My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Night
Chapter Three: Endless Days
Closing and locking the doors and windows of Twilight's home, Spike and the 6 ponies settled into the library. Now, more than ever, the young Unicorn felt weighed down, and everypony could see it. Despite her rare night of restful sleep, her purple eyes were bloodshot and lined with dark bags and her gait lacked strength. She was weary both inside and out, but she carried on. "Spike already knows the gist of this," Twilight began with a sigh. "Queen Celestia didn't have good news, and this isn't just about me: It involves all of us."
As the other mares listened intently to Twilight's grave announcement, Pinky anxiously shoved hoofful after hoofful of popcorn into her mouth while tilted forward. Spike stood off to the side, nervously grating over his scales with his budding claws. The tension was growing, and everypony already knew this would not be like the childish adventures of old.
"The legends we've been told:" Twilight Sparkle continued, pacing slowly back and forth. "Night Mare Moon; the Mare in the Moon: It's all based in truth." Rainbow stared in disbelief and skepticism. "Queen Celestia wasn't an only filly: She has a sister, Equestria's past princess, Luna. The two ruled side-by-side during the Second Age. Celestia controlled the day, and Luna the night. Things went wrong: Luna was overcome by her own darkness and pain, and that turned her into Night Mare Moon. Celestia had to banish her to the Moon for one thousand years, but that time is up in a few days."
"That can't be true," Rainbow Dash declared angrily. "Queen Celestia never had an evil sister, and Night Mare Moon is just something made up to scare little ponies."
"The queen wouldn't lie," Fluttershy carefully argued, not wanting to raise her voice, though she had to stand her ground. "Especially not to Twilight. What does she want us to do?"
Dropping her head slightly, Twilight swallowed a painful lump welling up in her throat. "She told us that if anything happens to her…that we're supposed to take over. I didn't know why she chose us: I asked her 'why not Shining Armor, or someone else?' But she said we were the only ones. Luna might come back normal, but Night Mare Moon still exists." The others looked at one another nervously. "She said to always remember the Elements of Harmony."
"If Moon really is comin' back to Equestria, what's Queen Celestia gonna do to stop her?" Applejack spoke up. "I know they're sisters, but she ain't really gonna try makin' nice with a monster, is she?"
"She's going to give Luna a chance," the purple Unicorn explained. "But if worse comes to worse, she's willing to stop her. But that could mean war."
"Is this Luna pony really as powerful as our Celestia?" Rarity gasped, covering her mouth with her hoof. "They could destroy all of Canterlot! We simply cannot allow that to happen!"
"And what the hell do you plan on doing?" Rainbow Dash demanded, taking a step closer to the petit Unicorn. Staring intently at her friends, Pinky shoveled popcorn into her mouth, unable to look away. "If our own queen can't stop Night Mare Moon, then how on Equestria are we going to make a difference?"
"We're not gonna with that kand-a weak attitude, Dash!" Applejack shot back. "Queen Celestia put Twalight an' the rest of us in charge fer a reason. There's gotta be more to it."
All eyes shifted back towards Twilight, who stared back. For the first time, it was all on her. She'd been used to being a leader in the past, but never with stakes as high as these. Ponies, Pegasus, Unicorns, a baby dragon, and the purple Alicorn all awaited an answer. "There is more," Twilight finally declared. "Queen Celestia left us a note. If something goes wrong, we follow that note to the letter. I need you all to swear to that. No matter how bad things get, and no matter what you're feeling inside, I need you to promise me…and Celestia that you'll follow her orders."
"Ah don' like the sound-a this," Applejack answered, trying to keep her voice down. Fluttershy shook her head to agree. Pinky glanced over at Spike, who gave her a nod of reassurance.
Although initially angered by the request, Rainbow Dash was the first to stand up. "I don't follow blindly," she boldly spoke out. "But I'll do what I have to…as long as you're all with me."
"I agree," Fluttershy raised her voice, standing up beside Dash.
"As do I," Rarity joined in.
"Count me in!" Pinky Pie happily sprang onboard.
"All for one and one for all," Applejack happily gave in.
"You already know I'm in," Spike declared.
"Then it's settled," Twilight decided. "We're all in this…Until the very end. Pinky, I need you to take the note. Don't let anyone else get near it, don't open it until the time is right, and do not let anyone but the seven of us ever see it, okay?"
