Dawn of the first day:
72 hours remaining
After pushing open the clock tower doors, Hero finds himself in the middle of a busy town square. He notices a launch pod nearby, which the changelings use for flying and resting. Suddenly, Hero hears buzzing and flapping sounds, and a voice calls out, "Hang on a moment!"
A changeling with multi-colored skin carrying two large bags of personal belongings flies over to the pod and enters it. He rises from it to speak to Hero and puts on his business cap. "This is my personal property; don't try using it when I'm not around."
"Hello there, I am a humble merchant. I was able to get this spot for a great price. However, I may be willing to sell it for a small favor. The carnival is coming soon, and I want to buy a Moon's Tear gem for my beloved wife." As he searches through his bags, he adds this information.
"They are highly valued in Termina. If you can get one for me, I would be extremely grateful and I'll even give you this pod for free," he giggles, probably aware that Hero has no other option but to help him if he ever wants that pod. "If only you were quicker to reach this spot, eh? As they say, the early grub gets the pod in our kingdom."
As Hero walks away from the business changeling, they notice a massive tower being constructed at the center of the area. Other ponies can be seen directing the construction and giving orders amidst the sound of hammering, sawing, and pounding.
Hero looks up at the top of the tower and sees a pink pony chatting away, annoying the working ponies. "Hey, you! Get off of there! This area is private property, kid. Scram!" the pony yells as she hops down and approaches Hero. Unfortunately, she doesn't recognize him.
"Man, some ponies can be so rude, huh? Private property, my left hoof. So it's nice to meet you. My name's Pinkie Pie," she says, introducing herself. Hero tries to explain who he is, but Pinkie doesn't believe him. "Hmm. You're saying that you're Hero, our friend?" Pinkie doubles over in a fit of giggles, "You're such a kidder. Don't be silly. This world here is already bizarre enough. But I am always happy to make a new friend."
Hero shakes his head in mild chagrin before shrugging, knowing there is no way to prove his identity without the help of the sales pony.
"So, where are you heading off to, huh? This place is so weird but crazy and cool. Everyone here is a big ol' grumpelpuss though! Hey, did you know that there's a shrine here somewhere? I had no idea until someone told me. I wonder where my friends are." Pinkie's head lowers slightly in sadness, but quickly pops back up, "Well, as the resident party pony, I'm not supposed to be sad. Can you help me find my friends?" Hero nods their head, immediately agreeing.
Pinkie excitedly exclaims, "Yippee! Thank you, new best friend!" She then proceeds to give Hero a hug, not realizing that he is struggling to breathe. "Oh dear, I'm sorry about that. Let's ask around town to figure out where we are." Hero nods in agreement, and they set off to explore the different streets and buildings in the area. They come across a treasure house filled with fun and fair games, an Inn, a milk bar for adults only, and the mayor's office. They decide to begin their search for information at the mayor's office, thinking that he might have some valuable insights to share.
As they both approach the mayor's door, they see a counter with a secretary and two doors on either side of her. "Hi, welcome to the mayor's office. He's currently in an important meeting with the guards and our construction workers. However, there are no restrictions on who can enter. His room is on your left, and the mayor's wife is to your right."
On the left, there are workers, and on the right, there are guards. The mayor is at the center as the captain speaks first. Their presence causes a heated argument to break out. "Most of the residents have already taken shelter without waiting for the mayor's orders," the captain says, furrowing his brow as he glares at the foreman leading the construction unit. "The only ones remaining are public servants and committee members. Mr. Mayor and Carnival Committee Members, please order those who remain to evacuate!"
"Ahh... hmm... well..." The mayor nervously rubs his forehead with his left forehoof, having trouble taking sides in the argument.
"I can't believe you're all such cowards!" the foreman shouts. "Do you seriously believe that the moon will fall? This is just a ridiculous, groundless theory that confused the townsfolk and caused a panic." He clears his throat and continues, "The soldiers couldn't prevent the panic, but the real danger is outside the walls! If you want answers, here's the truth: our mayor should not cancel the carnival!" He gestures towards the mayor sitting at his desk. "Isn't that right, Mr. Mayor?"
"Ahh... hmm... well..." The mayor is still deeply contemplating during the argument.
"Are you kidding me, Mutoh?! Haven't you noticed the huge rock looming above us? Every year at this time, tourists swarm into our town! So why is it empty now?" The captain takes a deep breath and tries to remain calm. "It's your responsibility to ensure that the carnival runs smoothly, but that's only if the ponies and other creatures are here to attend it. Don't involve the merchants and soldiers in this mess!"
"Mmm... Hmm..." The mayor latently listened to both sides as he was still indecisive.
"If any of our soldiers wish to flee, let them run, Viscen! Our council members will stick to tradition! This carnival must be successful! I've never heard of a defense unit abandoning its own town! Madam Aroma would surely agree, wouldn't she, Mayor Dotour?"
"Let's not bring my wife into this," said the mayor dejectedly. Pinkie and Hero eavesdropped curiously. Pinkie got bored and left, with Hero following her.
Pinkie made a disgusted face and exclaimed, "Eww, yucky. I hate politics." She suggested to Hero, "Let's explore the area and ask around if anyone knows where we are." The two searched through the entire first district until they came across a group of young colts dressed in uniform. Pinkie approached them and asked politely, "Excuse me, do you know where we are?"
"This place is called Clock Town. But if you two want to be a Sprout, you can forget it. No Girls or other strange creatures allowed!" They all said collectively as Hero strangely felt personally attacked.
"No, silly. We don't want to be Sprouts. We just wanted to ask for directions. That's all." Pinkie giggled happily as the group of five colts all sighed in relief.
