In a meadow in an unknown location, the animals were just minding their own business before they noticed a flaming meteor heading straight for them and ran for cover.
The meteor crashed down into the ground revealing Celestia, without her regalia as she was panting and holding her head while her aurora colored mane was now orange and yellow flames.
"No! Nononono! I won't listen to you! I will never be your puppet!" Celestia yelled at the parasitic spirit dwelling inside her.
"Oh but you will, if for nothing else but to avenge your sister." The voice inside her said seducingly.
"Don't you bring my sister in this! It's because of you that I lost her!" Celestia roared as she opened her eyes, revealing them to be no longer purple but golden orange with reddish brown sclera and slitted pupils. "You took advantage of her pain! You turned her against me! It was all your fault!"
The Nightmare merely chuckled, "Yes, yes you are right and yet, who was it that was blind to little Luna’s suffering, who was that busy being showered in love and praise that they didn't even notice their little sister was in terrible danger?" It taunted, striking a deep cord in Celestia's heart as tears began falling from her eyes. “And who was it that couldn’t tell the difference between their niece and an imposter while abandoning the pony whom you always send to clean up your messes while you are so easily knocked aside by some accursed insect?"
"I, I-I…" Celestia tried to defend before her vision changed and she was no longer in the meadow but in a burning and destroyed city as black clouds filled the skies as the sounds of screams of terror and monstrous roars echoed around her.
"And let us not forget, the foolish little mare who abandoned her one duty to her family and her race, and let them pay the ultimate price?" The Nightmare asked as Celestia watched in horror as a large shadowy figure reared up over two other figures, one purple and another a yellowish white and green, as it charged its horn with dark purple Magic.
"NNNOOO!!!" Celestia screamed and reached out to them before the illusion vanished and she was back in the meadow as she fell to the ground and covered her head in sorrow and shame while crying, "Please! I'm sorry, I just-please, no more!" She begged.
The Nightmare shushed Celestia, going from torturing to comforting her almost instantly, "It's alright Celestia, you know this isn't truly your fault." It cooed as Celestia listened, "Ask yourself this, who was it that betrayed your kind, who was it that encouraged you to continue with the wedding no matter the consequences and who was it disrespecting and shunning your sister behind your back, torturing her poor heart to no end?" It asked.
Celestia thought for a moment before it became clear to her, "The ponies." She said as her eyes widened in realization.
"Yes, that's right. The ponies you swore to protect and have only repaid you for your blood and sweat by taking away all that is precious to you." The Nightmare continued as it was slowly pulling Celestia into its clutches.
"Yes, yes. They really did take away all that I cared about.” Celestia said as her eyes began to narrow in thought.
“Yes. And they made you be alone for over a thousand years before you have your sister back. All that loneliness, was it really worth it to care for the ponies who never appreciated your sister’s work?” The Nightmare questioned as it circled around Celestia, surrounding her in a dark mist.
“No. It’s not. After all the pain they put Luna through, they have no right to be protected.” Celestia said as she started to feel the anger rising in her.
“That is correct. They never really care for your sister. They just wanted to enjoy their day and only wanted the sun and not the moon. They never cared for you or your sister at all. All they want is for you to move each day and night.” The Nightmare continued as it closed in on Celestia.
“They had no right to think that we don’t have feelings too. Just because we are royalty doesn’t mean that we’re not like anypony else.” Celestia spoke as her tone began to darken as her teeth clenched. "And how dare they demand I endanger my niece by holding a wedding with a threat to Canterlot being made! They've done nothing to repay me for my sacrifice except risk and cost me my family!"
The Nightmare then looped around the hate-filled Celestia, just the state it wanted her in, "Yes, and they deserve punishment for what they've done. So, if you offer to me your body as a vessel I will offer to you the power you need to bring flaming retribution down on your ungrateful subjects, agreed?" It asked.
Celestia gritted her teeth, as if trying to fight the Nightmare off one last time, but then it changed to a sinister grin, "Agreed." Celestia answered, giving into her built-up centuries of hate and bitterness.
“Excellent choice.” The Nightmare then gave a sinister chuckle as it then moved it’s way towards Celestia’s horn as it entered the Princess of the Sun as Celestia gasped and grunted as her eyes began to glow bright red as she could feel the dark magic flowing inside her. “Together, we will help take vengeance upon those who hurt you and punish them for their greed."
"From this day forth, you are no longer Celestia princess of the Sun, but Daymare Sol, Queen of Retribution!” The Nightmare declared as Celestia was engulfed by it as her teeth turned sharp and her grunts of pain turned into evil laughter.
