Act I: Creatures of the Night
Chapter One
I've been wrestling with my circumstances for a long time now, trying to find some sense in it all. Maybe the universe was thrown off balance by some cosmic force or being. Maybe the stars aligned on the night of my birth and completely ruined my chances at a normal life. Maybe I'm simply insane and I'm doing this to myself for no good reason. But there's one thought that I can't stand.
Maybe she's right.
Maybe all of this...
...happened...
- - -
...Perfectly
Even though Twilight grinned and applauded along with the rest of the ponies as her teacher raised the sun, she was inwardly stunned and ashamed. She had been certain that all of her research was correct. She had been certain that the Summer Sun Celebration was going to be remembered as the day Nightmare Moon returned. She had been certain that after a thousand years the Mare in the Moon would be released. Hay, she even could have sworn she saw the image on the lunar surface disappear as the four stars aligned in the sky.
But no.
When she was introduced Princess Celestia emerged with all of the pomp and circumstance befitting a goddess. As the ponies cheered on the floor below, she rose into the air and brought the sun over the horizon for the longest day of the year. Afterwards she stepped back down and smiled warmly as her subjects laid adulations upon her. It was majestic, it was awe-inspiring, it was completely unmarred by any interruptions.
Twilight never before felt so unhappy over perfection.
When the princess' gaze passed over Twilight, the purple mare winced instinctively. I feel so foalish now. She gazed down at the floor as the Princess turned away and left the main room. The Princess was right, I was overreacting... again.
"Mss Sparkle?" Twilight's head jerked up. Many of the ponies were filing out of the Town Hall and talking amongst themselves while a Royal Hussar had landed in front of her. "The Princess wishes to see you."
"I..." Twilight opened her mouth but her sentence faded off into a nervous chuckle. "Of course, lead the way."
The two ponies made their way against the flow of ponies leaving the hall. Most turned their heads to see the passing two; a few actually waved at Twilight as she passed. She nervously smiled and waved back at a few of the ponies. Well, at least it was nice here, even though most of the ponies here are crazy.
Princess Celestia was waiting for her on a balcony on the top floor of the Town Hall. The Princess was flanked by two of her Guards as she looked over the town. Below ponies were going about their lives, the those that didn't stay up all night partying that is. The quaint buildings looked even more colorful than normal as the morning sun gave them a soft glow. The Princess' multicolored mane waved in the nonexistent breeze and sparkled even in the shade cast by the awning.
Twilight's eyes narrowed slightly in concern as she spotted the distant look in her teacher's eyes, but as she approached, Twilight saw Celestia's wise and caring smile return. The sun princess looked over to her student. "Well Twilight, I have to say that this Summer Sun Celebration was a complete success, what do you think?" Twilight's eye twitched briefly at the perceived jab, but Celestia seemed to not notice. "Thank you for overseeing the preparations so spectacularly."
"Well, the praise isn't just mine, Princess," Twilight said sheepishly and looked away humbly, "the ponies here were quite talented. I wouldn't be surprised if the Celebration were just as successful even without me to organize everything."
Celestia grinned. "Oh, Twilight. Don't tell me you didn't help at all."
"Well," Twilight continued to look away and kicked at the ground. "I mean, of course I made sure everything was ready. And it was."
"Twilight?"
Twilight looked up at her teacher's smiling face and sighed. "I guess... I'm sorry."
Celestia's laugh was as melodious as the finest songbird in Equestria. "Twilight, you have nothing to be sorry about."
"You were right, I was too focused on the Mare in the Moon. Once again I made a big deal over nothing and... I'm sorry."
There was a pause as Celestia looked Twilight up and down. She stepped forward and leaned down to her student's level. "Twilight, you have nothing to be sorry for. You were worried and you made your concerns known to be. You just have to learn to relax sometimes Twilight. I wasn't telling you not to be worried, but I did tell you to step away from your books for a while and make some friends." She tilted her head. "Did you make any friends, Twilight?"
The purple unicorn smirked. "Inadvertently."
