“There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said that the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now....” Twilight trailed off, reading the rest of the passage in her head.

“Uh, Twilight?”

Poking her head up from the book, Twilight looked at the five mares behind her. “Yeah?”

“Where exactly are the elements located? Ya kinda stopped readin’ out loud there fer a second.”

“Sorry Applejack. Force of habit I suppose.” Twilight shut the book with her magic, and nestled it back onto the shelf. “The castle is located in a place called the Everfree Forest.”

Five sets of eyes suddenly bulged out as she spoke the words. Twilight watched as each of the mares shot each other nervous looks. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s just…” Fluttershy whispered. “The Everfree Forest is a really dangerous place.”

“The plants grow unattended, the animals live on their own, and the weather moves about without any guidance,” Rarity elaborated, her voice becoming more panicky with each statement.

Twilight blinked, none of the aforementioned seemed all that scary to her. It was unusual sure, but not scary.

“And nopony who’s gone in there has ever come out,” Rainbow Dash accentuated with a spooky voice.

“Has anypony ever actually gone in there?”

“Not that I know of.” Pinkie shivered at the thought. “They’re all too terrified. Which makes sense, cause the Everfree Forest doesn’t have any candy in it. Isn’t that just horrendous?”

“I’m quaking with fear,” Twilight deadpanned. “Look, if you all are too scared to go, that’s fine. I’d rather do this by myself anyways.”

“Now hold on a minute. What gave ya the idea that we’d let ya go all by yer lonesome? We’ll stick to ya like caramel on a candy apple.”

“Um… actually, I’d rather… not go if that’s okay with you,” Fluttershy whimpered.

“Come on Fluttershy, don’t be scared.” Rainbow Dash swung a hoof around her friend. “It’s just a dark, creepy forest... with terrifying… pony-eating creatures…” Rainbow bit her lip. “Actually now that I think about it… I uh, don’t really think I can go.”

“Don’t tell me yer scared,” Applejack accused.

“Am not! I just… left the water running at home. That’s it.”

“Sugarcube, ya live in a cloud. Ya don’t got plumbing.”

“Shows how much you know!”

“Will you all just stop?” Twilight demanded. She singled out the pegasi. “If you two are too scared, then that’s fine. I’m not asking you to go.”

“I’m not sc–”

“And as for the rest of you.” Twilight turned to the remaining three mares. “You should probably go home. I have no idea what sort of damage Nightmare Moon has done, but at the very least you should check on your homes and your families.”

“Ah reckon yer right,” Applejack admitted. “And… oh consarnit! I left mah little sister at town hall!”

“As did I!” Rarity realized, her pupils dilating. “Oh, poor Sweetie Belle, she must be panicking so much right now.”

“Come on, we better go get ‘em.” Applejack and Rarity raced towards the door. Fluttershy wasn’t far behind, mumbling an apology under her breath as she flew away.

“I better get going too.” Rainbow Dash inched towards the door with every word. “Got that running water to take care of, and it will probably take all night you know? Cause…” She bolted out the door without finishing that thought.

Twilight turned to Pinkie Pie, the last mare to leave. “Don’t you have somewhere to go? Somepony to check on?”

“Nope.” Pinkie jovially shook her head, then froze. “Well, actually now that you mention it, Sugar Cube Corner is right next to town hall, Nightmare Moon may have decided to stop by there to get a quick bite to eat, and if nopony’s there she might blow it up out of anger. She’s snooty like that.” Twilight began leading the babbling Pinkie Pie towards the door. “Also, Mrs. Cake is pregnant, all this scary stuff happening probably isn’t good for the foal, and Mr. Cake has this heart condition. I don’t know the specifics, but I’m pretty sure a terrifying, thousand year-old evil returning to conquer Equestria and blot out the sun could be one of the things to keep away from him. And–” Twilight shut the door, cutting off Pinkie Pie’s next barrage of prattle. She slumped against the door with a sigh of relief.

