For most of my twenty-six-year life, I've been an extremely big fan of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. Initially debuted in the U.K. in 1984, it was introduced alongside the popular PBS series, Shining Time Station, in 1989. Like most American viewers during my time, Shining Time Station was the gateway to TTTE&F. For nearly thirty years, Thomas & Friends has grown from generation to generation, from the old-school, die-hard classic and newcomer fans alike.

However, the United Kingdom's Thomas fandom is much older and dates back when many of our parents and grandparents were children. The late Reverend W. Awdry created The Railway Series, one that deals with anthropomorphic characters on the fictional Island of Sodor. His first four-story published Railway Series book, The Three Railway Engines, was published in 1945. Wilbert Awdry published twenty-six books, the last one in 1972 as Tramway Engines. His son, Christopher, continued it with the twenty-seventh in 1983, and the newest one — TRS's forty-second — was released in 2011.

There are many differences between The Railway Series and Thomas & Friends. Two of them are:

1. In TRS, continuity is much stronger and is extremely embedded in British railway realism, referencing them quite a bit every now and then. The Awdrys used their experience on the railways to create scenarios that would make realistic, logical sense. A lot of old school, die-hard railfans of Thomas & Friends take railway realism extremely seriously because the Laws of the Railway are there to make everyone's lives safe.
    
   Thomas & Friends's continuity started off quite strong, as the first four series were almost completely based off the Awdrys' books. There are some exceptions like Henry's Forest — originally a magazine episode written by Andrew Brenner, it was criticized by Rev. Awdry for having trees too close to the line and Henry stop in the mainline without prior permission, but mostly loved for showing a softer, more peaceful side of both the Island of Sodor and Henry's character. Brenner was hired prior to Series 17 and is the head writer for Thomas & Friends. However, TTTE&F would maneuver stories around, mostly due to production cost and incapability to complete a script within the four-and-a-half-minute timeframe. Once the series deviated away from TRS in Series 5, continuity was much looser; the timeline was much more fantastical than realistic; and each episode is self-contained with nearly no cliffhangers.
    
   Moreover, beginning with Series 8, Thomas & Friends was produced under HiT Entertainment rather than the smaller Britt Allcroft productions. There was vehement criticism of the series afterwards from many older fans, even from those who aren't all as keen in The Laws of the Railway as many of the purists, for being way too unrealistic — i.e., have the character wander around and operate without a driver (and fireman if the engine is steam), something that Awdry would be steaming mad and roll in his grave — and others:
    
   a. Shoehorning Thomas in every single story simply because he was the most popular. There have been many stories that didn't need him in the story, but he was there anyway, sometimes changing the crux of the plot.
    
   b. Disregarding significant character development. If you want an example, watch these three Series 1 episodes in succession: Henry's Special Coal, The Flying Kipper, and Whistles & Sneezes. Then watch the Series 15 episode, Henry's Happy Coal.
    
   To spoil it, Henry's new shape invalidated him from needing special coal anymore. Henry's Happy Coal (and Allcroft Production's Thomas & the Magic Railroad in 2000) contradicted it, a major continuity lapse.
    
   c. Repeating and shoehorning morals over and over again. What moral you watched in Series 8 or 9 will likely will be repeated somewhere a season or two afterwards.
    
   d. Shoehorning a constantly repetitive "three strikes" formula so blatantly, the writers weren't even telling a story anymore. It was always like this (copied-and-pasted from the Series 15 review from the Sodor Island Forums blog):
    

   
   "_______" goes to "_______" and meets "_______". "_______" does X, Y and Z wrong/done badly, before attempting X/Y/Z again, and this time getting it right before meeting "_______", "_______" and "_______" where everyone laughs or smiles at the end before rolling the credits.

   The formula repeated itself in each story.
    
   e. Reducing the marketing capacity of the series to mere children ages two through five. This was something both the Awdrys and Allcroft Productions were REALLY against. Their main market audiences were families and guardians their target audience. Many of the post-Allcroft stories are in no way, shape, or form factually good simply because the writing is so bad.
    
   f. Mishandling characters (classic, mid-range, and new) in such ways:
    
   I. One-dimensionalizing classic characters/turning classic characters out of character — Edward being frail and useless and then being being cheeky, boastful, and judgmental; Percy being the village idiot all the time; James's stories almost always about vanity (cheekiness and pride of running the express alongside Gordon are crucial to his character); Toby continuing to question his usefulness instead of being a careful and wise mentor.
    
