The night air was cool and crisp, as it was expected to. Ponies began to fill the streets, most of them clad in nothing but their coat. Some of the royal guard's agents were already there, in their bright and shiny gold armor. Other plaincoats agents were doubtless already in the crowd, and a third group drew the eyes of first time visitors to Ponyville.
The Ponyville Militia Company was out tonight. Their cadet gray uniforms had red lining visible at the sleeves, and gold trim throughout the ranks. The kepis were the same cadet grey, with a hard black bill and golden insignia that were simple but elegant.
“Lieutenant Belle, why are we wearing our uniforms?” A wall eyed pegasus mare asked.
“Because, Sergeant Doo, we are on duty during a major festival,” Rarity replied.
“But we don't bring out the flak cannons unless there's a dragon attack,” Ditzy Doo replied, before gasping. “Does this mean a dragon is going to attack the Summer Sun Celebration?!”
“No, Sergeant, a dragon will not attack the celebration,” Rarity replied again, exasperated with her subordinate. “We are simply on duty to make a good show to everyone and deter troublemakers and hooligans and some such. The mayor wants everyone to feel safe. So we are out here, in our uniforms, helping everyone to feel safe.”
“But flack cannons don't make me feel safe,” Ditzy replied forelornly.
“That is because you have more of a clue than the civilians,” Rarity muttered.
“What was that, Lieutenant Belle?” Ditzy asked.
“Nothing.~” Rarity replied. She then looked over at her erstwhile subordinate. “So, what are the enlisted saying about my uniform? Do they like it?”
“Well, it's gray,” Ditzy replied. “The uniforms for the Canterlot Guard are blue.”
“Yes, but the Canterlot Guard have access to a budget,” Rarity replied. “All of our money went to the equipment. I'm afraid I had to... compromise on the dye so that the order would be completed with a satisfactory fabric. And that doesn't answer my question, Sergeant. Does it breathe? Are any ponies getting rashes?”
“Nopony's complaining about rashes,” Ditzy replied. “And it doesn't feel hot. Then again, we aren't marching, but we shouldn't be marching right now. So I'm happy with it.”
“Wonderful, dear,” Rarity replied, pleased with herself. “This order may have been at cost, but if somepony likes these I may be able to get a few profitable contracts. Not that I'm trying to make a profit out of being in the militia, of course, it is...”
“Why are you in the militia, Lieutenant Belle?” the wall eyed sergeant asked, seemingly out of nowhere.
“Umm... well, how should I put this? There is a certain... civic obligation that fortunate ponies like myself need to fulfill. A kind of oblige noble, if you will.” Upon seeing Ditzy giving her a confused look, Rarity decided she needed to take another approach. “Helping to defend the town against ruffians and monsters from the Everfree Forest is the least I could do. And it helped to pay for university.”
“Oh, okay,” Ditzy replied. “I hope they'll use my benefits to pay for Dinky's college. I don't make much as a mail mare, and I'm not a very clever pony. But my little muffin is! If I can do that for her, and wear a pretty uniform sometimes, then it's okay to be in the militia.”
Rarity smiled, and gave the mail mare militia sergeant a brief hug.
“What was that for?” Ditzy asked.
“For being a good pony and a good mother,” Rarity replied, before realizing that was probably inapropriate. She cleared her throat. “Well, we simply cannot sit around all day in the street. Lets make the rounds, Sergeant Doo. Hopefully Warrant Officer Hearstrings hasn't scared away the recruits with her strange human fetish.”
~ ~ ~
The bird choir flew away, as they were wont to do. The mayor's speech about the festival was interrupted by the eclipsed, and the ponies watched in horror as the near blasphemous event occurred. A dark mist slowly seeped from the ground, filling the room, gathering at the stage prepared for the Ruler of the Nation of Equestria. A dark, twisted mockery of their royal princess manifested on the stage. She was an alicorn, the same as the princess, but altogether different. She was pitch black, her eyes purple and slitted like a dragon. Her mane and tail were a dark mist, like that of the night. Her flank was covered in a darker black, a moon and stars bright against it. Her armor, dark purple, was clearly made for battle instead of ornamentation.
