“SEVEN HOURS,” Sunset screeched. She clutched a pillow over her head with her hooves in a desperate attempt to block out the noises downstairs. It was all for not. The whoops and hollers resounded about and the country notes invaded her sense. “They’ve been partying for seven hours! Who does that? Oh yeah, country hicks.”Sunset had spent the first couple of hours trying over and over again to find something to stop Nightmare Moon’s return. She looked through books about stopping daemon incursions and all that like but not a one that could help her in this scenario. ‘Of course, how does a mortal stop a god?’ That was a plaguing question that irritated her like nothing before…Only to be surpassed by the sounds of the party below.
“SHUT UP! I’M TRYING TO THINK!” She shouted again to no avail. After all her research, she had come to the conclusion that she had no means as of the moment to stop Nightmare Moon. The only being she knew who could stand a chance was her mother. ‘I’m sure mom has a plan up her non-existent sleeve. I mean, she’s lived for thousands of years. Surely she has something to fall back on in case of a crisis like this.’ That thought had helped assuage some of her fears, but they didn’t go away.
Nope, instead they were buried beneath her utter annoyance. The last few hours had held nothing but headache for the young mare. ‘Don’t those imbeciles know I’m trying to save their lives? No of course not, because they think Nightmare Moon is just a folktale or something.’ She really wanted to just go down there and throw all of those backwater ponies out the door, but that wasn’t the best option for two reasons.
One: That would garner the hate of the townsfolk and make the rest of her stay here a living Tartarus.
Two: Her mother would find out and she’d never hear the end of it.
Thinking of her mother again, her mood turned melancholy. ‘Oh yeah, I almost forgot.’ The day’s events, and Nightmare Moon’s return, had made her forget what today should have been. Every afternoon before the Summer Sun’s Celebration, she and her mother would hang out and do all sorts of things. Spike would politely decline, mostly because he didn’t want to partake in anything too ‘feminine’. Sunset couldn’t help but snort in amusement. She knew he was just using the afternoon to sweep some mare off her hooves.
‘We were supposed to go to Canterlot’s waterpark.’ She sniffled. Her ears splayed back against her skull and for a moment she forgot about the ruckus. ‘Ugh, I know I need to save the world but I really should have remembered that. It would have certainly been far more productive than the day I’ve been having…At least I have this tree library. Once Nightmare Moon is defeated, I don’t know how, probably mom kicking her flank, I’ll let her know she owes me big time.’
Interrupting her musings, a noise could be heard as someone entered the room. Her aggressive attitude returned with a vengeance. “If that’s you, Fiddlesticks, I swear I’ll tear out your eyeballs, set them aflame and stuff them down your throat.”
“Then I’m glad I’m not Fiddlesticks,” Spike answered. Sunset took the pillow off her head and turned to look at her brother.
“Spike,” she asked as she raised an eyebrow, “why do you have a lampshade on your head?”
Indeed, a lampshade currently hid most of the upper part of his head, coming to rest on his snout. He tilted it upwards as to get a better look at her. “Why, I wanted to try my hand at lampshade humor.”
Sunset face-hooved hard. The poor joke almost hurt her. “I…shut up.” Spike chuckled, to which she set the lampshade ablaze. Within a couple of seconds, the lampshade was no more.
Spike huffed and he brushed off the ash. “Sunset, the celebrations about to begin.”
“So, the party’s over?”
“No.”
“Buck you to Tartarus.” She pulled the pillow back over her head.
Spike laughed. “But mom’s coming. I’m sure she’ll want to hear about Nightmare Moon’s return personally.”
That got her attention. The pillow was thrown to the side and she jumped off the bed. “Of course she will. And with all this evidence—” She levitated several scrolls and threw them at Spike. He stood on his hind legs as the scrolls stacked their way up high in his arms. “—She’ll have no other choice than to believe me.” She marched her way out the door. “Come along, Spike. We have a world to save.”
“With saviors like us,” Spike grumbled as he tried to follow her, “who needs conquerors?”
_____________________________________________________________________________
Inside Canterlot Castle
Celestia calmly looked her image over as she stood in front of her large, personal mirror. The image she saw wasn’t one she was happy to see again. The armor she wore was draconic in nature. The golden scale-like armor glistened in the candlelights that lit her room. Blood red spikes ran along her spine. The tail pierce of the armor was a living metal substance that simulated a tail, which was rather long. It balanced in the air behind her, twitching with her agitation. She could actually feel the armor as though it was her own flesh and blood. ‘You’ve got to give my dragon kin their due. They know how to craft.’
