Twilight sat again in the throne room of the Canterlot Castle. After visiting with Moon Dancer last night, she had opted to remain in Canterlot knowing that Shining Armor would be arriving soon. That wasn’t the only reason though. It felt wrong to just leave Luna and Celestia. Of course, Twilight knew they could take care of themselves. They were Equestrian princesses for Celestia sake; alicorns! Celestia had taught her so much of what she knew now. And Luna, well her ability to freely move about other pony’s dreams was beyond much of what Twilight could do. If only I could be of more help.
“Twilight. What are you still doing here?” Luna asked as she stepped out into the throne room. Odd it was her, as the sun had been lifted into the sky hours ago.
“Princess Luna . . . I was just thinking of waiting for my brother.” Twilight answered.
“I am sorry to say Twilight, but your brother may be delayed. The captain sent word that a couple rogue changelings were spotted near the Crystal Empire.”
“What?” Twilight exclaimed, her eyes widened in shock. “You don’t think . . . Chrysalis is planning something?”
Luna shook her head softly, “Do not worry Twilight Sparkle. I have already spoken with Princess Cadence, and she assured me it was nothing of significance. Apparently, the Crystal Empire responds to such things on a somewhat regular basis.”
“But to have to deal with that . . .”
Glancing over to one of the stained-glass windows that decorated the throne room, Luna took in a deep breath. She blinked, trying to drive out the sleep that called to her. “We have a responsibility to look after all of Equestria, Twilight. If ever the Crystal Empire needed our aide, we’d be right there beside them. You know that.”
Nodding reluctantly, Twilight dropped the subject. She took in a deep breath as she asked, “Where’s Princess Celestia? Shouldn’t you be resting?”
Luna nodded her head in agreement as her eyes fell to the amulet that hung around her neck. She’d grabbed it from her sister earlier. “Unfortunately for my sister, she seems to have fallen ill. She is taking the day off, and resting. That leaves me to serve in her stead.” Lowering her voice, Luna finished, “I can only surmise the cause is related to this.”
Stepping closer to Luna, Twilight gazed at the soft glimmer of the amulet. It still amazed her that Luna was able to find a spell that contained all of Nightmare Moon’s energy into such a small device. “Are you sure you don’t want my help with caring for this?” Twilight asked softly, remembering the discussion from the last time she broached the subject.
“Twilight,” Luna began, “Far too much destruction has fallen onto Equestria because of the evil contained inside. What I did to every-pony, what this evil did to Rarity, and then to your friend Moon Dancer; the more ponies it is exposed to, the more damage it can do. You are a wonderful princess Twilight Sparkle, and an even better friend. The last thing I want would be for something to happen to you.” Glancing down the hall of the long throne room, Luna added, “It may have been a mistake to let Celestia care for it.”
Twilight studied the worried expression on Luna’s face. She knew all too well what had occurred when Luna was Nightmare Moon. It’d been her main reason for coming to Ponyville all those years ago. After seeing what the nightmarish energy did to Rarity, and then to Moon Dancer, Twilight somewhat understood how Luna felt. The idea of handing something so poisonous, so deadly over to a loved one, Luna probably stirred more in her sleep knowing Celestia had it, then when she had slept with it herself.
With a heavy silence surrounding them, Twilight gazed off over the throne room as well. Down the red carpet and out the doors, she noticed a pony stumbling through the hall. As she stepped closer to see who it was, her movements grabbed Luna’s attention as well. A glimmer of the sun through the windows sparkled off the pony’s hair and Twilight galloped hard with her fellow princess out of the throne room, and over to Celestia.
“Celestia, what are you . . .?” Twilight started, but stopped when she saw the princess’s sagging eyelids. Her mouth hung open absently. Her mane and tail drooped against her body. The bright colors on her mane, and the shimmering white coat of fur that had always graced Celestia’s body, now fell stale and flat against her flesh.
Luna quickly wrapped a hoof down under her sister, supporting Celestia and prevented her from tipping over. “Sister, what are you doing out of bed?” She demanded.
