//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: The Mare in The Moon (S1:E1) 
// Story: My Little Pony: Nine Elements Book 1 
// by BlueBioWolf 
//------------------------------//


My Little Pony: Nine Elements



Written by Brandon Nell and Rachel Ravens



Chapter 1: The Mare in the Moon



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 while 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 her 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 to ponydom: 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.





This was the story read by a young mare named Twilight Sparkle. She was a young unicorn with a light purple coat, a dark blue and moderate purple mane and tail that were bushy and sported a pink, skunk-like stripe in the middle. Her eyes were a slightly darker violet shade of the same purple color as her mane and tail and her cutie mark was a pink colored six pointed star. Surrounding said star was a series of five smaller stars all colored white. “Hmm... Elements of Harmony,” she pondered. Those three simple words began stirring up vague memories for her. “I know I've heard of those before... but, where?” Twilight was a very bookish mare who often read in her spare time. She’d read all manner of things from mythology to history, science to math, english to astrology, and even the odd breezie’s tale (the Equestria version of fairy tales) from time to time. As one can very well imagine, such a wealth of literacy subjects molded Twilight into a very intelligent young mare.

Her curiosity shifting into overdrive, Twilight decided to head to her room. Her hooves pounded the ground as her mind whirred.





"I know I've heard of the Elements of Harmony," she mused to herself. Suddenly, she saw a trio of unicorns. A white one with pink mane and tail, a yellow one with a blue mane and tail, and a blue one with a white and blue mane and tail. 

“There you are, Twilight. We’ve been looking for you,” said the white one. 

“You have?” Twilight asked in surprise. These three unicorns were among her classmates at school. 

“Yeah. Moon Dancer’s having a little get-together in the west castle courtyard. You want to come? You can bring Spike along.” At that last sentence, Twilight became hesitant and began looking for an excuse. A quick look at her saddlebag gave her a convenient one to use. 

“Oh, sorry, girls,” sighed Twilight. “I've a lot of studying to catch up on. I’ll need Spike to help me out there.” With an awkward smile, Twilight rushed past the three unicorns.

“Doesn't that pony do anything except studying?" asked the blue one.

“I think she’s more interested in books than friends, Minuette,” replied the yellow one.

“It’s been so long since we’ve seen Spike. I miss seeing him,” added the white one.





Meanwhile, Twilight ran into a larger unicorn stallion with a white coat and a blue mane and tail. This was Twilight’s older brother, Shining Armor. “Whoa, Twily! Where’s the fire?” he joked.

"Hi, BBBFF," Twilight hugged him tightly. Shining Armor returned the hug.

“Moon Dancer’s having a get-together in the west castle courtyard. You going?” the older stallion asked.

Twilight felt a bit upset. “I want to, but, I’m worried about bringing Spike with me,” she said. “What if someone judges me for having raised him? What if he gets judged himself? I just don’t know if he can take that kind of rejection.”

“Twily, you know that Moon Dancer wouldn’t invite ponies like that. And if she DOES, they’ll have to deal with me,” declared the older stallion.

Twilight chuckled. "Well, no one messes with the captain of the royal guard." she sighed "All the same, I still feel scared.”

“Twilight,” said Shining Armor sternly. “How long have you been raising Spike?”

“Uh, about 10 years or so,” Twilight calculated.

“And do you still love him like family after all this time?” Shining questioned.

"Of course I do," said Twilight. "I was tasked to do so by Princess Celestia. I admit, I did it out of obligation at first, but, after all this time, I’ve become attached to him.”

“Then, that’s what’s important, Twily,” Shining Armor asserted. “It doesn’t matter what others think. Don’t let them stop you from loving him like family.”

Twilight smiled at her brother’s advice. “Thank you, BBBFF. I’ll go see Spike,” she said. She trotted off and soon reached a huge tower where the door was all the way up beyond a winding staircase. This tower was the place the studious unicorn called home. 





Twilight flung open the door, sending some books flying. "Oh dear…"

"You were studying all night, again," sighed Spike, who turned out to be a small dragon that came up to roughly the same height as Twilight. Said dragon had a mulberry pinkish-purple coat, a light green colored underbelly, lime green ear fronds, green scales, and matching green eyes. At the moment, he was holding a box with red wrapping and gold ribbons.

Twilight noticed the present and grew curious.

"What is that?" she asked.

“A little something I plan on giving to Moon Dancer," Spike explained. “She’s having a get-together–”

“In the west castle courtyard, I know. I heard it twice on the way here,” the disgruntled Twilight interrupted. “You know we don’t have time for that kind of stuff.”

“But, we’re on a break!” pleaded the young dragon. “You promised Princess Celestia you’d take it easy until the Summer Sun Celebration. We never see Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts, Minuette, or Moon Dancer anymore.”

Twilight felt a twinge of heartache she couldn’t explain from Spike’s pleading. “Help me out with this and I’ll take you with me the next time we’re invited to a get-together. I promise.”

Spike sighed sadly. “That’s what you said last week,” he sadly complained under his breath. He then inquires aloud, “What can I help with this time?”

"I need to find a book on predictions and prophecies." Twilight looked through the various books piled on the floor while Spike climbed a ladder to a higher shelf.

"No, no, no, no no!" Twilight sighed as she levitated the books. "Any luck up there?"

Spike pulled out the very book she asked for. “Right here!” Suddenly, Spike lost his balance and the ladder tilted backwards. Twilight's magic quickly activated and caught Spike and the book. She gently levitated both down.

"Let's see. Elements… elements… e, e, e… aha! Elements of Harmony." She then read. "'See 'Mare in the Moon''?"

"Mare in the moon?" asked Spike in surprise. "But, that's an old breezie's tale." Spike knew firsthand that Twilight doesn’t usually look up something that had no official proof of ever having existed.

