//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Children of the Night // by Jedi-narwhal //------------------------------// “Princess Luna! Where are we? What happened to your wondrous garden?” Many of the children looked at their new surroundings, excitedly pointing a hoof in various directions, Nightmare Moon's eyes narrowed, “Celestia has forced my hand and now I must act. I will sweep the kingdom right from under her--” “Are we back in Canterlot?” A Young colt interrupted her train of thought, Nightmare Moon turned to the colt with a smile gently said, “Yes my little ponies we are back in Canterlot, don’t you want to tell your parents and friends what a wonderful time you had at my garden?” The young fillies gave an excited cheer and ran off in various directions, eagerly knocking on doors and being greeted by sleepy ponies, but their faces lit up when they realized that their young foals had been returned to them. “You should meet Princess Luna! Oh Mommy and Daddy she's the best pony I know! She brought me back!” Nightmare Moon simply stood in the in the town square, a strong pulse of magic flowing through her and into the children. “Taking over this kingdom will be much easier than I thought. With the young fillies under my control, I can easily exert that control into the parents, when their guard is down...” Soon multitudes of ponies began to make their way to see Nightmare Moon, a smile spread across her face, “You brought back my young colt! Praise Luna!” “You have made an old mare happy Luna!” “Thank you so much for bringing back my precious foal, is there anyway I can repay you Luna?” Nightmare Moon flapped her wings and gained altitude and observed her subjects from above. She reared her head back in wicked laughter, dark clouds forming behind her and lightning ripping across the black sky, using her Royal Canterlot Voice she cried out, “MY LOYAL SUBJECTS! THE WAY TO SHOW APPERICATION OF YOUR NEW QUEEN IS TO OVERTHROW THE TYRANNICAL RULE OF CELESTIA!” All the ponies both young and old raised a hoof in compliance and gave a loud cheer, and slowly marched toward Canterlot Castle with Nightmare Moon at the lead, timing their hoof-steps into a deafening march. Starswirl lifted his head from his work. Moving each ear both up and down, he couldn’t make out the sound he was hearing; it sounded like a massive marching army right outside the castle. “There is no way there could be a massive arm--” Looking out the castle window proved his doubts wrong: a massive army was marching toward the castle with Luna as their lead. “Sweet mother of Celestia...” The old wizard said under his breath as he watch the army advance to the gates of the castle, easily demolishing them with sheer number and began pouring into the castle. His mind quickly raced. “I didn’t think Luna channelling the moon's power would changer her so much, and give her that much power to control that many ponies at once...” Looking over his research he quickly made up his mind, “I must hide these in a safe location where--” Suddenly there was a brilliant flash of light and Celestia appeared before him, he quickly went to her in a panic, “Celestia! Your sister is raging out of control! I fear nothing can stop what she's doing!” She gave the wizard an odd look, “What are you talking about Wizard Starswirl? Whats happened?” He quickly grabbed Celestia by the mane and took her to the window. Her eyes grew wide at the chaos she was seeing, “Luna is going completely out of control like I said! She has the majority of Canterlot under some kind of spell--” Celestia took a few steps from the window, slowly sitting down on the cobblestone floor. “It was the children... She gained control of the adults through them... She wanted to use her 'special breed' of guards to fight, but now...” Celestia buried her head in her hooves and began crying, “How did it come to this Starswirl? I always thought I was on good terms with Luna but seeing what she has become... How can I command my guards to attack their own to protect--” “Now listen here, Princess Celestia of Equestria!” Starswirl interrupted, lifting her head and looking into his youthful eyes, “This is not the weak and helpless pony I know! Princess Celestia of Equestria would use her wisdom and power against a new foe, Nightmare Moon. The time for acting is now!” She got back on all four hooves and lifted her head and began to leave the room, turning back to Starswirl saying, “Thank you Starswirl. I know what I must do, It breaks my heart, but it will protect me and my kingdom.” Galloping out the door the old pony took a deep breath, “I know you will do the right thing, Princess Celestia of Equestria..” Quickly making her way to the throne room, she spotted a few of the Royal Guard, Celestia walked up to them and looked over the three, one from each race: Earth, Pegasus and Unicorn. “Princess Celestia! You must retreat to the back part of the castle! We will hold them off and grant you an escape!” She shook her head and gave the ponies a grim look, “You will do no such thing. You will not harm another pony this night and if they come demanding to see me you will let them pass without any violence. Is that clear?” The three stood shocked, the Pegasus spoke up, “We are the Royal Guard and its our duty--” “To follow my orders: Is that clear?” Celestia interrupted and each of them hesitantly gave a salute back to the Princess and sulked away. “Its me that Nightmare Moon and her minions want...I wont let any other pony get hurt because of me...” She thought as she continued to gallop to the throne room. Entering the large oval room Celestia slowed her pace and examined the stained glass: each portrayed a piece of Equestrian history. “You were always sentential about the past Celestia.” Nightmare Moon's voice echoed in the chamber, “I knew you would be here, you like to come here when you need to think. I know you all too well Celestia.” A plume of black smoke floated from the ceiling and formed into the shape of its host and appeared as Nightmare Moon. A wicked grin crossed her face. “Its actually quite noble of you that you instructed your guards not to harm my subjects. They already occupy Canterlot Castle and the city. You are surrounded.” Celestia looked deep into Nightmare Moon's eyes, trying to find even a trace of her loveable sister Luna. After a few moments she broke the gaze and slowly climbed the small flight of stairs and rested on the throne of Equestria. “Nightmare Moon. I will defend my life and my throne. Even if you are my sister.”