Part 1

Chapter Three: Preparations

Twilight and Spike were flying high in the air, inside a golden carriage being pulled by two pegasi. Hardly enjoying the scenic view of Equestria as they traveled, Spike read aloud another letter from the Princess. “My dear Twilight, there is more to a young pony’s life than studying. So, I’m sending you to supervise the preparation for the summer-sun celebration in this year’s location: Ponyville.” Twilight looked grumpy as Spike read on, “And, I have an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends.”

Twilight groaned.

“Look on the bright side, Twilight. The princess arranged for you to stay in a library. Doesn’t that make you happy?” Spike asked.

“Yes, yes it does,” Twilight replied excitedly, “You know why? Because I’m right! I’ll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library to find some proof of Night Mare Moon’s return!

As they descended, and neared their landing, Spike asked, “And… when will you make friends like the Princess said?”

“She said to check on preparations. I am her student, and I’ll do my royal duty, but the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends.” She said as they landed.

If only she knew then how wrong she was.

“Thank you, sirs.” She said to the pegasi with a courteous bow. They nodded their heads appreciatively.

Ponyville was different from Canterlot in many ways. Instead of majestic-looking towers and castles, it had simple wooden houses. It looked very cheery, like the place where everybody knew each other.

“Maybe the ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about,” Spike said.

A very happy-looking pink-coated earth pony skipped down the road in their direction. She had a very curly, dark-pink mane that rested on her shoulders and dangled in front of her head. Her tail was very bushy, swinging along behind her. She had bright, blue eyes, and an expression that suggested she had never frowned. She had a cutie mark that consisted of three balloons, two blue, and one yellow.

“Come on, Twilight. Just try!” Spike urged her as the pink mare came within earshot.

“Um, hello?” Twilight said to the pony quietly.

The pink mare gave a great gasp as she jumped into the air. She quickly dashed off past twilight and spike.

“Well, that was interesting, all right.” Twilight said, somewhat surprised.

Spike sighed.

Twilight and Spike soon found themselves walking down a dirt road, hills and apple trees alike on either side of them. Spike read off a piece of parchment, “Summer-Sun Celebration Official Overseer’s Checklist; number one: banquet preparations, Sweet Apple Acres.

They walked through the open gate of Sweet Apple Acres, immediately noticing a large, rickety farmhouse, many different farm tools littering the ground, and hundreds of apple trees, miles around in any direction.

“Yee-haw!” Both Twilight and Spike looked over to find an orange-coated earth pony, with green eyes, a straight blond mane and tail, and a cutie mark of three apples, running straight toward an apple tree that had five buckets spread out beneath its branches. A brown cowboy hat rested on top of her head. She skidded to a halt, a few feet from the tree, and quickly turned around. She kicked out her hind legs with surprising force, bucking every single apple out of the tree with one, swift blow. The apples fell precisely in the buckets, not one out of place. She examined her work, impressed with herself.

Twilight sighed. “Let’s get this over with.” She approached the pony, “Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle-" she said, but she stopped short when the orange pony started vigorously shaking her hoof.

“Well, how’dya do, Miss Twilight? A pleasure making your acquaintance! I’m Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like making new friends!”

“Friends?” Twilight repeated, still having her hoof shaken, “Actually, I-“

Applejack cut her off, “So, what can I do ‘ya for?” She gave her a friendly smile.

Spike chuckled. Twilight cleared her throat with an annoyed look at her assistant, “Well, I am actually here to supervise preparations for the Summer-Sun Celebration. And… you’re in charge of the food?”

“We sure-as-sugar are! Would you care to sample some?” She asked.

“Oh, as long as it doesn’t take too long…” but the last of her sentence was missed as Applejack immediately ran off and rang a rusty bell.

“Soup’s on, everypony!” She yelled.

Immediately, many stampeding hooves could be heard on the rough ground, and a crowd of at least twenty ponies immediately followed Applejack, Twilight, and Spike to a yellow-tableclothed table that sat in the shade of two apple trees.

Applejack merrily said to Twilight, “Now, why don’t I introduce ‘yall to the Apple family?”

