The ponies gaped at the princess.
“How could of Nightmare Moon returned?” Applejack asked
“Well… do you remember when you destroyed Nightmare Moon and how there were bits of Nightmare Moon’s armor scattered about the floor?”
“Yes,” Twilight said, recalling the event.
“Those bits contained some of Nightmare Moon’s essence. If there was enough, then Nightmare Moon might have been able to resurrect herself.”
“So why are we here if we should be looking for Luna or possibly Nightmare Moon?” asked Rainbow Dash
“You may need these,” Celestia said.
“The group realized they were at the vault that contained the Elements of Harmony. Celestia bent her head down inserting her horn into the key hole. The safe door glowed as the interlocking joints inside the door turned and clicked into place allowing the vault door to open. A jeweled box sat on a pedestal on the safe. Celestia picked up the box and began taking out the Elements of Harmony, securing the necklaces to each of the wielder’s necks.
“Phew, for a second there I thought they might be gone.” said Pinkie Pie.
“Good luck my little ponies.” Celestia said as she set the Element of Magic onto Twilight’s head. But as the crown made contact to Twilight’s head, there was a bust of light as her mind was filled with a vision. Twilight was at the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. This was the place where she and her friends had last battled Nightmare Moon, except this was a different battle. She noticed and watched herself and her friends powering up their element preparing to fire. But at that moment, her vision was interrupted by screams and she was returned back to the vault hall to find herself hurtling toward the ground. She hit the tile and skidded until she crashed into the wall. Her friends and the princess rushed to her side.
“Twilight!”
“Twilight! Are you hurt?”
“Are you hurt?”
“Are you okay?”
“What happened?”
“What was that flash?”
“I don’t know,” answered Twilight weakly, “I saw a vision of some sort, but I wasn’t able
to tell what it was about. I do know one thing though. Nightmare moon is indeed back. I saw her.”
“Perhaps he Element of Magic was warning you about her.“ said the princess.
“There was a battle.” Twilight said, “At the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters.”
Twilight gasped as she realized the truth.
“I know where Nightmare Moon is!”
“Where?” the group asked in sync.
“I’ll tell you on the way.”
“Good luck, and farewell.” Celestia called to the ponies as they galloped out of the room.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“So ya tellin’ me that that we’re about to be in the battle that you saw in your vision at the castle where we last defeated Nightmare Moon?” repeated Applejack as the six entered the Everfree forest.
“Yes,” said Twilight.
“Oh goodie,” yipped Pinkie Pie excitedly.
They walked in silence as the ponies made their way toward the castle. They peered through the bushes at the fortress. The castle had been renovated from when they had last seen it. The rope bridge that once was tattered and fraying, looked much safer and two of Luna’s old guards flanked it. Across the chasm, the castle appear to be more reinforced with guards patrolling around in pairs every thirty seconds.
“How are we going to get through all those guards, Twilight?” Rarity asked.
“I can take them.” boasted Rainbow Dash.
“Huh,“ Applejack huffed, “I doubt it.”
“Hey, whose side are you on,” retorted Rainbow Dash.
“Shush, both of you.” said Twilight, “I need to think up a plan.”
“Got it.” she said.
“What,” they asked .
“We’re going to need a distraction to lire away the bridge guards, and then some clouds to cover us when we cross the bridge. We’ll need to be fast enough to avoid the castle guards. Fluttershy do you think you can persuade some of your forest friend to help us?”
“I’m sure they’d love to help get the sun back,”
“Good. Rainbow Dash, can you bring us some clouds down to earth?”
“I’m on it.”
“Alright,” said Twilight, “Let’s go.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The pegasi guards stood, staring out into the woods. Their orders were not to let anypony passed. A squirrel scurried up to the two. The pegasi stared straight ahead. Another squirrel darted up towards them. The guards still stared. Another squirrel came forward followed by another and another until there a small army of them surrounding the two. That’s when the guard’s took notice.
“Shoo,” said one, waving his hoof at the squirrels.
They didn’t move.
“Yeah,” chimed in the other, “Get lost,”
Once again they didn’t move.