“I’m sorry.” Celestia whispered out, “Just a glass . . . of water.”
“I can get that for you!” Twilight volunteered and she quickly rushed off into the kitchen. She spent seconds preparing an ice-cold glass of water for her former mentor. Teleporting back to the two, Twilight found Luna’s guards on either side of Celestia, holding her up as the princess of night relayed a whole list of instructions. Their bat-like wings draped over the princess, with a hoof from each helping to support her.
“Here Celestia” Twilight offered up the drink. Celestia used her magic to take hold of the glass and almost dropped it. Fortunately, one of the guards managed to save the water, and held onto it for the princess.
“Now, return her to bed. And keep a close watch on my sister.” Luna commanded.
“Yes princess.” Nocturn answered, and the two carried Celestia out of sight.
Luna watched her sister disappear down the hall and once out of sight, she took in a deep breath, and allowed some tears to stream down her face. She didn’t cry, not with Twilight present, but the tears could no longer be held back. “I should have never let her care for this wretched thing.” Luna scolded.
Twilight, unable to offer any comfort, watched helplessly as Luna held up the amulet to eye level and inspected it closely. “What is this?”
“What?”
Luna turned the amulet to see where Twilight had pointed. A crack so fine, it took the reflection of the sun’s rays to expose it to the naked eye. Luna’s eyes widened in horror. “How can this be?” She asked, quickly pressing the amulet to her chest, waiting for the familiar burning sensations that the nightmarish energy had frequently tortured her with. None. The amulet dangled coolly, almost comfortably. “Twilight, we have to . . .”
Luna’s sentence cut-off when a scream emanated through the castle, followed by a low, thunderous rumble. One of her guards galloped hard over to them, standing in the doorway of the throne-room as he panted for breath. Before he could speak, the door from Celestia’s bedroom flew down the hall, striking the guard in the chest. It flung him across the room where he collided with a pillar. His body fell limp as several guards rushed to Luna’s aide. “Tend to him.” Luna commanded.
Twilight had been in a state of shock as she rushed down the hall, her legs beating against her thighs as she followed Luna. Sweat dripped down her brow. Fear torturing the back of her head. What would they find? Was Celestia still . . . Celestia?
Arriving at the room, Twilight stared into the room with Luna. A large black thundercloud angrily snaked its way around Celestia. The princess, suspended in air, tilted her head backwards and to an awkward angle. Her eyes rolled back into their sockets. Each time her mouth opened in a scream, the black clouds crackled with lightening, firing bolts across the room and bouncing off the walls. Twilight and Luna had to separate just as a bolt of lightning shot out at them. Striking a banner further down the hall, the bolt caused a small fire that guards quickly worked to putting out. “Quick! Call for backup!” One of the guards exclaimed.
From within the clouds, a dark voice reverberated through Celestia’s head. She was only just aware of her sister’s and Twilight’s presence. The voice fogged them out. “Always a princess first, and a sister second; isn’t that right Celestia? You couldn’t protect her then, and you won’t protect her now.”
Celestia’s hooves stretched out over her body, her wings opened up as she tried to escape the penetrating stabs at her mind. She screamed at the voice, feeling the blackness surround her. Her unicorn horn sparked, sending shockwaves through her body, making her cry out in agony for her sister. “Under your watch Celestia! Under your watch, Equestria was destroyed! Useless!” The voices grew louder, filling her head as she screamed again. The clouds closed tightly around Celestia, making it difficult to breathe. “You don’t deserve to be princess,” the voices hissed. Celestia watched through hazy eyes as Luna and Twilight both sent beams of magic into the clouds helplessly.
“No! Get out of here!” Celestia whispered, her voice grew weak as the heavy clouds smothered her. She felt the energy rush into her body, filling in through her nose, and her mouth. Celestia’s breathing suddenly stopped, and she fell to the floor.
