Friendship is Magic Pt1
Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, their were two regal sisters who ruled together in harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn; The younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained the balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all different types of ponies. But as time went on, the younger became more resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One faithful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon and make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her; but the bitterness in the young ones heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon. She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the strongest magic known to pony kind, the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the elements, she defeated her younger sister, and trapped her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took on responsibility for the sun and the moon…
"... and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since." Read a purple unicorn with a purple mane and pink highlights and a magenta star with five smaller white stars on her flanker , as she sat under a tree. "Hmm, Elements of Harmony, I know I've heard of those before… but where?" As she packed up and started walking back to her residence three ponies stopped her.
"Hey Twilight, Moondancer is having a little-get-together in the palace west courtyard. Wanna come?" one of them asked.
"Oh, sorry girls. I have a lot of uhh… studying to do" said Twilight as she quickly booked it along the path.
*Sigh*
"Studying. Is that all that pony does?" asked the second pony.
"I think, she's more interested in books-than friends" responded the third and the three continued down the path the opposite way.
Meanwhile with Twilight. "I know I've heard of the elements from somewhere." Suddenly, a flash of blue light caught her eyes and she saw what looked like a shooting star, during day? As she watched its path as it slammed into the ground nearby. "What in the world was that?" she asked as she ran to the impact site.
When she got there she saw a black pegasus with short, messy, dark blue mane with a lightning blue stripe running down the center. "Maybe that shooting star hit him on the head." She said and used her magic to pick him up and took her to her room, where a purple and green dragon was about to leave with a small present.
[Wham]
The door flies open with the force of a punch. "Spike! SPIKE!" Twilight calls then spots the dragon on the floor. "Spike? There you are." As he gets up Twilight floats the pegasus onto the couch. "Quick, find me the that old copy of Predictions and Prophecies, and make our guest a little more comfortable. What's that?" she asks as she sees the present run through by Spikes tail.
"Well it was supposed to be a gift for Moondancer but…" the gift then falls out and squeaks.
"Spike, you know we don't have time for that stuff" Twilight tells him.
"But we're on a break!" Spike complains as he adjusts the pegasus' hooves so his body doesn't lay on them.
Twilight, not responding, activates her horn and starts pulling books off the shelves. "No, no, no no no." *grunt* "Spike!" she calls.
"It's over here" he calls out with the book in question in his claws. But before he can climb down the ladder he use to get it, magic sends the book and him flying and Spike slams face first into the floor. Twilight then drops the rest of the books and starts looking.
"Elements, elements. E, E, E… Aha! Elements of Harmony. See Mare in the Moon?"
"Mare in the Moon. But that's just an old ponies tail" Spike says as he climbs another ladder to put the books that Twilight pulled off back in their spots.
"Mare, mare… aha! The Mare in the Moon, myth from olden pony times. A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria. Defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will add in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal." *Gasp* "Spike, do you know what this means?"
"No." The ladder than slips underneath him but Twilight catches him.
"Take a note, to the princess." she orders.
"Okie dokie."
"My dearest teacher, my continued studies of pony magic have led me to believe that we are on the precipice of disaster." Before she can continue Spike stops her.
"Hold on. Preci… preci… ?" he looks at Twilight confused.
"Threshold."
"Thre…"
"Uh, brink." Spike just stands there completely confused.
"Ugh, that something bad's about to happen." Spike writes that down as Twilight continues. "For you see, the mythical Mare in the Moon is in fact Nightmare Moon, and she is about to return to bring nighttime eternal. Something must be done to prevent this from happening. I await your quick response. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."
"Twi-light… Spark-le. Got it."
"Great! Send it."
"Now?" Spike questions.
"Of course"
"I don't know Twilight. The princess has a lot of work left to do before the Summer Sunset Celebration, and that's like, the day after tomorrow" Spike points out.
"That's just it Spike. The day after tomorrow is the thousandth year of the Summer Sunset Celebration. It's imperative that the princess is told right away." Twilight counters.
