//------------------------------// // chapter 10 // Story: Darkness of the Eclipse // by Silverstream233 //------------------------------// Soon after they returned to Twilight's Castle, it began to snow and the weather turned cold because of the lack of sunlight. "Applejack, I think it's best if you harvest most of your apples in case they all die. There has to be a good food supply for Ponyville," Luna said. "Of course!" She agreed, nodding her head. "And I'll make lots of cake and goodies!" Pinkie pie squealed, bouncing around. "I best go now before the snow gets deeper. I'm gonna need all of Ponyville to help me." Applejack said. We went back outside and Luna quickly wrapped her cape around herself. Rarity wrapped her neck in a scarf. "It really doesn't feel right wearing sunglasses and a scarf." Rarity complained. Applejack rolled her eyes. "This ain't the time for the latest fashion trend, Rarity." Amused, Luna cast a spell on all of Ponyville so they can look safely at the eclipse without blinding themselves. All their glasses disappeared except for the sparkly blue one Rarity had made for Luna. How strange... Luna thought as she took off the glasses and slipped them into her pouch. I somehow managed to grab this instead of saving my sister? She pushed away the bitter thought and followed her friends to Sweet Apple Acres We gathered almost all the ponies in Ponyville to help us gather the apples. Luna, Twilight, and the other unicorns used their magic to lift the apples from the trees while the entire Apple Family bucked apples. They had come over soon after they got the letter for a family emergency. It seemed to take days to gather all the apples, but they did not know because of the eclipse. Exhausted, Luna and her friends returned to their castles for a good rest . . . The next day, when Luna awoke, she saw a white creature fluttering weakly towards them. She opened the window just in time to catch her owl, Moon in her hooves, her wings battered. "Thank goodness, you got out safely!" She hugged her pet gently. Luna gave Moon to Fluttershy to care for while Owlicious flew around them, hooting anxiously. "Princess Cadence and Shining Armor are here!" Spike exclaimed. Luna and the mane six hurried to greet them. "Is everypony ok?" Shining Armor ran to embrace his sister. Princess Cadence dipped her head in greeting to Luna. "No pony came to greet us..all their doors and windows were shut." She sounded more concerned than annoyed. "Princess Cadence! Shining Armor!" Three fillies ran towards them. They were the cutie mark crusaders. Luna smiled. She had a special connection with all of them. "I can't believe a strange pony actually turned ponies against Luna! I mean, she is the best princess." Scootaloo complained. "In my opinion." She added quickly, looking at Princess Cadence and Twilight. "You're not the only ones." Apple Bloom pointed out. "And the ponies didn't turn against Luna. They're just scared." Sweetie Belle said. "More ponies are coming in! They seemed to have escaped from Canterlot!" Princess Cadence pointed to a group of exhausted ponies who were slowly walking towards them. "We'll have to put up a defensive shield around Ponyville. Can you handle it, Princess Cadence?" Luna asked. "Of course! I'll have Shining Armor to help me, not like the last time when Sombra attacked," She replied. "Speaking of the Crystal Empire, whose protecting them?" Twilight asked. "We have most of the guards there, but we don't think..." Shining Armor paused. "the threat will go for them. She's mostly targeting us." "No, she's targeting me and my sister." Luna said. "I don't know why, but the only way to defeat her is for me to battle her one on one." "May I help everyone as well?" A nervous voice sounded behind her. Everypony gasped when they saw who it was.