Equestria's most beloved pony had just become…Its greatest threat yet.
Back at the Castle of Friendship, Twilight, Sunset, Spike, Midnight, Blaze and Luna backed away from the royal guards, who had come to arrest Luna.
"Luna, did you say Blueblood accused you of corrupting Celestia!?" Twilight exclaimed in disbelief.
“I did. And apparently, he’s taking the opportunity to seize the throne and get rid of me he has been waiting for so long.” Luna added as they backed away.
“That’s crazy! Why would he do that?! Isn’t he family too?!” Sunset asked in disbelief.
“Yeah, isn’t he your nephew?!” Spike questions while Blaze and Midnight secretly grab their swords while the guards are distracted.
“Apparently, he thinks fame and fortune is more important than family. Selfish colt of stallion.” Luna muttered while giving a frustrated look.
"Well I don't know what's going on, but I know we're getting out of here!" Blaze said before swinging his sword, sending out a fire wave that knocked the guards back, "Now, quickly move!" He called out as they quickly dashed out of the library while the guards were picking themselves up.
“Don’t let them get away!” The commander ordered as the guards trotted after them.
The six galloped out of the castle as Twilight slammed the door and locked it shut to keep the guards from chasing them for a while, "That won't stop them for long, keep running!" Twilight said as they kept running.
“This is madness! Why would Blueblood do something this crazy and take the throne for himself just because he thinks you corrupted Celestia?! And more importantly, how is Celestia corrupted?! And by what?!” Sunset questioned as they kept trotting.
"I will explain later! For now we must find the rest of your brothers and sisters!" Luna called as the guards managed to break down the doors and continued chasing after them.
“Spread out and search Ponyville for them! And check their comrades' homesteads, the prince has issued them to be apprehended as well!" The commander ordered before a silver and rainbow blur knocked them off their hooves.
Then flying next to the six was Storm and Rainbow, "Hey guys! What the heck is going on?!" Storm asked their friends.
"No time, we have to find the others and get out of town, fast!" Midnight explained.
"No need, brother!" Hydro called as they turned to see him, Rarity, Rocky, Applejack, Volt, Pinkie and the CMCs rushing towards them. "We saw the guards chasing Mistress Luna when she came to Ponyville and decided to investigate."
"Alright, now everypony to Fluttershy’s, quickly!" Twilight ordered as they rushed to the edge of town.
“Let’s hope Arbor protects her. Your timid mare looks like one that is scared easily. No offense.” Rocky said to them.
“None taken. Fluttershy is pretty much scared of her own shadow at times.” Rainbow Dash said in a natural look.
Soon they made it to Fluttershy’s cottage and Midnight quickly knocked on the door, "Fluttershy, Arbor, open up!" He asked urgently.
The door opened and Fluttershy peaked her head out, "Everypony? What's going-" She didn't finish as everypony quickly rushed inside her home as Rocky, Spike, Applejack and Storm barricaded the door. "What's going on?!" She asked in surprise.
“There isn’t much time! We don’t know when they might search here, so we need to think of a way to lose our pony-hunters and get back to base!" Volt told them
“Pony-hunters?” Arbor asked in shock as Fluttershy looked scared while Zecora looked confused. “Who?”
They then heard a banging on the door, "Them!" Pinkie yelped in worry.
"And they've probably got the back way blocked too, what do we do?!" Spike asked frantically.
"Oh dear, oh dear, it seems you're in quite the pickle." They perked up at the voice above them and looked up to see Discord eating a pickle before dipping it in some strawberry jam, "Or would you prefer, stuck in a jam?" He joked.
"Um, who's he?" Rocky asked.
"Discord!" Fluttershy beamed, "Thank goodness you're here! We need to get out of here and to the old castle, can you help?" She asked.
Discord finished his pickle and smiled, "Consider it done!" He said before turning to Angel and some other animals dressed in military clothes and helmets, "Captain, you and the boys hold down the fort as long as you can while I get our heroes to the safe house." He told the rabbit.
Angel gave a salute to Discord as the Lord of Chaos snapped his fingers as the eighteen vanished in a flash as the Royal Guards busted the door down as they entered.
“They’re gone!” The commander called out as he turned and looked at Angel and the other animal friends as they gave a glare at the guards while holding random pseudo weapons as they all flinched back. “Uh… nice critters?” He said nervously.
