Pirate Nights, Book One

Part I

Friendship’s Passing

Chapter 1

Twilight Sparkle couldn’t recall ever being so sad in all her life. Waiting outside Princess Celestia’s throne room was not an easy thing when the young mare needed counsel so urgently. Just a few days ago Twilight remembered having everything she ever hoped to have. As a matter of fact, the purple alicorn pony had never thought of herself as anything but lucky. To feel betrayed all of a sudden with the tragedy of her recent falling out; it was a feeling she almost couldn’t bear.

After leaving Ponyville that morning to confront Celestia with her friendship problem it was still hard for Twilight to face all the facts. This was a problem that probably meant the end of her friendships, and it was something she definitely didn’t want for anypony. As tears rolled down the side of her face she tried covering them up with a look of confidence.

“Pull yourself together Twilight,” she told herself. “Once you speak to the princess you’ll know what to do.”

While she was trying to control her sorrow one of the royal guards poked his head through the door and spotted Twilight sitting not far away. “Her highness will see you now Twilight,” he said.

Twilight was a little startled when she realized he was addressing her and not somepony else. Quickly wiping away her teary eyes, she inhaled a deep breath and stepped towards the door. “Thank you,” she said.

After the guard let her into the throne room Twilight Sparkle stepped across the rug and saw her teacher and mentor, Celestia, standing beside her throne at the far end of the hall. While the princess was wrapping up a conversation with two other ponies she didn’t notice Twilight coming her way. After the princess dismissed her guests, Celestia turned just in time to see Twilight stopping a short distance away.

“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia smiled. “I am glad you are paying me a visit so soon after your coronation.”

“I’m really glad to see you too princess,” Twilight nodded. Although she was smiling she couldn’t hide how upset she was underneath. Celestia took notice and closed her eyes to meditate.

“I know you’re coming to me in a time of great trouble,” Celestia said, her voice becoming serious in tone. “Care to tell me about it?”

Twilight was a little surprised that Celestia had already noticed how upset she was. Maybe it was obvious by the way Twilight’s eyes were watering but she tried to feel passive as she answered her teacher.

“It was... not long after the coronation that it happened,” she began. “I took some time off to get my affairs in order like you recommended. It took time adjusting to my new life as an alicorn, as well as a princess. But I must have spent too much time away from Ponyville, because when I returned... all of my friends got into this fight.”

“Care to elaborate?” Celestia asked. “What did you do for your friends?”

“Well... that’s just it! There was nothing I could do!” Twilight exclaimed. “My friends... Applejack... Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Fluttershy... they all blame me just as much for their falling out as they blame each other.”

Celestia bowed her head and was silent for a moment. When Twilight looked up at her mentor she couldn’t read what the princess was thinking. Whether the princess was going to laugh with amusement or look away in sorrow, it was impossible to tell. After going a moment without a response, Twilight continued.

“I’ve tried reasoning with them, but they won’t listen,” she explained. “My friends won’t listen to my lectures either, and everything I learned about friendship from before seems meaningless to them.”

Celestia interrupted. “And so you believe this is the day your friendships have come to an end, is it not?”

“Well... yes, but how did you know I would say that?” Twilight wondered.

“You are not the only one of my subjects who gives me regular reports on the wellbeing of Ponyville,” Celestia answered. She turned and walked around to the other side of her throne as she continued. “An informant of mine couldn’t help but notice a certain ‘falling out’ between you and your friends. He also informed me you seem to blame yourself for being an alicorn, like that was somehow the reason for this friendship problem. Care to tell me about it?”

Twilight Sparkle did not feel like talking about it. Just a few days ago she and her friends were celebrating her transformation from unicorn to alicorn, and all six of them were in agreement that nothing between them had changed. They were still the same friends as before, which was the greatest thing Twilight could ever have asked from her friends. Discovering only now that it was an entirely false assumption made Twilight ashamed to answer the princess.

Regardless, Twilight sighed and explained as best she could. “If I had not abandoned my friends in Ponyville for the short time that I had, maybe I could have been there for them. If I had remained in Ponyville I could have given them the chance to show them nothing has changed between us. But now... I come home and they act like I’m not Twilight Sparkle anymore. They act like I’m more of a princess than their friend. It’s become awkward for them to share their feelings with me, and this friendship problem has even made some of them hateful of what I’ve become.”

Twilight looked away in shame. “I... I almost wish I wasn’t transformed into an alicorn,” she muttered under her breath.

