Chapter 3
Well the Series Started, Now Where the F**k is My Sword
---13 Years Later---
The next 13 years were largely uneventful, with little to no important events that I can think of off the top of my head. I mostly spent my time continuing to push papers, although around year 7 of my time there I took to a vigorous Work out routine just to make sure I was ready for the start of the series. About the only other thing I did other then push papers and work out was keep tabs on Twilight Sparkle. There was always this vibe about her, something that said that she was something special. Most of my info of her came through Celestia, who informed me she was just about the model student. She listened well, was always excited for a lesson, and was the most studious pony she'd ever met, though maybe a bit too studious. This last remark got a bit of a reaction out of me.
"Is there something wrong with a young unicorn taking an interest in her studies?" I would ask flipping through the newest bit of paper work
"Well of course not," Celestia would reply, "But, she seems to be disregarding everything else in her life, not the least of which being her social life. I mean, are you aware she hasn't made a single friend since coming here?"
"Hmm," I nodded, "yeah I can see why you might be concerned 'bout that." Then I'd notice I had just signed on the wrong line and would have to take two hours to fix said mistake, my forehead would meet the desk, and all conversation about Twilight Sparkle would cease.
---
In all of the years after the incident on the day of the examinations I didn't sense the camera until that day. It was 2 days before one of Equestria's most important events, The Summer Sun Celebration. I had somehow gotten all my paperwork done for the day and decide to pay Twilight and Spike a visit. I walked up the tower that held Twilight's private chambers and library and knocked on the large double doors and waited to be let in.
When the doors opened there stood a dragon with purple scales and green and spines, also he was about half the size of a normal pony. This is Spike and he was the tail sucker (Stop Laughing!) from my last report.
"Oh, hey Isaiah." Spike said, smiling a bit.
"Yo, Spike." I said, giving off a tiny, informal salute.
"So whatcha doin' here?" Spike questioned, moving, allowing me to enter.
"Oh, I had some extra time thought I'd swing by and say hi," I replied, entering. Looking around the rather impressive library Twilight kept I noticed that a certain purple Unicorn was missing.
"So where's Twi?"
"Oh she's off studying somewhere." Spike answered without looking at me.
"Aren't you two on break?" I asked, Chuckling.
"Well you know Twilight." Spike said, laughing a bit himself. I then noticed that, while talking to me, he had been wrapping a gift.
"Who's the present for?"
"Oh," Spike turned then, realizing that what he had been doing might be construed as rude, "Moondancer's having a party in the west courtyard."
"Ah," I nodded, "So, What did ya' get her?"
Spike leaned in a bit, motioned for me to do the same, and said in a conspiratorial whisper, "A Teddy Bear."
It probably would have gone on like this for while had I not, at that very instant, sensed The Camera's presence and heard a slight buzzing my ear, which was quickly replaced by a really familiar voice.
"Isaiah do your read me? Earth to Isaiah, are your there?"
I stood ramrod straight, my eyes bugging out slightly.
"Um... are you okay Isaiah?" Spike asked, a concerned look on his face.
"What? Oh, yeah I uh... just remembered I need to find a certain book. Twi won't mind if I look around, right?" I replied, quickly trying to find someway to get me some alone time.
"Well she shouldn't, go ahead." Spike answered, the look of concern lingering on his face.
"Great!" I said with much fake cheer, and scurried off very quickly.
Finding a spot where Spike was unlikely to see me, I knelled down, put my hand to my ear, and spoke.
"Isaiah reporting."
"Oh thank God, thought we lost ya' for a minute there." The familiar voice said, relief evident in his tone.
"That you Thomas?"
"The one and only. Nice to see you remember me after 15 years."
"Yeah, well you kinda don't forget about the guy who turned you into a toddler and dropped you off in a forest, all alone."
When Thomas responded his tone was much more sheepish, "Well to be fair I'm not directly involved in the toddler reversion process, and it wasn't my idea to leave you in that forest."
"Then whose idea was it?" I questioned, exasperated.
"That would be Intern Bob."
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose to keep from getting to annoyed. "Well why are contacting me now?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Thomas asked excitement building in his voice. "Your 15 year wait is over, the series just started."
I could tell he was trying to be all dramatic, but I just had to laugh a little bit. "Well that's great, so... where's my sword?"
"Don't worry we're working on that right now. Your sword should be in the world by the end of the episode."
I about to question why they hadn't been working on getting it to me before the series started when I heard the double doors of the library burst open.
"Spike! SPIIIIKE! Spike? There you are." The new arrival said, allowing me to identify her as 'Miss strange feeling about her' herself, Twilight Sparkle. My senses were also kind enough to point out that The Camera had apparently followed her here, very much like a lost puppy.
"Hurry, act natural!" Thomas shouted in my ear, which, in that case, involved standing up, taking my hand away from my ear, movie very quickly over to a bookcase, and make like I was looking for a book.
"Quick! Find me that old copy of Predictions and Prophecies." Twilight Shouted, galloping into the main library area. She was a little bit surprised to see me there. "Oh, hello Isaiah."
"Hi Twi." I muttered, still pretending I was looking for a book.
