//------------------------------// // Act 1 - A Terrible Power // Story: The Lords of Harmony // by Whinifree //------------------------------// Celestia lowered her head and flattened her ears as the creature's roar resounded all around her. Her mane flapped in the wind as it battered her, and her wings struggled to keep her airborne as she was blown backward through the air. When the cry eventually faded, she landed firmly on the ground and glared up at the towering beast. “You have no business here! Leave now!” She aimed her horn and fired a beam of magic straight at the creature's chest, but the laser dissipated as it reached its mark. The creature brushed its chest, and letting out a low rumble, it balled up its fist and raised it high above its head. Celestia gasped and leaped aside as the creature's fist came hurtling down with a deafening crash where she had just been standing. A thick cloud of dust shot into the air and whipped across the field. Celestia aimed her horn at the creature's head and fired another beam which fizzled on impact. “Oh come on...” she grumbled under her breath. The creature swung its other arm at Celestia, and she jumped forward and dropped to the ground just in time for the huge limb to sweep over her. Quickly rising to her hooves, she unleashed another beam directed at the creature's head which had no effect like the others. “You're strong. I'll give you that much, but everything has a weakness and I'll find yours!” Stepping back, the creature held its clenched fist in front of its shoulder and four large, dark, crystalline spikes grew from its knuckles. It thrust its fist out and the spikes shot forth at Celestia with furious speed. Celestia spread her wings and kicked back into the air. She began to feel a tingling in her horn as the spikes pierced the earth, and she winced as her wings flapped against the unending tempest. Before Celestia could retaliate, the creature slammed its fist down on top of the crystals. There was a loud explosion as the crystals shattered into countless shards, and a wave of energy pulsed out from the spot. The rush of dark energy engulfed Celestia. Her horn suddenly went completely numb, and she let out a startled yelp as she was thrown through the air, landing in a heap several yards back. After a few moments, the feeling in her horn returned and she groaned as she lay motionless on the grass. She staggered to her hooves and tried to keep herself steady as her legs trembled with fatigue. This thing is tough, but I won't give up... I can't... Spotting several more of the dark crystals flying toward her, Celestia quickly summoned a large translucent wall in front of her and flinched as two of the crystals struck the magic barrier with enough force that it dissipated. The other two crystals stuck into the ground on either side of Celestia, and her horn tingled as they radiated with dark energy. The ground began to rumble and she turned her gaze, firmly locking it on the colossus as it moved closer. The creature stopped a few yards from Celestia and made no further movements as it stared down at her. Celestia shot a small beam at the beast, and she groaned under her breath as it slapped the beam away with the back of its claw without flinching. The creature's ghostly stare seemed to bore into her very soul. She took heavy breaths but she stood her ground; not giving an inch as she gazed back at the nightmarish monstrosity. The heavy winds slashed across the field and thunder rolled through the air. After a moment, the creature turned and looked back at the dark edge of the Everfree Forest. Celestia raised an eyebrow and she spotted two small figures emerging from the shadows of the forest. Despite the whole of her body begging for rest, she stood frozen in uncertainty as she watched the new arrivals begin their approach. Wearing large, dark cloaks that concealed their features other than their horns, the pony-shaped figures passed between the titan's feet and stopped. One was the same size as Celestia, and the other was a head smaller. They did not speak; they only seemed to stare at Celestia from behind the shadowy veil of their hoods. The minutes passed by in utter silence as Celestia glanced between the figures, and she trembled as she felt an immense magical power about them. “Who are you?” The smaller figure dipped it's head forward and quickly pulled it back, causing the hood to fall. Standing there with eyes that glowed a ghostly red, and a piercing stare that would shake the courage of the bravest of soldiers, was Princess Luna. Celestia gasped. “S-sister?” Luna gave no reply. Celestia's heart raced. She shook her head and rubbed her eyes, but Luna remained. “What's going on? Where have you been?” Without a word, Luna turned her steely gaze to the taller, cloaked figure standing next to her. Celestia also turned her attention to the dark entity. “Who are you and what have you done to my sister?” She waited for a response but none