Author's Notes:

I came up with this concept right before my computer died, destroying all of my other works. I think that's a sign, so this is my next big project. I hope you enjoy this new creation of mine. I feel really good about this one.

All I ask is that you please comment. I need to know how well I did and what needs to be fixed if anything. As long as no one flames me, I'm good.

Departure

Thousands of years ago, Equestria was watched over by two sisters. The elder sister raised the sun at dawn, and watched over the crops of the waking world, while the younger sister raised the moon at dusk, and protected the dreams of the ponies while they slept.

This rule lasted without incident for many years, but the younger sister began to feel overshadowed. Ponies laughed, worked, and played during her older sister's day, but they all slept during her night. This led to the creation of creatures called nightmares, beings spawned from the darkness and chaos within ponies hearts.

And with them, the mightiest nightmare of all... Nightmare Moon...

Twisted by her own resentment, the younger sister was transformed into the queen of the nightmares. She led her nightmare army in a campaign against her sister, her goal being an eternal night.

The older sister had no choice. Using the power of the Elements of Harmony, she banished her sister to the moon, for she was unable to strike her sister down. She knew that this wouldn't be the end, and that this act of kindness and optimism would one day lead to the return of the nightmares, and of nightmare moon.

It's for this reason that she sought the chosen pony, who would unite the forces of Generosity, Laughter, Kindness, Loyalty, and Honesty, and awaken the true Magic to save her sister, and put an end to the nightmares once and for all, returning harmony to the world.

“The story of Nightmare Moon,” Twilight said to herself after finishing the story. Spike had actually asked her to read the story, so he could get her input on it. Personally, she thought it was absolutely silly. A pony banished to the moon, creatures called “nightmares”, and an eternal night? Fairy tail, nothing more.

It was about time for her to get back to the castle. She had been outside reading for the entire day, enjoying her weekend. After packing her book away into her saddlebag, she began making her way back to the castle.

Canterlot as usual was full of activity. It was the very reason why she preferred to take the long way, which placed her away from all the hustle and bustle of the city. So many ponies, so many different colored coats, and so many different fragrances of cheap perfume. She didn't think her nose could handle it.

What she wouldn't give to not deal with this anymore.

“Twilight?” a voice called out, making the lavender unicorn stop with a groan. She turned and saw Lemon Hearts with her friends Twinkleshine and Minuette trotting over to her.

“What do you want?” Twilight asked harshly.

“Moondancer is having a party today,” Lemon Hearts said, “We were wondering if you wanted to come.”

Why would she want to go to Moondancer's party? They weren't friends or anything. Twilight knew what other ponies said about her behind her back, which made this even weirder to her.

“Did Moondancer invite me? Or did you?” Twilight asked narrowing her eyes slightly.

“Well, it was more my idea,” Lemon Hearts said, “But I'm sure that Moondancer wouldn't-”

“Why would she be remotely okay with me being there if I wasn't invited?” Twilight asked, “Assuming I even wanted to go, I'd just create more problems. Thanks, but no thanks.”

With that Twilight turned around and walked off. As she walked slowly, she heard the response of her friends behind her.

“I told you she wouldn't come,” Twinkleshine said, “She's too much of a snob anyway.”

“Yeah,” Minuette added, “she probably would just say something to upset Moondancer anyway. Her party is better of without that self righteous bitch.”

That hurt, but she didn't grace any of them with any form of retaliation. She didn't need anyone anyway. She had Spike and the Princess. They were the only friends she needed.

When she reached the castle, she went straight to her room, which had its own library filled with books. On a ladder was her best friend and assistant Spike. He was an adolescent dragon about Twilight's height when he walked on all fours. His scales were purple, and he had long green fins, the ones on his head long almost like a mane. He had two large wings on his back, a sharp snout almost like an adult dragon, and piercing green eyes.

“Spike, I'm home,” Twilight called out. The young drake smiled and jumped down, walking over to Twilight.

“So, did you read it?” Spike asked.

“You mean that ridiculous story about a “mare in the moon”?” Twilight asked rolling her eyes, “Everyone knows that nightmares aren't real. The only nightmares are the kind that keep kids awake at night.