   II. Constantly shoehorning new characters just to sell toys. In Awdry's stories, if new characters were going to be introduced, they were going to correlate to the ever-changing scheme of British railroading. Several characters in the HiT Era have only appeared once, only to never show up again. It was rightfully annoying in Series 5 through 7, but it only got worse since. Occasionally, some scenery stained the aura, mystique, and plausibility of Sodor, such as Misty Island and its aforementioned movie, which is often regarded as one of TTTE&F's lowest points.
    
   III. Having characters perform really dangerous, exceedingly devious deeds without consequence. One of the biggest examples: Fiery Flynn.
    
   IV. Reducing many popular classic characters to the background and/or making them absent from the storyline. Donald, Douglas, BoCo, and Oliver are obvious examples. Before Series 17 came in with a new writing team and style, Bill, Ben, and Duck were amongst the classics to be missing, but are back and have crucial roles in several stories.
    
   If you want to see good HiT Era TTE&F stories, watch Hero of the Rails; Blue Mountain Mystery; King of the Railway; and many Series 17 episodes that you can find here. (I recommend Bill or Ben?, Percy's Lucky Day, The Thomas Way, Henry's Hero, Gordon Runs Dry, The Lost Puff, and Wayward Winston most.)
   
2. Thomas & Friends is mostly consisted of very light stories with occasional moments of genuine peril, distress, and sadness. You don't see or hear mentions of death in this series.
    
   The Railway Series is something completely different. The stories there are actually much more mature and can get a bit graphic. One example in the book Mountain Engines, Godred relied too much on his brakes, and he rolled down the mountain, turning him into scrap. The same goes for Toad Stands By after S.C.Ruffey was split apart: TRS scrapped him, while TTTE&F mended him with better parts. Plus, the racism diesels and steam engines have against each other is much more venomous in TRS, while TTTE&F deals with it more comically and stubbornly.
   

However, enough of that at this point. As a devoted fan of Thomas, a part of me has been extremely loyal with the franchise. Plus, as a brony, one of FIM's greatest strengths is the organic character interaction, but sometimes the plot progression can be a little weak or out of character. Plus, like many of HiT!Thomas, the toy plugins are sometimes very transparent.

So my thinking process became this: How about a TTTE&F/TRS adaptation? Each little "book," there would be a range of three to six stories, with the characters having an obstacle and then solving it and growing in a story pattern that's similar to Thomas?

For example:

1. A retelling of Thomas' Train/A Big Day for Thomas. Twilight, still embarrassed and cross at Applejack for paying her back after playing a cheeky trick on her, had to put her pride behind her. One night, Spike got ill. While his temperature was normal, he wasn't feeling well, and typical remedies didn't help. She writes a royal letter and reviews through the books, only to find no answer. She brings him to the hospital where Nurse Redheart takes care of him, and he felt just as bad next morning. Spike, with an IV in his wrist, weekly asked Twilight to look after the Library and finish any chores that he can't do. Twilight said, "yes."
    
   She reviewed the list and began to do his chores for the Library. But there were also a couple of others, one being to help Applejack transfer the apples from the tree to her carts. She grumbled, but went about her way, only to find Applejack not there, so she worked with Big Mac, Apple Bloom, and a new pony called Braeburn to help with the bucking. She tries out herself, only to do it rather quickly and giddily. She was given permission to pull the apple trolleys to an organic orchard marketplace out of the town, but before they were able to do so, she began to run, not knowing the they were empty. Then she came cross a level crossing where Applejack wondered why she was there. She was helping trade the apples to an organic farm. Then AJ asked where are the apples. Twilight looked back, gasped, and felt upset. So she ran back, feeling very upset with herself and waited more patiently. Once the apples were placed on the trolleys, she pulled them and used her magic to not strain her back.
    
   ———
    
   Later, in an adaptation of Coal/Henry's Special Coal, Spike's health isn't as sick as before, but who was once a very reliable dragon isn't as reliable as he used to be. Sometimes he has so much strength that he can complete his tasks quicker than anypony. Sometimes he has no strength at all and is confined to either his bed or one at a hospital. While Spike was away in a hospital, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna make a rare private visit one night to talk with Twilight about maybe finding a new assistant instead of him to do the work. Twilight doesn't want that and is sure if found something, then he can get better.
    