came. The overwhelming fatigue was pushed to the back of Celestia's mind but her legs continued to tremble. “You must be the one causing all this trouble. A friend of mine said she saw someone lurking in the ruins of the old castle a few weeks ago.” The figure only continued to stare at Celestia, but then, a bright red glow appeared around the figure's hood. Celestia steeled herself. Little beads of sweat ran down her brow, and her breath reached a rapid pace as she maintained her gaze on them. The figure's hood came down, revealing a black pony with a large horn rising up from her forehead. She wore a silver helmet that shimmered in the moonlight from beneath which peered eyes that glowed the same phantasmal red as Luna's. Around her neck hung a black trinket with a ruby embedded in its triangular bottom, and the head and wings of an alicorn coming out of the top. She grinned at Celestia, displaying her sharp, pointed teeth. “Greetings, Princess,” she said with a dark snicker. "Nightmare Moon?" Celestia's eyes widened and her mouth hung open. The memories from that day a thousand years prior came flooding back to her and Nightmare Moon's sinister laughter echoed throughout her mind. She shook her head once more and glanced away, hesitating for what seemed an eternity before returning her gaze to the dark alicorn. “It's been too long.” With words failing her, Celestia kept her attention fixated on Luna and Nightmare Moon, rapidly glancing between them and muttering under her breath. Luna and Nightmare Moon both? Her gaze fell upon the trinket around Nightmare Moon's neck and she let out a quiet gasp. The Alicorn Amulet? But I had that locked in the mountain vaults. How did she get that? “You're being awfully quiet, Princess,” continued Nightmare Moon. “You surprised to see me or just tired from playing with Entropus?” Finally, Celestia's throat cleared and she raised an eyebrow. She glanced up at the dark colossus then returned her attention to Nightmare Moon. “This creature answers to you? It even has a name?” “He does. Terrifying isn't he?” Nightmare Moon smirked and briefly looked up at the towering giant. “The big guy here is one of my favorite minions. I rather enjoyed watching him toss you around. You're losing your touch, Princess.” Celestia glanced up at the dark orb that still hung high in the sky before turning her gaze back to Nightmare Moon. “Then, you're the one who created that rift. But, how—?” She paused and gazed at the Alicorn Amulet. Nightmare Moon maintained her firm stance but she did not respond. “You still haven't answered my earlier question,” stated Celestia. “What have you done to my sister?” “The Alicorn Amulet gives me power beyond imagining, and control over forces beyond even your understanding, Princess. Not even the great ruler of the night could resist my power.” With a wicked grin, Nightmare Moon glanced sidelong at Luna. “Isn't that right, Princess?” Luna remained silent. She simply gazed at Celestia with an unnerving lack of emotion on her countenance. A seething anger boiled within Celestia as Nightmare Moon let out a loud cackle and she narrowed her eyes. “Let my sister go!” “Sorry, Princess,” said Nightmare Moon. “But a new dusk is fast approaching and Luna shall be my herald. The Animus are coming.” Celestia stared blankly. “We are the wave of darkness that shall sweep across this land. Nightmare Night was only the beginning.” As Nightmare Moon spoke, her voice changed from mocking to sinister. A wave of darkness? The image from her vision of herself and Luna sitting together in the gardens flashed through Celestia's mind. With a weary breath, she wiped the sweat from her brow and pictured the dark ponies she saw earlier. “Those shadow ponies are yours as well?” “A drip in the tide.” Celestia's mind raced, but as Nightmare Moon's words rang in her ears, a fierce conviction swelled inside her heart. Her ears flattened, and she snorted. “I don't care what powers you possess or what creatures you have at your call. I will defend the ponies and this land from you with all my strength, and before this is over, Luna and I will push you back into whatever darkness you came from.” “Boldly stated, but I remain unconvinced.” Nightmare Moon glared at Celestia with a dark gleam in her eyes. “You do not yet know what hides within the veil.” Celestial trembled slightly as she returned the gaze. “Well, I've wasted enough time here." Nightmare Moon turned to Luna, and gave her a commanding nod. “Retrieve the Elements.” As Nightmare Moon's horn began to glow a fierce red, the Alicorn Amulet did the same and a similar aura appeared around the golem. Spreading her large, dark wings, Nightmare Moon leaped into the air and flew off toward the great rift with the golem hovering behind her. The two disappeared into the orb and a minute later the orb itself shrunk and eventually disappeared. With the rift gone, the clouds in the area stopped swirling, the endless thunder ceased, and the gale-force winds slowed to a gentle breeze. Quietly, Celestia watched as they departed, but as soon as they and the rift had vanished, she brought her focus down and placed it firmly upon Luna. