     It was a warm, sunny day in the village of Ponyville. The wind rustled through the leaves and carried the pleasant smell of summer with it everywhere. Ponies were busy at work and play, enjoying the beautiful day that had been bestowed upon them.
     Just outside of Ponyville, on the edge of the Everfree forest, sat a small cottage. It's a small unassuming thing, with a simple picket fence and neatly kept yard. A balcony built into the roof faces the forest, with a telescope mounted onto the hand rail.  It may be plain compared to some of the other homes located in Ponyville, but it is homey and comfortable. 
     A rustling in the attic roused Anon from his afternoon nap. Getting up from the couch, you made his way upstairs. Reaching the attic door, you knocked, clearly agitated.
     "Echo, honey, what are you doing and why are you doing it during my nap?"
     A further crash of activity and a muffled screech came before an answer to his question. The door creaked open with a sheepish looking Echo peering through the open slit. She had that look she always had before you ended up as her walking blood donor. Or her plaything. 
    "Oh, sorry to wake you Anon. Just cleaning up, it was getting cluttered," she said holding back a giggle. "I thought we could turn the attic into a play space, you know we could use the extra room."
     There she goes, thinking with something other than her brain again. Though you couldn't argue, the extra space would be nice, she did get a little wild sometimes. There were a few holes in the bedroom wall that could speak to that.
     Letting out an exaggerated sigh, you walk back downstairs to get some lunch ready. What would it be today; fruit, fish, or maybe something special? The flyer from Sugar Cube Corner was still on the fridge, advertising some kind of lunch deal for a limited time only. Might as well, it expired soon anyway. You felt that you hadn't taken Echo out for anything special in a while anyway. 
     You went to your room and changed, trying to look like you hadn't slept all day. As you finished checking that you were presentable, the pictures on the dresser drew your attention. They were pictures of old friends and allies from your old life. It had been a long time since those days, and since you had brought Echo back home. You picked up a picture of a family of bat ponies. They were gypsies that had helped you out a few times. A nice family, too bad they travel so much, it was hard to send them letters.
     "Anon, I'm hungry. What's it going to be today?" Echo yelled from up in the attic. 
     It sounded like nostalgia could wait, your lady friend was hungry. We couldn't have that now, could we. Putting down the picture, you head upstairs to gather up the hungry little pony. Knocking on the door once again, this time with less agitation, you try to pry her out of her cave.
     "Echo, come on out. We're going out today, my treat."
     The door opens fully this time, with Echo standing there looking like a child who was just promised candy.
     "Where are we going, where are we going?" she said as she bounced up and down excitedly.   
     It was adorable when she did that, though it was strange seeing a full grown pony acting like a filly. You grab her mid-jump and hoist her over your shoulder. 
     "Hey put me down, I can walk. I can fly too!" she squeaked at you. 
     "Hush now, you've been working all day so now you get to rest." you say patting her on the flank. "Now come on, you're getting a piggy back ride to Sugar Cube Corner."
     You walk to the door with Echo and just before you turn the doorknob, there is a knock on the door. Opening the door, there stands a pony dressed in the armor of the Royal Guard.
     "Anon, we have a letter here for you from the Princess. Your presence is requested at the castle." says the Royal Guard pony. 
     As he leaves, you shut the door and have Echo hop off your shoulders. Opening the letter, you see it is addressed to you and Echo. All it says is to report to the castle as soon as possible. The thing that catches your eye is the signature of who sent it, Princess Luna. 
     Looking down at Echo, you can see she has a disappointed look on her face. 
     "Don't worry, we can stop by on our way there. The train doesn't leave for another hour."
     The giddy look returned to her face and she jumped back up onto your back.
     "To the restaurant then my loyal steed, giddy up." says Echo as she kicks you in the sides.
     You love her, but sometimes you wonder about what goes on inside that head of hers. You head out towards Sugar Cube Corner to get your little pony a snack before seeing what Princess Luna wanted from you two. Hopefully it would be a little easier than the last few jobs you did for this country.


     The sun is setting as you near Canterlot. Echo is passed out amongst a pile of cookie and cupcake wrappers. The ride has been long and boring, but at least it was about over. It was strange receiving a message from Princess Luna out of the blue like that; you just hoped that it wasn’t anything too serious. A knock on your cabin door breaks you out of your haze.
     “Excuse me sir, but we will be arriving shortly. Please begin gathering your things,” said the steward pony before heading off to attend to the other passengers. 
     You leaned over to Echo and shake her awake. 
     “Come on, time to wake up. We’re there,” you say in a hushed tone.
     She grunts and rolls over batting away your hand. This happened almost every time you had to wake her. You shake her a little harder and she looks over her shoulder, with an almost sinister look in her eyes.
     “Echo, honey, we’re here. We need to get ready to depart,” you say with a very apologetic look on your face. 
     “Why did you let me eat all that? You know what it does to me, and it’s not helping my figure either.”
     Forcing back a chuckle, you help Echo pack up her things and throw away her bed of wrappers. You feel the train come to a stop, and the two of you make your way off. It’s hard for you to see, but Echo has no problems. Sticking close to her, you head off into the city towards the castle. Despite being such a magnificent city, once the sun was replaced by the moon it took on an otherworldly quality. It wasn’t menacing though, it was like a cool blanket had enveloped the city in a tight embrace.
     As Echo leads you towards the castle gate, a pair of Luna’s Royal Guards blocks the entrance. One of them seems familiar, but with the helmets it’s hard to tell. The bigger of the two approaches you and gestures for you to stop.
