It was three o’clock in the morning when a long, piercing shriek echoed through the Everfree forest. The bloodcurdling noise cut through the tranquility of the cold darkness like a jagged knife. A pillar of smoke could be seen above the barren treetops. It billowed out into the sky, carrying small, glowing cinders along with it. They wafted up to look like miniature stars above the branches before fading into nothing. But they were constantly being replenished as the trail of smoke continued towards the little town. A distinct rumbling reminiscent of a racing heartbeat could be heard from the edge of the forest. It seemed as though some huge, terrible animal was coming from the depths of the wilderness, belching smoke with every breath. Another shriek sounded off as an enormous black machine came snaking out into the open meadow at the forest’s edge. The huge serpent chugged along the rails, its wheels screaming and sparking with every turn. Now could be heard a distinct calliope melody playing as the great engine neared the town. The music seemed jovial and carefree, but there was something wrong with it. There was something between each note, something that seemed off.
The engine came barreling into town, but not a soul awakened. The metal creature’s pulse began to slow down as it approached, and continued to fade as though it were dying. It hissed and creaked violently as though protesting, but it obeyed its command. The engine finally came to a shrieking halt just outside the train yard. Dust and debris flew from the sides of the tracks as it released steam from its pistons. Almost immediately after the behemoth had stopped, the sides of the cars flew open. Dark, shadowy figures began to emerge, each one carrying something. Some carried the enormous black bones of a tent, while others stretched out its membranous skin. Still more beings poured out of the massive vehicle, carrying bits and pieces into the clearing outside of town.
An enormous shape hovered in the sky above the shadows like a silent sentinel. The moonlight shone off of its moss-green skin as it drifted over the workers. A line suddenly dropped from the basket that swayed beneath the sphere of its body. Someone ran out to tie it off to something. The thing in the sky suddenly hissed as it slowly rose upwards. At the same time, something on the ground began to erect itself. The great canvas sheets rustled and shuddered; massive posts creaked and groaned. The sharp sound of stakes being driven into the earth was intermingled with the stretching of frayed ropes. The mass of cloth, rope, and wood was slowly becoming a dark and cavernous tent. Yet all of this commotion still did not cause a stirring within the town.
Twilight Sparkle awoke, and realized just how cold she really was. She looked up at the ceiling and exhaled, sending a small icy cloud into the crisp autumn air. The unicorn sat up and shivered. Immediately she glanced over to the window. As she had expected, it was wide open. Twilight remembered opening it the other day when she had been organizing her room. She wasn’t angry at herself for forgetting to close it. She had been busy lately on account of the Nightmare Night festival, which was a few days away. The mare slowly began to get out of bed. The chilly air sent a shock through her as she pulled herself from the blanket. Rather than face the cold alone, Twilight wrapped the blanket around herself and started for the window.
She paused just as she was about to close it. She smiled at the sunrise, knowing that it would soon bring warmth. The golden orb was slowly rising over the treetops of the Everfree forest. Light poured over the bare branches, turning them into gold. Twilight reached out to close the window, but just as she touched the glass she stopped. There was a peculiar smell wafting in from outside. It was a sweet smell; heavily laden with sugar, so strong that she could almost taste it. Cotton Candy.
Twilight’s first thought was that it came from Sugar-cube Corners. She knew they had been busy making extra candy for Nightmare Night. The mare craned her head out the window to look at the bakery. Something near the edge of the forest caught her eye before she had a chance to find it. The sun had risen higher now, revealing the small tents that had appeared on the edge of Ponyville. Twilight gazed upon them with curiosity. Pathway roads lead through a small village of canvas houses and wooden booth huts. A huge iron wheel towered above the tiny town. The unicorn knew at once that it was a carnival. Even now she heard the calliope as its melody played in the distance.