Twilight said sincerely, “Thanks, but I really need to hurry-” but was cut off as Applejack started introducing her family members. As each was named, they dropped an apple treat that matched their name onto the table.

“This here’s Apple Fritter, Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apple, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp,” she drew a great breath, “Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith.” Big Macintosh was a tall, heavyset pony who had a half green apple as a cutie mark. Apple Bloom was a small, yellow-coated filly with red hair and no cutie mark. Granny Smith was a very old, wrinkly mare with a green coat, a white mane curled into a bun, with a tail to match, and a cutie mark consisting of an apple pie. She was sleeping on a rocking chair nearby. Applejack said loudly, “Up, and at ‘em, Granny Smith! We’ve got guests!”

Hearing this, she jolted awake, and walked over to the table, which was holding a dangerously tall pile of apple-related sweets, and mumbled inaudibly.

Applejack said friendlily, “Why, I’d say they’re already part of the family!”

Twilight spat out the fritter in her mouth in surprise. She gave a nervous chuckle, “Okay, well… I can see the food situation is handled, so we’ll be on our way.”

At this, Apple Bloom asked her, “Aren’t you going to say for brunch?” She looked genuinely sorry that Twilight wouldn’t stay.

Twilight looked uncomfortable, “Sorry, but we have an awful lot to do.”

The entire Apple family gave a great “aww”, and each and every one, including Applejack, looked sad.

Twilight, at this point feeling very guilty, said begrudgingly, “Fine.”

The whole Apple family started to cheer, happy again as if a switch had been thrown. They began to chatter amongst themselves as they served Twilight and Spike to lunch.

A while later, they walked back into the main town, Spike reading, “next is weather.”

Twilight lagged behind spike, groaning. “Uhh, I ate too much pie,” she complained.

“Hmm, there’s supposed to be a pegasus pony named ‘Rainbow Dash’ clearing the clouds.” Spike looked up, searching for the pony.

Twilight, looking up at all the clouds still in the sky, said to spike, “Well, she’s not doing a very good job, is she?”

At that moment, a multicolored blur smashed into Twilight, knocking her into a mud puddle some fifteen feet away. On top of her lay a light-blue coated pegasus, wings outstretched. She had an untidy mane and tail, though unlike most ponies, they were full of streaks of different colors of the rainbow. Her eyes were light purple, and her cutie mark was a cloud with a rainbow colored lightning bolt racing beneath it.

“He, he, he. Uh, excuse me?” She got up and bent over Twilight. She continued to chuckle. “Let me help you.” She raced off, and brought back with her a cloud about her size to an annoyed and exasperated- looking Twilight. She placed it over Twilight, and flew up and jumped repeatedly on the cloud, sending rain cascading down. Within seconds, Twilight’s coat was mud-free, although drenched in water.

The pegasus chuckled again upon seeing Twilight. “Oops, I guess I overdid it.” Still smiling, she said, “Um, uh, how ‘bout this?” She immediately began to fly in a tight circle around Twilight at breakneck speeds. “My very own patented Rain-Blow Dry!”

When she was done, she said, “No, no. Don’t thank me. You’re quite welcome.”

She looked pleased with herself until she saw Twilight again, at which point she and Spike rolled on the ground, beside themselves with laughter. Twilight’s mane was incredibly messy and frizzy, and resembled that of the pink pony she met earlier.

Twilight wasn’t laughing. “Let me guess. You’re Rainbow Dash.”

The pegasus stood up. “The one and only!” She flew over to Twilight. “Why, you heard of me?”

“I heard you’re supposed to be keeping the sky clear,” she said accusingly. “I’m Twilight Sparkle, and the princess sent me to check on the weather.”

“Yeah, yeah. That’ll be a snap.” She flew up and began lying back on a cloud about 20 feet in the air. She waved her hoof absentmindedly. “I’ll do it in a jiffy, just as soon as I’m done practicing.”

“Practicing for what?” Twilight inquired.