"Mare… mare… mare, ah ha!" She cried. "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 has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal." Twilight gasped aloud. “Spike, do you realize what this means?!”

“You’re reading too much into something that might not even be true?” the dragon quipped.

"No! It means that Nightmare Moon will return the day after tomorrow!" cried Twilight. "This year is the 1000th Summer Sun Celebration.”

Spike was beginning to lose patience. “You told me myths were stories that ponies made up to explain how things worked before science came around,” he said. “You literally just read the word ‘myth’ in the description!” While gesturing his arms to emphasize his point, Spike fell off the ladder he was using to put books away. Thinking quickly, Twilight positioned herself directly under Spike so he landed on her back.

“Just for future reference, I recommend NOT waving your arms around when you’re at the top of a high ladder again,” Twilight reprimanded. “I don’t want you getting hurt.”

Spike nodded. “Noted. But, I still think you’re reading too much into this.”

Twilight took a deep breath. “I heard about the Elements of Harmony in a story. That story mentioned a pony that raises the sun. And what does Princess Celestia do?”

"Raises the… sun…" Spike trailed off. "Okay. Maybe this old breezie's tale-slash-myth may have merit."

“And it’s a well-known fact that Princess Celestia is over 1,000 years old,” Twilight added. “The story I read mentioned that Nightmare Moon was the younger sister of the pony that raised the sun and was responsible for raising the moon beforehoof.”

Spike grew confused. “But, Princess Celestia doesn’t have a sister. I’m pretty sure we’d remember if she told us,” he reasoned.

"I still think we should investigate this further," said Twilight. Before she could say anymore, Spike burped out a scroll. Spike had the mysterious ability to send and receive scrolls through his dragon fire breath.

"Oh, I didn't write anything to Princess Celestia today," she shrugged and levitated it. "My dearest, most faithful student Twilight. I'm sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year's location: Ponyville."

“Ponyville? Isn’t it that town founded by earth ponies?” inquired the little dragon.

"I believe so," said Twilight. "Unusual request, but, as protegee to Princess Celestia, I will have to fulfill my royal duty."

Spike suddenly noticed something on the scroll. “Wait,” he said, “there’s a little more to the message.”

"Oh?" Sure enough, there was a notice at the bottom left corner of the scroll that read, “Continue reading on back →” Flipping the scroll, Twilight read on curiously.

“My dear Twilight, there is 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 an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends!” At the last part, Twilight groaned in annoyance.

“Come on, Twilight,” encouraged Spike. “This could be good for you.”

"I guess we'd better pack for this trip…" grunted Twilight.

“It’s not like I’m going anywhere,” Spike said sadly. “For the last few years, I’ve had to stay in this room all day.”

Once again, Twilight felt a twinge of pain in her heart. It had just occurred to her that she’d been keeping Spike indoors for that long and made her feel a bit guilty. “Okay, Spike,” she said. “You can come with me.”

“Really?!” Spike asked in excitement. Humorously, this caused the dragon’s tail to wag like a puppy’s. Twilight nodded and they went about to pack the suitcases, Spike eagerly helping.





The following day, they jumped into a chariot hauled by two pegasus guards and they flew to Ponyville. The town was far more modest than Canterlot and it seemed more peaceful, too.

"Thank you, sirs," said Twilight politely as she and Spike disembarked. As the guards flew away, Twilight got her list out and started to trot to her first stop on the list. Spike saw a pink earth pony mare with a darker pink mane and tail and blue eyes trotting towards them.

"Hi there," he greeted. "My name is–"

The pink pony let out a sharp gasp and briefly seemed to defy gravity before running off at the speed of a bullet before Spike had a chance to finish.

Spike felt indignant. “It’s because I’m a dragon, isn’t it?!”

Twilight sighed. "Hopefully, she's a once-off. Come on, let's get started on this checklist."

She gave the list to Spike, who carefully read it. “Looks like we’re going to a place called Sweet Apple Acres.”





The duo started heading to the location in question. It was a farm with a heavy apple theme that had clearly seen better days.

"Well, not many farms in Canterlot," Spike remarked.

The duo suddenly heard a loud “Yeehaw!” fill the air. A light orange earth pony with a blonde mane and tail and green eyes bucked a nearby apple tree. The ripe fruit fell right into the basket. Spike found such a feat amazing.

“That was incredible!” the young dragon blurted out, catching the farm mare’s attention.

"Ah, it's just takes a bit of practice," chuckled the farmer. Spike found himself in a state of surprise.

“Uh, aren’t you going to panic?” he asked.

The orange pony blinked. "Y’all ain't hurtin' mah family or mah home, so, there ain't no reason to."

“Huh. Kind of a refreshing change of pace,” Spike admitted. “Usually, the first time a pony sees me, their first instinct is to run, screaming, ‘Ah! Run! Hide! A dragon’s here!’”

"Uh… Ah see…" trailed the other pony. "Ah'm sorry ya have ta get that kind o’ treatment."

"Well, I'm glad you're being polite to Spike," said Twilight. "Oh, where are my manners? I'm Twilight Sparkle, and–"

"Well, howdy do, Twilight." the earth pony started shaking her hoof rapidly. "Ah'm Applejack!" grinned the other pony. "We here at Sweet Apple Acres love meetin’ new friends."

“Actually, I’m here for another reason…” Twilight said rather shakily. Applejack’s grip was similar to that of a vice. “You have a very strong grip…”

This made Applejack let go in embarrassment. "Heh… Sorry, sugarcube," she blushed. "Ah can get a bit excited."

“You don’t say…” Twilight said, her hoof still caught in the shaking motion until Spike grabbed it. “Thanks, Spike.” She cleared her throat. "Anyway, I hear you're in charge of the food."

"We sure as sugar are," grinned Applejack. "Y'all want ta sample some?"