Angel pointed his fork at them as the animals charged with squeaks, chitters, growls, screeches, hisses, snarls and roars as the Royal Guards screamed in fright as they rushed out of Fluttershy’s home with a stampede of critters right behind them.
The eighteen then reappeared in the Knights base underneath the castle as some shook their heads from the rush, "Whoa, warn me next time you're gonna do that!" Blaze told the Draconqeus.
"Hmph, you're welcome." Discord huffed.
Midnight sighed and sat at his chair, "I can't believe this is happening," He said while rubbing his head.
“I know. We've only been in Ponyville for not even a few hours, and now the Royal Guards are hunting us like stray dogs." Volt gripes.
"But why are they hunting us?" Fluttershy asked in concern.
“We saw them chasing Mistress Luna on their way to the Castle of Friendship and then we saw the six of you running out of the castle while blocking the entrance while the Royal Guard on your tails.” Storm added in agreement, not sure themselves.
“Mind telling us what in tarnation is going on here?” Applejack questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“Because explaining this would be nice to fill us in.” Rainbow added in agreement.
Twilight, Sunset, Spike, Midnight and Blaze turned to Luna, expecting her to explain as the moon princess sighed, "Very well, it all started a few moments after you all left for Ponyville," She started before explaining why the guards were chasing her and under whose orders.
Flashback:
In the hallways of Canterlot Castle, Luna was flying through the halls to the nearest exit. "After you left, Celestia saved me from the very same parasite that transformed me into Nightmare Moon all those years ago, but at the cost of taking my place. quickly I made my way to warn you." Luna explains as she narrates what happened.
Luna was about to exit the castle when she saw the guards pointing their spears at her. “Guards?! What is the meaning of this?!” She demanded. "Move! In the name of the princess!"
"No. You will stay put," Luna turned to see Blueblood marching towards her proudly, "In the name of the new Prince of Equestria!" He declared.
“Blueblood?! What is the meaning of this outrage?!” Luna questioned in shock and rage.
“Oh just me, merely taking what is rightfully mine and doing what my poor auntie should've done to a foul demon like you from the start." Blueblood told her.
Luna widened her eyes from that as she glared at him. “That’s madness! We have no time for your games! Celestia is in great danger from the very bug that infected those many centuries ago, and my fate awaits her unless we warn Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends immediately!” She called out.
“So your very demon has taken control of Aunt Celestia? I should’ve known you were behind this.” Blueblood said with a look. “And I don’t know if you or the false Princess Twilight and her commoner cohorts can be trusted.”
“What?! They should! They are the protectors of Equestria!” Luna pointed out. “And that is no way to speak of young Twilight!”
"It soon became clear to me that Blueblood had been preparing for an opportunity like this to occur and had slowly and steadily been gathering followers and building up enough influence in Canterlot to seize the throne once my sister was gone." Luna went on, explaining Blueblood's secret coup against her and Celestia.
“Princess Luna, I hereby place you under arrest and strip of your title and will be sentenced to life in the dudgeon.” Blueblood declared as the guards closed in on her.
Luna thinks quickly as she then summons her magic as she creates a magic blast and knocks the guards and her nephew back as she then takes to the air and flies away as she flies to Ponyville and away from the castle.
Blueblood got up as he shook his head and looked towards where his aunt flew off as he glared and turned to the guards. “After her! Don’t let her get away! And make sure to arrest those who support her!” He ordered.
The guards manage to get their bearings as they salute to Blueblood. “Yes Prince Blueblood!” They said as they flew off after Luna as Blueblood growled at his escape aunt.
End of Flashback.
“And so, I managed to get to Ponyville, but the guards followed me and well, here we are.” Luna finished her story, the group were shocked by what Luna just explained to them.
"So you mean to tell me we have to deal with another princess gone bad, Royal Guards chasing us, AND a pompous spoiled brat now ruler of Equestria?!" Rainbow asked in disbelief before ruffling her mane, "What next?! The sky's gonna fall?!"
“Careful what you wish for. Because I could do that in a matter of seconds.” Discord mocked with a teasing smirk as he sipped some tea.
“Don’t even think about it, Discord.” Applejack firmly said.
“What? I was only kidding.” Discord said in defense.
Twilight frowned in worry, "Poor Celestia." She said, greatly concerned about her former mentor.
“An evil Celestia? Not how I picture her in my life. Even when I was a bad pony.” Sunset said in worried, since she never envisioned Princess Celestia as corrupted.
"But how could this Nightmare thing corrupt her?" Scootaloo asked in confusion. "She's way too tough to be controlled."
