//------------------------------// // An Act of Kindness // Story: Another Side of Friendship // by The Great Twixie //------------------------------// Daybreaker leered into the viewing portal with a soft rumble in her throat. Five of the mares who opposed her climbed into the showmare’s wagon while the blue one climbed to the roof, using her horn to move the wheels. They rolled out of the Canterlot city limits and were heading down the mountain path. They were heading for Ponyville. “Looks like your plan to break my student’s spirit ended up backfiring, sister,” Luna said proudly behind her. “Don’t think that you’ve won just yet,” Daybreaker hissed, spinning around to the midnight mare. “Even if your student remains untouched, there are still the other five to make examples of…. And besides, even if they do reach the castle, they have no chance of using the Elements of Harmony.” “You seem quite certain,” said Luna calmly. “We both know the Elements of Harmony require the right…conditions to wield their magic,” said Daybreaker ominously. “And as it stands, those clueless fillies are far from where they need to be.” “I have every confidence that they will succeed,” Luna proclaimed firmly. “Do you now?” said Daybreaker, smirking. “Let’s put it to the test then, shall we?” The flaming mare turned to the viewing portal again and altered the image with her horn. The portal showed a quiet little village at the base of the mountain, over a hundred earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi of all shapes and colors flittering through the streets. Most ponies were seeking shade from the unexplained heatwave that was suddenly falling over them, others dunked themselves in barrels of water trying to cool themselves off. Daybreaker chuckled darkly. “Ah, Ponyville,” she crooned. “If I remember correctly, you offered the land to a bunch of apple farmers that eventually blossomed into a bustling village filled with all kinds of ponies. From humble beginning, am I right?” “How – “ “Just because I was trapped in the sun doesn’t mean I wasn’t always watching, sister” Daybreaker sneered. “This will be the perfect opportunity to see if your heroes have what it takes to collect the Elements of Harmony. Let’s turn up the heat!” she added with a sadistic cackle. The flaming mare stretched her wings and the sunlight within the viewing portal grew stronger until everything faded into a white-hot glare. Without anypony running the train and no pegasi to pull the flying chariots, the Mane 6 (a cute little nickname Twilight thought up in the library) had to travel down the mountain passage in Trixie’s cart if they wanted to make it to Ponyville. There was a good reason no one voluntarily walked down the mountain. Canterlot was built into the side of one of the largest mountain in all of Equestria (which seemed like a narcissistic way of saying they were better than everyone, in Starlight’s opinion) and the narrow pathways that wrapped around the slopes barely had enough room for Trixie’s wagon to roll safely along. Twilight was actually grateful that Trixie was the one driving. She had never set hoof outside of Canterlot before and the blue showmare had to have taken this same path to reach the capital city, which meant she could do the same in reverse. Now if only her wagon had a little more space…. “Hey, get your mane out of my face!” “Stop stepping on my tail!” “Whoever’s hoof that is better move it before you lose it!” Twilight let out a dissatisfied groan as she was shoved into the wall – again – by Starlight, who was trying to kick Tempest out of her personal space, who was shoving Sunset’s mane out of her face, who – well, you get the idea. Suffice to say, Trixie’s wagon wasn’t meant to accommodate for five full grown mares – it was barely big enough to fit two ponies comfortably. That’s not even taking into account of Trixie’s personal possessions: the light-blue hammock strung up on the ceiling, the star-spangled truck filled with dozens of the same hat and cape, the giant cauldron that took up the entire backside, and the various boxes of potion bottles and magician paraphernalia stacked in the corners. Sunset ended up having to sit inside the cauldron and Moon Dancer was aloft in Trixie’s hammock just to make room for everypony. “This is the most uncomfortable ride I’ve ever been on,” Tempest grumbled. “And I’ve been on the Manehatten subway.” She flinched as the wagon hit another bumped and the stack of boxes teetered dangerously over her head. “Can’t we just throw this stuff out the window or something. It’s way too cramped in here – “ “You will not lay a hoof on the Great and Powerful Trixie’s personal