"Impera… impera…" he says as he tries to write it down.
"Important!" Twilight yells, sending him flying.
[Crash]
"Okay. Okay" he says.* inhale* He blows a small plume of green fire and it engulfs the letter. "Their, it's on its way. But I wouldn't hold your breath."
"Oh, I'm not worried Spike. In all my years I've been her student she has never doubted me." Before Spike can counter a low moan is heard from the pegasus.
"Ow, my head. Anyone get the ID on that tree" he says as he gets up.
"Whow, easy there. You just regained consciousness." Twilight says trying to get to sit back down. Twilight then gets a better look at his face. He had a normal face for a stallion, but those lightning blue eyes seemed unnatural to her.
"Who are you? What happened?" The stallion asked.
"I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this is my assistant, Spike" Twilight introduces. "I found you unconscious not to far from here and decided to bring you here."
"Thanks Twilight. Where are my manners, my name is Night Storm, a pleasure to meet you." Night responds.
"Here Night. I got you some water." Spike said bringing a glass over to him.
"Thanks Spike" Night moves to take the glass and sees his hoof. "What the," Night thinks as he sees himself, "the photo wasn't lying about what I looked like." Before Twilight can question his brief hesitation on taking the glass Spike shoots out another plume of fire and a letter forms from it. "Sweet fudge" he yells at the sight. "Is that normal?"
"See. I knew she would what to take immediate action." Twilight says to Spike not answering Nights question.
"My dearest and most faithful student, Twilight. You know that I value your diligence and that I trust you completely…" Spike starts to read as Twilight puts a triumphant look on her face. "But you must stop reading those dusty old books" Spike said as he continued which resulted a gasp from Twilight. Timeskip to where Twilight, Spike and Night are on a flying carriage pulled by two white pegasus' wearing golden armor, heading somewhere,(I don't know why Night's here just roll with it) as Spike continues to read the letter. "My dearest Twilight, there is more to a young pony's life than studying, so I'm sending you supervise the preparations for the Summer Sunset Celebration in this year's location: Ponyville. And, I have a new task for you to complete: make some friends."
Twilight lets out a small sigh as Night sees Ponyville coming into view. "Your teacher does have a point Twilight, making a few friends isn't a bad idea" he points out.
"He's right Twilight, and look on the bright side. The princess has arranged for you to stay in a library. Doesn't that make you happy?" Spike tells Twilight.
"Yes, it does. Do you why? Because I'm right! I'll check on the preparations as quickly as I can, then find some proof of Nightmare Moon's return." Twilight states.
"Twilight, I don't think that's what she meant," Night points out.
"And what about making friends like the princess said?" Spike questions.
"She said to check on the preparations. I am her student and will do my duty, but the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends." Twilight counters as their carriage lands. "Thank you sirs."
"Maybe the ponies of Ponyville have interesting things to talk about." Spike says as pink pony with bushy pink mane and tail with three balloons on her flank, the two outer ones yellow, the inner and slight lower one light blue, walk up to them. "Go on Twilight, just try."
"Umm, hello."
*Drawn out gasp* and the pink pony books it toward somewhere.
"Well that was interesting. So Night, what are you going to do?" Twilight asks.
"Well do mind if I tag along with you to?" Night asks "I could add a third opinion on this."
"Sure the more perspectives the better." Twilight responds and the three of them make their way down a path toward a farm.
"Summer Sunset Celebration official overseer's checklist. First off, banquet: Sweet Apple Acres" Spike read.
"That's a lot of apples" Night said looking around.
"Yeehaw" said an orange pony with blond mane, a cowboy hat and three small apples on her flank, as she hit one of the trees with her rear hooves causing apples to fall into a few buckets.
*Sigh*
"Let's get this over with." Twilight said as the walked up to the pony. "Good afternoon my name is Twilight Sparkle."
"Hoody doo Twilight" said the orange pony immediately shaking her and Twilights hooves really quickly. "I'm Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres, sure love making new friends."
