//------------------------------// // The Nightmare // Story: Lost Apples // by mageli7 //------------------------------// Applejack walked around town four days later, tonight was the Summer Sun Celebration and she and her family had been up all night baking sweet, apple treats. Applejack smiled gently, rubbing her eyes as she walked over to Twilight. "I just came to tell you that everypony at Sweet Apple Acres is doing their best to make the treats! We're doin' pretty good so far!" Applejack announced happily. "That's great! I just got Rainbow Dash to clear the sky by tricking her... I think I have to go see Rarity next to see what she's planning for the decor..." Twilight said, pulling out a checklist and pen, "... Well have good time with the treats! I'll see you at the Summer Sun Celebration... If Nightmare Moon doesn't come everything will go just as planned..." Applejack looked at Twilight confused before Spike stepped in to say something. "Don't worry about her AJ, she's been freaking out lately... More then usual that is..." Applejack nodded and walked off, just then she remembered what she had needed. Cinnamon. Applejack looked at one of her hoofs quickly noticing in big black letters, "Cinnamon". "Thanks fer reminding me Big Mac...." she laughed gently. After getting the cinnamon, Applejack walked home to the farm. The air blew gently but just then, Applejack ran into a familiar pink, party pony. "Heya AJ! I just came to say that at Twilight's tonight we're having a party right before the celebration and then we're going to town hall to see the sun get risen and see Celestia! I hope you're coming!" Pinkie Pie said all in one breath as she balanced a basket on her head full of invitations. Applejack jumped back, spooked by Pinkie's sudden appearance, "Ah... I... Sure?" "Great! Be at Twilight's at 10:00 and then we're gonna party alllll night! Woo!" Pinkie yelled, handing an invitation to Applejack. Applejack nodded and walked into her house, handing the cinnamon to an impatient Big Mac. "Aj! We got tah get these treats done!" Big Mac said, running around the kitchen. "Uhm, don't ya think we have enough? There are only 5,000 ponies in Ponyville... We've made about 10,000 pies..." Applejack said. "That ain't enough!" Big Mac cried as Applejack facehoofed and fell back. ---------------- Applejack looked around the town hall as ponies gathered in to wait for Celestia. Applejack looked over to see Pinkie Pie talking to a very worried Twilight. She was about to walk over when a bird choir went off. Applejack listened with a smile as Mayor Mare gave a speech to introduce Celestia. Rariyt pulled the curtains apart and... Celestia wasn't there... Applejack looked up in worry and looked over to Twilight, she was friends with Celestia, she would know what to do... Right? Maybe Celestia is just late... That's all! Applejack thought as she stared at Twilight. Aj then heard Rarity announce, "Shes gone!" Applejack looked back up to the balcony to see a eerie, glowing fog. She gasped as the fog formed a pony. Nightmare Moon. "Oh my beloved subjects, it's been so long since I've seen your precious, little, sun loving faces," Nightmare Moon said. "What did you do with our princess?!" Rainbow Dash growled and was about to attack Nightmare before Applejack grabbed her tail. "Rainfow Dashf! Calm downf!" Applejack said with her friend's tail in her mouth. Nightmare Moon chuckled and continued speaking, "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?" Pinkie Pie began throwing off random names before Applejack threw a cupcake in her mouth, still biting Dash's tail. Nightmare Moon flew over to Fluttershy who cowered in fear, then Rarity and brought the fog against her face. Applejack was a bit distracted to listen what Twilight had to say, she held on to the rainbow pony's tail tighter. She was afraid that if she were to let go that Rainbow would attack the mysterious alicorn. One sentence hit the earth pony's ears though. "You're Nightmare Moon!" Twilight Sparkle announced. "Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here," Nightmare Moon said, grinning a bit. "You're here to... to..." Nightmare Moon chuckled, "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!"