Shuffling caught Sunset’s attention as she looked up to see Celestia standing up.
“Princess Celestia… You’re alright!” She heaved a sigh of relief, but not for long, as Celestia glared up at Nightmare Moon flying around in the sky. “Princess Celestia?”
“Oh, dear Sister. I am sorry!” Celestia said, as she turned her head to the ground a short distance from her. But you have given me no choice…but to use these.” Her horn lit up, as did a patch of the ground, which lifted up to reveal 5 familiar looking geodes.
“Aren’t those…?” Sunset looked down to the geode hanging around her neck, frowning as she remembered the crystal-like appearance they had when they first appeared, comparing it with the one she was seeing on the pedestal. “But those look bigger…more complete, somehow.” Celestia spread her wings and flew up onto the pedestal, her horn lighting up. A 6th star-shaped geode appeared from within the pedestal, joining the 5 other geodes. 6 geodes? What could they mean? And where have I seen that before? Sunset gasped as realisation dawned on her. “The Elements of Harmony…” She whispered to herself in disbelief, before looking down again to the geode. “Are these the remnants of the Elements of Harmony then? But why did they appear now? And why us?” She didn’t have time to dwell on it further, for Celestia, levitating the 6 Elements of Harmony in a ring around her, flew back up to where Nightmare Moon was cackling at what she had presumed to be her victory. Sunset shook her head. No… It can’t be… For a brief moment, as she gazed up at Celestia, her eyes flashed white again.
Dear Sister…forgive me.
She returned to her sense just in time to see Celestia firing the Elements of Harmony at Nightmare Moon, tears streaming down her face. Sunset could only watch on in helplessness and pity, as the Elements of Harmony easily overpowered Nightmare Moon, banishing her to the moon, where the mare in the moon took shape.
Sunset snapped back into the real world with tears streaming down her face. Shaking her head as she fully regained her bearings, she wiped away her tear and offered a sad look up at the moon. “Don’t worry, Princess Luna. My friends and I will find a way to save you. For sure.” She said as she rolled over to go back to sleep, not noticing the geode’s soft blinking. Elsewhere in Ponyville, 5 other geodes were blinking as well, as though they were communicating with one another.
“So, what are we gonna do today?” Rainbow Dash asked as she flew in the air excitedly.
“We could have some fun with the animals.” Fluttershy suggested.
“Or throw a party!” Pinkie added.
“Or we can even try out some of my new designs!” Rarity said. Sunset just sighed as she turned around to face her friends.
“Girls, listen.” They turned to her curiously. “If my calculations are correct, then tonight will be the night Nightmare Moon returns.”
“Are you absolutely sure about that, darling?” Rarity asked worriedly as Sunset nodded.
“I’m sure. Keep your geodes on with you at all times. It’ll come in handy when we’re fighting her.” They looked down at their geodes.
“You sure this will help, Sunset? I mean, yeah, the geodes boost our talents and abilities a little, but is it even possible for us to defeat her?” Rainbow Dash said.
“I agree, Nightmare Moon is an Alicorn, you know? She’s a combination of all 3 tribes of ponies!” Sunset nodded.
“I know. We can’t take her on alone, but we can take her on together.” Her friends just looked uncertainly at her.
“Are you really sure this will work out?” Fluttershy asked timidly as Sunset shrugged.
“I don’t know for sure, but I’m sure we’ll figure something out together. We’ve always solved problems together, and this won’t be any different. As long as we have each other, we’ll be ok.” They shared looks before looking to Sunset and nodding, confident smiles appearing on their faces. This is why Celestia wanted me to make friends, isn’t it? Sunset thought as she looked on at her friends with pride. Their geodes begin to glow softly, enveloping them in a soft glow as well.
Friendship…is magic.
Nightfall came, and 6 ponies remained awake in the Golden Oak Library, chatting with one another. Sunset stared out of the window at the Moon again and sighed.
“Loosen up, Sunny!” Pinkie said as she bounced to Sunset’s side with a cup of hot chocolate. Sunset smiled gratefully at her.
“Thanks, Pinkie. I’m just…worried.” Sunset said as she looked out of the window again. “I mean, what if I’m wrong and she attacks tomorrow when we’re all tired because we stayed up tonight? It’ll be my fault then.”
“Nopony will blame you for that, sugarcube.” Applejack reassured her as she came over with the rest.
“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash agreed as she flew to Sunset. “The safety of Ponyville isn’t your responsibility, Sunset.” Sunset’s ears drooped.
“I know. I just…”
“Why don’t we take turns then?” Fluttershy suggested. “This way, all of us can get rest, and we’ll be ready even if she comes tomorrow.” She paused for a while as she shrunk back timidly. “I hope she never comes.” Sunset smiled gratefully to her.
“Me too, but we have to be prepared for anything. Great idea though, Fluttershy. Let’s take turns. I’ll go first, you girls go get some rest.”
“Promise you’ll call at the first sign of trouble?” Rainbow Dash asked as Sunset nodded.
“Don’t worry, wouldn’t want you girls to miss any of the fun.” They smirked to one another and shared a high-hoof before Rainbow Dash joined the rest while Sunset looked back out of the window.
“Darling, I have a feeling something’s not quite right.” Rarity said as she shook Sunset awake.
“What is it, Rares? Did Nightmare Moon appear?” Sunset yawned.
“AH! NIGHTMARE MOON? WHERE?” Pinkie jumped up awake, startling the rest, who shot awake as well.
“Calm down! My barrier’s still fine!” Applejack looked to her.
“You set up a barrier? Around the whole of Ponyville?” Sunset grinned sheepishly.
“It was a precaution. Anyway, what’s wrong, Rarity?” Rarity frowned.
“What’s wrong, is that we’ve already done 3 full rotations.” She said as she walked out of the library, the rest following her.
“3 full rotations? But…that shouldn’t possible, right?” Sunset frowned in confusion as well. “Was the night ever this long?”
“Uh… Is anypony seeing what I’m seeing?” They all turned to Applejack, who was staring up at the sky.
“What is it, Applejack?” They all followed her gaze to the moon and gasped loudly.
“No way. The-” Sunset was cut off by Pinkie’s screaming.
“THE MARE IN THE MOON IS MISSING!!!”