Nightmare.
Spring Mist trotted down the halls of the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. He had spent the last month living both there and in the astronomy tower, and he was due back to report to Caramel Tart. He moved briskly though the passageways, eventually coming upon the entrance hall, and through its doors, the front gardens of the castle.
He decided to take the longer route to the Arc, opting to go through Everfree proper instead of the shortcut though the royal gardens. It would extend his journey considerably, but it would also give him a chance to walk the streets he had begun to miss.
Exiting the main castle grounds, he immediately felt a wave of relief, the welcome atmosphere of the city surrounding him. He did miss the city – its cobblestone streets, clay and stone houses, tiny storefronts and eateries, taverns, the market. It usually bustled with life, and Mist so enjoyed it. He took a deep breath and pressed forward. After sunset, the city calmed quickly, its inhabitants huddling together in the warmth and shelter of their homes until daybreak, which was nearing its arrival. Even at night, the city seemed so full of life.
Mist spotted a pony who had become more familiar in the last week. A brown Pegasus, dressed in city watch barding. Mist looked at his flank, spotting his cutie mark – a watchtower, with an eclipse behind it. Ardent Vigil. He was Mist’s replacement on the night watch. He had met the pony whilst visiting Rainy Shores. Vigil was a newer addition to the city guard, but was eager to prove himself and do his duty.
“Vigil!” Mist called as the two drew nearer.
“Mist!” replied Ardent Vigil, waving a hoof.
“How are you, good ser?” Mist asked, standing in front of the brown pony.
“I am well, thank you. The city guard is a most enjoyable occupation. I wonder how you ever left it.”
“Ah, well my heart always did lay elsewhere. But I am glad that you are happy in the guard. How is Rockhoof?”
“She is well. I think she is pleased to have found a pony willing to fill your position, and I am glad to oblige!”
Mist smiled, pleased at the new recruit. “You will be a fine member of the watch. And if you never lose that spirit, you could easily become captain.”
“Thank you, ser Mist!”
“Of course. Now I assume you are heading home. Let me not keep you.”
“Oh, of course! It was good seeing you, Mist. Fine evening.”
“Fine evening, Ardent Vigil!”
Mist enjoyed that buck. Young and full of energy. He would indeed make a guard captain someday. Mist continued along his path to the tower, enjoying the cool night air and the sights of the city. All too soon, it seemed, Mist was at the door to the tower. He let out a sad sight and made his way inside.
Brilliant Bloom was the first pony he saw, looking over an assistant’s work. Mist headed straight over, more than willing to interrupt their session. “Bloom, evening.”
Bloom looked up, “Mist, twilight.”
“What?”
“I thought we were naming stages of the day. Evening, twilight, daylight, dawn, dusk, all acceptable answers.”
“Ah, clever. I’d love to play, but I need to talk to you.”
“Of course. Let me finish here, then we can head up to see Caramel Tart, who I assume you need to see too.”
“Always clever, Bloom. Take your time.”
“Thank you.” Bloom turned back to the assistant, discussing a theory about meteors. Mist entertained himself with looking over the numerous books on the shelves. He did so love books. There was nothing like a bound tome, paper aging, ink forever staining the pages. Mist became lost in the books. Not in their contents, but in their form.
Bloom tapped Mist on the shoulder, making him jump. “Ready to go?” Bloom asked through a chuckle.
“Yes,” Mist replied, catching his breath.
Bloom and Mist walked up the stairs in silence. They reached Caramel Tart’s study to find the door open. They nudged their way inside, Caramel Tart waiting for them. The enchantment was down, Caramel Tart’s study visible – bookshelves, scrolls, desks, instruments out in the open. Mist and Bloom walked over to her desk to be greeted with a bright smile. The pink pony stood at her desk. “Evening you two! How are we?”
Mist grinned, this pony could always make him smile, “We’re well, thank you.” Bloom nodded in affirmation.
“Good, good. Now what can I do for you?”
“I believe Mist is here to report,” Bloom said, looking at Mist.
“Indeed, I am.”
“Yes, I sometimes forget that you actually work here, what with all of the time you spend… elsewhere. But the Princesses act as they will. So, what do you have to report for us? What revelation has Princess Luna bestowed us?”
“Well, nothing new this week, really. Just a bit of history about the Hourglass Nebula.”
“Oh, fascinating!” Caramel Tart said with an excited glint in her eye. “Please, do begin. Would you like some tea?”
“Of course. And yes, please. That would be lovely.”
