Nightmare Moon, possibly the most formidable foe ever faced by Twilight and her friends has returned to bring eternal midnight to all of Equestria.
The wicked mare of darkness has returned, Nightmare Moon. It is up to the Mane six as per usual to stop her before the entire world is shrouded in her Eternal Midnight. If she succeeds, nothing will be able to defeat her.
Nightmare Moon. The Mare and the Moon. Everlasting Darkness. All names for the figure that consumed the Princess of the Night, Princess Luna. Consumed by jealousy, the Princess of the Night becomes Nightmare Moon. Having no other choice, Princess Celestia used the Elements of Harmony to lock the wicked mare of darkness into the Moon for a thousand years.
Fast forward a thousand years, a young unicorn who is a studying as personal protege student of Princess Celestias is sent to a small but prospering town called Pony Ville to check on the preparation for the raising of the Sun for the Summer Solstice Celebration. This day just so happens to be the day that Nightmare Moon was locked away in the Moon. Legend being that the Mare in the Moon would return in a thousand years, she did.
The young unicorn sets out with her five newly acquired friends to find the Elements of Harmony to stop her. After fighting through the Everfree Forrest, they six young mares have reached the resting place of the Elements. Activated by their friendship, the Elements started in a flash, consuming the Everlasting Night in light, she disappeared, and presumed defeated. The Princess Luna is saved and has since connected with her subjects.
Since then, what happened to the mysterious Nightmare Moon? Was she just Luna transformed? Or was she really an actual being? Using Luna’s weakness to take her physical form and feed off her strength?
A quiet Sunday afternoon. Mild temperature, the birds are singing, not a cloud in the sky; a perfect day for the spa. The six are idly sitting around the spa waiting for Rarity to finish her treatment.
“Ugh, could you take any longer Rarity? We’ve been waiting for you for half an hour!” Rainbow Dash cried out in bored frustration.
“This is the price you pay for beauty Rainbow,” Rarity said slumping into a mud bath with cucumbers on her eyes. “Time, time, and more time.”
“Too much time if you ask me” The cyan colored Pegasus said flying idly in a circle.
“Maybe it wouldn’t be so long for you if you would join us Dashie!” Pinkie Pie said enthusiastically while backstroking in the small swimming pool sized hot tub.
“Do you even know me Pinkie? Spas are not my thing.” Rainbow Dash said reminding Pinkie.
Twilight, levitating a copy of Magical Ailments: A Reference Guide spoke up, “You could at least sit in the tub to help you relax.”
“You could use it Rainbow Dash, you are always so tense, and not to offend, but you don’t exactly smell like a rose right now.” Rarity antagonized her.
Releasing a disgruntled sigh, “Fine!” Rainbow Dash slunk slowly into the hot tub.
“Twilight, Twilight!” A familiar voice yelled from outside the building as Rainbow Dash sunk into the tub.
Spike burst into the spa, panting. After he caught his breathe, he belched out emerald flames and out of the flames, a letter tied up with Celestia's seal. The letter read:
“Dear my Faithful Student Twilight, There is a matter of utmost importance and I need you to meet me in Canterlot as soon as possible.
Your dearest teacher, Princess Celestia”
“This sounds important girls, if she doesn’t even say what the matter is.” Twilight said in a concerned tone.
“Could it at least wait half an hour? I’m almost done!” Rarity cried out in mild despair, bathing in the same kind of mud she once told Apple Jack to wash off.
“I think it best if we high tail it to Canterlot, that letter sounded urgent.” Apple Jack said with a sort of firmness that Rarity had to agree with.
“Oh, all right, I can always continue it when we get back.” As she climbed out, Rainbow Dash let out a sigh of relief,
“Finally…” Herself climbing out of the hot tub, she shook the water off of her and onto the newly dried Rarity. “Ugh! Rainbow! Be more careful!”
“Relax Rarity, it’s raining outside anyway.” Rainbow Dash said with casual indifference. Rarity ,letting out a shriek, “I just got my mane done!” “We know; it took two hours.” said Apple Jack with a sort of smugness.
The friends set off by train to the largely glamorous town of high society, and sometimes snooty, that Canterlot was.
“What do you think it could be Twilight?” said Apple Jack.
“I’m not sure, but if it’s so urgent that she can’t tell us what, it has to be bad.”
“Maybe it’s Discord!” said Pinkie Pie.
“Or Trixie!” cried quietly out by Fluttershy, being unusually quiet even for her.