Twilight did feel a bit peckish from the journey. “Well, I guess I could try something. As long as it doesn’t take too long. Out of curiosity, do you happen to make apple-flavored rock candy?"

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. Why?”

Twilight explained, “Spike likes to eat gems, but, I’ve raised him to eat rock candy as an acceptable substitute.”

Applejack shrugged. "Fair enough," she took out a triangle and started ringing it. "Soup's on, everypony!"

Spike and Twilight suddenly found themselves getting swarmed by a stampede of earth ponies.

"What the– what is this?!" cried Twilight, overwhelmed by the sheer number of ponies in one place.

"The Apple Family Reunion," chuckled Applejack. "Let me introduce ya'll ta everypony."

Several different ponies brought treats that happened to be their namesakes and Applejack introduced every single one at rapid fire.

“This here's Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp…” she stopped for breath. “Big McIntosh, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith.”

“I’m sensing a theme here,” Spike quipped. This triggered some hearty laughs from the Apple Family.

“Y’all got a sense o’ humor,” chuckled Applejack. “That’ll go far in this here town. Pinkie’ll be pleased as a junebug in the month o’ May ta meet ya.”

Spike tilted his head. “Who’s Pinkie?”

Applejack playfully noogied him. “Don’t you fret none, sugarcube. You’ll find out soon enough. Uh, yer stayin’ a while, right?”

Spike shrugged and honestly answered, “At least until the Summer Sun Celebration.” He then continued, rather sadly, “Then, I guess it’s back to being stuck in Twilight’s–”

He never got to finish as Twilight put a hoof over his mouth and nervously laughed, “Studies! Yeah, stuck in my studies! He’s a VERY curious dragon! If you’ll excuse me…” she slinked off with Spike into the barn before putting him down and speaking through grit teeth, “What in Tartarus are you doing, Spike?!”

Spike, taken aback by this, honestly says, “Uh, telling them that I’ll go back to being stuck in your room all day when this is over.”

“You can’t just go around saying stuff like that in public!” Twilight said in frustration.

“Why not?” queried the young dragon. The unicorn leaned close to his ear frond and whispered the explanation, causing the dragon to make shocked faces. “Ooooh… tsk… yeah… I’ll just not bring that bit up in public anymore.”

“Very good, Spike,” said Twilight. They went back to the Apple Family. “Sorry about that.”

“Aren't ya gonna stay for brunch?” asked Apple Bloom, the youngest member of the Apple Family that was present. She was bright yellow with a red mane and tail with orange eyes.

Unable to resist the filly’s puppy eyes, Twilight said, “Oh, okay.”





After sampling the Apple Family foods, Spike and Twilight headed out to check on other preparations. “Ugh…” groaned a rather stuffed Twilight. “I ate too much pie…”

“Food’s taken care of,” said Spike. “Now the weather.” He checked the list. “Hmm… there’s supposed to be a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds.”

Twilight looked up at the sky, seeing the sky covered in clouds. “Well, she’s not doing a very good job, is she? If she were here right now, I’d give her a piece of my mind.” But, just after she had said that, she was unexpectedly tackled into a mud puddle before she had a chance to react.

The perpetrator soon revealed itself in the form of a pegasus mare with the same blue coat color as the sky above. She had moderate purple eyes and a somewhat messy mane and tail in all the colors of the rainbow.

“Heh…” she said sheepishly. “Scuse me.” Twilight was less than pleased by this attack on her.

Spike found his voice first. “That was pretty fast. You must be a pro racer.”

“Well, I do like to race,” grinned the blue pony. “I got my cutie mark the day I discovered my love for it.”

Spike again found himself surprised. “You’re not scared that I’m a dragon?”

The blue pony chuckled. “Nah! You seem pretty harmless to me. Besides, if a big, scary dragon came here, I could totally take it on.”

“You’re the…” Spike began counting to himself. “...16th pony who didn’t panic at the sight of me today.”

“Let me guess, you got caught up in the Apple Family reunion?” the blue pony laughed. “Yeah, Applejack’s family is well known in Ponyville. Most of the ones you saw there don’t even live in town.”

Spike nodded. “We did, yeah.”

The pony saw Twilight still in the mud. “Oh, let me help you,” she pushed over a rain cloud and bounced on it several times. This caused it to rain on Twilight in a manner more akin to dumping a bucket of water on top of her.

“Oh, great…” groaned Twilight. “Now I’m drenched!”

“Ooh… Guess I overdid it,” said the pegasus. “Never mind, I can fix that.” She started to fly around Twilight very quickly. “My very own patented Rain-Blow Dry!”

The pegasus surrounded Twilight in a swirl of rainbow colored light, so as to blow every drop of water off her body.

“No no, don’t thank me. You’re quite welcome,” the pony grinned. However, upon inspection, she saw that Twilight’s mane and tail got all poofed up (making the unicorn look ridiculous).

The blue pegasus grinned before rolling on the floor laughing and Spike couldn’t help but laugh, too.

“Shot in the dark, but, you’re Rainbow Dash, aren’t you?” Twilight bitterly asked the laughing pegasus.

“The one and only!” grinned Rainbow Dash as she scrambled up. Spike grabbed onto her sides to keep himself from getting thrown off. “Why, you’ve heard of me?”

“We heard that you’re in charge of the weather detail for the Summer Sun Celebration,” Spike explained. He then remembered his position. “Uh, could you maybe lower yourself a bit so I can get down?”

“Oh, sure. Sorry, little guy,” apologized the pegasus as she knelt down. “What’d you say your name was?”

“Spike,” said the dragon.

“And I’m Twilight Sparkle,” added the unicorn. “And I have to say, you’re doing a very subpar job with the weather.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Rainbow said nonchalantly. “That’ll be a snap. I’ll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I’m done practicing.”