   Celestia makes a visit to Rarity, who was working with her little sister, Sweetie Belle, on designer dresses. When asked about finding gems that can heal Spike, she isn't sure, but there may be something that could help him. Healing gems are located at an old jewel mine where the Diamond Dogs roamed. That's where Celestia, Luna, and Rarity immediately went to. The Diamond Dogs weren't very intellectual and irritable, but knew their way around the mine and had knowledge about the gemstones. So Rarity used her business-savvy sense by striking a deal with the Dogs because a good friend was sick and believe the gems could help them. They gave Rarity the gems said to write a letter if he feels better.
    
   They returned to Twilight's house with the gems. Twilight finds a potion book and mixes bits of the gemstones with a little vinegar, for they were strong. They handed Spike the concoction, grimaced, and hated the taste, but he drank it. He wondered what good it'd do. Celestia winked and said, "Wait and see."
    
   They didn't need to wait long. The next day, Spike was wide awake and dusting the shelves. He was feeling happy, speedy, and energetic. Twilight laughed and warned him not to do it too fast. But he takes off for his next job, which Twilight reviewed in her parchment. It was to deliver art supplies to Rarity from the shunting yard. He was there early with smaller trolleys in tow. The foreponies lowered the art into his trolleys, and Twilight caught up as Rainbow Dash flew down to see. Spike teased Twilight for being late and took off. The Bearer of Magic chuckled to Dash if she'd seen anything like it, who agreed she never did.
    
   ———
    
   Come to the winter and The Flying Kipper, and Spike was impressive. Since being given the experiment in the fall, he has grown stronger and faster, but his shape was still the same. So impressed that a country where the elite live, The Crystal Empire, heard the news and invited Spike and two others to come for a little vacation. There was only one train, the Sunrise Topaz, and it leaves at 5 AM. Spike agreed and invited Twilight and Rarity to join, who accepted.
    
   As they prepared, a large tender engine was being inspected and cleaned to remove any dust and frost from the joints and rods. Its firebox was also cleaned. Soon, a large supply of coal poured from a hopper. A half-hour before the departure, the engine showed up while pouring one crystal coach as well as a caboose. They climbed in, said goodbye, and the train left the station. While sipping some of the remedy, Spike watched with awe as little bits of color started to peak out of the dark sky. He was feeling great and awake; he wasn't interested in sleeping. Rarity, and Spike shared a quiet conversation, and she planted a tiny kiss on his head "for good luck."
    
   Meanwhile, the driver and firepony checked the signals and sightings ahead, all giving them the clear, and they headed down a section of track via frozen points. They trekked several miles before stopping at a signal at danger. The points in front weren't aligned, and a freight train behind them was scheduled to pass. To kill the time, the driver and firecolt went to the brake van to drink cocoa with the guard. Rarity and Spike decided to join, and Twilight followed. The brake van was dim and cold, but the energy from the engine and tail lamp lit up the small room.
    
   Several minutes later, everyone wondered why the train never passed, but they had to wait. Suddenly, the vibration of an incoming train and loud honking, and the guard peaked out. It was on their track, and the train applied the brakes. Everyone scrambled out, but when Rarity and Spike did, the train plowed into the brake van, and a wood panel rammed right into Spike, knocking him out cold.
    
   When he woke up, he was lying in the hospital, tired and in pain. All of his friends — including Celestia, the Diamond Dogs, and Queen Cadance of The Crystal Empire — were there beside him, Twilight and Rarity lightly bandaged from the crash and pounding on the hard snow. Luckily, scrapes and a concussion were all he had. He wondered what happened. Celestia said ice and snow locked the junction into place, and the snow forced the caution signal down. Also, the jewels that he needed to replenish his energy were destroyed in the crash, and he apologized to the Dogs, who didn't care; they were glad he was okay. Nurse Redheart said he'll be in the hospital for a couple of days just to check on his brain. If good, he'll be cleared to go home.
    
   They decided to let Spike rest, and the Dogs ushered everyone out. The reason: The dragon Fluttershy escorted away from Ponyville was waiting outside. He heard about the condition and figured out a way for him to not need the healing gems anymore, but he will need a change in the diet and a whole rehab regime. There's a rehab center west of Equestria, but only where dragons live. Sick dragons are there to get rehabbed and treated, and because it's not such a terrible case, it should take about a month or two before he returns.. Due to dragons not having a good relationship with ponies technically, Spike can only come alone. They weren't sure, but Fluttershy and Rarity believed he should go. If it's to keep him healthy and alive, they'll do it. But they had to ask Spike for permission, and if he said yes, the big dragon must promise to keep him safe and cozy. He did, and when they asked Spike if they should go, he considered, but will miss them. Rarity decided to give him a reminder that they love him and will be there to see him when he comes back: her great grandmother's fire ruby, which she wore as a good luck charm. Finally, he agreed to go.
    
