//------------------------------// // The Coming of the Evernight // Story: The Ballad of the Two Sisters // by SuperGiantRobot //------------------------------// And now I near the final act Of this tale of both myth and fact A story told over a thousand years Of a lonely princess, forlorn Of friendship found, lost and reborn Of love and hate, of laughter and of tears But enough talk of yesterday Let's jump from past to present day And tell of adventures and life-bonds born. Of six ponies who joined as one To fight darkness and free the sun It all began with a young unicorn... Her coat the shade of coming night Just after the fading sunlight Twilight Sparkle was the unicorn's name She was Celestia's student And it was young Twilight's intent To prove her worthiness to wield this fame As a filly some years ago Learning all that there was to know Was the only thing on the youngster's mind She studied morning, noon and night Under sun's rays or candlelight For each day there was a new fact to find She forsook friendship in those years And the fellowship of her peers Becoming introverted and awkward Not unfriendly nor was she rude She simply preferred solitude To focus on each equation and word One day she received a letter Formally recommending her To join a magic school - one of the best For her, this was a dream come true An honor shared with very few But first she had to pass an entrance test As tests go it was hard to match A dragon's egg she had to hatch And so she set to work, casting her spell This proved to be too much to ask Her magic not up to the task For not one crack appeared upon its shell She was forced to admit defeat This test beyond her skill to beat She'd failed - and right before her parent's eyes With a mournful look upon her face She lowered her head in disgrace And then a rainbow-hued blast filled the skies The explosion's sharp sudden shock Made her magic powers unlock And the room was filled with a spectral light The magic burst forth uncontrolled As Twilight quickly lost her hold It possessed her and her eyes glowed pure white The dragon shot forth from it's shell And grew one hundred feet as well Playing its role in this chaotic scene The air was filled with gasps of fright As every eye locked on the sight Celestia rushed forth to intervene She came upon a scene most dire A sphere made of lightning and fire Twilight trapped within the magic field's heart The filly moaned in agony And struggled to break herself free As her magic slowly tore her apart She raised a hoof and broke the spell And freed young Twilight from her cell She gave a wave - the storm faded away Twilight groaned and opened her eyes And gave a gasp of shocked surprise She'd been saved by the Princess of the Day! Celestia pledged on that day Twilight would be her protegé The filly jumped for joy and gave her thanks But she had won more than one prize For there before her very eyes Her cutie-mark rested upon her flanks Twilight's years passed without a care She grew from filly to young mare While satiating her thirst for knowledge As students came, she was the best Breezing through each school's quiz and test Quickly finding her way into college Though she still studied on her own She was not completely alone Her companion was the dragon she'd hatched 'Spike' was the little dragon's name And over time he soon became Both her friend and an assistant unmatched She read the tale of Nightmare Moon And learned that she would return soon Twilght felt her soul growing cold in fear On the thousandth year's longest day Was when the spell would fade away And that day came upon this very year! She knew then that she had to act And warn the Princess of this fact So that all the land would be protected She warned her of this dire event And quickly a reply was sent But the message was quite unexpected "Go to Ponville," she decreed "And ensure they have all they need To celebrate the coming summer day" "See preparations are complete Music, fun and fine foods to eat And try to make some friends along the way." Her order made no sense at all But she obeyed her mentor's call And set out to the distant town post-haste Her chariot took to the sky Twilight let out an annoyed sigh She didn't have very much time to waste She stewed and worried the whole ride Faithful Spike standing by her side Spike tried to cheer her up as they flew on "A break from work is what you need Making friends? You're sure to succeed Then we can celebrate the summer's dawn!" They soon arrived in Ponyville A charming town, quiet and still Their chariot landed in the town square Twilight thanked the two pegasi Who ferried her across the sky They nodded to her, then took to the air As the two walked through the town square They came across a bright pink mare Spike suggested Twilight go say hello As Twilight bade the mare good day She leapt up, gasped and ran away Twilight and Spike both blinked and watched her go With a shrug and a shake of head The two continued on instead To meet the ones catering the event An apple farm of some renown Was located just outside town So off to the farm Spike and Twilight went In Sweet Apple Acres' prized yard They spied a pony working hard An orange mare