> The Mare With a Dragon Tattoo > by RDDash > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 years before Season 1. The year is 990 of Celestial Raign. Sparkle Manor. Twilight Sparkle blinked, the new day started. She had been preparing for this for weeks. Everything needed to be perfect. Getting into Princess Celestia School For Gifted Unicorns was her dream, and now it's going to become true. "Young mistress, your parents would like a word with you. They are waiting for you downstairs. " "Very well, please let them know that I will be there soon," said Twilight Sparkle dismissing their family butler. Twilight Sparkle's family belongs to the old and respected bloodline, as well as, to the old house of nobles, specifically to the House of Starshine Starlight Rosewood Starbuck Sparkle of Unicornia. It would only make sense for them to have all the bells and whistles that went with it. Fun fact, as part of the deal the House of Sparkle is entitled to the employment of mark 11.56-4 changeling servitude drone, modeled after Earth pony. Changeling servitude drones required very little maintenance and sleep as long as they were being provided with background empathic energy. Their lifespans were on average longer than of ponies and can be replaced when needed. They are also are bound to the family by a magic circuit, that ensured perfect obedience. Twilight Sparkle let it out the breath she didn't know she was holding. She only has about five minutes before she had to go downstairs as per request of her parents. 5 minutes later. "Here you are, are you ready to go?" said Twilight Velvet. "Of course, " said Twilight. "Where is the father?" "I am so sorry sweetie, but he is very busy today! Now then shall we go? You wouldn't want to be late on your first day." Princess Celestia School For Gifted Unicorns. Princess Celestia School For Gifted Unicorns was the very prestigious school in Canterlot. It was founded by Princess Celestia in the year 213 of Celestial Reign. Since then, it's served as a gold standard in the education system of Equestrian Kingdoms. "Welcome! Welcome! We are so excited to invite the young Ms. Sparkle for the chance to be accepted to the most prestigious school in the Canterlot. Perhaps even in the whole country of Equestrian Kingdoms," said the Professor Sunflower excitingly. "Yes, very exciting indeed." They went into the next room, it was quite large, and lots of light shined from outside. In the center of the room, there was a small table. On the table, there was the dragon egg. Twilight Sparkle went inside the room, she waited for a bit. She then trotted to the table and noticed a letter on it. Dear, Twilight Sparkle... Your task is to Incubate or if you prefer to hatch this dragon egg in a duration of sixty minutes. During the whole challenge, you will be observed. It would be preferable for everypony including yourself if you could use magical solution to the problem. Professor Sunflower. Well, nuts! What do I do now? Twilight Sparkle started to pace across the room. This wasn't happening, this can't be happening. She was scared now. There is no way she could do it. There must have been some mistake. The whole thing had to be a prank right? She attempted many spells and so far the result was unsatisfactory. Her horn did light up with bright light during each incantation. "Incubation!" she screamed. "Incubation!" she tried again. "Incubation!" and again. This routine continued for a while. The final minute is going to arrive soon, yet no visible changes have been made to the egg. No! No! No! No! No! No! Twilight Sparkle did one last thing she could do, she gave up. Sitting on the couch she waited until the time would run out, and then she would be kicked out as the worst failure to date. The sky exploded with the shock wave of rainbow colors. The smell of ozone filed the air. Twilight Sparkle's magic overloaded, and time stopped for a split second, but this was more than enough. "Make a contract with me," Twilight heard the strange but calm voice. . "Contract, what contract? I don't understand," Twilight Sparkle heard herself saying. "I know what you want Twilight Sparkle. Right now you want to go to this school. Don't you? In order to do so, you need to hatch me, to Incubate me. I am the egg, I am what inside of it." All of this was a bit too creepy, but whoever it was it knew her perfectly she did want to go to the school after all. "Alright, I'll accept." Time returned back to normal, the sharp cracking sound can bee heard. Twilight winced, feeling slight discomfort that had been spreading across her hoof. Twilight looked at the table, she saw a small a purple green dragon. Taking a glance at her hoof Twilight discovered the small tattoo of a dragon that has been imprinted on it. She doesn't know what exactly this was, but she sensed a whiff of powerful magic from it. This could be a problem. Since she could sense it then some others could too. That could attract unwanted attention. Even more then a little filly with a small dragon, who just bought an express ticket into the most prestigious school in Equestrian Kingdoms? , she thought. Also how am i going to explain this to my parents. There is no way they wouldn't notice a tattoo on a body of her own daughter. Even if she could find some way to hide its magical nature, it would still be very scandalous for a noble pony to express herself in such a way. Twilight remembered all of those nights when proper rules of etiquette had been drilled into her by a tutor. My brother would understand, right? Twilight remembered her older brother Shining Armor. He was a lot more reasonable about those kind of things. Just recently he applied to be transferred into Guard Academy. Which while guaranteed upon graduation for a pony to be in a Solar Guard, it also provided the basic standardized education, as well as all the skills that Solar Guard needs for their career "Master, I sense your current dilemma. May I recommend a hibernation technique Frozen Flame." Twilight heard the calm voice in her head. "Just a heads up, Master, in about two minutes you are going to be visited." Twilight did have her her two minutes and she is going to use it to the maximum. "You are speaking in my head, and I reply with you vocally," she said. "The room is monitored, so won't they hear me." "Not quite master, when you hear me talk, In reality, I'm