//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: A Changeling and his Bond Brother: Days of Nightmare Moon // by Southern Wing //------------------------------// “Surprise!” A pink earth pony mare shouted as she came into Twilight’s view. “I’m Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were you? Were you?” Pinkie asked excitedly. “Yes, I was surprised,” Twilight replied. “Libraries are suppose to be quiet.” "How can a party be quiet? I mean boooring!” Pinkie chirped loudly. Twilight started to walk away from her. But Pinkie followed her every step, continuing to chatter on and on, causing Twilight to groan softly. Twilight eventually reached the drink table and took a bottle of hot sauce, pouring it in a glass as Pinkie still continued to talk her ears off. “Celestia I need a drink…” Twilight thought to herself. “And now you have lots and lots of friends!” Pinkie finished as she, the other ponies Twilight had met on the tour and Wing and Sev gathered in a small semi circle, looking at Twilight. The hot sauce had taken effect by this point as Twilight’s face turned a fiery red due to the peppers in the sauce. “You alright, sugarcube?” Applejack asked. Twilight didn’t respond as the heat in the sauce became too much for her, and after bursting into flames for a moment, she raced upstairs to her room. “Aw, she’s so happy she’s crying!” Pinkie Pie said. Spike walked over to the table, picking up the bottle of the spicy condiment that Twilight unknowingly poured into her drink. “Hot sauce?” he asked aloud. Pinkie Pie tipped the bottle so it poured over a cupcake, which she devoured in a single bite, much to the disgust of the others. “What? It’s good!” she said. “That was disgusting, Pinkie,” Sev remarked. “Yeah...hot sauce on cupcakes is just nasty,” Wing added. “Are you crazy? It’s one of the best things ever!” Pinkie said. Wing sighed and chuckled. “Oh Pinkie Pie, you are...so...random.” “That’s what the humans think!” Pinkie beamed. Wing sighed and facehoofed. “Have you been talking to Lyra...or the more scary thought, helping her with her experiments?” “Do you really want the answer to that?” Pinkie asked. “Now that you mention it, I really really don’t,” Wing replied, a hint of fear in his voice. Pinkie Pie smiled and drank some of the punch she brought for the party. “Pinkie can be really scary sometimes,” Wing said to Sev. “You’re just now noticing this?” Sev asked, a bit shocked. “Yes, I did in fact,” Wing replied sarcastically. “Ok smartass, very funny,” Sev replied. Sev then took note of Dash being busy and went to chat with another mare. “Typical Sev…” Wing muttered sighing. “Yeah...he really does need a leash sometimes...but um...that’s just my opinion,” Fluttershy whispered. “Yeah, I agree dear.” “So you used to date Twilight?” Fluttershy asked. “Yeah, it was when I was going to school in Canterlot while we were taking our break,” Wing replied. Fluttershy eyed Wing with suspicion. “Flutters, I broke it off before I left Canterlot. It was the same situation with you. I didn’t want to put her through the strains of a long distance relationship.” “Ok,” Fluttershy replied in acceptance. “Still, it is good to see her again, though.” “And Spike?” “Huh? Oh! Yeah, it was...good to see him again, too.” Pinkie Pie hopped up to the two of them. “Drinks?” she asked. Wing looked to Fluttershy, who shrugged then looked back to Pinkie. “Why not?” he replied, taking a drink and downing it in a single gulp. “Whoo! Party!” Fluttershy shook her head as she drank hers slowly. The hours passed by Twilight slowly. She had fallen asleep, but the sounds of the party downstairs kept her awake. She groaned in frustration as the door opened and Spike walked in, a lampshade on his head. “Hey Twilight, Pinkie Pie started a game of pin the tail on the pony! Wanna join?” Spike asked. “No! All the ponies in this town are crazy! Do you realize what time it is?!” Twilight shouted. “Aw gome on Rwi!” Wing said stumbling in the door as well. “You gots habe a vittle zun!” he slurred, the drunken speech an indication of how much alcohol he’d consumed. “Wing, I expected this kind of thing from Sev, not you!” She took note of Sev not appearing to defend himself. “Where’s Sev?” “Zast I faw him he sas hatting it ut lith pome care.” Wing replied before leaving to rejoin the party. “Anyways...I was gonna say it’s the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration. Everypony’s gotta stay up or they’ll miss the princess raise the sun. You really should lighten up, Twilight. It’s a party,” Spike said before he left. “Schkitz, is everything alright there?” Queen Chiton communicated with Wing “Vas muter,” Wing replied before hiccuping. “Schkitz...are you drunk?” Wing drunkenly belched in reply. Queen Chiton sent a charge telepathically to get Wing out of his stupor. “Ah! Wha? Where am I?” Wing asked Queen Chiton. “Ponyville, coming out of a drunken stupor thanks to me. Do the same to Sev. I need you to be on your guard due to Nightmare Moon’s