“No, Discord and Trixie both have changed, I think it’s something even worse.” Twilight said in reply to the accusations as she saw Canterlot approaching in the distance.
The train came to a stop. As Twilight and the subsequent ponies walked out of the train, a guard said “Celestia has been waiting, follow me.”
Though the guard was one of Celestias Royal Guards, even he kept a sort of cold detachment from every pony but the Royal Sisters.
“She will be here shortly.” The guard said curtly as he walked out the same way they came in.
Standing in a familiar statue garden, they decided to look around to kill some time. Twilight inspecting the platform that once held Discord, Fluttershy conversing with some birds, Apple Jack lying under a tree, Pinkie Pie skipping around, humming a nameless tune, Rarity admiring the flowers that went around the garden and Rainbow Dash flying in lazy circles not too unlike earlier in the day.
“Ugh... I hate waiting. Can’t Princess Celestia get here faster?”
“Rainbow, I’m sure she’s on her way, it’s a big castle.” Said Apple Jack from under her hat.
Not too long after, the pearl white Alicorn with a multi colored mane and tail that flowed endlessly in wave-like splendor. The six bowed in respect to the ancient Princess. No matter how time goes by, Twilight has noticed that Celestia has not changed a bit since the day she first saw her at the Summer Solstice Celebration when she was a young foal.
“Hello, my little ponies.” The Princess said solemnly, bowing her head herself in respect to the young heroes who saved not only Canterlot, Pony Ville, the Crystal Empire and Celestia herself, but the entire world once before.
“What is the problem Princess?” said Twilight very concerned.
Celestia simply responded “Come with me.”
Every pony was wordless until they have reached their destination: the stained glass room. Every pony in Equestria knew about this room; how that it shows major events in the history. Nightmare Moon being banished, the Elements restoring her to Luna, the wedding of Cadence and Shining Armor, returning Discord to stone, and those that predate even Luna, who herself is still quite old despite being the younger of the Sisters.
“You all remember the day that Nightmare Moon returned, determined to shroud the entire world in eternal darkness.” Celestia said with an assurance.
How could they forget? It was the day that all of them became the best of friends.
“We have a similar problem.” Growing a grave tone, “Nightmare Moon has returned.” Every pony gasped, Pinkie a little longer than she probably should have.
Fluttershy squealing quietly, “How? I thought Luna had changed back!”
“Well, we beat her before, we can do it again! Just give us the Elements and we’ll blast Luna back to the way she is again!” Said Rainbow Dash proudly and surely, and confidently as ever.
With her grave tone growing even graver, “I’m afraid it isn’t that simple.”
“How?” Said Twilight, befuddled. “I agree with Rainbow Dash.” Said Rarity “Though that’s not the way I would have put it.”
“Yeah, I agree with Rainbow and Rare, why can’t we just do that?” Said Apple Jack in a puzzled tone.
“Because,” Celestia started, “Because Luna is here and the Elements aren’t.” She replied, almost ashamed.
“How? I thought Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna was the same mare, just you know, eviler!” Pinkie spat out.
“I don’t know how Nightmare Moon is back, or how she took the Elements, all I know is that you are the only ponies I trust with a task this large. You have searched out and found the Elements twice already, I’m sure you six can do it again.”
The tone was somewhat lifted.
Twilight looked up proudly and said “Don’t worry Celestia, you can count on us!”
“I’m sure I can, my Faithful Student.” Frozen with pride, she walked to her teacher and hugged her shortly.
“Don’t worry Princess, you can count on us!” Rainbow Dash said rising into the air with pride. “Yeah, don’t you worry ‘bout nothing, Princess.” Apple Jack said agreeing with the cyan Pegasus.
With a glimmer of hope, Twilight asked “Do you at least know where the Elements are?”
“I’m afraid not. All I know is that many places have been shrouded in everlasting night. There may be a correlation.” Said Celestia in a sort of sorry tone.
“How are we going to find the Elements if we don’t even know where to look?” Said Fluttershy almost characteristically pessimistically.
“Don’t worry Fluttershy; I’m sure we’ll find them!” Said Pinkie, attracted to the pessimism, hoping to lift her spirits.
“Go. Too much of the world is already covered in the everlasting night. You must find the Elements before all of Equestria is covered in eternal midnight!” Nodding surely, Twilight and the others ran off towards the train back to Pony Ville, sure to defeat their re-born adversary.
“Ohmigoshohmigoshohmigosh!” Pinkie Pie squealed as she literally bounced off of the walls of Twilight’s hollowed out tree, knocking books to and fro.