Celestia felt upset that her student was hurt in this manner. Becoming an alicorn was supposed to be a great gift. But although Princess Celestia had been listening to every word Twilight spoke she did not immediately give her student any words of encouragement. Instead, she turned to a shelf full of old book of magical spells and incantations. Then using her magic, she sorted through the books and did not give any hint what she was looking for as she searched.

Finally, in the very back was a dusty old book with a worn out cover Celestia had not opened in many years. The princess looked down at the book and hesitated for a moment to be holding it in her hooves. After a moment she turned around and faced Twilight.

“I have something for you,” she said. “Twilight Sparkle, I want you to take this book back to Ponyville and consult its advice. Invite your pony friends and read this book together while you try and work out your problem.”

Twilight Sparkle had to admit, this was rather unexpected. Using her magic, she took the book from Princess Celestia and looked down at its raggedy old cover.

“Pirate Nights?” she read.

Celestia approached Twilight and gave her a smile of complete confidence. “It is a story book of my own creation,” she explained. “It was one that I wrote many years ago before you were even born. It is about time its pages were read again.”

Twilight Sparkle almost forgot how upset she had been a moment ago and was downright surprised to discover that Celestia actually wrote fiction books. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of it when she looked down at the picture of a pirate ship drawn on the cover. Writing books was the last thing she ever expected of Princess Celestia.

After giving it a quick look over, Twilight looked again at the princess but was unsure of how to put her thoughts into words. “Princess Celestia... I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for your council but I don’t understand how a book like this is supposed to help rekindle our friendship.”

Celestia couldn’t help but laugh. “Twilight Sparkle,” she chuckled. “Am I right in assuming a book worm like yourself does not have confidence a book will have an answer?”

Twilight understood the irony in those words, but was quick to rephrase what she was trying to say. “It’s just... when I came asking for your council I didn’t know you were sending me back to Ponyville with a plan such as this.”

“I have complete confidence you will find a way to save your friendships, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia smiled. “This is a book I have been meaning to give you for quite a long time. I kept it for myself because I knew there would come a time when your friendships where in a crisis. When every other option ceased to work, this book was my very last hope for you.”

Twilight Sparkle was still puzzled how this one book could be so important to saving her friendships.

Princess Celestia noticed that Twilight was still in doubt but she remained calm while giving her student all the encouragement she needed. “Twilight Sparkle, you mustn’t forget that you are the element of magic. Your friends have all been good to you, up until this falling out that has divided you so. But that is why the task falls upon you to rekindle the magic of friendship. This is a task that is for you alone to undertake.”

Upon hearing that, Twilight’s ears fell and her heart was overwhelmed after realizing the responsibility she had been given. But when Celestia saw her, she stood tall and full of confidence. “It may do you some good to read the book, Pirate Nights,” she continued. “It is a magical book, enchanted with magic of my own design. When you read it, your understanding of friendship will be enlightened and your friends will see it too. But most important of all, you must make sure that all your friends agree to read it together. Do you understand my request?”

Twilight Sparkle wasn’t sure. She looked at the book again and then at the princess. “This wasn’t the kind of council I was hoping for,” she said. “Princess... I was merely thinking that there were no more lessons to learn on the magic of friendship. If my studies in Ponyville were completed, I was assuming you’d have me back in Canterlot resuming my normal studies.”

Upon hearing that, Celestia seemed to have a hint of surprise in her eyes. It was the strangest thing, because there was hardly anything that surprised Celestia. But after hearing what Twilight had to say, she closed her eyes and looked away for a moment. “Maybe the book will do you good just as well, Twilight Sparkle. Don’t just speak the words. Understand them as well. I have asked you to have faith in me before, my student, and I need you to trust me again like before.”

Twilight Sparkle had to admit, this was among the most peculiar discussions she ever had with Princess Celestia; and there had been many peculiar discussion before.

“I have confidence in you, Twilight Sparkle.”

It was at that point, Twilight understood what she had to do. Maybe from her point of view this sounded like a crazy idea, but never before had Celestia steered her wrong. When Twilight closed her eyes for a second she felt all the sincerity she needed to trust that this was what she was meant to do.

“In that case... I promise I will do the very best that I can for my friends,” Twilight answered, as strongly as she could say it.

Celestia smiled with approval. Before showing her student to the door and saying good bye, the princess had just one last thing to say. “I want you to remember Twilight, that the only hope you have is if you can remember how important your friendships are to you. I want you never to forget that.”

