Mare in the Moon

Dear Princess Celestia (CC: Princess Luna)...

Alright, here it is. Season 1, Episode 1, Part 1 of 2.

We begin with a narration about Princess Celestia and Luna.

"Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together, and created harmony for all the land.

To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn;

the younger brought out the moon to begin the night.

Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies.

But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn.

The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon.  She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night.

Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon.

The elder sister took on responsibility for both sun and moon...

..and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since. Hmm... Elements of Harmony. I know I've heard of those before... but where?"

 Twilight is walking around Canterlot, a group of unicorns invite her to a get-together hosted by Moondancer. Twilight declines, possibly lying, because she has to study. Twilight runs off and one of the unicorns says she thinks Twilight is more interested in books than friends. Twilight is obsessing over where she has heard of the Elements of Harmony before.

"Twenty-three skidoo!"

She runs into her room, I guess, and smashes the door into Spike. If this is her room, it is pretty sweet, bookshelves, telescopes, statues, huge hourglass, giant windows. She wants him to help her find Predictions and Prophecies, and doesn't care that she just ruined a gift Spike got for Moondancer. Twilight can't find it and starts to get upset, Spike finds it and she pulls it and him down with magic.

"It's my book, and I want it NOW!"

Twilight finds the Elements, and it says to see Mare in the Moon. She reads about a prophecy that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in Nightmare Moon's escape and she will bring about eternal night.

"The Mare in the Moon, myth from olden pony times. A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria, defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal!"

She has Spike write a letter to Princess Celestia, warning her that this is about to go down. Celestia writes back saying Twilight needs to stop reading those dusty old books. She says there's more to life than studying, and sends Twilight off to supervise preparations for the Summer Solstice Festival, which is being held at Ponyville. She also assigns her a more essential task: make some friends! So all those unicorns that were waving at her and inviting her to places aren't considered her friends apparently.

"Riding in a golden chariot, on official royal business, opportunity to make friends... this sucks."

Spike says there's some good news, Celestia arranged for Twilight to stay at the library. Twilight says she will do her royal duties of supervising the festival prep, but after that will hit the library to prove she is right about Nightmare Moon. Spike asks when she will find friends, Twilight says the fate of Equestria won't rest on her making friends.

Spike tells her to just try. They meet Pinkie, who jumps into the air, gasps, and runs away when Twilight greets her. They head to Sweet Apple Acres to check on the banquet preparations.Twilight meets Applejack, and is put off by Applejack repeatedly shaking her hoof. Applejack asks if Twilight wants to sample some of the food.

Applejack rings a triangle and calls forth the Apple family. This must be what Twilight was talking about in Applebuck Season, when she thought Applejack had tons of relatives around.

"This here's Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp... Big Macintosh, Applebloom and Granny Smith."

Twilight is shocked and spits out her food as Applejack says she's already like part of the family. She tries to excuse herself and the entire Apple family is sad she isn't staying for brunch. Twilight agrees to stay. Afterwards back in town, they are looking for Rainbow Dash, who is supposed to be clearing the clouds, and not doing a good job of it. Rainbow smashes into her.

Love at first sight for Rainbow?

Rainbow starts laughing and drags a cloud over, jumping on it and soaking Twilight. She then does her 'rain-blow dry' technique, rapidly flying around Twilight to dry her off. Twilight's hair is a mess and Rainbow and Spike start laughing. Twilight is not amused and gets back to business.

"I'll get you for this, Rainbow Dash!"

 Rainbow says she'll clear the clouds in a jiff, she's just 'practicing' for the Wonderbolts. Which she apparently does by lounging on a cloud.

Twilight scoffs, saying they'd never take a pegasus that can't even keep the sky clear for a day. Rainbow says she can clear it in 10 seconds flat, and stuns Twilight and Spike by doing just that. Rainbow says they should have out more, Twilight is 'a laugh.'

Next they go to check on the decor, Rarity's job of course, and Spike instantly falls in love with her. Rarity sees Twilight's hair and brings her to Carousel Boutique. She tries a bunch of different mane styles and clothing on Twilight, and asks her where she's from. Twilight says Canterlot, and Rarity talks about how she's always wanted to live there and how she and Twilight will be the best of friends. Rarity sees she put an emerald on Twilight's outfit and goes to get rubies, Twilight flees the boutique.

"Some pony, help me!"

The last thing is music, which is Fluttershy's job, directing a bird choir. Twilight startles her.

"Oh my!"

The one pony Twilight really tries to be friendly with, Fluttershy whispers her name. Twilight prepares to leave and Fluttershy sees Spike and is excited, having never seen a baby dragon before. She thinks Spike is very cute, and is amazed that he can talk. Twilight is annoyed.

"She ignores me but talks to Spike, the moron that can't even spell threshold, precipice, or brink..."

They arrive at the library and Twilight tries to ditch Fluttershy by claiming Spike needs to get some sleep. The ruse works and they go inside the darkened library. Twilgiht says she's running out of time and needs time to research without crazy ponies trying to make friends with her. The lights turn on and she finds herself in the middle of a surprise party.

"Of the days annoyances..."

Pinkie Pie starts going crazy, chattering non-stop. Twilight pours herself a drink, which turns out to be hot sauce.

For as smart as she is, Twilight should know how to read labels.

This really needs to be part of the 'canon' for Twilight and not just a sight gag.

Twilight flees upstairs to her new room. Spike tries to get her to come back to the party, and Twilight complains that all the ponies here are crazy. Spike defends them, saying every pony needs to stay up or they'll miss Celestia raising the sun, and she should lighten up, it's a party.

Twilight mocks him, complains she didn't get to research the Elements of Harmony, then looks out the window and sees the Mare in the Moon. She re-reads the legend and hopes Celestia was right about it just being an old pony tale.

The Summer Sun celebration is about to begin, and all the ponies convene at the town hall. Twilight sees stars move in towards the moon, and the 'mare' face disappear. Celestia is supposed to be at the ceremony, but when they pull open the curtains, she is gone. Twilight starts to panic, and Nightmare Moon appears in Celestia's place.

"Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little sun-loving faces."

Rainbow boldly yells at her asking what she did to Celestia. Applejack grabs her by the tail. Nightmare Moon asks, "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?" and Pinkie starts firing off guesses until Applejack silences her with food.  No one else but Twilight knows who she is.

"Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"

Nightmare Moon is impressed that Twilight knows who she is, "Well well well, some pony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here."

"Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!"

The episode ends with Twilight looking at Nightmare Moon in fear, and To Be Continued...

What I learned from this episode:

• Nightmare Moon must be a completely separate personality, as Luna spoke with a bunch of anachronistic terms. I guess being in solitary confinement for 1,000 years would do that.
• When I first started watching, I figured Twilight was a complete jerk when in Canterlot. Looks like I was right. =] She should have had friends, but she just ignored the ones that tried to befriend her apparently. I like how the Twilight Rage and hurting Spike are parts of her Day 1 character too.
• So, thinking about Twilight, obviously Celestia is the older sister in the story, Nightmare Moon/Luna is the younger, which means Celestia knew all too well that the legend was real. I'm betting Celestia intentionally sent Twilight to Ponyville to meet the other 'mane 6' members, since they are the current generation attuned to the Elements
• The other characters seem to be pretty much how they are later on too. Rainbow is kind of a douchebag, Rarity loves fashion and helping people look their best, Fluttershy is super shy, Applejack is very outgoing and helpful, and Pinkie is Pinkie. Even some of the gags were established here. Rainbow always smashing into Twilight, ponies pulling Rainbow's tail, Spike loving Rarity.