"You are currently in West Clock Town. There are different shops and locations to explore in other areas. North Clock Town has a shrine where ponies go for prayer. East Clock Town is known as the market district, and South Clock Town has the famous Clock Tower."
"Thanks, buddy. Come on, new best friend. We need to get going." Pinkie and Hero proceeded toward North Clock Town to reach the location closer to the shrine. On the opposite side of the entrance, they found the entrance to the shrine. They made their way to the gate and went inside.
"They saw that it was a significant ceremonial fountain and altar for worship. "Wow, this place looks spooky but cool. Hey buddy, what do you want to pray for?" Pinkie and Hero gazed into the rippling water, which created an image in its waves.".
"Hey, look! Neato. It looks like some instrument." Hero then looked intently at the water as it showed him where it was: inside a closed chest in a room with many flashy and pretty colors. "That looks like a room with games going on. I want to play!" Pinkie was hopping in excitement.
Hero and their companion left the shrine and headed towards West Clock Town, where they saw several houses decorated for the festivities. Among them, a massive treasure chest-shaped house caught their attention. However, they found out that the place was closed and would only open at six o'clock in the evening, which was disappointing. Hero's companion seemed unfazed by this news, but Hero's face expressed disappointment.
"Oh, ponyfeathers! No fun for Pinkie," she pouted momentarily before cheering herself up. "No fun yet. But there will be later." Pinkie then decided to continue exploring for the rest of their day there. Hero and Pinkie saw the Sprouts heading off to West Clock Town and towards the mayor's residence. However, they suddenly made a sharp turn to the right, leading to a hidden tunnel that went underneath their town. "Oh boy, a secret?! I love secrets! Let's check this out, buddy."
Hero and Pinkie ventured into the dark tunnel beneath the town and were startled to find enormous spiders hanging from the ceiling. Pinkie froze in fear. "T-Those aren't the p-poisonous variety, are they? I-If only Fluttershy was here right now." Hero then noticed that his changeling wings were as sharp as steel and prepared to use them if necessary. "Ooohh... you're pretty nifty, huh? You can protect me, right?" To which Hero nodded in affirmation as they continued through the tunnel.
One of the giant spiders tried to lunge at Pinkie as she shrieked and covered her head with her hooves. Hero flew up to deliver a swift slice that cleaved clean through the giant arachnid as it flailed in pain before perishing. "Oh, dear. That was so scary. You're brave like our friend is, you know that?" Hero nodded as he helped her, "And sweet like he is, too." Hero blushed as Pinkie saw his tinted chitinous cheeks turn cherry. She giggled, "Aww... you're so sensitive, huh? Well then, I'll stick with you, buddy."
Pinkie and Hero made their way through the tunnels until they found the entrance to a secret place. "Another secret? Oh boy," exclaimed Pinkie as she hopped towards the tunnel, with Hero following closely behind. As they entered, they were amazed by the interior—a wondrous place filled with relics from all over the world. They ascended the stairs and reached the top, where they discovered that it was an observatory. They saw a gigantic telescope and an old stallion with a white beard, blue robes, and a blue hat.
"Ah, two new young ones grace me with their presence. You're not Sprouts. They would never let any girls or non-pony races join. So then, what brings you here?" the elderly stallion chuckled.
"We were checking this place out, and oh, this place is so amazing!"
"I am glad you think so. I have collected many artifacts from my youth and kept them here. Would you two like to gaze into my telescope?"
"Oh boy! Yes, we would!" Pinkie jumped up to the seat and looked through it to see the outskirts of Clock Town. "Wow... It's so big outside of the town we're in." She then looked to the top of the clock tower to see Luna's body with that horrible mask on her face and a gigantic moon with a haunting and angry face looming over her body, poised to strike the town from the tip of the tower first."
"Hey! It's Luna. There she is. We'll get you back with us; don't worry about it." Then, as if the entity knew that both Hero and Pinkie were watching it, it made Luna moon Pinkie with her rear before shaking it and spanking her butt to taunt her as she growled in irritation. "Hey! She just spanked her butt at me. That wasn't very nice." Then, the masked alicorn vanished from sight.
The elder gestures to the looming moon above, "You see that moon, do you not? Every year, the moon hung in its proper alignment, high atop the lofty clouds of Termina. But not this year. I had predicted the world's end but never knew when it was. This time, it feels like the end," Hero explains with a sense of urgency to the elder what he sought after. He knew that time was running out.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the elder nodded sagely and replied, "Hmm... I have predicted that we will only have three days before that moon comes crashing down to destroy all of Termina. You are seeking a spiritual instrument, yes? That would be an ocarina, a hollowed instrument known throughout history to manipulate magics and spirits alike. But why do you seek such a powerful tool?" Hero knew that he had to find the ocarina within three days before it was too late.
Hero further explains to the elder that he sought to regain something precious to him. "If that is why you seek it, that is fine. The Treasure House offered a special instrument as its prize for the winner. I would check there when it's open," the elder responded. Then Pinkie spoke out loud.
"Hey, Buddy, come look at this! The moon looks like it's crying. Aww, how sad." Pinkie and Hero both took a peek to see that a blue crystallized tear was soaring down from its right eye as it looked to be weeping from being forced to be used as a weapon. Once the tear hit the ground, it created a minor tremor from its impact that surprised both Hero and Pinkie as they fell off the seat and mounded to the telescope.
"That was a moon's tear! Those are extremely rare. You better go and get that before someone else does," the elder exclaimed.
"Yuppers! Thank you, mister. You're nice. Come on then, buddy. It should be evening right now," Hero said. Hero and Pinkie then left the observatory and returned to Clock Town.