“Well, at least I don’t have to worry about them anymore.” Reminding herself of the matter at hoof, Twilight quickly rushed over to her bags, which had yet to be unpacked. She grabbed her saddlebags and quickly filled them with anything she thought might be useful. It wasn’t much, considering she felt her magic would be sufficient enough to get by. Twilight did opt to bring the Elements of Harmony reference guide, thinking it would likely help her when she finally did find the Elements.

Before Twilight left she made sure to check up on Spike. He was still softly snoring, occasionally sleep-mumbling about Nightmare Moon.

“Don’t worry Spike, by the time you wake up, this should all be over.” Twilight hurried down stairs and opened the door to her library. Pinkie Pie was still on the other side, rambling on.

“...but if the kumquats get into the pickle barrel, then all of that would just be pointless. Not to mention–”

“Pinkie?” Twilight cut the mare off. ‘What are you still doing here?”

“Right, sorry.” She began galloping away. “Good luck, Twilight!”

Sighing, Twilight shut the library door behind her and trotted away. All the ponies in this town are crazy, she lamented for the second time that day… er, night. But at least now I can focus on finding the castle in the Everfree Forest. Wait a minute… where even is the Everfree Forest?

Pausing, Twilight looked around. Even with only the light of the moon to see by, she couldn't find anything that looked remotely like a forest. Probably because she was in the exact center of town. Great. Just great. I should’ve at least gotten directions before sending those mares away. I might end up wasting hours just trying to find the Everfree Forest.

Twilight hoped that maybe another pony would be able to help her, but the streets were nearly empty. Most sane ponies had locked themselves in their houses, likely having varying degrees of panic attacks. It only seemed like four or five were still out.

Lighting up her horn to see better, Twilight trotted to the nearest pair. A gray earth pony seemed to be arguing with a white unicorn who had some sunglasses resting on the top of her head. The latter of whom was tugging a very large piece of equipment, and as Twilight got closer she heard what they were talking about.

“Vinyl, this is absolutely ridiculous. How can you think about DJ-ing at a time like this?”

“Chill out Tavi. Besides, I’m pretty sure my logic is good.”

“That's debatable,” the earth pony mumbled.

“If night’s going to last forever now, then the nightclubs are probably going to be open 24/7. So yes, I’d say that is logic.”

“I swear, you are the most insufferable-”

Twilight cleared her throat loudly. “Excuse me.” Both heads swiveled to face her. “Sorry to interrupt your… discussion, but would either of you happen to know where the Everfree Forest is?”

The two shared a look. “Why in Equestria would you want to go there?”

“I’m trying to stop Nightmare Moon,” Twilight admitted.

“Those two things don’t sound like they’re even remotely connected,” Vinyl remarked. “And you thought my logic was bad, Octavia.”

“Trust me, it’s vital that I find out where the Everfree Forest is.”

“Well, to tell you the truth, we don’t know,” Octavia said. “We just got in town a week ago. I can barely find my way to orchestra rehearsal, let alone that place.”

Twilight deflated a little. “Oh, well, thanks anyway.” She walked away, already looking for somepony else.

“Vinyl, what are you doing?”

Curious, Twilight glanced back and saw the pony named Vinyl trotting after her.

“I’m going with this chick,” Vinyl called back. “No offense to nightclubs, but stopping Nightmare Moon sounds way cooler. Besides, think of how famous I’ll get once the press hears I helped stop an eternity of nighttime. I'll be able to DJ clubs in Las Pegasus instead of small towns like this.”

“Oh no!” Twilight shouted as Octavia caught up to them. “You can’t come with me.”

“Why not?” Vinyl asked.

“Because it’s dangerous, I mean this is the Everfree Forest we’re talking about.” Twilight still wasn’t convinced of the forest’s danger herself, but hoped it’s reputation would be enough to frighten off the pair right behind her.

“I don’t care. I’ve survived hundreds of mosh pits; a leisurely stroll through the forest is nothing compared to that.”

“But…” Twilight struggled to think of another reason. “I’ll be fighting Nightmare Moon! Do you really want to be a part of that?”

