//------------------------------//
// Goodnight Sun 
// Story: Starlight's Remark 
// by Bonk6 
//------------------------------//

Chapter Two: Goodnight Sun


"Princess, the ponies of Ponyville are expecting you in less than an hour! Should we prepare the chariot?" The Captain of the Royal Guard asks Celestia, oblivious to her slightly nervous expression.

"Yes.. I will be right with you, I only need some water before we go."

Flash Sentry nods and salutes, heading off to do as she requests. Celestia puts away her journal, her entry about dreading her sister's return finished. She knows what Starswirl predicted; the stars aiding in her escape, to bring upon eternal night. She's aware it is today, and that she was unable to find a pony to take up the elements when she is captured. Sunset Shimmer appeared promising, but her ego and impatience proved otherwise. Starlight Glimmer before her had shown the same; once she rose to a level higher in society, she started to act as though she could control those less fortunate. 

After those two students of hers, no other pony caught her eye. None seemed promising enough to handle the responsibility. Young Twilight Sparkle trained so much for the chance, and Celestia thought she could be her savior. But it was all for not, the Princess could not pass the pony who had already failed on day one. No other ponies could meet the standards she needed. So now, Celestia takes a moment to breathe, before leaving to go face her corrupted sister.



Starlight pushes past the crowd of ponies, "Move it, would you? Get away! Watch it, I'm going in front!" Eventually she's closest to the balcony, waiting to see Celestia's Sun Celebration. She missed it this year in her own timeline, which means her current self is still missing it, but that only means to her that she should see the sights this time around. She readies her camera, knowing how rare pictures of Celestia were at this year's event, though she's not sure why.

Mayor Mare steps up to the front of the balcony, raising her hoof with a smile on her face. "Fillies and gentle-colts! As Mayor of Ponyville, it is my..." 

Starlight, getting bored, blocks out the overly upbeat pony's speech. Some cellist plays a piece for the event, and the light comes on where Celestia will enter. But Celestia doesn't enter, leaving Starlight to stand there awkwardly with the camera to her face. 'No wonder the photos were so rare, it was a no-show! Typical for a princess to ruin something good,' she thinks to herself just before a swirling mass of purple smoke takes up the space. The evil laughter takes up the room, soon revealing none other than Nightmare Moon!

"Oh, my beloved subjects," she begins. "It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces."

"Who is this?!" Starlight yells, obviously angered by the whole ordeal. "I came for the Princess, not some poser in a Nightmare Night costume!"

"SILENCE!!" The Queen of Darkness fires a beam of magic in Starlight's direction, which she sidesteps away from. "YOU HAVE ALL FORGOTTEN THY NAME SO EASILY? Let us see if you all recall once ALL of Canterlot is ours!" Nightmare Moon blasts a few walls, then exits stage left.

Starlight scoffs. "As if she is about to do just that. I've seen what happens, and that is not it!"

About an hour later, Nightmare has Celestia caged in her own throne room. The guards are in the dungeon, any other ponies are simply too afraid to do anything. The sky is looking to be the eternal night she craved, and now she is pleased. Nightmare Moon trots up to her old sister to gloat. "You thought keeping me confined to the moon would prevent this? You were a fool, then and now! Darkness will be all this kingdom receives, FOREVER!"

Celestia defeatedly looks her in the eyes. She knows she has lost, and even more than that, she has lost Equestria to the shroud of the moon. "I am sorry, Luna..." A tear falls from her cheek, hitting the cold metal cage's floor.

Outside the castle, the disharmony in the air is still very powerful. The statue cracks, and then shatters, a deep chuckle coming from the creature inside.