Twilight is invited to Canterlot to compete with some of the greatest magicians in the world for the Moonstone Cup, a prestigious award for the most powerful and skillful magicians, unicorn and otherwise. Can she win? What sort of competition will she face?

Awesome cover image was taken from NoOneBahtim

Twilight Sparkle is a troubled pony. She had just made five new friends for the first time in her life, yet she can't find it in herself to be joyous, despite facing down murderous beasts, winning a battle against Nightmare Moon, and helping a long-lost princess reclaim the throne.

Something is keeping Twilight Sparkle up at night.

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[EDIT] To read my Real Episodes series, you can click the link, or find them via the FIMFic group, or my user page or blog posts. Thank you.

Chapter 3 of this story was edited by shadowsreached.
Chapter 4 of this story was edited by Hellpony.

Cover art by Minibot-1. (His DeviantART)

I give my thanks to the wonderful community of FIMFiction, who inspire me without end.

The magical land of Equestria is full of secrets. Scattered across the land are ancient things, forgotten things, any one of which may open the door to an earth-shattering revelation.

This is the story of one such ancient and forgotten thing.

Rainbow Dash is the world's greatest flyer. Not only because she practices and trains so much she could wear out the Wonderbolts, but also because she has turned flying into her own personal therapy.

However, some feelings don't just go away on their own.

Some feelings, you can't outfly.

Humans... humans are such a bizarre race. Capable of the greatest benevolence and the worst atrocities. And yet, they're so very predictable. For you see, while societies may die, and nations may crumble, one thing will remain constant: the desire to survive.

I should know. I was there when everything fell.

Mood Wings - Observations on Pegasus Body Language.

When Twilight Sparkle finds this book, she discovers an entirely new field of research. The secrets of pegasus wings lie before her, and she insists on making her own observations on the matter.

How?

Field research, of course.

Every week or so, Rarity gathers all of her friends for a little get-together at her boutique. Or at a cafe. Or in Sugarcube Corner. Anywhere that serves tea or tea can be brought in.

And every time, as soon as their conversation steers towards that most intimate of topics, Rainbow Dash falls silent.

The supernatural: Ghosts, zombies, werewolves, spirits... vampires...

Twilight Sparkle always thought that the supernatural was just a bunch of superstitious nonsense, just some scary stories to tell around a campfire. She couldn't have been more wrong.

After an occult ritual gone horribly right, Twilight finds herself among the ranks of these so called 'myths', whether she likes it or not. Due to the same force that changed her, dark shadows have begun to spread across Equestria, bringing to life these ancient fairy tales. And Twilight might just be the only one that can stop them...

For better or for worse, Twilight has been changed. Will she embrace this dark gift and become the hero Equestria needs, or will she eventually succumb to temptation and become the very thing she fights?

My name's Rainbow Dash. I'm Equestria's fastest pegasus, I'm the Element of Loyalty, I've saved the whole kingdom more than once, I've laughed in the face of danger, and I'm a coward. That's right, I said it. I'm a coward. I've always been sure I could do anything. Win any race, beat any opponent, complete any job. But this is something I can't outrun, outsmart, or outlast. What's causing me—the most awesome pegasus ever—so much trouble? You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

The burdens of a goddess weigh heavy on her heart. Celestia starts to have terrible nightmares of her past, and turns to the only pony, other than Luna, that she can trust to help her. What will Twilight Sparkle uncover once she wades into the depths of her mentors mind?