Spike shook his head, “It wasn't meant to be a reference guide, Twilight. It was meant to be a fun read. Did you enjoy the story?”

“I guess,” Twilight said trotting over to the window and looking out at the sky, “It's very creative, I'll give you that. I bet the Princess would like it.”

“Oh, that reminds me,” Spike said, “Mom wanted to see you later today.”

Spike had been adopted by Princess Celestia, who was Twilight's teacher. Though he knew that she wasn't his biological mother, he still referred to her as such. It was because of the Princess that he was so well behaved.

“Well, I don't have anything else to do today,” Twilight said, “Want to go together?”

“Actually... I can't exactly... make it,” Spike said slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. Twilight turned to him and raised an eyebrow.

“Why not?”

“Well, a little before you got here, Moondancer came here inviting me to her birthday party. I figured we could probably first-” he stopped when he saw Twilight look away darkly, “She didn't...?” he asked slowly. Twilight just let her silence speak for itself. Of course Moondancer would invite Spike but not her. Unlike Twilight, Spike was liked by everyone. He just had that personality that attracted everyone.

“Twilight, I-”

“It's fine,” Twilight said curtly, walking over to a bookshelf.

“Twilight, I don't have to-”

“She invited you, so you should go,” Twilight said distantly, “You're friends with everyone on the campus anyway. It would look bad if you didn't go.”

“Even with that,” Spike said walking over to Twilight and embracing her from behind, “You're my best friend.”

Being this close to Spike like this left her torn. On one hand, she still tensed up a bit due to her Haphephobia, and he was hugging her right now. On the other hand, Spike was hugging her. In her fantasy, she was on her bed, and he was over her just like this, but instead of embracing her he was holding her down, kissing her neck, licking her, and finally-

“Spike... y-your touching m-me...” she said slowly.

“Twilight, we've been close for years. I'd like to think I'm allowed to express affection toward you,” Spike said tightening the embrace.

Ooh, he was holding her so tight right now. If he wanted to, he could have his way with her and she wouldn't be able to do anything to stop him. He could put his claws over her mouth to keep her silent so that even if she wanted to scream she wouldn't be able to-

She gave a shuddering deep breath, one that he apparently interpreted as he was making her uncomfortable, because he let go.

“Seriously though, I can miss the party,” Spike said, “We could spend time together instead. I don't think Mom wanted anything really serious, so we could have the entire night to ourselves. Have a party of our own, eh?” Spike said nudging Twilight, and making her giggle.

“Won't Moondancer be upset though?” Twilight asked.

“Ahh, she's a bitch anyway. She didn't invite you, and I'm not choosing her over my best friend.” Spike said with a smile.

“Thank you, Spike,” Twilight said softly, leaning into him, “I love you Spike...”

“Aw, I love you too, Twilight,” he replied. Twilight knew he didn't mean the same way she did, but it didn't really matter. She could always fantasize.

This latest one had set up its labyrinth in the Everfree forest. It was in the form of a large black and blue spider with an almost metallic exoskeleton. Its labyrinth took the form of a thick wood filled with spider webs.

As it walked through its forest, three alicorns galloped over to the monster. The one ahead was orange with a long blond mane and tail, both of them flowing freely down her neck. She wore golden regalia with an orange gem on the chest plate. Her Cutie Mark was three apples, and she wore a jeweled stetson instead of a tiara like the other two.

The one right behind her was cream colored with an impossibly long and full mane and tale that was light pink. She wore green regalia that had a sort of leaf like appearance, and she had a light green gemstone on her chest plate. Her Cutie Mark was three butterflies.

The final alicorn was alabaster white, and had a long purple mane and tail that was really curly. Her regalia was light blue and had a sort of crystal like feel to it, and the gemstone on the chest plate was purple. Her Cutie Mark was three diamonds.

The three alicorns circled the monster, stopping it in it's tracks. The white alicorn took to the skies immediately and began flying around the monster, using her magic to create small balls of light in her path. The balls of light all fired white lasers at the monster, knocking the monster back a bit. It fired its web at her, but she was too fast and quickly dodged the attack.