Twilight was skeptical. “Practicing what? Slacking off when you have a job to do?” she said.

“No!” snapped Rainbow Dash. “I’m practicing for the Wonderbolts! They’ll be performing tomorrow and I’m going to show them my stuff!”

“The Wonderbolts?” said Twilight, making sure she heard right. “The most talented flyers in all of Equestria and Pegasus Military group?”

“Yep,” confirmed the pegasus.

“Well, what good is a pegasus to the Wonderbolts if she can’t keep the sky clear for one measly day?” scoffed Twilight.

Rainbow felt challenged. “I could clear these clouds in 10 seconds flat!”

“Prove it,” challenged Twilight.

“Gladly,” said the brash pegasus before pulling a stopwatch out of seemingly nowhere and holding it before Spike. “Ever use a stopwatch before, kid?”

“Yes, actually,” Spike admitted. “Whenever Twilight asks me to time her book organizing sessions.”

“Then, you won’t have a problem using this, will you?” said Rainbow.

Spike nodded. “Whenever you want me to.”

“Go!”

As soon as Spike hit the button, Rainbow Dash zipped all over the sky. In seconds, it was clear and Spike stopped the watch.

“And the result?” said a rather cocky Rainbow.

Spike checked the stopwatch. “It says 10.46 seconds.”

“What?!” Rainbow checked the stopwatch and sure enough, the readout was as Spike said. “Nuts! I’m seriously coming up short!”

Twilight was bewildered. “THAT’S coming up short?!”

“Yeah,” said Rainbow Dash. “I was the fastest in both Summer Flight Camp and Junior Speedsters.”

“10.46 seconds is still pretty fast,” said Spike, trying to be supportive.

“Well, I guess so,” said Rainbow Dash. “We should totally hang out some more.”

Twilight shook off the surprise and she and Spike headed off again. “What’s next, Spike?” she asked.

Spike checked the list. “Decorations. They’re being overseen by a unicorn named Rarity.”





Twilight and Spike headed for the hall where the ceremony was going to be held. In the hall was a white unicorn with a mulberry purple mane and tail and blue eyes. Spike saw her and thought she was the most beautiful thing ever. But, he quickly pushed such thoughts away upon remembering how quite a few unicorns gave him the cold shoulder.

“No… no… no… oh, goodness no…” said the unicorn, going through ribbons of various colors.

“Excuse me,” called Twilight.

“Just a moment, darling,” called the white unicorn. “I’m in the zone, as it were.” she manages to come across a ribbon she’s happy with. “Oh, yes. Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Rarity, you are a talent.” Rarity turned her attention to Twilight and Spike. “Now… may I help yo– whoa!” she cried. “Oh my stars, darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?!”

“Oh, you mean my mane?” Twilight asked, piecing together what she meant. “It’s a long story. We’re just here to check on the decorations. We’ve done that, so, we’ll be out of your hair.”

“Out of my hair?” cried Rarity. “What about your hair? Do come, darling, I can help fix that.” She began pushing a protesting Twilight in another direction. Spike silently followed, a somewhat sad look on his face.





Soon, the trio were at a building resembling a carousel. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique,” said the white unicorn.

“Huh. That’s kind of catchy,” Twilight had to admit. “You make that up yourself?”

“I sure did,” smiled Rarity. “Now, what can I do with your mane…” Rarity opened a drawer of hair care supplies. “Oh, where are my manners? I haven’t asked your name, darling. While you’re at it, why don’t you introduce your charming little friend over there.”

Confused, Spike looked around where Rarity pointed her hoof. Seeing no other creatures in that direction, Spike quickly realized what she meant. “Wait, are you calling ME charming?” the dragon asked while pointing to himself in a surprised tone of voice, which Rarity picked up on.

“You seem surprised, darling,” said the white unicorn.

“I am,” Spike confessed. “Usually, I’m called stuff like ‘overgrown lizard,’ ‘beastly,’ ‘ghastly,’ or ‘scale-ridden freak.’”

Rarity was taken aback by the young dragon being called such derogatory terms. “That’s simply dreadful!” she said.

“Believe it or not,” Spike said, “those are actually some of the NICER things said about me.”

Rarity grew even more disgusted that such a little thing could be insulted so much that THOSE terms were considered nice in comparison. “I find it shocking that a young creature like you could be insulted so blithely!”

“You’re probably thinking those things because I’m a dragon right now,” said a dejected Spike.

“Absolutely not!” declared Rarity. “I’m a lady and a lady doesn’t disparage one for problems they have no control over. Now, tell me your name.”

“Spike,” admitted the dragon. “You’re the 17th pony I’ve met today that didn’t have a problem with me being a dragon.”

“Over at Sweet Apple Acres?” asked Rarity. “Heh, yes, that would account for it. Applejack does mention her apple family reunions a lot.”

“We also saw Rainbow Dash,” said Twilight.

“I take it she was responsible for the state of your mane and tail?” questioned Rarity.

Twilight sighed and nodded. “You know her, too?”

“I sure do,” said Rarity. “She moved to Ponyville on her birthday one year and I met her while she was practicing her tricks. Admittedly, I didn’t think much of her at the time, but, I’ve come to see her better qualities. Though, her recklessness still grates on my nerves at times. To say nothing of her tendency to slack off.”

“Oh, I’m Twilight Sparkle, by the way,” said the lavender unicorn, remembering she hadn’t introduced herself.

“A pleasure to meet you, darling,” said Rarity, brushing Twilight’s mane. The lavender unicorn began to feel rather relaxed from this. More relaxed than she had felt all day, if she was honest with herself. Having their manes brushed tended to have that effect on ponies. Mares especially.

“This feels long overdue,” Twilight admitted. “I only regret that I don’t have any bits to pay for this.” Bits were gold or silver coins used as the standard currency throughout Equestria.

