Nightfall

by Thestoryteller

Chapter 3. Preparations

"What...was that all about?" Flash asked.

"I'm, not sure." Twilight said, trying to process what had just happened. "So...does getting yelled at by a mare count as a greeting?"

Flash gave Twilight a look that said 'you're not serious are you?'.

"Worth a shot." Twilight gasped, "that isn't going to affect my score is it?!"

"Maybe." Flash said smugly, walking off towards Ponyville.

Twilight caught up to him and walked by his side, "you're not a nice pony, you know that right?"

"I wasn't sent here to be nice, I was sent here to grade you on the test." Flash said, using the test as an excuse towards his real purpose.

The two pony's, and unconscious dragon, entered into the middle of the town. Where some of towns population was gathered and doing stuff. Twilight looked to Flash to see that he was showing that expressionless guard face.

"He's toying with me." Twilight thought. "He knows that that greeting with that other mare is going to give me a failing score. I'll show him, I'll greet somepony so well that I'm gonna blow this test out of the water. Now I just need to find somepony to...to...what's the word I'm looking for? Talk to, I need to find somepony to talk to. Now let's see." Twilight began scanning the area, looking at the all the ponies in the town square. "Those two are talking, she's growing plants, that one right there doesn't look like she's focused in on anything. Ooh wait, there's someone!"

Twilight targeted a grey Pegasus mare who had a blonde mane and tail, and bubbles for a cutiemark, who was busy staring off into space. Twilight walked forwards with the intent of speaking with the mare while wearing a smug face.

"Where are you going?" Flash asked.

"To say hello." Twilight answered. She approached the grey Pegasus by the left side and stopped. "Hello there." She gave the Pegasus a warm smile. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, what might your name-GAH!" Twilight recoiled.

Because of Twilight's approach, and where she stopped, she only saw one half of the mare's face. Once she had gotten the mare's attention however, the mare did as customary and turned to see who was speaking. Facing Twilight, she was no able to see her yellow eyes, one eye looked at her while the other looked elsewhere.

The mare gave Twilight a warm smile. "Hello Twilight."

"Um...hi..." Twilight said cautiously. "So...what's your name?"

"My name?" The mare asked, pointing to herself. "I can't really say it, but my friends call me Ditzy, Derpy, Bubbles, Muffin, Lazy Eye, and some others. You can call me whatever you want though."

"Um...does Bubbles sound okay to you?" Twilight asked.

"Of course silly." Bubbles smiled. "Were friends so you call me whatever you want." A ringing went off, Bubbles looked at the watch on her foreleg and gasped. "Oh no! I'm sorry, but I've gotta go. If I'm late my boss is gonna kill me." Bubbles panicked, spreading her wings and taking flight. "See you later Twilight!" She yelled before flying out of sight.

"...okay." Twilight didn't know wether to wave or not.

"Congratulations." Flash said, appearing out of nowhere. "You just talked to somepony without them screaming at you and running off."

"Shut up." Twilight groaned. "Let's just get to the Golden Oaks Library." Twilight started to walk off.

"And where is that exactly?" Flash raised a brow.

Twilight halted and facehoofed, knowing that she should've asked Bubbles for directions. She groaned loudly and punched the ground repeatedly.

"If your looking for the Golden Oaks Library I can help."

Twilight looked up with relief. Then she saw that the one speaking was the pink mare. "Oh, its you again." She said flatly.

"Hi there." The pink one smiled. "Names Pinkie Pie, greatest party planner in Equestria, nice to meet you Twilight Sparkle and Flash Sentry."

Both Twilight and Flash looked at Pinkie perplexed and slightly frightened. "How did you know our names?" Flash asked skeptical.

"Oh that's easy." Pinkie Pie giggled. "I know everything about everyone. I also know where you guys need to go."

Flash loosened his grip on his sword's hilt. "You know how to get to Golden Oaks?" He asked.

"Of course." Pinkie responded. "The Golden Oaks Library is on the other side of town. You just need to go straight that way till you reach the edge. Once you two are there look for the tree with door and some windows, cause that's what your looking for."

"Thanks for the directions miss Pie." Flash said.

"No need to be formal Flash, everyone just calls me Pinkie." Pinkie giggled. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go do a secret thing off camera." Pinkie said, bouncing off.

"Wait!" Twilight shouted, causing Pinkie Pie to stop and land. "Before you go I mush know, why did you scream at us?"