using your vocal cords. If they even hear anything which is impossible by the way, the only thing they would hear is the ramblings of the filly under a lot of mental stress." "Impossible! What do you mean?" "About 1 minute ago the Equestria wide magic boom overloaded all the spells, that includes monitoring spell craft that was in this room." " Who are you?" she said to the voice in her hand. "Are you...are you that dragon?" "In a way," the voice said calmly "He and I are separate entities to the point that he isn't aware of my presence. Think of me like an intermediate to be in service too you." "And he?" "He? He is just a normal dragon hatched from a normal dragon's egg." "But!" Twilight was confused "But you said!" She then looked at the tattoo again, her brain clicked. Reading her mind the voice calmly replied "I assure you, my Master, there is no hidden malice. Simply put it I have combined the representation of both your mind and that dragon's mind. I do live to serve" "To serve?" "Yes, my Master. Now then forgive me, but I can't answer any more questions, for now, two minutes are up" Twilight Sparkle felt that the Frozen Flame technique had been activated, and she was ready now. The door opened, two ponies came in. One of them was Professor Sunflower, the other one was. "Hello, my little pony. I've heard from others that your name is Twilight Sparkle, would that be correct?" Twilight was in slight shock, now she was grateful for IT to be hidden from somepony like the princess. She made a mental note to give It a name later. She quickly nodded to the Princess "Yes, your majesty." Celestia smiled "Well, the reason I am here is that I am interested in finding a personal student. It just so happens that you pass all the need its requirements. However, I can't force you. Instead, I would like to ask you a question. Would you like to be my student?" Twilight thought A student, me? There was some strange story about Sunset Shimmer, her previous student. Princess Celestia student runs away, they said. Maybe she wasn't dedicated enough, me, however, I am up for the challenge. "I would like that very much, Princess." "That's wonderful to hear Twilight, Now then, let's go I have so much to teach you. Oh, I almost forgot, congratulations Twilight on your new cutie mark." For a moment Twilight thought Princess Celestia is going to cackle with the sinister giggle "Good! Good!" Twilight would hear Princess say. Twilight, focus! , she ordered herself, and with that banished that ridiculous idea. That movie about the demise of ancient unicorn order of Lunar Knights was way too entertaining. She smiled to Princess Celestia, Princess Celestia smiled back. Yes, everything is just going to be perfect. > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The year is 1000 of Celestial Reign. Former Guest Tower # 4. Twilight Sparkle's Residence. "Spike?" yelled Twilight slamming the door open. She turned around and then closed the door. "Oh Spike, I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" "I am fine, don't sweat it Twilight" replied Spike. "No you aren't, you are bleeding." "No really Twilight, we dragons are tough as nails, we don't bleed." "Mature dragons maybe, but you are underage. Your skin hasn't been hardened yet. Now, please don't resist and let me help you," Twilight successfully performed check mate. "Oh alright, you win," Spike capitulated and surrendered into Twilight's care. "So Spike did Princess Celestia wanted something for me today? " Twilight took a first aid kit and was trying to make sense of Spike condition. Librarian? A little help here, please. Twilight quickly figured out that she and Librarian could easily communicate inside her mind. "Healing charm # 17 Soothing Wind" voice quickly responded. Twilight concentrated and quickly chanted the incantation, the horn glowed softly. "Now that you mention it, Celestia's secretary personally dropped the letter today," Spike responded. "I know what you are going to say, and for the last time, I will not let you turn me into your personal mail carrier." "Of course not Spike, that would be extremely insulting not only to the dragonkin but also to you." ''Good." Twilight carefully put the gauze pad and secure it with adhesive tape. "Alright, now that is done let's go into the office." Twilight and Spike went into the next room. There on the cherrywood table, her letter has been waiting, as well as other boring paperwork that needs it to be done. "Let's see, Dear Twilight Sparkle, my student, yadda, yadda, I would like to if you would personally to oversee preparations for Summer Sun Celebration that would happen on June 21 in Poniville," Twilight commentated with disappointment. She checked the date on the calendar, today was only June 19. That means she would only have half a day to get there, and another full day to make sure that everything was perfect. She loved perfection, however, she was reasonable and it was dangerous for her mental health to let it go out of control. "This is...Why does it have to be me?" she complained. "Spike, this is bad news. It looks like I need to go on the errand That means I probably have to take you with me." "Bad, how come?" Spike asked. "It's bad because I already promised to visit Moondancer's birthday party today," Twilight responded. "I thought my day supposed to be free. This task is literally could have been done by anyone on Princess Celestia's staff." "Yeah, this is bad, " Spike shot back. "I guess I have no choice but I am forced to foal nap Moondancer from our friends for my own selfish needs. There is no way I miss her birthday. I just hope they wouldn't mind." Twilight paused for a second, "Alright, let's go visit them." Later that day. Moondancer's Residence. "It really embarrassing, but Princess Celestia insisting that I would go there," Twilight started out saying, "Before you get mad, um, I really have no choice but to take you with me." Moondancer almost spilled her drink. She looked at her, disappointment replaced with curiosity. "I guess, I have no choice but to accept, when do we leave?" " Oh good you accepted, now I won't have to knock you out, and then drag you all the way to Poniville," Twilight started to fantasize an overly complicated foal-napping plan. "Twilight, you are drooling." "Oh right, sorry," Twilight said sheepishly. Moondancer shrugged. "Are you sure girls wouldn't