There was no doubt about it, this was not exactly the best night for a sleepover. The skies overhead were thickly covered with black and foreboding clouds, and rain had been pouring down heavily all evening. Whatever light there might have been had been kept hidden from view for some time now, and if that wasn't bad enough, lightning bolts had been throwing down every once in a while. Had Twilight known the weather would be this bad, she might never have allowed Spike to bring his friends over. But, they were here all the same, and as the unicorn mare turned from the window, she couldn't help but smile at the playful sight that greeted Her. Her son, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were all sitting quietly upon the carpet in the middle of the main chamber of the Golden Oak Library, happily playing a game of Snakes and Ladders, and while the storm outside raged on, here, it was as if nobody had any issue with it whatsoever.

So, shaking her head a little, Twilight sighed, leaving the window and heading over to the youths. Fortunately, she herself was not alone here tonight, as both Applejack and Fluttershy had popped over to join her in keeping an eye on their respective wards. Fluttershy herself had brewed some delicious tea for the three of them, and even offered Twilight a cup of it as the latter sat back down in one of her favourite chairs. Smiling, Twilight accepted the offered drink, giving a thankful nod to her friend, before promptly blowing on the still-hot beverage. Once she sipped it, she contented herself in this moment, looking down to just how much fun her son was having right now. True, it had to be said that he was actually losing the majority of this game, but that did not seem to dampen his spirits in the slightest. In fact, it was the most fun he'd been having in ages.

"Pretty exciting, right, Scoot?" he asked excitedly.

The young pegasus filly beside him, though remaining as silent as ever, nevertheless gave a smile and a nod in response, before throwing her dice. She moved her piece, ending up on a ladder and progressing upwards through the board, earning a chuckle from Apple Bloom.

"Another ladder? Y'all are pretty lucky today, Scoot."

The three adults watching them all shared a laugh, and Twilight, glancing over to the other two, offered up a warm smile for them.

"Thanks for coming over. I know we haven't seen much of each other lately, but..."

Applejack let out a hearty chuckle.

"Ain't no issue, Twi. Ah jus' wish Pinkie were here too."

Hearing the name of her lover, Fluttershy sighed, taking a quick sip of her tea before giving a solemn nod.

"Well, with the Cakes out of town, she had to cover for them over at the shop, and...well...you know her. When she's in charge, that place never closes."

Again, the group laughed, and enjoyed the moment of quiet that followed, where all that happened was the progression of the game between the three children. Looking to her son in particular, Twilight's smile became a loving one.

"You know...I'm glad we moved here, to Ponyville. As much as Spike was liked back in Canterlot, he never really had friends his own age. But here...?"

Reaching over, Applejack gave her unicorn companion a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"Spike's a fine fella, Twi. Ah'm pretty happy Bloom's got him as a friend."

Fluttershy nodded, adding her voice to matters.

"And I'm happy Scootaloo has a new friend in him too."

Thinking on that, Twilight let out a brief giggle.

"I never expected him to befriend the daughter of an Ambassador, truth be told, but...I'm glad he did that too."

The other two shared a smile towards one another, before swiftly looking back to Twilight.

"Yeah, Sweetie's a decent gal. Her Mother's a bit stiff, but hey, ah guess it comes with the job," Applejack remarked.

Fluttershy tapped the end of her chin, considering that.

"Hmmm...I wonder if I should invite Rarity over for tea one day? She and I have rarely spoken to one another after all."

Twilight smiled at that prospect.

"I'm sure she'd be delighted, Fluttershy. I'll even put in a good word for you, if you like."

Taking another sip of her tea, the yellow mare smiled right back.

"I would be grateful, Twilight."

Then, before any of the adults could say even one more word to one another, they were kept from doing so by the distinct sound of a filly hooting with victory.

"Yes! Ah won! Victory fer Apple Bloom!"

The others laughed, but all in good fun, with even Apple Bloom herself joining in. It was a fun moment, enjoyed by all, and though the knowledge of the storm outside kept the moment from being completely perfect, it was still a good time for all of them. However, speaking of the outside, Spike soon started to lose his smile, as his eyes focused on the nearby window. Confusion took hold in his expression, and as he raised a claw to point at said window, his tone reflected that.

"Er...Mom? Look!"

Raising an eyebrow, Twilight turned, and here, her eyes widened. The storm she'd spent so much time worrying about now seemed to be completely gone from the skies beyond, revealing nothing but a clear and starry night. But there was far more to it than that. Something that caught her interest immediately. Colours, of great variety, hurtling across the sky in an array of swirls and patterns. Getting up from her chair, she went over to the window to investigate, and was shortly followed by all five of the others in the room. Together, they walked to the window, peering out of it and just generally being amazed at what they were seeing. No matter what colour you could think of, they were now being shown in some form of ethereal display up there in the heavens. It was a beautiful sight, no question, and one that prompted the expected response.

"Oh! How lovely!" Fluttershy declared.

"Eyup! Beats that nasty ole storm any day!" Applejack added.

"Wow! It's so pretty! Apple Bloom remarked.

"Yeah...it is pretty neat," Spike finished.

Scootaloo smiled at the sky's current look, remaining quiet as ever, but still looking bewildered and astounded, with her eyes wide and practically sparkling from the sight. And then, at the end of it all, was Twilight. The spectacled mare adjusted her glasses, looking carefully at what was going on out there, and narrowed her eyes slightly. Spike, seeing her do this, started to look just a touch worried, and nervously poked the ends of his claws against one another as he ventured a question.

"...Mom? Is...is something wrong?"

Looking down to him, Twilight put on a smile for his benefit, gently placing her hoof upon his shoulder.

"It's fine, Spike. It's just a really, really colourful aurora..."

A pause, and then, as she turned back to the window, seeing these great colours beyond, her certainty wavered.

"...I think."

Meanwhile, far away from Ponyville, in the great and glittering city of Canterlot, many of the people were out in the streets, looking up at the unexpected light show the night sky was offering them tonight. Much like the children at the Golden Oak, they too looked on with amazement, as though this were the most beautiful thing they'd ever seen in their lives. But there was one within that city who was, unfortunately, not so happy. Princess Celestia, standing upon the largest balcony of the Palace at the centre of Canterlot, looked up at those swirling colours, and looked completely despondent. Her eyes welled with tears, and she shook her head frantically, glancing down to the streets below, and the ponies who looked on, oblivious. As those tears finally fell down her cheeks, she gave one final look to the sky, her voice wobbling as she, at last, spoke.

"Please...please...don't let it be true!"

Far to the west, beyond the Everfree, within the lands of the Lunar Kingdom, another alicorn was watching the night. Dark and armoured, Queen moon focused her gaze upon the night she had so often seen in her realm, yet never with this display that now trailed across it. This was no creation of hers, and yet, as she looked upon it, it was clear from the way she narrowed her eyes that she nevertheless knew what was responsible. Her head hung low for a time, and though no tears came for her as they had for her sister, she nevertheless released a long sigh, as though resigned to something. Then, ever so slowly, she opened those eyes of hers again, pausing for a moment as she weighed all of her options.

"So..."

Gradually, she lifted her head, her gaze again falling to the unnatural night sky above, and her eyes focused as though looking upon an enemy.

"...it has found us after all."