By then Spike, who had a slightly dejected look on his face, had caught up with Twilight. Impaled on his tail was the present from earlier.
"What's that for?" Twilight asked.
"Well, it was a gift for Moondancer..." Spike said, removing the ruined present from his tail, out of which fell a Teddy Bear that had a hole in it's stomach.
"Ouch, rough." I said sympathetically.
"Oh, Spike, you know we don't have time for that sort of thing." Twilight said, beginning her search for the aforementioned book.
"But we're on break!" Spike Complained (not without merit mind you).
Twilight, paying no heed to Spike's complaint, closed her eyes, her horn flaring up a second later. A multitude book, seemingly of their own power, then floated off their shelf's, a faint magenta glow surrounding all of them. In reality Twilight was just using a very simple form of magic, telekinesis. I'd learned very early during my stay in Equestria that pretty much all Unicorns could use telekinesis, so the floating books didn't freak me out to much.
"No... no... no,no,no!" Twilight said, glancing at each book in turn. "SPIKE!" she then shouted in exasperation.
Spike, who I guess had memorized the layout of the library, had already made it to the top of a shelf on one of the upper levels shouted down "It's over here." He probably should have waited a bit to tell her because twilight then used her telekinesis to drag the book down to her and, unfortunately for spike, him along with it.
Twilight, satisfied that the tome had been found, set about flipping through it searching for an entry on somethings called 'The Elements of Harmony', she found it, but all it did was redirect her to another entry on 'The Mare in the Moon' which Spike informed was 'just an old ponies' tale' (Yeah, Yeah I can hear you groaning).
All I got out of the story the entry told was a myth about how there was an pony in the moon who was just waiting to turn out the lights for the world, however Twilight seemed much more panicked by it, and told Spike, who had just fallen off a ladder where he was re-shelving some book onto Twilight's back, to take a note.
She then went on to talk out a letter to Princess Celestia about how she thought The Mare in the Moon was actually someone named Nightmare Moon and would soon return, and how she urged Celestia to quick action to prevent such a thing from happening. Admittedly I was only half listening to what she said was just glancing around the room when I noticed something. In the giant hourglass that stood as a centerpiece for the room, for just a second, right when Twilight walked by it, I would have sworn I saw a face there. The face was that of a mare, a mare with a black coat, only visible on her lower jaw and muzzle the rest of her head covered by blue armor. Her eyes looked almost serpentine, with green irises and slits for pupils, her eye lids a deep purple. Finally she had a horn that I estimated to be about the size of of Princess Celestia's, and the little bit of mane visible was a dark blue with white spots, very much like the night sky. The face chilled me to the bone for reasons that I couldn't explain.
While I was busy being creeped out by the face Twilight had finished her letter.
"Twi-light," Spike said slowly, writing the last bit of the letter, "Spar-kle, got it!"
"Great! Send It!"
"Now?"
"Of course!"
"Uh... I don't know Twilight," spike said, an uneasy look on his face, "Princess Celestia's a little busy getting ready for The Summer Sun Celebration, and it's, like the day after tomorrow."
"That's just it Spike. The day after tomorrow is the thousandth year of The Summer Sun Celebration. It's imperative that the Princess is told right away." Twilight informed Spike.
Spike going back to the letter then muttered to himself, "Impera... Impera."
Twilight with a annoyed face then shouted with enough force to send Spike tumbling "IMPORTANT!"
"Okay, Okay." Spike said, picking himself back up. Taking a deep breath Spike then blew out a thin stream of green fire which, instead of burning it, turned the rolled up letter into smoke and carried out an open window. That green fire was enchanted fire given to spike for message delivering and, no, as of writing this report I don't know how it works.
"There, Its on its way!" Spike informed Twilight, "But I wouldn't hold your breath." he said waving a claw.
"Oh, I'm not worried." Twilight said rather smugly, "The Princess trust me completely. In all the years she's been my mentor she's never once doubted me."
Pretty much instantly Spikes cheeks bulged like something that disagreed with him had just caught up, and he belched out a burst of green flames which deposited a rolled up letter.
"I knew she would want to take immediate action." Twilight said, a bit of smugness still caught in her voice.
Clearing his throat spike began to read the newly arrived letter, " My dearest, most faithful student Twilight. You know that I value your diligence, and that I trust you completely."
"Mmm-hmm" Twilight nodded to herself
"But," Spike continued, "simply must stop reading those dusty books!"
Twilight gave a little gasp at this, and right then is when The Camera disappeared.
"Well ain't that a kick to the teeth," I said to a very awkwardly silent room.
---
Later that night I was flipping through some newly acquired paperwork while Princess Celestia sat nearby, reading a book silently.
"So... you're sending Twilight off to Ponyville tomorrow?" I inquired, glancing up from the stack of papers.
Celestia nodded, continuing to read her book without so much as a sound.
"Twi didn't seem to happy about that." I told The Sun Princess.
"She needs to make friends," Celestia muttered.
"Yeah she does... although it might help if someone else went along with her."
"She has Spike." She informed me.
"Again, yeah she does... but, it might help is she had someone her own age going along with her."
