I updated this chapter in order to give Twilight some more interaction with Colgate, Golden Harvest, Ditzy Doo, and Vinyl Scratch. I tried to make things less confusing. I also changed Rainbow Dash's line.
I updated this again as well as the other first four chapters (she now has a minor role in chapter three) in order to adjust to the canon personality and name Derpy was given. Because of this, I'm sure that she'll be more entertaining. Also, she's now the only pony that calls Golden Harvest "Carrot Top."
Episode One: For the Want of a Horseshoe
It was a nice and sunny day, perfect for spending the time outdoors. That is exactly what Twilight Sparkle decided to do that day. However, she wasn't planning to exercise, socialize, play games, or anything like that. Twilight's idea of a good time outside is reading a book. The purple unicorn headed to her favorite spot, the tree that was the closest to the park's stream. Despite being close to a bridge, other ponies rarely came to bother Twilight. In this perfect spot, she used her unicorn magic to lift the book that was in her white bag with a star pattern and set it on the ground. After opening the book, Twilight Sparkle began to read:
Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn, the younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies. But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day the elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness, Nightmare Moon. She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known in Ponyland, the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister and banished her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took on responsibility for both sun and moon, and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since.
The Elements of Harmony sounded familiar to Twilight, but she couldn't remember where she heard of them. She closed the book and placed it back into her bag and headed for the tower where she lives. However, Twilight was soon stopped by three other unicorns whom she doesn't know the names of. One of them was white, another was yellow, and the last one was blue and had a distinctive blue and white mane. They were each holding a present on their back.
"There you are Twilight!" said the yellow one.
The white one then said, "Moondancer is having a get together in the west castle courtyard. You want to come?"
While Twilight was thinking of what to say, she realized that the blue one didn't appear to be as chit chatty as the other two. Of course, she found that pleasant. Twilight told the group, "Oh, sorry girls... I got a lot of studying to catch up on." Twilight then galloped away from them. She heard those ponies saying some things, but she didn't quite catch it and assumed that it was some back talk about her.
Twilight Sparkle reached her home and rushed up the stairs that wrapped the exterior of the tower. She promptly slammed open the doors of the top entrance and called out for her helper, Spike. After closer inspection, Twilight saw the baby dragon on his back. She thought that he was being silly. Twilight hurried upstairs and Spike followed. She told him to find a book titled Predictions and Prophecies, then noticed what appeared to be a crushed box on Spike's tail. "What's that for?"
Spike held up the box and tried to explain, "Well, it was a gift for Moondancer, but..."
"Oh Spike, you know that we don't have time for that sort of thing," Twilight scolded.
"But we're on a break!"
Twilight Sparkle ignored him and began searching for the book, but to no avail. Her frustration was relieved when Spike announced that he found it. She magically brought the book to her, accidentally bringing Spike who was holding it as well. Twilight opened the book and began to look for where it mentions the Elements of Harmony. Once she found where it was located, Twilight read out loud, "Elements of Harmony... See Mare in the Moon?"
"Mare in the Moon? But that's just an old pony's tale!"
Twilight began to read the page about Mare in the Moon, "The Mare in the Moon. Myth from olden pony times, a powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria, defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend says that the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aide in her escape and she will bring about nighttime eternal." She then asked Spike, "Spike! Do you know what that means?"
"No."
Twilight Sparkle told him to take a note to the princess. With feather and paper in hand as well as some complications, Spike wrote down a letter stating that the Mare in the Moon is Nightmare Moon and that she is coming soon. It also says that something must be done to make sure the prophecy doesn't become true. Once the letter was completed, Twilight told Spike to send it.
Spike didn't comply and reminded her that the princess was busy preparing for the Summer Sun Celebration which takes place the day after tomorrow. Twilight explained that this is going to be the thousandth Summer Sun Celebration and that it is imperative that the princess knows about this. Seeing that Spike was struggling to understand "imperative," Twilight shouted, "IMPORTANT!"
A shaken Spike took a deep breath and exhaled a green flame on the letter, turning it into a haze that escaped the building. "There! It's on it's way." He then taunted, "I wouldn't hold your breath!"
"Oh, I'm not worried Spike. The princess trusts me completely! In all the years she's been my mentor, she's never once doubted me." Just then, Spike belched out a letter. "I knew she wanted to take immediate action."
Spike cleared his throat and read to Twilight, "My dearest, most faithful student, Twilight. You know that I value your diligence and that I trust you completely. But you simply must stop reading those dusty old books!"