“Sister!” Luna cried out, tears streaming down her face. She rushed over to Celestia and cradled her sister’s head. “I’m sorry Celestia! I should have never accepted your help.” Luna cried, embracing her unconscious sister. She turned to Twilight, who’d been standing in the doorway, watching the events unfold. Several guards had gathered as well, standing horrified. “What have I done?” Luna asked, her body shuddered in terror. The one she cared for most, the one that had seen her through so much, was fading.
“L-Luna” came a soft voice from below.
“Sister!” Luna exclaimed, but looking down she saw a pair of narrowed, angry golden eyes.
A powerful force of magic exploded from Celestia’s body. It hurled Luna and Twilight back out of the room, and blinded them with a great white light. The guards scattered and the walls around them smoldered.
A high-pitched cackling echoed from inside Celestia’s room. Luna glanced down at Twilight, ensuring her safety. Standing up, she slowly approached the door. “No.”
Celestia had transformed into something unrecognizable; something only before seen in a nightmare. Both her mane and tail were flame. Her body cloaked in an ember orange armor. Her fangs shone through her smile as she steadily flapped her wings, chuckling at the sight of her poor little sister.
“C-Celestia . . . what have you . . .?” Luna started, but the creature before her cried out at the blasphemy.
“Celestia is gone dear Luna. I am Daybreaker.” She’d really done it. She’d escaped her prison, infected the most powerful pony in Equestria, and now, she found herself in a position she had not been in for a thousand years. Equestria was once again, within her reach. Daybreaker tossed back her head and cackled maniacally.
“Princess Celestia!” Twilight’s voice cried out. She struggled with Luna to get to the pony that meant so much to her. “Celestia!” She cried out again, tears already forming in her eyes as the shock rocketed through Twilight’s body, refusing to recognize the monster before her. Celestia had been her guiding beacon for so long. To lose her now, the battle was supposed to be against Nightmare Moon, not Celestia! This wasn’t real! It couldn’t be real!
“Twilight Sparkle,” Daybreaker taunted as she landed directly in front of both Luna and the young princess. She stepped towards them, watching in amusement how Luna pulled Twilight away from her with each step. Even in her terror, the foolish girl still struggled to get close. “It is such a pleasure to see you again.” Daybreaker smiled, tracking every step the two took away from her. “My most faithful pupil . . .”
“Over here!” One of the guards cried out from down the hall. A squadron of armed soldiers quickly galloped between Twilight and Daybreaker, blocking the creature’s access to the princesses. As they stopped and manned their spears and swords, one of the soldier’s eyes hung onto the presence of Daybreaker, instantly aware of the gravity of the situation. “Oh my Celestia . . . this can’t be . . .” His voice trailed off as he hugged his body to his weapon.
Daybreaker laughed at the soldier’s exclamation. “Such pitiful fools! You imbeciles really revered that princess like a god!” Daybreaker’s uncontrollable laughter caused her mane and tail to storm up in a blaze. The preposterous notion tickled at her sides at the stupidity of the royal guards. Stomping down in front of them, Daybreaker leaned her head in close, barring her fangs as she stared them down. “Celestia is dead. I am your god now.”
The castle shook from a powerful explosion that flung the soldiers across the hall. Twilight glanced back at the damage, watching as several of the surviving guards attempted to put out the fires had scorched their fur. “This way Twilight!” Luna called ahead, having teleported them out of harm’s way just before the explosion. “You have to get out here now!”
“Me? What about you? You can’t fight her alone! Besides . . . I can’t let Celestia down.” Twilight whispered. Tears streamed down her face, unable to believe that she was really running away from the princess. Her legs trembled with each step. She could hardly hold herself up.
Luna flung around a corner, into a spare room. She pulled Twilight into the room, slamming the door closed behind her. She held the small pony’s mouth shut as sweat poured down her brow.
“Oh sister? Where are you?” Daybreaker teased.
The thing that was once Luna’s sister was just on the other side of the door.
“What’s the matter? Can’t take the heat?” She exclaimed, laughing. Another explosion shook the castle. The door knob started to melt as the heat intensified. They’d be found out if they didn’t do something quickly.
