WARNING! Pirate Captain Morgan says: Yar! There be violence in the waters of this chapter! Ye have been warned!

“Hahaha...excuse me.” Twilight ground her teeth as she pulled herself from the mud. Spike had fallen over in his laughter, clearly being unable to stand.

Sitting on her flank in a puddle of mud she stared up at the clouds. It hadn’t rained in three days. Where did the mud come from? Answers she was likely not to get from anypony.

Looking up from her near prone position, she realized they had found the elusive prismatic mare. The same one that they had been looking for, for over an hour. She was still laughing clutching her sides.

“Yay. Found her.” She grumbled.

“Let me help you, haha.” Pulling herself together she raced off into the sky only to return with a very dark cloud head seconds later. Twilight did not like where this was going. She watched in growing horror as the sky blue pegasus pounded on top of the cloud with her fists, a small rumble, and water poured from the cloud in a deluge washing the mud from her clothes and soaking her down to her panties.

“Oh, hahaha that's no good either!” The rainbow maned mare, still laughing, punched the cloud into non-existence. “I guess I went too hard on the shower…..OH wait how about this!” She dove down hugging the ground and began to spin around her victim at high velocity. Spike had not stopped laughing, in fact he was nearly shrieking now as he pound the ground.

“I am so happy he is having such a wonderful time.”

Faster and faster she went, becoming a blur of rainbow colors. The wind had picked up inside the sudden cyclone and started to blow, mud being lifted away and disappearing as well as moisture as it seemed all matter that was even close to liquid was being sucked up and away.

Twilight stood there, her mane no longer straight as she liked it, her tail resembling that of the poodle. The kind the wealthy spent far too many bits on.

“My patented Rainblow Dry-” She had turned around, and started snorting with laughter. Her dear sweet brother was having trouble taking in oxygen.

“So, I can assume you’re Rainbow Dash.” She groused. This day seemed to have gone downhill the moment she stepped out the door.

“That’s me! The one and only!” She flew up and hovered again in front of the disheveled mare, an eye cocked up, a smug expression beginning to blossom on her face.

“I am Twilight Sparkle, and I heard that you are in charge of keeping the skies clear for the celebration.” She stated flatly. Hopefully this ordeal would be short lived.

A bored look replaced the smug. “Oh yeah, that. Yeah yeah I got it, I got it.” She turned around and ascended to a low floating cloud and laid down. “I got a couple of days before the event so I can clear that up no problem. Rains not even scheduled till two days after. Besides, I gotta practice more before then anyways.”

“Practice? For what?” Twilight did not like having to crank her neck at such an angle just to see the mare, and she was beginning to believe this pony was the wrong one for the job given to her.

“For what? For what?!” Rainbow Dash spun around on the cloud and glared back down. "FOR THE WONDERBOLTS!" She thrust out a finger and pointed to a poster plastered on one of the town billboards.

Seeing the blue and yellow poster in its vibrant colors brought a memory from the depths of her past. A time when she was eight years old, and her older brother tried to get her interested in the aerial team. She smiled, she had spent the entire time calculating their velocity and trajectories. Attempting to predict where they would end up in their extreme turns.

"You mean thee Wonderbolts? One of the most disciplined air wings in the Royal Air Force?" She asked snidely.

"Yep! That's them!" She grinned as her eyes took a far off look.

"No offense, Rainbow Dash, but why would they want to recruit somepony who is too distracted in doing their own job? They are one of the most disciplined units in the entire military, they carry the Pride of Equestria wherever they fly to. What makes you believe you can even hope to be in their ranks?"

"HEY! I can have this whole sky clear in ten seconds flat! I am the fastest flyer in the world!" The incensed mare shouted back, the cloud she was standing upon was starting to drift up, but powerful beats of her surprisingly large wing span had quickly banished it as she dove off and back in front of her detractor.

Twilight smiled devilishly, and Spike cringed. "Prove it."

Another glare from the prismatic mare, and she was gone. Just one moment she was there, the next a rainbow trail started impacting clouds all over the valley.

As the cloud cover began to dissipate, the bookworm's jaw slowly fell open.

Ten seconds. Flat. She had counted.

The ground buckled and both siblings were sent stumbling, barely managing not to land on their flanks or their faces as dust blew up around them.

As a cloud dust billowed past them, they stared in awe at the pegasus known as Rainbow Dash, grinning smugly at them, fists on her hips.

"Ten. Seconds. Flat."

Twilight had heard of exceptionally gifted flyers, but had never seen evidence like this. By her calculations the mare had approached six-hundred miles and hour at intense accelerations in almost constant state. To be able to withstand the forces, it screamed for research.

"HAHAHA the look on your faces! You're a riot Twilight Sparkle! We should definitely hang out! That was a really good workout. I got to try a couple of moves I had been working on. Hey! Maybe I should do that more often, mix work with practice."

And with that, the prismatic mare flew off muttering to herself shifting her body as she planned out her next stunts.

She wanted to stop her, to question what she had seen, but she was still too stunned. The bookworm snapped out of her reverie a few minutes later at the feeling of her tail bobbing up and down, a giggle coming from behind her.

She peered over her shoulder to see her little brother trying to stifle his giggles as he bounced her overly puffy and twisted tail.

"Weather control. Check." She groused, snatching her tail away as she marched to the next destination, Spike's giggles nearly chasing her as she marked off the visit on her list.

"No, no, no. What was I thinking? Lime green would never match the drapes."

Rarity was having an absolutely dreadful time trying to find just the right color that would match both the Princess accessories, and the drapes which were caramel in color. Thinking about it now, lime green wouldn't match good and amethyst gem that was often seen on the monarch either. It was a silly idea and she had no clue where it had even come from.

"Take these away please. And if you would be a dear, Mr Correspondence, would you bring that other box over there? I do believe I have not checked that one as of yet." She had put all the ribbons back inside and boxed them up levitating them over to her impromptu helper, of which he eagerly complied.

As activity picked up for the event, it had become apparent that Quick Correspondence was left with precious little to do. Mayor Mare was a more hands-on bureaucrat, and often did the paperwork herself.

So Rarity commandeered the young stallion into her service three to four hours a day. It was simple to convince the Mayor, and even easier to convince him. He was very eager for activity, and the batting of her eyes made him quite pliable to her whims. She felt a little guilty for using him in such a manner, but she needed help and he was a resource she could use to great effect.

With the chaos that was Pinkie, he had been a marvel at getting what needed to be done, despite her constantly catching him eyeing her. She didn't mind the attention, but it sometimes slowed her efforts down when she had to remind him of what he should be doing.