Chapter 2

Twilight took the train home, the same as she always had. While there were still many hours left in the day she considered everything she would do as soon as she was back in Ponyville. Keeping the book, Pirate Nights, safe where it wouldn’t get lost, she left the Ponyville train station in the early afternoon and found her way back to the library.

Twilight returned to the Golden Oaks Library and stepped into the place she had called home since her arrival in Ponyville a long time ago. Memories returned to her of how much she used to resent this horrid place, up until she discovered her friends. Now, she couldn’t imagine living anywhere but in this library that had become like her very own.

Scurrying down the stairs to meet her was her faithful assistant, Spike. The young dragon had been so long without Twilight to keep him company he couldn’t help but wrap his claws around her foreleg as he hugged her. “Twilight, you’re back!” he cheered.

Twilight was happy to have at least one friend still waiting for her when she returned home. “Spike, I’ve only been gone for the morning,” she laughed. “You shouldn’t be missing me quite yet.”

Spike let go of her leg and looked up at his best friend. “I know,” he sighed, becoming saddened. “It’s just... while you’ve been away it’s not like I didn’t know what was happening. I tried visiting both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie today. I still can’t believe how upset all you ponies seem to be with each other. I mean... all of you have had fights before but never anything this bad.”

“What did they do when you tried visiting them?” Twilight wondered.

“That’s just it,” Spike shrugged. “They’re ignoring me like I’m the plague. Even... even Rarity won’t talk to me!”

The baby dragon’s eyes began to water with tears as the memory of Rarity’s rejection returned to him. When Twilight saw Spike was about to have a break down her heart ached for him. With her head held low, she walked passed him and stepped into the center of the library. Spike quickly wiped his eyes dry before the feelings became too painful.

“So... did you see Princess Celestia?” he asked. “Did she have a solution?”

Twilight turned and looked at him with a smile on her mouth, but not a very confident smile. “I have something,” she finally said. Using the magic of her horn, she lifted the large dusty book out of her traveling pack and handed it to Spike.

“What’s this?” the baby dragon asked.

“Princess Celestia said it would help,” Twilight explained. “I’m not sure how, but I have this feeling it’s the only option I have. If I can’t think of any another way to save our friends, I have to believe this book is the only thing left that will.”

Spike opened the book and was surprised when he saw the contents. “This book is blank!” he exclaimed.

Twilight Sparkle had a nervous grin. “Yeah... I peaked inside the book as well when I rode the train home.” Although Twilight was trying to have faith in Princess Celestia, she too was finding it hard to believe the book would prove itself useful when it had no writing.

When Spike saw Twilight’s nervous look he slapped the book closed and weighted it in his claw with a very testy look in his eyes. “When the princess said the book would be useful, how exactly did she mean it?” he asked.

“That’s what we’re going to figure out,” Twilight answered, “and that also brings me to your very next job Spike. I need you to write five copies of the same letter for me. I’m going to invite all my friends on a little camping trip for the weekend, where I will read this book aloud to them.”

Spike frowned. Already, this sounded like a stupid idea. While Twilight and her friends were in the middle of their worst falling out ever, she expected them to agree to a camping trip so she could read them a book without any words in it. This was making about as much sense as a boy enjoying something made for little girls.

Still, the young dragon didn’t have any better ideas. Since Twilight asked him to make a letter he went to his work bench and found himself a quill pen and some parchment to write on. “I can write, but I doubt the other ponies will agree,” Spike hated to mention. “Rainbow Dash is holding this grudge worse than any of them, and Rarity downright hates camping.”

Twilight Sparkle hated listening to Spike, considering that every word he said was true. But if she wanted any hope in saving her friendships she had to believe Princess Celestia’s plan would work. With a heavy sigh she answered the baby dragon with as much confidence as she could muster.

“We’ll just have to hope that maybe the others will come round. Even though we’re fighting, I can’t believe just yet that this is the end of our friendships. If I’m willing to fight to set things right again... I can only hope the others might be willing too.”

Chapter 3

Twilight Sparkle almost couldn’t believe the five messages she delivered were just enough to convince her friends. Their responses were ‘yes’ but only Fluttershy bothered to say it politely. The others were less than enthusiastic about this little camping trip that was being arranged. When evening approached Twilight and Spike got everything packed and felt as ready as ever to spend a night out in the wilderness.

Twilight was almost forcing herself to remain calm. Trying to have blind faith in Princess Celestia with a plan that sounded downright ludicrous was really testing the young alicorn’s fortitude.