"Friends? Actually I..." again Twilight doesn't finish her sentence and Applejack pulls away, with Twilight's hoof still shaking. Spike then grabs her hoof stopping it but snickers as soon as his back is turned.
"So, what can I do for you?" Applejack asks.
"I'm the supervisor for the Summer Sunset Celebration. I'm told that you are in charge of the food?" Twilight asks.
"We sure as sugar are" Applejack says proudly. "Care to sample some?"
"Actually we…" Twilight starts but Applejack pushes the three to a table.
"Thanks Applejack, I haven't eaten in a while." Night responds.
"As long it doesn't take to long" Twilight complains as Applejack rings a triangle.
"Soups on everypony" she yells and what looks like fifty ponies runs to their table. "Let me introduce you all to the Apple family. This here's Apple Fritter, Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp *inhale* Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith. Up'n'attem Granny, we've got guests."
*Snort*
"Wha…? Soups on? Ahm comin'."
"Well it seems you two are already part of the family" Applejack says to Night and Twilight as Twilight gives a nervous laugh.
"Well it seems the food situation is taken care of, so we'll be on our way" Twilight says trying to get away from this.
"Aren't you two going to stay for brunch?" Apple Bloom asks them.
"Sorry," Twilight responds, "but we have an awful lot to do." The Apples then give a disappointed sigh.
"Come on Twilight," Night starts , "we shouldn't turn down their hospitality. Besides, this will give us a taste test and I'm starving."
"Fine" Twilight says unhappily. As the three walk on after eating Twilight is trudging along with a bloated stomach. "Ugh… I ate too much pie" she moans and looks a Night who doesn't seem to have a problem. "Is Night a pony or a bottomless pit?" she wonders in her head.
"Hmm" says Spike as he looks around the sky. "Their is supposed to be a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds. Night and Twilight look up to see a few clouds in the air but Night thinks it looks fine.
"Well, she isn't doing a good job is she" Twilight says when a blue feathered, rainbow mane pony with a image of a cloud firing off a red, yellow and blue lightning bolt on her flank fly's head first into Twilight covering them both with brown water.
*Sheepish laughter*
"Uh, 'scuse me," she says. "Here, let me help you with that" she continues bringing a cloud over her and starts jumping on it causing rain to pour out of it. The result has Twilight completely soaked and the rainbow maned pony laughs at the sight. "Opps, maybe I overdid it. How about this" she starts to circle Twilight really fast. "My very own patented, Rain-Blow dry. No, don't thank me your quite welcome" as she sees Twilights mane she completely loses it and laughs hysterically. Spike sees it and starts laughing as well but Twilight and Night don't think it's humorous.
"Let me guess, your Rainbow Dash" Twilight says. In response the blue pegasus jumps up.
"The one and only" she says with confidence. "Why, you've heard of me?"
"Only a few moments ago" Night states.
"And I've heard your supposed to be keeping the sky clear" Twilight finishes, giving a small sigh before continuing. "I'm Twilight Sparkle and this is Night Storm. We're supervising the Celebration."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll get on that as soon as I finish practicing" Rainbow says.
"Practicing for what?" Night asks.
"The Wonderbolts! Their going to be performing at the Celebration, and I'm going to show'em my stuff" Rainbow stated. Night didn't know who the Wonderbolts are but the way Rainbow was idolizing them he guessed they were like the Blue Angels back on Earth.
"The Wonderbolts?" Twilight said.
"Yep."
"The most talented flyers in all of Equestria?"
"That's them"
"Pfft, please. They'd never accepted as pegasus who couldn't keep the sky clear for on measly day" Twilight scoffed.
"Hey, I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat" Rainbow boasted.
"Prove it" Twilight challenged. Immediately Rainbow flew off the cloud she was on popping it and proceeded to pop every cloud I in the sky in ten seconds.