“Oh, there’s no need to worry about that,” said Rarity. “It’s all free. It’s part of my newcomer appreciation policy. I give newcomers clearly in need a makeover free of charge.”

Twilight had never heard such a policy before. “That doesn’t sound like a very sound business strategy,” she commented. “It sounds like it could be easily exploited.”

Rarity merely scoffed. “Many have tried, but, none succeeded. And it’s all thanks to these.” Rarity pointed a hoof to her eyes with an apparent sense of pride.

“Uh… okay,” said Twilight. “How exactly do your eyes help?”

“I was born with the Mystic Eyes of Detail,” Rarity explained. “They allow me to notice smaller details most ponies overlook.”

Spike and Twilight were impressed. “Sounds like it comes in handy,” said Spike.

“Oh, it has its uses,” Rarity said modestly yet proudly. “Although, they work better from a distance. So, I have to wear work glasses for more up-close jobs.”

Rarity then began fitting Twilight in various saddles.

“Too green. Too yellow. Too poofy. Not poofy enough. Too frilly. Too... shiny. Now go on, my dear. You were telling me where you're from,” Rarity said, going through those saddle before tightening Twilight’s current saddle the same way humans tighten a corset. Despite the increasing tightness, Twilight made an effort to speak.

“Spike and I… were sent…” she said while wincing. “From Canterlot… to–”

Rarity heard “Canterlot” and let go of the laces.

“Canterlot?!” she exclaimed. “Oh, I am so envious! The glamor, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can’t wait to hear all about it!”

Spike rubbed the back of his head. “Honestly, I don’t really have much to tell,” he admitted. “I can’t even remember the last time I walked around in public there. I usually stay indoors so nopony judges me because of…” He gestured to his entire body. “All this.”

Rarity remembered the discrimination Spike said he faced. “Surely not EVERYPONY in Canterlot judges you that way.”

Spike nodded and admitted, “Twilight’s family, her foalsitter Cadence, Princess Celeatia, and her friends, Twinkleshine, Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Moon Dancer are pretty much the only ponies in all of Canterlot who treat me like an equal.”

“That's still quite a lot of ponies,” said Rarity.

“Yeah,” Spike admitted, “but, I haven’t seen the last four in a long time. Me and Twilight usually have to wait for THEM to visit US.”

Rarity rubbed his head. “I hope you’ll find Ponyville a more welcoming place,” she said.

Spike nodded. “Oh, I do,” he said. “I’ve encountered 18 ponies since coming here and only one of them seems to have a problem with me being a dragon.”

“I bet I can guess who,” sighed Rarity grimly.  “Watch your step around her, darling.”

“Got it,” he said. “I’ll keep an eye out for that pink pony with the cotton candy mane and tail.”

“Oh, good heavens!” Cried Rarity. “You don't mean Pinkie Pie? What did she say?”

“It’s more what she DIDN’T say,” Spike admitted. “Just as I was introducing myself, she made a deep gasp and ran away without a word.”

“Well… that means something else entirely, darling,” chuckled Rarity. “Pinkie’s a very… eccentric mare. Even those of us who have lived here for a while and gotten to know her have trouble understanding her. Though, she’s MUCH more friendly than the pony I thought you met.”

“And that pony is…” said Twilight.

“Spoiled Rich,” Rarity said. “Wife of the local business stallion, Filthy Rich. Their daughter, Diamond Tiara, hasn't been polite to my sister, Sweetie Belle, or her friend, Scootaloo.”

“With names like those, they’re pretty much begging them to become corporate scumbags,” Spike snidely commented.

“Oh, Filthy Rich is actually a decent stallion,” said Rarity. “All the same, he prefers not to be called just Filthy. I’ve heard rumors that he plans on changing his given name to Berry. Though, considering the source of the rumors, I’d take it with a grain of salt.”

“I understand either way,” said Twilight. “Now, I don’t mean to come off as rude, but, me and Spike came here to check on preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. So, if it’s all the same to you, I think we’ll be on our way to check the last thing on the list.”

“Well, the decorations are all under control,” said Rarity.





Twilight tried hard to hide a sigh of relief as she levitated Spike onto her back before walking out of the boutique. “That was close,” Twilight said. “I thought we’d be there until she decided to dye my fur a different color.”

“She was wonderful,” smiled Spike, giving a giggle.

“Focus, casanova,” reprimanded Twilight. “What's the last thing on the list?”

“Oh, uh… Music,” said Spike, stirred from his daydreaming.

A yellow pegasus with a soft pink mane and tail and blue eyes was fluttering around, conducting a bird choir. The birds in colors of blue, yellow, and green started tweeting in harmony. However, one bird wasn't doing it right.

“Oh, stop please, everyone,” said the yellow pegasus. To the amazement of Twilight and Spike, the birds stopped at once, as if they understood the pegasus. “Umm. Excuse me, sir?” The pegasus addressed the bird, “I mean no offense, but, your rhythm is just a teeny-tiny bit off.”

“Is she talking to those birds?” Spike whispered to Twilight.

“Apparently,” gasped Twilight quietly.

With the bird opting to try again, the pegasus flew to near the tree. “Now, follow me, please. A 1, a 2, a 1, 2, 3–”

It was at precisely this moment that Twilight opted to speak up and make herself heard. “Hello!” She greeted, perhaps a bit louder than she had intended since it not only startled the pegasus (who let out a yelp), but, also caused the songbirds to scatter.

“Smooth move, Twilight,” whispered Spike as he stayed out of the pegasus mare’s sight. Twilight approached the yellow mare.

“I am so sorry,” sighed Twilight. “I didn't mean to frighten your birds away. I was just tasked to check on the music and it sounded beautiful. I could see that you were talking to those birds. Are you by any chance a critter whisperer?”