The helmet slid across her face, leaving most of it uncovered save for her cheeks and a narrow strip between her eyes. Her large purple eyes scanned her visage. She was all suited up and ready for war. “I…I never wanted this.”
“We rarely get to choose the course of history,” came the voice of Anrain, as he entered the room. “Even clairvoyance can only go so far.”
Celestia didn’t turn around to face him. “This is really happening, isn’t it?” The sun goddess was in a state of denial. She knew it was so, but she refused to believe the present events. ‘Please tell me that we’re wrong. Please Anrain, please.’
“I’m afraid it is,” Anrain’s answer did nothing but make her heart sink further than it already was. “I’m sure you have everything in place?” Celestia nodded. “You know, you’re risking the lives of several ponies, including your own children. Do you really believe she can pull this off?”
“I do with all my heart,” Celestia replied sternly. It was one thing to doubt her, but to doubt her daughter…She would not stand for that. “Sunset has been trained in several areas of magic. She can take care of herself. You should have more trust in my judgment, Farseer. I trusted yours when you put the lives of my ponies in harm’s way.”
Anrain looked away with a downcast expression. “Well…Yes, yes I did,” he sighed. “But what of the Elements? Can she use them?”
Celestia smiled and turned around to look at him. “You underestimate the power of friendship, Anrain. She will make it, I have no doubt.”
“But what if she fails?” He held up a hoof when a scowl started to form on her perfect face. “There is always a chance of failure, even with the best of plans. I want to know what you will do if you happen to fail.”
Celestia’s scowl turned into a simple frown. She knew what she had to do…It just wasn’t something she wanted. “I will do what I must to protect my ponies,” She lit her horn, materializing a large, golden sword. The broad sword had in of itself immense power, enough to level entire armies. It had served her well in the past, spilling the blood of many a foe…In time, she would need it again. “Whatever that entails.”
Anrain bowed his head. “You shall have the support of the Deer. The True Enemy will not claim this world, not as long as we draw breath.”
Celestia gave him a kind hearted smile. “I know.” Anrain was, and always will be, a dear friend to her. She was thankful that his role as a farseer extended his life. She didn’t know what she would have done without him during the last thousand years. ‘I'd probably have gone mad…Well, more mad than at first.’ Pushing back sour memories, Princess Celestia, goddess of the sun and ruler of Equestria, readied herself for what was about to unfold.
___________________________________________________________________________
Sometime later, inside the Town Hall
“Whoa,” Fiddlesticks balked at the size of the list of scrolls in Spike’s arms. It was nearly twice his size. “That’s a lot of scrolls.”
“Thank you, captain obvious.” Sunset rolled her eyes. She had to admit, Rarity did a decent job of decorating the town hall for the celebration. ‘Still, Canterlot designers have done way better than this.’ She remarked to herself.
“Do ya’ll really need all of them?” Fiddlesticks turned her gaze away from the pile to Sunset.
Sunset nodded. “Of course I do. I have…an important thing I want to discuss with my mother. These scrolls will help me make my point.”
Fiddlesticks scratched her head. “Still seems unnecessary ta me. I’m sure a smart city mare like yerself could memorize all this in no time at all.”
Sunset beamed at the praise. “Why thank you, Fiddlesticks. But I don’t have the time. One mistake could jeopardize everything.” Fiddlesticks nodded, as if she understood.
Sunset stood with everypony else, waiting for her mother’s arrival. Once the festivities started, she’d drag her aside and explain Nightmare Moon’s return. ‘I know tonight’s the night, but I sincerely doubt Nightmare Moon will be powerful enough to escape, not for at least twenty four hours. That’ll be plenty enough time to form some type of plan.’ “Aren’t you supposed to be playing my mother’s intro music?” she asked Fiddlesticks.
Fiddlesticks gasped in realization and sped off…only to appear on a nearby balcony in less than a second with her fiddle at the ready.
“How does she do that?” Sunset asked more to herself than someone else.
“I don’t know,” Spike spoke up. “I can’t see anything but scrolls.” Sunset just rolled her eyes.
