Queen Celestia hasn't even raised the sun when she woke up. She promptly slapped the silver clock that lay on the small wooden table next to her bed before it had the chance to go off. Making sure that the alarm wouldn't wake her little friend that slept in the small basket next to her bed. The purple mare yawned, gently getting out of the massive bed, tip-toeing across the elegant bedroom and toward her rather large closet.

She didn't need such a massive closet. In fact, she really didn't need any of the several elegant and luxurious items that were in her room. She was a simple mare, only needing her loyal friend and her endless collection of books. But where she lived, it was almost mandatory to have such expensive things at every corner.

Using her magic, she levitated a simple white blouse and a light gray vest, sluggishly putting them on before walking softly towards the white desk. Sitting on the purple velvet stool covered in lace, she put on a purple diamond pendant with a gray ruffle on the bottom of the collar if her shirt then stared into the massive mirror in front of her. Taking note of her messy mane and the dark bags under her eyes.

It was normal for her to look tired, most of the time she is. As long she can remember, she always suffered from Insomnia. Staying up till the light of dawn either studying or dreading the next day. Most of the time, this dread was only her social anxiety acting up, her brain overacting at the smallest chance of making a fool of herself in front of her mentor. But this time, there was an actual reason to worry.

Today was the Day of Welding. The day that she and five other ponies would get the Elements of Harmony. Her entire life was built around this event, ever since she got her cutie mark and one particular day at school.

She still remembered the shock, and joy she felt when Queen Celestia came to her first-grade magic class with a young maid. Levitating a purple star-shaped gem wrapped in cloth as she walked around the classroom as the maid followed shortly behind with a lock-box on her back, floating the gem close to a filly's face before going to the next one. She remembered how the gem lit up like a firework when the gem was close to her, instantly escaping Celestia's grasp slamming into her six-year-old-self chest and knocking her onto the floor. She passed out for a moment, only remembering the feeling a mixture of warmth and power before it quickly faded, and she opened her eyes. Queen Celestia and the dumbfound science teacher stood over her. Her teacher checking if she was injured in any way and Celestia putting the now animated gem into the lock-box.

That was the first and only time she saw the Element of Sorcery, the Element that she was chosen to weld. There was a good reason for it. She was too young and untrained to use such high power. Since then, she and her family moved into the royal castle under Queen Celestia's wishing. Becoming Celestia's student while her family works within the castle walls. Throughout the years, she studied and practice the top magic spells. Ranging to teleportation spells to lethal combat magic.

She was alone most of the time, making a habit of locking herself in her room and study whatever she can. The only interaction she had with ponies were Celestia, her family, few of the royal staff, and one other pony.

She looked away from the mirror and levitated the window next to her open. Leaning towards the window, she saw her. An orange unicorn was standing in on the castle-tower balcony, singing a sweet, heartfelt tune to nopony but herself. Her red and yellow mane flowed softly in the air as she put out the stars in the sky in small chunks.

Princess Sunset Shimmer, daughter of Queen Celestia. The one who's in charge of lighting the stars at dusk and putting them out at dawn. Celestia use to light up and put out the stars, along with raising and lowering both sun and moon. But ever since she adopted Sunset, she gave the job of working with the stars. She may not be Celestia's daughter by blood, but she'd proven herself to be as powerful as Celestia.

"Um, Twilight?" said a curious voice said behind her. Twilight quickly pulled herself back, so much so she fell backward onto the floor. The impact startled the lavender mare behind her and the purple and green dragon that was sleeping in the basket.

"Sorry!" shouted the unicorn, levitating Twilight off the ground and onto her hooves. "I didn't mean to startle you. I would have knocked, but the door was open."

Twilight sighed. "It's okay Starlight, I was just lost in thought." She stepped back onto the stool, glaring back at herself, she could feel the roughtail of her beloved companion brushing against her bottom hoof in passing. Starlight, feeling a bit awkward, fiddled with her brooch before looking out the window.

