23:53.
The monitor never lied, but Frank didn't really want to go to bed. Yes, he knew he had to go to work tomorrow, and he knew if he has late 3 more times he'd be sacked.
"Dammit, I better go."He mumbled to himself.
Opening his Steam and Skype, he typed out a few messages of goodnight to a couple of people, namely the ones he talked to the most.
"Alright, it's time. And maybe i should stop talking to myself."
His machine played a logging off sound and a blue glare wrapped around his room from his twin monitors. He removed his headphones, got out of his chair, and trudged the 3 meters to his bed, where he removed his clothing, save for the underwear.
"Goodnight, World."
He proclaimed, and then wondered why. He shook his head and climbed under the covers on his large double bed and shuffled around to get comfy. He shut his eyes and instantly dozed off, seemingly peacefully.
---
Luna sighed.
She could feel the magical tension in the air tonight, as she watched from the palace balcony at the ponies down below, enjoying their annual Running of the Leaves ceremony. Of course, this was something of a rarity to the populace of Canterlot, as only the ponies best fit for the job actually took part. They seemed to be enjoying it, though.
She looked up at the stars, and then to her own moon, the proudest object of her collection. She never really liked parties, and the balcony was always her favorite place to come and get away from it all. Of course, someone would find her eventually, but she could savor the moment until they did.
Her horn cast a faint, pulsating glow over the high balcony as she re-arranged her Crown of Night on her head, something which she only wore in public. As her mind drifted to the though of why ponies actually wear clothes today at all, she felt it. That ping, coming from her horn. She could sense something major will happen soon, but the point is, what?
Opening the door and power-walking towards the sounds of festivities, her mind raced. She predicted this. She just knew something would happen tonight, however, now the question is, what? She could see the door leading to the main ball room, and picked up her pace. She has to warn 'Tia before she went and assessed the situation, and being the protector of the night, maybe stopping it.
She reached the door and her horn cast a glow as she pulled it open, and almost stormed through. A couple ponies moved to make a patch for her, some addressing her with "Your Majesty.", "Hi, Princess!." and there was even a shout of "Marry me!", however, she was unsure if that was directed at her and simply ignored it. She rushed up to the where the double thrones were, Celestia sitting proudly upon her beautiful golden throne chit-chatting to a few Canterlot nobles and regular ponies alike. Suddenly as she was approaching, the conversation stopped and the ponies drifted away, some to the dance floor and some to the food table. She knew 'Tia had sent them away, and all for good reason.
---
Celestia noticed Luna speedily walking towards her almost at the last second.
"Come now, My Little Ponies, I have to speak with my sister. We'll talk later though, I promise!"
Luna saw her chance and took it. She sat on the throne and looked straight at her.
"Sister, i was on the palace balcony when something agitated me. I feel a powerful event has will happen tonight, and i must go and check it out, being the protector of the night. I fear I may not be back in time for the feast." She scratched the back of her neck with a hoof, looking into her sisters eyes.
"It's OK, Luna. I know what duties you must perform, i do them too, y'know. Go ahead and investigate, I'm sure you'll be fine."
"Alright, 'Tia. I'll more than likely be back tonight."
---
There. That prick of magic. That change in the atmosphere. The dark blue stallion drank it all in.
Something was going down tonight. He must be there to see it. He detached himself from the long table and headed towards the door.
"Pa? Where are you going?"
"Out, dearie. I'll be back in about an hour."
He slid out the door, horn glowing as he pushed the door shut. Tonight was his chance. No longer would he just be the local alchemist. Tonight, in Manehattan, something had happened. And he would be there, the first to see. Azure Blaze would be the first Sparkle in 100 years to do anything of significance.
He glanced up at the sky, and overhead he spotted a dark figure with hints of stars shoot by. He headed off in pursuit.
---
The search became restless. She knew it was around here somewhere, but everywhere she looked, there was no evidence of any sort of extra-terrestrial being or anything out of the norm.
Luna let out a long sigh, and perched on top of the Empire Sun building and looked around the streets. She could see a stallion walking hastily through the streets, looking somewhat busy about his actions.
"Odd." She muttered to herself. "It's almost midnight. What is that stallion doing out at this time?" As she peered onto the moving figure, he cautiously walked into a public restroom. "Must be from one of the bars." She said as she swooped her head around the city. She had been pursuing the signal for 3 hours now, but it still didn't want to give in it's location.
Then, out of the blue, a force pinged her mind so hard she collapsed to the roof, smashing her head with a loud thud against the solid concrete. In a split second, the signal was gone. She looked over, the clock just signalling midnight.
Bingo.
---
Frank awoke with a start.
It couldn't have been nearly half an hour he was a sleep. He looked around his room and brushed a lock of hair out of his face with a hoof.
"Nothing." He thought to himself. "Just go back to sleep.."
Then it dawned on him.
He brought up a white, cartoon hoof in front of his face.
"WAIT ONE GODDAMN SECOND, A HOOF?"