The Gala was definitely grand. Music echo through the hall, and the castle was filled with lively chatter. Rainbow Dash like the Gala. It was just really fancy, and Rainbow Dash never grew up around really fancy things. She just didn't know how to act, so she just ended up walking aimlessly around, pretending like she knew what she was doing. As Rainbow Dash continue doing just that, she bumped into somepony. She looked to see her Dad.
"Oh, hi Dashie", her Dad greeted.
"Hi Dad", Rainbow Dash replied, giving a nervous smile.
"You know, this place is extremely fancy. I never grow around this kind of stuff. When I was a colt, my mom gave me a stick, and told me it was a sword", her Dad laughed," I looked at her like she was crazy and she said,' You were born with an imagination for a reason'."
Rainbow Dash laughed, imagining what her Dad looked like when he was young. She never seen any pictures of her Dad, and never knew anything about his family. She asked him countless times if she could see them, but always made up some excuse why Rainbow Dash couldn't. Eventually, Rainbow Dash stopped asking. Her Dad just became a complete mystery to her. She looked across the palace to see Twister talking to Hurricane, although Hurricane ignored him because he was too busy devouring the food from the banquet table.
"Hurricane, seriously! You're going to make yourself sick", Twister said, giving Hurricane a disbelieving look.
"Listen here! Mom told you to make sure I don't die, not monitor my eating", Hurricane shot back.
Twister rolled his eyes as Hurricane shoved another slice of pie into his mouth.
"What am I supposed to tell Mom when I bring you back home throwing up", Twister pointed out.
"I don't know. That's your problem. I'm just a colt", Hurricane said with a mouth full of food.
"Hi Twister", Rainbow Dash said, trying to catch his attention.
Twister turned around," Oh... hi Rainbow Dash."
Hurricane turn back to the table, realizing his brother was distracted. Rainbow Dash navigated her why through the crowd of ponies to get to Twister. She smiled and then did a little twirl in her dress.
"What do you think", Rainbow Dash asked smiling. Then her face fell when she remembered Twister already seen the dress," I-I mean what you think about the mane style and the finishing touches and everything. Cause you are you already-"
"You're beautiful", Twister said starring at her. He had the look of shock, like the kind of shock you feel when you see the most amazing thing in the world.
"So", Rainbow Dash continued," Why weren't you at the gates? We plan to meet there remember?"
"Oh, Rainbow Dash", Twister said, looking guilty. He shifted his body slightly, pulling his ears down," The Hurricane ran in and we couldn't stop him, so we had go inside after him. Sorry."
"It's okay Twister. No big deal", Rainbow Dash assured him.
"Are you sure", Twister asked nervously.
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes," If I say it's no big deal, it's no big deal."
"Attention everypony", Princess Celestia's voice rang out. Rainbow Dash turned around to find her on balcony high up," It is great to see all your smiling faces today. I hope you are all having a wonderful time here at the Grand Galloping Gala. There have been a few bumps this Gala, but it is nothing to worry about. Princess Twilight Sparkle, and her friends, are here today to keep everything under control-"
"Just love how she refer to you and the rest of your friends as you all were an afterthought", a voice said behind her. Rainbow Dash glance behind to see Fireball. Rainbow Dash turn back to Princess Celestia, trying to ignore what Fireball just said. In Princess Celestia's eyes we are all equal. Right?
"-and today we are here to have the best Grand Galloping Gala in history, and nothing will stop that."
Just Princess Celestia finish, a bright light hit her, flinging her across the room. Everypony gasp. The lights dimmed, making the stars more clear. Something about the air change, some type of strange sensation. A purplish-blue smoke took Princess Celestia's place on the balcony. The smoke slowly began to form a shape of an Alicorn. It became an Alicorn with a grey coat and an dark blue mane. She had a set of turquoise dragon eyes, and wore a set of dark blue armor. Her mane wasn't sparkly or flowing like Princess Celestia's or Luna's, but was like Rainbow Dash's. This Alicorn seem all too familiar, but Rainbow Dash didn't know why.
