//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: Eternal Nightmare // by Jgame //------------------------------// Night had fallen by the time I reached Ponyville. I was still in my misty form as I flew around, looking for where I needed to go. I saw a large crowd of ponies walking into a tall two story building with small windows at the both stories. I decided to follow the crowd inside, my misty form going through an open window. I went to the top of the ceiling, and observed my surroundings. The main features of the building were a banister covered by purple curtains, as well as a podium in front of the banister. The building was also packed to the brim with ponies. A few pegasi hovered above the crowed to make room for the earth ponies and unicorns, as well as a handful of Celestia’s royal guards. They had not changed since my banishment. They still stood, their features an impenetrable mask, their coats magically bleached the same shade of white as my sister, still having the same golden body protection with the helms with blue plumage. And if they were still as incompetent as they were back then, they would pose no threat. A tan coloured pony in front of a podium in front of the banister was delivering a speech to the crowd. “…And now, it is my great honour to introduce you to the ruler of our land, the very pony that gives you the Sun and Moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria…” she paused for dramatic effect, “Princess Celestia!” A yellow Pegasus pulled the curtains back to reveal absolutely nothing. The ponies gasped. I had never felt as triumphant in my entire life as I had at that moment. “Remain calm, everypony, I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation for this!” the mare that had been delivering the speech reassured the crowd, although it sounded more like she was attempting to reassure herself than the crowd. The ponies did a fine job of agitating themselves. The anxious murmur of the crowd began to turn into a panicked outcry. It was, I decided, time to introduce myself. My misty form coalesced into my original self as I addressed the crowd from the banister where their former ruler was supposed to be. “Oh, my beloved subjects. It’s been so long since I’ve seen your precious faces.” “What did you do with our Princess?” a particularly foolish cyan pegasus demanded. I chuckled. How could she not see it? “Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don’t you know who I am? Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for all these years? Did you not recall the old legend? Did you not see the signs?” “I did,” one purple unicorn said, “and I know who you are. You’re the Mare In the Moon -- Nightmare Moon.” So she even knew my makeshift title. Impressive. “Well, well, well,” I said, “somepony who remembers me. Then you must also know why I’m here.” “You’re here… to…to…” the purple unicorn stammered, her previous bravado abandoning her. “Remember this day, my little ponies, for it was your last,” I said, “from this moment forth, the night will last forever!” Thunder rang outside, which muffled the panicked screams of the ponies. The tan coloured pony finally recovered her wits. “Seize her! Only she knows where the princess is!” Three royal guards, evidently too stupid to do anything without direct commands, began to fly towards me. “Stand back, you foals!” I attempted to warn them of their impending error. They continued, oblivious to my words. I effortlessly batted away their fruitless efforts with a mild electrical spell, striking them down. I then decided to make my exit, evaporating into my misty self and exiting through the wooden double doors of the building. The blue pegasus attempted to chase me, shouting something that I did not quite hear. I halted just outside the outskirts of Ponyville. While I had amused myself immensely, I still had not achieved what I set out to do. After a brief pause to ensure that nothing had the foolish audacity to follow me, I doubled back towards Ponyville. I found the pink earth pony with a smile on her face, talking excitedly with a group of other ponies in front of the building where I had introduced myself. One was an orange mare with a cowstallion hat. Another was the blue Pegasus that had attempted to pursue me. The final one of the group was the yellow Pegasus that had pulled back the curtains to reveal the sweet fruits of my labour. “Hey, don’t worry! Celestia will be back! It’s just a game of hide-and-seek!” the pink pony reassured the other ponies. The orange earth pony sighed. “Ah really don’t think that’s what’s happenin’ Pinkie.” “Um,” said the yellow pegasus. “Ooh, do you have an idea where she’s hiding?” Pinkie said to the yellow pegasus with enthusiasm. A blue pegasus hit her face with her hoof. “We just told you Pinkie Pie, she’s not playing hide-and-seek.” “Um, actually, I think Pinkie Pie has the