Twilight gasped, "Did she just tell me to stop studying?!"
"She just said books."
"What else does it say?"
"Tomorrow afternoon, leave Canterlot by carriage and you will be taken to where you will learn about what it means to live as a young pony."
"What it means to live as a young pony? I am a young pony and I'm living! Just because I read plenty of books doesn't mean that I don't live life in my own way. Acquiring knowledge can be just as fulfilling, no, more fulfilling than doing something trivial such as making friends."
"I still think that you should still go."
"Fine!"
After Twilight stormed off for some alone time, Spike read to himself the section of the letter meant for him.
Once it was nighttime, Twilight Sparkle went out of the tower to take a look at the moon. She took notice of a series of craters that together looked like the head of a mare. Twilight spent much of the night staring at it, worrying about the Mare in the Moon's return.
Twilight Sparkle didn't get much sleep that night, but she was still rather alert when it became time to leave. She decided to take her white bag with her. When she and Spike went outside, they noticed a carriage situated in front of them. The two pegasi attached to it didn't speak a word, but Twilight recognized them as royal guards. Once Twilight and Spike got in, the guards flew them away from home. Spike then burped out another letter.
He told Twilight what was written, "My dear Twilight, there's more to a young pony's life than studying, so I'm sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year's location, Ponyville. And I have a more essential task for you to complete." Spike leaned up to her and spoke, "Make some friends!"
Twilight let out a groan.
"Look on the bright side Twilight! The princess arranged for us to stay in the library. Doesn't that make you happy?"
"Yes! Yes it does. Do you know why? Because I'm right! I'll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library to find some proof of Nightmare Moon's return."
"Then, when will you make some friends like the princess said?"
"She said to check on preparations. I am her student and I will do my royal duty, but the fate of Equestria doesn't rest on me making friends."
The pegasi then landed in Ponyville. Twilight and Spike got off and thanked them.
Spike tried to reassure Twilight, "Maybe the ponies in Ponyville will have interesting things to talk about!" A pink pony with a poofy mane then came up to the two. "Come on Twilight. Just try!"
"Uh... hello?" Twilight muttered.
The pink stranger then let out a huge gasp and darted off.
"Well, that's interesting alright..." Thinking about the goofy pink pony she just came across, Twilight added, "These ponies seem crazy so far. Running off and screaming, just because I said hello."
"Come on Twilight, you only met one pony so far in Ponyville," Spike told her.
"This town sure has a lousy first impression."
"It will get better once you make friends, I promise!"
"Read me that checklist, Spike."
Spike was just about to read the list out loud when a couple of unicorn colts interrupted him.
"I never seen you two before," the tall one commented.
"We saw that both of you were on a carriage," the short one stated. "I'm Snips and he's Snails. Do you two come from someplace fancy?"
"Why yes," Spike said. "I am Spike and we have come from Canterlot to check for preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration and to make new friends for Twilight Sparkle over here."
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"If they call you a baby dragon, then why don't you go goo goo ga ga?" Snails asked.
Spike groaned, "Because I can talk proper Equestrian."
Snips said, "I was thinking more along the lines of Twilight."
"Oh yeah!" Snails exclaimed. "You aren't the only new unicorn in town today."
"Twilight would love to meet that unicorn!" Spike winked at Twilight Sparkle.
Twilight tried to make an excuse, "Oh, I have a really tight schedule, so I can't go. The princess trusts that I carry out my royal duties."
"Actually, we have plenty of time and you know that she would love for you to have some friends."
"Follow us!" Snails told them.
"It's so awesome that you know a princess," commented Snips.
"I guess I have no choice then..." Twilight muttered. Once all four of them got moving, she stated, "Tell me about this unicorn."
Snails told her, "Uh, we haven't even met her yet."
"That sounds very helpful..."
"We were on our way to meet her when we noticed you two," Snips explained.
"I guess I'll just see what she's like for myself, since both of you seem to know absolutely nothing about her."
"But we know things about her!"
"Yeah," Snails added. "We heard that she's the greatest and most magical unicorn ever."
"How do you know that she really is the most magical unicorn?" questioned Spike. "You haven't even seen her in pony."
"That's why we're going. To see her greatness for ourselves."
Twilight told the two, "If that's so, then that will be the same reason I want to see her as well."
"Hopefully she isn't as big headed as she sounds from what we heard so far," Spike said.