"Well hello you precious little ponies. Long time, no see", the Alicorn spoke. Her voice sounded smooth and sweet, yet so cruel.
"WHO DARES HARMS MY SISTER", Princess Luna shouted from below. She was kneeling beside her injured Princess Celestia, who's fur was singed around her shoulder and wing.
"Oh Lulu", the Alicorn laughed," Don't you remember me? You really should. We spent a thousand years on the moon together."
Rainbow Dash stared in horror. No! Nononono! This wasn't happening, Rainbow Dash screamed inside.
Sorry Rainbow Dash, but it is, Smoke's voice said from inside her head.
"No! It can't be", Princess Luna cried.
"Hello Lulu. How are you? Haven't talk in such a long time", Nightmare Moon asked smiling.
"No! I will not allow you to use me again! Not this time", Princess Luna cried. She was on the verge of tears.
"HA", Nightmare Moon shouted," I don't need you anymore, Luna. I have something better. My own body, for I have regain my physical form. Although, I do admit. I had a little help."
Suddenly, bat-like ponies wearing armor appeared, unarming the Royal Guards.
Smoke, what do I do, Rainbow Dash asked.
Run! Run and don't look back!, Smoke yelled.
"And also, Princess Twilight", Nightmare Moon hissed, levitating Twilight into the air by the collar by ," I have very special punishment for you."
Rainbow Dash watched as Twilight just stared at Nightmare Moon, pure horror spreading across her face. It was all she could take... and Rainbow Dash snapped.
"You leave her alone you sorry excuse for an Alicorn", Rainbow Dash shouted.
"What are you doing Rainbow Dash", Fireball hissed in a hushed voice. But Nightmare Moon ignored her, and continued to torment Twilight.
"Oh Twilight, what's wrong. Don't you want to discuss your punishment. After all, I'm being the nice pony here. At least I'm giving you a choice.", Nightmare Moon said, smiling her twisted smile," You didn't give me one. You just blasted me away without any mercy. Now... should we banish you to the moon... or just burn you alive!"
How dare she treat Twilight like that! Nightmare Moon has no right! No right at all, Rainbow Dash growled inside her head.
Rainbow Dash, don't! I know what your thinking, but you're just going to make it worse!, Smoke shouted, but it was to late. Before Rainbow Dash could stop herself, she flew up as high as she could get, and flew down at top speed directly at Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon turn to her and frown. Something grabbed Rainbow Dash's hind leg. She looked behind her to see a black vine wrapping itself around her, squeezing her. The more Rainbow Dash fought the tighter it squeezed. By the time Rainbow Dash gave up, it had wound so tightly she could barely breathe. Oddly enough, Rainbow Dash's pain didn't pleased Nightmare Moon. She seemed almost disappointed.
"Oh you really thought it'll be that easy. Saving your precious friend", She replied in monotone," All you did, Rainbow Dash, is make things worse for yourself." Rainbow Dash watched as Nightmare Moon's gaze went to a young Bat Pony that walked up right beside her. His grey, silvery coat and deep blue mane shimmered in the moonlight. His almost white, lavender eyes burrowed into Rainbow Dash skull.
"Remove everypony", Nightmare Moon said with nod," This castle is at it's end."
Rainbow Dash began to panic. She watched as Twilight was dropped onto the balcony. The Bat Ponies surrounded her, trapping her in chains. Rainbow Dash heard ponies screaming with terror and her friends and families call out her name. Fireball and Hope were tackled to the ground when the tried to save Rainbow Dash. The whole palace was in chaos. She looked back towards the balcony. Nightmare Moon gave Rainbow Dash a smile. Her horn lit up, ready to blast Rainbow Dash to dust. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and... nothing. She heard small ping sound, like something hitting metal. She open her eyes to see Nightmare rubbing her forehead, glaring towards the place doors. Rainbow Dash twisted around to see a figure wearing a black cloak. The hood covered the figure's face with a shadow, leaving two red orbs glowing within.