Celestia leaned back and grinned. "I'm glad for that. Don't stop thinking about these things Twilight, telling you to do otherwise would be fruitless. But you have to learn the value of friendship."
Twilight laughed. "I guess that's just one more thing I need to learn then."
Celestia looked away and out at the town thoughtfully.
"So," Twilight continued, "I just need to go back to the library to gather my things..."
Celestia turned back to Twilight suddenly with a bright smile on her face. Twilight was struck silent by the spark of light in her teacher's eyes. "Twilight," she said brightly, "I have a new assignment for you...."
- - - -
Twilight walked back to the library in silence, eyes wide, completely oblivious to everypony around her.
Study the magic of friendship and report back to me your findings every week. Study the magic of friendship and report back to me your findings every week. Study the magic of friendship and report back to me your findings every week. Study...
She only stopped repeating her teacher's assignment in her head when she nearly ran into the door of the library. My new home.
She leaned forward and sighed. I know she wants me to make friends, but does she really need to do this? I mean, Ponyville is really nice but... she shook her head as she struggled to find an objection to the Princess' request. Twilight gave up her inner debate and yawned. It's been a while since I've slept. Using her magic, Twilight opened the door and entered the library. I'll get started after I get some sleep.
Twilght looked around the library and barely registered how dark it was. The windows were shuttered and curtains were drawn. All of the lights in the room were snuffed out, recently too; some of the candles were still smoking. There weren't even any lights coming from the bedroom upstairs. She frowned slightly at this but shrugged and entered the tree, closing the door behind her.
That's when she heard the sound of hoofsteps upstairs.
She paused in the center of the room and craned her neck up, hoping for a better look at the dark room upstairs. "Spike?" She carefully trotted towards the staircase. "I can't believe you're still up after last night. You're only a baby dragon after all; you need your sleep."
Twilight waited patiently and stared up into the silent room. Nervously, she stepped towards the stairs and was encountered by a sudden wave of foreboding. It chilled the unicorn down to her core and set off alarm bells in her head. She instinctively gulped and found her throat incredibly dry. Slowly, she crept up the stairs.
The bedroom was even darker than the room below and filled with the same dark energy. If she knew better, she would have sworn that a bookshelf had been thrown across the window to completely block out the light. But inside the pitch-black bedroom she could hear a soft snoring coming from Spike's bed.
"Spike?" She whispered anxiously. Tentatively, she illuminated her horn with magic.
"If you move, speak, or do anything that would draw attention to me, your familiar is as good as dead."
Twilight recoiled in horror as she looked back into the deep blue eyes of Nightmare Moon. The black alicorn sat on the floor next to Spike's bed, one eye on its occupant, the other on Twilight. Her shadowy mane lay flat against her back, twitching only slightly. Waves of dark energy radiated from her still form and filled the room with an unearthly aura. Meanwhile Spike yawned and rolled over in his bed, blissfully unaware of the darkness hovering right above him.
"Ah-" Twilight choked.
Nightmare Moon raised a hoof threateningly over the baby dragon. "What did I say?" Twilight closed her mouth and stared fearfully at her guest. "Good. Do you know who I am?" The two stared at each other in silence for ten seconds before Nightmare Moon twitched in annoyance and cocked her head. "You can speak now."
"Nightmare Moon." Twlight's voice was barely audible, but Nightmare Moon smirked.
"Then you're aware of what I can do."
Twilight nodded mutely.
"Excellent." The former Princess of the Night turned her attention to Spike and grinned wickedly. "What a cute familiar. I didn't know Celestia could continue this practice. I especially didn't expect her to attempt..."
"What do you want?"
Twilight's declaration was firm but with an undertone of fear. Sternly, she stepped forward and looked the black alicorn in the eyes. Nightmare Moon's eyelids lowered slightly in annoyance. Slowly, she raised her head and met Twilight's gaze with her own imperious glare. Twilight's eyes furrowed slightly as the unicorn thought she saw a glimmer of embarrassment in those serpentine eyes.
"I need... your help."