with a blonde mane and tail She raised her hind legs, strong and thick And laid a tree bare with one kick The apples dropped into a waiting pail She said her name was Applejack In charge of baking every snack And she greeted the two cordially She took to the pair right away And asked Twilight "Why don'tcha stay? I'll introduce you to my family!" The ever-friendly Apple brood Plied their new friends with snacks and food 'till Twilight felt her stomach fit to pop She bid farewell to Applejack Apple Bloom, Granny and Big Mac And then stumbled away to her next stop The next thing listed on her scroll Was to meet the weather patrol A pegasus by the name Rainbow Dash She looked up to the cloud-filled sky Twilight let out an annoyed sigh Then a sky-blue blur struck her with a crash She landed in a puddle dank Mud covered her from nose to flank Her assailant gave an apology "I'm sorry; didn't see you there Looks like I caught you unaware I'll clean you up in a jiffy, you'll see!" The pegasus used a cloud's rain To shower Twilight clean again But now poor Twight was soaked to her skin "Don't worry, I can fix that quick - A Rain Blow-dry will do the trick!" She dried the unicorn with a quick spin Twilight's mane was a sight to see - A tangled-up monstrosity The pegasus laughed out loud at the sight Twilight Sparkle just shook her head Glared at the pegasus and said: "I'm guessing you're Rainbow Dash, am I right?" "Yep, that's my name; you've heard of me? I'm picking up fans already! That's so cool, but then again so am I!" Twilight listened to Rainbow gloat And then she loudly cleared her throat And pointed her hoof at the cloudy sky "This sky should be both bright and blue! Stop slacking; you've got work to do The clouds won't clear themselves, so do your part!" Rainbow said that she'd get it done After completing her test run For she had a hope deep within her heart: Wow stallions, mares, fillies and colts Stunt-flying with the Wonderbolts And showing off for one and all to see Rainbow Dash bragged about her fame And awestruck fans shouting her name Twilight broke in to snort derisively: "You want to join that famous team? That's nothing but a silly dream I highly doubt you have skill for that." "Is that a challenge? I accept!" And up amongst the clouds she leapt. Rainbow cleared the sky in ten seconds flat! Twilight and Spike stared up and gaped Not one single cloud had escaped The rainbow-maned mare gave a cocky laugh "I told you I'd get the job done; I like you kid, you're lots of fun!" Still shocked, the two contined down the path. The pair soon reached the town hall door Twilight wished to check the decor And ensure that the hall was set just right A beautiful unicorn mare Hung silk streamers with style and flair Spike fell in love with the mare at first sight Her coat of alabaster hue Her eyes of purest sapphire blue Her violet mane and tail so elegent 'Rarity' was her name, he learned A name he felt perfectly earned Beauty such as hers must be heaven sent She let out a scream of distress Upon seeing the horrid mess That Twilight's mane and tail had come to be "The damage done to your coiffure Is more than my heart can endure Don't say one word; you're coming home with me!" She brought her home and set about Combing all the kinks and knots out And at last restoring Twilight's tresses Rarity asked "Oh Twilight, dear I wonder, since I have you here, If you could model some of my dresses?" More than a dozen dresses tried With each failure Rarity sighed She could not find a dress of the right style Something to complement Twilight But nothing she tried looked just right And yet she faced this challenge with a smile Fussing with a bejeweled frock Rarity made simple small talk And asked Twilight Sparkle from where she'd come "I came from Canterlot this day, To see the party underway" The seamstress gasped, the news striking her dumb "Canterlot? You really live there? You're ever so lucky a mare!" Rarity let out an enamoured sigh "That's exactly where I should be A city that's worthy of me I'm sure we'll be best of friends, you and I!" "Emeralds? Oh where was my head? This dress must have rubies, instead!" She gave her new best friend a winning smile "Just let me go and fetch them, dear Be a darling and wait right here It shan't take me much more than a short while." While occupied with Twilight's dress Twilight made a speedy egress She had to drag the smitten Spike along, Her list had one last box to tick: The pony in charge of music Suddenly the air filled with bright birdsong. She followed the song to a tree Where perched birds sang in harmony A bright yellow pegasus conducted, The pink-maned mare used gentle words As she taught the assembled birds The small flock gladly did as instructed. Twilight gave out a loud "Hello!" The birds darted off to and fro The pegasus nearly fell from the air, The unicorn gasped with dismay For scaring all the birds away And apologized to the frightened mare. She said her name was Fluttershy And tried to avoid Twilight's eye She cowered down and meekly backed away, Then she saw Spike, and she leapt up And she rushed to the dragon pup Shoving Twilight Sparkle out of the way. Spike basked in Fluttershy's