"What did I tell you. Ten. Seconds. Flat. Ha, I'd never leave Ponyville hangin'" she says then chuckles. "You two should see the looks on your faces . Ha. Your a laugh Twilight Sparkle. Oh, and Night, if you need a few pointers on flying, give me a holler." She then flies off leaving the trio in awe.
"Wow, she's amazing" says Spike then laughs at Twilight's hair. Twilight storms off toward their next stop. "Wait! It's kind of pretty once you get used to it" but a glare from Night stops him from continuing his point. "Decorations" Spike says as he looks around "Beautiful…"
"Yes, the décour is coming along nicely" Twilight agrees. "I'll be in the library in now time. Beautiful indeed."
"Not the décour, her" Spike says as he points to a white unicorn with twirled purple hair and tail with three bright blue diamonds on her flank.
"No, no, no. Oh! Heavens no" she says as she looks a different strings.
"How are my spines? Are they straight?" Spike questioned.
"I'm guessing she's in charge of the decorating" Night pointed out.
"Good afternoon-" Twilight starts but is interrupted.
"Just a moment," says the white unicorn, "I'm 'in the zone,' as it were. Yes! Sparkle always does the trick. Why, Rarity, you are a talent. Now how can I help yo-" she said as her turned to look at Twilight and Night.
*Gasp*
"Oh my stars. What happen to your coiffure?!" said Rarity as Night's hair was still ruffled from the crash and Twilight's was puffed up from Rainbow Dash.
"Oh, you mean our manes?" Twilight wondered. "Oh, it's a long story. We're just here to check up on the decorations and then we'll be out of your hair."
"Out of my hair? What about you twos hair?" she starts to push to two toward her shop while Spike floats in the air, following with the tip of his tail spinning like a plane propeller. Once at her shop she flattens Twilight hair and starts looking for her fashion. "No, no, uh-uh. Too green. Too yellow. Too poofy. Not poofy enough. Too… shiny. Now go on my dear, you were telling me were you two are from." She then starts pulling on the straps leaving Twilight gasping for air with words coming out strained.
"I've-been-sent-from-Canterlot-to-" the moment Twilight that Rarity lets go of the straps in shock sending to two flying.
"Canterlot?! Oh the glamour, the sophistication! I've always dreamed of living there! We're going to be the best of friends you and I" Rarity says excitedly. "Emerald!?" she says looking at the dress Twilight was wearing. "What was I thinking? Let me get you some ruby's" Twilight looks at Night and Spike, takes off the dress and starts running.
"Quick," she said. "Before she decides to dye my coat a new color."
"Is she always like this? Who am I kidding, I'll never understand woman" Night thinks to himself as he grabs Spike so he's not left behind.
"Wasn't she wonderful?" Spike says after the three get underway.
"Her intentions were good, but I like my mane the way it is." Night points out.
"Focus, Casanova. What's next on the list?" Twilight asks as Spike looks.
"Music" he says. "It's the last one." Just then they hear birds whistling and head toward the noise. After walking out from behind a tall bush they see a yellow pegasus with pale pink mane and tail with three butterflies on her flank, their wings being the same color as her mane with light blue for the central body. In front of her is a tree with many branches, but few leaves, filled with many different birds, all of them singing but one was starting to get off key.
"Oh my. Uh, please stop everyone, um. Excuse me sir? I mean no offence, but your rhythm is a teeny-tiny bit off" she said in a soft but sweet voice. "Now, follow me please. A-one. A-two. A-one, two, three-"
"Hello!" yelled Twilight causing the pegasus to jump in midair while to birds scattered. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you and your birds. I'm just here to check up on the music and it sounded beautiful." The pegasus fell silent. "I'm Twilight Sparkle and this is Night Storm. What's your name?"
"Uhm… my name is Fluttershy" she said softly.
"Sorry, what was that?" asked Twilight.
"... My name is Fluttershy" she said even quieter.
"Didn't catch that."
*Slightly scared squeaking*
"I think she was saying Fluttershy, Twilight" Night told her shocking the pegasus. There was an awkward pause as the remaining birds returned to their places on the tree.