Fiddlesticks began playing a little triumphant country tune. The young princess found it…acceptable. At least, for a hick.
A spotlight came down and highlighted Mayor Mare. Time Turner was standing beside her, watching the audience like a hawk. “Mares and Stallions, chaos and harmony, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration.” Everyone started cheering. “To celebrate the coming of the longest day of the year, please put your hooves together for Ponyville’s own chaos priestess, Vinyl Scratch.”
The ponies started cheering again as the door burst open and in came two rather strange mares. Loud, new age music seemed to play on their arrival, most likely due to the unicorn's magic. The first was a bright pink with a purple and white striped mane. Her cutie mark was a ball and a screw. Her eyes were the strangest thing about her, as they literally just purple swirls. A little helicopter hat spun on her head, seemingly allowing her to fly around in the air.
‘Oh great, an earth pony with chaos magic. This is going to be fun.’ Sunset groaned inwardly.
The second was a white unicorn with a blue highlighted mane. Her musical note cutie mark was was pronounced against her red robe that rode her flanks well. The stares of several stallions confirmed it's effectiveness; not to mention the sultry way she moved about. It wasn't extremely pronounced, but it was there. The robes covered her chest and she had the eight pointed star halo behind her head. The usual 'sun' mark marred her right cheek. Diamond Tiara was riding on her back, giggling. She trotted over to Ditzy Doo and stopped in front of her. “Time to hop off.”
Diamond jumped off the mare’s back and took her place near Dinky Doo and Apple Bloom. “Knock ‘em dead, sis.” Screwball landed next to Ditzy and offered her a smile, which was returned.
Vinyl chuckled. “I’ll try.” She clapped her hooves together and vanished in a bright white flash. The strange mare quickly appeared on stage. “Hello, Ponyville. You ready for tomorrow?” A loud cheer was her answer. “I’m just going to make this quick, ‘cause speeches are boring. Don’t want you to daze off. I’ll let the sun priestess do the honors.”
“I heard that,” came another voice as she entered the building. It was none other than local Sun Priestess, Bon Bon. She was wearing the golden silk robes befitting her status and had a sun halo like disk behind her head. A necklace with Celestia’s cutie mark rested around her neck. Lyra was trailing behind her, dogging her hoofsteps. The unicorn mare was moving rapidly about, looking for any signs of danger. She sent little glares at anypony they passed, as if to say ‘back off’. It worked, as the ponies gave the duo a wide birth.
Vinyl smirked. “You were supposed to. So anyways, who here likes the night?” Nopony raised their hooves. “Who here loves the day?” Everypony started clapping their hooves together and hollering their adoration. “You hear that, Sunnybutt? Shine that sun of yours over our heads. We’re ready to have some fun, aren’t we ponies?”
A cheer resounded around as the little segment was over. Sunset harrumphed. “That was the best she could do?”
Vinyl disappeared and reappeared next to her. Sunset didn’t flinch. She was used to the antics of chaos. “Honestly, I pulled that out of my behind at the last minute. I was too busy having fun with my little sister.” She ruffled Diamond’s mane.
“Stop it,” Diamond huffed and pushed her hoof away. “I just got this fixed.” She went to try and straighten it.
Vinyl giggled. “She spends way too much time at Miss Rarity’s, if you ask me.”
“Well done, Vinyl Scratch,” Mayor Mare applauded. “And now, give a warm welcome to Priestess Bon Bon.”
Another round of cheering resounded as the priestess and her escort took to stage. Bon Bon turned to the audience and offered them a kind hearted smile. “My fellow Equestrians, let us offer up our prayers.” Bon Bon kneeled down and bowed her head. The audience, Sunset included, followed suit. She wasn’t really going to pray, she didn’t need to as her mother was the goddess, but she did it out of a sign of respect.
“O Celestia, hear my cry:
Guide me through the blackest nights
Steel my heart against the temptations of the wicked
Make me to rest in your light.
My Princess, judge me whole:
Find me well within Your grace
Touch me with fire that I be cleansed
Tell me I have sung to Your approval
O Celestia, see me kneel:
For I walk only where You would bid me
Stand only in places You have blessed
Sing only the words You place in my throat
Lord Princess, hear my cry:
Seat me by Your side in death
Make me one within Your glory
And let the world once more see Your favor
For You are the fire at the heart of the world
And comfort is only Yours to give.