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the two sisters stood alone and opposite of each other in the moonlit field; each of them gazing at the other in complete silence. The memories from the infamous day of darkness played endlessly in Celestia's mind. Wiping the sweat from her brow once more, she gulped and kept her gaze fixated on Luna. When she spoke, the words got caught in her throat. “L-Luna?” Again, Luna did not reply. She only continued to stare at Celestia with the red glow of Nightmare Moon's magic illuminating her eyes. “Luna,” pleaded Celestia. “It's me... your sister. Remember?” There was another brief moment of silence and Luna's horn began to glow red. Celestia gasped and she took a step back. Without any further warning, Luna aimed her horn and fired a beam of bright red energy at the ground between Celestia and herself. There was a small boom as the laser struck the earth and kicked up a burst of grass and dirt. Celestia shielded her eyes and returned her hoof to the ground when the cloud dispersed. Her breath hastened, and she nearly collapsed where she stood under the weight of her fatigue. Luna immediately shot another beam and it hurtled directly at Celestia. Lighting her own horn, Celestia summoned a magical shield that rose to engulf her, but when Luna's attack struck, the barrier flickered and faded away. The golden glow around Celestia's horn fizzled, and with a pained grunt, she dropped her head and panted. She took a quick moment to catch her breath before stepping closer to Luna, and tears began to form in her eyes as she gazed longingly at her. “Luna...” The red glow around Luna's horn remained, but she made no further attacks. There was a sudden crackling like lightning and a large, dark vortex of magical energy appeared on Luna's left. Slowly, three tendrils rose up from its center and one more extended down until it had taken the shape of a four-pronged claw. Celestia shifted her gaze to the spectral object before glancing back at Luna. “What are you doing?” Luna turned to the void and stepped into it, disappearing into it's depths. “Luna!” cried Celestia. Her heart raced as she galloped forward. “Don't go!” The claw-shaped void began to curl its talons inward until it had completely closed off. Another loud crack shot through the air, and it disappeared. Celestia came to an abrupt halt where the void had been. As she stood there panting and gazing up at the starry, moonlit sky, Nightmare's last words replayed in her mind. “Elements...” She spread her wings and kicked into the air. The air slashed through her coat as she raced back to Canterlot, and passing over the city, she entered the vacant grand hall of the palace. Her horn lit and the wall behind the throne swung back, revealing a long hallway lined with murals depicting events throughout Equestrian history. Celestia galloped down the passage, and stopping several yards from the back wall, she beheld a large mural picturing a golden, six-pronged sun. Her horn glowed, and the wall sunk slowly into the floor. In a little alcove behind where the wall had been, a small, ornate chest sat atop a pedestal. Celestia swallowed hard as she stared at the chest. Keeping her horn aglow, she hesitated for a moment before opening the chest.  She hadn't even been aware that she had been holding her breath until she peeked inside and let it out in a long sigh.   "They're safe." She turned and took a firm, protective stance in front of the alcove, disregarding the quivering in her legs. She perked her ears and the hallway seemed to close in all around her as the minutes quietly dragged by. Neither Luna or the void appeared. Celestia furrowed her brow and waited several moments longer, but the corridor remained lifeless. Breathing heavily, Celestia levitated the chest off the pedestal and gazed at it. “I can't leave them here.” Keeping the chest held in front of her, she exited the passage and passed through the grand hall out into the palace courtyard. She spread her wings and rose into the air, struggling to keep herself aloft. Briefly peering down over the city, she saw that the shadowy ponies had all vanished and there were no guards patrolling the streets. I don't blame them for running away like that. I don't think there's really anything they could have done. She landed in front of the guard's tower on the southeast end of the palace grounds, and opening the door, she spotted several unicorns trembling in the corner. They gasped when they saw her, but Celestia raised a hoof before they could speak and she gave them a comforting smile. “It's okay, my little ponies, but we need to double our defenses.” Celestia gave the guards one last glance before returning to the private gardens outside of the royal quarters. She set