“The Wonderbolts!” Rainbow pointed at a poster pinned to a wall. “They’re gonna perform at the celebration tomorrow, and I’m gonna show ‘em my stuff!” She did an excited loop in the air, landing back on her cloud.

“The Wonderbolts?” Twilight asked skeptically.

“Yup.”

“The most talented flyers in all of Equestria?” She asked amusedly.

“That’s them.” Rainbow responded casually.

“Please, they’d never accept a pegasus who can’t keep the sky clear for one measly day!” Twilight said slightly snidely.

“Hey.” Rainbow was suddenly on the defensive. “I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat!”

Twilight glared at her with a slight smile. “Prove it.”

She launched into the sky, kicking clouds into nothingness one after another. She moved with astonishing speed. She whipped back and forth, leaving no cloud remaining. She landed back on the ground near Twilight.

“What’d I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat.” Rainbow chuckled lightly. “I’d never leave Ponyville hanging.”

Twilight’s jaw dropped. She was completely at a loss for words. Rainbow laughed at her expression. “You should see the look on your face,” she mused. “Ha! You’re a laugh, Twilight Sparkle. I can’t wait to hang out some more,” she said cheerily.

Rainbow flew away, and Spike said, “Wow, she’s amazing!” He laughed again at Twilight’s mane. She growled in annoyance, walking to their next destination. “Wait, it’s kind of pretty when you get used to it!”

They next examined the town hall, where the celebration would occur. “Decorations.” Spike declared. There were ribbons, bows, and great banners hung from various spots in the hall. Every aspect seemed carefully planned, and every decoration complimented one another. On the right side of the hall, a long, bright yellow banner hung, showing illustrations of the sun, and different markings and symbols. There was no question that appearance would not be a problem. Suddenly Spike’s voice was dreamy. “Beauuutiful.”

“Yes. The décor is coming along nicely,” Twilight agreed. “This ‘oughta be quick. I’ll be at the library in no time. Beautiful indeed.”

“Not the décor. Her.” He gestured to a unicorn with a bright white coat, curly and carefully trimmed mane and tail, blue eyes, and a cutie mark of three separate diamonds.

“No, no, no. Oh! Goodness no,” the white unicorn said to herself, levitating and examining different color streamers.

Spike looked dreamy. Standing behind Twilight, he asked, “How are my spines? Are they straight?”

Twilight rolled her eyes as she approached the unicorn. “Good afternoon.”

“Just a moment, please,” the unicorn held up a hoof. “I’m in the zone, as it were.” She spoke with a very polite and pleasant voice. She continued looking at different colors, and upon seeing a red, glittering bow, she said, “Oh, yes! Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Rarity, you are a talent,” she said to herself. “Now, um, how can I help you- aaah!”

She looked utterly horrified as she caught a glimpse of Twilight’s frizzy mane. “Oh, my stars! Darling, whatever happened to your coiffure?”

“Oh, you mean my mane? Well, it’s a long story. I’m just here to check on the decorations and then I’ll be out of your hair,” Twilight said.

“Out of my hair? What about your hair?” She rushed over and led Twilight over to a dressing room.

“Wait! Where are we going? Help!” Twilight panicked, confused. Spike followed dreamily, still admiring Rarity.

A few minutes later, Twilight was being put into outfits, her mane long ago fixed. Rarity was fussing over what looked good on the new pony. “No, no, uh uh. Too green, too yellow. Too poofy, not poofy enough. Too frilly. Too shiny. Ah, now go on my dear; you were telling me where you’re from.”

As she tightened a stunning white vest on Twilight, accented with gems, Twilight struggled to speak. “I’ve… been sent… from… Canterlot… to-” She could hardly get the last word out.

Suddenly, Rarity stopped pulling. “Huh?  Canterlot?! I am so envious! The glamour, the sophistication! Ah, I have always dreamed of living there! I can’t wait to hear all about it!” She walked over to Twilight. “We are gonna be the best of friends, you and I!” She looked at Twilight’s vest in distaste. “Emeralds? What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!” She walked off to do just that.

“Quick!” Twilight started to run out the door. “Before she decides to dye my coat a new color!”