mind?" "Positive, they would be even more upset if you ditched your best friend birthday party." "Yeah, so anyway I thought that since the Princess gave me this task, and reserved a pegasi air carriage for me. I would need to take Spike I thought I could take literally anypony with me. I am sure Princess wouldn't mind if I bent the rules this way. " Twilight said, while she and Moondancer were trotting on the street. Spike was sitting on her back, Twilight figured that would be the best efficient way, plus he likes it. Royal Pegasi Corps. Cabinet of a local bureaucrat "Please confirm this two pony passengers plus one pre teen dragon, meaning three in total." tired old pegasus in a suit said. "Yep, that's right, now then where do I need to place the check mark?" Twilight said while twirling quill pen in her telekinetic grip. "Please, check here, and then here. Finally, please put your signature here. Canterlot's Bureaucratic Guild thanks you for your cooperation. Please have a safe trip and have a nice day." Twilight nodded her head respectfully and then she went out of the office, there in the corridor, Moondancer waited for her with Spike. "Everything is done, now we just need to catch a carriage that is waiting for us." They existed in the back yard where their transport had been waiting, a semi automated carriage that had been powered by two pegasi that had been waiting for them. "I am so glad we didn't receive an older model," Twilight said relieved. "It could have been worse Mark1 Air Pegasus Transport, or more commonly referred as the Chariot. Don't get me wrong that model is quite popular as ground high-speed transport, but as the air transport, it's just wasn't designed for that in the first place. Now then, let's move out, our next stop is Ponyville." During mid flight. "By the way, Twilight what exactly we are going to be doing in Ponivile?" Spike asked. "Well besides making sure that everything was in order, let's see I think I have the second piece of that letter. Ah here we go Food preparations, making sure that weather conditions are perfect, decorations, and..." Twilight looked again in the letter "song bird choir for entertainment. This letter is perfect. I guess we do need to report to the mayors' office to tell them that inspection has arrived. Or should we go for a surprise inspection?" Twilight looked at Spike "Yes, you are right this is not a good idea." Spike looked at Twilight "I didn't say anything," Moondancer shrugged. "Oh sorry, sorry, I guess I was lost in thought." At this point, it was quite common for Twilight friends to notice her sudden airhead attitude, so everyone got used to it pretty quickly. "Oh, it looks like this is our stop." The town of Ponyvile. Twilight, Moondancer, and Spike had been standing in the middle of the street. They had to ditch the carriage in the fields of wild lilac, Ponivile didn't have dedicated airfield like Canterlot did, however, it did have a local train station. "Everypony and dragon welcome to the Ponyvile!" Moondancer was about to say something, she raised her hoof up, but Spike interrupted her. "Uh, Twilight that mare is starring at us," Moondancer put her hoof down. Right, when they were about to cross the city gates there she was a pink earth pony mare was standing grinning. "Well okay then, this was weird," Twilight said, "Um, excuse me miss?" "Oh hi my name is Pinkamena, but everypony just calls me Pinkie, please just call me Pinkie." Twilight became a lot more scared now, "Um, okay then, Pinkie, It's been like nice to meet you and everything but I would really appreciate if we could go now. And you kind of blocking our way" "Oh! Ooooh! I did it again didn't I?" Pinkie was slightly embarrassed. "Other ponies told me I was a bit too forward. I am really sorry about that, I would hope we could meet again." "I am sure we will, Its a small town after all, " Twilight quickly reassured her. Hearing that Pinkie smiled and then trotted down the road. > Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 19, 5:14 pm. Town Hall, Mayor Mare's Office. "You must be Ms. Sparkle, just the pony we were waiting for," Mayor Mare said while she was studying the paperwork that was in front of her. "And those two are?" "Yes, that would be me. This is my familiar Spike the dragon, and this is my friend Moondancer." "It would seem to be that the reason because the inspection was scheduled to be so late, is that the Royal Department of Treasury went in extra effort in order to purchase the property in this city in your name. Normally the Inspector would be called a week in advance, but because of that the bureaucratic process slows down the whole process." This was out of the blue, Twilight Sparkle couldn't remember anything like that being ordered to be done, nor she nor anypony in the Sparkle House was responsible for it. That means it has been done on Princess Celestia's orders. Princess, what have you been planning? "I am sorry, there must be some mistake?" "I am afraid that the Canterlot's Bureaucratic Guild doesn't make mistakes. Someone really wanted you to be here." "Yeah, okay, so what's the property is then?" "That would be Pominville's Public Library." "You are kidding, right? Oh, wait you aren't. Sorry, please continue." "Like I've been saying you have choices, you could personally oversee the library, or, you could hire somepony else to do it for you. Would you like to see it right now?" "Yes, please." "Wonderful, here are the keys from it." Twilight grabbed the keys and after saying the final good bye left. "Are we just friends?" teased Moondancer. "We... I mean I..." Twilight sighed, she took a deep breath. "You are my male friend, I just don't want to tell complete strangers about it." "That seems to be a fair and reasonable statement." "Oh wow, look at the library, it's a tree! And it's not just build to look like one, that's an actual tree. No wonder all of this paperwork took this long. Well then let us go inside, we do have a big day tomorrow." "Twilight check this out, there are some movies over there!" Moondancer said pointing to the library's VHS section. "Bubbly Hills 90210, Wraith, Colt McVer, The X-Folders, Not-so-hot-Betsy, ICU, Trotting Dead, Jail Break, and some others. We have the whole evening to waste. Is there anything you would like to watch?" "That sounds like a good idea," Twilight responded. She took a random VHS