herself down on the soft earth and her ears perked as they picked up the usual splashing of frogs frolicking in the ponds, but then her focus shifted to the chirping of the crickets. The gentle tune began to fill her and she closed her eyes, standing motionless as she listened. The sound of night... Slowly, she reopened her eyes and let out a quiet sigh before entering the royal quarters. The sounds in the gardens vanished as she shut the door behind her, and she peered around the darkened chamber. Setting the ornate chest down alongside her bed, she walked up to her nightstand and opened the top drawer, levitating the small, polished wooden box from within. Staring at the box, a wave of relief shot through her weary legs as she crawled into bed. She set the box down on her pillow, and opening it, her gaze landed upon an inscription that was carved into the underside of the lid. To Celestia from Luna. My dearest sister, may this gift help you find peace on those restless nights. Little clicking noises inside the box broke the silence of the royal quarters, and a slow, soft tune began to play. Celestia lowered her head to her hooves and continued to stare at the box, taking deep but steady breaths. Her mind wandered back to the vision weeks prior, and tears began to form in her eyes once more as she listened to the haunting yet beautiful melody. Could I have been wrong? Was it a vision, or a warning...? The crushing emptiness returned and gripped Celestia's heart in its claws like a vice. As the chimes of the music box echoed endlessly in her ears, she buried her face in her forelegs and allowed the tears to flow freely. Her bedsheets became stained by the steady drip, and the darkness of sleep failed to find her. News of the previous night's events spread throughout Equestria like a wild inferno. An aura of despair hung heavy in the air as ponies all across the land gathered in large numbers at every street corner with their faces glued to the paper and murmuring to each other. Many that ventured out to go about their day did so in groups while others did not dare to exit their homes. Less than a week later, streetlamps everywhere failed to light as the sun sunk below the western sea. The land went dark for the first time in over a millennium, and from the deepest reaches of space, the stars could be seen flickering in and out of sight all across the cosmos. In every town great and small, ponies lined the winding streets. With tears in their eyes and their ears drooped, they watched in silence as the moon rose into the cloudless sky and graced them with its heavenly radiance. Wearing dark, hooded cloaks, royal guards walked through the crowds and lit clusters of candles until the whole of each settlement was aglow like a beacon in the endless abyss. The ponies formed large circles and joined their forelegs together, lowering their heads in solemn reverence. Having been decorated with enchanted tapestries from base to summit, the royal palace in Canterlot shone brightest of all. Celestia wiped her eyes as she stared at the moon. Save for the cold wind that blew across the peak of Canterlot Mountain, her mane and tail did not flow in its usual royal manner. The glow around her horn faded, and she gazed out across the shadowed land from her vantage point atop the rocky summit. Their sorrow burns like the sun. Their love, a million points of light. She sniffled and returned her gaze skyward. “Sister, I hope you can see this...” After several minutes, a cloud of smoke appeared before Celestia and turned into a piece of paper that hovered in the air. She unrolled the letter then placed it in her pack and returned to the palace. She glanced around as she strolled through the empty, illuminated hallways, and with a heavy sigh, she entered the royal quarters where the soothing smiles of Twilight Sparkle and her friends greeted her. She gave them a weak smile in return. “My friends...” “Yes,” said Twilight. “We're here." A gentle warmth passed through Celestia's heart as the ponies all gave her a hug, and she returned each embrace. “I only wish I could have asked you here under any circumstance other than this.” “It's okay, Princess,” stated Applejack. “We understand.” “There's no other place we'd rather be right now than with you, deary.” Rarity gazed at Celestia and gently placed a hoof on her shoulder. “You can count on us for anything!” Rainbow declared with an affirmative nod. “We said we'd always be here for you and Luna,” said Fluttershy. “We'll get her back. We promise.” Pinkie ran her hoof across her chest, flapped her forelegs like they were wings, then poked her eye. “Mmhm! Pinkie promise!” “Thank you. All of you.” Celestia beamed and wiped away the tears that dripped from her eyes. Her mane and tail began to flow again, but her demeanor hardened as she glanced over at a large chest laying at the foot of her bed. There was silence as everypony gathered around the chest and gazed down at it. Celestia