“Just one thing,” Spike said as they approached the door. “Why a camping trip? Wouldn’t it be just as easy to invite the other ponies to a nice sleep over?”

“I chose camping so no one would try and run away,” Twilight answered. “While it’s dark and everyone’s too tired to make the journey home I’m sure that will keep them long enough to see if this plan works.”

“Rainbow Dash might be the only one I’m not sure of,” Spike shrugged. “It doesn’t take her long to get anywhere. Applejack too. She’ll brave the journey home without us if she feels up to it, I’m sure.”

Twilight ignored the baby dragon’s logic as she used her magic the turn the door handle. When the door swung open she stepped outside the Golden Oaks Library with her camping pack and Spike follow behind. Outside the library, they were a bit alarmed that no one was there waiting for them. The two of them became nervous the plan may have already failed.

But just as they were thinking that, Twilight and Spike heard a familiar springing sound coming their way. Turning around, the two of them saw Pinkie Pie coming their way; prancing with the hop she was known for doing. “Pinkie!” Twilight smiled.

Suddenly, another voice startled them from behind. “Don’t tell me you and Pinkie are in on this together just to get back at me!”

Twilight and Spike spun around again and were startled to see Applejack coming their way. Although the alicorn and the dragon were happy to see her, the orange colored earth pony had a very cross look in her eyes. “I’m... I’m so glad you agreed to come,” Twilight smiled.

Suddenly, Applejack came at Twilight and poked her hoof into her ex-friend’s chest. “Don’t think this is making up for what you’re responsible for!” she thundered.

Twilight became nervous when she saw the way Applejack was looking down at her. “Uh... I wasn’t trying to apologize when I invited you to come camping,” she stuttered. “I was just hoping this get together would do us some good.”

While they were talking, the others came around and the six of them reunited. Rainbow Dash came soaring out of the air and hovered overhead. Fluttershy was quiet and kept to herself. Oddly, Pinkie Pie did the exact same. The disgruntled look on their faces did not escape Twilight. Rarity, however, kept a safe distance away and pretended like she didn’t even notice the other ponies while she was minding her luggage.

Twilight Sparkle looked at every one of her friends and felt strangely upset. She saw five familiar faces that were not happy to see each other like every other time they got together. Everypony here who agreed to the camping trip looked spiteful and angry. Nobody was excited for this little get together. Twilight Sparkle could hardly keep a smile on her own face when she saw her friends this way.

“Okay everypony,” she said. “Since it seems we’re all here, I say we waste no time and get started. We have a long hike ahead of us.”

“Fine!” Pinkie Pie lashed out. “Maybe while you’re busy trying to fix our friendship problems like you always do, maybe you can tell Rainbow Dash to apologize for the names she called me!”

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “It’s not like you didn’t have it coming Pinkie!”

“Oh, this petty bickering is going to get us nowhere,” Rarity sighed.

Twilight almost couldn’t believe that Rarity seemed opposed to this fighting, even though she had the right to be just as angry as the others. “Rarity has a point!” Twilight told the others. “At least until we reach the campsite, can all of you promise not to make fun of each other.”

“I will if Rainbow Dash does,” Applejack spat.

“Why is everyone trying to gang up on me!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Twilight felt her patience beginning to slip away. “Starting NOW!” she yelled.

The volume in her voice caught the other ponies off guard. Though it startled them, it didn’t change the hatred everyone felt for each other. Instead, everypony focused their anger on Twilight instead as she walked passed them and led the way out of Ponyville. Twilight knew they were staring at her but didn’t mind. If she had to be the object their hatred she didn’t care if it at least got them to cooperate.

After she was a good distance away he looked back and spoke to her friends with a voice of authority. “Now, I can see you’re all ready to begin, so I say we get going and start making our way to our campsite. If anyone has any objections... they can wait. I will hear no words from any of you until we have our tents pitched and we’re all ready to listen to reason.”

It killed the other ponies on the inside to obey Twilight like this, but they had no choice. Since they had already agreed earlier that day that they would be attending this camping trip, it didn’t make sense to destroy the camping trip before they had even started it. Reluctantly, the five ponies followed Twilight outside the town and Spike joined them. While their friendships might have been in crisis, Spike knew he was going to be the middle ground between them if worse came to worst.

Chapter 4

Twilight Sparkle lead the hike through the hills and into the forest as she guided the others to their campsite. Not entirely sure where they might make camp, she was just glad to make it this far without losing any of her friends to argument. Not wanting to tempt fate, she didn’t speak a word or even look at her friends until she found the place she wanted to settle for the night.