Celestia looked up from her book smiling, "Why Isaiah, are you volunteering to accompany Twilight to Ponyville?"
"Yeah, I kinda am." The Camera was obviously following Twilight, and where ever The Camera went I would be following, you never know when those Fanon threats are gonna pop up.
"Well what about your paperwork?"
"Oh this," I said, motioning to the stack, "I'll be done with this by midnight no problem."
Celestia closed her eyes, considering the proposition. "Well Twilight could use some support.," The monarch muttered to herself. Celestia opened her eyes and nodded, "Yes it's a fine idea, Isaiah. You shall accompany Twilight to Ponyville."
"Glad to hear it, now just to finish this infernal paperwork."
---
The following morning found me, Spike, and a particularly grumpy Twilight Sparkle in a Pegasus drawn chariot. Spike was rereading the letter aloud to Twilight, who for her credit she seemed to perk up a little near the end of the trip, although I wouldn't have been able to tell you why. I wasn't really listening to them, partly because really all the talking that went on was by Spike, who was just reciting a letter I'd heard before, but mostly it was because it took all of my concentration to keep a hold of my breakfast. I've never liked flying and 15 years in Equestria didn't change that a bit. When we landed in Ponyville I got off shaky legged while Twilight thanked the two guards pulling the chariot.
"Maybe the ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about!" Spike said, still trying convince Twilight that the trip wouldn't totally suck, and, what do you know, up trots one of those ponies just then. This pony was bright pink in color with a curly mane that was a slightly darker pink. Her eyes were blue, a smile seemed permanently pasted to her face, and on her flank was Cutiemark depicting three balloons. She stood before us not saying anything.
"Come on Twilight, just try." Spike urged her on.
"Uh... hello?" She said quite uncertainly.
suddenly the Pink Pony suddenly jumped up gasping, and, just for the scantest of seconds something weird happened. This Pony took on a strange vibe, a strangely familiar vibe. More specifically the vibe that Twilight had ever since the second I met her, only this pony's feeling was slightly more intense, a big spike of the strange feeling. Then the Pink Pony dashed off the feeling disappearing in the same instant.
"Well, that was interesting all right." Twilight said, mystified.
"In more ways than one." I muttered to myself.
---
"Summer Sun Celebration Official Overseer's Checklist." Spike Read. To tell the truth, between my fear of flying and the strange Pink Pony we had just met, I had forgotten why we had came to Ponyville in the first place. It was Twilight's job to make sure The Summer Sun Celebration went off without a hitch, Spike, as Twilight's assistant, was there to, well, assist her, and I was there to... well, now that I think about it, I don't really now what my job was there, I think Celestia put me down as emotional support, but eh.
Anyway were coming up to a Farm while Spike continued to read of the list.
"Number one. Banquet preparations - Sweet Apple Acres."
"Yee-haa!" All three of us were suprised by a sudden shout with a heavy southern Accent
A orange Pony galloped by. The Pony had a blonde mane and tail, both of which were tied back. The Pony was green eyes, with freckles on each cheek. On her flank was a Cutiemark that showed a trio of apples. although, I have to say, the most amazing thing about her was that she wore a brown stetson atop her head, which was weird to me because most of the Ponies during my 15 year stay here hardly wore anything at all most of the time.
The Orange Pony galloped over to a tree where she planted her forlegs, pivoted, and bucked it (Pony terminology, either you learn it fast, or you stay lost.) causing all the apples in the tree to fall in baskets that were set up around the trunk.
I golf clapped a bit, impressed.
"Let's get this over with." Twilight sighed, hanging her head. A bit of pessimist that one. She approached the Orange Pony straightening up and putting on a smile. "Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle." That's as far as she got before the Orange Pony grabbed one of her hoof and started shaking it vigorously.
"Well, howdy do, Miss Twilight. A pleasure makin' your acquaintance. I'm Applejack. We her at Sweet Apple Acres do like makin' new friends." And another strange thing happened. All though her saying this she took on that strange feeling, much like the strange Pink Pony, only her's didn't disappear quickly, her's lingered, and again it had a stronger feeling than Twilight's. My basic question around this point was 'what the hell is going on.'
"Friends?" Twilight inquired while Applejack shook her hoof hard enough to cause Twi's voice to vibrate. "Actually I..."
"So, what can I do for you?" Applejack asked, finally releasing Twi's hoof, who didn't realize right away so Spike had to stop her hoof from shaking, giggling a bit after doing so.
Twilight had to readjust herself a bit before continuing on. "Well, I am in fact here to supervise preparations for The Summer Sun Celebration. And you're in charge of the Food?"
"We sure as sugar are." Applejack affirmed, "Care to sample some?"
"Well, as long as it doesn't take," Applejack didn't wait around to hear the end of the sentence, "to long."
Applejack galloped over to a Triangle suspended by a slender rope form a wooden post, took up the wand, and rang the Triangle.
"SOUP'S ON EVERYPONY!" Applejack hollered.
"Hey do you guys hear that poun-- OH GOD!" I was cut off as a great flood of ponies that swept up me, Spike, and Twi. We somehow found ourselves seated around a table with yellow tablecloths. Applejack popped up (Literally) a second later with a grin on her face.
