//------------------------------// // Redemption of the Darkness // Story: The Pony Beast // by HareTrinity //------------------------------// It was a few hours until the Summer Sun Celebration and Aunt Parsley was terrified. Just another day and they might have made it... When she had agreed to take over as elder she knew that there was the possibility of things going wrong, and the preparations had all been made, yet they had still come so close to making it through the year... Now everything was happening after all. That morning it had all kicked off... The guards had rushed her to outside the princess’ room where Sister Dazzleprance had updated her swiftly... “...She’s been crying since she got the scroll. I answered it as quickly as possible of course and, thank goodness, there have been no outbursts, but she’s ever so upset, if she stays this way...” Damn that Twilight filly. Aunt Parsley had nodded and, whilst sparing some members to keep the princess distracted, their plans had been put into action. Thanks to prior arrangements all that was really now called for was to bring the required ponies together, ready for whatever may happen at Ponyville. It had all seemed fairly straight forward until Celestia had burst in on the Sisterhood around midday. “Have you seen Twilight?” The other shocked Sisterhood members tried to cover up various documents as Aunt Parsley and Sister Dazzleprance rushed over to the princess. “She went to Ponyville, your highness.” Dazzleprance had told her. “What? Why has she gone there?” “She’s checking on the celebration’s arrangements,” the Sister had replied. Celestia was giving them a perplexed stare. Aunt Parsley had always been told that the elder needed to be ready to think on their feet but right now she was drawing a blank, “...She knows it’s where tonight’s celebration will be, of course...” Realisation appeared to dawn upon the princess, “Is she... Is she going to try to stop my sister? She’s going to try to save Equestria?” Aunt Parsley nodded, “It may be so, your highness.” Those words had thrilled the princess and, hugging both Aunt Parsley and Sister Dazzleprance, she left the room to where the Sisterhood members responsible for accompanying her waited. Those unlucky ponies gave apologetic looks to their peers before following the princess, leaving the rest of the Sisterhood to deal with the new plot point. “Was that a wise thing to say, Parsley?” “My Sisterhood, let us not forget... With our Princess Celestia the most important part has always been keeping her belief strong. Our plan has many risks but, just maybe... If Celestia believes that Twilight can save her, then maybe she can.” The Sisterhood had nodded uneasily, not entirely convinced but ready to try and make things work. Now on her way to Ponyville Aunt Parsley sighed to herself... At the time she had sounded, and felt, so sure that it would be so but now, just hours before the celebration began, she was worried... Could Twilight Sparkle really be the key to Celestia’s redemption? “She’s coming closer!” It was almost time. They hadn’t known what to expect, would a beast be summoned? A pony changed? Or perhaps she would alter herself? Would the events of the original Sisterhood entry be repeated? All these outcomes had been considered but now Aunt Parsley was hoping against hope for one particular outcome, one she had wished for since her initiation into the Sisterhood: For the Sisterhood’s message to turn out fake. A lie, pure fantasy. To find that their princess was indeed the benevolent goddess she had so admired growing up... Isn't that what every Sisterhood member truly hoped? All those recorded incidents... Couldn't they be a lie? Nopony alive had seen the princess do such things, so maybe... It was a mistake, a misunderstanding? A cruel prank? Maybe... After all, many of the things written by old ponies turned out misinformed, untrue, or purely symbolic, resulting in the "old mare's tale" phrase and fairy tales. The great Princess Celestia, ruler of Canterlot, a monster? The idea was ridic- “She’s... Here...” The monarch’s voice was strained. Looking to the princess the Sisterhood’s elder felt her hope drain from her. Something was happening to her Princess Celestia... A long time ago, when Parsley was just a filly, she and her father had travelled far north to see the aurora ribbon that filled the skies, a magnificent light display. Her father had explained the phenomenon to her but all she really remembered was how beautiful and mesmerising it was, as if the sky were trying to taunt her into playing with it in the way that one would tease a kitten with string... Thinking back, yes; she had seen colours like those of Celestia’s hair. Before Aunt Parsley now was a new wonder to behold and it started with that long aurora ribbon of a tail; from the tip it changed, the colours burning up to reveal a tranquil night sky, as if it had always been hidden beneath. The princess' entire colourful tail was eaten up by this transformation and when the change finally reached her hindquarters it continued through the fur; a ripple of darkness seeping out over the princess’ body. Once it touched her mane it spread to that, the mane’s pastel colours disappearing, burnt away to show a star-studded night... As the changes devoured the mare her golden armour warped and reformed, turning blue, the tiara gripping the royal’s head as