“Over there!” Came the voices of more guards. Luna breathed a sigh of relief as Daybreaker’s voice disappeared down another corridor, chasing the guards.
Luna breathed a sigh of relief and released Twilight. “What are you doing? Why are we running?” She shouted angrily. Her chest heaved with each breath as she glared at Luna. “You’re her sister! Why are you not helping her?!”
Luna bit her lip. “I was trying to save you. If Daybreaker gets her hands on you, there is no telling what she would do.” The castle rumbled from another one of Daybreaker’s attacks as Luna lowered her head to Twilight’s level, “You have to go. Now! I’ll keep Daybreaker busy . . .”
“No! I’m staying here! I can help you!” Twilight begged. Her voice quivered in fear as dust trickled down from the ceiling. “I’m a princess of Equestria too. This is my job!”
“You cannot help me.” Luna said flatly.
Twilight stepped back. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. She tried to find the words to speak, but didn’t get the chance as Luna continued. “The way you are now, you’d only get yourself captured . . . or worse.” Luna saw the hurt in Twilight’s eyes and wrapped a wing around her, “That is why you must go to Ponyville. The Elements of Harmony are our only hope. You must hurry!”
Understanding, Twilight nodded her head. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she said, “Of course.”
“Now go! I’ll keep Daybreaker busy. We must end this as quickly as we can!”
Twilight nodded, and busting out through the castle, she rushed off, beating her wings against her sides as fast as she could. She had to get to Ponyville, and fast. Out of Canterlot she flew, hurtling herself over the valleys and forests, towards Ponyville.
Derpy carefully placed another picture of Maud onto the table. Pinkie had finished with the decorating and had called her over to help with some finishing touches. Fortunately, they didn’t require any kind of flying, or hanging things up on large, unstable pillars. Derpy breathed a sigh of relief as she stared into the eyes of whom she assumed was Maud Pie. The gray fur, the long purple mane, Maud appeared to have a certain air about her, something Derpy couldn’t quite place her hoof on.
She glanced back at Pinkie, who had busied herself in one of the chairs, reviewing her guest list, among other things. “You’re sure going to a lot of trouble for your sister. Is she really that amazing, Pinkie?” Derpy couldn’t help but ask as she grabbed another picture out of the box. This table was quickly turning into a shrine.
Pinkie Pie giggled at the question, as if the answer was totally obvious. “Well duhhh” She answered, as if to confirm Derpy’s suspicion, “She’s only the most amazingest, smartest, fastest, and sweetest pony in all of Equestria!” Pinkie’s springy nature flung her about the room as she explained, landing right next to a more than startled Derpy. “Maud’s super-duper special. And graduating from rock college really meant a lot to her. Not to mention the family. She’s the first Pie to graduate from college, so this party has to be extra special for her.” Pinkie explained.
Before Derpy could respond to Pinkie’s comment, Spike burst through the door, making Derpy jump, causing one of the pictures to tip over. “Pinkie Pie! Come quick! We have to go! Now!” He shouted excitedly, his body squirming back and forth as he ran.
“What is it Spike? You don’t look so good.” Pinkie said.
Spike cut off the energetic mare as he said, “Twilight! She’s back, but Nightmare Moon is back! Only, I think she’s got Princess Celestia! We need the Elements of Harmony and . . .”
Derpy had been watching Spike talk, her eyes widening at the mere mention of Nightmare Moon. She held tightly onto the picture that had tipped over. Suddenly, Pinkie grabbed one of her hooves and started shaking it violently, “Thank you so much Derpy for all your help! I really appreciated all of it!” Her voice rambled on, “Go ahead and finish up with the table and grab a snack before you go and be careful on your way home! I gotta go! Bye!” Pinkie finished and taking a deep breath, she grabbed Spike and flung herself out of the Castle of Friendship, leaving Derpy’s hoof still shaking up and down in midair.