“Aah~. It's good to be back,” the alicorn sighed, before looking at the crowd. They were cowering before her, their fear palpable and delicious to the wrathful, corrupted goddess. “What is wrong, my little ponies? Why do you cower before me? Have you forgotten your true queen? Am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?”
“I know who you are,” a voice challenge from the crowd.
“Oh really? Somepony knows of me, even after my dearest sister expunged the very memory of me from history?!” Nightmare Moon challenged backed.
“Celestia couldn't destroy all the records, even if she tried,” the voice responded. The crowd parted, allowing a purple unicorn to walk forward. To Night Mare Moon's pleasant surprise, the unicorn's cutie mark as a starburst surrounded by stars of a lesser magnitude. “As surely as I know that I am Twilight Sparkle, protégé of Princess Celestia, I know that you are no less then Night Mare Moon, the Mare in the Moon and former co-ruler of Equestria!”
The crowd gasped at the revelation. Applejack and Rainbow Dash stared in shock. Night Mare Moon smiled. “Very impressive that you should know who I am, Twilight Sparkle. Shall you fight me, then, protege of the Sun Tyrant?”
“I shall not,” Twilight replied, causing a murmur to ripple through the crowd.
The alicorn chuckled, a deep and throaty sound. “I see. Very wise of you, to choose your battles. But are you sure? Shall you betray your mentor without even a token effort?”
“Princess Celestia is wise, and very powerful,” Twilight began. “But in this affair she is clearly in the wrong. Instead of attempting to negotiate, or to understand, or even to redeem, her first and last resort was to make war against your people and banish you to the moon for a full millennium. I shall not oppose your response, or the assumption of your rightful place on the throne of Equestria.”
“So you shall follow me? Willingly?” Nightmare Moon asked, pleased at the prospect.
“Of course, my liege,” Twilight replied, bowing to the goddess. The ponies stared in shock as Celestia's faithful student betrayed their monarch.
“Hmm... a bit early in my plans, but a good turn of events none the less. A follower, even a harbinger of great wisdom and intellectual skill, and a willing one, only minutes into my reign is a gift of the highest magnitude. I should reward you for your faithfulness, Twilight Sparkle. Rise, and tell me what it is that your heart desires. Is it knowledge? Wealth? Power?” Nightmare Moon asked.
“Nothing so droll, Your Highness. I do not desire those things which are simple mortal dross,” Twilight replied, taking the time to rise from her act of supplication.
“You traitor!” Rainbow Dash yelled, beginning to take off before Applejacked jumped on her, pinning her to the ground. “Let me go, AJ!”
“Not a chance, Rainbow Dash,” Applejack replied, forgetting her affected accent and sounding far too upper crust for a stressful situation. “Twilight said she has a plan, and I am going to let her see it through before I allow you to perform your suicidal charge.”
“The prophecies of your return where quite explicit,” Twilight continued, her voice dropping a husky tone. “I could help but to read them over and again, enraptured by what they predicted. I could hardly ask for a reward when I should be punished for my indiscretions.”
Something about the unicorns tone of voice... unsettled Nightmare Moon. “I... see. And what is it that you have read?”
“Every little thing,” Twilight replied, giving the goddess a wink. She then raised her voice, seeming to preach to the crowd. “For behold, Night Mare Moon, Goddess of Love and Fertility, shall be unbound in the thousandth year of Her punishment!”
“... what?” the goddess asked flatly.
“And they shall know Her coming by Her Harbinger, and all shall be filled with awe and trembling! And she shall visit the wicked of the world, and reform them through Her Pleasure-Pain! For thirty days day shall be as night, and night as day, and all inhibition shall be removed from pony-kind! Ponies shall frolic, and be as their ancestors, knowing no shame, breeding, breeding a new generation that shall be gifted, and She shall preside over that generation, sending pony-kind into a new gold age and bringing Her people to new heights of Pleasure, Pain and Joy!”
“... What?!” Night Mare Moon asked again, this time with much more distress evident in her voice.
“Oh, I can't contain my excitement any further!” Twilight exclaimed, launching herself at corrupted alicorn with open arms. “Take me, my Nightmare Queen! I've been a wicked mare!”