Pinkie Pie starred at Twilight and blinked a couple of times before responding with a, "I dunno." Pinkie shrugged before bouncing away.

"But-" Twilight tried to protest but was cut off by Flash.

"Best if you just let her go." Flash said. "Let's just get to the Library."

For once Twilight found something that she and Flash agreed on. She was worn out and wanted nothing more than to collapse in bed. She willing followed Flash down the streets towards the edge of town and

Hiya Storyteller!

Pinkie! How did you get here?

Silly author. I go wherever I please, now hold still.

Where did you get that duct tape? Where did you get that rope? Why are you smiling at me like that?!

Oh no.

Oh yes.

Hello Watcher, in case you couldn't tell, it's me Pinkie Pie! Calvin, or Storyteller as you know him, is kinda...tied up at the moment. Get it? Because I tied Calvin/Storyteller up with rope and duct taped his mouth and shoved him into a closet full of dolls whose eyes stare into your soul.

I feel like I've accomplished many great things today. Anywho, I guess you could say I'm hijacking this story. For how long, you might ask. Well I'm gonna ride this ship till Calvin/Storyteller breaks free I guess. So let's get to it then.

Flash and Twilight made to Golden Oaks, but for some reason it took them so long that it's almost night time because the suns setting. Those guys are really slow. So yeah they made it to the Library, I guess this is the part where I explain what it looks like because this book lacks visuals.

Let's see...it's a tree. It's got branches...some leaves on the top...there's a circular glass window and a wooden door. Can't really go into detail with a door. There's also a balcony sticking out with a telescope pointing up. Um what else? Oh right, the inside. The entire inside is carved out, the floor is the trees truck so it has a ripple pattern. There's a circular table with a marble horse head in the center. The circular walls are carved out and are made into bookshelves, which are holding books. A lot of books from the looks of it. Theres another door which leads to the kitchen, which I have no idea how it fits in there, um there's a stairway leading to the second level. On the second floor is the bedroom, which has a queen sized bed for Twilight, across from her bed is the guest bed where Flash is gonna be sleeping, and then there's a little doggie bed for Spike. Then there's two dressers, one for Twilight and one for Flashy, and two tall dressers, one for Twily and one for Flash. There's a door which leads to the bathroom, in there is a sink with a faucet, a potty, and a tub that also doubles as a shower.

I'm not the best at explain things, sorry bout that. I would be better though if Somebody wasn't constantly banging on the door I trapped them in!

Oh wait, hold on. Things are happening, what do I use for when someone is talking? Quotation marks, that's what I use.

Normally Twily would be up to her ears in books right now. But because of the day she was having she had a change of heart. After setting her suitcase on her bed and putting the snoring Spike in his bed, she went into the bathroom, and after locking the door, drew herself a hot bath. Flash on the other hoof, stood next to his bed. He lifted up his helmet and laid it on the bed. He then unlatched the straps to the armor on his forelegs and hindlegs and sat all of them on the bed. He did this with all of his armor, removing his sword last. He gathered up his armor and put them in the tall dresser thingy. He hung his sword's strap on the wooden pole thing that's on the corner of the bed.

Twilight was finished with her bath, and after washing off with a towel, wrapped a towel around her waist and mane. She unlocked the door and exited the bathroom, causing the hot steam inside to fume into the bedroom.

"What a day." Twilight sighed. "It has been nothing but frustration after frustration, and thanks to you-"

Twilight cut herself off the moment she saw Flash with his spiky blue mane, clean orange coat, and piercing blue eyes. Twilight hadn't seen Flash without his armor on, to her he looked like a completely different pony. Flash glanced at Twilight, who was frozen in awe upon seeing the orange Pegasus.

"You were saying?" He asked.

"Oh! Um...nothing...don't worry about it." Twilight said flustered, her face redder than a tomato.

I guess you can call Flash a salad since Twilight saw him undressing.

...

...

Screw you guys, my jokes are funny.

"You sure you're okay?" Flash asked. "You look a bit red." He took a step forward.

"I'm fine, really!" Twilight blurted, flailing her forelegs.

Is that the right word? Is flailing a word? Doesn't sound like one, oh well, no going back now.

"You sure?" Flash asked.

"Positive." Twilight said, her red cheeks returning to normal.

"...okay." Flash shrugged, not wanting to press Twilight any further. "Listen, can I talk to you about something?"

"...you don't need my permission to talk to me. Say what's on your mind." Twilight said.

