A/N Please be aware that I'm pretty sure the events of the series didn't happen EXACTLY in order. I'm pretty sure that Luna Eclipsed occurs before Winter Wrap up, Hearts Warming Eve, etc. However, I also think that the Return of Harmony episodes occurred before Luna Eclipsed, if that makes sense.
During the Events of "Luna Eclipsed"...
I firmly placed my helmet on my head, as the metal on my breastplate made a faint noise, indicating movement. I looked over to my desk and grabbed my PSF shield, which was decorated with it's symbol. A hawk clutching a dagger in it's claws, surrounded by a ring of fire. Adjusting the tightness of my wrist armor, I looked into the mirror and observed myself. I was back in my PSF armor that I had been so accustomed to wearing, but now only recently got to wear again. It felt nice to be back in it, but the fact it was for Nightmare Night still seemed strange to me. Usually, I would just be wearing a suit, honoring those that had fallen in combat through a ceremony in Amareica. That wasn't the case here. In Ponyville, you got in a costume, trick or treated, hung out with friends, and ate candy. Of course, I wouldn't be eating candy. I didn't really have a sweet tooth, so I never ate things most ponies ate. I just stuck to fruits and vegetables. There was a knock at my door, and I looked over to it. Most likely trick or treaters. I shook my head, making sure that my shield was strapped firmly onto my wrist.
"One second." I said. Looking back over to the desk, I noticed all the books I had borrowed about Changelings. I still couldn't get my mind off of the news that Igneo had told me. Queen Chrysalis had only been concerned with Amareica until now, why was she thinking about Canterlot? Something was definitely up, and I didn't like it. I would have to put a stop to it, but I couldn't let the girls know anything was wrong. The role of Amareica and it's mere existence had been revealed after Discord was stopped, since it almost needed to be since I was the seventh element. If the ponies knew that they were planning on attacking somewhere other than Amareica, they may not trust us. I would have to proceed carefully. I heard another frantic knock on my door, and turned to face it. I sighed and walked over. Might as well get this over with. To my surprise, instead of young fillies and colts, I found Princess Luna and Twilight.
"Princess... An honor." I say as I bow, placing my shield arm over my chest. It was unbelievably humbling to be in her presence. She told me to stand, and did as she ordered.
"Hey Tinder, it's good to see you." Twilight said.
"Thanks, you too." I say. Looking over to Twilight, I noticed that she was wearing an uncanny Star Swirl the Bearded costume. However, she also seemed to be upset about something. Slightly confused, I look back over to the Princess, who also appears to be upset. Odd, why were they upset? Had something happened?
"Everything alright?" I ask as I step forward. Twilight shakes her head, and the Princess looks away.
"Princess Luna is having some trouble fitting in, and since you know what that's like, I thought you could help." She explained. I nodded and looked over to Princess Luna, who had a somewhat defeated look on her face.
"Forgive me for saying this Twilight Sparkle, but all of your previous efforts to help me gain favor has failed. What makes thou think that this stallion can help me?" The Princess asks. Her tone is sad, and I can tell that she doesn't think she can get onto good terms with the ponies in town. I can relate. I step forward, giving my head a slight bow.
"If I may answer for her, I know what it's like to not be trusted by anypony. There have been several instances in which most of the ponies in town don't want me around." I say. The Princess sighs and shakes her head.
"I'm afraid you do not understand Tinder Spark. This complication is not one of merely Ponyville, but the rest of Equestria as well. I fear I may never gain their trust." She says as she hangs her head. I look at her sympathetically. I can understand why she feels this way, the problem is I didn't know how to help. Bringing up Amareica could help, but the fact that it was still just getting known might limit it's effectiveness. Regardless, I had to try.
"Princess... I can understand why you feel that way. It can be hard to feel like you belong when everypony tries to stay away from you. Heck, it's hard to feel like you belong even if that isn't the case. But let me just tell you that not everypony thinks that way about you. You're a hero to many in Amareica. They see the night as a beautiful time in which they can feel safe, and not worry about attacks from Changelings. Daybreak brings dangers and uncertainty, but the night gives us hope, and peace." I say. The Princess looks up to me, with what seems to be hope in her eyes. I continue.
"I know it seems hard, but it can be done. Just remember that there are always ponies to turn to if you need help. You are not alone. If you need somepony to talk to, your sister is always there for you. I think I speak for both Twilight and I when I say you have us on your side too." I say with a reassuring nod. She gives a slight smile, and a short chuckle.
"Well I must admit it to thou Twilight. Thou surely is as skilled with words as you claimed thou to be." She says as she looks to her. Twilight blushes and rubs the back of her head. I give a smile, even though neither of them can see it because of my helmet. I look back over to the town, which is lit up very brightly for the night.
"How's the rest of the town taken your appearance?" I ask. The Princess frowns again, and sighs.
"I am afraid that they still mistake me for Nightmare Moon. Every time I try and gain their trust, and destroy the reputation I obtained, somepony comes and thwarts my efforts." She says gladly. I look over to Twilight.
"Pinkie?" I ask. She gives an annoyed look and nods. I sigh and shake my head. Pinkie was a great mare and all, but her antics could mess up just about anything. I look over to the Princess and tell her that everything will be fine, but she still doesn't seem to be convinced. She looks back to the town and sighs.
"I just wish there was something I could do to show them I'm not the monster I once was." She says. I bring my hoof to my chin in thought, trying to figure out what to do. Unlike most, I was not one for acts. By that, I mean making false scenarios that ponies make up to try and get a point across. Often times, they are either easy to see through, or so ridiculous that I can tell it's fake anyways. I decide to use something to get her point across.