Spike just sighed, his eyes unfocused.

By late afternoon, Twilight and Spike were walking through the town park, on their way to their next destination, Spike sitting on Twilight, the vest thoroughly off of her back. “Focus, Casanova. What’s next on the list?”

Spike cleared his throat. “Music. It’s the last one.”

Twilight suddenly stopped. A harmonic birdsong could be heard. She moved toward the sound. There, on the other side of some bushes, a pegasus could be seen conducting a flock of songbirds, all sitting on a small tree, facing the pegasus. She had a yellow coat, a pink mane and tail, that curved gracefully downwards, and teal eyes. They would give one the impression that they weren’t unfamiliar with tears. Her cutie mark showed three butterflies, with blue bodies, and pink wings.

Upon hearing the birdsong, she said in a quiet, gentle voice, “Oh, my. Um, stop please, everyone.” She flew up to a blue jay. “Excuse me, sir? I mean, no offence, but, your rhythm is just a teeny tiny bit off.” She flew back to her original position. “Now, follow me, please. A one, a two, a one-two-three-“

“Hello!” Twilight said loudly to the pegasus, making her give a frightened squeal. The birds scattered. “Oh, my. I’m so sorry,” she said hastily, “I didn’t mean to frighten your birds. I’m just here to check up on the music and it sounded beautiful.”

The pegasus flew down next to Twilight and looked down, not saying anything. She pawed the ground uncomfortably.

Twilight gave an odd smile, “I’m Twilight Sparkle.” A pause. “What’s your name?”

“Um, I’m-” she barely whispered her name. She barely looked at Twilight.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Twilight tried to clarify gently.

“Um, my name is-” Again, she hardly said her name.

“Didn’t quite catch that.”

The pegasus told her, though it was more of a whimper, and couldn’t be heard.

“Well, um, it looks like your birds are back. So, I guess everything’s in order. Keep up the good work.” Twilight was feeling very awkward now. The mare whimpered. “Oookay,” Twilight said, walking away.

“Well, that was easy,” she said to Spike.

One look at Spike and the pegasus changed in an instant. “A baby dragon?!” She wore a huge smile, and rushed over to him, accidentally knocking Twilight out of the way. “Oh, I’ve never seen a baby dragon before! He’s so cute!”

“Well, well, well?” Spike said slightly gleefully with a look to a fallen-over Twilight.

“Oh, my,” she continued, “He talks! I didn’t know dragons could talk. That’s just so incredibly wonderful! I just don’t even know what to say!” She was hovering in the air in excitement.

“Well, in that case, we’d better be going.” Spike was suddenly levitated into the air and onto an annoyed Twilight’s back. The pegasus followed as Twilight deliberately walked away.

“Wait, what’s his name?” She asked happily.

“I’m Spike.” He said nicely.

“Hi. Spike,” the pegasus said, “I’m Fluttershy. Wow, a talking dragon! And, what do dragons talk about?”

“Well, what do you want to know?” Spike asked her.

“Absolutely everything.”

Twilight’s eyes widened, and she groaned. It was going to be a long walk.

“Well, I started out as a purple and green egg…”

And a long walk it was.

“… and that’s the story of my whole entire life!” Spike finished. It was already sunset. “Well, up until today. Do you want to hear about today?”

“Oh, yes please!” Fluttershy said excitedly.

Twilight spun around. “I am so sorry. How did we get here so fast?” she said sarcastically, though Fluttershy didn’t catch it. They were at the Ponyville library, a huge tree, three times as large as the neighboring buildings, with circular windows set at different spots. It was very randomly put together, though looked quite sturdy. “This is where I’m staying while in Ponyville, and my poor baby dragon needs his sleep.”

“No, I don’t-“

Twilight bucked her hips and Spike fell to the ground. Her voice was suddenly adoring. “Aw, look at that. He’s so sleepy he can’t even keep his little balance.”

Fluttershy swept him up into her arms, and said sweetly, “Poor thing, we simply must get him to bed.” Fluttershy carried him into the library.