Soon enough, the group of four came across a medium sized crowd. Beyond the crowd was a stage where blue pony with a white mane was standing. She had on an oversized blue wizard's hat that concealed her horn if she happened the unicorn Snips and Snails were talking about. This pony also had on a cape of the same color that hid her cutie mark. "On this eve of the annual Summer Sun Celebration, watch as the Great and Powerful Trixie preforms magical feats beyond your wildest imaginations!" she piped. Right after a glow was produced from underneath her hat, the air above her darkened and bunch of fireworks went off in that area.
"You're amazing, Great and Powerful Trixie!" Snips exclaimed. "We found you a unicorn that you will be very impressed by."
Trixie looked over at Snips's group. She asked him, "Do you think Trixie will be impressed by anypony you try to present?"
Snails answered, "Twilight Sparkle here is amazing."
Snips continued, "She comes from Canterlot and is looking over preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. I'm sure that you'll find her impressive."
"Trixie will not be impressed by those things as they don't have to do with magic," Trixie told them. "
"Oh yeah! Magic!"
Snails stated, "Twilight knows the princess personally and I bet she knows the very best magic from her."
"I do take pride in my magical capabilities, but I would like empirical evidence of how both of us preform magic before any of us celebrate," Twilight told Trixie. Spike appeared a bit confused by what she said.
"So you challenge Trixie to a duel then!" Trixie said. "Come up and do your best, even though it won't be good enough to thwart the Great and Powerful Trixie!"
As Twilight made her way past the crowd and onto the stage, she trash talked her, "Considering that you probably talk big to compensate for lack of ability, I don't think I even have to do my best to curb stomp you."
"Trixie will show you why you should shut your ignorant mouth!"
Snips, Snails, and Spike made their way to as close as they could to Twilight and Trixie without getting on stage. The taller colt said, "Both of you would be great together."
Trixie turned her head to face the two, "Are you implying something between Trixie and Twilight?"
The colts glanced at each other, then Snips stated, "Yeah! You two have so much in common that you would make such awesome friends!"
"Forget it! Friends are unimportant to Trixie."
"That's actually the first thing you said that I agree with," Twilight stated. "I never even come here to make friends, nor do I have any interest in doing so in the first place."
"If that's all, then let's get this duel started!"
Twilight Sparkle and Trixie began to circle around the center of the stage, staring at each others faces while doing so.
Spike yelled, "Show her who's best, Twilight!"
"Yeah, by losing to me!" Trixie taunted.
"Zip it!" Twilight's horn glowed and a zipper formed on Trixie face that sealed her mouth shut. "Much better!"
Spike told Snips and Snails, "When we were younger, Twilight used to use that spell on me all the time."
Indistinguishable grunts came from Trixie when she tried to talk. Focusing on Twilight, Trixie materialized a rope made out of many colorful napkins around her. The rope then tightened and bound the purple unicorn's legs together. As she walked towards Twilight, Trixie unzipped her lip. "Think you can shut up Trixie and get away with it?!"
"I know I can," Twilight said, not panicking one bit despite being tied up. Twilight took hold of the rope with her unicorn magic and quickly untied herself. With the rope of napkins, she gave Trixie a taste of her own medicine. Twilight then extended the rope and lifted Trixie to the top of the stage's frame where she promptly hung her by the legs. "There! Not as great and powerful as you call yourself. Now can I leave?"
"That was awesome Twilight!" applauded Spike. "You really should stay here for a bit longer and soak up the glory."
Snails said, "Yeah! Since you defeated the Great and Powerful Trixie, she'll be sure to be your bestest friend ever!"
"Even though I don't have any friends, I doubt that's how friendship works," Twilight told him.
"This duel isn't over!" a tied up Trixie shouted. "Trixie is still the most magical unicorn to ever grace Equestria and you all know it deep down inside!" She continued to struggle getting untied, but to no avail.
Right after Twilight got off stage, she said, "I'm out of here. Snips, Snails, keep on asking Trixie to be my bestest friend ever. That's how ponies make new friends."
Snips muttered, "That sounds new, but if you say so..."
"Great and Powerful Trixie, will you be Twilight Sparkle's bestest friend in the world?" Snails asked.
"Trixie refuses!" the tied up unicorn wept.
Twilight Sparkle left the the scene and Spike swiftly followed. Right after they made it around a corner, they heard the narcissist unicorn shouting in anger about how Twilight ran away from the Great and Powerful Trixie like a coward.
"Now that's out of the way, what's the first thing on that list?"
