“‘My dear and faithful student Twilight Sparkle,

it has come to my attention that you have not been feeling quite yourself lately.

I have heard that your recent activities have left you rather... under the weather, and I believe a change of scenery may be just what you need.

The bustling village of Ponyville is preparing for this year’s Summer Sun Celebration, and I believe that some time spent in the fresh air, away from your studies, will do you a world of good—’”

*B L E C H !*

Before Spike could finish the sentence, I lurched forward, my head hanging over the side of the carriage as my stomach decided it had had enough. My face paled as I hurled everything I’d consumed last night over the side, watching it disappear into the wind as the carriage continued its flight.

Spike stopped reading mid-sentence and just stared at me, deadpan, as I emptied the contents of my stomach overboard. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hoof, groaning. “Ugh...”

Spike sighed, rolling up the scroll and crossing his arms. “I tried to tell you drinking all that cider was a bad idea.”

I weakly raised a hoof in protest. “I’m fine... I just... needed to get that out of my system.” I gave him a half-hearted grin that was probably more pathetic than reassuring.

Spike raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Yeah, sure. ‘Fine.’ You’ve been sick the entire trip.”

“I’m fine,” I insisted, even though my body clearly disagreed. I wiped my mouth again, trying to keep it together as the carriage bobbed and swayed in the air.

Spike rolled his eyes, letting out a long-suffering sigh. “Right. And now, back to the letter.” He unrolled the scroll again and cleared his throat, clearly ready to finish what he’d started.

“‘I have arranged for you to stay at the Golden Oak Library during your time there, where I trust you will find the peace and quiet you need to recover. I also recommend that you take this opportunity to relax and enjoy the company of the friendly townsponies.’”

I barely heard him. My mind was still spinning from both the hangover and the fact that I’d just vomited over the side of a flying carriage. “Peace and quiet,” I mumbled. “Yeah, sounds nice.”

“Are you even listening?” Spike asked, raising an eyebrow. “There’s more.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m listening,” I muttered, trying to wave him off. “Golden Oak Library. Peace and quiet. Got it.”

Spike continued, his voice picking up where it left off. “‘I believe that this time away from your studies will help clear your mind and give you the clarity you need for future endeavors.’”

Clarity. Sure, because what I needed right now was “clarity,” not, you know, some aspirin and a lot of water. I let out a groan, slumping back into my seat. “She really doesn’t think I’m up to anything, does she?”

“What do you mean?” Spike asked, glancing at me over the top of the scroll.

“I mean, there’s nothing in the letter about overseeing the preparations or... making friends,” I said, rubbing my temples as my headache pulsed in rhythm with the sway of the carriage. “It’s all just... ‘go relax in Ponyville.’ But that’s not what’s supposed to happen. I’m supposed to, like... stop Nightmare Moon, right?”

Spike gave me a confused look. “Nightmare Moon again? Twilight, I think you’re overreacting.”

I shot him a look. “I am not overreacting, Spike. I know what’s coming. And this letter... it’s not what I expected. I’m supposed to be preparing for something big, but Celestia’s acting like I just need a vacation!”

Spike let out a snort of laughter. “Maybe because you’re hungover and she figured you could use a break.”

“Not helping,” I grumbled, closing my eyes and leaning my head back. The headache, the lack of sleep, and the whole cider situation was messing with my ability to think straight. I couldn’t even focus on the details of the show anymore. What had Twilight actually done when she first got to Ponyville? She’d written a letter to Celestia about Nightmare Moon, right? Or was that before she even got there?

Everything was a blur.

“Well, I guess we’ll figure it out once we get there,” Spike said, folding the scroll and tucking it away. “Maybe the fresh air will help clear your head.”

I groaned. “Right. Fresh air. Because that’s totally what I need right now.”

Spike shot me a sidelong glance, clearly unimpressed. “You should probably try to sleep. Maybe by the time we land, you’ll be a little less... miserable.”

“Not a bad idea,” I muttered, closing my eyes again, even though the swaying of the carriage wasn’t helping my nausea. My head throbbed, my stomach still felt queasy, and now there was this whole “Nightmare Moon” situation hanging over my head. Was I already too late? Had I screwed up the timeline by staying in Canterlot too long?

I groaned again, leaning my head against the side of the carriage as we flew through the sky. “Yeah. Sleep sounds good.”

Spike sighed, leaning back in his seat. “I hope Ponyville’s ready for this version of Twilight.”

The royal carriage glided down through the sky, dipping lower and lower as it neared Ponyville. Below, the village stretched out in its quiet, picturesque way—quaint cottages, winding dirt paths, and colorful ponies wandering around, going about their business without a care in the world. The sight would’ve been relaxing if my head weren’t currently throbbing like a drum.