Twilight was drawn back to a distant memory of her childhood, when her parents had taken her to the carnival. Even though it had been many years ago, she still remembered the experience with vivid detail, the strongest of which were the joyful sensations she felt. Whenever she recalled the carnival she still felt that electrifying tingle of her first ride on the carrousel, seated between her parents as the ride spun around and around; the feel of giddy butterflies fluttering in her stomach from her ride on the tilt-a-whirl. The air smelled of delicious food; cotton candy, funnel cakes, all manner of candy, and, Twilight’s favorite, popcorn. She remembered watching it cook in the vender’s cart, the kernels jumping up and transforming as if by magic.
Twilight smiled, but there was something bittersweet about the expression. She would never know that feeling of being a child at a carnival again. She had grown up long ago, perhaps sooner than she should have. Every once in a great while Twilight longed for those short, sweet years of her childhood. And yet, when she was little she couldn’t wait to grow up. Such was the way the world was, she supposed. The mare reached out and pulled the window down. It thudded softly as it hit the wooden sill. Before leaving the window, Twilight gave the carnival one last wistful look.
Pinkie Pie’s head popped out of her bedroom window, her nostrils taking in the scent of all manner of sugary goodies. The mare’s eyes were wide and giddy, unlike most of the population who were now just crawling from bed. Pinkie had been awake for some time now, but had only just now noticed the smell of cotton candy and licorice in the air. Pinkie was exceptionally talented in recognizing such aromas, and knew what they meant. They meant the carnival was in town. And where carnivals were, fun was sure to follow. The mare could barely contain her excitement as she disappeared back inside her room, only to reemerge from the Bakery moments later. Using her nose she began to follow the scent to its source, already fantasizing of all the fun she was going to have. Towering Ferris wheels, beautiful merry-go-rounds, extravagant magic shows, and the ever-enchanting tilt-a-whirl, which Pinkie could never ride enough times. And then there was the food, which Pinkie absolutely adored. If she had the choice, she would live off of carnival fare.
The mare was so engrossed in her wild expectations that she didn’t see the stallion before her. Her skull made a hollow clunk as it collided with his side, and Pinkie felt as though she had crashed into a brick wall. She sat down to collect herself, and looked up just in time to see a massive pony flash his electric blue eyes at her. He was all muscle and gristle beneath his brown, weathered hide, and his thick mane was the dark red of burned rust. A bristly mustache of the same color sprouted from his muzzle, and to Pinkie it looked like an oversized caterpillar. The pony’s face bore a monotonous stony glare. In contrast, the young mare gazed up at the stallion with an enthusiastic grin on her face. Because she did not recognize him, Pinkie knew right away that he must have worked for the carnival.
“Hi!” she cried joyfully as she leapt up to her hooves, “I’m Pinkie Pie!” There was a long pause as she waited for the stallion to reply. His eyes narrowed as he gave her a sideways glance, as if he were not sure what to make of her. Finally he broke the cold silence with a surprisingly quiet voice.
“Good morning.”
“You’re from the carnival, aren’t you?” Pinkie asked fervently, “I can tell there’s a carnival in town because I can smell all the wonderful smells it has, and also because I know everyone in Ponyville, and I don’t know you, so that means you must be new!” The stallion took a step back and grunted.
“Watch where you’re going next time.” Before Pinkie could reply, the pony turned around and began to shuffle away.
“Hey, wait!” she cried. But she never went after him, because at that moment she saw a poster on the wall of the post office, pasted over a quilt of older, much smaller flyers. It was a rectangular patch of midnight in the midst of the colorful menagerie of papers, with large, fanciful crimson letters.
J. C. Cooger and G. M. Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show!
Witness wonders from all four corners of the world!
Lay eyes upon the mysterious Nag Witch!
Watch the raising of the Monster Montgolfier!
Come see the miracle of nature, the Two-headed Unicorn!
Feast your eyes on the most beautiful dress in the world!
See for yourself the oddity known as the Chickengriff!
Listen to the tune of the Marionette Mare!
The list went on, but Pinkie had stopped reading. The mare had never heard of most of these things, which exited her greatly. Pinkie had absolutely no idea what a Montgolfier was, but was determined to find out.