"Alright...well..." Flash took a deep breath before continuing. "Its about you and I. I think you were right when you said 'we got off on the wrong hoof'. I'm not here to hurt you or judge you, I'm here to help you."

"You have a funny way of showing it." Twilight huffed.

"If I could give you hints about the test I would. But my Queen ordered me not to." Flash explained.

"Why the hay would she do something like that?" Twilight demanded.

"Because she believes in you." Flash answered. "Because she believes that you can pass this test no matter what it throws at you. Because you're Twilight Sparkle, Queen Luna's apprentice, famed to be the most powerful Unicorn in Equestria, you can do anything if you put your mind to it. This test is the easiest one I think she could've given to you. So I know you'll do great."

Twilight starred at Flash in awe, her jaw muscles moved by she couldn't produce any words. Well except for two, "thank you." Twilight smiled.

Flash smiled back. I know this might be cheating but... Flash thought, extending his foreleg at Twilight. "What'da say Twilight? Let's forget the past and start over." Flash offered. "Hello, my name is Flash Sentry, it's a pleasure to meet you. What might your name be?"

Twilight's eyes fell onto Flash's extended foreleg. She thought back to all the things he did in their time together. All the stupid and jerky things the two did and said to one another, and here he was, offering her a do-over. Twilight grinned weakly and shook Flash's foreleg. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, it's a pleasure to meet you Flash Sentry. I hope you and I can be good friends."

"Me too." Flash smiled warmly.

Now I know what your thinking. Romantic scene between Flash and Twilight, that must mean this is gonna be a Flashlight story. Well you couldn't be wrong anonymous viewer. You wouldn't believe how squiggly and curvy this story's path is about to go. There's so much that's gonna happen and so much that has yet to happen. Unless of course the Author, I call him that now, cancels this story in which my and everyone else's existence will stop and time will be frozen forever. But that'll never happen, I hope.

Pinkie Pie!

GAH! Calvin, I mean, Storyteller, I mean, Author! How did you escape?!

I broke out of the ropes and ripped of the duct tape.

But how did you get out of the closet?

After you locked the door you threw the key into the closet and said "try and escape now".

I should've known that was a stupid idea. But it doesn't matter, what's done is done and it can't be changed.

It's true that I can't stop you, I honestly don't think anything can, but I can send you back and there's no stopping that.

Oh yeah? Well I'm gonna spoil some of the plot line before you do! For you see, the real ship that's gonna take place in this story is Fl-

*POP*

And from out of thin air, Pinkie Pie reappears.

"Awwww, no fair. Now I can't spoil the ship." Pinkie whined.

Ah, it feels good to be back. As for you, little-miss-trouble-maker, you're gonna go home and get ready for the next day.

"You're not the boss of me." Pinkie Pie huffed, turning around, sitting down, and crossing her forelegs.

Either you go home and get ready or just stay there. Either one is fine by me.

"Just skip to the next day already!" Pinkie Pie huffed. "I'll go home and sleep while you're doing that."

Alright, have it your way.

The sun slowly rose from its rest and shined its light down onto the slumbering town of Ponyville. While some awoke to the suns rays others awoke to the ear piercing sound of their alarm clocks. Twilight however, awoke to neither of these two. The curtains drawn and no clock in sight to awake the pony from her slumber. Instead a more subtle thing awoke her. A thin brown smoke made its way up the stairs and flew to Twilight's bed. The smoke swept underneath her nose, tickling her nostrils and sense of smell. She inhaled the sweet scent of the smoke and hummed with delight.

Her eyes slowly opened and saw the smoke begin to retract itself. Once it was at the top of the stairway the smoke formed a hand and made an alluring motion with its finger, telling Twilight to come and follow. Twilight removed her sheet and sat up from her bed before following the smoke. The smoke lead her downstairs to the circular table in the room. Three chairs had been pulled up to the table and in one sat Spike. In front of him was a plate with a stack of pancakes that was covered in syrup and had butter melting on the top. Spike cut the pancakes with his knife, picked them up with the fork, and shoved them into his mouth.

He caught sight of Twilight, and with a mouth full of pancakes, said, "Gooh mornin Twihight."

"Don't talk with food in your mouth Spike, we've talked about this." Twilight rolled her eyes.

Spike swallowed the pancake mash in his mouth in one gulp before speaking again. "Sorry. I said good morning."

"Good morning to you too Spike." Twilight said sniffing the air, "what is that wonderful smell?"