Amen.”
“Amen.” The audience answered.
As everyone stood up, the sound of someone clapping could be heard. “A riveting prayer, if I say so.” The male voice said. Everyone looked over to a black cloaked unicorn stallion. His dark blue fur was evident under the cloak. “It’s a shame that it’s for a false goddess.”
Time Turner strode forth to the edge of the stage and pointed at the stallion. “Who are you to address our goddess in such a way?”
“My, my, my.” the stallion shook his head. “How times have changed you, Doctor. I never took you for a religious type.”
Time Turner’s eyes widened. “Impossible, you’re…”
“Dead.” The stallion moved his hood from over his head. A black mane spilled over his features. Slitted eyes, similar to snakes, caught Sunset's attention.
'Either he's a hybrid or...we're bucked.'
“It’s so good to see you remember. What has it been, over nine hundred years?”
Time Turner’s teeth were gritted. “Over three hundred for me.”
“Ah yes, time charger and all that.” the stallion started to walk to the stage. “And my condolences for your loss. The death of your oh so beautiful wife must weigh heavily on your soul. You were always a little too slow.”
The Inquisitor shook with rage. “SIEZE HIM!” Time Turner yelled. Two armored stallions rushed him.
The stallion just smirked and lit his horn. Two long, sharp, black tendrils shot forth and easily pierced the golden armored chests. The stallion chuckled as he lifted the lifeless bodies upwards and within an instant, two purple flames flew out of their mouth. The stallion pulled an orb from out of his cloak and the flames flowed into it. “Thank you. Our lordess will be hungry when she returns.” And with another flick of his magic, the bodies were sent flying into the crowd. Ponies screamed as they tried to avoid the dead soldiers.
Sunset watched the whole thing in a mixture of awe and disgust. Awe in the form of the stallion’s magic. She had never seen such or felt such magic before and that intrigued her. Once they had apprehended this heretic, she was going to get him to explain its inner workings. Disgust was in the form of how he referenced her mother. ‘False goddess? Oh, he is definitely going down.’
“Hey,” Sunset stepped forth. “Who do you think you are, barging in here like this?”
The stallion’s smile grew. “I’m glad you asked,” The stallion magicked himself up onto an empty platform overlooking the entire audience. “I am Apostle and I am a messenger sent from our one and true goddess.”
“HA!” Lyra laughed. “One and true goddess? As if.”
The stallion sent her a chilling glare, but Lyra ignored him, instead continuing to chuckle. “Laugh while you can, you sun loving fools. She will come and she will make you regret your choice of faith.”
Sunset noticed at that moment that the moon shimmered and the image of the mare in the moon vanished. “Well, that can’t be good.” Her knees started to shake, as she resisted the urge to bolt.
Apostle’s grin returned. “And without further delay, I present to you the true ruler of Equestria.”
The temperature of the room dropped to near chilling levels, causing the ponies to huddle against each other for warmth, if they weren’t doing so already out of fear. The lights flickered as a large shadow formed near Apostle. Quickly, the shadow formed a sort of shape, changing into a dark blue piece of the sky. Little white sparkles, similar to stars, blinked here and there in the form. Dark blue, barbed tendrils flittered in, out, and about the large formless shadow. And in the middle, a sort of head could be seen; The head of a large, black unicorn.The daemon's presence sent shivers down everypony's spine. Dark thoughts and powers flittered around the air, invading the minds of the citizens. The ponies were stilled in shock and awe as they beheld the dark being.
Sunset gulped. ‘Oh mother preserve me, she’s here.’ Sunset wondered why she wasn’t in her full form, but then realized that Nightmare Moon might not have had the time to get enough energy for that. ‘Like I thought she didn’t have enough energy to escape.’ She reminded herself.
The shadow mare glanced over the audience. A wicked grin was plastered on her face. One of the tendrils moved in front of her and pointed down. “KNEEL!”
Fiddlesticks sighed. “Oh mah gosh, she’s foreign. Ah got this.” She cleared her throat. “Hello, Kneel,” she moved her hoof downwards, like the tendril. “Nice ta meet ya. Mah name’s Fiddlesticks.” And with that, she shot her hoof forward in friendship.