Ponies were usually friendly, welcoming creatures. Be you a Pegasus, Unicorn, or Earth Pony, you were welcome in any town or city in Equestria. There were so many different Ponies, all with different colours, shapes, sizes and personalities that was very little that made you unwelcome.

But sometimes, it was only a small difference that changed everything.

Those that lived in Ponyville had learnt that lesson already. Zecora, the Zebra that lived in the Everfree Forest, had been fled from, thinking that she was wicked, simply from her unusual striped coat and mohawk like mane. But, when they finally knew the person under the dark grey and white stripes, they all realised that someone shouldn't be judged on how they look.

Unfortunately, not all towns in the land were blessed with this lesson.

And there is only so much a small foal can take, being called evil...

….

Meadowvale was a quiet town. It was situated on top of a hill, overlooking a vast area that they called the Sea of Grass, near Equestria's northern border. It was far from Canterlot. Far from the Everfree Forest. And really, far from everything. The closest town was about four days walk away. But, that was how they liked it. They had all they needed.

Clean water bubbled up from below in a small spring, around which the town had been built. The vast abundance of flat ground offered them the perfect farming land. And it was quiet.

But, like all places, it had its little mysteries.

A tale of a Water Spirit in the spring below the ground, that offered them their life giving water in whatever quantities they needed. A legend of brave Pony Adventurers sailing ships on the clouds. Strange music that occasionally echoed on the winds from across the border. These were stories that had been told in Meadowvale since before it was founded.

But one day… as the Sun met the Earth… a group of young foals spread a new story… the story of a creature in the Sea of Grass… a Pegasus of Shadows.

Sightings became almost regular as the years wore on. A dark, shadowy Pegasus, larger than any Pony Meadowvale had ever seen, with long, ragged tendrils in place of feathers on its wings could occasionally be spotted on the shores of the Sea of Grass near the town.

The Ponies of Meadowvale never really got used to the ghostly spirit haunting the edges of their town, but, it was so occasional, and only ever at night, that it became part of the local folklore… like the warnings of the creatures in the Everfree Forest were a part of Ponyville life: Normal, but feared.

Because they had never seen anything as black as that ghostly Pegasus…. Not since….. the Nightmare.

…..

It had been a long while since Twilight Sparkle and her friends had been in Canterlot. Not since the Galloping Gala, almost a full season ago. But, now, they had been called to the palace by their sovereign, Princess Celestia.

And to be honest, none of the six Ponies or the small dragon that accompanied them, were expecting to see a dark blue shape huddled under the Sun Goddess' wing when they arrived.

"Hey!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, bouncing on the spot. "It's Lil' Luna!"

The blue Princess poked her nose out from under her wing and scowled weakly at the bouncing pink creature. "…'M bigger than you are." She muttered quietly.

Celestia chuckled softly, nudging her sister's muzzle. "Luna…" She said quietly, before looking back at her student and her friends. "Thank you for coming, everyone." She added, with a warm smile.

The Ponies bowed. "You call, we come runnin' Princess." Applejack said as she rose from the bow and tipped her hat backward slightly.
Rarity stepped forwards slightly, looking at the smaller Princess. "Princess Luna, are you alright dear? We have not seen you since the…. Unpleasantness."

Luna squeaked and hid again under Celestia's wing.

"Forgive her." Celestia said gently. "She is still very shy."

"Sounds like some other Pony we know." Rainbow Dash quipped, looking at Fluttershy beside her, who whimpered a little and sank low to the ground.

Twilight ignored her friends behind her, and trotted right up to the tall white Pony. "How can we help you Princess?" She asked. Her eyes suddenly became worried. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, Twilight Sparkle, everything is fine, don't worry." Celestia said with a slight laugh in her voice. "I have asked you all here, because, I would like to invite you all to an event this evening."

"An event? Will it be formal?" Rarity asked.
"A PARTY!" Pinkie Pie shouted, throwing her hooves into the air.

"This evening, there is a celebration in Meadowvale." The Princess continued. "The town has been standing for one hundred years, and they are holding a Centennial Celebration for the occasion. As Princess, I must attend… and Luna is coming, to hopefully get a little social interaction."

Twilight Sparkle blinked. "You want us to come to the Centennial Celebration of Meadowvale with you?"
"Where's Meadowvale?" Spike asked. "I've never heard of it."

"Meadowvale is the most northern town in all of Equestria. It is near the borders of our land, and is very peaceful." Twilight told him.

Celestia stood, and plodded down off her throne, which caused Luna to dive after her, hiding in the long, pastel tail of the taller Pony. "Will you Ponies please attend us at the Celebration?" Celestia asked the small group. "I would like very much for your company… not only for myself, but for Luna, as well."

"If it's a Party, you came to the right Pony!" Pinkie Pie declared, puffing out her chest and saluting seriously.
"Not ta' be rude, Princess…" Applejack said, looking up at the pale pink eyes of their ruler. "But why ask us t' come? Why not take some o' yer dignitaries?"

Celestia smiled. "You remember the kind of 'party' the Galloping Gala was, Applejack?" She asked.
The tan coloured Pony's face darkened in a frown. "All them hoity-toity fancy pants Ponies wouldn't know a good party if it bit 'em clear in the flank."

Celestia nodded. "Which is why I would like to take you with me. If you will come."
"Oh it sounds simply delightful!" Rarity exclaimed.
"Meadowvale is beautiful…. So many birds and butterflies live there…" Fluttershy said, smiling gently.

Twilight smiled broadly. "We'd all love to come."

Celestia smiled. "I'm sure it will be a wonderful evening." She turned, and pulled her sister out of her tail. "Right, Luna?"

…..