Mist settled down on a seat, Bloom sitting next to him. Caramel Tart prepared some tea and soon floated over a tray of steaming glasses and sugar cubes. Each pony was poured a small cup of hot tea, and they prepared for the report.
“So, the Hourglass Nebula?” Caramel Tart asked.
“Yes,” Mist began. “As has been theorized, it is the ending of the life of an old star. There are a few stars floating about in the immediate vicinity, also nearing the end of their lives. Now, from what Luna told me, it was a large blue star that she allowed to die rapidly just to see what would happen.”
“Honestly not surprising…” Bloom interjected.
“How so?” Mist wondered.
“From what we have learned from Princess Luna, she appears to enjoy experimenting with her stars. I assume there are no planetary bodies there?”
“She does love playing with things and leaving them to grow on their own. And no, there were no planets there.”
“Just imagine seeing it in a thousand years.” Caramel Tart chimed in.
“If only. At least the Princess will get to see it,” said Mist wanly.
The conversation flowed naturally among those friends as they tirelessly discussed a multitude of topics, diverging greatly from their starting point, as friends oft do. The simply enjoyed each other’s company, sharing knowledge and experience. This is what scholars are. What friends really are, Mist thought to himself repeatedly as the hours passed.
“So, what is it like, being around such-” Bloom began, interrupted by Caramel Tart standing rapidly. Bloom and Mist looked at her quizzically.
She walked quickly towards one of her instruments, a circular object, lined with concentric circles, images of the moon and sun painted on the circles. Mist and Bloom stood and walked to Caramel Tart, who was looking intently between the object and a window overhead.
“What is it, Caramel Tart?” Bloom asked.
“Mist, was it near sunrise when you arrived here?” Caramel Tart asked, not looking towards the ponies.
“I suppose it was. I hadn’t seen the Princess in a few hours, but it felt about the time she would lower the moon. Why?”
“This item here was designed to track the movement of the sun and the moon, as a way to track time more accurately. The sun should have risen by now.”
“Well, the days are growing shorter. Is the instrument that accurate?”
“I’m talking about a major difference. The moon should have set hours ago. It’s nearly noon”
“It could just be the instrument…” Bloom asked with growing concern. “Are you certain?”
Confirmation came in the form of a frantic knock on the door. Caramel Tart’s horn flashed and the door swung open to reveal a tired-looking assistant pony leaning against the frame.
“Quickly, to the square! Something. Happening. Princesses.” He galloped down the stairs before anypony could respond.
The trio of ponies looked to each other then moved swiftly out of the door. They cleared through the stairwell, passing through the main level and out into the openness of the Arc.
The sky was a pale purple, almost sickly in color. The moon hung far above where it should have been, and a small light shimmered at the horizon. The moon did not fall, the sun did not rise. Something is very wrong, Mist thought to himself as they moved quickly through the streets towards the square. Ponies had begun to emerge from their homes, headed in the same direction. Murmurs and shouts could be heard equally well throughout the city.
A large crowd had formed, blocking any view of the square. Mist looked for any clearing through which he could reach the square. “What is happening?” he asked a nearby pony.
“The Princesses are in the square. It seems like an argument. And ponies are saying something has happened to Princess Luna.”
Upon hearing mention of Luna, Mist redoubled his efforts to reach the square. He abandoned Bloom and Caramel Tart, and began to push his way through the crowd. He was fueled by desperation, no concern for anything other than reaching his goal.
Finally reaching a closer spot, right near the elevated ground, Mist saw in full view a scene that shook him to his core. Celestia stood in a battle stance, facing a dark shape on the far end of the platform – a black pony, donned in armor, purple-blue mist in place of a mane twisting violently. Though of differing color, warped and twisted, her cutie mark was one that was all too familiar to Mist: Luna’s. Mist’s eyes widened as he watched the scene unfold before him.
“- implore you, sister! Lower the moon, make way for the sun!” Celestia called out.
“Foal! The day shall be no more! The moon shall no longer hide, but present itself in its full glory! Your sun has no place in my night!” retorted the mare, voice thick with malice.
“Sister, please! The day must come!”
“No! My night shall last forever! You will never see your precious sun!” She turned to address the crowd, “My beloved subjects! You shall bow before the mare of the night: Nightmare Moon!”
The crowd collectively gasped and began murmuring. Several royal guards appeared in the sky and charged at Nightmare Moon. With a sneer, she made easy work of the pegasi, swatting them like flies with her mane. The unicorns’ spells were powerless against her as they too were beaten back. She laughed, a horrible, terrifying cackle as the guards fell and several ponies in the crowd yelped.
“Luna, stop this!” Celestia begged, “We must be united. You must stop this!”