I leaned out of the side of the carriage, my face still pale from the nausea, watching as the ground got closer. “Oh thank God... land.”

With a soft thud, the carriage touched down in the middle of Ponyville, and before the two stallion pegasi had even finished slowing to a stop, I practically flopped out of the carriage, landing face-first in the dirt. “Yes, solid ground!” I groaned, hugging the dirt like it was my long-lost friend.

Spike groaned from behind me. “Oh, come on, Twilight! Get over yourself.” He jumped down from the carriage, landing with ease before shooting me an exasperated look. “You’re acting like you just survived a trip through Tartarus.”

I didn’t care. The dirt felt amazing compared to the horrible, nausea-inducing ride. “Spike... you don’t understand. Solid ground is everything right now.”

Spike rolled his eyes, then turned to the two pegasi stallions, who were still hooked up to the carriage and looking mildly concerned about my dramatic performance. “Thanks for the ride!” he said, giving them a small wave. “She’ll be fine. Just... you know... hungover.”

The two pegasi exchanged glances before nodding politely. “Of course, sir. Take care, Miss Sparkle.” With that, they spread their wings and took off into the sky, leaving us standing in the middle of Ponyville.

Spike knelt down beside me, nudging me in the side. “Alright, come on, you drama queen. Up you get.” He grabbed one of my hooves and pulled me up to a standing position, brushing some dirt off my mane. “You look like you’ve been rolling around in a sandbox.”

“I feel like I’ve been rolling around in a blender,” I muttered, swaying slightly on my hooves. The headache was still pounding in my skull, and the nausea wasn’t completely gone, but at least I wasn’t on that flying death trap anymore.

“You need rest, Twilight,” Spike said, dusting off the rest of me. “Let’s just get to the library, and you can sleep off the rest of your hangover.”

“No,” I said quickly, my voice cracking a bit as I shook my head. “I need to... I need to wait for Pinkie Pie.”

Spike gave me a confused look. “What? Why?”

I glanced around the village, my eyes darting back and forth as I scanned the streets. “If I don’t meet Pinkie Pie, there won’t be a party... and if there’s no party, the Elements won’t unite... and if the Elements don’t unite, Nightmare Moon will destroy the world.” My voice came out flat, almost robotic, as I recited the dire consequences in between throbs of my splitting headache.

Spike stared at me for a long moment, his face twisted in both concern and confusion. “Twilight, are you even listening to yourself? You sound insane.”

“I’m not insane!” I shot back, but the effect was ruined by how weak and tired I sounded. “I just... I need to wait for her, okay? This is important.”

Spike pinched the bridge of his snout, clearly trying to keep his patience. “You need rest, not a party with a pony that may or may not exist!”

“She exists,” I grumbled, swaying slightly on my hooves. “And she’s supposed to throw me a party the second I show up.”

Spike crossed his arms, looking at me with a mix of frustration and sarcasm. “Oh, is that so? Well, if you insist, then I guess we’ll just wait here for your ‘Pimpie Spy.’” He plopped down on the ground, his arms folded. “Go ahead, Twilight. Let’s just sit here and wait for her to pop up out of thin air.”

I glared at him, too exhausted to correct his butchering of Pinkie’s name. “Her name’s Pinkie Pie,” I muttered, sitting down beside him. “And trust me, she’ll show up. Any minute now.”

Spike rolled his eyes but didn’t argue, settling in for what was clearly going to be a long wait. I stared down the road, my eyes peeled for any sign of Pinkie’s bright pink mane bouncing toward me.

And we waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Where is she? My mind was racing as the minutes ticked by. By now, she should’ve appeared out of nowhere, gasped dramatically, and dashed off to start preparing for the party. That’s how it had gone in the show, right? I wracked my brain, trying to remember the scene exactly, but the more I thought about it, the foggier the details became.

I looked over to see Spike yawning, looking at me with one raised eyebrow. “Uh, Twilight, you’ve been out here all morning. Are you planning on just waiting out here all day?”

“Maybe,” I muttered, a little sharper than I meant. “I’m waiting for a pink pony to throw me a party so I can actually get this timeline on track.”

He stifled a sigh. “Right. Well, if you’re planning on just sitting out here waiting for her, then I’m gonna go grab a nap. I’ll need my energy for tonight”

I shrugged, nodding. “Fine, Spike. Go get some rest. I’ve got this.”

He blinked, clearly relieved. “Okay, see ya later, then. Good luck, Twilight… for whatever you’re doing.” And without a second glance, he trudged back inside, leaving me alone on the steps.