Luna shook her head with a frown, "No, Celestia may act strong but, I know all too well that she keeps her emotions bottled up inside her, and she has spent the last thousand years keeping her sorrow, anger, guilt and loneliness deep within herself, making her the perfect prey for that accursed parasite to take control over her.” She explained while looking down in sadness.
The others were shocked by this. “Indeed. Even for one who is mighty and wears a crown, they are not capable of breaking down." Zecora stated in sympathy while the others looked deep down in thought.
“But Celestia has always been so clear minded and strong. I’ve never seen her act so vulnerable before.” Twilight said in concern.
“Hey, Princess. In case you haven’t noticed, you're an Alicorn too.” Midnight pointed out. “And does that mean you're not vulnerable to negative emotions or guilt?"
Twilight glared at Midnight from that, but before she could retort, she had a thought for a moment before she gave a sigh. “Okay, you got me there. I do.” She admitted.
“Exactly. We all have some darkness inside us that grows stronger whenever we're angry, scared, sad or guilty over something. We are just good at keeping it hidden and locked away.” Midnight said while looking down as his brothers-in-hooves looked at him in sympathy. "Trust me, I know."
Sunset went up to him, "Let me guess, you hurt somepony close to you?" She asked in sympathy.
"Don't bother getting me to open up." Midnight said with a hard look, "It won't work."
Twilight frowns before stealing herself and walking up to him, "Well unless you want your own cork to pop, please keep it to yourself." She said sarcastically before turning Midnight to face her, "Midnight, Celestia said we needed to work together to protect Equestria, and we're going to. I need to trust you, which means you need to trust me with what's bothering you, so please tell me, who are you?" She asked with her expression softened.
Midnight stared at her as her determined face was reflected in his eyes. He sighed and gestured to Blaze.
Blaze nodded, "Let's give them some privacy, we might as well come up with a plan." He said as the other nodded and moved into another room of the base.
Once they are out of the room, Midnight and Twilight are alone as he looks at her with a down look. “Now, listen to Twilight. It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s me that I don’t trust with.”
"Then trust that I'll still accept whatever you are." Twilight shot back before bringing her head closer to his as their heads were almost touching and their horns crossed. "Please."
Midnight looked at Twilight for a moment before he looked at her eyes to see the determination and understanding as he gave a sigh. “When I was a foal, I was pretty much a magic studier. I’ve been studying magic my whole life while reading a ton of books that are either old ancient magic or some of the advancements. I kinda have a knack for them that I couldn’t stop studying.” He started.
“Hey, that’s exactly what I did when I was a filly before getting accepted at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns and became Celestia’s personal pupil.” Twilight said in surprise, having not known that Midnight did something similar like what she did.
Midnight sighed solemnly, "Yeah, but unlike you I bet, I was never that good at magic. I felt I had the power needed to cast even the simplest of spells but no matter how hard I studied or trained, it didn't work." He said before glancing at his cutie mark, "Honestly, it was only after I stumbled upon the books of Dark Magic that I finally earned my Cutie Mark."
“Wait, you got your Cutie Mark by doing dark magic?” Twilight asked in shock. “What kind of mark is earned like that?” She questioned.
“Don’t know. It just sorta happened.” Midnight said with a shrug as he solemnly gave a solemn look. “Not that it mattered, because once ponies realized what my magic was, I was rejected and feared by every magic school in Equestria, nopony wanted anything to do with me, no matter where I went." He said.
Twilight looked at him in sympathy, "What about your family?" She asked as Midnight flinched and looked away miserably. She gasped and realized what he meant, "Oh, oh, you mean, you…"
Midnight nodded sadly, "Yeah, I never knew my family. I was an orphan all my life. I lived in an orphan house for as long as I can remember.” He explained as he took a shaky breath, "But when the owners realized nopony came to adopt because of me and my dark magic, I was thrown out when I came of age and forced me to a life on the run." He added while looking at his reflection in a mirror next to them as he glared. “Been around all over Equestria, trying to find a life I can live happily, but everypony feared me because of my magic, saw me only as a freak, a monster!” He added as he glared at his reflection before he blasted it with his magic as it shattered while Twilight flinched from that.
Midnight took some breaths as his eyes grew wet a bit as Twilight thought he was going to cry, "But it doesn't matter. It's all in the past now, right?" He asked, trying to sound strong, "I've found my own place and a new brotherhood, so who cares about how the old me got kicked around and was never really liked at all by anypony, eight?" Midnight’s voice started choking a bit as he tried to keep himself together.