"Well," said Twilight awkwardly, "looks like your birds are back, so we'll leave you to it." As they walked away Spike walk up from behind the bush. "Well that was easy" Twilight remarked. However the moment Fluttershy saw Spike-
*Excited gasp*
"A baby dragon!" she yells startling her birds again while pushing Twilight and Night away from Spike. "I've never seen a baby dragon before. He's so cute."
"Well, well, well…!" Spike said.
"Oh my, he talks? I didn't know that dragons could talk, I, I don't know what to say" Fluttershy says excitedly.
"Well in that case we'd better get going" Twilight says puting Spike on her back as she and Night start walking.
"Wait, what's his name?" Fluttershy asks.
"I'm Spike" he introduced.
"Hi Spike, I'm Fluttershy. Wow, a talking dragon! What do dragons normally talk about?" Fluttershy wonders.
"Well what do you want to know?" Spike asks.
"Absolutely everything" she answers.
*Groan*
"Well… I started as a cute purple and green egg… *timeskip* and that's the story of my whole life. Well, up until today. Do you want to hear about today?" he asks.
"Oh, yes please" Fluttershy answers, but before Spike can begin Twilight turns to face Fluttershy.
"I'm so sorry. How did we get here so fast? This is where I'm staying while I'm here in Ponyville, and my poor baby dragon needs his rest." Twilight says as she stands next to a large, hollowed out tree.
"No I don'-" Twilight throws Spike off.
"Awww, wook at dat, he's so sweepy he can't keep his widdle bawance" Twilight said, baby talking Spike who looked like he wanted to light Twilight a blaze.
"Poor thing," Fluttershy says, picking up Spike and bring him into the tree home, "you simply must get to bed."
"Yes, yes, we'll get right on that, g'night!"
[Door slam]
"Huh. Rude much?" Spike said.
"Sorry Spike, but I have to convince the princess that Nightmare Moon is coming and we're running out of time. I just need some alone time so I can study without all these crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time" Twilight says, but Night overhears this.
"So I guess I'm crazy to. Huh Twilight?" Night said coldly.
"Night, I didn't mean it like that I just need some time to study then-" Twilight starts but she's interrupted.
"You know, I've never had any real friends in my life, but I didn't spend all my time pushing everypony away. If that's going to be the way you want to live, then enjoy your studies. I hope you never know how empty your life is. Good day to you Ms Sparkle."
[Door slam]
"What could he mean by that?" Twilight wondered. "I'd better apologize after I finish studying. Now, where's the light."
[Click]
"Surprise!" everypony in the library yelled.
Just then the pink pony Twilight saw after arriving popped up in front of her. "Surprise!" she yelled again. "Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this surprise party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Were ya?"
"Very surprised" Twilight said. "Libraries are supposed to be quiet."
"Well that's silly" Pinkie said. "What kind of welcome party would this by if it were quiet? I mean, duh, boring. Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all 'Hello' and I was all *deep gasp* remember? Y'see, I've never seen you here before and if I've never seen you, you must be new here because I know everypony and I mean everypony in Ponyville." Twilight groans as Pinkie keeps talking. "And if you're new here that means you haven't met anyone yet, that means you don't have any friends, and that made me so sad, then I had an idea, that's why I went all *deep gasp*! I decided to throw a great big enormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everypony in Ponyville. Hey, wait where's that other pony you were with?" Pinkie asks.
"You didn't hear?" Twilight said. "He walked out while you all were standing in the dark for who knows how long."
"Well, I'll find and welcome him after the party, but now you have lots and lot of friend!"
[Steaming teapot noise]
"Are you alright sugarcube?" Applejack asked as Twilight's face is extremely red.
[Train whistle blowing]
"Aww," said Pinkie, "she's so happy she's crying."
"Hot sauce" Spike says as he looks at what Twilight was drinking. Pinkie then pours some on a cupcake and eats it.
"What?" Pinkie says, her voice muffled by a full mouth. "It's good."