delight For she'd dreamt morning, noon and night For this day - a dream finally fulfilled, Spike greeted her, she squeaked with glee And clapped her forehooves happily He spoke as well! Fluttershy was just thrilled. Fluttershy begged her new friend Spike To tell her what his life was like And the young dragon cheerfully complied She followed them home down the trail Raptly listening to Spike's tale Twilight trotted on, rolled her eyes and sighed. They arrived at the library A hollowed stump of a great tree And Twilight's home for the length of her stay, She bade farewell to Fluttershy And with the help of a small lie She briskly sent Fluttershy on her way. Spike glared at her and shook his head "Rude much, Twilight?" the dragon said Twilight gave her friend an apology, "I'm sorry, Spike, that wasn't fair But I must learn about Nightmare Defeating her is top priority! "Six 'Elements' laid Nightmare low But that's the only thing I know I need more knowledge and I need it soon "If I can learn just what they are And where to find them, near or far I'll have the tools to defeat Nightmare Moon. "Every single second I burn Is one closer to her return And if I study, I might a way "One of these books might hold the key If I search them diligently I could quite literally save the day!" She stepped into the library There wasn't anything to see For total darkness confronted her eyes She lit a lamp to clear the gloom Dozens of ponies filled the room And each and every one shouted "SURPRISE!" Greeting them with a boisterous shout Was the pink pony they'd freaked out Her blue eyes glinted with joy unrestrained, She danced and spun like a filly And jabbered on willy-nilly In a rush, the hot-pink maned mare explained: She wasn't running away scared A party had to be prepared For welcoming the two to Ponyville, "I set all this up just for you Party-planning is what I do And making new friends is a total thrill!" Her name, aptly, was Pinkie Pie Twilight gave an exhausted sigh She wouldn't get any studying done, She accepted this with poor grace And a glower upon her face While Spike raced into the crowd to have fun. She poured herself a nice cold drink Took a long sip, her face went pink Which quickly darkened to a blazing red, She let out an agonized yell Her throat burned like the flames of Hell For she'd drunk a mug of hot sauce instead! The party continued all night "They're all crazy!" shouted Twilight "It's three AM, and still they party on?" Spike, trying to coax her return Said it was nothing of concern It was tradition to stay up 'til dawn. Twilight's thoughts turned to the fable She wondered if she'd be able To do anything to prevent this fate, She prayed this was a old mare's tale For she felt herself doomed to fail She'd learned nothing, and now it was too late. Dawn came, and ponies one and all Trotted over to the town hall Twilight's five new friends kept her company: Applejack, playful Pinkie Pie Rainbow Dash, and meek Fluttershy And, naturally, graceful Rarity. Fluttershy's bird choir sang their song Their chorus rang out sweet and strong Mayor Mare made a speech to set the scene, Twilight cast her gaze to the skies And before her horrified eyes Luna's profile was gone; the moon was clean! The mayor's speech soon reached it's peak "Of course you know of whom I speak A name famous across Equestria, A pony we admire and love Who controls moon and sun above Welcome to you, Princess Celestia!" The Princess wasn't there at all And panicked gasps filled the town hall The mayor tried to calm the frightened throng, There was no sign of the Princess Which merely heightened their distress It was clear something was terribly wrong. Dark smoke took the Princess's place And Twilight's heart began to race For an ancient evil had been reborn, And then the glowing mist congealed It wisped away and then revealed A pitch-black, imperious alicorn. Rainbow rushed forward to attack But she was stopped by Applejack Before the alicorn could strike her dead, "I'm far more worthy to rule you In truth I am a Princess too; Can you not see the crown upon my head?" She snickered and addressed the hall: "Am I not remembered at all? Have ponyfolk forgotten me so soon?" Twilight spoke up, "Yes, I know you; You're vile and wicked through and through You're the thousand-year banished Nightmare Moon!" "Somepony knows me, that's so dear - You must also know why I'm here So raise your voice and pray tell everyone!" Terrified, she gave a reply "To take vengeance and rule the sky; To strike down forever the morning sun..." Nightmare Moon smirked at her distress "I've locked away the Sun Princess My moonlit sky is all you'll ever see" "And every single one of you Will pay me the respect I'm due For you pony folk will bow down to me!" And so with an evil cackle, Lightning bolts and thunder's crackle She took her place as ruler of the land Twilight felt her soul fill with shame For she felt that she was to blame For allowing Nightmare to take command And this is how the chapter ends With Twilight making five new friends And evil beating good without a fight Take heart, reader, the tale's not done For even though we've lost the sun Something may yet defeat the Evernight...