The yellow pegasus gave a small nod. A critter whisperer was a rare type of pony with the seemingly mystical ability to communicate with non-sentient creatures. A pegasus critter whisperer was especially rare since pegasi usually lived in the clouds.

This particular one was being more quiet than the previous ponies Twilight met that day alone. She cleared her throat and said, “I’m Twilight Sparkle. What’s your name?”

The pegasus pony merely whispered something Twilight couldn't hear. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

Again, the pegasus could barely get her words out.

“Didn't quite catch that.”

This time, the pegasus' words were a squeak. Twilight did her best to hide her shrinking reserve of patience as she noticed the birds return.

“Well, it looks like your birds are back,” said Twilight. “So, it looks like everything’s in order. Keep up the good work.”

She trotted back over to Spike, who stepped out of the bushes.

“That was easy,” Twilight commented.

The yellow pegasus' blue eyes shone brighter than before upon seeing Spike. A switch seemed to flip on her personality as she suddenly exclaimed in excitement. “A baby dragon!”

The birds flew away in surprise and she accidentally knocked Twilight back to get a better look at Spike. “I've never seen a baby dragon before! He's so cute!”

Spike was as surprised as the birds. “Guess that’s number 18,” he said.

“Oh my, he talks!” cried the pegasus. “I didn't know dragons could talk Ponish.” Ponish was the language of the inhabitants of Equestria. “That's just so incredibly wonderful! I just don't even know what to say! How did you learn to speak Ponish?”

Spike honestly answered, “Uh… my adopted siblings and parents taught me. The unicorn over there is my adoptive sister.”

“Wow!” cried the pegasus. “Your parents adopted a baby dragon? That's so sweet.”

Twilight was surprised. “You really think so?”

“It sure is,” said the pegasus. “I take in baby animals all the time, but, having a sibling of another kind is such a sweet feeling. Where did you find his egg?”

Twilight wasn’t prepared for this. “Well, you see,” she said nervously. “I actually hatched Spike from an egg as part of my entrance exam ten years ago.”

“Whoa!” Gasped the pegasus. “That must have been a tricky spell.” 

Twilight admitted, “Honestly, it just happened with a sudden surge of magic. Princess Celestia tasked… My parents, brother, and I with raising him. I did a lot of the work, though.”

“No wonder you two are so close," said the pegasus. “Does he have a name?”

"My name is Spike."

“Hello, Spike. I’m Fluttershy,” the pegasus finally introduced herself.

“Well, Fluttershy,” said Spike. “You’re the 18th pony in a row I’ve met today that doesn’t seem to have a problem with me being a dragon.”

“Saw Applejack’s large family, right?” Fluttershy giggled.

“Yeah. That Apple Family’s kind of a big deal here, aren’t they?” Spike commented.

“They founded the town,” said Fluttershy. “Though if it was Granny Smith or a most distant ancestor, I'm not sure. Record keeping wasn’t very reliable back then.”

“Really?” said a surprised Spike. “If that’s the case, shouldn’t their farm be in a better state than it is?”

“I guess that'll be something to figure out later,” said Twilight. She levitated him on her back. “Do you know where the Golden Oak Library is?”

“I can actually walk you there,” Fluttershy offered. “I regularly borrowed animal care books from there until Miss Novel, the librarian, moved to Baltimare last week.”

“That would be appreciated,” thanked Twilight.

The two ponies began their trek to the library while Fluttershy looked at Spike curiously. “Spike? Is it true that dragons eat gemstones?” asked the curious pegasus.

“Well, it’s true for ME at least,” the young dragon answered honestly. “Though, rock candy is an acceptable substitute.”

Fluttershy leaned closer. “What do gems taste like?” she asked. Twilight sighed, knowing that she was in for a long walk.

“Well, it depends on the type of gem,” Spike explained. “Emeralds are my personal favorite. They taste like sour apples. And sapphires come really close at second place. They taste like blue raspberries.”

“Blue raspberries?” gasped Fluttershy. “I don’t think I’ve heard of fruits like that, much less gems that taste like them.”

“It’s more of a flavoring than an actual fruit,” Spike explained. “I happen to have some rock candy of that flavor right now. Would you like to try it?”

“If it’s alright with you,” Fluttershy accepted. Spike gave her a piece of blue raspberry rock candy, which the pegasus tasted for herself. “Hmm… a bit tart, but, not bad. What do diamonds taste like?”

Spike winced. “Well, I tried eating diamonds once. I broke a few teeth,” he admitted.

Fluttershy winced. “That must have been painful…”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Spike agreed. “Luckily, Princess Celestia was able to fix that.”

Fluttershy was surprised. “She can do that?”

Spike was incredulous. “We’re talking about the one pony who can not only raise and lower the sun and moon, but, has done so for at LEAST a thousand years and never aged a day in years,” he commented. “Is it really THAT surprising?”

“Well, when you say it like that, not really,” said Fluttershy. “So, what do other gems taste like?”

Spike carefully remembered some gem flavors. “Well, rubies taste like cherries, citrines taste like lemons, topaz taste like oranges, peridots taste like limes, amethysts taste like grapes, quartz tastes like vanilla, onyx tastes like black licorice, opals taste like fruit punch, and andalusite tastes like chocolate.”

Fluttershy gave a look of intrigue. “All we do with gems is use them to decorate or pay for things. You'd definitely get more use out of them. Even if it’s as a snack.”

“Well, it takes a long time for gems to form,” Spike said. “And with so many dragons eating so many, they’ll run out soon. So, Twilight raised me to eat rock candy as an acceptable substitute. Rock candy can be made in less than a day.”

“Oh. That makes sense,” the pegasus admitted. “How has your life been until now?”