property!” Trixie yelled from outside. “Whelp, there you have it,” said Sunset, trying to make herself comfortable in the cauldron. “C’mon, let’s just open the door and toss some of the junk out,” Tempest suggested. “She won’t even know it’s gone.” “These are Trixie’s things; we can’t just throw them away without her permission,” said Starlight, though she seemed unconvincing being wedged between the box tower and the clothing trunk. “How would you feel if we suddenly decided to throw away some of your stuff?” “When I actually have stuff to throw away, I’ll let you know,” Tempest retorted. “Okay, okay, let’s cool down, everypony,” Twilight intervened, holding her hooves between them. “We’re all a little uncomfortable and cranky, but it’s nothing to get upset over. Just take a deep breath and remember we’re all friends here – “ “Friends? With you?” Moon Dancer scoffed, rolling her eyes rudely. Twilight looked taken aback by the verbal jab that she forgot what she was going to say next. Thankfully, Sunset decided stepped in. “Twilight’s right,” she said in a calm voice. “Everypony just take a deep breath…,” She demonstratef by breathing through her nose and exhaling through her mouth. “See? Easy. Now, I know we’re all probably frustrated and some of us don’t want to be here – “ “Namely me,” said Tempest. “But we have to think about the bigger picture,” Sunset continued uninterrupted. She used her horn to bring up ‘The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide’ and flipped the pages. “From what we've learned, the Elements of Harmony are in Princess Luna’s old castle in the Everfree Forest, and thanks to Trixie, we know the forest is on the outskirts of Ponyville.” “I’ve tried looking up anything I could find on the Everfree Forest,” Twilight added, levitating another book, “but any information about it is almost nonexistent. All I could find were a few references in some old research journals.” “Wow, the smartest pony in class doesn’t have all the answers?” Moon Dancer said sarcastically. Twilight looked up at her, frowning. “The world really is ending, isn’t it?” Starlight glared at the bespectacled pony out of the corner of her eye before facing Twilight and asking, “Is there anything that can tell us how to get to the Elements of Harmony?” “From what little I can gather, the Everfree Forest is the oldest and most uncharted territory in all of Equestria,” Twilight hummed, leafing through the book. “It dates back to the period before Princess Luna’s rule; before the foundation of Equestria even. Many explorers have entered the Everfree Forest hoping to learn its secrets, but very few ever come back. And the ones that do are too afraid to tell. Only the regal princesses ever dared to enter the Everfree Forest without fear, for their magic was strong enough to repel what lurks in the darkness. The sister built their castle inside the Everfree Forest because it was a natural defense against their enemies during a period of constant war, but it fell out of use after Princess Luna banished Daybreaker to the sun and relocated to Canterlot instead.” “Another thing my teacher neglected to mention,” Sunset grumbled. “So we’re pretty much walking in blind,” Tempest grimaced. “A little,” Twilight grinned sheepishly. “But trust me, everypony, as long as we work together, we’ll be just fine – “ “Like you would know anything about working together,” Moon Dancer sneered. An uncomfortable moment of silence passed through the wagon, broken only by the jingling of Trixie’s possessions. Starlight coughed into her hoof nervously and asked, “Uh…is there something going on between you two? I thought you were friends.” “We are – “Twilight started until she was cut off by a mocking laugh by Moon Dancer. “Friend?!” She spat. “Twilight Sparkle doesn’t have friends! She just uses ponies for whatever she wants and forgets about them when she doesn’t need them anymore. Trust me, I would know.” “Oookay, that seems a little harsh,” said Sunset uncomfortably. “I mean, Twilight and I are friends now and I don’t – “ “Oh, wow, congratulations, you must feel soooo special,” Moon Dancer mocked. “Looks like Twilight Sparkle has moved on from the common rabble and is now cozying up with the Canterlot elite. I hope you two are very happy together – at least until Twilight ditches you for someone better.” “Okay, what’s up with you?” Starlight asked Moon Dancer. “I think I know,” said Twilight, her ears falling shamefully. “Moon Dancer, if this is about the party I missed – “ “This goes way beyond one party, Twilight Sparkle!” Moon Dancer roared, the other mares reeling back. “This is about you being a horrible, horrible