The Ever Changing Moon

by CommanderX5

Ponyville - Preparations

“So… if I understand correctly,” said a mature earth pony sporting a white mane and bow-tie, with a scroll adorning her hindquarters'. “You are asking me to gather all citizens of Ponyville to make an announcement that Summer Sun Celebration is going to be replaced.”

Twilight and Spike both nodded.

“And you want it replaced by a, and I quote, ‘Celebration of Nightmare Moon’s Return’,” she took a deep breath and added, “along with our surrender to the corrupted alicorn princess?” Her voice became sharper. “In short, you want us to betray Equestria and pledge our loyalty to an alicorn we’ve never even heard of? Do you take us for fools?”

Twilight kept her composure as she levitated over two scrolls. One being an order from Celestia, another a confirmation supporting said order by the Empress of the Crystal Empire.

After a moment of reading, Mayor Mare sighed. “What did we do to deserve this?” She looked around, her room full of shelves filled with scrolls and documents. The center of the floor and ceiling had inscribed symbols of Celestia’s cutie mark, something that would soon change. Will I be replaced by somepony else? Changes in leadership are always result of takeovers, peaceful or hostile.

She looked at the entrance into her office and called, “Summer Sun Celebration Committee, please enter.”

Twilight observed the gathering of ponies, recognizing some of them. When she had asked Mayor Mare to summon the ponies responsible for organizing the Summer Sun Celebration, she had expected the four potential Element Bearers would be among them and wasn’t disappointed.

“No need to say a thing,” Vinyl said as she fixed her glasses. “The night celebration is already being set up in the Town Hall and will be done yesterday.”

Octavia stepped up and spoke, “I will provide classical music, as planned. I am certain no changes in the musical departament are necessary.”

Pinkie bounced in place incessantly, as if she was more filled with sugar than usual. “And what about the party preparations? If she’s the Princess of the Night rather than sun, there’ll be need for a huge change of scenery, like flags, banners, wall color, ceiling, balloons, cannons, confetti…”

“I’ve got this covered, less talking, more breathing,” Vinyl said as she grabbed Pinkie by her shoulder and pulled her outside.

“I will assist with decorations and prepare some gifts,” Rarity said. “It is unfortunate that Empress Cadence left after the welcome party as she would be a good model. However, if Nightmare Moon is similar in size to Princess Celestia, I can make a dress that will fit her.”

Ditzy raised her forehoof and spoke, “My family couldn’t come to the meeting as they’re bringing supplies from Canterlot. But they promised to assist with the construction-related tasks.”

Rainbow Dash saluted. “The sky is clear and will stay that way. I just hope the Wonderbolts won’t get disbanded after this take-over. It would be a disaster!”

“Uh-huh.” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “We should be able to make enough food, but only with the Cakes' help. Ah canceled the reunion. Mah kin wasn’t happy ‘bout it.”

“Whatever for?” Mayor Mare asked as she stood from her seat. Apple family giving up on such event being hard to imagine.

“So we don’t get an angry mob. Mah kin ain’t known fer givin’ up easily.”

“Then it’s settled,” Mayor Mare said, stomping the floor. “I’ll inform everypony of this… unexpected change of plans and alter my speech accordingly. Thank you for your hard work, everypony. This meeting is adjourned.”

One at a time, everypony left. Twilight and Spike were about to go outside, but a voice from behind stopped her.

“It appears that you had already convinced my celebration committee in advance.”

Twilight smiled awkwardly, rubbing back of her head. “It was… easier than expected.”

The group of ponies walked outside of Town Hall, talking with each other.

“Dash, seriously?” Applejack asked. “Ah get ya want ta fly with these stunt fliers, but there’s more important stuff ta worry about.”

Rainbow Dash hovered over the ground, her forearms crossed and eyebrows drawn together. “Listen, AJ. Joining the Wonderbolts may be my goal, but there’s another reason I mentioned them.”

She landed in front of Applejack, grabbed her and shouted, “The important part is that the Wonderbolts are like heroes for all pegasi over Equestria!” She started shaking Applejack. “They can’t lose their jobs, AJ, or be captured on some sort of mission against Nightmare Moon! Think of the young ones, AJ, think of the young ones!”

Dash pushed Applejack to the side and started biting her own hooves. “What if they try to take down the two-faced princess, while I will end up as her personal guard? I can’t fight my childhood heroes.”

Vinyl approached Rarity, who wore a large hat and dress covering her head and back as protection from the sun. “Don’t you think that Pinkie is waaay more hyper than usual?” she asked, wiping sweat from her forehead.

Rarity glanced at the widely grinning and trembling earth pony, feeling as if only touching her would start a chain of explosions. “She’s been like this ever since that party yesterday. I’ve never seen her so energetic. And where did she get all that magic?”

“How much magic? Can you compare it with Twilight’s, Flutterbat’s, or our Wonderbolt-wanna-be?” Vinyl asked.

“Okay, now I’m curious,” Dash said, flying towards Rarity.

“Excuse me! Since when did I become your power-measuring device? Ask Vinyl. She’s a thestral just like me, yet far older and more experienced.”

Vinyl fixed her glasses, smirking. “Let’s say that drinking Pinkie’s blood now can put our kind into a month-long sleepless energy rush, or over a year-long nap.”

“Stop making such examples and compare our magic already,” Dash said impatiently.

“As you wish.” Vinyl chuckled before speaking, “Celestia’s magic is like a large falling meteorite, strong enough to destroy Canterlot. Twilight’s magic is like a smaller meteorite, capable of destroying a small town like Ponyville. Pinkie’s is shower of small meteors that have mostly burned up in the atmosphere and can leave large holes in lots of houses.” She pointed at Rainbow Dash, grinning, “Yours would destroy a barn or two before running out, at best.”

“Very funny!” Dash said with growing annoyance.

The musician stood on her rear hooves and placed forelegs on her hips. “You think that’s funny, just wait till you see the pranks I'm planning to pull on the two-faced princess.”

“Vinyl Scratch!” Octavia shouted. “You cannot possibly be considering using your magic and talents to do something so stupid?”

“Pretty much, yea,” she responded, shrugging. Upon noticing angry glares, she added, “Oh come on guys, I bet she has a great sense of humor.” She grinned and lit her horn, causing a manticore’s roar to sound underneath Pinkie’s hooves, who yelped and launched herself a mile ahead, causing an explosion of confetti in the distance. “This’s going to be the most exciting night I’ve ever had.”