*Timeskip*
[Muffled disco music][Clock ticking]
*Groan*
[Spike opens the door and the music gets louder]
"Hey, Twilight!" Spike says with a lamp bowl on his head. "Pinkie Pie's started 'Pin the tail on the Pony'! Wanna play?"
"No! All the ponies in this town are crazy! Do you know what time it is?"
"It's the eve of the Summer Sunset Celebration. Everypony has to stay up, or they'll miss the sunrise. You really should join in Twilight, it's a party."
"You really should join in Twilight, it's a party." Twilight mocks. "Ugh, here I thought I'd have time to learn about the Elements of Harmony, but, silly me, all this ridiculous friendship making has kept me from it!" she looked at the moon where a mare was visible on it with four stars surrounding it. "Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape. I hope the princess is right, I really hope it is just an old ponies tale"
"Come on Twilight" Spike said opening the door again. "It's time to watch the sunrise."
(Outside)
"Ugh, nothing I've done has led me any closer to my sisters. Where are they?" Night says as he looks at the moon. "Wait a minute. The younger sister was trapped in the moon, if that's Luna, and she is also Nightmare Moon, Twilight said something about her returning." Then it hit him. "Luna must be returning soon. I've got to get to Twilight, she knows more than me about this." He sees a ton of ponies heading to a tall building in the center of the town. "Might as well start looking for her there" Night said and ran toward the building.
Meanwhile, inside said building. "Isn't this exciting?" Pinkie said sliding next to Twilight and Spike. "Are you excited? Cause I'm excited! Well, except that time I went *deep gasp* but I mean really who can top that."
[Birds chirping a l welcome]
"Fillies and gentlecolts, as the mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sunset Celebration." Everypony cheers except Twilight who looks worriedly at the moon. "In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor, to introduce the ruler of our land, the one who give us the sun and moon each and everyday, the good, the wise, the bringer of Harmony to all of Equestria… "
"Ready?" Fluttershy asks her birds.
"... Princess Celestia!" The birds chirp another welcome and Rarity opens the curtains to reveal… nothing?
[Ponies speaking to each other nervously]
"Calm down everypony," Major Made says. "There must be an explanation."
"Ohh, ohh. I love guessing games. Is she hiding?" Pinkie says, not appearing to take this seriously.
Rarity then returns from behind the curtain. "She's gone!"
[Ponies gasp]
"Ohh, she's good" Pinkie say then sees something and yells.
[Ponies gasp]
"Oh no" Twilight says and a blue starry mist appears where Celestia should of been. The mist then turns into- "Nightmare Moon." Spike faints.
"Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your sun loving faces." Nightmare Moon speaks.
"What have you done with our princess?" Rainbow demands but Applejack stops her by biting her tail.
"Whoa there, nelly…" she says, muffled by the tail in her mouth. But Nightmare Moon laughs at this.
"Why, I'm I not Royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?" she asks.
"Oh, more guessing games. How about, Pooke Smokes, how about, Queen Meanie, no, Black Snooty, Black Snooty." Pinkie says but Applejack shoves a cupcake into her mouth to keep her quiet.
"Does my crown no longer count now that I've been imprisoned for the last thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?" she wondered.
"I did" Twilight said. "And I know who you are. Your the Mare in the Moon- Nightmare Moon.
[Ponies gasp]
"Well well well, somepony remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here." Nightmare Moon remarks.
"Your here to… to…" *gulp*
*Chuckle*
"Remember this day everypony, for it was your last. From this day forth, the night, will last, FOREVER!" Nightmare Moon proclaims and she starts laughing maniacally.
"Stop this Luna!" somepony yells. Everypony turns to the noise to see Night standing in the doorway.
"Night, what are you doing?" Twilight questions.
"Who… are you? Why do I recognize you?" Nightmare Moon asks.
To be Continued…
That's the first chapter of 'The Storm Returns.' Part 2 of this will have begun once this gets published and I'll have it done as soon as I can. Thank for reading, and have a good day.