friend!” “Uh…maybe we should go,” Sunset whispered to Tempest. “Go where?” Tempest replied, gesturing to the wagon. “Moon Dancer, I’m sorry – “ Twilight started. “Oh, you’re sorry?” Moon Dancer growled. “I guess that magically fixes everything, huh? You know, I’m sorry, too! Sorry I was dumb enough to believe that you were ever my friend!” “But – “ “I’ve always tried to be a good friend to you ever since we were foals, Twilight!” Moon Dancer continued. “I’ve always done what you asked, always offered to help you, study with you, shared my book with you, and I never asked for anything in return! Because that’s what friend’s do!” “I – “ “But the first time I ask for something,” Moon Dancer’s voice steadily rose with anger, “the first time I ever put myself out there, you didn't even bother to show up! And sure, I understand you had to warn Princess Luna about Daybreaker, but there was no reason you couldn’t have come after, or even stopped to explain why! And the worst part is that you lied about it later! I thought we were supposed to be friends, but I guess I was the only one who thought that!” “You weren’t – “ “Do you know how that made me feel?!” Moon Dancer bellowed; the other mares slapped their hooves over their ears. “I was humiliated! I felt like I wasn't important! You made me feel like I had value! That you actually cared and wanted to be with me as much as I wanted to be with you! And YOU – DIDN’T – SHOW – UP!” To punctuate her statement, Moon Dancer levitated a box of Trixie’s possessions and threw it at Twilight with all her might. Twilight would have been plowed if Sunset hadn’t pulled the lavender mare with her own horn. The box smashed against the wagon’s wall and sent a bundle of trick wands flying everywhere, sprouting color bouquets. But Twilight’s mind was somewhere else at the moment. She stared at Moon Dancer, openmouthed, as the cream-colored mare sniffled and moved her glasses to wipe the tears streaking down her face. Guilt settled into Twilight’s stomach. She hadn’t realized how terribly she had been treating Moon Dancer, even if it was unintentional. It seemed like she had been holding those feelings in for a long time and missing the party was the final straw. Twilight didn’t even think about the implications of Moon Dancer wanting to be with her and found herself wondering how she could make it up to her friend. But before Twilight could articulate a response, the wagon door flew open and Trixie pounced inside. Her eyes instantly fell on the trick wands with a startled gasp and quickly collected them with her horn. “What did Trixie say about touching Trixie’s personal property!” Trixie berated the mares. The wagon rattled as a stunned, almost terrified, silence passed between the Mane 6. “Uh…Trixie,” Starlight said quietly. “…Who’s driving the wagon?” “Trixie is, of course,” Trixie answered proudly. It took a few seconds before her own words register in her brain. “Oooh, okay, yeah, Trixie sees the problem now.” The Mane 6 instantly flew to the windows, sticking their heads out and looking ahead of the mountain road. They all let out terrified screams as they careened towards a sharp turn in the pass. Even though five of them could use magic and easily stop the wagon, none of them had the sense to do so. Together, they flew off the road into the air. What happened afterwards was borderline insane and unrealistic. After they flew off the road, the wagon bounced off the peaks of three smaller mountains and landed securely on another slope, which sent them rolling in the opposite direction. At the end of the slope was a ramp that sent them flying into a large tree growing out of the side of the mountain, which slingshot them backwards. They miraculously flew into a cave entrance and, after rolling through a lengthy dark tunnel for several second, were somehow spit out another cave twenty feet below the first. They glided through the air with the help of several dozen bats they picked up in the cave until the winged rodents decided to drop them. Luckily, they fell into an apple orchard and rolled across the tops of the apple trees until sliding down one of the thick branches to ground level. They bowled out of the orchard and into a stereotypical farmstead where they smashed their way through the barn, frightening the livestock out. The wagon shot out of the farmland and strolled along the dirt road for half a mile before slowly coming to a gentle stop. The Mane 6 were in various states of panic; Twilight was practically choking Sunset to death and Starlight’s face was stuck in a silent scream. They were all covered in an assortment of leaves, hay, mud, and bat droppings while Trixie’s