return.” “Yes mother.” “Now go find Sev. The princess should be raising the sun soon.” “On it.” Wing cut off communication and went off to find Sev, finding him in a broom closet by himself on the floor. “Get up!” Wing said, shaking Sev. Sev groaned and opened his eyes. “Where’d the pretty mare go?” Sev asked. “Gee, the princess is about to raise the sun. Where do you think?” “Wiseass. Help me up and let’s get over there. Oh my head...” “Here, instant sobriety pill,” Wing said, giving Sev a small pill. “Thanks,” Sev replied, taking the pill. Wing and Sev walked over to Town Hall where the celebration was taking place. Wing was also keeping an eye on the stars as they entered. Pinkie Pie zoomed up to Twilight. ”Isn’t this exciting? Are you excited cause I’m excited! I’ve never been so excited! Well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went *gasp* but I mean really, who can top that?” Pinkie rambled out. Fluttershy’s bird choir quieted the hyperactive mare. “Fillies and gentlecolts! As mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!” Mayor Mare announced. The crowd cheered in response. “In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise and witness this, the longest day of the year. And now it is my great honor to introduce the ruler of our land…” As Mayor Mare was speaking, the four stars surrounding the moon disappeared into it, causing the imprint of the mare in the moon to disappear. “Um...buddy…” Wing elbowed Sev indicating toward the moon. “Aw...buck.” Sev muttered as he saw it. “The very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria, Princess Celestia!” Rarity pulled back the curtain where Celestia was suppose to be standing. But nothing was there, causing muttering through the crowd. “This...can’t be good,” Twilight said. “No shit, Sherclop.” Sev countered. “Shut up Sev,” Twilight replied. “Remain calm, everypony. There must be a reasonable explanation,” Mayor Mare said, trying to keep the crowd calm. “Ooh! Ooh! I love guessing games! Is she hiding?” Pinkie asked, looking around. Rarity came into view have left to search where the Princess was waiting. “She’s gone!” causing many gasps through the crowd. “Ooh, she’s good!” Pinkie said before gasping herself upon seeing a puff of bluish/black smoke. The crowd also gasped on seeing it. “Um...mother…” Wing telepathically communicated to Queen Chiton, and began to stream the events live. “Oh no…” Twilight said under her breath. The smoke began to form before it revealed itself as a tall alicorn with a coat as black as night itself. “Nightmare Moon.” Spike fainted off of Twilight’s back on seeing the dark queen of the night. “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 shouted, zooming toward her, only to be held back by Applejack. “Whoa nelly!” Nightmare Moon chuckled. “Why? Am I not royal enough for you? Don’t you know who I am?” “Ooh, ooh, more guessing games! Um...Hokey Smokey! How bout Queen Meanie! No, Black Snooty, Black Snooty!” Pinkie Pie’s babble was cut off by Applejack shoving a cupcake in her mouth. “I think Queen Nighty seems about right!” Wing said. “Seems good to me, buddy!” Sev agreed. Nightmare Moon gazed at the two. “I must admit you’re either the bravest or the stupidest ponies ever.” “Well, say, if you were to win, I’d join right up with you. If you won, that is.” Nightmare Moon slowly grinned. “You’d gladly join my side if I won?” She asked. “You heard correctly,” Wing said, giving his best poker face. “I sincerely hope you’re bluffing, Schiktz,” Queen Chiton communicated. “I am, mother. But if she did win, it would be the only thing I could do to help keep the hive safe, and you know I would do such a thing.” “Yes...I know. Just stay safe and try to get the Elements of Harmony their bearers. And defeat her before it comes to that.” “Will do, mother. Schkitz out.” Wing cut the communication with Queen Chiton. Nightmare Moon continued with her speech. “Does my crown no longer count, now that I’ve been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?” “I did!” Twilight spoke up. “And I know who you are. You’re the Mare in the Moon.” “Nightmare Moon!” Twilight Wing and Sev said in unison. The crowd gasped at this. “Well well well, three ponies who remember me. Then you also know why I’m here.” “You’re here to...to…” “To bring about nighttime eternal. And rule Equestria while your s... I mean...Princess Celestia resides in the moon forever and ever and ever.” “That’s three evers. That’s like...forever,” Pinkie moaned. “Ooh! I have something planned for this kind of situation!” “Pinkie, how do you…” Sev started, only to be cut off by Wing. “Sev...It’s Pinkie Pie. Are you really that surprised?” “Not really.” Nightmare Moon stomped her hoof immediately, silencing the two friends. Once they were silent, she started to laugh. “Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!” Nightmare moon started cackling in delight at the prospect. She had gotten her revenge against Celestia. Now, she had Equestria for herself.