   Springtime came. Spike was medically cleared to return home and was given first-class apprenticeship via a flight by the Royal Guard. The little dragon liked living at the rehab center, but was glad to come back. His baby fat was gone. He grew a little bit taller, and his arms and legs grew strong, visible muscles. When they touched down, Spike walked to the Library, but no one was there.
    
   "SURPRISE!"
    
   Everypony peaked out and greeted the happy dragon, and everyone admired how he looked. The Mane Six was especially glad, and they all missed him. The ponies also admired Rarity's fire ruby, and he said to not credit him. Thank Rarity for giving it to him as a good luck charm. Plus, he said he's interested in getting back to work and proving if the trip was truly worth it.
   
2. A retelling of Fluttershy being scared of grown dragons similar to The Sad Story of Henry/Come Out, Henry! and Edward, Gordon and Henry/Henry to the Rescue. They trek up the mountain, but Fluttershy, scared out of her wit's end, hides in her cottage. Her animals tried pulling her out on Spike's whistle, but she never moved. Then they tried pushing from the other end…only to fail. Big Mac came along, and the animals begged for her to come out and help now that the smoke died, but Fluttershy assured it'll begin again soon. Suddenly, on Spike's and Dash's call, Big Mac pushed her via a buck, but she clenched on the jam and kicked him back hard through the walls. They gave up, and Angel led the charge by building a protective brick wall to confine her, only leaving a tiny slit above where her door was. Poor Fluttershy could merely watch activity rush by and have food delivered to her, but she never spoke. Depressed, she crawled back inside, crying.
    
   As she remained confined, the rest of the Mane Six came up with a plan to distract the dragon and have him escorted out. Fluttershy wallowed about maybe coming out, but found herself too physically and psychologically weak to try. During a quarrel, a cloud of ash rains all over Ponyville, and the Mane Six retreated, Rainbow Dash injured from a sprained wing. Angel decided to communicate back to Fluttershy and ash if she can help. She gulped, but accepted. Applejack and Big Mac bucked the wall apart, and she walked out, looking dirty and stiff. She exercised her legs and wings and then came back, refreshed. They trekked up the mountain and confronted the cross dragon again. Only this time, Fluttershy talked sternly, and they got to know the dragon more. Instead of fighting him, they negotiated and decided to help look for a place where he can sleep much more quietly. They sent a letter to Celestia asking for such a spot, and she wrote that there was a cave several miles southwest. Far away from civilization. She gave the dragon a celestial map, and after a gesture for good luck, the dragon flew away, but not after telling Fluttershy she needs a bath. She grumbled, but agrees. Fluttershy helps Dash back home, and Fluttershy learned that she doesn't mind big dragons to an extent and knows that the best way to face her fear of them wasn't to hide into cottages, but to negotiate and treat the dragons with kindness.
   
3. A retelling of Saved from Scrap. Heartstrings, a long-time blank flank, was assigned to shunting trolleys. However, her manager gave her a job to explore a dump a few miles away and find any intricate items. She arrived with empty trolleys in tow. It wasn't just a dump. It was also a scrap yard, where metal was broken up, melted, and later reused for new material. Heartstrings explored and saw a lyre and harp, each dusty and unpolished. She begins to play it and hears an angelic voice. There's no name for the pair, but when Heartstrings asked why they were there when they weren't broken or rusty. The reason: the previous owner gave up on them, calling them old-fashioned and useless. Heartstrings snorted and said despite being teased for being a blank flank, she's reliable and is proud to do her job. The pair would be a part of family concerts and orchestras. The fillies and foals adored the atmosphere in the music.
    
   Heartstrings takes off and decides to help the instruments. She passes by a cherry orchard with a house beside it. A young stallion with a mahogany coat, blond mane/tail, white conductor's top, and violin cutie mark — his name being "Capriccio" — was playing his violin before his young children and saw the upset Heartstrings. The mare answered that a harp and lyre pair was being broken up, but useful. She admitted that that the instruments spoke to her as she touched the strings and said if given the chance, they can be bought and saved, but she doesn't have the money. Capriccio considered and decided to meet up in two days. Two days later, they met the manager of the scrap yard and asked if they could borrow the pair for a while, who said "yes."
    