Twilight teared up and shook her head at him, now seeing him as a poor colt who just wanted ponies to care about him but was only met with hatred because of his abilities 'just like I did.' She thought in guilt before she walked closer to him and wrapped her forelegs around him while nuzzling his neck.
"Midnight stop. Just this once, don't be a knight. Don't be your mask. Don’t be a Sword of Justice." Twilight said soothingly as she held Midnight’s face as his tears that kept in for so long fell down his face, "Shh, it's okay, let it out. Just this once, let yourself fall apart."
Midnight placed his hooves over Twilight’s, trying to take them off, but couldn't find the strength as slowly crumbled down crying softly as Twilight held him close for support as she now finally realized why Midnight was so against talking about his past and why he was being serious the whole time.
“You shouldn’t have kept this feeling inside you, Midnight. You could have just talked to Blaze and the others about this.” Twilight told him while running a hoof through his mane.
"I, I just couldn’t. As the leader, I needed to be strong, for them, act like my own problems didn't matter." Midnight said with a sob, "Just like I always was, that I don’t matter to anypony. And not let anypony be afraid of me. And to be honest, I-I also afraid of myself.” He added.
“Why are you afraid?” Twilight asked in concern.
Midnight collected himself as he wiped some of his tears away. “Because my dark magic went out of control once before. It caused many major crises and chaos. And not only that, but they are also connected by my emotions. The more I feel, the stronger they get. Why do you think I barely show any emotions and why I was so strict?” He asked miserably. "If nopony's ever going to like a freak like me, there's no point in making it look like you want them to."
Twilight shook her head, "No, you're wrong. I know that if you showed any mare the real you, the you beyond the dark magic, she would trust her life with you," She said while smiling, "And that you would trust yourself that you would never hurt her or anypony else."
“You really think so?” Midnight asked as he looked at her softly.
Twilight smiled and brought her forehead to his as their horns crossed, “I know so." She said while looking him in the eye.
Midnight looked at Twilight’s eyes as well, seeing his reflection in them as he gave a small smile at her he then gave a small cough as he quickly gave a natural expression. “So, let’s not think about it and join the others, because we need to find Celestia and save her from her darkness and clear our names and stop Blueblood weirdo from causing anymore disharmony.” He suggested.
“I agree." Twilight nodded as they broke apart and walked to the doors, before she glanced at him, "And maybe we could train as well so know you and the boys can teach us about. You already kicked our flanks when we first met." She suggested with a small smirk.
Midnight gave a quick chuckle with a smile, "That’s a great idea. Gotta learn some self defense." He said as Twilight smiled back and nodded. “And Twilight, thanks.” He finished with a smile.
“Anything for a friend.” Twilight responded with a smile in return as the two walked out of the room to meet up with the others.
Even with all that was happening, they knew that they would succeed in stopping Blueblood and saving Celestia.
At Canterlot, Blueblood is sitting in the throne room, he replaced the throne with a few alterations to his own with his Cutie Mark symbol on it while having his face on the rug on the floor while a couple of guards came to him and bow.
"Speak." He ordered.
“We’re deeply sorry, Prince. But it appears that Former Princess Luna, Princess Twilight and their associates have escaped.” One of the guards spoke. “They seemed to have left Ponyville and we are unable to find where they are now.”
"Excuses!" Blueblood shouted. “You just didn’t look hard enough! They couldn’t have gotten far!” He yelled.
“But your majesty, we searched all over Ponyville. There are no signs of them anywhere.” The other guard added in worry.
“Then search again! Search all of Equestria if you have to, but find those outlaws!” Blueblood ordered loudly. "As long as they remain free, my reign is in jeopardy!"
"I understand sire, but shouldn't we be focused on finding your aunt?" The guard asked the prince.
“I’ve seen how my aunt handles herself. She should be fine. Our main focus is finding those fugitives! Now get back to work! NOW!” Blueblood yelled out.
“Yes sir!” The two guards saluted as they trotted out the throne room while Blueblood sat on his throne while giving a sinister smile.
“Soon when those hooligans are out of the way and when I frame Celestia as well, Equestria will finally be mine to rule.” Blueblood said as he gave an arrogant chuckle.
What he didn’t notice from out the window was a pair of fiery glowing eyes spying on him as it gave a sinister chuckle itself that sounded more female like. “Oh, the little stallion thinks he can be ruler of Equestria in my stead? Well soon, he won't have an Equestria to rule at all." She said as she then flew off into the distance while giving an evil laugh.