"Now why don't I introduce you to the Apple Family?" Applejack said, gesturing to the ponies starting to congregate around the table.
"Thanks, but I really need to hurray." Twilight said, quickly trying to make her escape. Just then a tasty looking treat was presented before Twilight, the treat itself being held by a member of the Apple Family, who Applejack introduced as Apple Fritter. After that there was no leaving as more and more Family members, all of who held a delectable looking apple treat, all of which ended up on the table, witch actually started to sag a little bit under the weight. The introductions culminated with three that somehow I could tell were the most closely related to her.
"Big Macintosh, Applebloom, aaand..." Applejack paused a little bit to shove an apple into Twilight mouth, "Granny Smith." Who was a much older mare, who, up til now, had been asleep in a rocking chair. She had to take a little bit to wake up and to walk over to the now crowded table.
"Why, I'd say," Applejack said, patting Twi's back, "they're already part of the family."
Twilight then spit out the now chewed bits of the apple (which was more than a little gross) and let out an uneasy giggle.
"Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled," Twilight said, trying to make her escape again, "so we'll be on our way." There were disappointed looks from the Apple Family members, along with a tiny voice that caused Twilight to stop.
"Aren't you going to say for brunch?" The owner of the voice turned out to the young, yellow coated, red maned filly Applejack had introduced as Applebloom, who at the moment was giving what could only be described a puppy dog eyes.
"Sorry," Twilight Said, visibly cracking even then, "but we have an awful lot to do." There was a disappointed sigh from all (and I do mean all) the Members of the Apple Family, which pretty much sealed the deal with Twilight staying.
"Fine." There was a huge Cheer from The Apple Family, and we were treated to a fabulous Apple brunch. I probably would have enjoyed it more had it not been for one thing. That Feeling about Applejack was still there and it stayed there for the whole brunch and didn't fade until we had left Sweet Apple Acres, and were well along our way to checking on the next object on our list.
---
"Food's all taken care of." Spike said, ticking food his list, "Next is Weather."
"You okay back there Twi? You seem to be putting on a few pounds." I said, looking over my shoulder
"I ate to much Pie." Twilight Groaned back.
Hmmm..." Spike stared up at the sky, "there's supposed to be a Pegasus Pony named Rainbow Dash Clearing the sky."
Me and Twilight both glanced up at the sky, which, while not overcast, was definitely cloudy.
"Well, She's not doing a very good job, is she?" She said rather huffily. Then a Rainbow colored blur rammed into Twi, knocking her down into a mud puddle. Laying in a heap in the puddle was Twilight (Duh) and on top of her was an unfamiliar Blue Pegasus. The Pegasus had a Rainbow colored mane, violet eyes, and a Cutiemark with a cloud and a Rainbow colored lighting bolt. The Mud splattered Pegasus got up with a goofy grin on her face and bent over to check on Twilight, who was still lying face down in the Mud puddle.
"Uh... 'scuse me?" The Rainbow Pegasus then took off and hovered a few feet of the ground, glancing around looking for something, while Twilight picked herself up, groaning a bit. "Let me help you." she said, quickly zipping off, only to return with a cloud, which she positioned over Twilight. The Pegasus jumped onto the cloud (you heard me right) and stomped on it a few times witch, caused a torrent of water of water to wash over Twilight. This did give the desired effect of cleaning Twilight off, but it also left her completely soaked. "Oops," the Pegasus said looking down from her cloud, "I guess I overdid it. Um.. how about this." She then swooped down and flew in a tight circle fast enough to cause a Rainbow (all about the rainbows with this pony) colored whirlwind, which sucked up all the Mud in the puddle. "My very own patented," she said, raising out of the whirlwind, "Rainblow-Dry!" She landed on the ground before continuing. "No, no, don't thank me. You're quite welcome." She then got a good look at Twilight, whose mane and tail had frizzed out enough to give any hair stylist a heart attack. She looked quite miffed. This caused the Pegasus to burst out laughing, and Spike wasn't fair behind, falling over the Pegasus in fits. This didn't help Twilight's mood.
"I have to admit it's a funny look for you, Twi." I said, before being silenced by a glare from Twilight.
"Let me guess," Twilight said, returning her gaze to the Pegasus and Spike, both of whom were still in fits, "your Rainbow Dash." Rainbow Dash then bolts up, throwing Spike off her.
"The One and only!" Rainbow confirmed, taking off, "Why? Ya' heard of me?"
"I heard you're supposed to be keeping the sky clear." Twilight then sighed, annoyed, before fixing a smile onto her face. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather." Rainbow Dash, who was not interested in the conversation at this point had flown up to a cloud, where she was now lounging.
"Yeah Yeah," Rainbow said, waving her hoof in a nonchalant manner, "that'll be a snap. I'll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I'm done practicing."
"Practicing? For what?" Twilight Asked.
"The Wonderbolts!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, pointing at a poster promoting the premier Equestrian stunt flying team. "They're gonna perform at The Celebration tomorrow," Rainbow then leaped to another cloud, doing a little loop in the process, "And I'm going to show them my stuff."