right idea,” the yellow pegasus told the ground. “Whaddaya mean, Fluttershy?” the orange pony asked. “If she’s hiding, then, maybe, we should, um, find her?” Fluttershy asked the ground once again. “Well, duh!” the blue pegasus said. “See ya at Twilight’s house!” “Well, I’ll be going now,” the pink pony declared, although nopony paid her any notice. The orange pony sighed. “I knew Rainbow Dash was impatient, but she should at least wait for us.” Rainbow Dash came back. “Where is Twilight’s house, anyway?” “Did you jus’ take off without even knowing where your goin’?” the orange pony demanded. “Uh, kinda,” Rainbow admitted sheepishly. The orange pony sighed. “Anypony else remember how to get to Twilight’s?” “Wait a minute, Applejack, you didn’t know either?” Rainbow demanded. “At least ah’ didn’t run off,” Applejack said self-righteously. Her brows creased as a thought occurred to her. “Why are we heading to Twilight’s house in the first place?” “Didn’t you see the way Twilight Sparkle ran off right after Night Mare Moon showed up? Don’t you think it’s just a little suspicious?” Rainbow Dash asked. A white unicorn broke in to the conversation. “What’s this about Twilight Sparkle?” “We were going to go visit Twilight,” Fluttershy answered her. “Hey, happen to know where Twilight’s house is… what’s your name again?” Applejack asked. “To answer your second question, it’s Rarity. To answer your first… didn’t I see you at the party at Twilight’s last night?” “We forgot, okay? Just tell us where it is!” Rainbow Dash asked impatiently. “Only if I hear a please,” Rarity said smugly. “Um, Rarity, could you show us where Twilight’s house is, please?” Fluttershy asked. “I suppose since you asked nicely, I will,” Rarity said. “Follow me, then.” The ragtag group went off, going from a leisurely trot to a full run. I may as well follow. This could be amusing. The group, in spite of running, were sluggish enough that I reached their destination minutes before even the so-called 'Rainbow Dash' could get there. The place in itself was unexpected. To start, instead of a literal house, it was a thousand year old tree, with a massive trunk and branches. And yet, it still also had windows, and a functioning light delivery system, even a mailbox and a wooden door. It was quite literally a tree house. I turned to find the group of fools just about to reach the house. I perched myself near a window, watching the group. “First!” Rainbow Dash said. “Ah’ didn’t know we were racing!” Applejack protested. “Doesn’t matter. I still won,” Rainbow said smugly. “I guess that makes me last!” Pinkie said cheerfully. “I know it's none of my business, really, but you didn't seem to be trying very hard for a race,” Rarity said. “I wasn't!” Pinkie said cheerfully, as if that explained everything. “Then why... you know what, not even going to ask. Let's just go in. We have questions, and we need answers,” Rainbow Dash said as she opened the door to the tree house. The random thuds of books being carelessly tossed to the floor accompanied a familiar voice. “Elements, elements, elements... Ugh! How can I stop Night Mare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?” Twilight Sparkle complained to who she thought was nopony but herself. From my perch, I could see Twilight Sparkle startled expression as Rainbow Dash zoomed very close to Twilight's face. "And just what are the Elements of Harmony?” Rainbow Dash demanded. “And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a sp- Whoa!" Rainbow Dash said in surprise as her line or questioning was interrupted by the intervention of Applejack, who had briefly yanked Rainbow Dash's rainbow coloured tail. "Simmer down, Sally," Applejack said sternly, "She ain't no spy. But she sure knows what's going on, don't you?" Twilight hesitated, glancing over the expectant looks of the five mares, considering. Twilight let out a defeated breath. "I read all about the prediction of Night Mare 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, and I don't even know what they do!" Pinkie Pie, who had lost interest and was walking around the library during the speech, stopped at a bookcase labelled E. "The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide." Twilight slammed into Pinkie Pie and knocked her over in Twilight Sparkle's haste. "How did you find it?" "It was under 'E,'" Pinkie Pie sang. "Oh," Twilight said sheepishly as she slid the dusty book out from the shelf magically and flipped open the book. "There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, and Loyalty. The sixth one is unknown." Unknown to her, perhaps. "It is said," Twilight continued, "the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now," Twilight paused for a moment, "the Everfree Forest." "The Everfree Forest?" the rest of the ponies asked in horror. "Oh, so you know where it is? That makes things a little easier," Twilight said.