tape from the shelves. "How about... Cake Knight Rises, is that any good?" "Why don't we find that out, hey Spike want to join us?" "Sure, why not?" Later that night. Loud dramatic music could be heard. ...I am nothing like you! You are the psychopath who bakes for money! Twilight and Moondancer were rolling on the floor laughing. "This is just too ridiculous, and funny. If I would die right now that would be the very happy moment of my entire life." "Here lies Twilight Sparkle, cause of death: killed by a videotape, " Moondancer responded giggling "That a good one, we better write the warning on the tape. So which movie are we going to watch next, Clean Hard or Admission Impossible?" Ponivile Library. June 20th, 8:00 am. "Are you sure it's okay to just leave the library unintended?" asked Moondancer "I am pretty sure if we just lock the rooms upstairs, It will be fine. I highly doubt that anypony that dumb would want to mess with the Library current owners, by which I mean the power and influence of House Sparkle. We would still need to find the administrator to keep the records." All of them just went outside, nearby there was a familiar pink earth pony mare, Twilight remembered from yesterday that her name was Pinkie. "Hi, how are you? Your name is Pinkie right?" "Yep, that's me." "I would like to ask you a favor. We are about to leave for a day for important business, and as you might be aware of it this place is a library. So just for today we just need somepony who could take a position of library administrator." "You must be new owners, well then I would be happy to take the job." "Well congratulations then, okay if this is everything?" "Oh right, um, the whole thing kind of sounded really good in my head. You would come back, and then I would throw you a surprise party in the library. Then after partying all night all of us would just wink into a City Hall for the main event. Now that I think about this sounds like a really bad and rude idea." "Well thanks for the warning, you just do your thing, I am sure everything will turn out just fine." "Okay, see ya later boss!" Sweet Apple Acres, 9:30 am. "Alright, let's see, food preparations for the Summer Sun Festival. According to this the owners of the local Apple Orchard volunteered for the job," Twilight said, looking at the list. Looking around she noticed an orange earth pony in a Stetson "Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle and this is Spike and Moondancer." "Well, howdy Ms. Twilight, what can I do for you today?" "You must be Ms. Applejack, right? First I would like to apologize for the long wait, it took a bit longer than it would take normally. I and my friend over here are part of inspection team for the Summer Sun Celebration." "That's correct, I am AppleJack. It's no trouble at all, we are just glad that somepony was sent here. Just for this celebration all of our relatives decided to pitch in o the farm." "Right, that good I guess. Now then let's see what you have to offer." 1 mile away from Sweet Apple Acres. 10:10 am. After a short musical number and 40 minutes later Twilight, Moondancer, and Spike managed to exit Sweet Apple Acres. "I can't believe that mare tricked us into tasting almost every single food that was in there, " said Twilight. "Well at least everything seems to check out" ''It wasn't that bad at least we got a chance to get free food. Who doesn't like free food?" responded Moondancer. "I suppose, it was just too much and I feel stuffed, and...." Master, an advanced warning. it would seem some Pegasus is on collision course with you. It would be advisable for you to avoid it. "Um, Twilight? I think you better move to the side." Twilight quickly winked a few meters to the right, at the same time a light blue pegasus with rainbow mane crashed into the dirt. "Thanks, Spike I owe you one." "Don't sweat it Twi, but since you are offering..." "Right," Twilight responded, she then took her attention to the Pegasus. "Oh, my goodness are you alright?" "Yeah, I am good, totally didn't mean to do that, my name is Rainbow Dash by the way. You have a very good reaction Ms?" "Twilight Sparkle, and well my dragon senses had been tingling." Twilight quickly gave Spike hoof bump. "I suppose that saves me the trouble of looking for you ms Dash. You see I am and my friend over here are the inspectors for today's Summer Sun celebration." "Oh, okay then, I was been wondering when those suits would send somepony here. Hold on I need to clean up myself, and then I will just be right back with you." Rainbow quickly summoned rain cloud and after drying herself she once again was ready to talk to them "I know I am awesome and everything but why do they feel like they should single out me for this?" "I am afraid, I don't follow." "What I am saying, that all of this is just a team effort. Besides me, there are at least a dozen more pegasi who are making sure that the sky is clean. I know today is Saturday and that means that almost everypony but me ditched their work. Do you see where am I going with this?" "When you put it like this that seems to be very strange. I am sorry I have no explanation for this. It looks like everything is in order. I hope I would see you later, at celebration perhaps?" "Yeah sure, I'll see you then." > Chapter 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nearby Carousel Boutique. 11:59 am. "Looks like we finally made it, this place is all the way on the other side of town." "It would seem to be that way," responded Moondancer. "Sometimes I get jealous, pegasi always do have the whole town from the bird's point of view, and even they could get lost in this town." Moondancer hugged Twilight as if to calm her down a bit. "There, there, everything is going to be okay." "Canterlot is so pretty you know, the city placed on the edge of the mountain, it's like in a fairy tale, and at night it's so beautiful. Have you seen it from the sky? The whole city is like big college campus. Do you know that I even met pegasi who choose to live in Canterlot. They said that they found a certain twinkle in Canterlot that they couldn't find in Cloudsdale. Look at me, I'm getting all sentimental now. I...." Twilight suddenly fell into silence and just stood there in the middle of the street. Moondancer just kept hugging her, didn't know what else to do. At one point Twilight had been full of energy and