Spike held up the list, "Summer Sun Celebration official overseer's checklist. Number one, banquet preparations at Sweet Apple Acres."
"Are there any instructions on how to get there?"
"Well, you could go ask around and you know, make a friend."
"You know that making friends isn't important, especially not at a time such as this."
"If it's Nightmare Moon you're worried about, then don't worry about it. Celestia knows what she's doing when she tasked you with overlooking preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration and making friends."
"But she doesn't believe me!"
"I still say it's a superstition. She did tell you to stop reading those dusty old books."
"Look, even though Celestia hasn't been wrong before, I still know that something's off."
Twilight Sparkle had her head turned to Spike, so she didn't see the pony who was right in front of her. She crashed into her and they both fell to the ground. Twilight got up and saw that it was a blue-coated unicorn with a blue and white mane. She could of sworn that she seen this unicorn before, but she forgot where. Twilight apologized, "Sorry, I didn't see you there."
"It's alright," the stranger told her.
"So... could you point me to Sweet Apple Acres?"
"Sweet Apple Acres? It's to the southwest of here."
"Thanks! Gotta go!" Twilight began to head off until she realized that Spike wasn't following her. "Spike, we have to go!" Twilight's horn and Spike glowed in unison and he was forced onto her back.
"Are you always in a hurry, Twilight?" the unicorn with the blue and white mane asked.
"You know me?" Twilight returned to her and Spike smiled. That stranger looked vaguely familiar to her.
"Actually, the only time I saw you was yesterday. I was with two other ponies when they asked you about Moondancer's party."
"You were in Canterlot yesterday and you're in Ponyville today?"
"Yup! That was my first time in Canterlot, even though my family is rich. Moondancer's parents are friends with my dad and he wanted me to go to the party."
"Did you at least have fun?"
"Not really. I was excited at first, then I realized that the ponies there didn't seem very nice. For some reason, I don't feel that I can trust them."
"You know, I can empathize with that. There's something I find about most other ponies that makes me cautious around them. By the way, you know my name, but I don't know yours."
"And I haven't even talked to you yet!" Spike said.
The unicorn apologized then told them, I'm Minuette "Colgate" Minty, but I prefer to be called Colgate. What is your name, dragon?"
"I'm Spike, Twilight Sparkle's assistant. The two of us are overlooking preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration."
“That sounds like fun. It's basically a long walk where you check to see if things are going alright, right?”
“I guess so,” Twilight said. She then eyed Colgate's hourglass cutie mark and inquired, “If it's alright with you, could you tell me what your special talent is?”
“That's alright,” Colgate said. “My ability is to change the flow of time of an object. It takes a lot of energy on my behalf to do it, especially if the target is very big.”
“Willing to demonstrate?”
“Of course. Is it alright if I use Spike?”
“That will be fine.”
“I wonder what being slowed down is like,” stated Spike.
Colgate tilted her horn towards the baby dragon. The horn and Spike both began to glow blue at the same time.
Twilight asked Spike, “What does it feel like being slowed down?”
“Whhhhhhaaaaaat diiiiiiiiiiiid yoooooouuuuuu saaaaaaaaaaaay?”
“You can stop now.”
Colgate halted her spell, which caused time to flow normally for Spike again.
“Woah, that felt weird,” Spike commented. “Everything happens so fast when you're slowed down.”
“Well, that would be rather obvious,” Twilight pointed out.
Colgate then asked Twilight, “What's your special talent? Your sparkly cutie mark doesn't make it clear.”
“From what I can tell, I'm pretty good with magic,” Twilight Sparkle told her.
Spike added, “Pretty good? She's excellent! If she wanted to, Twilight could learn your time thingy spell and do it better than you.”
“Spike!”
“I'm fine,” Colgate told the two. “If you're abilities are better than mine, I'm fine with it.” She paused before asking, “Is there anything else you would like to talk about?”
“Well, I did have some things in mind, but me and Spike have to get going now.”
"Alright.”
"It's been nice meeting you, Colgate."
“It's been nice meeting you as well.”
"Bye!"
"Good luck with the Summer Sun Celebration!" Colgate told Twilight and Spike as they left.
Twilight Sparkle and Spike conversed once Colgate was out of sight.
"You know," Spike began, "I didn't take much part in that conversation back there."
"So?"
"You talked to another pony without any prompting from me. I think that you just made a friend."
"She is not my friend. We don't know each other that well, so we're merely acquaintances."
"Acquai... acquaint-what?"