About half hour after they left Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle at last found a pleasant camping spot she knew would serve them well. It was just far enough to keep the others from leaving; if it was possible to keep them from leaving, that was.

After giving the site a quick inspection Twilight faced her friends and gave them the news. “Okay, girls,” she smiled. “Let’s stop here for the night and get settled.”

At that point, the others realized they were free at last to insult each other again. Having only promised to keep quite until the campsite was found, Rainbow Dash became the first to speak her mind. “Great job Twilight,” she remarked. “You managed to pick a campsite that’s not a complete dump.”

Applejack scowled. “It’s that kind of insensitive badgering that caused the most of our friendship problems, don’t ya know that Rainbow Dash!”

Rarity became upset. “You two are not going to make this any easier if you keep arguing back and forth like that!” she stated.

“Well, maybe if ya stopped acting like a know-it-all like Twiligh’ then maybe I would be listenin’ to you,” Applejack responded. “For the record, I blame you, Rarity!”

“I beg your pardon!” Rarity gasped.

“Ya’ll heard me right,” Applejack stated.

“If the blame game is what we’ve been reduced to, then I have a good mind to point the hoof at Pinkie Pie!” Rarity yelled. “It was her who started this feud between us!”

Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened. “Excuse me!” she squeaked. “I did not start anything! You can bet your flank Fluttershy is the one who started it!”

Upon hearing that, Fluttershy’s eyes beamed with a great intensity that caused everypony to become silent when they saw her. The lemon colored pegasus had been so quiet and so seclusive this whole time, nopony had paid any mind to her until now. Fluttershy burned with so much anger, she jumped into the air and stared everyone down with her gaze.

“I DON’T THINK I CARE TO KNOW YOU PONIES ANYMORE!” she yelled. “WHY IS IT ALWAYS FLUTTERSHY THIS AND FLUTTERSHY THAT!? YOU CAN BLAME FLUTTERSHY ALL YOU WANT BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T CARE! WELL I’M SICK... AND I’M TIRED... AND I CAN’T STAND TO HEAR IT ANY LONGER WHEN YOU PONIES ARE TALKING ABOUT ME BEHIND MY BACK! I CAN’T STAND IT!”

Everypony was silent for a moment. The volume of Fluttershy’s voice was so loud, it made even Applejack a little afraid. Only during the most stressful situations did Fluttershy loose control of herself like that and nopony dared talk back to her.

After a moment, Spike stepped closer to Twilight Sparkle and elbowed her. “I think now might be a good time to tell them about the book,” he whispered. “I doubt anypony else will wait much longer.”

Twilight Sparkle agreed. Bowing her head, she spoke up and got everyone’s attention. “Everypony...” she began. “Maybe it’s about time I told you the reason I invited you here to this camping trip.”

Everyone turned and looked at Twilight. After Fluttershy’s outburst, nopony dared interrupt again. Even Fluttershy calmed down after realizing the shame of what she’d done.

After Twilight saw she had everyone’s attention, she used her horn to grab the book from out of her bag and show it to everyone. “I visited Princess Celestia earlier today,” she began. “Girls... I don’t know how much you care to save the friendships we had, but I was curious to know what you’d be willing to try anyways.”

Rainbow Dash looked away. Though she had a grudge against the others, she couldn’t bring herself to use that grudge against Twilight; now of all moments. “I’m not sure there’s anything anypony can do,” the tomboyish pegasus hated to admit. “Twilight... I don’t think there’s anyway things can go back to the way they were before.”

Rarity stepped forwards. “As much as I hate to agree with Rainbow Dash, I do believe she is correct,” she said. “Twilight, it is better if we went our separate ways. At least we should say good bye to each other on peaceful terms.”

Twilight almost couldn’t believe it. Even when her friends were kind of getting along they were still plotting to leave each other. But seeing as though there was more to explain to them, she cleared her throat and continued.

“Princess Celestia had just one favor to ask of me before I let you say good bye like that,” Twilight said. “When I visited her for advice, she lent me this book and told me to read it aloud to you girls. I thought it was silly, but I was hoping you’d give me this one last chance to make it right before we said good bye forever. What do you all say? Want to give it a try?”

The others looked at each other. The grudge was still apparent but at least they were not lashing out. Applejack stepped forwards and spoke for all of them. “We’ll give you this one chance Twiligh’,” she answered. “As upset as we are with each other, this is Princess Celestia we’re talking about. This is the least we can do for her.”