possesses were strewn about the wagon. Trixie was the first to recover, shaking her head clear and looking around. And wouldn’t you know it, not even ten feet away was a large painted sign that said: “WELCOME TO PONYVILLE” “Hah! The Great and Powerful Trixie got us safely to Ponyville, just like Trixie planned!” Trixie boasted proudly. Tempest glared and bucked the stagemare sideways. “…The Great and Powerful Trixie is okay….” “I – hate – this – wagon,” Moon Dancer breathed. “It’s been nothing but trouble.” “Well, it did save us from being caught Daybreaker’s barrier the first time,” said Twilight, kindly helping Trixie to her hooves. “And it did get us to Ponyville, albeit in an unconventional way.” “That’s right!” Trixie shouted, pointing a hoof. “Show the Great and Powerful Trixie’s Great and Powerful wagon the respect it deserves!” “Whatever,” Moon Dancer grumbled, rolling her eyes. “At least we made it to Ponyville in one piece,” Sunset offered optimistically, helping Starlight relax her face. “We should look around and see if we can find anypony that can point us in the direction of the Everfree Forest.” “Then let’s not waste any time,” said Twilight, pacing to the door. “We’ll start by combing the – BLARGH!” The other mares jumped as Twilight opened the door, only to immediately fall into a boneless lump on the stairs. Sunset and Starlight moved forward to assist, but the second they stepped out, they collapsed as well. Trixie and Moon Dancer looked at each other, then Tempest, then gestured the broken unicorn to go ahead. Tempest rolled her eyes, but slowly – cautiously – marched up to the door. It took all her strength not to fall over when she stepped down the stairs. If Canterlot had been a scorcher, then Ponyville was a raging inferno. It felt like they had walked into an over set at two thousand degrees and rising. They could actually see the heat waving through the air. Tempest was practically melting underneath her black cloak, but she refused to take it off for her own personal reasons. As opposed to Trixie, who quickly stowed the wizard’s hat and cape into her saddle bag. Tempest helped Twilight to her hooves while Trixie and Moon Dancer aided Starlight and Sunset respectively. “Sweet Luna, it’s so hooooot!” Twilight cried. “The Great and Powerful Trixie thinks her tongue has gone dry,” Trixie wheezed. “Daybreaker’s curse is getting stronger,” Sunset grimaced, shielding her eyes with her hoof. “At this rate, Equestria will be burned to the ground by the end of the day.” “Hey, girls…where is everypony?” Moon Dancer asked, worried. The Mane 6 looked around. Though the village was small and quaint compared to Canterlot, it was just as empty as the capital city. Banners and streamers had been strung up in celebration of the Summer Solstice Festival. Stalls lined the street with fruits and vegetables that had wilted into pruney black masses and stale desserts. Twilight walked a few paces before her hoof bumped into something on the ground. It was a Princess Luna doll for foals, though it was covered in dirt, indicating that it had been dropped in a hurry. Twilight picked up the doll, frowning. “What happened here?” she asked, concerned. “With the way the temperature is, they probably took shelter in their homes,” Sunset suggested hopefully. “I don’t think so,” Starlight rejected, peering into a nearby window. “All the houses are empty. Doesn’t look like anything was taken, so they didn’t leave.” “Then what the hay happened?” Tempest questioned. Moon Dancer was walking the street, staring at the empty houses, when she heard a small noise coming from around the bend and paused. The bespectacled unicorn approached the corner carefully and poked her head around. It was a sight to see a little filly with a big pink bow in her bright-red mane trying to haul a water jug twice her size. But the filly was nothing if not determined, grinding her hooves into the dirt pulling the rope around her little body inch by inch, sweat pouring like raindrops down her body. The filly grinded her teeth, chanting, “C’mon, c’mon, you’ve got this,” under her breath. “Hey, girls, over here!” Moon Dancer called back before approaching the little filly. “Excuse me – “ “TARNATION!” The filly squeaked, literally jumping a foot off the ground. She spun around to Moon Dancer, holding a hoof to her heaving chest. “Y’all plum scared the apples outta meh!” “Er…sorry,” Moon Dancer apologized sheepishly. “Hey…ah ain’t seen y’all ‘round these ‘ere parts ‘afore,” the filly hummed thoughtfully as the other unicorns joined them. “Where’d y’all come from?” “We’re from Canterlot,” answered Sunset. “No foolin’!” the filly shouted