Many years have passed, and Twilight has become a full grown mare along with becoming Celestia’s prized student. Now, under orders from Celestia, the mare has set off to Ponyville, to oversee the Celebrations’ preparation.

The Princess, sitting upon her throne, let out a sigh of concern. “Now will be one of your biggest tests, Twilight.” She said, before a voice spoke up from behind her.

“She will pass. After all, it is Twilight.” The voice said, from in the shadows.

“I wish I had your confidence… I cannot help but worry about her.” Celestia said looking towards Ponyville’s direction. “Would you mind…?”

“Already on it, Princess.” The voice, faint now, said.

“He’s taking that ‘guardian in the shadows’ thing a bit too seriously… Before long, he’ll disguise his voice in a deep tone, and become some vigilante detective.” Celestia giggled, wondering what Night Claw would look like in dark colored tights.

The Mane Six made their way into the Everfree Forest, unknown to them… They were being watched by a pair of malefic eyes. “Those worthless foals… I will just end them here, and now.” Nightmare Moon said, taking a step forward before a voice stopped her.

“Do that, and your reign will end a lot quicker than you hoped.” The voice said, making the dark alicorn look around.

“And who are you to make such threats!? Show yourself!” She demanded, trying to find the source.

“Oh, dear Nightmare Moon… That isn’t how I work, I strike when you least expect it.” The voice said, it sounded like it was all around her.

Nightmare Moon smirked. “And what makes you think you can bring me down, hm? Not even my sister could-“ She was cut off when a pair of, bladed, bat wings crossed at her throat, making her gulp in surprised fear

“I’m not your sister, my dear. Unlike her, I’m not afraid of going for the kill, when I see the chance… No matter who my prey is.” The voice said, the wings disappearing back into the darkness. “Think about that, before you act on those mares.”

Nightmare Moon rubbed her throat, from where the blades just were, and let out a sigh. “If I cannot attack them myself, then I will deter them from this foolish quest.” She said, before turning into a dark mist.

-Sometime after the Nightmare Moon Incident-

Fluttershy and Twilight were examining a grove of strange flowers, in Everfree Forest, trying to help Zecora with her herb gathering. “T-Twilight, a-are you s-sure that… This is a g-good idea?” The yellow pegasus asked, hiding behind her pink mane. “T-The Everfree Forest is still a dangerous place, even if I can deter most of the animals.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Fluttershy. Where we are at, I highly doubt any animal would bother us.” Twilight said, trying to comfort her friend. “Besides, what animal wouldn’t do what you say?” She asked, writing down a few notes.

“T-T-Timberwolves…” Her shy friend answered.

“And what are the chances of us actually running into a pack of Timberwolves at the moment?” Twilight asked, nonchalantly. “According to my calculations, rather low.”

“M-Maybe you should recheck them… Because they seem h-higher than you think!” Fluttershy said, eyes wide, before making Twilight look at the tree-line in front of them.

As if their talk had called it, just behind the tree-line, the two could see the glowing green eyes of a Timberwolf. When its cover was blown, the Timberwolf rushed out of the trees, making a B-line for the two mares. “Help!!!” They both screamed, running away from the Timberwolf, only to find another two waiting for them.

Not far off, a rainbow mane pegasus was relaxing when she suddenly heard the scream for help. “That sounded like Fluttershy and Twilight…. And it was coming from the Everfree Forest!” Rainbow Dash said, giving a confident look while standing up. “Better go save their tails again.”

Just as Rainbow Dash was about to fly off, a pitch black blur exploded past her! This caused the pegasus mare to go into a mad, uncontrolled spin. The blur, on the other hand, heading in the same direction she was about to go.

“W-What in Equestria was THAT!” She yelled, after getting control of herself to see where it was going. “Whatever it was, that thing is going to where Fluttershy and Twilight are!” Rainbow Dash didn’t hesitate, and shot off after it… Only to find out, it was out flying her!

Back with Twilight and Fluttershy, the unicorn was trying her best to fend off the three Timberwolves while also protecting her friend. “They just keep coming! I don’t know how much longer I can keep them back!” Twilight said, before blasting one’s paw away from them.

“I-Is there anyway… W-We can still run?” Fluttershy asked, cowering behind the lavender unicorn mare.

“No, even if we tried, they’ll out run us in the open. We have to-“ Twilight was cut off by Fluttershy.

“Twilight, look out!” She screamed, as a forth Timberwolf leapt out of hiding!

By the time Twilight saw it, she was struck by the Timberwolf’s paw! The force sent her, and Fluttershy, flying into a tree… Leaving the unicorn mare unconscious from the strike and them both at the mercy of, now, four drooling Timberwolves.

