It was the day before the big celebration in Ponyville. So many ponies filled the streets and the hustle and bustle made the small town seem full and bubbling with excitement. After all, tomorrow would mark the first year anniversary of the wedding of Princes Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadence, and Shining Armor. And perhaps no one other than Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony were excited for the celebration. As the former ran around town with her list and scaly assistant to ensure that everything would fall in place together, the latter group were doing their own needs to complete the celebration. Pinkie Pie and Applejack were baking, Rarity and Fluttershy were working on the decorations and music together, and Rainbow Dash was preparing to perform the Sonic Rainboom again as well as adding new tricks to the entire thing.
During the chaos reigning from the preparations, Morning Glory trotted along with Zecora and Lyra, chattering in excitement for everything. Bon-Bon was busy assisting the Apple farm and getting food prepared. Morning was joining Zecora and Lyra up to the market, then she planned on heading to Sugar Cube Corner to assist her cousin and best friend in the baking.
Morning was very excited for the celebration tomorrow. The wedding a year ago was tremendous and everypony was still gossiping about the details about it. She dreamed of being there and was so jealous of Applejack for being involved with the wedding. But now... Now she had the chance to contribute and meet the princess herself.
As she and Zecora spoke animatedly, she wasn't focusing on her steps and a solid form hit her hard. She fell back on her haunches and shook her head, a soft gasp from her companion causing her to look up at who she ran into. Her eyes widened slightly as the stallion looked down at her, looking likewise as surprised. Then he smiled tenderly to her and offered her a hoof. "Sorry. Didn't see you there," he apologized sincerely, the deep voice surprising her.
Morning shook her head as she stood, flashing a smile up at the stallion before her. "No, no. T'wasn't your fault! I shoulda been payin' attention to where I was goin'."
The stallion simply chuckled a bit at that. "It's busy with the anniversary celebration. I think everyone is a bit short-sighted."
Something about his words made her mind bristle, confusion swimming in her eyes. But Zecora came up beside her and she pushed it away. She smiled softly to the stallion. "Sorry. I ought to be goin'. My friend and I got lots to do. I'll see ya at the celebration, right?"
"Oh, certainly." The stallion bowed his head. As he did, his charcoal fur gave an interesting shine of pure silver in the sunlight. Morning forced her eyes away and she began to walk away before the feathery touch of wings stopped her. She turned to see the stallion smiling a bit at her. "I'm Storm Runner, by the way."
Her smile simply grew. "Morning Glory. See you 'round, Storm."
The two girls trotted away, but Morning felt his eyes remaining on her. Her zebra companion gave her a sideways look before looking ahead. "If I didn't know my eyesight was perfect, I'd think he bumped into you on purpose."
Morning shook her head at that. "Heavens, it was just an accident, Zecora."
Her friend smirked a little. "Oh my dear companion, I do think you've intrigued that cute stallion."
Zecora continued to smirk but Morning just furrowed her brow at that. She thought of Fluttershy talking about running into a stallion that was looking at her. She highly doubted it was fate. Accidents happen and ponies check each other out. It's not like it was an uncommon thing.
Was it?
*****
Evening was dawning and everypony was gathered in town. The streets were crowded and full of chatter and life as curious eyes awaited seeing the princess and her husband. A large stage in the center of the town was constructed for the couple to stand on and for the festivities to begin. Mayor Mare stood in front of the stage, overseeing everything.
Morning Glory stood beside Applejack ask they looked around. Something bristled on the back of her neck. Something was... terribly, terribly amiss here. But she just couldn't put her hoof on it.
Her worries were shaken away as Applejack leaned in to whisper to her. "Ah think they'll be here soon."
"I hope so..." She whispered back anxiously, eyes skimming around, looking for that stallion she met earlier.
A nudge to her flank distracted her and she looked over to see Apple Bloom looking up at her. "Whatcha lookin' fer?"
"I'm lookin' for a friend of mine, Bloom," she replied casually.
"Yer coltfriend or fillyfriend?"
"Apple Bloom!" Came Applejack's stern tone.
The filly blushed sheepishly at being chastised for being nosy. Morning nuzzled her younger cousin fondly. "It's alright, Bloom. Go find your friends. I'm sure they're lookin' for ya."
Applejack and Morning Glory watched as the filly took off in a bounce and shared in a chuckle.
All eyes moved to the stage as Mayor Mare stepped forward. "Fillies and gentlecolts! It is with the greatest honor that I present to you our own Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor!" As she spoke, a chariot with some of the royal guard lowered down. The door opened and cheers erupted.
The pink alicorn princess stepped out, followed by her husband and she flashed a brilliant smile to the crowd. They both waved in greeting before the cheering died down. Cadence then spoke out. "Thank you, everypony! I know we had a lot of excitement at the wedding last year but it means so much to us to celebrate with our family and friends this year. It means so much to us that-"
Suddenly, a large crack sounded and all heads turned to look. Nothing looked out of the ordinary until another crack echoed around them. Sugar Cube Corner collapsed in a blaze of fire and screams erupted of shock and amazement.
Ponies began to peer around as a darkness began to descend onto the town. Morning Glory tensed her body and looked around. She lifted her gaze up in time to see the stage collapse, taking Cadence and Shining Armor with it. She took a step forward, to help, before a deep voice sounded in her ear. "Morning Glory, run!"
She turned to see Storm Runner there beside her. She couldn't find Applejack as chaos hit the town, various shops and homes catching fire or collapsing from unknown assailants using magic on them. She swallowed hard and nodded, taking off in a fast sprint along with Storm Runner. They dodged crowd members until a cyan blur flew past them, screeching to a halt.
"Rainbow!" Morning called out loudly. Rainbow Dash pointed a hoof towards the outskirts of town and she understood. She took off, knowing that's where the others were.
The town was in total chaos. Fires burned brightly. Screams of pain and surprise echoed everywhere. Poor unfortunate ponies got trampled on if they were in the way of the panicked crowds. Foals cried for their mothers as the got separated. It was a scene out of a horror show and it made Morning Glory's stomach churn.
Eventually, Storm Runner got her to the edge of the town. They turned around to see the dark shadow engulfing the town for a brief moment before taking off into the air and disappearing.
Applejack came running up to her. "Ah can't find Apple Bloom or Mac!" She cried desperately, looking around. Morning followed her desperate gaze.
Twilight was being consoled by Rarity, sobbing painfully because her brother was under the pile of rubble that was once the grand stage. Fluttershy consoled Pinkie Pie, who had a singed coat and was consoling the Cake twins, their parents nowhere to be found. Rainbow Dash darted all through the sky, trying to get clouds to stop the fires.
Applejack moved back to her friends as other survivors made their way out of town. Morning Glory looked around at the devastation of the war and she took in a shaky breath before looking at Storm Runner. "What in the name of the two princesses is going on here?!"
Storm Runner looked on at the smoldering fires of what was once blissful Ponyville, not taking his eyes off it. He spoke lowly, uttering a phrase that made Morning Glory and the Elements of Harmony freeze and stare at him, shocked.
"Nightmare Moon has returned."