"The Wonderbolts?" Twilight said, smiling shrewdly.
"Yep."
"The most talented flyers in all of Equestria?"
"That them." Rainbow confirmed.
"Pfft! Please." Twilight continued, which caused Rainbow Dash to glare down at her, "They'd never accept a Pegasus who can't even keep the sky clear for one measly day."
"Hey. I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat." Rainbow Dash declared.
"Prove it." Which was all Rainbow Dash needed to get going. She took off from the cloud she had been sitting on, which caused it to disperse. Shen then flew through the sky, sometimes bucking the clouds or sometimes just dashing (Ya' see what I did there?) through them. I again felt something, and I'll give ya' three tries to guess what. Yep, that strange felling, just as intense as it was for that strange Pink Pony, and Applejack. This time the feeling lasted for the entire time she was clearing the sky (which, call me crazy, I think actually took her ten seconds flat!).
"Loop-the-Loop and wham!" Rainbow exclaimed, finishing up. "What'd I say?" She asked, landing on a bridge that crossed a small stream. "Ten seconds flat. I'd never leave Ponyville hanging." By now Twilight and Spike were staring up at the sky in open-mouthed, wide eyed amazement, although Spike recovered before Twilight did. "Your should see the look on your face!" Rainbow laughed, while taking off again, "You're a laugh, Twilight Sparkle. I can't wait to hang out some more." This seemed to shock Twilight back into working order, but Rainbow flew of before she could say anything further.
"Wow... She's amazing." Spike said, duly amazed. He then started toying with Twilight's still very messed up mane, laughing a bit. Twilight walked away then, with an annoyed groan, heading towards the Town Hall. "Wait!," Spike said, quickly following behind Twilight, "It's kinda pretty once you get used to it."
"Yeah," I muttered, falling into step behind them, "that's the word for it."
---
The first words out of my mouth upon entering the Town Hall? "Wow, Festive." and Indeed it was. The big circular room had been decorated with many banner, some of which depicted the 2 Ponies from the myth about Nightmare Moon. Very tasteful.
"Yes." Twilight, said in response to Spike, who had said something about something being beautiful, "The decor is coming along nicely. This oughta be quick. I'll be at the library in no time. Beautiful indeed." The mare was focused, I tells ya.
"Not the decor... her." The her in question being a White Unicorn who stood at the back of the room. Her mane and tail, which were done up up in elegant curls (which must take bloody hours to style), were a deep purple. She wore a deep blue eyeshadow, which did compliment her blue eyes. Her Cutiemark was a trio of diamonds. She was sorting through a collections of ribbons.
"No... No... No... Oh goodness no... No... hmmm." The mare spoke with a Mid-Atlantic accent, highly dignified.
Spike hurriedly started grooming himself, "How are my spines? Are they straight?" Me and Twilight both rolled our eyes, though Twilight's roll was more good natured. She then approached the White Unicorn.
"Good Afternoon..." Twilight started.
"Just a moment, please," The White Unicorn cutoff Twilight, "I'm in the zone, as 'twere. Ah yes," The unicorn says, tightening a glittering red ribbon onto pole using her magic, "sparkles always does the trick, does it not? Why Rarity you are a talent." and we had a name, helpful for me. "Now, um, how can I help you- Wah-ha-ha!" That would be a cry of horror that stopped whatever she was about to say. "Oh, my stars, darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?"
"Oh you mean my mane?" Twilight asked glancing at the frizzed up mess that was her mane, "Well, it's a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair."
"Out of my hair?" Rarity ask horrified, "What about your hair?" Rarity then proceed to push (literally) toward the exit, where she was heading I didn't know.
"Wait! Where are we going? Help!" Spike floated (literally) after them, not attempting to stop rarity at all, while I followed after them, waiting to see where this went.
We ended up at what I later learned was Rarity's boutique, Carousel Boutique, where Rarity then stuffed Twilight into a bunch of different outfits, all of which Rarity disapproved of slightly. She was finally satisfied with a comparatively simple saddle with small jewels embedded into it with a necklace with an emerald.
"Now go on, my dear. You were telling me where you're from." With this she grabbed the strap to the saddle and stared pulling, tightening the saddle.
"I've..." Twilight was trying desperately to breath out against the constricting saddle, "been... sent... from... Cantorlot..." a tear was actually starting to form in Twilight's eyes. Luckily Rarity finally let go with a surprised "huh?"
"Cantorlot?!" Rarity was practically brimming with excitement, "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. We're going to be the best of friends you and I." Twilight had a shock look on her face (happened a lot that day) after hearing that last bit, although Rarity wasn't really paying attention to her face at the moment. She took one last look at the outfit. "Emeralds!? what was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!" and she dashed off to do so.
"Quick! Before she decides to dye my coat a new color!" Twilight exclaimed, galloping out of the store. I though that was a little rude of her, but I couldn't rightly blame her, I mean after all she was a busy Pony and she didn't have time to be playing dress up. Also Rarity had made a comment about how drab my gray shirt and pants were on our way to the boutique, and I'd rather not have went through the same ordeal as Twilight.