The guards, who were getting a little nervous, tried a more drastic approach began snorting and scuffing the ground as a warning. This gesture didn’t cause the squirrels to back off, but move closer. That’s when the panic stared to seep in. When this happens, a pony has two choices: Fight or Flight. Being who they were, they chose the first option. Rearing up and letting loose war cries as they charged the squirrels. They squirrels ran, leading them deeper into woods. The guards chased the squirrels until they disappeared into the trees. They panted, feeling rather victorious. The feeling soon vanished when the two heard a growling sound coming from behind them. The two slowly turned around dreading what they might see. A manticord stood there snarling. The beast reared, letting lose a ferocious roar. The two ran, screaming into the night. Fluttershy appeared out the bushes.
“Oh, I don’t think you needed to scare them that badly,” she said, patting it on the head, “But you did a great job.”
The manticord purred with pleasure.
“Alright,” said Twilight, “Let’s go.”
The six hurriedly crossed the bridge under the cover of the clouds Rainbow Dash had set up. They crowded behind a tree. Twilight peered out at the guards.
“Okay it appears the guards circle around the castle in pair. They pass by main doors about sixty feet apart. That means we have about thirty second to get to the doors without being seen. We’ll have to be very quiet. On my signal we head for the door, but remember, be quiet!”
As the guards passed by the doors, the six raced for the door. Twilight grabbed handle. It wouldn’t budge.
“It’s locked!” she whispered to the others.
“What do we do?” Rainbow dash asked.
“I know an unlocking spell, but I can’t remember how it goes.” she pondered
The ponies fidgeted nervously as precious seconds trickled by.
“Um wait… ah hah.”
Twilight concentrated hard as she cast the spell. “Click.” She testily pushed on the door. It opened. The six darted inside and closed the door just as the next pair of guards rounded the corner.
“Phew,” the group sighed in relief. They looked around at their soundings. They were the main entry hall where they’d had first found the Elements.
“This sure brings back memories,” Applejack said as she gazed upon the pedestal where the Elements once sat.
“Come on, we have to find Nightmare Moon.”
“Did somepony say my name?” asked an unseen pony.
Suddenly, there a flash of purple light as the evil alicorn appeared.
“Hello again, my little ponies.” greeted Nightmare Moon.
“You.” said Twilight.
“Yes, me,” she repeated,
“Princess Luna, please if you can hear me, I know you can fight Nightmare Moon.” Rarity said.
“Princess Luna? You Think-That I- Hah” cackled Nightmare Moon, “You think that I took over that weak foal’s body-Hah. Please, Luna failed me before so why would this time be any different. She of course knew my weaknesses, so I had to… do away with her.”
“What do you mean, do away with her?” Twilight asked suspiciously.
“Lets just say it involved a shrinking spell, a jar and a deadly drop over a balcony railing.” Nightmare Moon said giving them a sinister smile.
“No!” yelled Twilight as the others gasped in realization.
“Yes.”
“You will pay!” screamed Rainbow Dash.
“Formation! Now!” yelled Twilight.
The six friends stared down Nightmare Moon. They had defeated her once before, and they could do it again. They concentrated on their elements, power surging from them preparing to form the magical rainbow of friendship that would destroy the moon mare’s dark powers once again. But before the energies could combine, Nightmare Moon seized the five necklaces and tiara, incasing them in blue aura, and flinging them through though a cracked window. Rainbow Dash was the first to recover from the counterattack. She gasped, and flew after the elements. But the attempt was in vain as a she watched helplessly the elements soar far beyond her hoof’s reach all in different directions. Down below, Nightmare Moon cackled evilly.
”Fools,” She said, ”It was hopeless for you to try and stop me, and now with those pesky Elements out of the way I can destroy you!”.
Rainbow Dash dive bombed her, but was thrown aside from Nightmare Moon’s magic, crashing into her friends. The six lay crumpled in a heap as drew closer. She towered above them, leering down at them menacingly. Fluttershy began to whimper as Nightmare Moon’s horn began to glow with a blue aura. Twilight knew she had to save both herself and her friends. Feeling an ounce of strength, she cast a teleportation spell and they disappeared in a shower of purple sparks. Nightmare Moon wailed at their escape and vowed they wouldn’t get away so easily next time.
End of Chapter Two
This chapter was edited by DLRMovieProductions.