“NEIGH!” Night Mare Moon replied, shock and disgust plain in her voice. She grabbed Twilight with her ethereal hair right when she was about to invade the self proclaimed queen's newfound 'personal space', flinging the unicorn into a nearby wall. Twilight flew into the wall, cracking the sheet rock with the force of her impact, but not going through. “I know not what sick ideas and twisted propaganda my dearest sister has planted in your minds, but I shall disavow you of all your foalish notions at once!”
“PINKIE!” Twilight managed to yell, before crumpling at the incredible pain which was flowing through every part of her body.
“OKIE DOKIE LOKI! EVERYPONY RUN!” Pinkie Pie yelled, as warning klaxons started to sound throughout the convention hall. “IT'S PYRO TIME!”
Twilight could feel herself being lifted, forelegs grasping her midsection roughly (and wracking her body with new pain) as she was flown through the air. “I've got you,” the familiar voice of Rainbow Dash said through the haze, flying through a window and taking Twilight to the nearest hospital as the purple unicorn passed out into a peaceful, dreamless slumber.
Below, it was a much different story, as a pink mare giggled in glee at the sight.
The stampede began, ponies running through the extra-wide doors and opened windows. The stage went up as squibs underneath the paper decorating the floor went up around the goddess, frightening her as she perceived some sort of new weapon being used against her. But it was nothing more than a trick, as the actual fireworks shot from their mortar tubes and saturated the area with blinding chemical explosions when most of the ponies had fled from the hall.
“Pyro time is so much FUN!” Pinkie Pie yelled, enjoying the show. The box was just the sort of thing she needed. It was magically treated to protected anyone inside from things being too bright, hot or dangerous. The reinforced and insulated concrete casing was the same sort of material that pill boxes were made from to protect ponies and zebras from dragon fire or magical flames, while the glass was exactly the same kind as was used when new high level spells were being tested. The panel in front of her with big, pressable buttons were each hooked up to a special section of pyrotechnics or traps, each one something that she had set up in the previous evening.
It took a moment for the pink mare to notice that the alicorn had erected a magical shield between herself and the chemical fire. Inside of the bubble was apparently a fire free zone, and the alicorn was quickly healing herself and regaining her bearings.
“Oh, we can't have that! Good thing Fluttershy found just the right stuff for this sort of thing!” Pinkie jumped forward, pressing a bright green button with butterflies on it.
The floor beneath Nightmare Moon fell away. The pit trap was simple but effective, and gravity suddenly taking effect caught the alicorn off guard. The short fall was not enough to hurt her. The dozen honey badgers at the bottom, angry at the fireworks going off on the floor above their heads and agitated at being moved from their normal homes, were a different story.
Skull piercing shrieks of pain filled Ponyville as the diminutive creature started attacking Nightmare Moon. Pinkie Pie giggled, as she began to press all of the buttons from the safety of her magical bunker. Fireworks going off right above the pit Nightmare Moon was in, to the walls and the support beams of the building. The goddess managed to take off, even with the honey badgers biting and clawing and burrowing through her armor. So Pinkie Pie pressed her last button, and fireworks and flack guns filled the sky with explosions as Nighmare Moon shot straight up into space.
And thus did the Summer Sun Celebration abruptly end the same way it has for a thousand years. With fire.
~ ~ ~
The anti-air guns continued their booming, along with the fireworks. They were the older model, and probably less effective then what 'important cities' got. They were also the pride and joy of a town at the edge of one of the unhealing pits from which all monsters are born in Equestria.
And they were doing nothing.
“Cease fire! Cease fire!” Rarity yelled, the magic of her horn magnifying her voice. This was unacceptable.
“But El-Tee, it's getting away!”Lyra replied, her voice similarly magnified.
“It's already gone!” Rarity replied back. “NOW CEASE FIRE AND STOP WASTING THE CITY'S AMMUNITION! THOSE ARE MY TAX BITS YOU'RE WASTING!”