“United? United?” screamed the dark pony, “How can we be united when you so oppress my night? You may speak of equality, but your day is revered and celebrated whilst my night is shunned and forgotten! No, there will be no peace between us. All that will remain is me, after I cut you down!” The black mare unleashed a dark bolt of power, heading straight for Celestia.
Celestia moved swiftly, blocking the magic with her own. Mist watched in horror as the two ponies unleashed spell after spell upon one another, bright flashes of colliding magic lighting the sky, revealing the terrified faces of the ponies below. Mist’s mind raced, trying to figure out just how something like this could happen. How could I not see this coming? Luna was bad off, but I thought she was getting better. Why is this happening? It was then that Mist remembered that it was Luna battling Celestia, and his body filled with a dangerous impulse.
He shoved through the last few ponies between himself and the platform, struggling up onto the raised floor. He watched the two Princesses continue to throw magic at each other, waiting for a moment to exact his plan. Luna was knocked from the sky, landing nearer to Mist, looking defeated. Celestia rounded on her sister, preparing another volley of magic. As the bolts flew through the air, Mist took the first action his impulse conjured – a shield appeared around Luna. Mist was unsure of the strength against Celestia, but he knew that at least he could slow her magic down. The golden bolt collided with the green shield, evaporating it and creating a brilliant display of color. Celestia stood with an expression of mixed surprise and anger.
“Stop this!” Mist yelled. “Celestia, stop! This is Luna!” Celestia stood stock-still as Mist turned to Luna and knelt beside her. “Luna, please, stop this. You must. We can solve this, please.”
The eyes that looked back at his were filled with anger, and a dark laugh escaped her lips. “You! Spring Mist! You know you cannot stop this – remember what I told you.” A blue tendril reached out and wrapped around Mist’s head. His mind flooded with the memory of the Nightmare. That dark voice echoed, taunting him. He was overcome with guilt, fear, and the pain of betrayal. He had failed his Princesses, allowed the Nightmare to consume Luna, allowed, even aided, the greatest threat to Equestria since Discord.
“You remember. Good. Now I must thank you. Were it not for the false hope you had given meek little Luna, I would never have been able to play on her fears so effectively. This is your doing, Mist.” The mare let out a cackle.
Mist, tears streaming down his eyes, looked to the warped form of his beloved. “Luna, please, don’t do this. You must come back to us! We want to help you, we love you. I love you.”
“She is no more!” Nightmare Moon struck Mist with a bolt of sinister blue magic, sending him reeling back across the deck towards Celestia.
Celestia looked between Mist and Nightmare Moon. She squeezed her eyes in concentration, and her horn glowed. “Mist, the battle is lost. You must help me now.”
Mist was broken, not physically, but mentally and emotionally, unable to think, barely able to breathe. He looked toward Celestia, who was wearing a different crown that shimmered with energy. Mist had felt that power before: near the Elements of Harmony. She must have conjured them when I was talking, Mist guessed, straining to think clearly.
Celestia implored Mist, “Spring Mist, you must not intervene. Allow me to take action.”
Mist did not move, but simply stared at what was once Luna. She was standing and readying herself for another attack. A bright glow appeared behind Mist’s vision, and he turned to look at Celestia, who was lit by a magical field, a mystical wind wrapping around her. Her horn glowed, and a bright rainbow emerged, rushing towards Nightmare Moon.
That dark pony reached out and grabbed Mist with her tendrils, invading Mist’s mind. Pain seared through him as his voice began to rattle, controlled by the Nightmare. Warped and resonant, it addressed Celestia and the crowd: “Rejoice while you can, my little ponies! But I will return! For on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars shall aid in my escape, and I shall bring about nighttime eternal!”
The rainbow finally collided with Nightmare Moon, Celestia’s eyes opening, glowing white with magical energy. The swirl of colors wrapped around the black pony, closing in rapidly. With a final blinding burst of magic, the rainbow collapsed, and Nightmare Moon, Luna, disappeared. Celestia recovered from the magic, tears streaming down her face.
Mist lost all reasoning at seeing the display, mind become feral. He rounded on Celestia, voice raised, “WHAT DID YOU DO? You betrayed your own sister! How could you do such a thing! She was hurt, neglected! So you felt the need to remove her in her time of need? You monster! Face me!” Mist took up a battle stance, ready to challenge Celestia for her cruel actions
Celestia’s face hardened, “Spring Mist, remember your place.”
Her horn flashed and Mist’s vision darkened, the terrified faces of the crowd slowly fading as the world went dark.
The nightmare, the storm, the fall.