then suddenly she fell into melancholic. These episodes did happen before, and each time Twilight could be like this for several hours. That, and Moondancer wasn't really sure why they need to be here. At this point, they would just come back to City Hall where decorations for the main event has been done. However, when Rainbow Dash overheard who are they visiting next she insisted that they should be going there instead. "Well, I guess," Moondancer looked around, the area was quite nice, it did remind her a bit about traveling circus. "Spike, I'll be right back, I just need to check on something." On an odd chance that her instincts were wrong about this they would just backtrack to the City Hall, I think she remembered it too be somewhere in the center. She went to the door where she could see the sign Business closed for holidays. Once again trusting her instincts she knocked the hoof on the door and walked in. The sound of bell did ring to announce her presence. Could she still play off a confused customer, or she could just take it straight? So then she waited. Unicorn mare came downstairs "Oh hello darling, actually I was about to leave to the City Hall." "Yes, about that, you see me and my friend Twilight is about on the way to the City Hall to meet you. It would be less awkward but she and I are in inspection team, but Rainbow Dash insisted that we should come here instead." "Oh of course! How helpful is that of her? May I ask where is Ms. Sparkle would be." "She is outside with the assistant, she is a little under the weather, and I figured she needs a bit of fresh air right now." "I do hope she will get better soon." "Yeah, its kind of temporary thing, it happens sometimes, please don't worry about it." "I couldn't help to notice your glasses dear." "Those old things, I don't actually need them, those are just fake lenses. Although I wouldn't mind if you could recommend where I could get a new pair of frames." "Well this isn't my specialty, but I could help you out, I am sure that this office here would help you." Moondancer took a glance at business card Sharp Focus had been printed on "Thank you for your help then, so I don't want to bother you, lets just move on." "Its no trouble at all, if you'd like we could join together, we are going to the same place after all." "I suppose we could do that," Moondancer agreed. They both exited the boutique and Moondancer then trotted back to Spike and Twilight "How is it been?" "The skies are dark and gloomy today. The ravens are screaming the song of sorrows," responded Twilight "Look! Look! The reaper is watching me, with his uneasy smile." Twilight hangs her head down, then she suddenly startled "Don't make fun of me! I know he is real. " "So the next stage then, Goth Twilight?" "Yep," Spike replied, "Sorry we forgot to take the pills." "Too late for that now, come on let's go we need to move." 'Who is your friend?" Spike asked Moondancer. "This is Rarity Diamond, she is our next contact. why do you ask?" "Oh, its nothing," Spike blushed. "Oh, does someone has a crash," Moonancer teased. "No, I don't! Baka! Listen wouldn't she be from the House of Diamond? "I didn't ask, Twilight might know those kinds of things." Twilight gasped "Around, all around the storm clouds gather. My dread grows as doom's scythe falls against my neck. It mutilates me, and darkly my blood drips to the thirsty earth. In agony, I fall limply while the Reaper laughs cruelly. Now alone my cry of mercy falls upon bloody eyes." She sighted and put her head back down again. "That's nice, I think." "Eh, I am recording the whole thing," Spike showed Moondancer the tape recorder "Maybe we can like publish it. "Yeah, okay, just make sure to edit it." "Oh right." "Ms. Rarity an I ask you something?" Moondancer turned to Rarity. "Of course, what would that be." "I was wondering how you and Ms. Dash know each other?" "Oh that silly thing, well okay I'll tell you. You wouldn't actually believe it but she used to be my etiquette tutor." "Her, etiquette tutor? Yeah, I guess it actually hard to believe." "I know right, with her personality and brash bravado, but she is actually really good at her job. I believe they used to call her Darling Dash." "Her? No Way! That was her?" "Is something wrong Spike?" Moondancer asked him. "Well no, but it was before my time, and Twilight's parents used to tell us stories about the biggest and meanest supermodel that swept the nation. Then she suddenly vanished like she never existed." "Okay, that been quite interesting, looks like we are here." Moondancer said when they reached the City Hall "Twilight, are you going to be okay?" "Yeah, what did I missed? Oh hello, you must be Ms. Diamond, Its good to see you again all the way over here in this town." "Hello to you too Ms. Sparkle." "Okay, I think I will take over here., thank you Moondancer for your help today." "Anytime Twilight, anytime." > Chapter 5 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edge of Evefree Forest, 2:00 pm. "Well that's about covers it, now we just need to visit our final stop. After that, we need to make a stop to the City Hall and make the report to the local Bureaucratic Guild office." Twilight said while studying paperwork they already produced. She already prepared four letters of approval that she needed, three out of four had already been filled and documented. Now all they need is to send them to proper channels, and well the rest wasn't their problem. "Lovely weather isn't it?" questioned Moondancer. "Yes, quite," replied Twilight, quill pen flickered. "Not a big fan of nature I take it?" "Not really, no. Snakes, spiders, other wild animals, kind of iffy." "Twilight?" "Yes!" "Any news about your brother?" "He is being great if you are wandering, at least that's what he been saying to me for the fifth time in his letters. Just recently he got transferred as a bodyguard to some snotty pink Princess. What's her name was again Mi Amore Cadenza, and she prefers to call herself Cadence. I mean how self-absorbed, that cunt, can she be? Sorry about that, I overreacted for a bit." "But don't you know her?" asked Spike. "Why should I? I've never met her before," Twilight sighed "Now let's continue going before I say something I shouldn't." "Yeah, that seems like a good idea to me," said Moondancer. They ended up nearby a cottage where the next pony they are supposed to