As she was musing over her own thoughts, her ears perked at the sound of the front doors of the Grand Hall being opened, and the muffled voices of two ponies as they talked excitedly between themselves. She ignored them as Quick had brought her the next box and she had begun sifting through. She was beginning to like this one, but which color would work?

"Excuse me. I-" A feminine voice spoke up behind her.

"Pardon me, Darling, I will be with you in a moment. I am in the zone as it t'were." She almost nodded to herself. She had been trying to expand her lexicon with terminology used in Canterlot. She had so nailed that.

"No, no….no….Yes! Yes yes yes yes! This is it!" She held up a bright red ribbon. A huge smile on her face. " I am a genius." It was egocentric of her, but it had been a frustrating week finding the right color to match the decor she had picked out and made herself two weeks before.

Levitating the ribbons with her magic she placed them throughout the pillars of the hall. It was stunning.

"Now forgive the delay, I am Rarity Belle, how may I help yoooooOoOOOOOOO!" She was ashamed by her unladylike behavior, but the mare before her was an absolute mess. The lavender mare before her looked like she had been dragged through a pig pen, one of Applejack’s pig pens.

The mare's mane was a bird's nest of navy and dark blue with strips of pink and fuschia throughout. She feared her tail was in no better shape considering she couldn’t even see sign of it.

There was mud smeared into her clothes, a classic librarian get-up if she had ever seen it. It matched her fur color, but it was completely ruined and would take some serious work to restore it to its rather subdued glory.

"Mr Correspondence, be a dear and make sure to pack the ribbons away, I cannot let this travesty against fashion continue." She did not wait for his affirmation and began to push the spluttering mare out the door.

A small dragon in a smart outfit of khaki and a white dress shirt with suspenders got the door for them, though his eyes never left her or her form. She knew that look.

"Oh no, another one."

Twilight struggled to breathe as the mare that had effectively foalnapped her started to tighten the white gem encrusted corset around her midsection.

"Now, Miss Sparkle was it? You were about to tell me where you hail from." She could hear the strain as the white mare used both magic and her hands to tighten the strings, suddenly cutting off oxygen to her body.

As she started to black out, she could only gasp as she tried to explain why she was there to begin with.

She had been impressed when her and her brother had walked into the Ponyville Grand Hall. It had nearly been done and was absolutely beautiful.

"Beautiful…." Spike had whispered.

Twilight had to agree, it was absolutely gorgeous.

"Yes it is Spike. It is an excellent job done. Princess Celestia will be very pleased." She smiled. Finally something already done, or near enough that didn’t need her goading or sampling the goods. This was all laid out before her and it was perfect.

"No, her." His voice had taken on a dreamy tone.

"Her?"

On the raised dias was an all white unicorn mare with an indigo mane. Fluttering eyelashes that held a touch of sky blue eyeshadow.

Her outfit had Twilight flush with envy. An all white blouse that hugged her chest tightly, and an indigo skirt that matched her mane and tail. "Some mares are just born blessed I suppose…"

She pushed down that rogue feeling of envy that threatened to overtake her and smiled sweetly as the pair approached who she could only assume was the mare, Rarity Belle.

"Excuse me I-" and that was all she got out as the mare interrupted her, politely, but still interrupted her.

She waited impatiently for her to be done selecting a color of ribbon before she finally turned around. What started as a formal greeting turned into a shriek of terror.

Before she knew what was happening the lavender mare had been pushed out the building, and then bundled down the street toward a garish looking carousel building, all while the fashionista babbled on about how terrible her coiffure was and the abysmal state of her clothes.

"I'm…..from…...Canterlot!" She gasped out. Suddenly the tightening had lost all tension, she stumbled forward catching herself on a rack before falling flat on her face. She seemed to be falling a lot since she arrived in this increasingly crazy town.

"Canterlot!" Rarity cried breathlessly. "Oh how I dream of one day living there! The glamour, the sophistication! You must tell me all about it!” She paused and beamed at Twilight. “I believe that you and I will become the best of friends." That glowing smile, turned into a frown.

"Emeralds with your fur color? Whatever was I thinking? Hold a moment Darling, I think I have something that will suit you better." The fashionista nearly danced into the back mumbling and giggling to herself.

Twilight had already worn no less then seven outfits that afternoon, she was not sticking around for more torture.

She began to shimmy out of the death trap corset and levitated her normal clothes to her.

It was rather generous of Rarity to clean up her clothes as well as her mane and tail, but she would be damned if she stuck around for more. Though she was impressed with the mare’s command of charm spells. Those were really handy and she would have to make a note to study up on a few herself.

"Let's go!" She whispered fiercely.

Spike was less enthusiastic to leave, he had been staring at the passionate mare in a rather lascivious manner, earning a chastising word and a smile on occasion.

"But can't we stay just a little longer?" He pleaded, his eyes drifting to the backroom door, biting his lower lip.

"Come on Casanova!" She dragged the dragon out the door by his tail, quickly picking up speed as they left the establishment with a slam of the door.

The slamming of a door got Rarity's attention, she was in the midst of examining three other dresses she had in mind for her new friend. Or so she hoped to be her new friend. Despite her popularity in town it had been difficult to gain any new acquaintances due to her busy schedule and the already formed cliques that had blossomed in her youth.

A mare from Canterlot was rare. At least one that actually spoke to her in a kind manner. Outside of that one mare that had been so full of questions, she had not really had the chance to meet another one from the illustrious place from on high.

Exiting her backroom she realized what had occured.

"Drat. She's gone." She huffed.

Then she chastised herself. She had come on rather strong, even if she was trying to be helpful she noticed that she had done most of the talking, almost all of it really, and in her excitement had largely ignored what the mare was trying to say. Something about being a representative of the throne? Double drat.

Picking up the discarded clothing with her telekinesis, she realized that she would end up having to apologize for her behavior, and rightly so considering the results.

As she finished putting away the dresses, now once again to her standard of perfection, a knock on the door brought her out of her own reflection of her behavior.

Pinkie was at the door. At least judging by the poofy hair, that was now green, coming out from under what looked to be a strange helmet that was the same shade. It held a weird type of netting over the shell, with the words ‘Born to Party’ written in white on the side. The strap was securely locked over her chin.

Other than the bright blue eyes she had completely covered herself in various green paint and some type of clothing with pockets and patches in a similar pattern. The mare saluted.

"Pinkie? What under Celestia's sun are you doing?" She exclaimed worriedly.