   The next day, with approval from Mayor Mare, Heartstrings and Capriccio arranged an unannounced concert with Heartstrings taking the stage. With her eyes closed, she begins to play a harp/lyre duet via her unicorn magic, creating music in her head and guidance from the instruments. There were no notes physically, merely mentally. The two instruments kept guiding her through the ten-minute piece. When she finished, everyone clapped and gave her a standing ovation. When the crowd dispersed, the manager of the scrap yard was there and said he was impressed and said that he's willing to strike a cheap deal. Capriccio negotiated, and Heartstrings signed the deal to become the rightful owner of both the harp and lyre.
    
   But she wasn't done. A lyre cutie mark symbol appeared on her flank, and she grew ecstatic. Finally, she decided on a new name: Lyra Heartstrings.
    
   She still lives in Ponyville, but her home is much nicer, and she doesn't spend as much time shunting trolleys. She continues to talk and mail with Capriccio, who is now her manager and conductor. With aid from the instruments, she plays short concerts weekly, particularly to little kids.
   
4. Now flash forward to Toby the Tram Engine/Toby & the Stout Gentleman. An old-fashioned mailmare, Derpy, has been trustworthy throughout an island located north of Equestria. She lives in a paradise that was strangely constant: cool falls and winters, but not to the point of snow; and decent springs and summers that don't sweat her cool gray coat. She always pulls a small antique mail carriage wherever she goes, either in the air or by ground, which she fondly named "Ash," as she always found comfort where he went. Ash tends to carry mail in little pockets on the side to allow passengers (which can fit up to six) to settle in the middle. However, Ash had seen better days: "It's not fair at all," he tends to grumble, recalling how several clouds tended to wander behind him carrying passengers on quiet days and rubbish whenever busy. However, as the years went by, the clouds usually dwell still in the sides of the sky, and only three or four clouds dance behind them. Ground trollies and pony carriages carried passengers, goods, and mail around. But despite her lazy eyes and aloof personality, Derpy hasn't had an accident in years, and she gets a chuckle at why everypony below always tended to have accidents. However, Ash and the clouds are becoming mostly empty.
    
   One day, a proud mare (Mayor Mare — a.k.a., "Arete") and her grandchildren were waiting in front of a trolley car barn. However, Derpy had never seen them before. Suddenly, the young filly suddenly asked (about Ash): "Isn't the carrier electric?" Ash's wood panels trembled in anger, and her brother told her, "Shh! You offended him." Soon, the family scrambled inside. While Derpy was ecstatic, Ash inwardly grumbled, making the filly uncomfortable throughout the initial ride.
    
   After riding through the small town and dropping off the mail, Arete and Derpy finally acquainted. Then Arete conversed with Ash, and he started feeling a little more comfortable. The family stayed there for two weeks, and both the filly and Ash grew a liking for each other. Sometimes they helped shunt fellow trolleys. Other times, they helped collect the mail. On the last day, Ash invited them all to saddle up and ride inside the cab. Unfortunately, Arete and family had to go back home, and both Derpy and Ash said "goodbye" and left sadly.
    
   Months passed. Derpy and Ash were being given less work. Fewer passengers tended to come. Loyal clouds slowly grew distant and floated beyond to find better work. Mail that tended to be given to Derpy was being greatly reduced; she now only carriers two small bags per day. Finally, while she slept in an old shed she called "Henrietta," she heard someone open her mailbox, close it, and leave. She checked and found a letter from her manager. The manager was losing money and couldn't afford the business. So, he decided to close the business next week. Derpy grew sad and could only eat a portion of her muffin before she lost her appetite and gave the rest to Ash (who couldn't eat even if he tried, but Derpy didn't care).
    
   On the last day of the business, she went to her station and found a whole crowd there, including a "FAREWELL, DERPY!" sign hanging aside one lamp pole from another. Several cloud decided to visit the town, too, to accommodate the passengers. The ponies joked and sang, but Derpy and Ash wished they wouldn't. They explored the small town, lifting a little off the ground and watching the scenery around. Derpy began to absorb the feeling of being appreciated and finally saying "goodbye." They returned to the old stable station, and both Derpy and Ash said "farewell." They returned to Henrietta, where Derpy started to cry. Ash comforted him, but Derpy couldn't muster any way to cheer her up. Not even a muffin could do it. She decided to go to bed early and fall unhappily to sleep. Ash stayed where he was and fell asleep, too.
    