“No,” Octavia barked at Vinyl. “No you don’t.”

“Hey relax, Tavi. This mare looks like she’s got a plan. You do have a plan, right?”

“Part of one,” Twilight admitted. Find Elements of Harmony was more a goal and less of a plan at this point.

“That’s usually more than I have when I do something dangerously stupid.” Vinyl took the lead. “So what are we waiting for? Let’s find somepony who knows where the Neverlee Forest is!”

“Everfree Forest,” Twilight corrected.

“That too.”

“But what about your… thing?” Twilight indicated the large piece of equipment Vinyl left behind.

“Nopony’s going to steal my amp.” She waved off Twilight’s worries with a flick of her hoof. “Everypony’s too terrified to leave their homes.” Vinyl began trotting toward some other ponies. Twilight sighed, with no choice but to follow. Octavia began walking alongside her.

“You’re coming too?” Twilight groaned.

“Vinyl’s my best friend. I don’t approve of most of the stuff she does, but I can’t stop her. The least I can do is come along and make sure she doesn’t get hurt.”

“Great,” Twilight mumbled under her breath

“I’m Octavia by the way... please don’t call me Tavi like she does.”

“I’m Twilight Sparkle.”

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“I suppose the feeling is mutual.” At least she isn’t asserting herself as my friend.

“Hey slowpokes, hurry up!” Vinyl called back to them. She was a blur in the dark night, but it seemed like she was standing near two other ponies. “These guys know how to get to that Severtree place!”

“Everfree!” Twilight shouted, quickening her pace. She was grateful Vinyl was at least able to make herself useful. Octavia cantered beside her until the caught up with Vinyl. There was a mint green unicorn and cream colored Earth pony next to her, each squinting at Twilight’s oncoming light spell. “Is it true? Do you really know where the Everfree Forest is?”

“Yeah, it’s on the other side of town,” the unicorn said, pointing. She blinked a few times against the light. “Why do you want to know?”

“I’m going in there.”

“We’re going in there,” Vinyl amended. Twilight growled briefly.

“It’s near Bon Bon’s candy shop. We were just about to go there if you guys want to tag along.”

“That sounds like a plan,” Octavia said before Twilight could voice any discontent.

“Why are you going into the Everfree Forest?” The apparently named Bon Bon asked.

“I’m going in there to stop Nightmare Moon.”

“Those two things don’t sound like they’re even remotely connected.”

“That’s what I said!” Vinyl agreed.

“I don’t care!” Twilight yelled. “Can we just go?” She was tired of fighting against these ponies.

“Sure, this way,” Bon Bon took the lead, Vinyl excitedly following. The unicorn opted to trot with Octavia and Twilight.

“So,” she curiously poked. “How exactly is going into the Everfree Forest supposed to stop Nightmare Moon?”

“I was wondering that myself,” Octavia concurred.

Twilight sighed. “I’m looking for the Elements of Harmony. They’re supposedly the only things that can stop Nightmare Moon.”

“Do you think you’ll need some help? The Everfree isn’t some namby pampy forest; there’s supposedly monsters in there.”

“M-Monsters?” Twilight stuttered. The other five hadn’t said anything about monsters in the Everfree. Her job may have just gotten a whole lot harder. A few wild animals would have been nothing, but a few wild monsters might be more than her magic could handle.

“You okay?” Octavia asked. “You've become much paler.”

Twilight quickly shook her head. “I’m fine, I just… uh… was caught a little off guard. Thanks for warning me though… um…”

“Lyra.”

“Thanks Lyra.” Twilight bit her lip. “Monsters… that’s not good.”

“You thinking you’ll need help?” Lyra asked. “I may not know a lot of magic, but it’s not like it’ll hurt.”

“You’d come with us into the Everfree?”

“Well, sure. I don’t exactly want to live in eternal night, and besides, with all of us combined what could go wrong?”