excitedly with starry eyes. “Wow! Ah ain’t never met anypony from Canterlot ‘afore! What y’all doin’ in Ponyville? Oh, pardon meh. Mah big sis always says ah always jump the horseshoe faster than a jackrabbit with its tail on fire. Ah’m Apple Bloom. What’s yer name?” “I’m Moon Dancer,” Moon Dancer introduced them. “This is Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie, Tempest Shadow, and…,” She paused for a moment, spitting the next words out like a bad taste. “Twilight Sparkle….” Twilight’s ears flattened sadly. “What’re you doing lugging this big thing around,” asked Starlight, gesturing a hoof to the water jug. “That seems like a lot of water for one filly.” “T'hat ain’t fer meh,” Apple Bloom shook her head. “That’s fer all the sick ponies at town hall.” “Sick ponies?” Twilight parroted with a worried tone. “Yeah,” Apple Bloom nodded. “Ever since the sun came up, it’s been hotter than Scootaloo’s five-alarm jalapeno cupcakes. Ponies started gettin’ sick everywhere, so everypony’s been moved to town hall. Ah was out fetchin’ some water from the well when y’all showed up.” “Do you think you could show us where town hall is?” asked Tempest. “It’d be mah pleasure,” said Apple Bloom, who started tugging at the ropes again. “Just…need…tuh...get…this – “ “Here, let me get that,” Moon Dancer offered, who then levitated the huge jug with her horn. Apple Bloom looked at the bespectacled unicorn in awe. “Wowwie, that ahmazin’!” Apple Bloom cheered, clapping her hooves. “It’s…it’s nothing, really,” Moon Dancer stammered embarrassingly. “Just a levitation spell. Any unicorn can do it.” “Well, ah still think it’s mighty impressive,” Apple Bloom complimented, before turning. “Town hall’s this way, y’all.” Apple Bloom led the unicorn mares through the village, though her stance was a little wobbly with the sweat rolling down her flank profusely. But despite clear exhaustion, Apple Bloom found enough energy to barrage Moon Dancer with an endless assault of questions. About Canterlot, about magic, about anything that made the filly curious. To her credit, Moon Dancer was patient with Apple Bloom, answering to the best of her ability. She felt something flare in her chest when the filly looked up to her like she had hanged the stars. It was nice to feel appreciated, thought Moon Dancer; to have someone make her feel valued…. Apple Bloom brought them to the center Ponyville to the tallest building in the entire village. That had to be town hall. “C’mon in, y’all,” Apple Bloom welcomed them as she climbed the stairs. “Everypony’s in ‘ere,” Apple Bloom shoved the door open with her hoof, and when the Mane 6 saw the inside, they paused at the threshold in shock. Over a hundred ponies were crammed inside the building and more than half of them were lying in cots laid out in rows, gasping, wheezing, and sweating uncontrollably. Some of them had buckets next to their heads from which a foul odder wafted from. Earth ponies were trotting between the rows wiping down the sweating ponies, unicorns were carrying water jugs and ice bags with their horns, and the pegesi were flapping their wings trying to get a breeze in the room. Moon Dancer took a few paces inside and took a step back when a neighboring Pegasus heaved into his bucket. “This is horrible,” she gasped. “What happened to everypony?” “Apple Bloom, there you are!” An aged mare cantered up to them, looking over the bow-wearing filly urgently. “Where have you been, foal?! We were out of our minds with worry when we noticed you were gone!” “Ah was gettin’ more water fer everypony, Miss Mayor,” Apple Bloom stated proudly. “That’s very sweet of you, dear, but you shouldn’t go running off without telling anypony,” the mayor chastised her. “What if you had collapsed and nopony found you?” “Ah just wanted tuh help,” Apple Bloom mumbled, kicking her hoof sadly. “That’s all well and good, but leave this to the adults,” said the mayor sternly. “Now, go help your brother; we need all the hooves we can get. Nurse Redheart, we have more water!” As Apple Bloom padded away and an earth pony in a nurse’s cap came to take the jug from Moon Dancer, the mayor turned her attention to the Mane 6. “So sorry about that. Foals can be quite a hoofful sometimes,” “Tell me about it,” said Starlight. “I don’t believe I’ve seen you ladies in Ponyville before,” said the mayor curiously. "I’m Mayor Mare, officiate for Ponyville.” “I’m Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight introduced. “And this is Moon Dancer, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie, Sunset Shimmer, and Tempest Shadow. We just came from Canterlot.” “Did you say Canterlot?” Mayor Mare perked