Twilight stopped and explained, "It means that our relationship is neutral. We are neither friend or foe." Just then, a heavy package fell from the sky and onto the ground right in front of Twilight. "What the what?!" A gray-coated pegasus with a casual-styled blonde mane flew down in front of them. Her cutie mark happens to be a bunch of bubbles. Just as Twilight was going to complain about almost getting crushed, she noticed that the pegasus's eyes were pointing in opposite directions. "Are you sure that you should even be a mail pony? Your eyes look a bit... derpy."
“You look derpy,” the mail pony responded, “but you're right. I'm the derpiest pony ever! That's why I'm Derpy Hooves!” She then flew around for a bit. “WHEEEE! This is so much fun!”
“Yeah, you totally don't deserve your job.”
Upon landing, Derpy told Twilight, “You're a meanie!”
Twilight and Spike then heard a voice, "She's right in calling you a meanie.” They looked around and found out that it came from an orange-maned pony without horns or wings. “Don't tell her what she should or shouldn't do with her life."
"But I don't want anypony to get crushed just because of somepony who isn't able to do her job right."
"This is Derpy's aspiration. Do you want to ruin that for her?"
“You know, like a meanie?” Derpy added.
"Before you all get into anymore arguing, who are you?" Spike asked the earth pony.
The orange-maned pony didn't show any antagonistic tendencies at all with Spike, "I'm Golden Harvest.”
“And I like to call her Carrot Top!” said Derpy. “Cause she's like a carrot!” Since Golden Harvest's cutie mark was three carrots, Twilight could see how she might of gotten her nickname.
Once Spike gave his and Twilight's names, Golden Harvest continued, “I work at Farm Fields with my family." Her tone of voice then changed just as suddenly when she went back to Twilight, "How would you like it if somepony ruined your dreams?"
"Well, I would feel angry of course," answered Twilight. "But that pony isn't the same as me. Just look at her! She must be the stupidest pony in the entire world! I have never seen anypony that is more pitiful than her! Was she dropped as a foal?”
“Just because somepony isn't the same as you," Golden Harvest patronized, "that doesn't give you the right to think of them as lesser than yourself."
"But I didn't get called out for ruining Trixie's magic show," Twilight pointed out.
"That was because she was such a loudmouth!" Spike explained. "Though after saying that, that sort of sounds like a bad reason to ruin her show."
"So you already have wrecked somepony's aspiration," Golden Harvest stated. "It would be a good idea to apologize to Trixie."
“And say sorry to me by saying sorry to me, Twilight!” Derpy told the purple unicorn.
"Why should I apologize?!" Twilight nearly shouted. "Both Trixie and Derpy are crazy ponies!"
Golden Harvest's tone became less patronizing and more calm, "I know that it's difficult at times, but I think that you should learn to love and tolerate others like I'm trying to do with you right now."
"Even after I insulted your friend and said some things, you want to love me?"
"I feel that's the best thing to do. Holding on to hate only makes you feel worse."
"I think that makes sense, I suppose...”
“Say sorry to me and say that you're a meanie,” Derpy demanded.
Twilight turned to Derpy and said, “Even though you are an absolutely insane pony who can severely injure others quite easily, I'm sorry. Umm... And also... I'm a meanie.”
All of the sudden, Derpy Hooves smiled. “Apology accepted!” she said.
Twilight Sparkle couldn't help but smile as well from what she said.
Golden Harvest seemed to notice, as she said, “See how good it feels to let go of grudges?”
“I suppose I do,” Twilight replied.
“Let's all have a good Summer Sun Celebration.”
“I will,” Spike said.
“I'll have fun!” Derpy Hooves exclaimed.
“I'm not sure...” Twilight muttered.
Golden Harvest asked, “Why not?”
“I'm just not sure if the celebration will go entirely by plan.”
“It's alright if not everything goes perfectly. Things that you don't expect just happen.”
“I ruin Carrot Top's plans at times, but she's still happy!” Derpy stated.
“Just as long as you keep on going despite what happens, you'll do fine.”
“Thank you.” Twilight paused before continuing, “Well, I got to get going now."
"See you some other time, Twilight Sparkle. See you Spike!"
"Bye," Derpy said.
As Twilight began to trot away, she told them, “Well... See ya.”
"I would love to see you two again," Spike said before he followed Twilight.
Spike went up to Twilight Sparkle's side and stated, "Golden Harvest seems rather nice."
"And?"