Spike cocked his head in confusion. "You mean you can't tell?" He asked. "Its these pancakes. There really good, here try one." Spike offered, stabbing his fork into the top pancake and offering it to Twilight.

Twilight slid the pancake off of the fork and brought it towards her with her magic. She looked to the bottom of the pancake to see brow spots. These spots were melted chocolate chips embedded into the pancake. Twilight brought the pancake to her mouth and took a bite out of it.

Her eyes widened and her pupils enlarged. The sugary and sweet taste of the cake swept across her entire tongue. The taste was absolutely amazing, not to bland, not to sweet, but perfectly in the middle of the two. She chewed the piece in her mouth for a couple more seconds but to her it felt like hours. It had come time to swallow the wonderful food. She swallowed and the mashed food fell down her throat. She looked back to the pancake still caught in her magic.

Without any warning or hesitation she scarfed down the rest of the cake seconds. She licked her lips, trying to recover whatever bit of goodness had been stuck on them.

"Pretty good right?" Spike asked.

"Pretty good?" Twilight repeated, sounding almost like she was appalled by what Spike had said. "It wasn't just good Spike. It was absolutely amazing! I've never tasted something so good before in my life! It was so good, I want more. I need more." Twilight licked her lips while rubbing her hooves as she eyed Spike's stack of pancakes.

Noticing where she was looking, Spike stood between the pancakes and Twilight. "Oh no you don't, these ones are mine."

"But you have so many." Twilight stated. "Surely you can spare one."

"Heck no! These pancakes were baked for me. If you want some go get your own." Spike pointed to the kitchen.

Twilight rushed towards the pancakes reaching for them. But before she could even touch one, Spike held her back.

"Come on Spike, I just want one." Twilight whined, desperately grasping for the stack.

"Yeah, one stack of pancakes. My pancakes by the way." Spike stated.

"Instead of fighting over Spike's pancakes, why don't you eat your own."

Both Twilight and Spike stopped moving and looked to the kitchen door where Flash now stood, balancing two dishes holding a stack of pancakes with syrup running down its sides and a slap of melting butter on top. Flash made his way over to the table and gently sat it on the table.

"These are for you Twilight, eat up." Flash said, "and don't kill anyone over them."

Twilight quickly backed away from Spike and dusted herself off while slightly chuckling, a hint of red on her cheeks. She took her seat and dug into her pancakes. Flash sat his plate down in front of him and took his seat before he began eating as well.

Once there were no more pancakes left, Flash gathered up the dishes and silverware and washed them off in the sink. After that he and Twilight went upstairs. Flash opened up the tall dresser were his set of armor had been hung. He picked up his helmet and placed it over his head only for it to float off and hung itself back inside the dresser. It didn't take a genius to figure out what had happened, Flash glared at Twilight, silently demanding the reason behind her action.

"Could you maybe, not where the armor? Just for today that is." Twilight asked.

Flash raised an eyebrow as to why Twilight would request such a thing but decided it would be best to do as she said. He walked over to the side of his bed and strapped on his sword. He may have been fine not wearing his armor but he wouldn't go anywhere without his weapon. Wether Twilight liked it or not.

Spike grabbed the list of Twilight's to do list and hopped on her back. With everything ready the trio set out for their assignment.

"So what's first on the list?" Flash asked. "Besides greet a pony." Flash added.

Spike handed Twilight the list, she took it and unfolded it with her magic. "Says here were supposed to meet a mare named Applejack. She's in charge of food for the festival. It also says we'll find her at Sweet Apple Acres."

"We passed that while searching for the library didn't we?" Flash asked.

"Yeah, three times actually." Twilight added.

The trio made their way to the farm. The two passed through the gate entrance and saw the majestic beauty of the orchard. Apple trees stretched as far as the eye could see, and in the middle of the orchard was the red barn. The trio looked around and saw an orange earth pony mare with a blonde mane and tail who wore a cowgirl hat who had a green Apple with the top half covered in caramel. The three assumed that the mare was the one they were looking for. They approached the mare as she raised her hind legs and kicked against the trunk of an Apple tree.

"Excuse me?" Twilight spoke up, getting the mare's attention.

The mare stopped kicking against the tree and tipped her hat up, revealing her light blue eyes. "Good mornin' what can I do ya fer?" The mare asked in a southern accent.

"Your name is Applejack right?" Twilight asked.

The mare chuckled, slightly shaking her head. " 'Fraid you've got the wrong pony ma'am. The one you folks are lookin' for is ma daughter."