"Rodger-dodger," Pinky saluted, tucking the envelope away for safekeeping. "This is so cool. I mean, it's terrifying, but it's cool."
"Um, no offense, Pinky, but do y'all think that's really a good idea?" Applejack asked, growing uneasy.
"I'm sure of it," Twilight answered with confidence. "I needed someone braver than me to hold it all this time." Understanding, Applejack smiled with acceptance.
"Now what?" Rainbow Dash asked of their leader.
"Now, we prepare for the Longest Day," Twilight explained. "When Luna shows up, we'll be right there behind Queen Celestia."
"Behind her?" Rainbow Dash insisted. "As in hiding and waiting for something to go wrong?"
"We have to be present in case something goes wrong," the Unicorn explained, attempting to dispel her friend's anger and confusion. "When the spell is broken, Luna will be called back to Ponyville. We'll meet Queen Celestia before the festival and go from there. No matter what happens, we'll come back from it. Believe in her, Rainbow Dash." Finally, the Pegasus agreed, and the group vowed to remain true to their quest until its end.
However, once the rest of the group left the library, Twilight felt a sense of doubt surface inside of her. Her faith in Queen Celestia was undying, but she couldn't help but expect the worst. Even now, it was like hearing the wretched voice again. Nearly slipping into tears, the young Unicorn suddenly heard the sound of hooves lightly tapping on the floor. Snapping out of her fog, Twilight turned her head to see Rarity slowly approaching her. "Rarity," the purple mare said, regaining her composure. "What's up?"
"I just wanted to say…" the white Unicorn reverently began. "I'm glad you're here to see us through this. Though, I have to ask, aren't you scared in the least?" Twilight Sparkle shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, knowing how much her own bravery meant to the others. "Well, just in case, I wanted you to have this." Reaching into her bag, Rarity pulled out a jeweled necklace and placed it around Twilight's neck. "It's enchanted to give the wearer greater bravery. I'd wear it myself… but it's not quite my style."
Taken aback, Twilight blushed slightly. "…Thank you, Rarity," she graciously accepted, knowing there was no enchantment to be had in the necklace. Still, her friend's generosity and sentiment was deeply moving. "This is so sweet."
"You're most welcome, darling," Rarity answered with a humble smile. "You wear it so well, too." Twilight smiled and tilted her neck to the side like one of the models in Canterlot.
In the living room, Fluttershy laid on her stomach, making her view eye level with Spike. "How are you taking all this, Spike?" she asked sweetly. The sunny Pegasus gently stroked the baby dragon's scales along his little arm like a mother comforting her son.
"Honestly? I'm kind of scared," Spike confessed, trying to keep his voice down. "I mean, not for me, but for Twilight. She's been really stressed. Night Mare Moon is a real monster. I know Celestia can handle her…But what if she pulls something and Celestia gets sent to the Moon or something? Then what do we do?"
Letting out a concerned, understanding moan, Fluttershy wrapped her wings around the child and pulled him close. "Then we'll follow the note," she calmly answered. "It's okay to be afraid, Spike. We're all a little afraid sometimes. But everything's going to be okay." Though her own fear was growing, the Pegasus cared only for Spike, feeling his little heart beat under her wing. Soon, the little dragon's eyes grew heavy, and he was soon asleep in the loving embrace of his compassionate friend.
In order to combat her tension and confusion, Rainbow Dash "stepped out" for a minute to fly in circles around the tree-castle. Flying always calmed her down and gave ease to her racing heart and mind. Pinky tried to go out after her, but Applejack assured her that the Pegasus simply needed time alone. In order to keep her childlike friend occupied, the orange Pony took her into the kitchen, grabbed some apples, and began juggling them. Although amused, the pink Pony kept calm and spoke up. "AJ," she said. "Even though that might be the most amazing thing I've ever seen…I know what you're doing. I'm not a little filly anymore. You don't need to distract me…But you also don't have to stop."
"The truth is, Pinky," Applejack slowly replied, not stopping the rotation of the apples. "This ain't jus' fer you. I'm tryin' to keep maself busy, too. Growing up, Ah had tuh be the big sister. That meant keepin' cool an' actin' lak everythin' was fan when it wasn't. Ah guess Ah never really got over that, yuh know?"