Fluttershy did her best to cover the unconscious Twilight, to shield her from the oncoming attack. The yellow pegasus closed her eyes, for what she thought was about to be the last time, and braced for the attack. When she heard the Timberwolf let out a roar, she couldn’t help but flinch, but the attack never came…

The sound of wood splintering actually forced the yellow pegasus to open her eyes, just in time to see what had happened. A massive batpony, bigger than Big Mactintosh, slammed right into the attacking Timberwolf! When it tried to reform itself, the batpony smashed the head piece into splinters, before looking at the other three. That was when Fluttershy saw his gray eyes turn blood red, large fangs appearing in his mouth, an aura of sheer terror exploded from his body. “Leave!” He roared, making the Timberwolves yelp, in fear, and made a break for it.

After the Timberwolves were gone, for good, the batpony’s features returned to normal, the aura disappearing. “T-Thank you… I-I-I never s-seen anypony s-scare off a p-pack of T-Timberwolves before.” Fluttershy was able to stutter, before he looked directly at her, making the yellow pegasus hide behind her mane.

“You never saw anything, understood? By order of Princess Celestia, I don’t exist.” He said, Fluttershy nodding to his order, and suddenly flew off into the tree-line… Disappearing from sight.

Fluttershy was frozen solid, the way he spoke about not existing made her worry about actually seeing him. She was snapped out of her thoughts, when a familiar voice yelled. “Fluttershy! Twilight! You two alright?” This made her turn to see Rainbow Dash flying straight for them.

“W-We are n-now! Quickly, Twilight n-needs a Doctor!” Fluttershy called out, the cyan pegasus flying over to pick up her friends.

Twilight was reorganizing some of her books, bandages over her still healing injuries from the Timberwolf Attack. When she saw them in the mirror, the more she couldn’t help but feel them with her hoof. “I wonder what caused the Timberwolves to leave… Fluttershy said they were ready to attack, but just ran away…” She thought, before shrugging. “No matter, all that does matter, is that we’re safe with only a few cuts and bruises.”

When a knock came at the door, she heard Spike yell. “I’ll get it!” Then him rushing over to said door, opening it. “Oh! Hey, everypony…. Twilight, it’ for you!”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at what he said, before responding. “Alright! I’ll be right there!” She placed one last book perfectly in its spot and heading into the library…. To be greeted by her five best friends? “Uh? Hi girls, what brings you here?” She asked.

“To check up on you, of course… From what we heard, ya took a nasty blow from one of them darn Timberwolves.” Applejack said, pointing her hoof at Twilight.

“Applejack, the doctor said I was fine… Nothing to worry about.” Twilight assured, before giving them a deadpanned look. “Now, what is this really about? Checking up on me doesn’t take all five of you at once.”

“Told you she wouldn’t buy it.” Rainbow Dash said, before deciding to be blunt about it all. “We came to see if you had a date tonight. Being cooped up in the library isn’t good for you.”

“A date tonight? Why would I have one?” Twilight asked, confused by the question.

“Oh, darling, don’t you know what today is?” Rarity asked, placing a hoof on her cheek.

“Uhh… Tuesday? I don’t know, Rarity.” Twilight answered, still somewhat confused. “I’ve been rather busy with my studies and the library.”

“O-Oh my… She doesn’t know.” Fluttershy said, somewhat shocked.

“Darling, it is Hearts and Hooves Day! A day for love and romance!” Rarity answered, making Twilight go wide eyed.

“I-I-I-I-I-It’s what!?” She screamed, falling back on to her flank. “Oh no, no no, no, no….! I haven’t sent a gift for him, so Celestia could send it to where he is stationed!” She thought, not wanting him to think she forgot all about him!

“Whoa, nelly!” Applejack said, before rushing over to Twilight’s side. “Ah’m sure we could find ya’ll a date. Ah’ve been hearing from mah brother that there be plenty of stallions to go on a date with ya.”

“No!” Twilight yelled, before covering her mouth and correcting herself. “I mean, I can’t go on date, I’m too busy...”

The five looked at her, confused. “Uh… There isn’t much to do around the library Twi…. What, never been on a date before?” Rainbow Dash teased, smirking.

“I… Uh… Um…” Twilight managed to say, looking at her friends.

“Rainbow Dash, please. This is not the sort of thing to tease a pony about.” Rarity scolded, making Rainbow Dash cross her hooves, before trotting over to Twilight. “Not a problem, Twilight, dear. We’ll have you looking so good, the stallions will be eating out of your hooves.”

When the fashionista grabbed Twilight’s hoof, the mare didn’t budge. “I-it’s not that simple, girls.” She said, noticing all eyes were on her. “I-I can’t go on a date because…” Twilight couldn’t get the words out, and began to panic.

“Why not, sugarcube?” Applejack asked.

“Agreed, why can’t you, darling?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah! It’s just a small party for two, is all!” Pinkie finally spoke up.

