Chapter 2

"This pathway leads directly to Ponyville...all I have to do is follow it there."

I began trotting down the path in front of me, happy to know that my studies have been making Princess Luna so proud of me. As I trotted down this path, I looked up at the almost-full moon and smiled at the beauty of it, plus the beautiful astronomical stars that were elegantly lighting up the nighttime sky. I love the night; I love everything about the night, after all, I am nocturnal.

I'm not a dark kind of pony, truly I'm not. I love everything about everything in life, but simply choose to carry on in my own way, which has led me down the path of individuality. Clearly, according to Princess Luna, my decisions and actions, though they have brought much praise and acceptance to me from Princess Luna herself, aren't the true ways and paths that I should be on right now. My way of independence is simply the way I am but, for Princess Luna's sake and for mine, I will be more than happy to make some room for adjustments.

Up ahead in the path, I see a fork in the road. Taking out the map, I skim to where I currently am and notice that there is no fork in the road here, but the path does lead a bit to the left slightly. Looking back at the path, I take a heavier glance and notice that the path on the right is that of mud and flattened grass, meaning that this path was probably pony-made not too long ago. Looking over to the path on the left side, I saw that it was a continuation of the same path I was currently on – a dirt path. I put the map away and began trotting down the left pathway.

The moon was lighting up the pathway fairly decently, so I ceased the light that I was emanating from my horn. Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light. My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim, forcing me to stop for the night. It was odd, considering the fact that I was nocturnal, but nonetheless, I stopped on the side of the path and decided to set up a campsite for the night.

The next morning, I awoke fairly early so that I could make it to Ponyville on time and not disappoint this Twilight Sparkle pony. The more I thought about her name, the more I thought how familiar that name sounded. I remember reading somewhere in the newspaper about a mare from Ponyville being crowned the newest Princess in Equestria...could this Twilight Sparkle be that very same mare?

I thought nothing more of the topic as I started to enter into the limits of a new town. I pulled out the map from my saddlebag and noticed that this town was Ponyville. Putting the map away, I took out the letter to see where exactly I was supposed to go.

"Twilight Sparkle will be waiting for you."

"Is that it?" I flip over the letter, searching for something to help me try and locate Twilight Sparkle, but there was nothing more on the letter. I was searching blindly for a Twilight Sparkle in a town that I don't even know that much.

In front of me, there were ponies of all kind – unicorns, Earth ponies, Pegasi – and there were even more Pegasus ponies flying through the air. I noted one Pegasus that had a rainbow forming behind them as they flew, which I found pretty cool. I wanted to go introduce myself to that Pegasus, but first things first: finding one Twilight Sparkle.

I entered further into the town, trying to locate a pony that I didn't even know what they looked like. I'm not one for asking for help, but in this case, I have no other choice. I saw a little peculiar looking shop to my left and decided to go in and ask the proprietor if they knew who this Twilight Sparkle was. In this little, peculiar shop stood two Earth ponies – one blue, one yellow.

"Hello there, and welcome to Sugar Cube Corner." The blue Earth pony happily told me.

"What can we do you for?" The yellow one asked.

I felt a bit weird. Never before had somepony asked me or spoken to me like that, aside from Princess Luna and my own parents. Not wanting to be rude, I politely answered them back with a smile being worn brightly on my face.

"Nothing for me really, thank you. I do have but one question for either of you, if that is quite alright with you."

"But, of course it is." The blue pony smiled.

"What is it that you want to ask?" The yellow one questioned.

"Well," I chuckled, "I-I'm new to Ponyville and need to know if you know where one Twilight Sparkle may be."

"We most certainly do!" The blue pony stated.

"You do?" I hoped. "Well, that's most excellent!"

"Let me ask you this." The yellow pony began. "Why do you need to see Princess Twilight?"

So she is a Princess... I thought. I turned to the yellow pony, who was slightly shorter than I was. "My mentor requested that I meet her and learn from her."

"That's surely interesting." The yellow pony told me.

"Thank you." I smiled. "Do you know where Twilight Sparkle would be at this current moment?"

"Unfortunately not, dear." The blue pony glumly answered.

"Nor I..." The yellow one added.

I wanted to frown, but kept my smile up so that I would not be rude. I thanked the two for their help and started to take my leave. As I turned around, I was greeted to an immediate pink view, courtesy of a pink Earth pony that was standing right behind me, now in front of me. The pink pony must have heard everything that was just spoken and so, she pressed on to me, forcing me backwards a bit.

"Hi!" The pink pony shouted. "I hear you're looking for Twilight!"

"Umm..." I quietly replied. "Th-that's right...I'm sorry but, who are you?"

"I'm Pinkie Pie and I just love making new friends!" They replied, giving me a tight hug in the process, crushing my wind pipes slightly.

Wow...she sure gives strong hugs...

"I also happen to know Twilight personally." Pinkie Pie told me.

"You *cough* do?" I struggled saying, trying to ease my pain.

"Mhmm!" smiled Pinkie Pie.

"Would it be too much to ask if you took me to her directly?" I hopefully asked.

"Not at all, silly willy!" Pinkie Pie replied.

"That's perfect!" I smiled brightly. "Thank you very much, Pinkie Pie!"

"You're welcome!" Pinkie Pie responded. "I didn't catch your name. What is it?"

"My name is Lunar Nights," I answered, "and I am Princess Luna's star pupil."

"Princess Luna's star student?" Pinkie Pie repeated. I gave a simple nod. "Wow!" She continued. "So Princess Luna's star student is about to meet Princess Celestia's star student to become super duper, star-tacular, awesomerific, student-friends!"

"Uh...yeah..." I chuckled.

"Let's go see Twilight then, Lunar!" Pinkie Pie smiled, dragging me out of Sugar Cube Corner.