"I'm assessing the target and learning about them, ma’am." She spoke. Her tone and bearing were official. "Here is an invitation to a party at the Golden Oaks Library on Summer Sun Celebration Eve."

In her hand was an invitation, in the standard pink she always used but half the folded letter was splattered in the various shades that now adorned the mare.

"Thank you Darling, but what is the party for?"

"New mare moved into town ma'am." She stoically replied.

"Oh you mean Miss Sparkle? I'm afraid she is only here to supervise us, I do believe, and provide material help should we need it. After the Summer Sun Celebration she will be returning to Canterlot I'm afraid." She frowned, she really did come on too strong and she knew it.

"No ma'am, tail spun clockwise once, then counterclockwise twice and a half. Right hoof turned left. The left ear is still twitchy. She is staying ma'am."

Rarity had long learned not to question the 'Pinkie Sense'.

"Okay, but the library? Why there?"

"Ma'am, that will be her chosen residence, as she prefers the company of books to ponies. It will be our duty to ensure that she enjoys the company of ponies more."

"Oh, oh my. She seemed to have it just so together. For her to be so introverted...well I will just have to lend my assistance." She smiled, maybe she would have a new friend after all, after she apologized of course. Maybe a new wardrobe would go a long way in patching any rift she might have caused. Something that would suit the more insular pony.

"Ma'am, that will certainly help in acclimating the subject to Ponyville. Excuse me. I still need more information and get the rest of these invitations out." And with that, Pinkie Pie was gone in a flash of green.

"That mare is so strange." She giggled. " Now what kind of gift do you get for an introvert you know so little about? She’s living in the library? Maybe a new quill. Oh maybe one of those new ‘pens’ I keep hearing about."

She giggled as she shut the door.

Twilight panted as they came to a stop in the park. Spike just grumbled and sat on a bench upset at their abrupt departure. “Least you could have let me say goodbye.”

She eyeballed her disgruntled brother and had to giggle. He really was head over hooves in love with that mare.

"What?!" He huffed indignantly.

"Nothing Spike, I often forget you're not that much of a baby dragon anymore.” Well he totally was a baby dragon, but his maturity was more akin to a young colt breaking into stallionhood. “You like her huh?" She got a blush in return as he turned to look anywhere but at her.

She chuckled as she pulled out the list. "Decorations are a check." She crossed off Rarity’s name. “Let’s take a break, we only have one more name on the list, and then we are done.”

It was a bit quiet for a moment before Spike spoke up again.

"Twilight,” he said slowly, pointing behind her. “Is….is that who I think it is?”

She gave him a puzzled look before turning her head to stare, her mouth slowly fell open as she really took in what she was seeing.

Behind her stood a life sized statue of Orion. He was depicted with a victorious smile on his face and a gleam in his eye. Fire was held in right hand, in his left he held what looked to be an apple.

At his hooves were a bunch of timberwolves in various broken states, as if they had been struck down by him.

"What? What is this?" She breathed.

Spike hopped down and wandered over to the sculpture. "It says here; 'In vengeance for those who could not avenge themselves. Orion Falls struck down one-hundred and thirty-two timberwolves. Year eleven twenty-seven.' Whoa." He said breathlessly, taking steps back to look at the statue in greater detail.

How could she have forgotten? This was the town he had been sent for punishment. The town he had returned to, and gotten hurt so badly. The very town he had gotten that ugly scar in that adorned his face.

"Oh hey this statue was commissioned by the Apples. We met them." He was reading the plaque again.

She only dumbly nodded. She had completely forgotten his connection to this place, or why Ponyville had sounded so familiar when the Princess had first given her her assignment.

For a long time she sat on that bench just staring, her mind a whirl of thoughts she could not place. Spike had gotten bored and pulled out a comic book from the satchel he was carrying with him.

"Hey, do you hear birds?" Spike suddenly spoke, looking around.

Pulling herself from her reverie, she tilted her ears, catching the sound of bird song. Bird song singing a familiar tune. In unison.

"I do, is that the national anthem?"

"Huh, it is. That is so weird!' he giggled.

Twilight filled the discovery of this statue for later and rose to her feet, tucking the list in her own bag. "What would you like to bet that this is the music we are here to oversee?"

"Odd that they would choose birds instead of a band.” He paused, carefully putting away his comic book and looked up to her. “You really think they would? Seems a bit of a stretch to me to try and use birds of all things."

"Yeah, that is true. But it would be like this strange town to go with birds instead of a more traditional manner." She half chuckled.

Turns out, she was right.

In the clearing of the park were hundreds of not thousands of birds singing in tune, they were all arranged by color in the branches of the trees. It was incredibly beautiful. All kinds of birds sang, many she knew, others she had seen only in textbooks.

In the center of it all was a willowy looking pegasus, tall and soft yellow fur with a pink mane and tail, she was flitting about the open space saying nothing, but listening intently. Her ears cocked as well as her head as she was listening to the bird's song.

She shook her head and looked at a particular branch of common blue birds.

Raising her hand the entirety of the clearing went eerily silent, all the avian creatures watching her with rapt attention.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry Mr Jay. But you are singing a bit off key with everypony else.” She spoke softly. “ I-If you don't mind, feel the rhythm of the song. I know you can do it." Twilight could barely hear her even in the stillness of the moment.

Looking down at her list. "In charge of Music: Fluttershy. This must be her."

A small conversation had gone on between pegasus and bird, it was bizarre that it seems they pair could understand one another.

She shook her head, there was no way that was possible.

Not thinking about what she was about to do, she called out. "Hello!"

Birds shrieked and scattered, and the mare swooped up into the air with an inaudible cry looking like she was ready to bolt.

"Way to go Twilight, you just scared the feathers off the mare." She facepalmed herself.

"Heh, sorry about that. I didn't mean to startle you.” She paused before speaking gently, “are you Fluttershy? That music was absolutely beautiful. I could barely tell between the Royal Orchestra and you and your birds." She smiled softly, suddenly very cautious of how she walked and approached the demure pegasus.

"Oh, and I'm sorry for scaring your birds away. I am Twilight Sparkle, I am here on behalf of Princess Celestia to oversee the Summer Sun Celebration. I understand that a mare named Fluttershy is coordinating the music for the event. Is that you?"

Instead of a response, the mare just looked away, her mane covering up her face in near totality as an awkward silence descended over the pair.

"Umm...are you Fluttershy?" She tried again, hoping to get a response from the suddenly quiet mare.

"I'm Fluttershy." A tiny voice squeaked out.