"Then maybe now is a good time to start, partner," Pinky happily shot back with open arms and hooves. "We're all grown mares. You don't have to be the big sister anymore. We can just be a bunch of twins! You can be mine and I can be yours! How's that sound, cowpony?" The Pony then gave her orange twin a tight hug that was almost enough to break a small Drake in half.
"Thanks, Pinky," Applejack coughed out, patting her friend on the back. "You always make everything…so clear."
Alone with her thoughts yet again as her friends found ways to keep themselves busy, Twilight closed her eyes and waited for her Alicorn to visit, though she knew she couldn't. Everything felt dark, especially being alone. As a child, being alone was easy. Things changed, though. No, the young Unicorn realized. Not easy…I just didn't know what friendship was. I've always hated being alone…Just didn't know it then. Suddenly, the sound of a crash from outside broke Twilight's concentration and opened her eyes. Climbing up a sliding ladder, the young mare pushed open a skylight window and peeked outside to see Rainbow Dash sitting on the edge of the roof. "Dash?" Twilight asked, walking out slowly to meet the Pegasus. "Are you okay?"
"No," Rainbow Dash sharply answered. "No, I'm not. There's too much right now. I'll be okay, though. Just…just give me some time, Twilight." Agreeing, the Unicorn went back inside but left her window open. Quickly checking back to make sure Twilight was gone, Rainbow Dash lay down on her side, stared into the sky, and began to silently sob. In time, she fell asleep, only to find herself alone in her bedroom. Her parents weren't there, giving some form of comfort for the moment. Looking around, the feisty Pegasus witnessed the depth and detail of her surroundings gradually fade and darken. Somehow, the familiar room felt colder as Rainbow's legs and muscles became weaker.
"Are you going to fly away, child?" a dark and malicious voice called out. Her head shooting back, the young Pegasus saw nothing but darkness and fog. "Your kind has always disgusted me, Rainbow Dash. All of you no better than the fowl that inhabit the unloved lands: A species interbred of the Unicorn and vermin with wings."
"Who are you?" Dash called back angrily and boldly. "What is this?"
"It's something called the truth, child," the voice answered coldly. "I almost feel sorry for such a creature as you: Born of a shamed race, elevated to something better by those around you. They could all see your worthlessness; your ugliness. So they gave your kind dominion over the clouds. You cannot stop the storms, though, can you?"
"That means a heck of a lot coming from a voice that won't even show itself," the Pegasus fought back. Turning around in circles, growing desperate to find the source of the wicked voice, Rainbow Dash found nothing.
"It is not unlike your kind to attack rather than defend yourself. But then again, what need have you to fight when you can simply retreat into the skies? That's always been the way…your way, Rainbow Dash. Equestria would be a better place without the Pegasus. You've known that your whole life, haven't you? Your so-called friends know it as well. How could anything love such filth?"
"Shut up!" Rainbow Dash demanded, her teeth gritting.
"Without your wings, you have no meaning. Your kind lacks the strength of the earthbound Ponies as well as the grace of the Unicorn. You're all simply a stepping stone to allow for something greater. And now that the Alicorn exists, your kind is but an abomination. So hideous…" At that, the voice began to cackle. Shaking her head violently, as if trying to dispel a bad memory from her mind, the Pegasus felt herself begin to sob. Twilight must have known, as did Rarity, Pinky, Applejack: Even Fluttershy.
Opening her eyes to find herself alone, still atop the roof, Rainbow Dash wiped the cool, slimy tears from her puffy eyes and turned around just in time for Fluttershy to arrive, take her friend's hoof, and lead her back inside. Still shaken from the fading memories of her dream, the Pegasus settled into the sitting room with her friends, who all warmly welcomed her.
"I'm so glad I have you as friends," Fluttershy warmly announced. The rest of the ponies and Spike happily agreed, and called it a day. Returning to their apartments, cottages, and castles, the mares wished one another a good night, vowing to see each other in the morning.
After insisting he put himself to bed, Spike had Twilight tuck him in, leaving her alone as he drifted off to sleep. Outside, the Moon seemed brighter than before, still bearing the ominous shadows upon its face. Her shoulders heavy, the Unicorn sat down beside her books and scrolls and prayed for peace. Pinky was the right pony to put in charge of the note, she told herself. Everything's gonna be okay, though. "I give myself to you, my queen," Twilight had pledged to Queen Celestia. Her eyes growing heavy, the young mare set her studies aside, climbed into bed, tucked herself in loosely, and fell asleep to the images of her beloved friends. The room was warm and kissed by the gentle light of the Moon as she found the hope she needed to dream.