“That sounds sensible,” Twilight admitted. She really didn’t want any other ponies joining her, but at this point there wasn't that many options.

“Hi Bon Bon,” a cheery voice called out from ahead. Twilight looked forward and saw a gray pegasus with out of sync eyeballs and a mailbag landing near the candy shop.

“Derpy, what are you doing out here?”

“I’m working the night shift for the post office. I’m actually glad I caught you, here’s your mail.” Derpy reached into her mailbag and pulled out a few envelopes.

“Don’t you know what’s going on?” Lyra asked, trotting up.

“What do you mean?”

“The Summer Sun Celebration?” Twilight said.

“Was there a delay or something? I had to leave before Princess Celestia showed up.”

“No… well, kind of. You remember the story The Mare in the Moon?” Derpy nodded and Lyra continued. “Well, turns out it’s true, and now there’s eternal night.”

“Oh… I hope my boss doesn’t make me work forever then.”

“Is that your only concern?” Twilight asked, bewildered. “What about crops dying from lack of sunlight? Or the immensely cold winters that we’ll undoubtedly have now? Or the…”

“Twilight,” Octavia interrupted. “She gets it.”

Twilight looked and saw the mortified expression Derpy’s face. “Right… well… we just really need to get to the Everfree Forest and stop the eternal night.”

Derpy’s eyes narrowed. “Those two things don’t sound like-”

“Like they’re even remotely connected,” Twilight finished. “Yeah, I’ve been told.”

“Why the Everfree though?”

“There’s a massive castle that holds the Elements of Harmony in them.”

Derpy perked up. “You mean that big, broken down building in the middle of the forest?”

“Yeah- wait, you know where it is?”

Derpy nodded. “Yeah, I deliver mail to a zebra in the forest so I pass that place all the time.”

“Do you think you could lead us there?” Vinyl piped up. Twilight was about to overrule that request, but couldn’t find a logical reason for not wanting a seasoned veteran to guide them through a dangerous forest.

“Yeah I guess,” Derpy decided. “Beats having to work. Bon Bon, can I leave this in your shop for now?” Derpy slung the mail bag off her back.

“Sure.” Bon Bon unlocked the door. “You can set it on the counter while Lyra and I start barricading the windows.”

“Actually Bonnie, I think I’m going with these guys.”

Bon Bon whirled her head around, causing Lyra to flinch. “What?”

“I… well, they need some help so I figured–”

“Are you kidding me? There's a maniac alicorn on the loose, the sun won't rise, and you want to go a frivolous quest with ponies you just met?"

"Actually I've known Lyra for a year," Derpy interjected.

Bon Bon rolled her eyes. "Bottom line, it's a stupid idea."

"But Bonnie, I could help."

"Or die. Do you really want to go off and potentially get yourself killed for nothing?" Bon Bon stared down Lyra furiously. "Well, do you?"

"Geeze Bonnie, I'm not going to die." Lyra attempted to console her friend by touching her shoulder.

"Are you kidding? You're talking about going into the Everfree Forest? Death isn't a possibility, it's a fact."

"I've been in there dozens of times," Derpy interjected. "And there's a zebra who lives in there."

"Argument invalid!" Vinyl whooped, earning an icy glare from Bon Bon. Twilight got the feeling that the DJ was enjoying this argument a little too much.

Lyra pointed to Derpy. "She's got a point, though. If Derpy of all ponies can survive it than so can I."

"Hey, what's that supposed to–"

"Well forgive me for not wanting to lose my best friend." Bon Bon looked away, ears folding down.

"Oh dang, she's playing the guilt card. Whatcha going to do now, Lyra?" Vinyl grinned at her commentary, and Twilight half expected her to pull out some popcorn to munch on.

"Just shut up, Vinyl," Octavia moaned, slapping the back of Vinyl's head with her hoof.

"Look Bonnie, it's dangerous, I get that. I'm a little scared myself, but I'd rather give it a shot than live in a world controlled by Nightmare Moon." Lyra put a hoof around her friend. "And besides, there's like, five of us. What could go wrong?"