up. “Did Princess Luna send you? Does she know what’s been happening?” “Er…kinda,” Sunset answered with a nervous grin. “What uh…what exactly is happening around here?” “It’s just terrible,” said Mayor Mare, shaking her head. “We were celebrating the Summer Solstice Festival like we do every year where we waited to watch the sunrise in the town square. Everything seemed normal for a while, but then it started getting hotter and hotter that everypony had to stay indoors. Then ponies started collapsing, getting nausea and terrible headaches. Nurse Redheart says it’s from heat exhaustion. We’ve tried to cool everypony down, but it just kept getting worse. Before we knew it, half of Ponyville had gotten sick.” “The Wrath of the Sun,” Tempest whispered to the mares. “Please tell me Princess Luna is doing something about the sun?” Mayor Mare pleaded. “I don’t know how much longer everypony can hold out?” “Princess Luna is er…preoccupied at the moment,” Sunset answered anxiously; Mayor Mare’s face fell. “B-B-But don’t worry! She sent us to take care of it!” “We may have a way of helping everypony, but we need to find something first,” said Twilight seriously. “They’re called the Elements of Harmony. We heard they were in the castle of the two sisters inside the Everfree Forest.” “The Everfree Forest?” Mayor Mare gasped. “You can’t seriously be thinking of going in there. There are wild beasts and strange magics that lurk in the Everfree Forest. Nopony who’s ever gone in their has ever come back the same – if they ever came back at all.” “Well, we don’t exactly have a choice,” Trixie stated. “If we don’t find the Elements of Harmony, we’re all going to turn into ash. And the Great and Powerful Trixie just had her mane done the way she likes it.” “Well…if it’s the only thing that can help,” Mayor Mare muttered uncertainly. “The entrance to the Everfree Forest is south of Ponyville. I wish I could do more to help, but I already have my hooves full trying to help the citizens of Ponyville. And besides that, nopony knows their way through the Everfree Forest safely. If you’re serious about going, please be careful. You never know what is hiding inside those trees.” “Thank you for your help,” said Twilight, bowing her head gratefully. The mayor trotted away to help some other pony and the Lavender mare turned to her group. “Well, that was easier than expected. We know where to go from here.” “The Everfree Forest is on the south side of Ponyville,” said Sunset. “Now we just have to get to Princess Luna’s old castle, find the Elements of Harmony, and defeat Daybreaker.” “Oh, is that all?” said Starlight sarcastically. “Hold on, everypony,” Moon Dancer suddenly called out as they made their way to the door. The others turned their heads around, noticing the anxious expression the bespectacled mare was wearing. “We’re just…gonna leave them like this? These ponies, I mean. Shouldn’t we stay and help them a little?” “And what do you want us to do?” Tempest questioned. “I – I don’t know,” Moon Dancer stammered. “But we can’t just ignore them. They’re suffering.” “Moon Dancer, I want to help them, too,” said Twilight earnestly, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “But the best thing we can do for them now is stop Dyabreaker. The sooner we get the Elements of Harmony, the quicker Princess Luna can raise the moon and cool everypony down.” “I…guess…,” Moon Dancer mumbled, hanging her head sadly. “That’s considering if we can even get through the Everfree Forest,” said Starlight. “You heard the mayor: nopony knows their way through the forest safely.” “Ah can get ya through the forest!” Tempest and Trixie yelped and jumped as Apple Bloom suddenly popped in between them. “Apple Bloom, what’re you doing here?” said Twilight. “Ah know ah wasn’t supposed tuh,” said Apple Bloom meekly, “but ah was listenin’ tuh y’all’s conversation and ah heard y’all need to get through the Everfree Forest. I can help y’all in there. Or I can at least take ya tuh Zecora.” “You know Zecora?” Trixie asked interestingly. “We’re friends!” said Apple Bloom cheerfully. “She lets meh help with ‘er potions and stuff all the time! Zecora knows the Everfree Forest like the back of her hoof! If y’all wanna get to that castle place, she’s the pony – er, zebra ya need!” “What do you think, Twilight?” Sunset asked the lavender mare. “Hmm, I don’t like the idea of dragging a foal into this,” Twilight hummed, rubbing her chin. “But if it means we can get to the Elements of Harmony faster, I think we should take it. All right, Apple Bloom, we’ll take you up on your offer.” “Aw, heck yeah!” Apple Bloom cheered and spun around. “Follow me, y’all. I’ll