"They were wrong about what they told you, Rainbow Dash," a familiar, loving voice told the young Pegasus as its warmth surrounded her. Closing her eyes, Rainbow smiled and took it all in. "You're the best of them. You always have been." Like a hug from her mother, the Pegasus basked in the praise and glory. "Your wings are the strongest: Most beautiful. Fluttershy could never fly like you do so effortlessly."
"She tries her best," Rainbow Dash replied, growing somewhat uneasy. "We're all equal."
"You don't really believe that," the female voice lovingly insisted. "You know the things they say about you…The lies they tell. All those cruel jokes they never thought you'd hear. But you know what? They were all just jealous. They always have been: Always will be. Especially Twilight."
"Twilight?" Dash shot back, puzzled. "She's my best friend. Why would she…"
"All she's ever wanted is freedom," the voice explained in a whisper. "Something to take her away from her books and fruitless pursuits. When she met you, she saw the way out she would never have. Who wouldn't be jealous? You could outshine the Wondercolts blindfolded. Why, the very skies would fall to worship your skill if you'd only see it. You're better than all of them. Your beauty outshines Rarity, your skills shame Applejack, your wisdom trumps Twilight in every way, your joy surpasses that of Pinky, and you have far more boldness and command of your wings than Fluttershy ever did. Stop fighting it, Rainbow Dash: Love yourself. Take all the love you know you deserve."
Closing her eyes, the Pegasus let out a sharp gasp, followed by a deeply moved sigh. "Hell," she confidently continued, tightening her blue eye lids to form a proud smile. "I could even give Celestia a run for her money…I could be so beautiful. I'd be a better, stronger queen than her."
"Yes," the voice joyously hissed. "Please, go on. Your brilliance moves all of Equestria." Falling deeper into an ocean of pride and vanity, Rainbow Dash peacefully embraced what she wanted.
Wandering through a warmly-colored meadow, feeling the heat of the day gradually cool in the breeze, Fluttershy smelled the perfumed air and sighed happily. Butterflies flew all around her, their glistening, rainbow-like wings kissing her cheeks while wild rabbits trotted past. Equestria had never looked so beautiful or felt so loving. Everypony and everything was united in peace and happiness, and the youthful Pegasus lay down in the soft grass to bask in the glow of the most heavenly Sun as it began to set. "Are you at peace?" a strange yet somewhat familiar voice called out, causing Fluttershy's ear to twitch in surprise. Turning back, the mare saw nothing. "Are your friends nearby?"
"Yes they are," Fluttershy happily answered. "They should be here any minute if you'd like to meet them."
"They're not coming, Fluttershy," the voice replied in an assured, pleasure-filled manner. "They abandoned you long ago. No one is coming for you, child." Glancing around, Fluttershy found herself all alone without so much as the light of the Sun or Moon to accompany her. All the animals of the forest had faded, and the air was growing cold.
"They promised me they'd come," the sunny Pegasus gently answered, still believing in her loved ones. "They'll be here. Just give them time."
"My poor child," it whispered, slowly wrapping fog laces around the young mare. "They have done nothing but lie to you. They won't come. They have all moved on. Look." Turning her head, Fluttershy saw Twilight and Spike, Rainbow Dash, Pinky Pie, Rarity, and Applejack standing just beyond the forest, each of them scoffing in turn before turning around and walking away.
"Oh," the young Pegasus sighed, dropping her head and allowing her smile to fade. "It looks like everything's abandoned me. What did I do?"
"Surely you must know. It has always been this way. Even on the day of your birth, you were all alone. Your friends have simply outgrown you. You poor, abandoned little thing. You may cry if you need." Her strength gone, Fluttershy closed her eyes and wept, knowing nopony would ever hear her.
Dropping and shattering her mirror, Rarity slowly stepped back from the hideous, broken reflection that stared back at her. Her heart pounding, the Unicorn turned to see her walls lined entirely with mirrors: An ugly pony stared at her, into her. Her horn was dull, coated with filth, and enlarged upon her mangled face. Her once-proud mane was lifeless and filthy and her eyes had faded into dull orbs. "Come now," a rage-filled voice called out. "You're hideous! What could ever love a monster like you? So filthy. So ugly. So undeserving of anything given you."
