//------------------------------// // L41.1 Operation Eternal Night // Story: A little loopy. // by FaelaArts //------------------------------// “Is everypony here?” Sweetie looked at the round table of ponies. To one side sat the Crusaders, quietly coming to terms with the news she had just told them. Luna and Twilight shared excited smirks, eyes glowing with mischief. The other five were less enthused, but Sweetie could tell they were behind the plan as long as Twilight was. “Yes, now tell us; did your test work out as planned?” Twilight smiled, flicking through her notes as she skimmed the ones relating to the day in question. Sweetie nodded, pulling out a piece of paper revealing a notice of a new holiday. Everypony shared a laugh at the photo used for the notice, showing two Princesses scrubbing the ground with toothbrushes. “Indeed, Toothpaste Day was a huge success, showing that if we involve Twilight and Luna, we should get immense support. However, this also means you’re going to have to be in multiple places at once Luna.” Sweetie paused as Luna nodded, and teleported to a different seat at the table. “So, is everypony clear on the plan?” Sweetie smiled as she rubbed her hooves together. All ponies nodded, giving a salute, and Sweetie stood up. Everypony watched as she unfurled a charter, dividing up Equestria into different sections. Sweetie motioned to the different cities. “Now, we want to finish this by tomorrow, so everypony is going to be teleported to their locations to begin. At midday, we all start at the same time. Twilight has prepared the speeches so that Luna has roughly ten minutes between them, giving her enough time to teleport to each of the locations and make a quick appearance. “Remember, this is going to be much harder than Toothpaste Day, we’re trying to convince a nation of something serious. So make sure to choose your words carefully.” Sweetie waited as all nodded, and smiled, slicing up the map and hoofing a section to the ponies. Sweetie saluted them, and stepped back. “Good luck, and goodbye.” Sweetie and the Crusaders were first, Sweetie charged with their safety. After all, it wasn’t as if they could get any permanent damage. Sweetie picked a spot in the middle of Ponyville, and levitated over the pieces as Apple Bloom got to work building it. This, of course, earned her a Cutie Mark. Scootaloo was next. “Alright, so we need something we can march to. I’m thinking something along the lines of ‘No more fright, we want night’.” Sweetie waited as Scootaloo nodded, and began to help Apple Bloom design the big signs for the picketing line. Sweetie watched this, and noticed onlookers beginning to see their work. Finally, it was time. Sweetie wrote up the final touches on the banner, levitating it up high in her magic. Turning, she pulled out a piece of paper, reading the spell Twilight had given her. Casting it, her voice was now amplified greatly. Sweetie also cast it on the other Crusaders, and they all smirked. “Citizens of Ponyville! It is time we rise up against the one who oppresses us with her light. For too long we have slaved away under her, and now it is time to rise up, and accept a new sovereign to take her place. May I introduce, Princess Luna!” Sweetie stepped to the side just as Luna appeared. Luna looked down, and gently smiled to everypony. “My subjects,” she spoke, keeping her voice loud, but not screeching. “My wonderful subjects, for too long has my sister been on the throne. For too long has she toiled. So long, that she has been corrupted by time. No longer does she represent three races. My sister does not fly with Pegasi, does not run with the Earth Ponies, and she does not glow with the unicorns.” Luna lowered her head, letting a tear fall. Nearly all of Ponyville was already at the edge, willing to go along with Luna if she gave the right push. “But fear not! For I shall free us from this oppression. Too long has my sister hoarded the sun, using it as her means of keeping power! I will free us from the chain. I will create a world without the sun! Earth Ponies will still be able to grow if they so wish. The cold will not come! I implore you; trust me! For the longer we wait, the closer we get to…” Luna trailed off, her horn sparking and an image of Sombra over Crystal Ponies in chains was revealed. Luna stepped back, and the Crusaders stepped forward. “No more fright! We want night!” Sweetie held the banner, while Scootaloo and Apple holding up signs with their logo on it. Ponyville blinked en masse, and then dive bombed the stage, grabbing the signs they had made up prior. Sweetie and the Crusaders leapt off the stage, joining Silver and Diamond. Waiting, they watched Luna teleport away, and began to organise the mob. “For Equestria!” From the buffalo of Appleloosa, to the high class of Manehattan. All ponies heard the Princess cry, and all responded with outrage. As all marched on Canterlot, where another uprising occurred just before all would meet up, led by Rarity as she showed off her best fashion design, one she had been saving. All the groups lined up around the castle, and Celestia leant out the window, looking down. Seeing not only her sister but the mane 6 leading the strike, she knew there was no chance she could beat them. Celestia glanced to the stacks of paperwork near her desk, watching as three more stacks were levitated in. Making a decision, she glided down from the window, meeting the crowd with grace only she could pull off. “Sister, Twilight, why are you doing this?” Celestia decided to go with the pleading option, knowing it was the best chance at winning back sympathy. A few faces in the crowd swayed, but most stayed resolute. Celestia was amazed at the strength of a mob. “Sister, is it time to step down. The populace hath spoken. They wish for Eternal Night.” Luna looked seriously as Celestia, who flared her wings in surprise. How had Luna organised this? Celestia glanced upward to the window, and sighed. If it was just a small group, she might have been able to talk them down. But with Twilight backing Luna, and the elements following suit, there was no chance she could even raise an objection. “Well played Luna, I concede.” Celestia smiled, and gently took the sign off one of the crowd. Clearing the paint with her magic, she saw one filly holding a can of paint and a brush, and levitated the brush out. Writing on it, she gave an amused wink to Luna. ‘No more paperwork, no more sun.’ Celestia hoisted her sign, and joined the front of the mob. Marching toward the castle entrance, Luna turned around at the top of the stands, and silenced the mob with a simple hoof. “We are victorious! The night shall last forever!” Cheers rang out, reaching a crescendo as Luna preened from the praise. Celestia watched this, eyes holding a cheerful mirth.