Twilight rushed in. “Yes, yes. We’ll get right on that.” She pushed Fluttershy back out. “Well, good night!” And she slammed the door in her face.

Now in the dark, unlit library, Spike asked Twilight, “Huh. Rude much?”

“Sorry, Spike, but I have to convince the Princess that Night Mare Moon is coming and we’re running out of time! I just need to be alone and study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time. Now, where’s the light?”

Just as she said that, the lights flicked on, and she found herself surrounded by about fifty ponies, all of whom yelling “surprise!” Streamers and balloons and party toys showered the scene, and Twilight gave an exasperated groan.

---

“Surprise!” Yelled the curly-haired pink pony from before, now right in front of Twilight. “Hi. I’m Pinky Pie and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were you? Were you? Huh-huh-huh?” She was jumping now jumping in excitement.

“I’m very surprised,” Twilight said in an annoyed tone. “Libraries are supposed to be quiet.”

Pinkie Pie giggled. “Well, that’s silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet?” she pestered Twilight. “I mean, duh! Boooring!” Twilight started walking toward the drinks table. “You see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all, ‘Hello?’, and I was all,” she imitated her previous gasp. “Remember? You see, I never saw you before, and if I never saw you before, that means you’re new! Cause I know everypony, and I mean, everypony in Ponyville!” Twilight let out a groan. “And if you’re new, that meant you haven’t met anyone yet, and if you hadn’t met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don’t have any friends, you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, and I had an idea! And that’s why I went-” again, she did her gasp. “I just throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville!” Twilight began pouring a drink.

“See?” she continued, as Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity joined her side, “And now you have lots and lots of friends!”

Twilight paused. She turned around with a very uncomfortable expression, as if she ate something very unpleasant. Except that she had tears in her eyes.

“Are you alright, sugarcube?” Applejack asked her.

Twilight’s expression got worse, and then she ran off upstairs.

“Aww, she’s so happy, she’s crying!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed joyfully.

Spike then examined a red bottle from which Twilight poured her drink. “Hot sauce,” he read. That explained Twilight’s expression and tears.

“Ooh,” Pinkie said. She took the bottle, poured it over a cupcake on the table, and ate it whole. “What?” she asked as the other four still there gave her disgusted and surprised looks, “It’s good!” she said through a mouth full of spicy cupcake. The other four then smiled in amusement.

Upstairs, Twilight lay in her bedroom. It consisted of three walls, the other looking down over a room full of bookshelves and work desks. There was little decoration other than a couple of horseshoes and a bust of a unicorn. A telescope pointed out of a large window opposite the open part of the room. Her head was buried under a pillow, trying to drown out the noise of the party happening below. She raised her head and looked at the clock, then groaned loudly.

Spike chose that moment to barge in the room downstairs, letting more noise in. He wore a lampshade on his head, with streamers resting on top. “Hey Twilight!” he shouted, “Pinkie Pie’s starting pin the tail on the pony! Wanna play?” He asked, raising his lampshade to look at Twilight.

“No!” Twilight shouted in frustration, “All the ponies in this town are crazy!” She sounded seriously angry now. “Do you know what time it is?”

“It’s the eve of the Summer-Sun Celebration. Everypony has to stay up, or they’ll miss the Princess raise the sun!” Spike explained. “You really should lighten up, Twilight. It’s a party.” With that, Spike turned around, lowering his lamp shade once more, and went to join the other ponies.

Twilight mumbled his words in a high-pitched mumble, then, out of greater frustration than before, curled herself up in her pillow. “Ugh. Here I thought I have time to learn more about the Elements of Harmony. But, silly me,” she said to herself, “all this ridiculous friend-making has kept me from it!” She turned on her side, looking out the window. She saw the moon, and got up, walking to the window. She repeated, “Legend has it that on the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night. She looked at Predictions and Prophecies, which seconds before, lay on the ground near the window. “I hope the Princess was right. I hope it really is just an old pony tale.”

Again, Spike barged in, bringing with him more loud music from below. “Come on, Twilight! It’s time to watch the sunrise!” he told her loudly and happily.