   Next morning, Derpy woke up and checked the sunshine. It was bright and cheerful. No cloud in the sky. But Derpy didn't care. She was out of business and didn't know where to go. She walked to her mailbox. A gold letter waited for her inside, and it was from Arete. She opened the envelope and read the letter.
    
   For the first time in weeks, Derpy smiled.
   
5. In an adaptation of Duck Takes Charge, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle formed the Cutie Mark Crusaders during their month-long time in camp, but they weren't as adventurous as the official media. Apple Bloom has a cheeky side and tricked Diamond Tiara. That made DT very cross, and she planned a trick back that embarrassed AB. During some adventures, Cheerilee noticed AB and SB feeling exhausted after trekking; Cheerilee decided to ask another member from another period and class to help them out for the next few days.
    
   Next morning, the filly showed up. Her name is officially Scootaloo, but her parents affectionally call her "Autumn Fowl" because it's her family surname and how she prefers to walk, run, and stay on the ground more than fly, which she can only do in small distances. How they'd like to call her depends, but she likes "Autumn Fowl" better. When Autumn Fowl finished preparing equipment for a new tent, DT mocked her by bawking and wheeshing steam at her.
    
   AB and SB saw it and felt sorry for Autumn Foul, but Fowl had an idea that could teach the bully a lesson. As Cheerilee relaxed by a river to splash some freshwater on her muzzle, she heard thecommotion of DT being unable to enter their tents because the CMC and Fowl blocking their way. When Cheerilee ordered an explanation, Fowl explained how her family does their work without fuss. "It's the Fowl Way or the Wrong Way." And she feels like the fillies should not have to be put up by the commanding of DT. When she reacted, Cheerilee spoke severely to the trio for causing confusion. Then she scolded at DT for creating the disturbance in the first place. Eventually, they were given a talk, and they all completed their tasks.
    
   Fowl managed alone. She did so…easily.
   

———

So you get the idea. These ideas aren't just about the Mane Six: Besides them, society is encrusted with so many walks of life, from Spike to the Diamond Dogs, and so on. Unfortunately, there's been a lot of potential that's wasted in the professional media, and that's disappointing. (One of my biggest peeves in TTTE&F and FIM these days is the wasted potential for so many characters and ideas.)

And if you look at TRS list here, there are a lot of stories that can be told. Twenty-six possible adaptations from Rev. Awdry's series, sixteen more from his son. To expand it, a part of me is thinking about adding side-stories, sets of four to six, to fill in the gaps and expand its world, but one that fits the adaptation. More ponies' stories to be told besides the Mane Six (and Cutie Mark Crusaders). The Railway Series really grew its cast into wonderful characters over a seventy-year span, each full of delightful, rich tales to tell. FIM does the same, although in a more inconsistent manner.

If I get my rear into gear, I can lay out my stories.

Now the question I have to ask myself:

1. Should the adaption begin the moment after the two-part pilot?
   
2. Do I reset it entirely?
   

I'm currently leaning more to the latter, as it gives me the better ability to expand the story. Currently, the idea for the latter is to have Celestia as the Queen. Luna would be a Queen, too. However, Luna was banished to the moon not because Celestia was forced to power up the Elements of Harmony against her, but because Luna tried to use them herself, but her jealousy of her sister caused her to lose control of them. The negative energy of the Elements of Harmony created Nightmare Moon, and the positive energy from the Elements themselves created a long, temporary seal into the moon with the hope the heirs can break them. As a consequence, the celestial queens could no longer bear the Elements.

Present day: Twilight gets sent to Ponyville because she stayed cooped in her dorm and was responsible for creating Summer Sun Celebration. Celestia would be waiting that night. She bumps into a cast of characters eventually called the Mane Six. Twilight grew cross and uncomfortable and didn't want to be there. The company made her feel uneasy, so once she finished, she ran into her new home, the Golden Oaks Library, where Queen Celestia waited. She said she knew Twilight didn't like it, but that was why she was here. Celestia told her the tale of Nightmare Moon and the seal. Come midnight on the day of the Summer Solstice, the seal breaks; all of Earth will be blanketed by eternal night, and Celestia's power would be sealed away. Queen Celestia will not be there that morning.

This was why she sent Twilight to Ponyville: Part of her mission was to make some friends, and she instructed Twilight to try to acquaint herself better. She sees something inside of her that can help bring Luna back. Twilight reluctantly agrees; Spike would watch the progress. Celestia teleports away, leaving Twilight to fend for herself and start over. I would then have to plan the rest of the pilot.