it bubbled and melted, stretching into a helmet. The transformation reached the tip of her horn, her eyes a cloud of colour that finally settled on cyan. A chilling yet beautiful sight to behold but the dark mare meant so much more to the onlooking Sisterhood. The monster of untamed darkness was confirmed and her appearance mattered less than the stories they remembered. It meant that finally they had to see their “god” for what she was; a monster, a creature better deserving the fear of foals than the fictional “sister” used to cover her darkness, for it was the Princess Celestia who had long been the most horrible secret of ponykind, a terrible monster of the night. Nightmare Moon had arrived at last and, transforming into cloud of blue smoke, she swept out of the room. From outside Parsley heard cheers and the mayor introducing Celestia. The Aunt hissed the word “confused!” at her fellow Sisterhood and just in time for a moment later the curtains opened and a young white unicorn soon peered into the dark room. The Sisterhood member shrugged and shook their heads. “She’s gone!” the unicorn announced to the crowd in the hall and Parsley could hear the shocked gasps of everypony gathered. The green unicorn elder whispered under her breath, “Oh, sweet Celestia, please let no harm come to them...” Somepony let out a startled cry and the present Sisterhood members watched from the darkness as their princess’ blue mist returned and reformed on the balcony. “Oh, my beloved subjects... It’s been so long since I’ve seen you precious little sun-loving faces...” Her voice was different and her tone mocking. There was an air of danger about it. Cowering back the Sisterhood listened to the Ponyville inhabitants take poorly to the dark mare... “Did you not recall the legends? Did you not see the signs?” “I did!” Parsley’s ears perked up. Twilight’s voice. “...And I know who you are! You’re the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon!” Gasps from the Ponyville ponies. Celestia sounded impressed, “Well, well, well... Somepony remembers me... Then you also know why I’m here!” Twilight's initial bravery had left her, “You’re here to... To...!” The dark mare chuckled, “Remember this day little ponies, for it was your last... From this moment forth the night will last FOREVER!” Maniacal laughing came from the balcony. The Sisterhood crept closer to Aunt Parsley. “Is this how it’s meant to go?” asked Sister Sunberry. “Aunt Parsley, what if this doesn’t work?” whimpered Brother Spice. They all glanced to the balcony as two guards attacked. They were swiftly knocked back and the royal mare returned to mist and flowed swiftly out of the door, into the night. Looking back to their elder the Sisterhood resumed questioning her. Parsley gulped and shook her head, “Trust... Trust in whatever you can. Celestia. The old god. Young Twilight Sparkle. Stay strong my little ponies, I must go to the next part of the plan... Go, be with your families.” With that Aunt Parsley left the building to a chariot waiting nearby. She watched the other Sisterhood members hurry past her, no doubt taking her advice. Her heart heavy she had the stallions pulling the chariot take her to the Everfree Forest. Her journey was not alone, however, for with her sat the young pegasus pony recommended by Mrs Weather Shine. The young mare looked worried now, no doubt having overheard the commotion within the hall and also having watched the frightened Sisterhood gallop back to the other chariots. As the ground passed swiftly below them and the young pony finally spoke to the elder next to her. “Aunt Parsley, can you tell me what is happening?” “My dear, we cannot tell you too-” “Please...” There was fear in that voice. The Sisterhood elder sighed, “A dark mare has come tonight. The Nightmare Moon of legends is more real than you... We... May have thought...” “...Nightmare Moon? But...! My mother said that Princess Celestia banished her to the moon forever!” “That is... One version...” One that I wish a certain Twilight Sparkle had kept to... “But she is here now... I am not sure if you still have a part to play tonight my dear but trust me when I say I will keep you safe.” It was a lie, her loyalty was to Canterlot and Equestria first, but Aunt Parsley hoped she would not have to choose. The young pony nodded and the rest of the journey was quiet. The old castle grounds were overgrown ruins. Luckily a unicorn pony helped signal them down to the chosen area, a patch in between two of the main towers. Aunt Parsley got out of the chariot and looked from one to the other curiously, as if trying to work something out... A cheerful pony came to greet her, “That one’s the element chamber, that one’s the old throne room. Took us a while to ready this area for both chariot and hiding but I think it came out quite well.” Dazzleprance’s smile faded as she got closer to Parsley, “...Did something happen?” Parsley put on a brave face, shook her head a little and then broke into sobs. Dazzleprance rushed over, catching her in an embrace, “What happened???” The elder pulled away, regaining herself somewhat, “It... Nothing we didn’t plan for... But... Sweet Celestia... Ha, she had always been so sweet, Dazzleprance... I had hoped...” “So it is her afterall?” The green unicorn pony nodded sadly. Dazzleprance hooked a hoof around the elder's shoulders in what she hoped was a comforting