//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Return of Nightmare Moon // Story: Star Wars: The Equestrian Jedi // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// Spike wrapped up his story about his life to Fluttershy while Twilight and Starwalker arrive at the Golden Oaks Library. "Do you wanna hear about today?" Spike asked. "Oh, yes, please!" Fluttershy said before Twilight quickly turned around to face Fluttershy. "I am so sorry, how did we get here so fast?" Twilight asked. Starwalker slowly shook his head feeling like something is in her mind right now. "This is where I'm staying while in Ponyville and my poor baby dragon needs his sleep." "No I don't--" Spike said before Twilight purposely knocked him off her back. "Aww, look at that, he's so sleepy he can't even keep his little balance!" "When will you understand?" Starwalker said to himself. Fluttershy swooped down to cradle Spike in her arms. "Poor thing, you simply must get into bed," Fluttershy said. "Yes, yes, we'll get right on that. Well, g'night! See you at the celebration, Starwalker!" Twilight closes the door on Fluttershy while Starwalker had a look of worry under his mask. He approached Fluttershy and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "I am sorry about Twilight," Starwalker reassured. "With the celebration being prepared, she just wanted to return home to Canterlot I fear." "Oh, it is quite alright," Fluttershy said. "Her baby dragon probably really needs a nap anyways." "Say, would you introduce me to some of your animals later?" "I would love to. Maybe after the celebration?" "Deal." Fluttershy then walked off as Starwalker waved a goodbye. He then decides to wait a little bit to sneak into the library. Later, Starwalker climbed up the tree and hid below the window to the bedroom where he heard Twilight's voice. "Here I thought I'd have time to learn about the Elements of Harmony but, silly me, all this ridiculous friend-making has kept me from it!" she said. She then looked up at the moon surrounded by stars. "Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night." His eyes widened at the words said from Twilight and climbed into the window. "The thing I predicted when I returned to Equestria," Starwalker said which made Twilight yelp. She sighed in relief. "Oh, it's you." "Friend making is hard, is it?" Starwalker slowly approached Twilight. "To be honest, I didn't even want to come here to make friends." "It's your task given by the princess. No harm in that." "I just think that it is a waste of time." "Nothing is a waste in my book." Twilight groaned. "Why must you be so difficult? What made you predict that the Mare in the Moon would return?" "A vision told me a long time ago." Spike entered the room. "Oh, hey, Starwalker," Spike greeted. "Didn't know you were here. Anyways, it's time to watch the sunrise!" "Give us a moment, Spike," Twilight said. Spike left the room leaving Starwalker and her alone. "No matter what comes next, the princess knows that I am right." "I should hope so," Starwalker said as he walked past Twilight. She looked at the moon for a bit and then decided to follow Starwalker out of the library. A fanfare played in town hall as ponies gathered for the Summer Sun Celebration. Mayor Mare then takes the stage and announces, "Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" Ponies cheered as Starwalker leaned against a wall observing. "In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..." Fluttershy readied her bird choir. "...Princess Celestia!" The curtain opened to reveal nobody standing there. Ponies in the building were chattering quietly and nervously as they wondered what happened to Princess Celestia. Starwalker looked at the moon to see the mare disappeared which can mean only one thing. He looked at the spot where Celestia should be to see Nightmare Moon herself appearing before everyone. “Oh no,” Twilight said quietly. “Nightmare Moon.” “Oh, my beloved subjects,” Nightmare Moon said. “It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces.” “What did you do with our princess?!” Rainbow demanded. She attempted to fly towards Nightmare Moon, but was being grabbed by the tail from Applejack’s teeth. Nightmare Moon then chuckled. “Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?” “Ooh, ooh, more guessing games!” Pinkie said. “Um, Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie! No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty--” She stopped when Applejack shoves an apple in Pinkie’s mouth. “Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?” Twilight stepped forward. “I did,” Twilight said. “And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon: Nightmare Moon!” Ponies in the room gasped. Starwalker started to walk through the crowd unnoticed. “Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I am here.” “You are here to--to--” Twilight gulped. “Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!” Nightmare Moon laughs evilly as Starwalker stands in front of Twilight. She noticed him and chuckled. “Well if it isn’t this so-called ‘Jedi’ who defeated me along with the sun loving princess.” “And if it isn’t the obsessed princess of the night,” Starwalker taunted. “Watch your tongue, boy. It will get yourself killed. Since my banishment, I have learned new tricks since we last fought.” Nightmare Moon’s horn glowed as a shadow on the ground formed a figure of a pony. The pony then formed a weapon in its hoof as Starwalker had no choice, but to draw his lightsaber and fight. The pony then charged towards its opponent and began to attack. Starwalker blocked the strikes as Nightmare Moon observed. It delivered a heavy strike as Starwalker blocked it, holding his weapon tight. He then used the Force to push the pony back and then leapt in the air to chop off the head. The pony then vanished after its defeat. He then looked up to see that Nightmare Moon was gone. He looked around and saw that she fled through an open window. He then turned to see that Twilight left as well and headed to the Golden Oaks library. Starwalker arrived at the library to see Twilight and the others talking while she was going through some books. Rainbow zoomed towards her face and asked, “And just what are the Elements of Harmony? And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a spy?” Starwalker used the Force to move her away from Twilight. “Simmer down, Sally,” Applejack reassured. “She ain’t no spy. But she sure knows what’s going on. Don’t you, Twilight?” “I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon,” Twilight explained. “Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them; I don't even know what they do!”  Starwalker was about to say something until Pinkie pulled a book off the shelf and said, “The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.” “How did you find that?” Twilight used her magic to levitate the book. “It was under ‘E'.” “I know what they are and what they do,” Starwalker said as Twilight went through the book. “Then tell us,” Fluttershy said. “I mean, if you don’t mind that is.” “All I know is that there are six elements and five are known; loyalty, kindness, honesty, generosity, and laughter.” “You sound like you saw them in action, Starwalker,” Twilight said. “I did. A thousand years ago since I returned to Equestria as I am today. I also knew who Nightmare Moon was before she fell to the dark side.” “Who was she?” “In a certain point of view?” Starwalker Nightmare Moon, yes it is she but not what she used to be Gather around and listen close to my explanation Twilight and the others gathered as Starwalker told the story. Yes, you met a blast from the past Who has met a terrible dark fate Say hello to our princess of the night Everyone except Twilight gasped at the revelation. “But what do the Elements of Harmony have to do with stopping her?” Rainbow asked. “It banished her to the moon, but I know what else it might do,” Starwalker explained. Those Elements are compared to the power of the Force Just a rumor, need I go on? I have a plan You find those Elements, fight if necessary Make a spark to make the sixth element So we can send her dark side packing Her plans ruined, the fate sealed No more endless night, hooray Goodbye, ex Nightmare Moon “A clever plan, but it says that it is in an ancient castle deep in the Everfree Forest,” Twilight said as she read the book. Everyone in the room except Twilight and Starwalker gasped.