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that." She stepped closer.

"I'm Fluttershy." Somehow the voice was both quieter and higher. Twilight shook her head in confusion, a look of annoyance flashing on her face.

"Can you repeat that, just one more time?" She strained. Casting a small sound enhancement spell.

All that came back was a squeak as the mare took another step away, staring at the ground as if all the secrets of the universe could be found there.

It was clear this mare was her name sake, talk about predictive naming. She felt it was best to cut her losses, satisfied that the music was going to be a great hit.

"Well, I won't keep you. It sounds beautiful, Spike let's get going." The dragon pulled himself from the bushes, pulling stray leaves off his clothes.

Once again she was introduced to dirt.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! A baby dragon?!"

Where had this pegasus come from? Gone was the demure and quiet mare. Instead, she was now fluttering about looking Spike over squeeing excitedly to herself, asking all sorts of questions.

Her brother, for his part, actually looked a little annoyed.

"My name is Spike and I'm not a baby. I'm a teenager!" He grumbled irritatingly, interrupting the barrage of queries being thrown his way.

"Oh! You even talk!” Then she paused a finger to her chin. That is so exciting! You have to be about two hundred years old then? Oh this is the best day."

He blinked at her. "Um, I'm fifteen." He responded confused.

"Oh, then you are a baby dragon!" She clapped her hands together. “Just as good, and already able to speak so well at your age!”

Twilight had finally gotten to her hooves and approached the pair. Spike worriedly turned to his sister.

"Twilight, what is she talking about?"

"Well Spike, for ponies you are a teenager. But for dragons you would likely still be considered an infant in many respects because your species lives for thousands of years. Two hundred years is barely considered the beginning of teenage years for dragons." That left a pang of pain in her breast, his face had taken on a crestfallen look.

"I'm a baby?" He started to wander away. "Fuck me...I'm an infant."

Her jaw dropped. "Did he just swear?!"

"Spike! Where did you hear that from!?" She screeched. Fluttershy looked on, confused.

"Huh, not sure. Just know what it means. I remember….oh hey it was Orion! He…." He wilted under her glare. "Uhhh...heh heh."

"We will discuss this. Later." She pulled out the list to mark off the last stop. Irritated that her little brother had picked up swearing from him, and happy to have the list completed.

"Umm, excuse me. You know Orion too?" A quiet voice spoke up from behind them.

"Uh yeah. He went to school with my sister here." Spike stabbed a thumb at Twilight. "But he disappeared years ago. Why did you know him?" The lavender mare had chosen to remain silent, a scroll and her pen appearing in her hands as she began to jot down notes.

"Oh, oh me? No….. But I heard his name mentioned a few times by Rarity and Applejack." More connections to the Apple family, and now another mare knew him, Rarity, the crazy fashion centric mare.

From there the conversation drifted away from the wayward colt, to Spike and his history. In that time they had journeyed back through town, and to the front door of the library.

They had passed the Carousel at one point and Twilight itched to investigate the proprietress and her connection to Orion. But the place was closed and it looked like nopony was home judging by the closed curtains of the upper floors.

She was polite in her goodbye to Fluttershy, in which the mare actually responded in kind with a happy smile. That had actually been the nicest interaction she had with anypony from town. Despite the rocky beginning.

Inside with the lights on, she made her way to the stairs to go up to her room. Her supplies were there and she wanted to compile a list of questions to ask those two mares the moment she saw them again.

"Um, what are we supposed to do now?" Her little brother looked lost as he gazed around a perfectly cleaned, perfectly organized library, as it should be.

Twilight paused. The last week had been a flurry of activity. This was the first night they really didn't have anything to commit to. She of course would be studying, but he would have nothing. She eyed the kitchen.

"How about you cook something, I remember you buying a bunch of groceries, and that stove does need to be broken in before we leave. After that….hmmm maybe read some comics. Or a book. This library contains a lot of surprisingly old books."

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. We got like, a little under a week before the celebration. We can actually relax now.” He perked up, given a new purpose. “Alright, I'm feeling a casserole for dinner." He grinned. He loved to cook.

She smiled, now for that list. She took the first step up the stairs.

"Hey Twilight?"

The lavender mare turned back to her little brother, seeing him stand at the kitchen entrance head down.

"Yes Spike?"

"Am I really considered a baby?" He said morosely. Her heart hurt a little for him. But she couldn't lie.

"Yes. Yes you are. It's as I said. Your kind live for thousands of years." The fins on the side of his head wilted. "But, I have never met a more mentally mature individual as yourself. Spike, you are so smart, and so independent that I have come to rely on you as my number one assistant. Not only just as my brother." She walked forward and hugged him tightly. "I could not have gotten to where I am now if not for you."

He hugged back tightly. "Thanks Twi."

As the week carried on, the siblings fell into a routine.

In the morning they would eat breakfast, go over the books to make sure nothing was out of place, she idly thought about another reorganization but resisted the idea. Another would be in charge once she left and they had done a good job, she didn't need to devote that much time to maintaining a place they would not remain in.

After all of that, they would go out into town and scour for information. The resurgence of Orion's name had lit a fire in her. She wanted to know if he had come and stayed in Ponyville after he escaped the city.

She had found nothing. Oh many ponies had interacted with him, and he had an amazingly good reputation as helpful and kind. If a bit rough around the edges. But it had all been in during the time of his first two visits to the not so sleepy town.

The two mares that might have been able to shed some light on his whereabouts were nowhere to be found though ponies had sworn up and down that they would be either here, or there. But nothing.

Rainbow Dash would sometimes appear in the skies above going at breakneck speed to wherever she was going, but they were on able to catch the boasting mare. Though Twilight and Spike were treated to the sight of her busting a storm front moving in from the Everfree. That was impressive.

A trio of fillies had also made their presence known in a pretty comical, if very dangerous, way.

Really they were only a little younger then Spike was. But the three mares-to-be had been the source of chaos on more than one occasion since they first saw them.

For instance on Wednesday, they were seen rocketing across the roofs on some type of cart with a giant rocket attached to the back. It had exploded just as they attempted to fly from one side of the market to the other. Sending debris and fillies in all directions.

Nopony was hurt, thank Celestia for that. But they had been quickly carried off by a still laughing Rainbow Dash after a very thorough collective scolding by the entire town.

It was actually amazing to see an entire town raising foals. There was an old saying: 'it takes a village to raise a foal.' And in Ponyville never was that saying more apparent.