Twilight blushed in embarrassment. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry miss."

"It's alright. Name's Caramel, ma daughter is 'round back setting up the grub." Caramel gestured to the barn.

"Thank you very much." Twilight said as she, Flash and Spike made there way to the other side of the barn.

"Woah." Flash said in awe.

In front of Twilight, Spike, and Flash was the biggest stack of pies ever seen. The pies were stacked in the shape of a pyramid and reached all the way to the top of the barn. There were crates filled with glass bottles carrying a light brownish liquid stacked in a cube. There were stacks of so many foods, and each one was related to apples.

"Hi there." A voice piped up.

The trio search for who the voice belonged to.

"Down here."

Twilight, Flash, and Spike looked down to see a filly with yellow fur, who had a red mane and tail with a bow in it, and she had blue eyes. She also spoke in a southern accent.

"I hear y'all are lookin' fer ma sis." The filly turned around. "Follow me."

The group followed the filly past the stacks of food and earth ponies stacking food. The filly stopped and so did the group. "Hey sis, folks here ta see ya." She hollered.

An earth pony mare jumped down from the stacks of crates and landed in front of the filly. The mare had orange fur, a blonde mane and tail, emerald green eyes, she wore a cowgirl hat, and she had a three red apples for her cutiemark.

"Y'all must be the inspectors we've been hearin' 'bout. Folks call me Applejack, you can too." Applejack extended her hoof.

"Nice to meet you Applejack." Twilight took Applejack's hoof. "My name is Twilight Sparkle-"

"Mighty kind of ya to visit this here farm of ours." Applejack smiled, shaking Twilight up and down like she was a fluffy doll.

Once the world had stopped spinning for Twilight, and she prevented herself from falling down, she responded, "yeah...sure...no problem."
"So, what foods would you like to test?" Applejack asked.

"Test?! No no no no." Twilight waved her hooves. "We're not here to try any of the foods, we're just her to make sure all of them are ready."

"Aren't ya gonna stay for brunch?"

Twilight's first mistake was looking down at Applebloom. The moment Twilight's eyes met hers she had lost. Applebloom's pupils grew three times their normal size and her lip quivered as she gave Twilight a pout. The face was so pure and sad that it could've made the toughest of ponies mere butter in her hooves.

"I really shouldn't." Twilight protested, but couldn't look away from Applebloom's pout.

"Well...I guess one wouldn't hurt."

"Ooooohhhhhhh." Twilight groaned in absolute misery as her stomach churned and groaned. "Whyyyyyyyy!" She whined.

"I told you not to eat so much." Flash sated in a matter-of-fact tone. "Your stomach can only take so much."

"I'm with Flash on this one Twi." Spike agreed, now riding on Flash's back.

"Well you two weren't under the pressure of a sad filly." Twilight barked. "Did you see her face? Would you have said no to a face like that?"

"Yes." Flash responded.

Twilight looked at Flash confused and appalled. "You have no soul." She said flatly.

"I get told that more than you might think." Flash said before looking to Spike. "What's next on the list Spike?"

Spike pulled out the list and scanned it before responding. "Says here we're supposed to meet a mare name Rainbow Dash who's in charge of clearing the clouds."

They all looked up and sure enough, there were still clouds in the sky.

"Well whoever she is, she's doing a very poor job." Twilight stated.

"Spike, you said the mare's name was Rainbow Dash right?" Flash asked, eying a certain cloud.

"Yeah. Why?" Spike asked.

"Does it say anywhere what she looks like?" Flash asked.

Spike scanned the entire front sheet before flipping it over. "Hey, it does. Says here she's a Pegasus mare with cyan fur, a rainbow colored mane, violet eyes, and a cloud with a red, yellow, and blue lightning bolt coming out of it. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason." Flash said, picking up a small rock he threw it at the cloud he was eying.

Fun fact about clouds in Equestria. They're like balloons, they're nothing more than visible air. Only thing is that every cloud has a magical layer around it that makes it able for Pegasi to walk on them. The bigger the cloud, the stronger the layer. However, like I said before, clouds are like balloons, if anything punctures the layer the clouds structure is disrupted and it becomes nothing but air.

Which is every unfortunate for the cyan Pegasus sleeping on the cloud Flash threw the rock at. The rock did as Flash intended it would do, it flew through the layer and the cloud poofed back into air. With nothing holding her up anymore, the cyan Pegasus fell into the puddle of mud that was beneath her cloud.