Bon Bon looked at her friend, then at the ground, then back up. "Make that six."

"What?" Twilight asked.

"I'm coming too." Bon Bon had a fierce determination in her eye. "If Lyra's in, then I won't let her go it alone."

"She won't be alone, there's already five of us. We don't need an extra set of hooves!" Twilight yelled, desperately trying to prevent their numbers from increasing anymore. Her complaint went unheard, as the rest of the group already welcomed Bon Bon's choice to help. It seemed fate liked playing tricks on her; she got rid of five mares only to be stuck with five more. For the introverted Twilight, it was a nightmare.

"It looks like all of us are going then," Derpy observed. "I'm going to need to pack a few muffins for the trip."

"Oh, I have some in the shop." Bon Bon pushed open the door. "Come on, I've got some stuff to grab before we go anyways."

"We don't have time for this. Nightmare Moon might do something in the time it takes to get ready." Twilight stamped her hoof in an effort to emphasize her point.

"Do what?" Vinyl asked. "She's already keeping the sun from rising. That was like, her plan right? Is there really anything else she said she's going to do?"

"Well..." Twilight stumbled, trying to think of any other threat Nightmare Moon posed at the moment. Vinyl shrugged.

"Yeah, I thought so."

"But she could be watching us right now, plotting to stop us from getting the Elements!" Twilight glanced around, looking for a sign of the tall, menacing alicorn, or a tendril of the inky smoke she was able to turn into. "What if she's in that bush? Or that building? Or that tree?

"Just calm down," Octavia told her. "It's highly unlikely that Nightmare Moon could be spying on us. I mean... for starters, why would she care about six random ponies?"

Twilight calmed down a little, reassured by Octavia's words. She glanced over at Vinyl and Lyra; both watched her freakout with interest and were now wondering if she'd do it again. Instead, Twilight forced an embarrassed grin.

"I've got muffins!" Derpy's cheery voice rang out. She stepped out of the shop, her mailbag bulging. "And they're blueberry!"

"Sweet." Vinyl held out her hoof. "Toss me one." Derpy reached in and lobbed a muffin at Vinyl. Her coordination was fairly bad, but Vinyl caught the muffin with her magic, giving the pegasus a slight nod of thanks.

"I'm ready too," Bon Bon announced, stepping out. She had saddlebags of her own. Twilight didn't bother guessing their contents; she just wanted to get a move on.

"All right, so far so good," Lyra said. "You know guys, I think this is the start of a really amazing friendship."

“We’re not friends,” Twilight asserted, gesturing to herself, and then the other five mares collectively. “At best, we’re barely acquaintances.”

“Fair enough.”

Vinyl smacked her lips together, sending a few muffin bits in all directions, including Twilight's face. Derpy stretched out her wings in preparation, only to clumsily bump into Lyra, who backpedalled into Bon Bon. They dissolved into a few giggles. Twilight turned to Octavia. “This is going to be a long night, isn’t it?” She nodded.

“Oh I get it. Long night! Nice one.” Vinyl began cracking up, and Twilight could only sigh in response.

The six of them began cantering through town, Derpy leading the way. Twilight thanked Celestia – who she wasn't even sure was still alive at this point – that they didn't run into anypony else as they made their way through town.

A dark, gloomy forest slowly rose in the distance, and Twilight assumed that this was the infamous Everfree. She had to admit that it did have the creepy factor that seemed to ward off many ponies, but refused to let it do the same thing to her. The Elements of Harmony were in there somewhere, and she had to find them. Derpy halted at the entrance, and checked to make sure that they all made it.

"You guys ready?"

"Bring it on," Vinyl exclaimed.

With significantly less reservation than everypony else, Derpy flew into the Forest. Twilight was nervous, but she compelled herself to be the second one in. She heard the hoofsteps of the other four mares follow her, and a small part of her was disappointed that they didn't turn back.

Here we go.

Author's Notes:

And thus the party is formed. Part two coming soonish.