"She would make a great friend, Twilight, and so would Derpy Hooves!"
"Did you forget? I. Don't. Want. Friends!"
Spike then realized the direction they were going. "Twilight, Sweet Apple Acres is the other way!"
"After all these delays, I have found that we can't afford to look over the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. We have to go to the library immediately."
"So you're abandoning a duty that the princess gave you? That's so unlike you!"
"I know, but even I would rather lose her trust than having the entire world shrouded in eternal night again."
"But we don't even know if that book is true."
"Look, can we even afford the risk?"
"If it's true, the princess will take notice and stop her."
"What if Nightmare Moon has something up her mane this time? She knows about the Elements of Harmony used to seal her and I bet that she would try to prevent the princess from using them again. It's a good idea to look for evidence as soon as we can, so that the princess will be ready for whatever comes her way." She then spotted a unicorn with a white coat and a blue mane. What makes her stand out are the sunglasses she has on. Twilight decided to ask her, "Hey there. Could you point us to the library?"
"Of course you want to go to the library!" the shaded unicorn loudly said. She pointed one of her front hooves at a building made from a tree. "There's a party that's going to be so radical there!"
"You have to be kidding me! Libraries are supposed to be quiet and peaceful, not loud and rambunctious!"
" That's what makes it a perfect place for Pinkie Pie to throw a surprise party for Twilight!"
"I am Twilight. Twilight Sparkle to be precise."
"That means you'll be there for sure! Wait a minute, did I say too much?"
"No, you told me everything that I needed to know."
The white unicorn then spotted Spike. She raised her sunglasses, revealing her eyes, then got very close to the baby dragon. She whistled and said, "You look sooo cute!" The unicorn whistled again before asking, "What's your name?"
Spike answered, "Uhh, you're leaning rather close to me, but my name is Spike... What's yours?"
"On stage, they call me DJ Pony with the number three instead of a y in pony." She whistled before continuing, "But for casual times like now, feel free to call me Vinyl Scratch!"
"I'm glad that you're friendly, even if you do make me feel a bit uncomfortable at times."
"Don't worry about a thing!" Vinyl Scratch put her shades back on. "You'll get used to me sooner or later, Spiky!”
Spike seemed to notice her cutie mark which was shaped like a music note. “I was wondering about your cutie mark.”
“What about my cutie mark you are wondering about?”
“You know that we don't have time for this, Spike,” Twilight interrupted.
"It looks like that you take life too seriously. Loosen up and learn to have fun."
"Look, I only have one life to live, so I have to use my time to serve the princess and further my knowledge."
"But Sparkles, you will never know what having fun is like if you don't ever take a break."
"I already have fun doing royal duties and doing research."
“Then I guess I'll just have to force you to relax sooner or latter. You'll be amazed by how good you'll be feeling.
“Umm... okay. We'll be going then.”
“See ya both at the library this evening and we'll all have the most mind blowing non-surprise party ever!"
Once Vinyl Scratch left, Twilight said to Spike, "Spiky? I didn't expect for you to get a nickname like that today."
"Well, you know, the fillies dig Spike for being such a stud with a great sense of humor."
"The next thing you'll say is that you're hot, because you breathe fire."
"Actually, that wasn't on my mind, but I'll use it since you mentioned it. By the way, why are we still going to the library? You can't go to a party and expect to just read a book without any interruptions."
"I'm not going to the party."
"Huh?"
"We will infiltrate the library from one of it's upper story windows. If things go by as planned, we'll get in undetected. I'll find a hiding spot for me. Then, once the party starts, you can exit the same way we entered and go through the proper entrance to avoid suspicion. Maybe you could go in earlier and pretend to help with the preparations. Either way, grab some books that have anything to do with Nightmare Moon or the Elements of Harmony and bring them to me."
"Your plan sounds crazy." After receiving an angry look from Twilight, he added, "But I'll help if that will calm you down."
"Thanks, Spike."
Twilight Sparkle and Spike headed to the back of the building and climbed up to a window. Since it appeared that there was nopony in that room, Twilight magically opened the window and the two entered from there. They searched the room for any books that Twilight would find useful, but none of the books they spotted were of her interest. Twilight went to beside the bed.
"I suppose that I can rest here while I hide," she hypothesized. "By the time I wake up, I expect for you to have the books in hand."
"Will do!"
Once Spike left, Twilight put her bag down, got into bed, and promptly went to sleep.