The Pegasus flailed about and spat out some mud she caught in her mouth before standing up and scouring the area. Her mane and fur were covered in mud spots. "Alright." She growled angrily. "Who interrupted my nap?! I swear, when I get my hooves on you I'm gonna...do something bad."

"Rainbow Dash I presume." Flash asked.

The Pegasus closed the distance between herself and Flash, leaving a rainbow streak behind her. Her nose touched Flash's, her eyes narrowed, and she growled (literally), "you. You're the one who threw that rock didn't you?"

Flash pushed Rainbow back before answering. "I did, but would you like to hear why?"

"Sure. It'll make me feel better when I pound you into a pulp." She threatened, rolling her right foreleg around in a stretch motion.

"I did it because you were sleeping on the job." Flash answered, standing firm. "You were ordered to clear the sky of any clouds and the sky is absolutely full of them."

Rainbow Dash lowered her foreleg and scoffed, "is that what this is all about? I was gonna clear the sky, no problem. But I decided to take a nap before I did."

Flash turned to Twilight and asked, "Twilight, how long will it take an average Pegasus to clear all the clouds above Ponyville?"

"With the total number of clouds being two hundred and forty, and you'd need to use a lot of force to break apart the cloud correctly or else it'll just put itself back together, not to mention using all that force would drain your body, which would reduce speed and power, I'd say it would take an average Pegasus a total of eighteen hours to clear these all." Twilight answered mathematically.

The word average stuck to Rainbow Dash's brain like she had been insulted, and she was. "It takes a Pegasus eighteen hours to clear all of this huh? Well, watch me do it in eighteen minutes."

"Eighteen minutes?" Twilight scoffed, "That's impossible."

"Impossible is my middle name." Rainbow Dash arched her legs and spread her wings. "Now watch and learn."

With that she took off into the sky, a rainbow colored streak followed her as she flew. She flew to the edge of Ponyville and began to circle the town. She then began to shorten the circle as she drew closer to the center of the town. Rainbow's circle was like a lasso, pushing all the clouds to the center. Soon all of the clouds were bunched up, Rainbow then flew around the entire surface of the clouds, mashing them all together into one big super cloud.

With the cloud complete, Rainbow shot up into the air a good distance and stopped. She eyed the cloud mushed cloud she had created, making sure she had aligned herself just right. Once she was sure, she shot downwards at record breaking speeds. Her forelegs extended as she cut through the air, closing in on the cloud.

*KA-BOOOM!*

Rainbow Dash shot straight through the large cloud and struck the mud puddle she had crashed in. The once massive cloud had been punctured, causing its entire structure to explode outwards. Small droplets of water, which had form inside the cloud, had dropped behind Rainbow creating an arched rainbow behind her. The wet mud spots on her had been blown away thanks to the extreme air pressure Dash had been put in.

But much couldn't be said for other. Rainbow took a look at the trio and burst out laughing as she fell onto her back. Flash, Twilight, and Spike were all just covered in mud. Twilight and Flash's manes were frizzy and not so good looking thanks to the explosion and mud sticking. But the three all had looks of awe and disbelief as they starred where the massive cloud once stood.

"The looks on your faces!" Rainbow Dash yelled, breaking out into a fit of laughter. "Hahahahahaha!....haha...heh...whew...that was actually pretty fun." Rainbow Dash's laughing fit stopped as she stood up. "You guys are really dorky looking, you know that right? But I like that sorta thing, so we should hang out some time." The trio continued to stare. "Oh-kay...we'll see ya later." Rainbow Dash said as she jetted off.

"Flash." Twilight spoke, not taking her eyes off where the cloud once was.

"Yes Twiight." Flash responded, also no moving his eyes.

"We just saw her clear all the clouds I eighteen seconds. Right?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah...we did." Flash answered.

Rainbow Dash reappeared on the cliff away from the trio and yelled from the distance. "Hey you! The unicorn! What's your name?"

"Twilight Sparkle!" Twilight yelled back.

"Your the one living in that library, right?" Rainbow shouted.

"Yeah!" Twilight shouted back.

"Ya like books?" Rainbow shouted.

"Of course!" Twilight shouted back.

......

"You're an egghead!" Rainbow Dash shouted before zooming off.

After taking their sweet time adjusting, the trio headed off to their next destination. They headed to the center building of the town where a mare named Rarity was in charge of decorations. The inside of the center building were banners and other decorations that I can't think think of.

