quieter, answered again "Um... My name is Rainbow Dash."

"Didn't quite catch that." Twilight insisted.

Rainbow didn't say anything this time, and instead turned her face aside in annoyance.

The birds awkwardly came back to their places on the tree.

"Well, um, it looks like your birds are back, so I guess everything's in order. Keep up the good work!" Twilight said.

Rainbow Dash simply nodded "Mhm..."

"Oookay." Twilight finally backed away and returned to Spike "Well, that was easy."

Rainbow Dash gasped in happiness "A baby dragon!" She raced at surprisingly fast speed to Spike, disregarding Twilight and knocking her aside.

"Oh, I've never seen a dragon before. He looks so cool!" Rainbow complimented in admiration.

Spike turned to Twilight, who was sprawled on the ground and said cockily "Well, well, well...!" and folded his arms confidently.

"Oh my gosh, he talks?! I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so awesome, I have so many questions!" Rainbow shouted happily.

Twilight did not want to continue this conversion and magicked Spike onto her back and started to walk away "Well, in that case we'd better be going."

Rainbow speeded next to them, suddenly very interested "Wait, wait! What's his name?"

"I'm Spike." Spike introduced himself.

Rainbow properly introduces herself "Hi Spike, I'm Rainbow Dash. Wow, a talking dragon! And what do dragons talk about?" She asked curiously.

"Well, what do you wanna know?" Spike asked.

"Absolutely everything." She replies insistently causing Twilight to groan. This would be long journey home.

"Well... I started out as a cute little purple and green egg..." Spike starts

After a couple minutes later, Spike finished up "...and that's the story of my whole entire life! Well, up until today. Do you wanna hear about today?"

"Oh, yes, please!" Rainbow replied giddy but Spike was pulled away last second by Twilight turning around.

"I am so sorry, how did we get here so fast?" They had arrived at the Golden Oak Library "This is where I'm staying while in Ponyville and my poor baby dragon needs his sleep."

"No I don't— whoa!" Spike persisted but was cut off by Twilight kicking him off "Aww, wook at dat, he's so sweepy he can't even keep his widdle bawance!" Twilight baby-talked, hoping Rainbow would take the bait.

Rainbow just stared at her "...Really?"

Twilight nervous chuckled "Heh-heh, yup."

Rainbow just rolled her eyes and said "Alright then, good night." and went on her way.

"Yes, g'night!" Twilight said and immediately slammed the door, much to Rainbow's and Spike's annoyance.

"Huh. Rude much?" Spike asked rhetorically.

"Sorry, Spike, 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 before looking around "Now, where's the light?"

Suddenly, the lights flicks on, revealing random ponies Twilight had never seen before.

"Surprise!" they shouted.

Twilight Sparkle simply groaned at this, of course, it wasn't going to that easy.