Twilight, meanwhile, was relieved to see a huge oak tree with a beehive resting on one of its branches. The sign she saw confirmed the obvious, this was the Golden Oak Library she would be staying in for the duration of her time in Ponyville. “I am so sorry, how did we get here so fast?” She spoke up in an impatient tone of voice. “This is where we'll be staying for the time being. And right now, my poor baby dragon needs his sleep.”

“What?” cried Spike. “No I don’t–” but, Twilight knocked him off her back.

“Aww,” said Twilight in a baby-like way, “he’s so sweepy, he can’t keep his widdle bawance.” Spike was less than amused. He didn’t get a chance to talk back, though, as Fluttershy scooped him up.

“Oh, you poor thing,” said Fluttershy as she started to head into the library. “You simply must get into bed.”

Twilight used her magic to pull Spike close to her and push Fluttershy out. “Yes, I’ll get right on that. Good day,” she said, slamming the door.





“Did you really need to do that?” Spike asked with indignation. Neither of them noticed the door had swung open and closed during their argument. “You know that in pony years, I’m ten years old.”

“Sorry, Spike,” sighed Twilight. “I just don’t know what these ponies would think if they…” she broke off in confusion. “Where’s the light?”

Suddenly, the lights came on on their own, revealing several ponies shouting, “SURPRISE!”

“Hi!” cried an excitable voice. “I’m Pinkie Pie, and I threw this surprise party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Huh, huh, huh?!”

Twilight and Spike stared up at the pony in question in shock. No doubt this was the same one that Rarity talked about and the one who saw them as they strolled right into the town. Spike eyed her suspiciously. “I remember you. Out of all the ponies we met today, you’re the only one who seemed to have a problem with me being a dragon.”

“What?!” cried Pinkie. “Oh, no no no no! That wasn’t it at all. Y’see, I saw you when you first got here. You were all ‘hello’ and I was all,” she let out the same gasp she did when she saw the duo, “remember? Y’see I’ve never seen you before and if I’ve never seen you before that means you’re new, ‘cause I know everypony and I mean everypony in Ponyville! And if you’re new, that meant you haven’t met anyone yet and if you haven’t met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don’t have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, then, I had an idea, and that’s why I went…” she let out her gasp again. “I must throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!”

Spike found himself dizzy trying to understand Pinkie’s logic. “You don’t think I’m a monster?”

“Oh, you cute little silly willy,” Pinkie explained. “That wasn't my ‘there's a scary dangerous monster’ gasp. That was my, ‘There are new folks in Ponyville and I have to throw a party for them so they can make friends here’ gasp.”

“A bit eccentric,” said Rarity. She was with Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy, “but, otherwise a good soul deep down.”

Spike was somewhat relieved. “I’ve gotten gasps like that in Canterlot,” he confessed. “From experience, the ones doing it thought I was some kind of monster because, you know, dragon.”

Pinkie’s face shifted into a sincerely apologetic one. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t know.”

“It’s okay,” said Spike.

“Though, just a reminder,” sighed Twilight. “Libraries are supposed to be quiet.”

“Well, that’s silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet?” giggled Pinkie. “I mean, duh, bo-ring!” She then gave Spike a cupcake. “Here’s one of my specialty cupcakes. And here’s one for you, too.” She gave one to Twilight.

“Ooh, you’re in for quite a treat,” Rarity said. “Pinkie’s specialty cupcakes are simply divine.”

Twilight simply put her cupcake on the table containing beverages while pouring what she thought was a beverage for herself. Spike tried his cupcake and was amazed by the perfect blend of chocolate, vanilla, and buttercream frosting.

“Wow, this is great, Pinkie Pie!” he grinned. “Where’d you learn this?”

“From Mr. and Mrs. Cake,” smiled Pinkie. “They live at Sugarcube Corner. They’re sort of like my second dad and mom.”

Spike raised an eyebrow. “Second dad and mom? What happened to the first ones?”

“Oh, my parents are still around,” said Pinkie, “they just live super far away. I wasn’t cut out for the family business, so, I decided to try my luck here.”

“What was your old family business?” Spike asked. “Something to do with pie?”

Pinkie giggled. “No, we farmed rocks! My three sisters and parents are really into it, but… it wasn’t for me.”

“So, your family runs a quarry?” Spike asked, innocently.

“Hmm…” Pinkie pondered to herself. “I guess you could say that.”

“I’m not exactly a farm expert,” Spike admitted, “but, I’m pretty sure rocks are mined. Not farmed. Then, again, I haven’t really gotten out much in the last few years, so, maybe take my input with a grain of salt.”

Just then, Spike and the other five ponies Twilight met that day looked over to see her looking red in the face.

“Are ya alright, sugarcube?” asked Applejack.

Twilight’s response came in the form of her mane and tail bursting into flames before she dashed off to find some milk.

“Huh?” Spike picked up the bottle Twilight used to pour herself a drink. “Hot sauce… No wonder she reacted that way. She can’t handle her spice.”

“Oh… my…” winced Fluttershy.

“Okay, who put the hot sauce near the drinks?” asked Applejack.

“Oh, that’s my bad,” Pinkie admitted. “That was supposed to be at the snacks table.”

“Hey!” cried another pony. This one was a yellow earth pony with a brown mane and tail. “Who put this soda at the snack table? My hay fries are soggy.”

“Sorry, Caramel!” cried Pinkie. “I mixed up the soda and hot sauce.” She went to swap them back and gave Caramel a fresh plate of hay fries.

“Thanks, Pinkie,” said Caramel.

Pinkie gave him a knowing grin. “You know, Applejack’s here, too,” she said, coyly.

“Oh, sh-she is?” he asked in surprise. “Oh… that’s cool.” He stepped off with a bashful grin and a bright blush.

“What’s with him?” Spike asked.

“Oh, I think I know,” chuckled Rainbow Dash.