"Beautiful." Spike muttered.

"No argument there." Flash agreed. "These decorations are amazing."

"I wasn't talking about the decorations." Spike said.

Flash and Twilight looked to see what Spike was talking about. On the stand in the middle of the room, a unicorn mare with white fur who had a dark purple mane that was styled, along with blue eyes, and three gemstones for a cutiemark.

"That must be Rarity." Flash stated, looking at the back of the list. "Description matches, she's the one we're supposed to talk to."

The trio approached Rarity, who was looking back and forth between two banners.

Flash gestured for Twilight to speak and she did, "Hello miss, my name is Twilight Sparkle. I was sent to inspect your work for this year's festival."

"Hmmmm." Rarity hummed, looking between the two banners. "I simply can't decide. Lyra dear, can you please look these two over and choose one for me?" She asked the mint green colored unicorn as she levitated the two banners and laid them on top of her head. "I'm terribly sorry about that deary, I've been working none stop trying to make this place perfect." Rarity spoke, turning around. "Now, what was your name ag-aaaaAAAAAAH!" Rarity screeched the moment she saw the trio. "My goodness Darling, and Sir, what happened to your mane's and coat?" She asked, almost demanded.

"What, this?" Twilight asked, observing the mud on her fur. "A mare named Rainbow Dash splashed mud on us. I was planning on washing it out after I got everything done-"

"I'm going to stop you right there." Rarity interjected. "If you wait to long, that mud will dry and it'll be impossible to get out. Then you'll have to roam the streets looking like a monster that has crawled out of a swamp!"

"But-"

"Please wait Dear, it is very rude to interrupt someone when they're talking." Rarity stated. "As I was saying, I can't allow such a travesty to happen. Lyra, you and the others hold down the fort while I take care of something. I won't be gone long." Rarity pulled Flash and Twilight with her. "Don't worry, I'll have you three cleaned up in no time or my name isn't Rarity."

The Carousel Boutique. Home to the fashionista in Ponyville named Rarity. Inside, one the second floor, Rarity drew a bubble bath for her three guests. Flash and Spike bathed themselves in the guest bathroom, while Rarity personally cleaned Twilight in the main bathroom. Twilight sat at the edge of the tub uncomfortably as Rarity brushed and picked the mud out of her mane.

"That Rainbow Dash, always causing a ruckus wherever she goes. I swear, that mare needs a grounding something fierce." Rarity said, rubbing the brush against the mud spot on Twilight's back.

"Um...miss Rarity." Twilight spoke nervously.

"Darling please, call me Rarity. Miss Rarity makes me sound so old." Rarity said.

"Okay...Rarity...do you have to be washing me?" Twilight asked, a slight blush on her cheeks. "Don't get me wrong I am very grateful for your help, but I'm more than capable of bathing myself."

"Oh Darling, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. We're both girls." Rarity said, trying to reassure Twilight.

"It's not that...well actually it kinda is." Twilight admitted, shuffling her body uncomfortably. "I've never really had a grown mare, besides my babysitter and mom that is, actually give me a bath."

"Well you have nothing to fear. Once I'm done you'll look better than ever." Rarity smiled.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Flash unlocked the bathroom door and stepped out while drying off his mane. When he removed the towel his once spiked back mane was now combed forward with a couple pieces of hair sticking out. He folded the towel back up and sat it on the floor next to the door. Flash looked in front of him at the display stand to see Spike looking adoringly up with his head held by his claws and his elbows resting on the stand.

On the stand was Twilight with a neatly combed and washed mane, silky looking fur, and sparkling eyes. Rarity was standing next to her, tightening a saddle to her back.

"Is she okay?" Flash asked, observing the chocking mare.

"Yeah she's fine." Spike said while staring off into space, he handed him the list. "Twilight said it's gonna be a while, so she wanted you to do the last thing on the list for her."

"I can't do that. I'm supposed to stay by Twilight's side at all times." Flash said.

"Twilight's gonna be fine. I'm a fire breathing lizard remember? I've got this." Spike said.

Flash decided not to waste time with arguing and took the list.

"The last thing on the list is to meet a Pegasus mare named Fluttershy who is charge of the orchestra." Flash said to himself. "It tells me what she looks like but it doesn't tell me where she is. I've been all over this town and I haven't seen any mare that matches the description."