gesture without being too patronising, “Have faith, Aunt Parsley...She may not be what we grew up believing but she is still our princess. And your plans are all set, she’ll come back to us.” “I... I do not think she’ll ever come back to me, Dazzleprance... After so long waiting to be the elder I think I realise why it took me so long to get here...” “We are prepared... The Sisterhood is still strong, Canterlot is still safe, and... I believe you’re right, about Twilight. I think she can do it. This is all going as well as could be expected, is it not?” Parsley gave a small smile, “You’re very... Collected, for one your age. You’re right, this is going well, all things considered... Even if I retire from this post early I will see this through first..." The sister gave her an encouraging smile. Parsley paused and then continued, "Tell me, Dazzleprance, have you ever considered being an elder?” The Sister laughed, “I’m not THAT old, Aunt Parsley!" She caught herself, "Uh, not that you’re-” “Aunts can be young. Admittedly it’s been a while since that’s happened in our Sisterhood, but have you considered it?” "I... Well, some day, probably, but..." "Come..." Aunt Parsley went to settle down under some of the prepared cover, "Let us consider the possibilities..." Together the mares talked, every so often stopping to receive updates on the situation from their pegasus pony spies who had set out to monitor pony activity in the forest. First, “...Dropped them off a cliff? But they’re all okay? And then a MANTICORE? Goodness...” Later, “A fashion-aware sea serpent?” Their original conversation soon gave way to a puzzled discussion of the situation. “...Well yes, of course I didn’t think she’d just wait in the castle but... Scary trees and wild beasts?” “I think they’re tests for the Elements.” Parsley and Dazzleprance looked up to see a Sister and Brother approaching, the actual siblings Candy and Buttermint. “What elements?” “The Elements of Harmony.” Parsley eyed the ponies, “The... But I thought it seemed certain Celestia would not use them this time?” “Think about it...” Buttermint explained, “One of them calmed the manticore and removed its thorn, that sounds like kindness doesn't it? Laughing at scary trees? And it seems the pony who caught Twilight was talking to her before letting the others catch her, that could be loyalty or honesty, couldn't it?” At that moment a pegasus flew in, “Aunt Parsley, the six are over the chasm.” Candy spoke up, “How?” “One of the pegasus ponies flew across to fix the bridge. Nightmare Moon became three ponies who resembled the Wonderbolts and then summoned a lot of mist while talking to the one who went to fix the bridge..." he cleared his throat nervously, "My apologies, it was hard to see, but the bridge was fixed and the pony flew back alone.” Dazzleprance and Parsley looked to Candy, who looked to her brother, “What do you think? Loyalty?” “Probably. I mean, what young pegasus doesn’t want to run away with the Wonderbolts, right?” he smiled at the reporting pegasus who, rolling his eyes, trotted away. Dazzleprance pondered aloud, “So she’s getting the ponies to represent the Elements... To imprison herself?” Parsley shook her head, “We’ve been working on this for years, it’s clear that the princess wants redemption...” “So to fix her? She’s going to admit who she is?” “...I’m not sure...” Parsley sighed and glanced behind her to the young actor pegasus whose unusual costume was being touched up, “We should stay prepared for otherwise...” Candy eyed the costumed pegasus, “Someponies said that Nightmare Moon looks much more like Princess Celestia than we expected... Will our Luna still work?” “It’s better than nothing,” Dazzleprance replied. “I suppose...” “Sisterhood,” a young pegasus mare landed by them, “Aunt Parsley... They are almost here. They seem to be heading for the Element Chamber’s tower.” The Sisterhood nodded, all members quieting down and setting about readying their actor to move closer to the selected tower. Chariots hidden and all accounted for they were quickly on their way, keeping low as they rushed through the forest, unicorns at the front doing their best to clear a subtle path without lessening their pace. The darkness all around them as they rushed forward Parsley was reminded again of her trip to the aurora ribbon. It had been a colder night then but she had been just as afraid of the dark unknown. At that time her father had reassured her that, so long as she had ponies willing to protect her, and so long as she was willing to protect them in return, she had nothing to fear. He had told her that when friends fight together for each other there is nothing they cannot overcome, for she could feel her bravery and trust in that of her friends. Parsley smiled, a flicker of confidence warming inside her... Then almost ran into the pony in front of her. Everypony was looking up, they were almost at the tower and a light was coming through the windows, and then... A flash. “Was that it?” whispered one Sister. One of the pegasus spies flew up, cautiously, and narrowly missed being spotted as one of Twilight’s companions came to the window. She was looking outside, but not to where the Sisterhood hid... “Over there!” somepony gasped and the Sisterhood looked behind them to see that the windows of the other tower, the old throne room, now shone with light! Turning around and quickening