“You’ll find out when you’re a bit older,” added Fluttershy.

Spike shrugged and drank the rest of the hot sauce Twilight poured herself. To the amazement of the ponies, he doesn’t even wince. Rainbow found her voice first. “Did you just down hot sauce without wincing?”

“Us dragons are fireproof,” he chuckled. “I never tried it, but, I could dive into lava without a scorch.”

“Um, if you never tried it before, I don’t think you should be so confident,” Fluttershy said with concern.

“You still earned a few awesome points in my book,” Rainbow said.

Spike gave a grin at the five ponies. “I think I’m going to like it in Ponyville.”

Rarity stepped up to Spike. “Out of curiosity, do you eat gemstones?”

Spike nodded. “I told Fluttershy about it on the way here.”

“Twilight said that ya eat rock candy as a substitute,” Applejack added.

“That’s right,” Spike admitted. “Sometimes, me and Twilight play a game of ‘Guess the Gemstone.’”

“How do you and Twilight play?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Well, first, I get blindfolded,” Spike explained. “Then, a bunch of gems are put in a pile in front of me. Then, the other players bring one gem to me so I can take a bite out of it to guess what kind of gem it is. If I guess right, I can eat the rest of it. If I guess wrong, the other player gets it.”

“That sounds like fun!” grinned Pinkie. “Speaking of blindfolds, ever played Pin the Tail on the Pony?”

“I’ve played something LIKE it,” Spike admitted. “Though, in that case, it was a donkey.”

“Well, we’ve got Pin the Tail on the Pony here if you want to play that with us,” Pinkie grinned.

Spike was only too eager to accept. “I’m game.”

While Spike and the other five partied away downstairs, Twilight just wanted to get away from it. She had to figure out this prophecy that she had read about earlier and she couldn’t do it with everyone blaring loud music and playing games downstairs. Plus… what would they think of her raising Spike as a filly?!





Late into the night, the party was still raging on. Twilight’s already thin patience grew thinner. “Do these ponies ever NOT party?” she groaned and sighed. “On the longest day of the 1000th year, the stars will aid in her escape and she will bring about everlasting night.” She looked in her book and saw four stars surrounding the moon move closer to it. “And just what are these Elements of Harmony?”

She was interrupted from her thoughts when Spike entered. “C’mon, Twilight!” he called. “It’s time to watch the sunrise!”

Twilight did have to admit, she loved watching Celestia raise the sun. She walked outside to join the large crowd down at the Town Hall. Among the crowd were some fillies - Apple Bloom, the one she had met at the Apple Family reunion, a white unicorn with pink and purple mane and tail, and an orange pegasus with a dark pink mane and tail. Like Apple Bloom, the other two were blank flanks.

“Could that white filly be Sweetie Belle?” she wondered to herself. Her pondering was cut short when Pinkie seemed to appear out of nowhere.

“Isn't this exciting?” she cried. “Are you excited, 'cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited— well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went…” she took a deep gasp. “But, I mean really, who can top that?”

A very important looking mare stepped out from the podium and addressed the crowd. “Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!”

The ponies all cheered at the announcement. 

“In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year!” the mayor continued.

Twilight, however, turned her attention to the moon. The four stars had come so close, they were no longer visible. The imagery of a mare’s head seen on the moon vanished.

“And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria…”

At this, Fluttershy signaled to her birds. “Ready?” she whispered. The birds nodded.

“Princess Celestia!”

Right on cue, Fluttershy conducted her birds into a fanfare as Rarity drew the curtains. However, everyone stared up in shock.

“Wh-where is she?!” squeaked the white unicorn filly.

“Uh, maybe she’s just playing a joke,” suggested Spike. “She IS known for her sense of humor.”

“Wait, really?” asked the orange pegasus filly.

“You don’t know about it?” Spike said, surprised.

“She doesn’t get out to Ponyville too much,” admitted Apple Bloom. “Ah think the last time she came was about a month ago.”

“Still,” said Rainbow Dash. “You’d think she would have jumped out by now if she did prank us.”

Suddenly, a purplish blue mist appeared in the middle of the stage and an alicorn in a dark blue - almost black - color appeared.

“Oh no…” Twilight whispered under her breath. “Nightmare Moon.”

“Oh, my beloved subjects,” the intruder said. “It’s been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces.”

Many of the ponies cowered together. Apple Bloom hugged the white unicorn and orange pegasus fillies tightly. “Normally, I wouldn’t be this close to a stranger,” said the unicorn. “But, right now, I’m terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought.”

“S-same here,” agreed the orange pegasus.

“Y’all ain’t the only ones,” said Apple Bloom.

“What did you do with our princess?!” snapped Rainbow Dash. She started to charge toward the intruder only for Applejack to grab her by the tail.

“Whoa there, nelly,” she said through her teeth.

“Oh, isn’t that typical,” the alicorn said, venom dripping from every word. “You all worship my sister, yet leave me with nothing.”

“You’re not the Princess’ sister!” cried Pinkie in shock. “Celestia would never have a demonic being as–” Applejack stuffed a cupcake in Pinkie’s mouth.

“Really?” the alicorn said, growing angrier. “Do none of you remember who I am? Or did that biased Celestia erase any mention of me from history over these 1000 years?”

“There was one mention!” cried Twilight. “I’ve read a legend about it. You’re the mare in the moon. Nightmare Moon.”

As the ponies in the crowd all gasped in shock, the alicorn seemed to have a wicked grin. “So, someone DOES remember me. Pity it won’t do you any good now! Remember this day, little ponies. Because it was your last. From this moment on, the night, will last, FOREVER!” The alicorn laughed wickedly as her mane and tail became a cloudy vortex.

Spike glanced up at Twilight. “Well… looks like some legends really are true.”

[To be Continued…]