When she opened her eyes, Twilight realized that it was now dark outside. She swiftly looked out the window and was relieved that the moon appeared no differently from last night. Twilight didn't see Spike or any books that would prove Nightmare Moon's return. As she began to hope that the princess and Spike were right, she heard a certain voice as a door slammed open, "WAKE UP SLEEPYHEAD!!!"
Twilight recognized the pony once she looked at the two who entered the room. It was that pony who told them about the party, and she was with Spike. Both of them were sweating and panting.
"Spike, this better not be what it looks like," Twilight said angrily.
"Be cool Sparkles! We were just dancing together! I swear!"
"I am still appalled by what I see. Instead of finding some books that could of been some use, you thought that it would be cool to participate in the party, make friends, and dance!"
"But I just couldn't resist," Spike explained. "One thing just led to another."
"You had all that time and you wasted it?!"
"No, I didn't. After I entered the library the normal way, I began to think that I could still check for preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. That pink pony we met was the Pinkie Pie who was preparing the party and she was willing to help me out. It turns out that when she met us, she was just very excited."
"That really isn't the best way to express excitement."
"Anyways, we saw that the food for the banquet is all ready. Pinkie Pie gobbled up all of the samples and I bet that she could of gone on if there was more. The next thing on the list was weather, but Pinkie Pie said that we should do that one last to make it extra super duper special. I agreed and we decided to split up to do the other tasks. Pinkie Pie decided to check decor and I wanted to do music, so we didn't have any arguing. I was glad that I decided to check music, because Fluttershy's voice was so beautiful and she was very nice to me. Once I met up with Pinkie Pie, she said that the decorations had some complications, but that it was able to be quickly fixed. It was evening when we decided to check weather. The sky above the park was all clear, but we didn't see any signs of a pegasus named Rainbow Dash. I helped Pinkie Pie look for her, but we had no luck. She told me to go back to the library and I did so. That was when I partied."
"Nice going Spike. You forgot to do what was most important!"
"Don't be a such a downer, Sparkles," Vinyl told her. "Spiky needed some time to cut loose after being so busy. All work and no play is never fun!"
"Those books were very important!"
Spike took a look at a clock and interrupted the two unicorns, "Excuse me, but it's time for us to watch the sun rise."
"Then I'll go and tell the princess there!"
Spike held out what appeared to be a cupcake with rainbow frosting, "Before we go, do you want this cupcake? We saved it for you."
Twilight realized that aside from breakfast, she really didn't eat anything that day. She accepted Spike's offer, then the three exited the library and Vinyl Scratch led the others to the town square pavilion. Inside, they saw that it was crowded. Twilight thought that the place smelt a bit funky. Once the princess arrives, Twilight would warn her in pony about Nightmare Moon. But since the princess wasn't there, all she could do for now was wait.
Twilight Sparkle was gazing into the sky and at the moon's craters that made up the mare's head when Spike's voice broke her focus. “Hey Twilight,” he started. “I think I found Rainbow Dash.”
“I highly doubt that,” Twilight scoffed. “You said that she was lost after all.”
“Yeah, I sort of did, but look at that pegasus over there.” Spike pointed at a blue pegasus who was hovering above the crowd. Her mane and tail were both six different colors; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. “She does fit Pinkie Pie's description.”
“That's Bow alright!” Vinyl Scratch stated.
“Bow?” Twilight wondered.
“That's my nickname for her.”
Spike said, “Just go along with it, Twilight.
“I'll call for her to come hang with us!” Vinyl Scratch waved at Rainbow Dash. “Oh Bow! Come over here and mingle with us!”
Twilight Sparkle could tell that Rainbow Dash was looking in her direction. However, the pegasus didn't speak. The purple unicorn noticed that Rainbow Dash was scowling.
Just as Vinyl Scratch raised her hoof to presumably call her again, the birds that were inside began singing. Spike commented that Fluttershy trained them to do that. Once the singing stopped, an elderly mare stepped up.
She announced, "Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!"
Most of the audience cheered and applauded. As the mayor continued on, Twilight looked at the moon and it's craters again. Suddenly, all of those craters disappeared. Nothing now will convince her that Nightmare Moon is just a ponytale. She then directed her attention to the curtains where the princess is supposed to enter from. For some reason, a filthy-looking green unicorn with some white spots and an untidy mane was responsible for raising said curtain. As Spike saw her, he was instantly disgusted with how she looked. Twilight could hear him saying to himself that he would never find her beautiful, not even in an alternate reality.