Another anomaly was that the pair was being shadowed by, something, she didn’t know what. They had caught glimpses of green moving about behind them but never managed to catch what it was.

Twilight wondered if whomever was tailing them was responsible for her not finding Rarity or Applejack. As if warning them just before she got there.

If that was the case, why? What were they hiding?

It had been a particularly long day for Twilight. Not only had she had to run around ensuring there were no last minute changes or needed supplies, it was her last day to find out anything about Orion and where he might have gone. If he even came here at all.

But again nothing. She tried the ponies known to her. But they ALL were missing now. It bothered her. It felt like a great majority of the populace was avoiding her for some reason. Had she done something wrong?

It didn't matter, she needed to study as tonight was the final night before Nightmare Moon's predicted return. She knew she was right and the celebration, Orion, and the mysterious stalker had all served to distract her.

She needed to hit the book once more. Maybe read further ahead as she had ignored the passages after the prediction once she initially read them. Focusing solely on the claim of evil’s return.

"Well maybe ponies were super busy, Twilight. It is festival night after all." Spike walked into the surprisingly dark library. She was sure she had left a few lights on.

"I don't know, Spike. This town seems to be full of crazy ponies who were all smiles and friendly greetings, and now you'd think I broke a town statue or something." It bothered her and she wasn't entirely sure why.

"Maybe you smell funny?" He took a couple sniffs humorously.

"Very funny. Can you get the lights, I wore myself out teleporting everywhere today."

The lights clicked on before the little dragon could move.

"SURPRISE!" The cacophony of noise deafened her and made Spike shriek in fear.

All around them were dozens of ponies that were laughing and smiling. The library had been decorated with balloons, streamers ,and confetti. A huge banner hung from the balcony of the kitchen to the wall above the entrance.

'Welcome to Ponyville Twilight and Spike.'

"What is this!?" Her ears hurt but we're slowly coming back to her with muffled sounds and a repeated-

"-urprised you didn't we?! Huh?! Huh?! Hu-"

It was the pink mare they had first asked for help, the one who rushed off after performing an impossibility at the beginning of the week.

"Pinkie now jest calm down now. Can't ya see the poor mare is dazed." A southern accent broke through. "'sides ya haven't even introduced yerself yet!"

"Ohohoh! That's right! HIMYNAMEISPINKIEPIE! WEMETATTHEBIGINNINGOFTHISWEEKREMEMBER!?" And on and on it came. A fast stream of noise she could barely stitch together as words, she slowly walked over to what looked like the beverage table, desperate for a drink as pain began to build in her temples.

"Pinkie, Darling, slow down a bit. Did you already eat half the cupcakes again?" Rarity pipped in. Silencing the jabbering pink menace bouncing around behind Twilight.

The lavender mare decided to turn around and stared at the bubblegum mare in disbelief and concern.

"Half? Already!?"

"Nope. Hehe sorry I just get so excited welcoming new ponies!" She coughed, and smiled a nearly impossibly wide smile.

"Hi, my name is Pinkie Pie. I threw this party just for you! And your little brother of course. Were you surprised?!" It looked like it hurt to talk that slowly for the mare.

"Yes, very surprised. But a library is supposed to be a place of quiet learning." She rubbed her head and continued to the table.

"Well that's just silly, you can't have a party if it's quiet!" She chased after Twilight. "Remember!? I was the first pony you met this week and I was all like *gasp*" At this her eyes bulged.

" I had never seen you before and I know everypony in Ponyville so that meant you were new! But if you were new that meant you had no friends...So ran off to research you! I've followed you everywhere learning what your likes and dislikes are! What you like to do for fun so that everypony got the right kinda gift for you and everything!"

She was the stalker. Her headache spiked.

"All so I can host this party for you and you can make lots and lots of new friends!" She said excitedly, hands waving in the air and confetti falling from nowhere.

Quickly, Twilight poured herself a drink, not even bothering to read the label, and downed it. She regretted everything.

Her mouth felt like she had drunk the molten metal from a forge.

"Sugarcube? Ya alright?" She bolted up the stairs for the kitchen, positive everypony could see the smoke.

Later she was told by her little brother that Pinkie Pie had left a bottle of Burning Coal's Apocalyptic Hot Sauce out.

Apparently a favorite party gimmick of hers was to contaminate one of the cupcakes with hot sauce. If a pony fell victim to the prank, they would win a prize to compensate for the pain of having their mouth set on fire by the insane party pony.

She also learned that the mare loved the sauce, and put it on everything. Cupcakes, regular cakes, hay, flowers, the list went on.

She didn't really care. She currently sat in her room in the middle of the night, Starswirl's book neglected to her left.

Twilight had tried to study. Despite her desire to go back down stairs and grill both Rarity and Applejack on their knowledge on the whereabouts of Orion, she needed to focus on the prophecy. She had wasted most of her time as it was.

But it wasn't thoughts of long lost colts that had her grinding her teeth.

Shortly after she had isolated herself on the third floor, music began to pound throughout the building. Due to that she could not focus. Even with a sound dampening spell the vibration thrummed through the floor and into her bones causing her to toss aside the tome in frustration.

"Come on Twilight! Their playing pin the tail on the pony!" Spike had burst through the door to her room.

It had not been the first time the young dragon had done so. Often throughout the night he had come up to bring her food and try and to try and coax her down and join everypony else. She refused, but deep down she had appreciated his efforts.

He was the best brother she could ever ask for. Now, if only he would shoo everypony out like she had asked four hours ago that would be fantastic.

"No thank you Spike. I am fine here." She sighed and laid down across her bed. "Do you know what time it is? This is way too late to be having a party."

"Twi, it's the Eve of the Summer Sun Celebration. Everypony has to be up all night! You should really lighten up. It's a party!" He proceeded to march back out, shutting the door.

"Why was he wearing a lampshade on his head?" She shook her head. It shouldn’t matter to her, but his words stung her. 'Lighten up'.

She couldn't understand why nopony was taking her seriously. The world could be in grave danger and the Princess just sent her away to oversee a party. Spike clearly didn't see the danger despite her numerous warnings. It was enough to drive a pony mad.

Turning over her eyes drifted out the window and to the night sky. She hadn't looked at that sight without a telescope in such a long time. The moon was bright and full, with the mare in the moon still emblazoned upon its surface. Stars spread out like bright white spots on the darkest of canvases.

She stayed like that for hours, just staring at the night sky. She found herself thinking of the story, of how Nightmare Moon was first banished to the moon. To be sealed away.