"It's not true," Rarity sobbed, trying to shut out the images all around her. "It can't be. Besides, there has to be more to me than my beauty."
"What beauty?" the voice insisted. "Your body now reflects the ugliness you have always felt within, Rarity. Your vanity has finally gotten the better of you. How ironic that even you can't stand the sight of your own face. Something like you is capable of nothing more than alienation. You are not loved. Were never loved."
"Stop it," Rarity begged, tears running from her tightly closed eyes. "Please. I'm only doing my best." With that, the Unicorn felt her heart break completely. Even her own friends couldn't stand to look at her. All that existed was "ugly".
"I knew you were a liar," Pinky Pie snarled, following the others away from Applejack. They were all so disappointed, and it hurt.
"I'm sorry, everypony," the orange Pony replied, her voice and expression vulnerable. She had no intention of defending herself anymore. "Ah tried mah best. Wasn't that supposed to be good enough?"
"You let us down, Applejack," Twilight answered in disgust. "You failed all of us. You could've made everything better, but you weren't enough."
"Ah…I'm sorry," Applejack gave in, her eyes sinking away from her friends. "If Ah had only been stronger…maybe Queen Celestia'd still be here. Y'all were countin' on me, an' Ah just blew it. Ah always blow it, don' Ah?" Her guilt and cover-ups finally catching up with her, the young Pony fell to the ground, unable to face any of the others. "I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry."
"Sorry isn't good enough, Applejack," the wicked voice taunted the mare. "To make matters worse, you betrayed their trust. I thought that was your one good quality. Your family would be so ashamed of you."
"Ah know they would," the blond-maned Pony agreed, digging her face deeper into the dirt. "Ah failed everythin'."
Skipping through a field of daisies and roses, Pinky Pie laughed and told jokes to herself. She felt like a little filly again, and the Sun was bright and warm on her back. "When are you going to grow up?"
"I am grown up," the pink Pony called out, turning her head slightly. "See? I've got my big-mare tail and everything. Who is that?"
"You can't stay the child forever," another voice angrily called out. "Your friends are already tired of you."
"Oh, be nice," Pinky giddily called back, her stride not stopping.
"You're nothing but a disgrace. You're a foolish, stupid, obnoxious little brat who never saw the truth or learned how to be a mare. You're nothing!"
"I'm Pinky Pie," the pink mare called back, the words starting to get to her. "That's more than enough."
"Is it?" Those words hurt as they invoked another question. "Do you really think you're of any value to anypony? I can't even tell why you're still alive. You serve no purpose. You know that as well, don't you? It's so pathetic. That's the only reason you're here: For others to scoff at. It's almost sad. When you're gone, they'll all finally be free. They'll have a big, pink burden off their shoulders." At that, the voice cackled, and Pinky stood still.
Her lip quivering, the young Pony wiped a tear from her eye as her meadow became the busy streets of inner Ponyville. There was no beauty to be seen, and the only ponies to notice her only spat or mocked her. Closing her eyes in shame, Pinky began to openly cry, only making her friends laugh harder at her.
One by one, the young mares all awoke from their wicked dreams, except Twilight Sparkle. Their bodies cold, worn, and weak, they all felt sorrow, insecurity, and in Rainbow Dash's case, anger at her so-called friends. The night was still young, but everything felt so late. Still asleep in her bed, Twilight rolled onto her side as her nightmares began anew.
"Even as a child, I guided you, Twilight," the most hated voice declared. "I inspired your love of magic, your longing to seek out Celestia, and even your wish to make friends. Face it: You couldn't have befriended anything without me."
"You keep telling me that," the Unicorn cried out, her anger mounting. "You're wrong! I did all that by myself. My friends know the real me: Love the real me. They'd never want anything to do with something like you."
"Twilight, you don't even know the real you. I've kept that wicked little thing hidden from you. Not even your own parents or brother saw her. You…are just a fraud. Even now, you're nothing without me. You can fight and deny it as long as you please, but you'll always know the truth. Celestia would never have taken you on as her student if she saw through the illusion. It was me they all loved: Not you." Feeling in her heart that the monster was right, Twilight once more gave in to her despair before the shadows surrounded her and she awoke in tears.