Before Twilight knew it, all her friends were asking the same question. The unicorn, unable to say a word, due to her panicked state. Then, like a gift from Celestia, somepony blurted out the words for her. “It’s because she still has a crush on that guard, who watched over her back in Canterlot.” Everypony turned to see Spike, munching on some rubies, with a deadpanned look on his face.

All of Twilight’s friends were shocked, before looking at Twilight. Within seconds, Rarity was right next to her. “Details! Please, please, please!” She chanted, wanting to hear every bit.

“Come on, Twi… Ya gotta tell us now that Spike spilled the beans.” Applejack said, smiling.

“Yeah! But I bet he’s nowhere near awesome as the Wonderbolts, or me for that matter!” Rainbow Dash said, smirking.

“Come on, Twilight, tell us…. If it’s ok, that is.” Fluttershy said, while Pinkie Pie went on about “Twilight Has A Crush Party”.

Twilight let out a sigh, since it was out there now… “First off, sorry Rainbow, but he’s way more awesome than any of the Wonderbolts. You have to be, in order for Princess Celestia to pick you as her Elite.” She said, making everypony’s jaw drop. “Second… His name is Night Claw, Sir Night Claw if you want to be formal. He’s strong, and could put Big Macintosh to shame with his strength.” Applejack went wide eyed at that one. “He’s tall, handsome, the fastest flyer I know, sorry Rainbow.” Rainbow Dash didn’t notice, she was still shocked by the elite thing. “He’s smart, actually reading a book from cover to cover and reciting it word for word a month later… He’s caring, nice, protective; not to mention skilled. He actually took on at least eight gryphon soldiers! And won!”

Twilight continued on to describe Night Claw to her friends, leaving out the part about him being a batpony. Her eyes sparkling at remembering him. Her friends hanged on every word, Rarity fanning herself from the description. Rainbow Dash on the other hoof, looked like she wanted to race him. Applejack and Fluttershy just listened, goofy smiles on their faces. Pinkie pie, was bouncing off the walls during this whole time.

“Did I mention he’s handsome?” Twilight asked, a grin on her face.

“Ten times now, darling, but that doesn’t matter now!” Rarity said, smiling at her friend. “Where is he? We simply have to meet him!”

Twilight suddenly frowned, making her friends give the unicorn a concerned look. “I… Don’t know. He was put on active status, due to some growing threat… In all honestly, I haven’t seen him since I was…” She gulped. “Ten?” Twilight gave a wide grin, her friends gasping.

“And you held on to all that, for this long!?” Rarity asked, acting like she was about to faint.

“Eyup…” Applejack copied her brother. “Love bug bit her pretty darn good.”

Just outside the library, a keen eared pony could hear every word from his branch. “…. Horse apples-, wait… When did I start saying that?” The stallion thought, before pulling out a gift wrapped book, and flew down to the door. He gently laid it on to the door mat, and smiled. Giving a quick glance around, he knocked on the door before shooting off, and out of sight.

“Ah’ll get it.” Applejack aid, before walking over to the door, and opened it… To find no one but a package. “Weird…” She thought, and quickly took the package inside.

When she walked back over, Rarity was the first to speak. “Who was it, darling?”

“Nopony was there… All ah found was this here package, for Twilight.” Applejack said, before handing it over.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, before opening the package to reveal a book. “Mare in the Mask: The Tragedy of Love!? This book isn’t even out yet!” She squealed, holding the romance novel tightly, not noticing the letter falling out.

Unlike the others, the fashionista was able to spot it, picked it up, and read it. “Oh Celestia!” She yelled, nearly losing her footing, before holding the letter to her friend. “Read this, darling… Let everyone hear what it says.”

Twilight took the letter with her magic, and cleared her throat. “Dear Twilight, you won’t believe who I ran into today, after my mission was completed for the day. That’s right, the Mare in the Mask author, Love Script. I remembered how much you love her novels, and got my favorite librarian a signed copy of her newest book. One of the perks I seem to have…. By the way, get plenty of rest and let those injuries heal! I mean it! Sincerely, Night Claw.”

Twilight’s ears suddenly shot up, and her face turned a dark red. Rarity was smiling, knowing what was on it. “Keep going, darling.” She said.

“P-P-P.S. I made sure this got to you on Hearts and Hooves Day… F-F-For certain reason, I will not explain because I know you’re probably reading it out loud to those friends you’ve told me about. Yes, I know Rarity put you up to that.” Twilight finished, before suddenly fainting over what that could possibly mean.

While Rarity fanned the fainted Twilight, Applejack couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at a certain part of the letter. “How did he know Twi was hurt?” She asked, looking at the group. “That happened a couple of days ago, no way mail moves that fast.” The group nodded, looking at one another.