"Thus Celestia, with the power of the Elements, bound the evil that was Nightmare Moon to the moon she so loved." Her face scrunched up in thought. "But the prophecy says that on the eve of the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars would aid in her escape and she would return to blanket the sun and cast the land in darkness."

She sat up abruptly. Elements? She had heard mention of Elements before but she had no idea what they were. Thinking about it now, she always contributed that to a spell Princess Celestia had invoked to bind the evil.

She remembered more of the tale, of the fact that there were two alicorn sisters. What had happened to the other and why was there no mention of her name. Did Nightmare Moon destroy her?

She stared out into the sky again.

"Were those stars always there?" It was a thought that floated along in her head with all the others that cropped up in her head.

Four stars seemed to sit perfectly around the moon, that seemed to glow with a mysterious rainbow light. But as she looked closer she could see no colors other than the bright light they showed.

"Was that my imagination?" She whispered to herself. The door banged open, startling the mare.

"Hey Twilight! It's time to get to the grand hall!" Spike shouted.

Looking at the clock she had realized three hours had passed since his last visit. "Oh no! I'm going to be late!" She scrambled down off the bed and practically bowled over her brother getting down the stairs.

She would later wish she had remained a couple of more minutes. For in that moment, the four stars pulsed once, twice, and shattered. With their disappearance, the Mare in the Moon vanished from the lunar surface.

The Ponyville Grand Hall was a buzz with excited ponies. Despite the large banquet hall, the place was packed.

Partly due to the sheer amount of visitors, ponies from all over the nation were there, and it showed in the way slight lines of segregation could be seen here and there.

Then there was the fact that the hall seemed to also have an inordinate amount of Royal Guards in attendance. That had given Twilight pause as she entered the building.

They were lined up around the walls on both sides of the banquet room. Stoic faces giving nothing away. But as she drew closer, she could see the nervous flick of ears and tails and the way the eyes darted about. Something was very wrong. As she looked about, she noticed her brother was missing. He was supposed to be leading them as the newly minted Caption of the Guard.

"Ah Miss Sparkle. We are all set and prepared." Mayor Mare had swept into her line of sight suddenly, smiling just as excitedly as everypony else that wasn't a guard. "If you will please stand right over here we will get this show on the road. Mustn't be late!"

"Wait." The tan mare turned back to her expectantly. "Has Princess Celestia arrived yet?"

"Not that I know of, but she is likely to show up right on time. She is nothing if not punctual." While true she could not stop the sinking feeling in her stomach. She looked at the guards, they were looking visibly agitated. Why?

Rarity was so excited, not only had she managed to decorate the entire town, with the help of Pinkie and her unorthodox methods, but she would be pulling the rope to herald in the dawn of the new day. It was enough to make a mare faint.

As she looked out across the crowd her eyes fell to her friends. They had made this day happen. Each working together so excellently to accomplish a goal the town would be talking about for generations to come.

Fluttershy looked very nervous as she had finally gotten the last of her avian choir into position. It had taken longer than she would have expected. The birds seemingly agitated about some.

There was Rainbow Dash, coming in from the last minute sky clearing no doubt. There was a frown on her face, she had landed the moment she had entered the hall. She waved the cerulean mare over.

"Dash Darling, what is wrong?"

"I don't know. It's a lot darker out there than it should be, the moon seems to be just gone. Made it hard to bust clouds when I could barely see 'em." She replied, shaking her head. "It's the damnedest thing Rares. It was there, and then it lowered rapidly. Not only that, but the moon looked really weird but I can't figure out why."

The fashionista took a moment to ponder then shook her own head. "Likely Princess Celestia lowered the moon so that the sun could shine even brighter when she brought it up."

"Maybe…but one more thing, the air….no that's not right. The world itself feels wrong. I was having a hard time orientating myself up there. I don't know…" she walked away to stand by her friends.

Rainbow Dash, having trouble flying? As she glanced about again, she noticed a lot of pegasus were grounded. Actually nearly all of them but a few and those few still in the air were shaking their heads. That was concerning. Applejack’s family’s food was practically the only food available. If it was somehow fouled, well then she would be sick as well. Though she did feel a little dizzy.

The more she looked the more she began to feel a weird energy in the room. As if everypony as one was feeling off. Twilight Sparkle was there as well looking equally concerned. Head darting about.

To her shame, she had avoided the mare this entire past week. But Pinkie had insisted that it was not yet time for them to interact, and she trusted her friend and did what she could to keep out of sight. She figured it was for the party proper that the pink mare wanted them all to get together.

She traced the lavender mare’s eyes to the guards around the room. Their faces. There was something wrong and she could feel the fur on the back of her neck standing on end.

She looked back to her friends. Fluttershy was shaking her head, with Rainbow holding her steady. Applejack was gazing about with a frown on her face herself, hands suddenly turning to fists. Something was very wrong.

Pinkie seemed to be the only one amongst them not affected. She smiled gleefully as she pulled a cupcake from somewhere and covered it in hot sauce.

How that mare could eat that stuff she will never know.

Discreetly, Rarity summoned her saber. And hid it under the tails of her jacket. They were likely all suffering from the pre-celebration jitters but that didn't mean she would just ignore her instincts.

"Uh...haha it seems all is in readiness. Ladies and Gentlestallions. It is with great pleasure that we ponies of Ponyville have the privilege to host this year's Summer Sun Celebration!" Even the mayor was having some trouble. She was licking her lips nervously.

Rarity gripped the handle of her weapon with her left hand, the right holding onto the curtain rope tightly.

"Without further delay, I give you the Wise, the most Benevolent, our wonderful ruler, Princess Celestia!” She raised her hands up to the balcony on which the Princess was to appear.

Rarity pulled the rope, a tad hastily, the curtain rose, and nothing.

The hall was utterly silent. Everypony looking at each other and the balcony where the Princess was supposed to step out on to.

Taking it upon herself Rarity teleported to that very balcony. She fought off the dizzy spell momentarily, she had never been very good at it, and despite her instructors orders she didn't practice it all that much. It was such a difficult spell for her, and she had only known of it because of her mother.

She carefully looked around but beyond the balcony was a wall of black. No lights came from the hall behind the curtain.

"She's not here! She's gone!"

Where once was silent, the hall exploded in a cacophony of shouts and shrieks. Many in the crowd were demanding to know what was going on. Mayor Mare was having trouble being heard in the increasing roar of confusion.

Rarity's eyes never left that wall of darkness, and it was a good thing too. A tendril of black that seemed to absorb the light shot at her at blinding speeds. She teleported out of the way and back amongst her friends, fighting down the bile that threatened to erupt from her mouth.