get ya there faster than a…faster than a…a…” The foal paused, swaying unsteadily on her hooves. “Oooh, mah head feels funny….” Apple Bloom started to fall sideways until Moon Dancer’s horn flared with magic, crying out the filly’s name. She caught Apple Bloom before she hit the ground, levitating the little one into her hooves. The poor thing was breathing heavy and her face was turning an unhealthy shade of red, drenched in sweat. Mayor Mare rushed over when she heard Moon Dancer’s cry and gasped. “Oh no, get her on a cot, quick!” Mayor Mare urged frantically. Moon Dancer levitated the filly across the room as Nurse Redheart dragged another cot in the row, setting her down gently. “Oh dear, I knew it was only a matter of time before she fell victim, too. She’s been working harder than anypony to help out.” “Is there anything you can do to help?” Moon Dancer asked worriedly, brushing the filly’s mane back. “We’re doing all we can,” said Nurse Redheart gravely. “But unless you somehow have the power to lower the sun, I don’t think there’s anything that can be done. At this rate, everypony will…” The nurse trailed off, unable to finish her sentence, and walked away with her head hanging low. Mayor Mare offered Moon Dancer a sympathetic look before moving down the line to the next sick pony. Moon Dancer watched the panting filly with a violent twisting sensation in her chest. It was so painful to see. Apple Bloom, full of energy and excitement only moments ago, looked like she was ready to heave her lungs out. She was just a filly, Moon Dancer thought. An innocent. She didn’t do anything wrong. She didn’t deserve to suffer like this…. She felt a hoof on her shoulder and turned around. Twilight looked just as miserable as Moon Dancer felt right now. “I’m sorry, Moon Dancer, but there’s nothing we can do for her,” said Twilight remorsefully. “The best thing we can do is find the Elements of Harmony quickly and get them to Princess Luna before it’s too late.” Twilight hanged her head in defeat as she walked back to their friends by the door. Moon Dancer stood up and was about to follow when she made the mistake of looking at Apple Bloom’s pitiable face again, the filly holding her chest as she tried to gasp for air. “….No,” Moon Dancer said aloud. The unicorns paused at the threshold, looking back at her oddly. “No?” Trixie repeated. “I’m not going anywhere,” said Moon Dancer defiantly, stomping her hoof in emphasis. “We can’t just leave knowing how miserable these ponies are. We have to help them.” “And we are,” said Tempest. “By getting the Elements of Harmony.” “But what if we don’t find the Elements?!” Moon Dancer yelled. “What if we go to the castle and there’s nothing there?! Or what if we do find them and it’s too late?! These ponies – everypony – Apple Bloom – we can’t just do nothing!” “I understand where you’re coming from,” said Starlight sympathetically. “But unless you know an instant freezing spell, we don’t have a whole lot of options.” “Maybe not a freezing spell…,” Moon Dancer mumbled thoughtfully. “But what about a Midnight Shroud?” “A what now?” Trixie asked, confused. “A Midnight Shroud! I read about that spell!” Twilight gasped excitedly. “It’s a type of barrier that can simulate the effects of the midnight sky. Not only can it protect the user, but it also gives off a chilly atmosphere – one that could definitely counteract the heat from the sun.” “And why haven’t we heard about this until now?” Tempest asked grumpily. “Because the Midnight Shroud is Moon Magic,” Sunset explained. “Practitioners of Moon Magic are as rare as Sun Magic users like myself. As far as I know, the only pony who can use Moon Magic is Princess Luna – “ “Actually…I can use Moon Magic,” said Moon Dancer shyly. The mare snapped their heads around so fast, nearly giving themselves whiplash, eyes bugging out. “That’s actually why my Cutie Mark is a crescent moon…because I know how to use Moon Magic – “ “Are – you – serious?!” Twilight squealed. She clapped Moon Dancer’s hooves into her own, smiling almost manically; Moon Dancer flushed. “I can’t believe it! You know Moon Magic! That’s amazing, Moon Dancer! How’d you find out?! How many spells do you know?! Can you actually move the moon – “ “Aaaand that’s enough out of you,” said Starlight blandly, using her magic to pry Twilight away. “So you think you could cast a Midnight Shroud to cover Ponyville?” “No, I can’t do anything that big,” Moon Dancer admitted. “But I might be able to make one big enough to cover the town hall.” “If it can help these ponies, even a little bit, then I think it’s worth a try,” said Twilight firmly. “Go ahead, Moon Dancer.” The cream-coated