hesitated, but after a minute, her horn lit and the lid propped up. Up from the darkness of the chest emerged six objects. Five of them were necklaces, and the sixth a crown; each one a brilliant gold, and adorned with a uniquely shaped and colored gem in their center that matched the cutie mark of it's rightful owner. They shimmered in the glow of Celestia's levitation spell, and a strong magical energy permeated out from them as they hung in place. “The Elements of Harmony.” Twilight took a deep breath and placed the crown upon her head. “The one piece of fabulous jewelry I'd rather not wear,” muttered Rarity as she fastened hers around her neck. “It only ever means one thing.” Rainbow frowned. “Just like old times, huh?” Once all of the Elements were in place, Celestia opened the door leading to the royal gardens before glancing back at Twilight and her friends. “Please. This way.” None of the ponies said anything as they followed Celestia outside. Celestia kept her gaze forward as she led the ponies through the bushes and trees, using the light from her horn to guide them along their path. After a few minutes, they passed between the twin watch towers that rose up above the foliage and stepped onto a marble balcony that overlooked the whole of Canterlot. Forming a line in front of the guard rail, they gazed down at the circles of ponies and the glow of the candles in the city below. “It's the same over in Ponyville,” said Twilight with a somber tone. “I've never seen a gathering of this magnitude before.” “It's still hard to believe, but the writin's on the wall.” Applejack let out a small sigh and set her stetson aside. With drooped ears, she sat down and folded her forelegs atop the railing before lowering her head to her hooves and gazing down. “Where do you think Luna is right now?” asked Fluttershy. Rainbow grumbled. “Wherever she is, I hope she's teaching Nightmare Moon a serious lesson!” Celestia glanced to each side as the ponies spoke before returning her gaze to the shadowed land down below. It's almost exactly like the world from my vision. She took a deep breath. “Listen very closely, my friends. Luna was just the start. Nightmare Moon and her shadowy minions mean to take everything we hold dear. For your own safety, from here on out, I must insist that you all stay together. As of this moment, we are at war.” Twilight and the others all gazed at Celestia with frightened expressions plain upon their faces. She gave each of the ponies a firm glance as she spoke. “We do not know the true extent of the Alicorn Amulet's powers, and if Nightmare Moon gets her hooves on the Elements, then we will be truly powerless to stop her. You six are Luna's, and Equestria's, only hope.” The ponies frowned as Celestia spoke, but they nodded. Celestia smiled and gave them gentle nuzzles. “Luna once said 'we can't let fear stop us'. I have total faith in you, my friends.” Applejack glanced down at the ground. “Hmm...” “What is it, darling?” asked Rarity. “I was just thinkin'. Somethin' about this whole thing just don't add up.” Everypony gazed at Applejack in confusion. Twilight raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” “I don't really know how to explain it. I just have this feelin'.” Applejack shrugged and put her stetson back on. “Twilight, can y'all tell us again exactly what Nightmare Moon said when you saw her in the ruins?” Twilight fidgeted and rubbed her foreleg before clearing her throat. “Well, okay...” As she listened to Twilight, Celestia's thoughts strayed back to the encounter a few nights prior and she trembled slightly. With a frown, she sighed to herself and glanced out in the direction of the Everfree Forest. From atop a large hillside on the south-western outskirts of Ponyville, Nightmare Moon gazed up at the distant orange glow that shone from Canterlot. After a minute, she turned and glared at Luna. “I told you to retrieve the Elements. That little unicorn foiled my plans once before. I can't have her and her friends meddling in my affairs again!” Luna glanced sidelong at her. Baring her teeth, Nightmare Moon let out a deep growl and kicked at the grass in front of her with her hoof. Numerous fragments of the grass broke free from their base, and they flittered away through the air in multiple directions. “No matter! I don't suppose it will make any difference. Nothing can stand up to the power of the Alicorn Amulet.” She readjusted her cloak and helmet then shifted her focus to the orange glow coming from Ponyville, watching the ponies from her safe distance from the town. “Look at them. They love you beyond description. After all, you're their beloved Princess of the Night.” Nightmare Moon let out a soft sigh. “Once I take the throne of Equestria, maybe I too will finally be worthy of the same love and admiration from my own subjects.” Luna remained silent. Slowly, from behind the darkness of her hood, she glanced down and gazed at the amulet around Nightmare Moon's neck.