"Right behind you soul sister!" I hollered after. 'course I had to drag Spike, who was still completely enamored with rarity, behind me, because he certainly wasn't going anywhere on his own anytime soon. Still that give me time to ponder something. All through our visit to Carousel Boutique Rarity had the Same, more intense than Twilight's, feeling that the three other mares I had met that day had. I still had no idea what going on with that, although I had a feeling myself that I'd soon learn all about that feeling.
---
About thirty minutes later found us on the path again to the next item on the list. Twilight had found time to slip out of the saddle from Rarity, and Spike now rode on the her back, still in a dreamlike state.
"Wasn't she wonderful?" This, or something to the same effect was all Spike had said since we had left Carousel Boutique.
"Focus, Casanova."Twilight said over her shoulder, "What's next on the list?"
"Oh... Uh... It's music. It's the last one." We all suddenly stopped when we hear a very harmonious whistling wafting from over next hill. We, for some reason (I think It was Spike's idea.) decided to pop into the bushes and continue on until we found the source of the whistling. We found it quite soon. It turned out to be an all bird choir being conducted by a yellow Pegasus. The Pegasus's wing flaps seemed more gentle than Rainbow Dash's had been. The Pegasus had a long, pink mane and tail. The Cutiemark on her flank was a trio of Butterflies.
The ABC (weird how that worked out) was almost heavenly sounding, were it not for one Bluejay who was clearly out of time. "Oh, my." The Pegasus said in a quiet voice, "Um, stop, please, everyone." The ABC came to rest, and the yellow Pegasus flapped up to the Bluejay, "Um, excuse me, sir. I mean no offense, but your rhythm is just a teeny tiny bit off." The Pegasus then returned to her original position. "Now, follow me, please. A-one, A-two, A-one, two, three." This is when Twilight decides to speak up.
"Hello!" Twilight called up. The Yellow Pegasus let out a startled gasp, all of the ABC flew off, and I face palmed. "Oh, my. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to frighten your birds." The Pegasus started to descended while Twilight talked. "I'm just here to check up on the music, and it's sounding beautiful." The Pegasus landed then, but kept her head down, looking away, not making eye contact while nervously kicking at the dirt. (You could literally feel the awkward.) "I'm Twilight Sparkle." The mare still didn't look up or make a sound. "What's your name?" Twilight asked, just trying to get a response.
The mare continued not to make eye contact and mumbled something I couldn't make out.
"I'm sorry what was that?"
The mare shrunk back a bit and mumbled softer than before.
"Didn't quite catch that." (No wait I was wrong, now you could feel the awkward)
She shrunk even more, ducking down and hiding behind he mane, and all I could make out was a squeak.
There was complete silence as as the two Ponies stood there and birds returned to the tree. (Alright, NOW you could feel the awkward.)
"Well, um, it looks like your birds are coming back. So I guess everything's in order. Keep up the good work." The Pegasus let out another little squeak. "Oo-kay then." Twilight said uneasily, backing off slowly, before turning around to return to us. "Well that was easy." Twilight said to Spike as he exited the bush. There was a sudden excited gasp from the Yellow Pegasus that scared off all the birds that had returned.
"A Baby Dragon!" She then zipped over with speed faster then I would have contributed to her, catapulting Twilight out of her way. "Oh I've never seen a Baby Dragon before! He's so cute!"
"Well, well, well." Spike said to Twilight, who was trying to re-orientate herself. (Good lord I could see he head getting bigger.)
"Oh, my. He talks. I didn't know Dragons could talk." The now-not-so quite Pegasus continued breathlessly, "That's just so incredibly wonderful, I...," The Pegasus hovered off the floor with excitement, "I don't even know what to say." Twilight then grabbed Spike by his tail with her magic and levitated him onto her back and started walking away.
"Well, in that case, we better be going."
"Wait! Wait! What's his name." She asked, falling into step behind us.
"I'm Spike." Spike responded.
"Hi, Spike. I'm Fluttershy. Wow, a talking Dragon! And what do Dragons talk about?" Fluttershy asked excitedly.
"Well, what do you want to know?"
"Absolutely everything." Twilight groaned at that last bit because she knew this conversation wasn't going to end anytime soon. And she was right.
The conversation lasted for a few hours most of it between Spike and Fluttershy, although when she noticed I wasn't a pony she quickly directed a question at me. ("Oh, my. I never seen anything like you before! What are you?") I mumbled something about not really knowing what I was and, other than what my name was, that was all that was said about me. 'course you know what the kicker was? That feeling that four other ponies had shown? Yeah, she had it to and it lasted for the entire conversation.
By the time we got to the library, which was in a hallowed out tree, the day had turned to dusk, and Spike was finally winding down his story.
"And that's the story of my whole life... Well, up til today. Do you want to hear about today?"
"Oh, Yes, Please." Fluttershy said, eager for more. (get that mind out of the gutter.) Twilight did a 180, stopping anymore story Spike might've had.
"I am so sorry. How did we get here so fast? This is where I'm staying while in Ponyville, and my poor Baby Dragon needs his sleep."
"No I don't!" Spike protested, before Twilight bucked him off.