Twilight could only stare on in horror as the black tendril struck the ceiling. The blackness exploded and ozzed down the walls on either side of the crowd.

Guards backed hastily away as they pushed ponies to the center of the room. The demands of the crowd had quickly turned to shrieks of terror.

She was pushed into a group of ponies she recognized.

Rarity had a handkerchief to her lips, she looked a little green.

Rainbow Dash scowled as she glared at the now billowing smoke that trapped them, while Applejack glared up at the balcony. Something was moving up there.

Fluttershy was being supported by Pinkie, who looked around in puzzlement.

Turning back to the farm mare, her gaze followed hers again.

The black smoke had taken on a purple hue, and was coalescing into something tall.

A hand broke the surface, nearly as black as night, there was a dark blue sheen to the fur.

All at once the smoke broke away and her fears were realized.

Rarity starred up aghast at what she was seeing.

On the balcony where the ruler of the sun was supposed to stand, was a mare of black.

No, that was not quite her color, there seemed to be blue there as well. Like raven's feathers. The mare was statuesque. Easily overcoming even Big Macintosh in height.

The more details she took in, the more surprised she was. The dark mare bore armor of silver and darkened steel.

From an amorer's perspective her equipment was rather impractical. It looked more like it belonged to a courtesan than anypony else. Though it was absolutely beautiful with silver swirls and deep blue stones embedded at key points throughout.

Her eyes widened at the horn poking up through the helm she wore, and the wings that flexed and waved behind her named her for what she was. If not who she was.

"Ah, my subjects. It has been too long since I gazed upon your sun loving faces." The sarcasm dripped like venom from her tone.

Nopony spoke.

"What? Surprised to see me? To understand me? I had to drain the lexicon of this new tongue from one of your own so I made sure you know my voice." The alicorn mocked them as she floated gracefully down to the ground floor.

It forced the ponies into a tighter knot, pushing her and her friends to the forefront.

The smoke around them writhed and twisted, as if sharing in their owner's agitation.

"Did none remember me? Did you not see the signs? Did none remember the legend?!" She spat as she stalked around the room, a finger curling under Fluttershy’s trembling chin before swiping off a tear from her cheek. She smirked.

"Oh oh I love guessing games!" Shouted an all too cheery voice.

"Pinkie! NO!" She could not speak. Could not voice her fears. It was like something had a hold of her very voice.

"Hokey Smokes! No, Queen Meanie! Oh-" Applejack's hand had come down around the pink mare's muzzle, thankfully silencing her. Her other hand gripped Rainbow Dash's neck straining to keep the violently flapping mare in place.

"What have you done with OUR Princess!" The prismatic mare bellowed.

"Oh, your Princess? Am I not royal enough for you? Truly, does no one remember me?" A dark look overtook the mare's features. Rarity couldn't help but notice the pronoun that she used. It sounded very familiar.

"I-I know who you are." The crowd turned to the voice as one.

Twilight Sparkle, stood there hands balled into fists, and glared uncertainly at the invader.

"Oh?"

"You are the Mare in The Moon. Nightmare Moon!" She proclaimed taking another step forward.
The fashionista admired her bravery.

Everypony gasped. Rarity wanted to smack herself. That old pony's tale. She had grown up hearing about it, they even had a holiday to serve as a reminder of it every year in the fall. She shuddered. Nightmare Moon was real, and in front of them all.

"Well, well, well, someone actually remembers me." She smiled with no joy or humor. The frown returned. "If you remember who I am, then you know why I am here."

"Your…. you're here to…" it seemed Twilight's courage had finally waned. In the absence of her courage, a dark chuckle filled it.

All eyes turned to the alicorn, she was laughing. Deep and melodic, it carried with it a promise of violence never seen before.

"Remember this day my subjects. For it will be the last 'day' you will ever have." As she spoke, light flooded in from the window. But not the light of the sun. But of the moon itself, glowing bright as it would at a midnight peak. A ring of gold seemed to envelope it as the sky remained darkened.

As Nightmare Moon continued to laugh, the black smoke that had filled the edges of the room fell away to reveal ponies in black and silver armor. Eyes of various reds glowed eerily at them from behind their helmets.

The sound of fluttering reached Rarity's ears as she watched many stretched almost see through wings.

Twilight gave name to the terror before their eyes.

"BAT PONIES!"

Chaos. Pure chaos took hold of the room as ponies shrieked in terror only to be drowned out by the roar of battle as soldier fought soldier in a violent clash.

The Royal Guard was faltering from the beginning, several civilians died from the violent crash of steel on steel, unable to protect the very ponies they were sworn to defend.

Nightmare Moon cackled gleefully from her place on the dias. "Now die you worms."

BOOM

The battle stopped. All eyes turned to the wall behind the dark alicorn. She too turned to stare in shock at the embedded bat pony in the wall. Their body mangled to almost unrecognizable mush if not for the armor that still held them together.

"Nothing. Will take another member of mah family away from me." It was a voice filled with rage and pain. And belong to none other than her longest friend, Applejack.

"My." The evil creature chortled. "Some of you actu-" she barely dodged the body of another of her broken minions being hurled at her from another source. ".... actually have some fight in you…" She stared wide eyed at another pony, Big Mac.

He was glaring daggers at Nightmare Moon, her status seemed not to phase him a wit. He spoke only one word. "Eyup."

That broke the spell of stillness. The battle resumed, only now the ponies of Ponyville fought with their guards. Picking up fallen weapons, pulling the wounded out of the way.

Rainbow Dash had become a blur in the relatively small space. Tearing any who met her in the air apart with near sonic speeds. Their bodies striking the floor, wall, and sometimes ceiling to never rise again.

Rarity herself cut down two stunned assailants, remembering the words of her instructor. "Never allow the element of surprise go wasted. It is not fair, but it is battle, so it means very little in the long term to be fair when you are fighting for your life." She knew she would be sick later. Fear kept a lock of steel on her stomach.

Suddenly two bat ponies dove towards her, and she only had time to block one, the other would end her. Suddenly both were gone in a loud explosion.

Pinkie Pie, with that strange green metal helmet on her head grinned maniacally as she reloaded a bright pink and blue cannon.

"Where in the Tartarus did she get that thing?!"

She shook her head, questions for later. Turning around she witnessed a bizarre sight.

Several of the enemy were being flung about by their necks in magical fields of lavender. The source was apparent as Twilight fought back with a most clever, if frightening only for the fact the sheer power the mare held, use of levitation she had ever seen.