“I could help . . .” Derpy started, but immediately closed her mouth. Helping fight Nightmare Moon? What was she thinking making a suggestion like that? What could she possibly do? Derpy opened her mouth to correct her sentence, but only then realized that Pinkie and Spike were already gone. She glanced around, searching for them, and finally said, “Oh, okay then. Bye.” Glancing down, she found the picture she’d been holding. It lay on the floor, broken glass scattered around it. “Oh . . . muffins.” She cursed.
Luna’s wings slapped hard against her sides as she veered to the left, down a random hall as a hot breath of fire burnt the ends of her tail. Sweating, she pulled up from a dead end and burst through a skylight into the early afternoon air over the castle. Luna only managed a second’s glance over Canterlot, watching as the soldiers drove out into the city, attempting to evacuate as many ponies as possible from around the castle. Already, panic had started to brew from those closest to ground zero.
Glancing down, Luna dodged a blast of magic by mere inches. Daybreaker erupted from the castle, panting and heaving. As she hovered above Luna, she glared down at the princess. Her body heaving for breath when she violently flung herself to the side and back, spiraling out of control, before finally steadying herself. It was as if something had sideswiped Daybreaker in midair.
She doesn’t have control. Luna realized. Daybreaker was still struggling for complete dominance of Celestia’s body. “Celestia! I know you’re in there! You have to listen to my voice!” Luna shouted. An angry burst of magic exploded out of Daybreaker’s horn, veering far off course, easily missing Luna to the point where she didn’t’ even need to dodge. “You have to fight her sister! She hasn’t won yet!”
Luna flapped her wings, flying up to Daybreaker just as the evil pulled its ugly veil back over Celestia and through a fanged grin, said, “Poor, pitiful Luna! You’re wasting your breath if you think I’ll give up this body so easily.”
“You will not keep her.” Luna whispered back. She stared back at Daybreaker, watching for the next move. Daybreaker laughed at her, the unicorn horn glowing a fiery red. A low rumble from below, and taking her eyes off Daybreaker for a second, Luna looked in time to see part of a tower hurdling towards her like a giant spear. She quickly kicked her hind legs forward, performing a mid-air back flip to narrowly avoid being impaled on the tower. As it drifted by her though, she heard the sounds of screams for help from within. “Daybreaker you monster! Put them down!”
Her magic causing some visible strain, Daybreaker continued to laugh at the princess below her. “Why oh why does every-pony say that?!” She exclaimed, quite delighted with herself. “Here, take them!” She exclaimed, and fired off the tower towards Luna like a rocket.
Luna was forced to dodge the tower once again, but this time, she used her magic to grab hold of the monstrous tower. Her body creaked and quaked from its weight. With the speed in which it had traveled, safely slowing it to a crawl pulled Luna alongside the tower. She could see the terrified ponies through the window, and peeking out the missing floor as she eased it onto the ground. The tower dragged across a couple blocks, leaving a deep trench from its landing. Panting for breath, Luna blew apart enough of the brick so that the ponies could easily jump out and escape. “Go! Get out of here!” She exclaimed.
Luna turned back to face Daybreaker, but was hit point blank with a blast of hot, searing magic. Her body skipped across the road, the ground and sky rolled into one muddy mess as she felt her head slam into the side of a building. Her legs ached, her wings bent, and her head pounded from the impact as she looked up.
Daybreaker landed in front of her, slowly approaching. “You’re weak Luna. You were always weak.”
Luna struggled to get to her feet, her body lurching. She tumbled down onto the hard dirt as she focused her magic, preparing an attack. She could feel Daybreaker’s hooves getting closer. Feeling her magic radiating inside, Luna fired a burst at Daybreaker. The possessed creature merely batted away the blast with a wing, letting it careen into a nearby shop, starting a small blaze. “You were strong only when I was with you.” Daybreaker said, as she stopped just above Luna, “Remember the power you had then. How ponies bowed in fear at the mere mention of your name . . . of our name! It was beautiful.”
“That’s not true! I . . .” Luna stopped mid-sentence when she glanced up at Daybreaker.