Twilight was almost too happy for words to express. When she saw that the others were in agreement it felt too good to be true. After all the arguing that had divided them for the past few days, it felt like a miracle that they had reached a decision without going for each other’s throats.

A tear nearly dripped from her eyes, but she quickly wiped it away. “Okay,” she smiled. “Let’s get camp set up real quick and then we’ll get started.”

Chapter 5

Everypony set to work, pitching their tents and getting a fire started. A truce was drawn and everypony promised not to fight until they had the camp set up. Regardless, none of Twilight’s friends dared get in each other’s way. Each pony set up their own tent a safe distance apart from the others and no one made eye contact as they worked.

Twilight felt happy for her friends that they were almost getting along. It was an improvement from the endless bickering, but it was still not the same as the friendship they had before. After a fire was started and they were all settled for the evening, Twilight knew it was time.

She and Spike were the only two who sat together. Everypony else sat apart from each other while Twilight lifted the book to her face with her magic. As she opened it to its first page she and Spike were both sweating nervously.

“Okay, this is it,” Spike hesitated. “We’re about to read a blank book to the other ponies. You think this will make them only hate each other more?”

Twilight had a smile across her face but couldn’t deny her heart was pounding like crazy. If this ludicrous plan didn’t work she’d never forgive herself if it only made things worse like Spike suggested. But with her eyes closed, she flipped the book to the very first page and opened her eyes to begin reading.

“Pirate Nights,” she read. “A thick fog had settled across the waters of the Cascade Sea that blocked out the light of the sun and brought great unrest to everypony. The wind had been slow for hours and the crew of the Red Reef believed this was a bad omen as their ship crawled along at a snail’s pace.”

Upon hearing those words, Spike almost jumped with surprise. He clambered over, looking above Twilight’s shoulder and couldn’t believe it when he saw it. The book, indeed, had words in it. All he saw were the first two sentences Twilight read, but even so, he could have sworn those words were not there before.

The others, however, were not sure what to make of this. “Wait a minute!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Is this a pirate story?”

“Why... yes Pinkie. I guess it is,” Twilight answered.

“Ooohhh... I thought this book was going to be something boring like the stuff you usually read, but this is much better!” Pinkie said, smiling for the first time since the trip began.

Twilight ignored that comment and continued reading. Spike couldn’t help but wonder where the words were coming from. As his friend continued reading words began to magically appear across the page. Twilight didn’t seem to notice it. The faster she read, the more the words seemed to engross her.

“The Red Reef was a medium class water-fairing ship that sailed under the command of Captain Razor Sharp. Hailing from the Nation of the Sun, it was set to sail across the Cascade Sea to undertake a very important mission for the princess. Per her request, Razor Sharp made it his priority that this mission should succeed at all costs.”

As Twilight read the words that magically appeared, she found herself slowly drifting into a slumber. Looking up from her book, she found it curious the others were already sleep. Even Spike was resting. But most peculiar of all, Twilight looked into the sky almost thought she saw the Red Reef.

The ship from inside the story book appeared before her, exactly as she pictured it in her head. Almost like a dream, the presence of the ship did not disturb the tranquility of the night. The sound of ocean waves and the creaking of the ship’s timbers naturally became apart of the starry night as the ship steered its way towards Twilight.

The alicorn only became more and more tired as the ship came upon her. Nothing in her mind suggested to her this vision was dangerous. As Twilight Sparkle rested herself down the only thing she considered was going to sleep and letting this waking dream take hold of her.

Twilight and her friends slept there together under the stars as a calling from the book drew them to the path of a bold new adventure. An adventure known only to them as Pirate Nights.

Chapter 6

“Sister, don’t tell me you seriously considered that plan!” Princess Luna exclaimed.

“I have, and it’s already too late to go back on it” Princess Celestia answered. “Twilight Sparkle has the book, Pirate Nights. I need you to have faith in me, my dear sister. Twilight Sparkle’s friends are important to us. You and I both understand that discovering the magic of friendship is just as important to you and me as it is to my student.”

“But Pirate Nights...” Luna objected. “The magic of that book is dark and mysterious. I know you created it but even the two of us don’t know the limit its power has grown to since then. If Twilight Sparkle and her friends fall too deep into the magic of that book, there is a chance they shall never return.”

“But I am confident Twilight can handle it,” Celestia argued. “And if she does... you and I both know what comes next. We will one day need Twilight’s experience to overcome a mighty evil. Pirate Nights shall be among her greatest challenges... a challenge that shall one day decide the fate of Equestria.”