It caused disorder in the enemy ranks as their own comrades were used as projectiles to knock them over. The Royal Guard wasted no time capitalizing on that fact and cut down the already fallen opponents.

Explosions shook the room but ponies fought on. Mares defending their stallions to the last and stallions tending to the wounded.

Yet another pair of bat ponies sought her life. It was clear this force comprised of females, as expected. She blocked and danced back with a following slash to give her room to maneuver. As they swept back towards each other another blade joined hers and swiftly dispatched the enemy on her left. The shock startled the other and her blade found its way into that enemy’s heart.

She turned to thank her rescuer only to stumble on her words.

A stallion stood with a bloody longsword, likely from a fallen guard, and swiped the blade downward shedding blood that had stuck to the blade.

"Are you alright Miss?" Was she alright? What was he thinking!?

"I'm fine," she responded numbly. What was a stallion doing fighting of all things. She had heard some had entered service, but it was a token force that was often used for ceremonial purposes. Very rarely getting involved in any actual work.

The stallion that stood before her was in a once rather stunning noble attire, now splattered with blood. His white fur was stained red along his neck, but he didn’t look wounded. Only angry.

"I see. I am Sir Fancy Pants, a pleasure to fight by your side. Now we should not tarry!" He struck down another as if it was normal, his face not even twitching at taking a life.

Rarity fought on, too dazed to focus on anything other than the clash of steel and the noise of battle. The noble stallion known as Fancy Pants fought beside her, complaining of all things about how heavy his sword was and how he wished he would have brought his scimitar instead.

Just like a stallion to find something to moan about.

Twilight had finally gotten some breathing room as the enemy had started to avoid going anywhere near her.

She was going to have nightmares about this day and she knew it. She could feel through her magic when she grabbed them too hard, or threw them in a panic, the bones in their necks shattering under the force of her hastily thrown together spells.

As she peered over the battle, she could see Nightmare Moon. She was no longer laughing but glaring as her forces were starting to be overwhelmed by the courageous town of ponies.

Suddenly Applejack and Rainbow Dash burst from the throng striking out at the alicorn as one.

"Get back you fools!" A wave of dark magic swept over the two, sending them sprawling across the floor.

Twilight didn't really study combat magic. Had never really thought she would ever need to. She struck out anyway with raw magic, and actually sent the ancient alicorn enemy stumbling, nearly falling to her knees. Eyes wide in shock.

"Enough of this. Retreat!" Nightmare Moon bellowed out. Her eyes glared death at the lavender mare.

No other words were spoken as less than a third of the attacking force fled through the windows, shattering glass in their escape.

The alicorn was the last to leave. Turning into smoke before she too left in the same manner.

She looked about herself. The hall was now filled with the dead, or dying. Screams of agony wrung out, as well as whimpers of pain filled the silence between cries. Foals wept. Mares cried out holding their fallen.

As Twilight looked, she could see the chart of the battle. She could see where Applejack and her brother had carved a path through the enemy, broken bodies scattered everywhere.

She tried not to look at the corpses.

Rainbow Dash, nursed a cut to her left arm. Growling in anger.

Rarity was putting her sword away, hands shaking violently but her face was resolute. Twilight had thought her a posh mare, but clearly that was not the case.

The demure mare that was Fluttershy tore pieces of her clothes to bind wounds with a determined if terrified look upon her face.

Pinkie stood almost in the middle of the room, her mane flat, her fur dull pink. Her eyes filled with tears.

“This party was no fun at all.”

Twilight couldn’t agree more.

The tally had come. Of the ponies of Ponyville, they had suffered the loss of only six of their number. A true miracle.

The visitors did not fare so well. Heavy losses of both guards and civilians. Resulting in almost half the guard still with fighting capability, though many were gonna be bandaged for the next engagement.

The civilians suffered even worse. Many ponies would be burying their dead when it was all over.

Once the count had been taken, Twilight left. Immediately heading towards her home. Spike had slipped out in the chaos and had thankfully hidden in the bushes outside the Great Hall. He trembled and clung to her all the way home, crying into her leg.

After putting Spike to bed, in which he needed to sleep medication to finally succumb to slumber, she stumbled into the shower and washed blood and dirt off herself. She wept in the shower.

Coming out, her mind was still numb by what had happened. Stumbling down the stairs to make sure the door was locked, her mind tried and failed to form a plan. All she could think about was sleep.

As she approached, the door burst open and an angry blue pony was in her face.

"You've got some explaining to do!"

"Oh come on! That's it?! You were just getting to the good part!" Orion complained loudly.

Both mares had decided now was a good place to stop their tale. Frowns adorned their faces as they stared at him with annoyance.

"Well pardon me, Darling. But we have been talking all day, and other than that horrible tale you started off with you've not told us anything."

"I agree with Rarity. It's your turn." Twilight fixated him with a glare.

Orion sat back and sighed heavily. He supposed they were right. He had wasted enough time considering everything going on.

"Fine, fine! Have it your way. Let me just get my notes." He started searching through his jacket.

"Notes?" Twilight perked up. "You finally decided to write things down? I remember you just sitting in class like you were bored with the teachers."

He chuckled. "My life is infinitely more interesting than them." He found what he was looking for and brought out a green, slightly curved rectangular canister on two sets of thin legs, setting it on the table before them he smiled slightly.

"Darling, that does not look like any notebook I have seen. What does 'This side toward the enemy’ mean.” Rarity spoke with alarm.

"Oh, it means this," he reached over and grabbed a small pin, pulling it out. He grinned as his magic formed a surface shield around him. The room was filled with light and noise.

Author's Note

Exciting huh?

And I know what your thinking: "Finally some fucking violence!"

Yes I know I know. I have eagerly been awaiting it too.

Now some of you may have a complaint with the turn the story has taken. I will be frank, I do not care in this regard. Part of what made me start this story was the happy go lucky attitude the show, and many fanfics had taken with the story.

DO NOT GET ME WRONG.

I understand this show, and the work many fics are based on was originally meant for children. I get that entirely. But I often found the progression, to bright. Not within some realm of reality. So, I decided to write my fic. Believing many would not enjoy it.

I was pleasantly surprised by the opposite, so once again thank you.

As always, please leave a comment. I do like to hear from you guys even if I don't agree with some of your disputes. It lets me know how I'm doing, and I love seeing your predictions. This next chapter is going to be exciting to as new characters will be introduced, as well as the appearance of one who will be in a largely different capacity.

Till next time.

Thanks for reading.

Peace.