"Stay here." I say as I head inside. From my peripheral vision, I can see the Princess give a questioning stare to Twilight, who just shrugs. I head to my room real fast and find a bit on my desk. I grab it and flip it over to it's side. Surely enough, it has the symbol of Equestria on it. The two Princesses circling the sun and moon as they create balance. I smile and look through my drawer, spotting my flare shooter. These were normally used to signal for rescues or attacks, but now it would serve as something to gain the attention of ponies if they tried to run from the Princess. I walked out the door and told Twilight and Princess Luna to follow me.
...
When we arrived in town, the ponies instantly began to become fearful, and began to run away. I guess I was in for a bigger mess that I thought. I shake my head and take my flare shooter, sticking my hoof straight into the air. Twilight gives me a questioning look, and the Princess seems calm, as though she couldn't care less about what was happening. I press a button on the side of the shooter and take the recoil of the shot as a red flare shoots into the sky. The ponies seem startled at first, but they quickly turn their attention to the flare, watching as if flickers and sails into the sky in an arching motion. I toss the launcher aside and begin to talk.
"I think you have the wrong idea of the Princess here." I start, looking around to the crowd of ponies who have gathered. One young filly in a fairy costume stands up.
"It's Nightmare Moon! She's here to gobble us up!" She says. I shake my head.
"No it isn't, and no she isn't. Twilight, can you show us exactly what Nightmare Moon looks like?" I ask as I turn to her. She pulls back and blinks, clearly surprised I have called on her. Regardless, she nods and begins to focus. Her horn gives off a purple aura as she scrunches her eyes and grits her teeth. With a puff of smoke, a ghostly image of Nightmare Moon appears, and the townsfolk gasp.
"Now look at the Princess. Aside from coat color, does she look anything like the mare in this projection?" The ponies in the town remain silent.
"I didn't think so. Listen, the reason the Princess might seem like she's trying to hurt you is because it's been a long time since she's been able to appear before her subjects. Think about it, she has been trapped behind Nightmare Moon for a thousand years, do you really think she would know how our culture has changed?" I say again. From the side I see Pinkie spring up. Oddly enough she's in a chicken suit, and I raise my eyebrow.
"But I saw her! She was trying to gobble up Fluttershy! AND she was trying to gobble up little foals!" She shouts. The ponies in town chatter nervously as some cry out in testimony. The Princess hangs her head and shakes her head.
"I appreciate your efforts Tinder Spark, but they simply don't understand." She says with defeat in her voice. I growl, turning back to the ponies in town. Just as I'm about to speak again, I feel somepony nudge the bottom of my foreleg, and I look down. A small colt dressed up as a pirate stood there, and I asked what it was he needed.
"Well sir, I think you three have the wrong idea." He says. I raise an eyebrow and ask what he means.
"Well, we know that Princess Luna isn't Nightmare Moon." He explains. I jerk back in surprise, trying to make sure I heard him correctly.
"Then why are you running the second she shows up? And scream all the time?" Twilight asks as she steps up next to me. The young colt explains that they like being scared on Nightmare Night, and that the Princess is really good at it. He even goes on to admit that Princess Luna is his favorite of the two princesses. He admits that they probably were a bit too mean, and should have told the Princess what they were doing. I nod and look over to the Princess, who is amazed. Her face is overcome with shock, and I can tell that she's both relieved, and overjoyed to know this. The young colt walks up to the Princess and nods.
"Princess, please don't stop Nightmare Night. It's my favorite holiday, and a lot of other ponies too." He says. The Princess looks over to Twilight, who nods. The Princess smiles and nods, saying that Nightmare Night isn't cancelled. The ponies in town cheer as I shake my head and walk away. Twilight grabs my foreleg, and I turn back to her.
"Thanks for helping Tinder, would you please stay?" She asks. I look in her eyes for a while, which continue to shine. I smile and nod.
...
When I finally managed to get home, I found Igneo waiting at my doorstep, and he sees me. Instantly he gives a horrified gasp.
"No! They couldn't have reached Ponyville yet!" He shouts. I raise my hoof and tell him to relax. He tries to argue, but I talk back.
"Igneo, it's Nightmare Night. I'm just wearing this because I don't have an actual costume." I said. Igneo lets out a relieved sigh and wipes his forehead, chuckling nervously. I take off my helmet and asks what he needs. He instantly shakes his head and regains his serious nature.
"I was able to find more information on Queen Chrysalis's plans, and while the date has not been decided, it is clearly being well thought out." He explains as he reaches into a saddle bag on his side and grabs a slip of paper. I take it and observe it. It contains detailed information on several stallions and mares in Canterlot, although each is either a guard, or some type of nobility.
"So what does this mean?" I ask. Igneo shakes his head.
"I can't be sure, but I think she is planning on disguising herself as one of these ponies, and infiltrating the castle." He says. My eyes widen as I look up to him. There is genuine concern on his face, and I can tell that he's worried about what will happen if her plan works. I shake my head.
"She won't get the chance. On my side, I visited my old compound in Amareica and found out that fewer changeling attacks have been occurring. They suspect foul play and are keeping a watch in several towns. I think they're pulling changelings to help in the attack on Canterlot." I say as I hand the note back to him, he nods.
"That's a good assumption. I'll try to find out more about her plans, you do what you can." He says.
"Igneo." I say before he leaves. He turns, giving me a questioning look.
"Thanks for your help." I say. He smiles and nods, then sprints off into the distance. I look to the moon, wondering what the changeling Queen has planned.
"Celestia help us..."