The orange alicorn slammed her front hooves on the ground, and then screamed as she seemed to lift the ground up. Instead the ground under her rose up in a tower. She flew off the tower, making room for the yellow alicorn, who elegantly landed on the tower. She began casting a spell, summoning a large gust of wind and that pushed the monstrous spider back a bit, but not enough. It slammed one of its legs at the tower, but the yellow alicorn flew away just in time.

The orange alicorn slammed her hooves on the ground again, making some of the ground fly up in front of her. She kicked it at the monster, hitting it in the face. Right afterward, the white alicorn flew past the monster, creating another series of laser behind her.

The yellow alicorn ran over to the orange alicorn's side and began casting another spell. The orange alicorn kicked up a few boulders in front of them, and the yellow alicorn used her magic to catch them. She then threw all of them at the monster at once. The monster got angry and fired its web at the two alicorns, but the orange one pushed the yellow one aside and got the full attack, getting pinned onto a tree.

“Applejack!” the yellow alicorn shouted. She looked up at the white alicorn, who hadn't landed once since the fight began. The white alicorn nodded, and flew into the spider monster's face, and just started bombarding it with her lasers, actually doing visible damage to it.

While that went on, the yellow alicorn went over to her orange partner, using her horn to break the webs and set her free.

“Thanks Fluttershy,” the orange alicorn said, getting a nod from her partner. Both of them heard a scream, and turned to the fight. They saw the spider slash at the white alicorn, knocking her down onto the ground. The orange alicorn, Applejack, and her yellow partner, Fluttershy, ran over to their white friend as she stood up.

“Rarity, are you okay?” Fluttershy asked.

“I'm fine,” Rarity said, “I'm getting sick of this fight though.”

“Then let's put an end ta this guy!” Applejack said stepping forward. Her allies nodded, and all began charging up their magic.

Fluttershy used her wind magic to pin the monster to the ground, while Rarity flew around it firing her lasers at the monster, weakening its armor. Applejack then kicked a large boulder at the monster's face, finally breaking off its faceplate.

“Now Elements! Let's banish it!” Applejack commanded. Rarity and Fluttershy ran to her side, and the three of them all fired beams out of their horns at the monster's exposed face, a red beam from Applejack, a white beam from Rarity, and a yellow beam from Fluttershy. When the beams hit the monster, it began glowing, and after a few tense seconds it disintegrated.

With their foe defeated, the three alicorns left the labyrinth, which was slowly turning back into the normal Everfree Forest.

“Another nightmare slain,” Rarity said.

“But they're becoming more frequent,” Fluttershy said, “And I think this one was stronger than the last one.”

“We gotta find the other Elements,” Applejack stated, “It's the only way ta be prepared fer Nightmare Night.”

As they reached the exit, the three of them shifted shape, one becoming an earth pony, one becoming a pegasus, and one becoming a unicorn. The three of them made their way to Ponyville, each one going in separate directions.

“You wanted to see me?” Twilight said, trotting into the Princess' study. She was a very large and slender alicorn with a pure white coat and extremely long mane and tail that was multicolored. Her mane covered her left eye, and her Cutie Mark showed the sun.

“Twilight? I wasn't expecting you until later,” Celestia said, “I heard Moondancer was having a birthday party.”

Twilight looked away, “Wasn't invited...” she said softly, barely audible but Celestia was able to hear her. She pursed her lips before speaking.

“Well, this worked out perfectly, unfortunately,” Celestia stood up and trotted over to her pillow. When she lied down she patted the space right next to her, beckoning Twilight to sit next to her. She did, but as always kept a foot between them.

Celestia sighed and pulled Twilight closer to her with her wing, making the purple unicorn tense up.

“We talked about this,” Celestia chided softly, “How are you supposed to work through your fears if you don't face them?”

“Sorry...” Twilight sighed, feeling a lump well up in her throat. She was trying so hard, but after the accident, and Trixie's betrayal, she just couldn't. It took years to get to a point where she could stand having Spike close to her, and he was always there.