meet was. According to the file, she was been described as an introverted individual. They could hear the sound of birds singing and sometimes what sounds like a mare voice talking with the birds. "I think, we need to be a bit careful with this. Let's not spook her while she is doing what she was doing," whispered Twilight "Why are we whispering? " asked Spike. "I've just told you why" Twilight whispered in annoyance. "Hello there," said a yellow pegasus who suddenly materialized right in front of them. "Guh! How did you?" started Twilight. "Oh, I am sorry, it's just I heard hoof steps, and I thought that somepony might have come here." "My name is Twilight Sparkle, and this is Spike, and this is my friend Moondancer, we came here because we were hoping that you could show us the current progress report for Summer Sun Celebration. We could show you our ids if you wish." "Oh, that's quite alright, let me show you then. As you can see, this is, well, a song bird musical performance, and I've been trying to teach them how to sing in the group. Since you already overheard me doing it would you like to hear it again?" "Sure," Twilight nodded her head. Five minutes later Twilight felt satisfied with the performance, she deemed that as acceptable. She was sure of it if other ponies would like it, the Princess herself wouldn't mind it. In a way, this celebration was about other ponies having fun, and very little to do with Princess Celestia herself. To be perfectly frank during the previous years Princess Celestia would just show up along with the heavy guard of twenty-four members of an elite squadron of UEP military. She would then make some boring speech, and then ponies would just party all night long. What's left of it anyway, 2-4 hours of night time? That's how it always been. Why would this year be any different? Despite popular belief that Princess Celestia has been the symbol of the Sun, and because of that ponies naturally, assume that the Princess was warm and welcoming. To no surprise to Twilight that ponies have been quite mistaken. Princess Celestia had been very cold and distant, a constant routine for many many years make it so that Princess would wear a mask on her face, and sometimes several of them. Town Hall, 4:00 pm. Bureaucratic Guild office of Poniville. "Hello, I would like to make a report for a Summer Sun celebration of the year 1000 in the Poniville case number 1005634." Twilight quickly started her business to the earth pony in the suit "Very well Ms. Sparkle lets look at the paperwork," he then snapped the papers from her telekinetic field "Aha! Aha! Interesting. " he started to mumble "Okay everything looks like it's in pitch perfect condition. Okay, thank you very much for your cooperation. You are free to go, thank you again for such a wonderful work" Twilight smiled at him again, she hated ass kissers. "Well, bye bye, then." She walked outside, she met Spike and Moondancer, then they all walked away about 200 feet. Twilight smiled with a glee. "This is finally over, come on Let's go see how Pinkie is doing." When they arrived at Ponivile library they went inside. "Oh hi boss," Pinkie waved her hoof at Twilight. "Pinkie how about that party that you wanted." "Sure thing boss," Pinkie then pulled on the wall and the wall flipped back up until it replaced by another scene of ponies partying in the library. "Well I don't know what's happened, but this is kind of cool," said Spike "Yeah, it kind of was, oh hi Rainbow." "What's up, Twilight!?" Poniville Library, 9:14. "Hey egghead, I challenge you to the drinking contest." "You? me? You won't dare, darling." "Okay, I think you have enough drinking," Applejack tried to interfere. "Jackie, just let me do it damn it." "Nope," Applejack just sighted. "Jackie, I am warning you." "Rainbow you are drunk, just go home," AppleJack kept on pressing. "Jackie!!!!" AppleJack flash stepped behind Rainbow's back and knocked her down. "I am really sorry about her behavior." Poniville Library, 9:14. Parallel Universe #42. "Hey egghead, I challenge you to drink off," Rainbow Dash challenged Twilight "Nopony calls me egghead and gets away with it. You are on." "Dashie dear, maybe you shouldn't." "But Fluttershy!" "No buts Missy, go to your room now!" "You are not my mom Fluttershy!" Fluttershy sighed "I didn't want to do it, but you forced my hoof," she stomped her hoof down. The room became a few degrees colder, a light flushed pink and Rainbow was trapped in a block of ice. Fluttershy apologized and left the library. Poniville Library, 9:14. Parallel Universe #55. "Hey egghead, I challenge you to the dance off." "Bring it, feather duster." "Rainbow sensei, that's enough!" "Rarity, stay out of this!" "Rainbow sensei, I afraid I can't let you do this." Rarity pulled the rapier and attacked Rainbow dash pulled her twin 10mm pistols and deflected the rapier, She then flash stepped backward and fired them. Rarity quickly sliced up the bullets with a rapier. "I think I have taught you better than this." "What can I say Rainbow sensei I've been learning, and someday I am going to surpass you." Room between the dimensions, 9:45 pm. Discord has been looking at displays. "Pinkie Pie it's always entertaining to watch your shenanigans." > Chapter 6 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ponyville Library, 5:57 am. The light of the Moon shined from the library window. Seven ponies currently sleeping on the floor. They are about to wake up. "My head!" Twilight Sparkle flinched from the pain."What happened last night? What did we do?" "I have no idea," answered back Moondancer. "You are not the only one with a headache," responded Rainbow Dash. "There is an aspirin in the kitchen. Wait!" Twilight heard Rainbow dashed in the direction of the kitchen. "... Traitor," she mumbled. "Where is Spike?" asked Moondancer. "Sleeping in the bed upstairs, " Twilight replied. "Uh, that's good." "Spike from the species dragon, specifically Wyvern species, or was he Lindworm? Or is he an water dragon.I am not really sure right now," said Fluttershy. "It's alright dear, I am sure you will figure out," assured her Rarity. "Does anypony knows when the opening ceremony is?" "It's 6:30, I believe the idea to start at sunrise," replied Moondancer "6:30? But right now is 6:25 am, shit we are going to be late. Come on, if we hurry we could still wink into City