The battery of guns stopped firing, and although it seemed quick Rarity was disappointed. Those may have been that captain's guns (well, the city's), but it was her section! It wasn't just her usual perfectionism at work. They had the royal guard there was well! They had to make a good impression.
Rarity then got a look at the town. The new Mayor Mare Convention Hall was burning to the ground. The stampede out of the hall had settled into the streets, with scared and confused ponies unsure of what to do. Medical ponies were already being dispatched, their wagons being filled with the worst of the patients as they took them to the local hospital.
“What do we do, Lieutenant Belle?” Ditzy asked.
Rarity looked around, unsure of what to do at the moment. Every pony which were a part of the crew were looking at her expectantly. She wanted to help. Oh how she wanted to help. But now they knew that something bad already happened, and could happen again.
“Keep crewing those guns until I tell you otherwise!” Rarity ordered. She hated this part of the job. “Search the skies, and ask for authorization before firing! I will not have my section shoot down an innocent pegasus because they're feeling twitchy! Get ready to move, we may have to relocate!”
Ponies began working the guns once more, getting ready for if there was another airborne attack. Rarity was trying her best to present a calm front, but deep inside she was praying to Faust everything would turn out okay.
~ ~ ~
The mayor was in her office, coordinating with everyone as best as she could. The hospitals were already starting to overflow, and she was trying to see that the least worst injuries would be treated at nearby medical centers. The fire was contained for now, but there were not enough fire ponies or police ponies for what was going on.
The Mayor's office was a smaller building, with a large open area to serve as a town hall and small offices all around. Right now the town hall was being used to coordinate the response, while the offices were filled with others going about their duties. The Mayor's own office was a mess, new messages and invoices and reports being piled on what would normally be the coffee table, notes strewn across the desk.
“WHAT WAS THE MEANING OF THAT?!” the Prime Minister yelled at the Mayor.
And now, on top of this, she had to entertain a VIP.
“Prime Minister Morningstar,” the mayor greeted, holding a hoof to a phone. “I'll be with you in just a moment.”
“YOU'LL BE WITH ME RIGHT NOW!” The PM screeched.
“Yes, yes. Yes, I know. The Sheriff will be bringing his deputies? Good. I'll call you back later,” Mayor Mare said, before addressing the Prime Minister. “What seems to be the problem?”
“EVERYTHING!” the Prime Minister yelled back. Her wings were outstretched in obvious frustration, and it was clear that she was flustered from having to both run for her life and tracking down the Mayor.
“There is no need to use the Royal Canterlot Voice, Prime Minister,” Mayor Mare said. “Everything is a bit broad, though. Can you be more specific?”
“What were you doing? Why is the Princess not here?!” the Prime Minister demanded.
“I do not know,” the Mayor responded, honestly. “And right now, I'm trying to make sure my city doesn't burn to the ground.”
“Oh, you'll have much more to worry about then that!” the Prime Minister declared. “I've been telling everypony that we should demilitarize for years, and this is a perfect example of why. If it hadn't have been for militia's... things... the Royal Guard would have had a clear shot for pursuit.”
There appeared to be a minor commotion outside. One of the Royal Guard has apparently escorting an obscenely handsome unicorn and a gray mare. The mayor paid them no mind. “Prime Minister, we do not have all the information. The militia is securing the city as best they can, the Royal Guard are leading the search... please, be reasonable.”
“Perhaps I can defuse the situation,” the unicorn said, walking through the door with his escorts.
“This isn't you're consern, Your Highness,” the Prime Minister spat.
“Oh, but I have met the most wonderful ponies despite this most dreadful turn of events,” the unicorn replied. He then motioned with one hoof to the guardsman. “This is Commander Hawk Eye, who is in charge of the security detail,” he then gestured to the Earth Pony. “And this is Special Agent Octavia.” Said agent gave the Prime Minister a nod.
“Prime Minister Morningstar,” the pegasus said, “I would like to commend the militia for their cooperation. They have done everything we asked in a highly professional manner.”
“So it was you who bungled all this! I should have known!” Morningstar replied, before looking sharply at Octavia. “And you! I've seen you perform at the Royal Orchestra. How can a cellist be a special agent?!”
“Carefully,” Octavia replied with disinterest, her eyes scanning the room.