Once the curtains were raised, there was no princess behind them. The mayor tried to calm the other ponies, but it was no good. The green unicorn confirmed that the princess was gone. Just then, a purple haze appeared from out where the princess was supposed to be. It then manifested itself into a black alicorn with cat-like eyes. Spike fainted at the sight of her.
This alicorn then spoke, "Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces."
Rainbow Dash shouted, "What did you do to my perfect day?!" She then promptly flew up to the alicorn as fast as she could. Unfortunately for her, the alicorn reacted fast enough to turn around and kick the pegasus with her hind legs, sending her crashing into a wall.
What appeared to be more purple haze rose up above the alicorn. Her eyes glowed and thunder that came from that haze struck the poor pegasus, rendering her unconscious. "Pathetic subjects!" the alicorn told the frightened audience. "Don't you know who you are confronting?"
"I know who you are," Twilight spoke up. "You're the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon."
"Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you know why I'm here."
"You're here to... to..."
Nightmare Moon laughed, "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!" She let out an even bigger laugh afterward.
Once Nightmare Moon finished her evil laugh, the mayor shouted, "Seize her! Only she knows where the princess is!"
Three guard pegasi began to fly up, but because they weren't as fast as the pegasus that was knocked out, Nightmare Moon was able to strike all three of them with thunder while they were moving. The evil mare then morphed back into a purple haze and fled the building.
When Twilight was just about to gallop out with Spike on her back, Vinyl Scratch shouted at her. "Twi! You can't take this on by yourself!"
Twilight stopped, "I'm not going to confront her, yet. I have to do some research on the Elements of Harmony, then I'll go stop Nightmare Moon myself."
"But you totally saw what happened to the pegasi who tried to stop her. If you tried to face her alone and you get zapped, then..."
"I didn't think of that... Very well, I'll just have to form an aggregation of other ponies to make sure that doesn't happen then."
"Huh?"
Twilight called to all the other ponies in the building, "Anypony who wants to aide me in vanquishing Nightmare Moon, raise your hoof!" Most of the ponies in the pavilion instantly left screaming from hearing that. "Apparently, that was no good..."
"I'm cool with helping you out, Twi," Vinyl told her.
"Thanks."
"We are too," a familiar voice said. Twilight found that it came from Golden Harvest who didn't flee. Hovering next to her was Derpy Hooves.
The cross-eyed mare added, "We'll beat up that meanie! Not you Twilight, cause you apologized and called yourself a meanie and stuff."
"Thanks you two," Twilight said.
Colgate then got out from under a table, "My parents will be worried sick about me, but I'm still willing to help you out, Twilight Sparkle."
"Thank you everypony. Since there is nopony else who could potentially be of use, let's get going."
"Not yet! There's one more pony here. She was hiding under the same table I was." Colgate removed the tablecloth to reveal Trixie who was hiding under there.
"Is she gone?" Trixie muttered before she noticed that Twilight was present. "Twilight! What the hay are you doing here?!"
"Oh, so it's the Great and Cowardly Trixie," Twilight scoffed. "What help can you be?"
"Trixie is not a coward! You were the one who ran away from our duel like a coward! Trixie is the most magical unicorn in all of Equestria and she will amaze you all..."
"Twilight!" Golden Harvest scolded.
"Let's get down to business, Trixie," Twilight began. "If you are as great and powerful as you claim to be, you will join us in our quest to defeat Nightmare Moon."
As Trixie was getting out from under the same table, she said, "Of course I'm the Great and Powerful Trixie... She isn't afraid of Nightmare Moon or anything of that sort!"
"I'm fine with you being afraid, Trixie," Colgate tried to reassure. "I'm scared as well, but I am still willing to help out however I can."
"Trixie is never scared! She will go with you all to show you how to bring down this Nightmare Moon and make her bow before me!"
"Well, we can all use another pony to help out."
"The Great and Powerful Trixie will amaze you all as she shows you all how things are done!"
Ignoring Trixie, Twilight asked the others, "Are we all ready to leave this time?"
"I'm ready to go, Twi!" Vinyl Scratch answered.
"I am," said Colgate.
Golden Harvest told Twilight, "I'm ready whenever you are."
"Trixie is always prepared!" bragged Trixie.
Derpy Hooves shouted, "Catch me if you can!” She then broke a window as she flew out. After a moment, she went back to the others. “Aww! You all are no fun if you don't play along!”
"Just follow me," Twilight Sparkle told the others. Her newly formed group followed as she headed on her way back to the library.