The sun had climbed to its peak in the sky, beating down on the village like it was out for revenge. Sweat dripped down my forehead, and I was on the verge of collapse. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me I hadn’t eaten all day, and my mouth was dry enough to make swallowing feel like a workout.

This was officially ridiculous.

My eyes scanned the nearby rooftops, alleyways, and every corner for Pinkie, but there was still no sign of her. So much for instant party magic. Thanks, Pinkie.

I squinted at the town square, my stomach rumbling again, and a flash of memory suddenly struck me: Sweet Apple Acres. That’s where Twilight had met Applejack. And didn’t Applejack invite her over for a giant lunch? Apple fritters, pies, fresh apple cider...

I could practically taste it. A rush of determination surged through me as I staggered to my hooves. “Alright, enough waiting. Time to go find them myself,” I muttered, the promise of food giving me the energy I needed to push on.

Ponyville Meet and Greet (Ava-Style of course!)

The walk to Sweet Apple Acres took longer than I’d anticipated, mostly because I had no idea which direction it was in and ended up doing a full circle around the market before finally spotting the big red barn in the distance. I trotted over, my mouth practically watering at the thought of fresh apple treats.

As I entered the orchard, I spotted her right away: Applejack, lugging baskets of apples around like it was no big deal.

“Applejack!” I called out, trotting over as casually as possible, trying not to look like I’d been half-baked in the sun for hours.

She turned, tilting her head as she looked me up and down. “Well, howdy there, sugarcube! You lookin’ for somethin’?”

I grinned, trying to keep my cool. “Yeah, actually! I’m Twilight Sparkle. Just got to Ponyville today and wanted to check in on, uh, all the preparations for the celebration.”

Applejack tipped her hat, nodding approvingly. “Well, nice to meetcha, Twilight! I reckon you’ve come to the right place. Sweet Apple Acres has got ya covered when it comes to food for the celebration. We got apple fritters, apple pies, apple cider... you name it.”

I felt my grin widen, and before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “Oh, I know! You’re famous for it! All those apple pies, apple cakes, apple cobblers—you’ve even got a cousin named Braeburn who’s all about apples too!”

Applejack’s friendly smile faded just a little, her eyes narrowing. “Now how in the hay do ya know ‘bout Cousin Braeburn?”

My heart skipped a beat. Oops. “Uh... heard it in town?” I replied, trying to play it off like it was no big deal.

She gave me a skeptical look, but then shrugged. “Well, I suppose word travels fast ‘round these parts.” She gestured toward the barn. “Ya wanna join us fer a taste test? My family’s inside helpin’ out with all the bakin’.”

“Oh, I’d love to!” I replied, probably a bit too enthusiastically. I cleared my throat, trying to act normal. “I mean... sure, that sounds great.''

Target #2: Rarity

After practically stuffing myself with every apple treat Applejack offered, I had one more destination in mind. My second favorite part of the celebration prep: decorations. And that meant finding Rarity.

With a full stomach and a little more confidence, I headed toward Carousel Boutique. This time, I didn’t hesitate—I strolled right through the door, trying to look as casual as possible.

Inside, Rarity was busy adjusting ribbons and fabrics, her face set in serious concentration. She looked up as the doorbell chimed, her expression brightening when she saw me.

“Oh, hello there, darling! How can I help you?” she asked, her voice lilting with that high-society flair.

I gave a polite nod. “Hey! I’m Twilight Sparkle, here to check out the decorations for tonight!”

Rarity’s eyes sparkled, and she immediately set to work pointing out various fabrics and arrangements. “Yes, yes, of course! Everything has to be simply perfect for Princess Celestia’s arrival, don’t you agree?”

“Oh, totally!” I said, admiring her work, and before I could help myself, I added, “I mean, you’re the one with the best eye for design in all of Ponyville. Your outfits are legendary. I know your boutique in Manehattan will be a huge success”

Rarity froze, her eyes widening slightly. “Manehattan?... How do you know about that?”

Oh no, here we go again. I chuckled awkwardly. “Uh... rumors? You know, Ponyville’s got... uh, excellent gossip?”

Rarity gave a small, polite laugh, but there was a hint of suspicion in her gaze as she tilted her head. “Well, I must say, Twilight, you certainly seem well-informed for a newcomer.”

“Oh, just... doing my homework!” I replied, backing up slightly. “Anyways, uh, decorations look great! Keep up the good work!” And before she could question me further, I ducked out of the boutique, mentally smacking myself. Calm down, Ava. Don’t give away every detail you know about these ponies.