Hall." "Um, Twilight? We can't do that." Pinkie Pie pitched in "What? Why not? "Don't you remember there had been a city wide block that's been put on. " "Oh, damn it. I give up. I'll go make a coffee. Do you want me to help me Pinkie?" "Sure thing Boss." "Uh, Pinkie I've been wondering..." Twilight asked Pinkie. Pinkie has been waiting excitingly, "Can I ask you some questions." "Sure thing, what's do you want to know?" "Are you just calling me Boss because I just gave you a job at the library?" "Basically yes, before I kind of freeloading at the kind family that I lived. So I was kind of self-employed in." "Okay, and before that?" "I came from a rock farm silly, or should I start the story with when the colt meets the filly." "Stop! I don't want to know!" "Okay." "Pinkie how would you like a permanent position for this job." "Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Twilight. You wouldn't regret it," beamed Pinkie. Twilight Sparkle was just smiled, she feels happy after all. ... "I am not sure, but don't you all think that something is wrong." asked Rarity. "Like what?" replied Rainbow Dash. "Streets are completely empty, and there is a lot of mess on the streets." "Maybe it's just ponying like to party," said Rainbow "Did we slept through the alien invasion? A zombie apocalypse," Pinkie said cheerfully "Uh Pinkie, this isn't kind of story," Twilight said. "How would you sleep through this kind of thing anyway." "I don't know, is there some kind of shady greedy corporation?" Rainbow Dash put her hoof up. "Well actually," she quickly put the hoof down "Never mind, it's nothing." "What's was that dear," asked Rarity. "I said, it's nothing, just forget it!" "Girls please calm down, I am sure it's nothing," pitched in Fluttershy. ... Group of seven mares went into the City Hall. In it they found a banner hanging on the wall. The Night is Going to Last Forever! "Look it's Mayor Mare, let's ask her what's happened." Pinkie said. "What's going on?" Mayor Mare said. "That's what we want to know," responded Twilight. "What's happened here?" "Well, everything went as it should be, Princess Celestia arrived on schedule, and when we are about to announce her presence for an annual speech. And then she showed up." "Who did?" asked Twilight Sparkle. "Some strange Alicorn. I think she said something about, entertainment, her exact words were: Did somepony ordered Rock N Roll?" Rainbow Dash face-hoofed. "Do you know her, dear?" asked Rarity "She is just college roommate, and what happened to darling?" "Pish posh, darling, dear, it's all the same thing." "Yeah whatever," Rainbow Dash grumbled. "Right, well please continue Madam Mayor," said Twilight. "So then Princess Celestia became visibly upset." "Who won't be, she is such a party crasher," interrupted Pinkie. "Pinkie please, not now!" Twilight sighted "Oh right, sorry Boss!" "Anyway, please continue." Mayor Mare nodded "So then strange Alicorn said: "Is this how you treat your sister, Celestia!" "Sister!" Everypony, but Rainbow shouted "And then, what did she do then?" Rainbow Dash demanded. "Well nothing really, Princess Celestia said she wasn't feeling well and she said she should go back to Canterlot. Hearing that Alicorn then said: Does it mean we can do the concert now?". At this point, everypony panicked and run away." "Huh, so that's why the whole city was a mess," concluded Rarity. "After that Alicorn just became furious, and then she left to the Everfree Forest." Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Rainbow, and Fluttershy looked at each other. . "What's wrong, what so bad about some Forrest?" Twilight Sparkle asked. "You are an outsider, Twilight so you don't know," said Rarity. "The Everfree Forest is a concentration of dark magic, Twilight," Fluttershy took over from Rarity. "There a lot of stuff inside it besides the dangerous animals." "I think I can die now," said Mayor Mare and fainted. "That's silly, you are silly," Pinkie giggled. " You aren't going to die." Mayor Mare opened her eyes "Oh okay, that's good to know. Do you have a glass of water?" "Of course, here you go, " Pinkie said, trying to help. "So what are we going to do?" asked Twilight. " For now I recommend that we go home to the library. "That sounds good," Twilight agreed. "Celebration has been already been ruined anyway." Ponyville Library, 12:15 am. "So what are we going to do anything about?" asked AppleJack. "Nothing! We are going to do nothing," replied Twilight "Say, what now?" "You heard me! Whoever she was is completely harmless. Besides all of you scared to go into the forest. So, if she wants it we might as well let her have it. And if we absolutely had to, we could just sit the team of bureaucrats on her." "Well yes, but?" "But what? You heard Rainbow Dash she is just a college roommate," Twilight argued "And you believed her?" Applejack raised an eye brow. "What this supposed to mean? Listen, we are not soldiers, what are we supposed to do? Twilight counter argued" Pinkie comes into the room. "We could go into Everfree Forest and then each of us will get a magical amulet. Then we are going to blast the Black Snooty with rainbows. and then she will be like "I am so sorry Celestia" and we would be like Gasp! Black Snooty is the Princess Celestia sister. But we already know that! I am pretty sure Twilight supposed to ditch Moondancer in Canterlot. No offense Moondancer! We all know you are a good pony." "None was taken!" Moondancer replied. "Yeah, why would I do that to Moondancer? Don't answer that Pinkie, I don't want to know." Pinkie giggled, "Sure thing Boss!" "Uh, Twilight?" "Yes, Spike!" "There is mail for you from Princess Celestia. It has been delivered by express mail if you are wondering." "Alright, let's see whats she wants," Twilight opened the letter. "Dear Twilight, my most dedicated student. By the time you receive this message, you will receive all the ambassadorial privileges that come with it. So then would you please just go to my sister, and just I don't know make sure she would come back to Canterlot, or something. Damn it, I guess we had to go." "Good, I'll go tell the girls," said Applejack. "Tell us what?" said Rainbow Dash when she came into the room "This!" Twilight gave Rainbow a letter. "Seriously!" Rainbow said when she finished the letter "I know!" Twilight said in understanding. > Chapter 7 