The Legend of the Six

Morning arrives in Ponyville, the same as every other day. One of the ruling Alicorns uses their magic to lift the sun, while the other finishes lowering the moon. Ponies everywhere stir to life, putting on their clothes, and starting their dull, daily routines. A certain young female pony starts her day by waking up with a smile, and saying hello to the sun. Donning her ceremonial pink robe, the blue mare sets out from her house, ready to make as many friends as she can. Her slightly curly gray mane and tail fluttering in the early morning breeze, Feron trots to town square, a slightly forced smile on her face.

“This time, I’ll succeed for sure! I’ll make a friend…I have a feeling I will.” She reassured herself, smiling and saying hello to everypony she passed. Many ponies recognized the bright pink robe she wore, and simply looked away, whispering to each other, wondering how that poor pony could live with herself, having to wear that bright, cheery, garish robe.

“Meh….” Feron sighed, as she continued her daily route around town, being as friendly as she could. “I know it’s my duty to make friends with everyone in town, and to know their names, but this sure is hard…I don’t know how you did it Grandma…But I have to try, for you.” She nodded to herself, and kept going on about her way. Sure, she knew all the ponies in town by where they lived, what they did, and how they looked, but none were willing to give their names, let alone be friends. It seemed hopeless. That’s when she noticed that a certain building, one that had been vacant for as long as she could remember, was lit up on the inside.

Dusk jolted out of his place on the couch, dropping all the various books he was suspending, at the very unfamiliar sound emanating from the entrance to his tree. Somepony was knocking on the door. This had never happened before, so Dusk was scared witless. Gathering himself, he checked his watch again, finally noticing just how early in the morning it was.

“Crap!” He said under his breath. “I stayed up too late, trying to finish that book….Gah!” Feeling panic about to set in, Dusk took a deep breath, and gathered his thoughts. “It’s ok, I can get through this. I’ll just put on that hat I found so whoever it is doesn’t realize I’m a unicorn, answer the door, and then politely ask them to leave. Yeah, that’s it.” With a quick glance at the hat rack, the Black fedora floated quickly to Dusk, and gently alighted on his head, covering his horn nicely. Gathering his courage, he slid off the old couch, and trotted over to the door.

The knocking continued all the way up until Dusk carefully opened the door. He had to squint to see through the blinding light. All he could really make out was a pony in what appeared to be a robe. “Hello?” He asked, unsure of how to proceed.

“Hello! My name is Feron Pix. I’m a disciple of Pinkamena.” The mare replied, curious as to whom this strange new pony was. She continued, not near as much excitement in her voice, as if reading from a script, “I’m here to be your friend! And you are?”

“Uh, a sleep deprived guy. I’m sorry, but could you please leave? I was hoping to get some sleep in, today.” Dusk replied, hoping to get this over with as soon as possible. At his words, a look of panic crept upon the mare’s face.

“B-but wait! I need to know your name! It’s part of the code! And I need to make a friend! I’ve never seen you before! Please! You have to at least tell me your name.” Feron blurted out, holding the door where it was before Dusk could close it.

“Your…code? I’m sorry, but I’ve been up too late as it is. I really need my sleep. Besides…you wouldn’t want to be friends with me anyway.” He replied, stepping back, and turning around, his flank revealed.

“Wait! Please! You don’t know that! I really need to know your name! I’m sure we could be great friends! I need to, if I’m ever going to be a priestess of Pinkamena! Just give me a chance, please.” Her pleading tone and sad, hazel eyes seemed to get to Dusk. With a sigh, he turned back around.

“Dusk. My name is Dusk Fades.” He grimaced, hoping this would end soon.

“Really? You actually told me your name?! This is great! Finally!” Feron seemed very excited all of a sudden, taking Dusk by surprise. “You’re the first pony I’ve met who’s been willing to tell me his name! This is huge! I’m finally on my way!” She continued, about ready to explode. The genuine look of happiness on her face brought a bit of a smile to Dusk’s face as well.

“Well, it’s nice to see you on your way, but I really need my sleep now, so I’ll be going to my bed, ok? Perhaps I’ll see you another day or something.” Dusk yawned, turning back to face the bottom floor of his home.

“Oh, wait! We’re friends now!” Feron had finally settled down, but was still smiling. “That means we have to throw a party!”

“A party?” Dusk grimaced, dreading that this wasn’t going to end anytime soon.

“Yep! A party. Says so in the Code. Every time you make a new friend, you have to throw them a party. I’m supposed to invite all my other friends to the party, but since you’re my first one, I guess we’ll just start it right now!”

“I…I guess so. But...where? And how?” Dusk replied, still confused as to what a party actually was.

“Hmm….I’ve never gotten this far before…Perhaps we can have a drink at the local cider bar? Yeah!” Feron seemed to be getting worked up and excited again, trying to plan this thing out. “I know a guy there, not really a friend, but he knows how to make a mean cider! I just call him Barkeep since he refuses to tell me his name.” She continued as, without Dusk even noticing until now, the two walked down the street toward the local bar.

“Uh, how did you do that?” Dusk asked, interrupting Feron’s stream of words.

“Do what?” She replied, a little confused.

“You started talking to me, and suddenly I found myself walking down the street in broad daylight. How did you do that?” He expanded, still confused as to how he got here.

“ I dunno,” Feron replied with a shrug, “It just happens, I guess.” The two continued, as other ponies stared on, wondering what those 2 could possibly have to talk about.