"Aw, wookit that." Twilight said, reverting to baby talk, "He's so sweepy, he can't even keep his wittle bawence." Spike stared rather haughtily back at her.
"Poor thing," Fluttershy said, sweeping up spike, "You simply must get him to bed." She continued entering the library. Twilight quickly dashed after her into the darkened library, with me right behind her. Twilight scooted Fluttershy out the door and, after assurances that Spike'd be put right to bed, slammed it. The library was very dark so I went fumbling for a switch of some kind.
"Huh, rude much?" Spike said from the darkness.
"Sorry, Spike, but I have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming, and we're running out of time. I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time. Now where's the light?"
"Found it!" I shouted and flipped the switch to revel that the room was full of ponies. (possibly crazy and possibly trying to make friends.)
"Surprise!" The crowd shouted.
"Surprise!" Shouted the Pink Pony from before, slightly out of time. That feeling had returned and I had a feeling it wouldn't be leaving for a while. "Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you." The 'you' in question being Twilight. "Were you surprised? Were you, were you? Huh? Huh? Huh?" Pinkie was (Literally) bouncing around with excitement.
"Very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quiet." Twilight said, annoyed. Pinkie giggled like this was the funniest notion ever conceived.
"That's silly. What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh! Booooring!" Twilight stated making her way through the party while Pinkie followed. "You see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all, 'Hello' and I was all 'GASP'! Remember? You see, I never saw you before, and if I never saw you before, that means you're new. 'Cause I know everypony, (Pony term) and I mean everypony, in Ponyville." Twilight walked up to the lone refreshment table in the room, picked up a red bottle, and started pouring the contents into a cup. She then put a straw into the cup and took a sip. all through this Pinkie did not stop talking. "And if you're new, it meant you hadn't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, then you must not have any friends yet, And if you don't have any friends, then you must be lonely, an that made me so sad. And I had an idea, and that's when I went 'GASP'! (I swear that Pony's brain must run at like 3000 RPM) I should throw a great big, ginormous, super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville!" Right on cue the four other Ponies from that day gathered around Pinkie. "See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!" Twilights eyes bugged out, but not I don't think in shock, at least not at the proclamation of her having lots of friends. When she turned around her face was very red, tears were forming in her eyes, and she was sweating profusely.
"Are you all right, sugar cube?" Applejack asked. Twilight then jumped up, steam coming out of her ears, (Literally) and she ran up the stairs to her room. The five ponies left had puzzled looks on their faces before Pinkie spoke up.
"Aww, she's so happy she's crying." Spike, less then convinced that this was the case, investigated the table, and found the red bottle, which had a label that only showed a ball of fire.
"Hot sauce."
"Yeah, that'll do it." I muttered looking over his shoulder. Then Pinkie tipped the bottle, pouring a generous amount onto a cupcake, and popped into he mouth with a "MMM'. After a few question looks form all of us, Pinkie then responded,
"What? It's good."
Pinkie Pie, ladies and gentlemen.
---
So after a couple hours at the party, In which, that strange feeling flared up in all five of the Ponies I met that day (except Pinkie, her's was there the whole party) I figured I had to get another perspective. So after excusing myself from a conversation with Pinkie (harder then you'd think), I quietly slipped into the broom closet and contacted Thomas. I reported to him my day, and told him about those strange feelings that had been flaring up all day.
"So let me get this straight," Thomas said, after I was finished, "For most of the 15 years you've been there Twilight Sparkle has been the only Pony to exhibit this strange feeling you described. Suddenly, just today in fact, you meet not one, not two, not even three, but five Ponies that, not only have the same feeling as Twilight, but these feelings are more intense then her's. Also, just to add to the confusion, these feelings only show up every now and then. Is that about it?"
"Yeah, yeah that's about the gist of it. So any theories?"
"Not a one." I face palmed, and sighed
"What would I do without you Thomas?" I asked entirely rhetorically. "Alright then, what do you recommend I do then?"
"Keep an eye on these five Ponies until you understand what that's all about." I was planning on doing this anyway but, hey.
"Right next item, where is my sword?" I was missing the familiar weight of the iron blade, and I wouldn't be at ease until I had it back.
"Yeah, about that, there's been a slight problem." Thomas said, growing a bit sheepish again.
"What, is it not in this world yet?"
"No it's in the world, we just don't know where it is right now." That last bit was rushed out, all said in one breath, and I swear I nearly burst a blood vessel.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS!" I shouted into the earpiece.
"Just that, we don't know where it is, however we do have an idea." Thomas explained.
"Okay then, what's the idea then?" I asked, very much irritated.
"Well one the interns, instead of looking for coordinates that was near Ponyville, he chose a random bunch of coordinates, and sent the sword there. Now for some reasons we can't get a positive read on where the location is physically, but we do get a reading from it that suggests it's going to have a lot of significances to the second episode of the series."
"Okay couple questions. First, who was the genius who decided to use a random bunch of coordinates?"
"That'd be Intern Bob."
"Why am I not surprised? Secondly, why can't you get a physical read on it?"