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everfree Forest, 2:00 pm. . "Darling, what are you doing?" asked Rarity. "What does it look like, I am panicking," replied Twilight. "Now, now, while I do admit that this ghastly forest is well awful, l have to admit that it could have been worse," said Rarity. Twilight stared at her. "As Pinkie would put it, we would be here all alone." There it was recently established ambassadorial group has been escorted in the forest by the squadron of Solar Guards. "Where is Pinkie anyway?" Rarity asked. "She couldn't go, she said that even on Sundays library needs her," replied Twilight. "Surely there is somepony else available for Sunday shift?" "Possible, but Pinkie is the only one who is willing to work on Sundays unless I can find someone else. In fact, I'll probably need to find another volunteer. Besides I need to do it anyway." Twilight, I can help if you want," said Moondancer "Thanks, I appreciate it, I 'll see if I can consult Mayor Mare in case all of us needs to go somewhere." "Thank you for being this optimistic, but aren't you going to go back to Canterlot when all of this is over?" Asked Rarity. "As a student of Princess Celestia, I gain certain privileges. Ideally, she would prefer if I would remain in Canterlot. However, she doesn't really mind If I would relocate myself into Ponyvile." "Do you mean it?" ."I... Um! Yes, yes I do!" "That reminds me," said Moondancer. "I'd still had to go back to Canterlot to finish school." "Oh, I forgot everything about that. I am sorry." Said Twilight. "Oh, you don't need to apologize, besides it is just a case of unfortunate circumstances." "Thank you for joining me on this. I don't think I wanted to be alone here." "Oh don't worry about this, Twilight, we always happy to help you." "Speaking of Pinkie. Fluttershy refused to go too. She said she just doesn't want to go. You know how she is right, she just doesn't feel comfortable with the forest, even if she lives right on the edge of it," said Rarity. "I guess that makes sense, and the Rainbow?" "She is flying just above the tree tops, dear, from what I heard she just finished arguing with AppleJack." "Really, about what?" "She really didn't want Applejack to go, so just to make a deal with her she volunteered to go in her place. Now that I think about it this whole thing is kind of silly." "Yeah, maybe!" Twilight muttered. Did you say she was flying above the tree tops? Does she know where to find us?" "Why, of course, she is part of Weathermare Corps. Part of their job is to map and explore the territory, so she is probably flying to the castle ruins. That's where we are probably going to," Rarity answered back. "I think I heard there was quite a scandal with the Madam Mayor way back then, about three years ago when Rainbow adopted Scootaloo." "Scandal?" "Yeah, I don't know what kind of gossip you might be heard about me, but I actually dislike gossiping myself." "Rarity, you should know me better than that, I don't need to listen to rumors and gossip when I knew you for years." "Right well, it's not really my story to tell, maybe if you ask her she will tell you herself." "I believe I understand," said Twilight sensing rune of secrecy. "Anyway, I heard that you gave Pinkie a job!" "Yep, I looked at her documents, did you know she has an engineering degree. She even showed her helicopter bicycle." "I had to agree, that sounds very impressive," said Rarity. "Glad you agree, that girl could go very far in the industry, yet such a talent just buried here." "Oh look we already here," said Moondancer. "And, look our feather friend is already here." "Hey, where have you been? I've been waiting here for years!" mocked Rainbow. "Didn't mean to slow you down! We took a scenic route!" Yelled Twilight. Castle of The Two Sisters. 19 minutes before the arrival of Ambassadorial Group. Rainbow Dash landed right in front of the castle. "Now then looks like I have time to burn." Rainbow took a cigarette from the pocket and lighted up. "Didn't take you for a smoker type," said Nightmare Moon. "Cigarettes are a luxury in space, as well as on the Moon, I am sure you are aware of that, roommate!" "Yes, quite true." "So what do you go by this day, Nightmare Moon or is it, Princess Luna." "Both actually, if you don't mind," Nightmare Moon laughed. "So what do you want?" "I would like my boys back if you don't mind." "Uh those," Nightmare Moon said like she was bored. Instantly the smoke surrounded the area. When it dispersed the group of 6 ponies showed up dressed in purple blue uniforms. "Are you sure, It's been such a very long time since your last time on active duty High Commander?" "Not long enough to be your grandmare! Now hand them over!" Nightmare Moon just laughed again "As you say grandmare!" she continued to laugh. "Tell you what you can have them back, and I can also give you the complete ownership of the Moon. I've spent thousand years on it, and frankly, I don't want it anymore. You get Shadowbolts and the whole Moon for the price of," she took a pause. "Oh very well, one lost Princess Luna making a reunion with her lost sister. So is it a deal?" "Sure, Its a deal." "Good, then let's see," Nightmare concentrated and dispelled an illusion, In her place stood Princess Luna. "How do I look?" "Smashing!" replied Rainbow with a tired voice, She received what she came from, she was satisfied. "What are your orders High Commander?" asked Shadowbolt who was in front of her "All of you are on the standby orders until called, and for your benefit, I do suggest that all of you take on a civilian cover." "Yes, High Commander! May we all use our civilian names?" "Yes, you may!" "As you wish High Commander!" "One more thing, drop the High Commander nonsense, and all that crap." "Of course High...I mean of course mother," smiled Lightning Dust. "Well, you heard her boys, dust off!" All of the remaining Shadowbolts took on the flight and dispersed. "Now then, looks like they finally arrived, Rainbow took a breath and screamed. "Hey, where have you been? I've been waiting here for years!" "Didn't mean to slow you down! We took a scenic route!" Yelled Twilight. "Well, come on then! The big bad Princess is ready to negotiate the unconditional surrender from her tyranny of years of endless nights!" Rainbow shouted back. "Did Applejack really said that?" Twilight asked "Yep, she sure did!' Rainbow replied.