     “What is your purpose for coming to the castle this night?” he asked, his voice finally jarring your memory.
     “Well I’ll be damned, is that you Spark Shade?” you ask with a hint of excitement.
     “Anon? Wow, haven’t seen you in quite a while. And what brings you here with this pretty young thing?” 
     Echo turns her head, looking a little embarrassed at the unexpected compliment. 
     “We received a message telling us to come see Princess Luna immediately,” you say. “And this is Echo, she served in the Crystal Mountains the same time as you. She was the whole reason I was there to begin with.”
     “Of course, Glitter told me all about it in the hospital,” he says. “Anyway, the Princess is out for a moment on Royal business. I’ll take you to the waiting room; you can rest until the Princess returns.”
     Spark leads you both into the castle, it doesn’t take long to reach the room and Spark shows you in. It’s simple, but elegant with rich blue carpet and upholstery. The furniture seems to sparkle like the night sky, and upon closer inspection the stitching looks to be made of a silver thread. The ceiling is a little less simple; it’s black with what looks to be a magical enchantment that imitates a spiral galaxy. 
     “Impressive isn’t it? Princess Luna likes to make a good impression on visitors; I think she is still trying to get ponies past the Nightmare Moon incident,” says Spark noticing the looks on Echo and your faces.
     “Well, it certainly leaves an impression,” says Echo. “How long do you think we’ll be waiting?”
     “No idea, but if you were summoned you should see her soon. It was good seeing you again Anon, we’ll have to catch up sometime,” Spark says as he heads back to his post.
     You wave goodbye to your old friend and take a seat on the couch. Echo is now flying around trying to get a closer look at the ceiling. It wasn’t home, but it was cozy enough. Echo got tired of flying around after a while and came down to sit with you. She lays her head on your shoulder and goes to sleep. That pony loves to sleep, but it never bothered you. She looks cute when she sleeps. Not long after you find yourself drifting off. You try to stay awake but it’s impossible. Oh well, at least you’ll be rested for when the Princess calls for you.


     You are jarred awake by what sounds like explosions, Echo rolling off you and onto the floor in surprise. Rubbing the sleep out of your eyes, you notice the ceiling has taken on a different form. It looks like a fireworks display, visually impressive but audibly unpleasant. Either someone is playing a joke, or the Princess is ready to see you. Helping Echo up, you both straighten yourselves up and head out towards the throne room.
     After a briefing of sorts by Echo, which boiled down to telling you to watch your manners, you reach the throne room. It differed from what you know of Celestia's. The room was open, with the windows draped in blue curtains. A long rug ran the length of the room from the throne to the door, it was a rich purple with silver edging. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling allow just enough light so you can see without much trouble. Even the air itself had a presence. It was cool and thick, with a pleasant scent you couldn't place. 
     "Welcome, I am pleased you have come with such haste," says Princess Luna from her throne. "How are you, dearest Echo? Art thou doing well?"
     "I'm doing fine, thank you for your concern. What can we do for you, Princess?" responds Echo, somewhat informally. 
     "There is something that thou would like you two to investigate in Hollow Shades. We have not received any responses from our inquiries, and are deeply worried," says Princess Luna, clearly distressed. 
     Echo puffs out her chest, and beats it with her hoof. 
     "Don't worry princess, Anon and I can take care of whatever trouble is brewing. I'd never let anything happen to my hometown."
     "Thank you, Echo. Sleep shall come more easily knowing that. Please be safe," says Princess Luna.
     Echo flies up to the Princess and gives her a hug before turning to grab you and head out the door. Before you leave, the Princess calls you.
     "Anon, Echo is very dear to us. You are to keep her from harm, lest you find yourself answering to us."
     "I will do my best Princess. I would sooner leap from the tallest cliff than let any harm come to her," you say, wondering how you weren't pissing yourself in fear.
     The Princess nods her understanding, and disappears in a cloud of smoke and bats. She seems to like spectacle, though you can blame her. If you could do that, you don't think you could stop. 
     Echo tugs at your sleeve, she seems to be in quite a hurry. Following after her, you wonder why Echo never mentioned knowing the Princess. Or why she never seemed to talk about her home, or anything from her past for that matter. 
     With Echo pulling you along, you zip past the guards out front. You're only able to manage a quick wave to your old friend before Echo darts for the train station. Luckily, the train is just about to leave so you won't have to wait. 
     Paying for your tickets, you both board and settle in for the ride. Echo seems unusually withdrawn now, her previous burst of energy replaced with a glum disposition that has you concerned. You had never seen her look like this, she always had a hopeful and cheery air about her. 
     "Echo, are you okay? You want me to get you something from the dining car?" you ask, distressed.
     "No, I'm fine. I just haven't been home in a while and this is the last way I expected it to happen," she says, looking dejectedly out the window. 
     She lays down and turns her back to you, wrapping herself in her wings. 
     "I'm just going to catch some more sleep. I'm not feeling well."
     You turn the lights off for her, and look out the window. The moon was beautiful tonight, and it allowed an eerie view of the passing landscape. The way Echo was acting had you concerned. Along with her familiarity with the Princess and her tight lipped nature about where she's from gives you the feeling that this whole ordeal was going to be uncomfortable. You would be there for her though, whatever happened. 
     Laying down, you try to get some sleep for yourself. It was slow coming without Echo close to you, and much colder. You loose yourself in the click clack of the wheels, and finally drift off to sleep.