Celestia nuzzled Twilight as a means of saying it was okay before going onto her next subject.

“Twilight, do you know why Moondancer didn't invite you to her party?” Celestia asked. Twilight sighed again and looked down.

“She doesn't like me,” Twilight replied, “No one likes me.”

“Can you imagine why she probably doesn't like you?”

“No,” Twilight said looking up at her mentor, but a raised eyebrow made her rethink her answer, “Yes, I can think of why.”

“Twilight, you are a great student, and you're heart is always in the right place,” Celestia explained, “But your heart is closed off to everyone around you.”

“Can you blame me?!” Twilight shouted getting up and walking off a bit, “Why should I let anyone in? Unless they're Spike or you, everyone will hurt me!”

“You don't know that for certain,” Celestia said, “I know you've experienced a lot, and the tragedies in your life are unfortunate, but no mare is an island. Ponies need bonds in order to survive. Also, your growth as a person is halted by not allowing others in.”

Celestia looked away and sighed, “I fear that this is partially my fault as well,” she continued, “I coddled you. Instead of insisting that you try and open up to others, I separated you in order to make you more comfortable. By making Spike your roommate and assistant, I made it so you didn't need to form bonds, at least in your eyes.

“Which is why I've decided on where you will continue your studies,” Celestia said, scaring Twilight.

“What does that mean?” she asked.

“I assume that you've heard of the town Ponyville, correct?” Celestia asked.

“That small town south of Canterlot where the disappearances are, right?” Twilight asked, getting a nod from Celestia.

“We have been asked to send an emissary there to learn what's happening, and possibly stop it,” Celestia explained walking back to her desk, “They wanted my son, Spike, to investigate this, but I felt that it would be a good opportunity for you as well. As such, I've decided to have you accompany Spike to Ponyville.”

“Y-you mean... leave Canterlot? Leave you?” Twilight asked, trembling.

“I know this is scary, Twilight, but this is-”

“No!” Twilight screamed, “I can't leave the castle! This is the only place I'm safe!”

“Oh Twilight...” Celestia looked down in sadness.

“I don't want to open up to anyone else! I have you and Spike! You're my friends! I don't want anymore!” she continued, now trembling so much that she was crying a bit.

“Sweetheart, I know this is scary. You've lived here in the castle almost all your life, which is why you need to leave,” Twilight shook her head, still not looking up at her beloved mentor, “You've just turned nineteen, and your world is still so small. Besides, even if you weren't to go, I couldn't not send Spike. That means you wouldn't have him here, more than likely for a while.”

“Why can't you send someone else?” Twilight asked, “You have other scholars.”

“I do, but none of them are as good as Spike,” Celestia explained, “This situation is fragile, and I need my best scholar on the case. Spike is my best. Also, as he's a dragon he can immediately sense other forms of magic that unicorns can't feel.”

“W-w-what if he disappears? I couldn't take losing him. I need him,” Twilight said.

“All the more reason for you to go with him,” Celestia urged, “He'll need all the help he can get, and with as strong as your love is for him, you can keep him safe. Remember, he's my child. I don't like sending him there, but I'd feel better if he had you there as well.”

Twilight bit her lip. She didn't like walking the streets of Canterlot, but she was terrified of leaving the castle for longer than a few hours. This was her sanctuary, where there were ponies who cared about her. She knew Spike, and she knew Celestia. She didn't know anyone in that small town.

Part of her felt like the Princess was being unfair, but she knew that she was the fairest pony in all of Equestria. She wouldn't knowingly put her in any danger. Only, only because she was the one sending her...

“I'm staying close to Spike,” Twilight said softly. Celestia sighed and lifted her pupil's head gently.

“Try and make some friends while you're there,” Celestia urged. Twilight nodded painfully, but her heart wouldn't stop racing. She was doing the one thing that she prayed would never happen.

She was leaving the castle.

After seeing her student out, she returned to her book, which was opened to the story of the “Mare in the Moon”.

“I leave the rest to you,” she said, “Please take care of her...”