Onward to Fluttershy Easy peasy

After that awkward encounter, I decided to lay low a bit as I made my way to the outskirts of town to find Fluttershy. She’d be at the edge of Ponyville, probably by the woods or by the bird nests. I strolled past the cottages and found her exactly where I expected—gathered around a flock of birds, cooing softly as they chirped in perfect harmony.

“Fluttershy!” I called, giving her a wave as I approached. She looked up, her eyes wide with surprise, as if she’d been caught in the act of something.

“Oh... um...,” she whispered, barely audible.

I grinned, feeling the excitement building up again. “I’m Twilight Sparkle. I just got here today, and I heard you’re the one helping with the music?”

Fluttershy nodded, her eyes flicking nervously to her birds. “Oh.... I..-. The birds... they sing for the princess.”

She sounded so shy, so polite, and so... exactly like the Fluttershy I’d imagined. “That’s so cool!” I said, barely able to contain myself. “I mean, your talent with animals is amazing. I bet you can talk to bunnies, squirrels, bears—even dragons, right?”

Her eyes went even wider, her face paling slightly. “D-dragons?”

Oops. “Oh, I mean... hypothetically!” I waved my hoof, trying to laugh it off. “You just seem like the kind of pony who could befriend a dragon, you know?”

Fluttershy blinked, staring at me like I’d just told her the moon was made of cheese. “Um... I suppose so?”

“Exactly! Keep up the good work!” I said, backing away again before I could dig myself in deeper. “You’ve got this!”

I turned to leave, groaning internally. I’ve got to stop freaking them out. I’m supposed to be getting them to trust me, not making them think I’m some crazed fan!

Final Target: Rainbow Dash The best pony!

By the time I made my way back to town, the sun was high in the sky, and I was this close to giving up. But no. I had one more pony to find: Rainbow Dash. And sure enough, there she was—dozing on a cloud just above Town Hall, completely unaware of my approach.

I cleared my throat, trying to sound casual. “Hey! Rainbow Dash, right?”

She cracked one eye open, lazily glancing down at me. “Huh? Oh, yeah, that’s me,” she said, yawning. “Who’s askin’?”

“Twilight Sparkle! Just got to Ponyville today and wanted to meet the... coolest ponies around,” I said, winking up at her.

That got her attention. She straightened up a bit, smirking. “Coolest ponies, huh? Well, you definitely came to the right place.”

I grinned, and before I could stop myself, I was fangirling again. “Oh, I know! You’re practically the most awesome flier in Equestria! I mean, the Sonic Rainboom? I’ve seen it in action!”

Rainbow’s smirk faded, and she gave me a weird look. “Wait, how do you know about that? I didn’t do that here.”

I gulped. “Oh, uh... word travels fast?”

She stared at me for a second, clearly skeptical, then shrugged. “Well, as long as you know how cool I am, that’s all that matters.”

After a long day of fumbling introductions and awkward small talk, I finally found myself standing in the middle of Ponyville square, hoof to my forehead, trying to make sense of the mess I’d created. Each attempt at making a good first impression had just... flopped. And not just flopped, but flopped spectacularly.

I let out a sigh, feeling the weight of it in my chest. This is weird. I’m good at making friends. I’m practically the queen of it, I thought, slightly panicked. Back on Earth, I could win anyone over with a joke and a smile, yet here, I’d somehow managed to make each of them look at me like I was an alien. I shook my head. What am I doing wrong?

My gaze drifted to my hooves, and I rubbed them together, the foreignness of them sinking in deeper. Something’s different, I thought, a strange unease building in my chest. Something’s... off. But what?

I tried to shake off the feeling, but it lingered, and a faint, almost ghostly thought flickered through my mind: I can’t put my finger on it. Or... hoof? I let out a dry laugh, but the hollow feeling didn’t go away. Whatever it was, it felt like I was losing something important—like the Ava I used to be was drifting further and further away.

I sighed, trying to refocus. Think, Ava. Think.

After today’s failed attempts, I knew I had one last option to bring these ponies together, and it was a long shot. In fact, I knew exactly how it would go: just like Twilight had done it in the show. She’d waited until everyone was gathered at the town hall, then made a huge scene by announcing that Nightmare Moon was coming. It worked for Twilight. Maybe... it could work for me, too.

The idea sent a chill through me, like ice water trickling down my spine. Every instinct told me that announcing Nightmare Moon’s return in front of the entire town was the last thing I wanted to do. But... it’s my only shot.

I sighed, resigning myself to the only plan I had left. Alright. Against everything I believe in, it’s time to wait. I turned, heading back to the library to prepare myself, hoping that when the time came, I could actually pull it off.

Author's Note

Well, I guess its one thing to try and save the world, and another to make friends. Looks like our party girl is losing her touch !!

Let's hope she figures a way to unite them all before it's too late!