“No matter. It clear that I am surrounded by nothing by sycophants and incompetents. The moment I return to Canterlot there shall be a reckoning, and then I'll...”
“I tire of your voice. Do be quiet,” Blueblood said.
“And who died and made you boss!” The Prime Minister retorted.
“Aunt Celestia,” Blueblood replied. Prime Minister Morningstar and Mayor Mare paled at the news. “There has been a battle at the castle. Many good ponies were lost in the crossfire, and the Royal District has been razed. My aunt is missing, and presumed dead. My line is next in succession. You were chosen to minister over the parliament at her pleasure, not mine. Leave, before I remove your appointment and force you leave.”
Morningstar nodded dumbly, walking out of the office. Mayor Mare looked between the trio. “Is it true?” the mayor ventured to ask.
“It is,” Commander Hawk Eye replied. “Close the door, Octavia. Your highness, you can drop the act.”
As the door was closed, the aristocrat’s eyes began to swell. Soon he was crying, and sobbing in a very unroyal manner. The mayor was taken back by this very frank display. “Prince... Blueblood was it?” The stallion nodded. “I must thank you for confronting the Prime Minister for me. It was clear that she was just distressed and looking for somepony to blame.”
“Uh-huh,” Blueblood replied, reaching into his vest pocket with his magic and grabbing a handkerchief. He blew into it in an almost comical manner, before letting it drop to the ground with a wet thud.
“But you're the next in the line of succession. Surely you've been taught something of use, prepared for the throne just in case. Maybe held a position that you could draw experience from,” the mayor was clearly reaching deep, but the other two ponies in the room seemed appreciative of her efforts. Well, the Royal Guard pegasus did. The earth pony seemed just as bored and impassive as ever.
“Ruling Equestria was all Aunt Celestia's job,” Blueblood said, clearly on the verge of ranting. “My line has done nothing but wait on the Princess for the past hundred years. It was unimaginable that she might disappear. She's a GOD, for Her sake. A GOD! We took for granted her immortality. But now she's gone. GONE! I'm not fit for this job. I shouldn't even have this job!”
“But you're royalty,” the mayor replied, stating the simple fact.
“But I'm not a politician or a leader,” Blueblood whined. “I'm a cartographer! In a land where all borders and formations and such are known! My station is too high to settle the disputes of peasants, trust me, I've tried, but nopony will fund me and nopony can stand to be around me! All I'm allowed to do is enjoy an epic cruise of luxury, and I bore of it. And now this! I know you're the mayor of a provincial town, but even you must have a better idea of what to do then I. WHAT DO I DO?!”
“Announce that you are forming a caretaker government. Make a speech about pony solidarity, and how all ponies should help one another in these troubled times,” she walked up, and placed a comforting hoof on his shoulder as she began to speak to him like her own colt. “Get cleaned up. You do present a good image when you're not bawling your eyes out.”
“Okay... I can take being pampered to make a good image,” Blueblood said. “But I'm no good at giving speeches. I don't know where to begin.”
“I'll help you,” the Mayor said. “We're on the downhill slide for this crisis, I think. For now... think of the state as a ship. You're piloting it into unknown waters, and must plot the best course.”
A light lit up in Blueblood's eyes. “Of course! I never thought of it like that. I'll need more information, though.”
“All of the appropriate ministers and secretaries have been notified, and are preparing an initial briefing,” Octavia intoned. “Would you prefer that they come here, or shall arrangements be made to go to Canterlot?”
“All of the places I care for in Canterlot are ash now,” Blueblood said. “And I hear Ponyville has some world class leisure facilities. Have them come here, to me. Commander, do make sure this quaint village doesn't burn to the ground. And mayor, I have need of a good chancellor.”
The mayor's mouth dropped. She quickly regained composure. “Are you sure? I'm just a simple country mayor.”
“You have a better grasp of politics then I do,” Blueblood replied. “I'll be venturing into unfamiliar territory. I'll need a guide for these uncharted lands of politics. But first, preparations must be made. My epic cruise of luxury shall have to wait! GENTLEPONIES, TO THE SPA!”