their pace in the new direction the Sisterhood found themselves delayed again as they heard galloping approach. Keeping low they saw five ponies dash past on the main track joining the towers. The pegasus spy, nearly seen moments ago, flew down to Aunt Parsley once the five had passed, “That’s all of them, the purple one transferred with the elements.” “Come on!” urged Parsley. The Sisterhood and their pegasus helpers rushed after the five, keeping to the shadows as best they could but needing to be at the right tower before they missed any potential cue... Nearing the tower they saw a bright white light stream through the windows. Nearly there... Was that Nightmare Moon crying out in defeat? Was it over? With a pegasus to lift her up to the window Parsley peeked in. Twilight and her friends had acquired some new jewellery. By the sounds of it things had all gone smoothly... “Indeed you do.” Parsley was thankful that her gasp was not overheard as across the throne room she saw a ball of light rise with the sun and come through the window, turning into the Princess Celestia she’d known for so long. This wasn’t over. “Princess Celestia!” “Twilight! My faithful student... I knew you could do it.” Parsley signalled to her ponies below to get the actress up. “But... You told me it was all an old pony tale...” “I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more...” Parsley eyed Dazzleprance as the unicorn was lifted up to take her place by the edge of the window, making a mental note to check that the pony had accurately updated the princess on the reply to that scroll... At the window now and staring at the spot with the abandoned Nightmare armour Dazzleprance concentrated, her horn starting to glow... “..I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon’s return and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her...” At the bottom of the tower lay the actor pegasus. Her heart was thumping as she felt her part approaching, a one-shot act on a unique stage... She felt a strong pull, the undergrowth beneath her become stone floor as she was teleported to inside the throne room. “But you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. Now if only another will as well...” Aunt Parsley bit her lip. Trust in Celestia... “Princess Luna.” The actor pegasus, finally on her stage, gasped and lifted her head to observe her princess approaching. “It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this.” Outside the window, Dazzleprance signalled for her pegasus pony to land, smiling to the green unicorn elder who let a quiet sign of relief. No time to change the costume’s armour, certainly no time to find a taller actor, but it had worked... It was working right now. At the bottom of the tower the Sisterhood and their helpers strained their ears, “...Will you accept my friendship?” There was an overly melodramatic pause before, “I’m SO SORRY! I missed you so much, big sister!” Parsley smiled. She’d forgotten how much her old friend Weather Shine favoured cheesy acting. Still, it had worked... She collapsed onto the grass in the morning sun, smiling as her fur absorbed the dew. They had done it... Her Sisterhood. This ridiculous plan had come together... Dazzleprance nuzzled her elder happily and added, as the old pony seemed to have missed it, “They’re having a party!” The Sisterhood elder smiled at the Sister and looked to her companions, “Well, shall we join them?” The party was a welcome idea to Ponyville and had quickly got into full swing as the "princesses" mingled without problem. Away from the main events the Canterlot Sisterhood had their own small gathering in honour of their elder and the plans that had turned out so successful, the redemption of their princess! As Ponyville celebrated the happy end to the old mare's tale of the Mare in the Moon the Sisterhood hoped for the end to another old tale, of the Canterlot nightmare... The latter's party had the mood temporarily dampened when Aunt Parsley took the chance to announce her retiring from the post of elder. However, after she’d shared both her hopes for the happy future of Canterlot and given her vote for Dazzleprance to be the youngest elder for generations, the celebration soon recovered its joy; a retirement party with optimism for the future. The Sisterhood returned to Canterlot as evening came. There was some concern at the fact that Twilight was not with them, but Celestia seemed rather happy regardless, reassuring the Sisterhood that Twilight would keep in touch with her. Soon they began to believe her. It helped that the Sisterhood were generally happier keeping Twilight at a distance, many of them considering her a key factor in the creation of the recent crisis. Also quite happily they soon found that their Luna actor need not move into the castle, a possibility they had not mentioned to the pegasus herself. Celestia seemed surprising uninterested in seeing much of her “little sister” now that she was redeemed. The actress, horn and body paint removed, was able to return home. A few weeks later Aunt Parsley performed the ritual to give the Sisterhood over to Dazzleprance, the youngest elder in generations. “May you be the last one, Dazzleprance...” The young unicorn smiled. She did not believe things would be over so quickly but it had been a long time since she’d seen Aunt Parsley so honestly hopeful. Who knows, maybe she’d be right...