"Intern Bob did something screwy with the system, and we won't be able to get a reading on any physical location for awhile." Thomas explained, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"Hmmm... Okay then. Finally, by important to the second episode, what do you mean?"
"Just that. If I had to take a stab it, I'd say that the place is where the conclusion is going to happen." I was about to follow up with another question when someone opened up the door to the closet, causing me to jump and bump my head on a shelf. Spike stood in the doorway, a lampshade on his head.
"Oh, there you are Isaiah. Come on, everyone's going to the Town hall to watch the sunrise." And he left without saying anything further. I sighed, got up, and followed.
---
Me and Twilight were standing side-by-side, Spike riding on the back of Twilight. The hall was crowded with Ponies, all waiting for sunrise, the earliest sunrise of the year. Well, all but Twilight, who looked about uneasily, as if waiting for something horrible to happen. Then Pinkie Pie Zipped up, taking Twilight's mind off of whatever was getting her down for a moment.
"Isn't this exciting? Are you exited? 'Cause I've never been so exited, well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went (GASP). But I mean, really, who can top that?" Before Twilight could answer that was some fanfare from the ABC, who were being conducted by Fluttershy, and out stepped a tan Earth Pony with a grey man and tail. She wore a Collar with a green tie, a pair of glasses, and had a Cutiemark of a scroll. Someone had informed me that this was the Mayor of Ponyville although no one had provided a name.
"Fillies and Gentle-colts!" The Mayor called, bringing the hum of the crowd down, "As Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the the beginning of The Summer Sun Celebration!" All of the Ponies cheered, all except to Twilight and Spike, the former of which still looked uneasy. "In just a few moments our town will witness the magic of the sunrise and celebrate this, the longest day of the year." More cheering from the crowd. "And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land..." Out of the corner of my eye I saw Twilight glance up and out of one of the windows, and, for some reason, she look a bit stunned at what she saw. "The very pony who gives us the sun each and everyday (she's not kidding) the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria," (Pause for Dramatic Effect.) "Princess Celestia!" there was a bit of fanfare from the ABC, Rarity, who was standing up on the balcony on which Celestia would stand, pulled back the curtains, a spotlight alighted on the spot on which the Princess would stand and... No Princess. There was a confused murmuring among the crowd.
"This can't be good," Twilight said fearfully.
"Remain calm, everypony," the Mayor said, who appeared to be barely following her own advice, "There must be a reasonable Explanation."
Pinkie (whose good mood could not be ruined) bounced in place. "Ooh, ooh! I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" Rarity, who had went to search for Celestia behind the curtains came back then.
"She's Gone!" There was a great gasp from all ponies present. Except Pinkie Pie.
"Ooh, she's good." She then let out a panicked cry. Why? Because, up on the balcony dark-blue vapor had sprung up on the balcony, and it seemed to be condensing in on itself.
"Oh, no." That was Twilight, she knew what was coming. The Vapor suddenly flew apart with a great wing flap and A Big, Black Alicorn Stood there. She was the same Size of Celestia, and I could see a slight resemblance between the two, except for one thing. Everything about Celestia screamed Kindness, Laughter, Warmth, everything that was good about Equestria, Not so with this new Alicorn. Everything about he screamed Doom, Darkness, not one ounce of warmth about her. Her mane and tail were a great ethereal gathering, dark blue with white dots, like it was made out of the night sky itself. On her flank was a Crescent Moon. However there was something about her that really struck me. It was that I recognized her Face. It was the same face that was in the hourglass. "Nightmare Moon." Twilight whispered silently beside me. Spike fainted from shock.
Then the Alicorn began to speak. "Oh, my beloved subject." Nightmare's voice was suave, but with contempt clear in her voice. "It's been so long since I've seen your precious, sun-loving faces.
"What did you do with our Princess." Rainbow Dash shouted from the crowd, her Feeling flaring up. She attempted to charge Nightmare, but was stopped by Applejack Grabbing her tail.
"Whoa there, Nelly!" She exclaimed around the tail.
Nightmare chuckled, acknowledging the outburst. "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?" She seemed to be enjoying this.
Pinkie, ever undeterred, spoke up. "Ooh, ooh! More guessing games! Um... Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie! No... Black Snootie! Black Snootie!" She would have continued like this had Applejack not shoved a cupcake into her mouth, shutting her up.
Nightmare then seemed to be getting a bit agitated, focusing in on Fluttershy, which scared off the ABC, she asked "Does my crown no longer count, now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand year?" She focused in on Rarity next, "Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the sign?"
"I did!" Twilight called out bringing Nightmare's attention to her, "And I know who you are! You're The Mare in the Moon... Nightmare Moon!" Another great gasp from the crowd.
"Well, well, well, Somepony remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here."
Twilight looks around uneasily, "You're here to... to...," She gulps, unable to finish the sentence, and Nightmare chuckles.
"Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last FOREVER!" With this her Mane and Tail grow longer, growing into a giant whirlpool of ethereal night above her, and she Cackles a giant evil laugh.
Suddenly the presence of The Camera, a presence I had grown used to that day, flickers for the tiniest moment before strengthening Again.
Oh Great. It was a Two Parter.
To Be Continued...