"You! Come here", Nightmare Moon hissed, pointing her hoof at him.
The figure extended a blue hoof, dropping a crystal on to the ground. A huge red wave of energy washed over the castle. The chains around Twilight broke, all Bat Ponies and Nightmare Moon were thrown back, and the vines around Rainbow Dash disappeared. Rainbow Dash jerked her head over to Nightmare Moon, ready to pound her to a pulp.
No Rainbow! Find your family! Find your friends! That's more important , Smoke scolded her.
He was right. Rainbow Dash needed keep her friends safe. She made a quick dive for Twilight, scooping her up. She landed down on the ground. She looked at Twilight who was still frozen with horror.
"TWILIGHT", Rainbow Dash shouted. Twilight's ears perked up, and her eyes focus onto her," I know right now is scary, but I need you here with me!"
Twilight nodded. Rainbow Dash continued, hoping Twilight was able to pull through," I need you to find everypony! Find Pinkie, Rarity, AJ, Fluttershy, your family, Celestia, Luna! Grab as many ponies as you can run towards the EverFree Forest, okay?"
Suddenly, Twilight snapped out of her daze," Oh no! Spike and Starlight are back at the castle! They just returned from their trip to the Crystal Empire, and decided that they would come later! I need to get them!" Twilight tried to run towards the doors, but Rainbow Dash stopped her.
"No! I'll get them! You stay here and get everypony else to safety!"
Twilight nodded again. Rainbow Dash zipped over the crowd of ponies. Below her, she spotted her Mom and Dad. Rainbow Dash landed on to the marble floor with a thud and turned to her parents who were full of relief to find her.
"Mom! Dad! Find everypony and then find Twilight! She'll lead you to the Everfree Forest where it's safe! I have to go to Ponyville!", Rainbow Dash shouted over the screams.
"No Rainbow Dash", her Mom argued," You can't-"
"If you think this is what needs to be done, we'll do it", her Dad interjected," You are make these decisions." He nodded his head towards the castle doors," Go."
Rainbow Dash took flight once more, flew out the castle doors. She manage to sneak away with out the Bat Ponies following her. Although, she couldn't help feeling watched. Who was that pony, dropping that crystal? What did that crystal do? Was it the same shadow-like figure that had fought off the Shadowbolts? And why did Nightmare Moon say that the castle was 'at it's end'? Suddenly, Rainbow Dash heard a loud crashing sound, like rocks falling off a mountain. She turn around to watch in horror as the Canterlot Castle fell to the ground, leaving nothing but ruble.
Canterlot has fallen.
***
The young Bat Pony hid in the shadows, watching the young mare as she began to sob. He knew how feels to think you lost somepony dear to your heart, but like him, the mare will learn friends and family are safe. The mare... no. Rainbow Dash will be okay. Her family got away just in time. If they were in the castle, some type of magic that Nightmare Moon conjured up would protect them. Save them. He knew Nightmare Moon well. She spoke with him. Through his mind and at the meetings during the Great Moon. She appointed him as commander. Leader of the army. A great honor, but great pressure came with it.
He look to the mountain where Canterlot Castle had once been. A rumbling noise echo through the air. He watched as a dark grey castle, a bigger castle, rose from the ruble. It was home, something he hadn't had in awhile. He looked down at Rainbow Dash who had already wiped her tears away, and ran to find her friends. He looked up at the full moon that was now high in the sky. He let the moonlight trickled through his blue mane, and soak into his silver coat. His lavender eyes stared at the moon and the beauty of the night. He loved it all.
"Echo", his fellow solder and dear brother, Night Whisper, said softly," Do apprehend her?"
"No", Echo said staring at the small town of Ponyville," We follow her."
With that the all took to the shadows and the trees. Echo looked ahead, willing himself to finish his mission with success. He will build home for him and his brother. He will help Nightmare Moon make peace between the Day Dwellers and the Night Dwellers.
He will help her find she been searching for.