mare took a deep breath through her nose, exhaling through her mouth, and marched out the door to the front steps. She glared up at the sun as if issuing a challenge, then closed her eyes and focused everything into her horn. Moon Dancer could feel the magic coursing through her body like electricity, surging from her hooves to her flank through her chest and sliding all the way to her forehead. The mare gritted her teeth as she felt the energy build. This was more magic than she had ever used at one time; it felt like her horn was going to snap any second. But Moon Dancer held on, pushed it down and contained it, and once she recited the exact incantation in her mind, she let it explode outward in a thundering shockwave that knocked everypony off their hooves. Moon Dancer dropped on her front, her energy depleted and her eyes still closed. A moment of silence passed…then she felt a shiver running down her spine. She could feel a touch of cold on her coat. Somepony was tapping her back furiously, and then she heard Twilight’s voice shouting, “Moon Dancer, Moon Dancer, wake up! Look!” The mare groaned, opening her eyes slowly while readjusting her glasses. She blinked the dizziness out of her eyes, then let out a sharp gasp. A wall of starry midnight surrounded the town hall, the temperature dropping so far, the Mane 6 could see their breaths coming out in white puffs. Twilight and Sunset helped Moon Dancer to her hooves while the others congratulated her and patted her on the back. Moon Dancer was frozen in disbelief. She did it! She actually pulled it off! Mayor Mare and Nurse Redheart came galloping out the building a moment later with wild looks in their eyes and white mist on their breaths. The mayor in particular looked like she was about to have a heart attack when she saw the barrier. “What – who – how – when – “Mayor Mare sputtered. “What happened? What is all this?” “It’s a Midnight Shroud,” said Sunset, nudging Moon Dancer proudly. “Moon Dancer made it.” “A midnight what?” Mayor Mare questioned. “It’s a barrier that will protect everypony from the heat,” Moon Dancer explained. “As long as you stay inside, you’ll be able to keep cool until we solve the issue with the sun.” “I’m not going to pretend that I understand what's going on,” said Nurse Redheart, “but this will help tremendously. With some medicine and fluids, everypony will be back on their hooves in no time.” “How can we ever thank you for this?” said Mayor Mare. “Just make sure everypony is taken care of,” said Moon Dancer, smiling. “Especially Apple Bloom. She’s a good filly.” “That she is,” Mayor Mare nodded. “When this mess is all cleared up, please feel free to come back anytime. I’m sure there will be a lot of ponies who will want to thank you.” Tipping their heads to the Mane 6, Mayor Mare and Nurse Redheart trotted back inside the town hall, which, judging by the lively sound of activity, was doing much better now. “Whelp, that was a fun little detour,” said Trixie casually. “Now let’s get going to the Everfree Forest.” “We still don’t have a guide,” Tempest pointed out. “We’d have no idea where we’re going.” “How’s that any different from everything else we’ve done today,” Starlight retorted jokingly. Tempest opened her mouth like she had something to say, but shook her head and waved the thought away. Sunset, Starlight, Trixie, and Tempest stepped through the barrier back outside, but Twilight paused at edge, which made Moon Dancer stop as well. The lavender mare turned to her old schoolmate, ears flattened and eyes lowered to the ground filled with regret. Moon Dancer waited patiently, saying nothing until Twilight raised her head and looked her in the eyes. “Moon Dancer…,” Twilight said soberly. “I know saying sorry won’t be enough to make up for the way I treated you. You were right; I was a terrible friend. Even if I didn’t mean to, that’s no excuse for the way I hurt you.” “…You didn’t really hurt me…,” Moon Dancer mumbled. “But I did!” Twilight insisted. “It’s not enough that I wasn’t trying to hurt you, but I should’ve more considerate. I’m sorry, Moon Dancer. For everything. I promise, from now on, I’ll try to be a better friend. To you, and Minuette, and Lemon Heart, and Twinkleshine, and Lyra. And to Sunset, Starlight, Trixie, and Tempest, of course.” “You remembered all their names,” said Moon Dancer softly. “I’m learning to be a better friend,” said Twilight, smiling as she held out her hoof. “Ready to go?” “…I’m ready,” Moon Dancer smiled, putting her hoof in Twilight’s “And Twilight…thanks. I appreciate it.” “That’s what friends are for,” said Twilight happily. And they walked out of the barrier together.