Something small tugged on Flash's hindleg. When he looked to see what it was he saw that it was a white furry bunny rabbit bearing an innocent smile. "Hey there little guy, what are you doing here?" He asked.

The bunny hoped away and made a 'follow me' motion with his arm. Curious, Flash decided to follow the bunny. Flash followed the bunny past the edge of the town and towards a cottage beside a small stream.

"That was very good." A soft voice spoke. "Let's try one more time. If you don't mind of course."

Flash paused as a beautiful and angelic voice sung. The voice was soft, yet audible. It gave Flash comfort and made him feel warm. He looked to the bunny to see him disappear behind the side of the cottage. Flash followed the bunny and turned around the corner of the cottage. The bunny hoped into the forelegs of a yellow Pegasus mare, who had a long silky pink mane, teal eyes, and three butterfly's as her cutiemark.

"Angel Bunny. Where have you been, you had me worried sick." The mare said softly as she hugged the bunny so delicately.

"Um...hi." Flash spoke.

Fluttershy looked up to Flash and smiled warmly. "Hello stranger. Are you the one sent here to inspect my birds?"

"Ah...yes. Yes I am." Flash said.

"Wonderful. Come sit and hear them sing. If you want to that is." The mare offered.

Flash walked forward and sat in front of the birds hanger upon which three rows of different colored birds sat.

"Would you mind telling me what your name is?" The mare asked. "Mine is Fluttershy. Sorry for not telling you firsthoof."

"It's alright. Nothing that you need to apologize for that is. My name is Flash Sentry, it's nice to meet you." Flash said.

Fluttershy nodded before turning to the birds. "Alright everyone, let's give our friend the performance we've been practicing for. Begin, now."

The birds sung in perfect harmony, their notes low at first then rising. They sung with grace and perfection on each note. Flash closed his eyes and allowed the sweet song to take his mind adrift. When the song was finished Flash reopened his eyes.

"How did we do?" Fluttershy asked.

"That was..." Flash paused, trying to think of a word to describe what he had just heard. "Amazing." Flash finished.

Fluttershy blushed. "I'm glad you liked it. We all worked very hard to perfect the song. It makes me happy knowing that it was all worth it."

"Well, I see no further reason for inspection." Flash stood up. "Thank you very much for your time Fluttershy."

"Would you like to stay for tea?" Fluttershy asked. "If you don't have any plans of course."

"As tempting as your sounds, I'm afraid I must return to my duties. Have a pleasant day Fluttershy." Flash said.

"Have a pleasant day yourself, Flash Sentry." Fluttershy said back as Flash walked away.

The time had come for night to come again. Luna had lowered the sun and raised the moon, signaling to all the ponies it was time to rest. But Luna had other plans, instead of resting in her bed and visiting others dreams, she found herself at the entrance of the Castle of the two Sisters. She took a deep breath before opening the door and entering.

Time had not been kind to the old structure. Moss and vines grew along the columns and pillars. Spiderwebs found in ever creak and crevasse. Memories of old started to return to Luna with every step she took and every room she passed. Yet despite the long period it had been science she was away, she knew the castle like the back of her hoof. She walked into the throne room, the room which had taken the full force of destruction. The glass window behind the two now destroyed thrones had a hole in it. The walls had cracks and chunks missing, the rug was torn and worn out. And the stand which held the Elements of Harmony hadn't moved an inch.

Luna summoned a piece of paper which contained information about the spell she had used. "According to the spell, after one thousand years have passed the one who was banished shall return to where the banishment took place."

She pulled out a watch she had with her to check the time. 6:25 it read. The time was drawing closer. While it might not have been exact, Luna knew that her sister would return, she knew that she would be back, she knew that it was inevitable.

Then it happened.

A bright yellow light appeared in front of Luna. The light blinded her but she refused to shield her eyes. Instead she confronted the light and stood her ground. The light slowly began to fade, until all that remained was a bright yellow figure with Celestia's appearance. Two bright balls appeared on the figure's face for eyes.

It was her. It was Celestia. Even though her appearance had change, Luna knew that it was her sister. No words were spoken, for their were none to be said. Luna knew what would happen next, she knew all along. It was time for her to face judgement for what she had done.

A large smile grew onto the figure's face, and without any hesitation, lunged at Luna.

Luna closed her eyes and awaited her inescapable fate. As the figure drew closer and closer to Luna, two words escaped her lips. Two words that she wanted to say since the day of her sister's banishment. Two words that her sister had said to her. Those two words were,

"I'm sorry."