//------------------------------//
// Episode 1-3 
// Story: Domain of Friendship 
// by Cold Bolt 
//------------------------------//

The three companions found themselves standing amid a fairly dense crowd of ponies in what they assumed to be the town hall. The chatter was fairly light, most instead waiting eagerly for the festivities to begin at any moment.

Well, save perhaps one notable exception.

"Are you excited? I hope you're excited, 'cause I'm excited! But I'm always excited whenever there are this many ponies all in one place, 'cause it usually means a party and parties are super fun!" Pinkie Pie's rapid-fire chattering was easily audible above the low din. Having rather quickly gotten into the spirit of things despite still lacking any context for the event, "Waterwing" nodded happily in response before letting her gaze wander around at all the decorations hung from the railings and ceiling.

Tank looked over his shoulder for a moment before turning to Scarlet, his voice low. "I've already planned our escape route in case this turns out to be some kind of weirdo ritual. The hors d'oeuvres and the punch bowl will almost certainly end up as collateral damage, but that's a price I'm willing to pay."

Scarlet quirked an eyebrow and smirked. "Do be careful with that flippant attitude of yours, 'Tank Buster.' One might accuse you of intending not to take the event seriously."

Tank rolled his eyes. "Whatever, 'Starbeam.' Heavens forbid one of us keeps track of what's actually going on here, and if I have to turn up the snark to do it, I will."

A chorus of songbirds conducted by a yellow pegasus interrupted their banter with a brief fanfare as a spotlight descended on the stage, illuminating a beige pony wearing wide-rimmed glasses. "Welcome, fillies and gentlecolts, to this year's Summer Sun Celebration!" This was met with cheers from the audience. "As many of you already know, our radiant princess has elected to hold this year's celebration of the longest day of the year right here in our fair Ponyville! As such, in my capacity as mayor, I am honored to introduce to you... bringer of the sun and moon, champion of harmony across all of Equestria... Princess Celestia!"

The songbird fanfare returned as the curtain parted, a spotlight at the ready to shine upon... an empty balcony.

"Uh." Tank quirked an eyebrow. "...This is bad, right?"

The mayor stood frozen for a moment, visibly confused, before looking over the crowd nervously. "We seem to be experiencing some minor difficulties, everypony. Please wait warmly for just a moment..."

"She's gone!" declared a white unicorn from up on the balcony, prompting the entire assembly to gasp in surprise.

"Oh no..." came Twilight's fearful whisper.

A strange sparkling mist began leaking in through the windows and gathering on the balcony, looking almost like the distilled essence of the night sky. As they watched, the mist rose at once and parted, revealing itself to be the mane and tail of a tall, imposing jet black pony. She wore a helm and breastplate of a cool blue, the latter sporting a crescent-shaped emblem identical to the one on her flank.

Tank took a careful step back, glancing between his comrades beside him and the strange pony on the balcony. "I'm getting the sneaking suspicion this isn't the princess we were expecting..."

"Oh, it has been ever so long since I got to see my beloved subjects..." The intruder's voice was clear and deep, and carried an air of great authority.

"You give Princess Celestia back right now!" demanded a colorful pegasus a little ways behind Scarlet. As she turned to look, the pegasus prepared to take to the air in challenge, but quickly found herself immobile; an orange pony had taken hold of the pegasus's tail with her teeth to prevent her from confronting the intruder.

The dark pony gave a bemused chuckle. "Why, it's almost as though nopony remembers me after a thousand years of imprisonment! If the ponies of this age can't be bothered to do their homework, it's no wonder you all seem so surprised."

Twilight took a step forward, scowling up at the balcony. "I did! And I know who you are, Nightmare Moon! If you think you can cast eternal night over Equestria, you've got another thing coming!" This declaration elicited a collective gasp from the crowd.

The intruder chuckled again. "My, what a rebel you are! But I'm afraid you're sadly out of your depth, my little pony. I hope you all remember this day well, for it was your last - henceforth, the night will last forever!" At this, she gave in to triumphant laughter, her starry mist swirling in a great vortex overhead.

"I think not!"

Nightmare Moon's theatrics ebbed. The crowd parted, the better to see who had spoken... and standing in the center of the room, her two companions still by her side, was Scarlet. She fixed the intruder with an indignant stare.

"Wh - " Tank sighed incredulously. "Maintain a low profile, you said. No disrupting local affairs, you said. Are you serious right now?!"

Scarlet's eyes flashed, still fixed on those of Nightmare Moon. "I will not suffer such an unscrupulous ruffian and her delusions of grandeur endangering innocents in my presence."

"Oh, is that so?" Nightmare Moon's smirk returned. "I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers. If you have any complaints, then by all means, bring them directly to me!"

"Gladly!" Scarlet's horn glowed with a bright pink aura as she prepared a spell...

...only to have it dissipate a second later, her concentration broken by the sudden appearance of Waterwing hovering in her line of fire. "W-What?"

Waterwing shook her head at Scarlet, gesturing toward the crowd. As Scarlet's gaze followed along, Waterwing's meaning was soon clarified by all the apprehensive faces - they couldn't challenge the intruder with such a crowd of ponies nearby without putting them in danger. Still glaring daggers up at the balcony, Scarlet took a step back, prompting Nightmare Moon to give the trio a derisive sneer.

"Guards, seize this villain immediately!"

The mayor, however, apparently lacked similar qualms about engaging the enemy so close to the crowd. At her command, a trio of winged soldiers nearby took to the air toward Nightmare Moon, only to be quickly struck down by a fierce whirlwind emanating from the vortex overhead. Before anyone else could join the fight, the intruder dissolved back into her starry mist and burst through the front door.

Scarlet charged after in an attempt to give chase, but by the time she made it out the door, Nightmare Moon had already disappeared into the night. Tank Buster and Waterwing caught up with her a few seconds later.

Tank scanned the sky briefly. "I'm guessing she got away?"

Scarlet sighed and turned to her companions. "I realize just how much this is to ask of you, but - "

"We'll do it."

Scarlet blinked. "Er...?"

"You were about to ask if we'll help them beat this Nightmare Moon character." Tank smirked and glanced at Waterwing, who nodded her agreement. "I mean, I still think this whole thing is incredibly silly... but if these ponies are actually in trouble, it's our duty to help, right?"

Scarlet smiled and gave a quiet sigh of relief. Before she could say anything further, however, something purple galloped past the three of them at full speed.

Tank scratched his head. "Is it just me, or did that look like Twilight?"

Waterwing hovered in front of her and nodded intently, beckoning the two of them with one forehoof and pointing after Twilight with the other. Tank and Scarlet exchanged brief glances before nodding back to Waterwing, and the three took off down the road to catch up with their new friend.