"Princess Sunset is putting out the star." She said pointing out the window, trying to small talk. "I haven't really seen anypony do that before. Maybe if we're lucky, we can see Celestia raise the sun."

Twilight gave her a small smile through the window. She wasn't surprised at the comment. Starlight became Celestia's second student only a couple of months ago. And even though she didn't know a whole lot about her, the one thing Twilight did know about her is that she sleeps in a lot. Contently being late to class and drinking an endless amount of coffee. So, it didn't surprise her that she hasn't seen such magic being perform. But something else did.

"Why are you up at this time?" Twilight asked, still staring her reflection. "I'd thought noon was your morning?"

Starlight chuckled. "Yeah, I know it's a little bizarre for me *yawn* to be up at this time. But Queen Celestia asked at the gala last night to join you guys when you get your Elements."

"Oh...Right."

"Um, are you feeling? You're looking a little bit pale."

Twilight sighed, feeling the weight of anxiety from last night coming back to her. No, not just last night. The whole week of pressure hit her all at once. Usually, she would just bottle it up and ignored it. Especially if some pony like Starlight is asking if she was alright.

"Um, I..."

"Is it the Nightmare Knight that's bothering you?"

She said it. Twilight thought, staring at her hooves. She'd addressed the black elephant in the room.

She gave Starlight credit, she was the only pony so far who had the guts to say it out loud. Especially since no pony even dares to mention her name at the gala. Maybe most of them were in denial about the whole thing, perhaps they wanted to forget for a night. Either way, it was difficult to ignore the glare that loomed over every pony from the night sky. One week ago, the Mare of the Moon opened its cold, lifeless eye onto the land. And that only means one thing... The Nightmare Knight is back, and most likely thirsting for Queen Celestia's blood.

"It's part of it..." Twilight said, looking at Starlight in the mirror.

Starlight stepped closer. "Then what is it then, if you don't mind me asking? You have the Element of Sorcery on your side, not to mention the other ponies who got the other-"

"That's what I'm worried about..."

Starlight tilted her head in confusion, so did the dragon on the floor looking at both of them. Twilight took a breath and turned to herself towards Starlight.

"What if they don't like me?"

Starlight mind froze for a second before speaking. "what do you mean?"

"What I mean is..." Twilight continued. "the Elements of Harmony can only work if every pony in harmony with each other. That's why Queen Celestia and The Nightmare Knight lost control of the Elements, cus their harmony broke. Right?"

"Right..."

"So, knowing this, I can't help but think that it might happen to us... What I know about them is little, I won't deny that. But what I do know that all five of them lived in Ponyville for many years. I mean, you saw them at the gala, they were closer than anypony I've ever seen. They worked off of each other so perfectly, socializing with every pony while I just stood in a corner and watch."

"Well, there was that Pegasus, the yellow one with her hair in a bun. She didn't seem to be the social butterfly type. In fact, she seemed to be more interested in the royal garden than anything else."

"Yeah, but she still seemed to get along with the others better than I'll ever be."

Starlight stood next to Twilight, placing a hoof on her shoulder. She rubbed it for a bit, nervously trying to come up a way to comfort her. She related Twilight's worries to an uncomfortable level, recalling past mistakes in her head that made her even more anxious. Causing a cycle that made it difficult to think. Finally, an idea popped into her head.

"Why don't we get some coffee?" Starlight awkwardly shouted, startling Twilight. "If not that, something to eat? That always makes me feel better."

Twilight stared at her for a moment before giving her a small smile. "Sure."

Starlight felt a wave of relief hit her softly, helping Twilight gather up the things she needed for the day ahead. Putting it all in a white saddlebag, Twilight put it on before turning to the purple dragon. "Come on Spike."

Spike smiled, jumping onto her back and wrapping his tail around her neck. Starlight trotted towards the door, thinking the different array of food she could have as she opened the door, Letting Twilight pass.

End of Chapter 1