Celestia stared back down, her face wrought with terror, eyes almost bulging out of her head, pupils shrunk. Sweat poured down her face as Celestia quickly spoke, “Luna. You have to listen to me! Daybreaker is taking over. I . . . I can’t stop her . . . you have to stop her . . .”
“Celestia. I will. I will stop her, but don’t give up . . .”
“Whatever it takes Luna . . .” Celestia’s voice faded out. Her eyes rolled back and her neck cracked, twisting her head to a broken angle. She cried out and Luna quickly jumped her sister, pinning her to the ground.
“Celestia! Celestia!”
Celestia’s eyes opened once more, and Luna knew her sister was gone again. Daybreaker stared back up into the princess’ eyes and said one word, “Gone,” as if she’d done a magic trick. Daybreaker opened her mouth and spewed hot fire onto Luna.
Screaming in agony, Luna shot up into the air, hurling herself blindly back towards the castle. She saw the guards below her, trying to keep Daybreaker at bay. They were no match however for the powerful pony, and they barely managed to dodge another breath of hot fire.
Crashing through a window, Luna rolled into a long banner, smothering the fire, eventually putting them out. The hot odor of burnt fur and feathers scratched at Luna’s nose. She struggled for a moment before being able to pull herself back onto all fours, her front hoof now sprained and throbbing with pain.
Daybreaker followed closely behind her. A stained-glass window above shattered, letting in daylight as she entered. “You don’t stand a chance Luna. You never did. It was just a matter of time before I had my triumphant return.”
Luna’s body trembling in pain. She folded her wings away, and stared up at Daybreaker. She would not show weakness. Even against her sister, she would not falter. She couldn’t. “You’re not as strong as you say Daybreaker.” Luna said, “You haven’t taken over my sister. She is still fighting you. You’re too weak to control her.” Luna walked towards Daybreaker, flinching in pain with each step against her sprained hoof. “You prey off the fears and weaknesses of others to get your power. But, you will have no such luck with Celestia. The bond I share with her, and her friends, are far greater than anything you could possibly command.”
Luna quickly dodged a couple angry blasts of magic from Daybreaker. When the possessed alicorn breathed fire into the castle, Luna unfolded her wings and flew up to meet the other’s gaze. “You will not keep my sister.”
Daybreaker growled in anger. Her whole body shook with rage as she said between grit teeth, “She. Is. Mine.” Daybreaker’s body vibrated in the air, a ball of fire forming around her. She stared into Luna’s eyes. The magic around her strengthening, bursts of flame leaping out of the sphere and pooled back into the magma like orb. Daybreaker panted, the amount of magic swirling around her feeding off her hatred as she cried out to Luna, “Equestria is mine!”
Luna turned to run from the impending explosion, but could not dodge it in time. She ducked down into the floor of the large ball room they’d ended up in, but the fire consumed everything as it ruptured from Daybreaker. Luna was flung back against the wall, the scalding flames engulfing her. Her scream was drowned out by the sound of the ceiling collapsing into the castle. The debris somehow missed Luna, but when the floor gave out under her, she had neither the strength nor the time to catch herself from the fall.
Luna’s body slammed into the marble floor below. Several cracks and snaps carved through her body as she rolled around in agony. The sour taste of blood bubbled up in the back of her throat as Luna helplessly looked up. Her blurry vision could just make out Daybreaker steadily approaching her.
“I will have Equestria Luna. And I will kill every last pony in Canterlot if that’s what it takes to get it.”
Luna attempted to roll onto her hooves, but became dizzy. Daybreaker kicked at her side, causing the princess to roll and curl up against a nearby set of steps. She clutched her stomach and within seconds, felt a hot breath against her ear. “You will not stop me.”
Luna felt her consciousness slipping. She knew she would faint. She turned to Daybreaker, hoping for one last stand. But she couldn’t do it. As deafening blackness engulfed Luna, the last thing she saw was the glow of Daybreaker’s horn. Her head fell to the floor, and she passed out.