“Pinkie!” Every pony yelled, trying to quell their dramatic friend.
“We’re tryin’ to figure out where to even start and you’re turnin’ Twilights house into a hog’s pen!” Apple Jack said, waiting for her ears to stop ringing.
“How can you all NOT be panicking? It’s Nightmare Moon!” said the exact way as she said on Nightmare Night.
“We are all nervous; we’re just trying to be reasonable about it.” Rarity said, fixing her mane after a flung book grazed her head.
“Pinkie, when you panic, you can’t think straight, you especially.” Twilight said as she levitated all of her misplaced books back into their correct shelving, “Come calm down and help us figure out where to start.” Twilight walked back to the circle of the more mellow ponies and they conversed on a plan, all are just shots in the dark, though.
“Oh! We could try the Everfree Forrest like we did the first time!” said Rainbow Dash confidently jumping up into the air.
“Why would Nightmare Moon send an Element to somewhere right next to Pony Ville, not to mention the place where we found them before?” Fluttershy spoke in a quiet voice.
“I’m not sure, because we wouldn’t think about it? I mean, it’s so obvious, but it’s too obvious for us not to check.” Rainbow said quick reply.
“That actually makes sense!” Twilight replied in a shocked and defined tone.
Smiling, Rainbow replied “Really?” turning to a confused look, “Really?”
“Of course it does,” said Rarity standing up, “it makes sense because she wouldn’t expect us to look twice in a place we have already looked. But I doubt that we will just be able to walk into the Everfree Forrest. She is likely to have put some surprises in place for us. She wouldn’t leave something so fundamental to her scheme unguarded; Even so, if there isn’t anything Nightmare Moon put, there are bound to be other”
“Yeah, because she knows how awesome we are!” Rainbow Dash said springing into the air, hovering with her wings.
“Yes, so if we do intend on checking there, whether they’re there or not, we should be ready. If we’ve seen her underestimate us, I would dread to see how she overestimates us.” Rarity said with a quick shudder racing down her spine.
“Twilight!” Spike yelled as he sped in from the other room. His familiar green flames which smelt of sulfur revealed not a letter not of Celestias golden seal, but a letter tied with a magnificent purple seal tied with ribbon as blue as the night sky and shimmered like the stars that danced through it.
“A letter from Princess Luna?” Twilight said in a befuddled manner not too dissimilar to that of her figuring an obvious, but hidden solution.
“What’s it say?” Fluttershy chimed curiously. Spike broke the seal with a short but sharp eagle-like talon and read off:
“Dear Twilight Sparkle and friends,
I’m sure you have many questions. I may not be able to answer them all, but fall asleep. I will be able to join you all in your dreams without leaving from Canterlot. My sister wishes that I stay here and assist her. She believes Nightmare Moon is even more powerful; even more than her.
~ Princess Luna”
Her writing was done in a deep purple ink, like the sky just before the dawn Sun cuts through the dark night sky.
“Well, she could answer some of our questions.” Twilight said hopefully.
“Wait a second,” Rainbow Dash said and after paused a second. “If Princess Luna can enter our dreams, do you think Nightmare Moon can?” a twinge of worry in her voice. Fluttershy uttered a silent and frightened squeal.
“What if Nightmare Moon gets to us before the Princess does?” Anxiety flowing off of her words likes a waterfall, her heart in her throat. Apple Jack came forward and put her hoof on the scared Pegasus’ shoulder.
“Don’t you worry sugar cube,” Apple Jack said in her soft, mother like tone, “I’m sure that the Princess’ll be sure that we’re ok.”
“I know, but if Celestia is right, and Nightmare Moon IS stronger, what could she do to the Princess? What could she do to US? Princess Celestia said only we can do this and…” her voice trailing off as she thought of the horrors of what could possibly happen. Fluttershy whimpered and laid down where she stood.
“Oh darling…” Rarity said as she walked over to Fluttershy hoping to make her feel better.
“I’m not sure what we will do, but I’m sure that before we do anything, we are going to have talk to Princess Luna. She may know things that Celestia doesn’t know. She likely knows Nightmare Moon better than anyone else.” Twilight said in an assured and definite tone.
Blindly pacing the vast halls dressed in centuries old tapestries, and many older than Celestia herself, she is nearly overwhelmed with worry.
“Twilight can do this. She has done it before…” saying in hopes to reassure herself. Yes, she knows that Twilight can. The only problem is if she would be able to. Last time Nightmare Moon struck, she was only as strong as Luna could be at top power. Though not sounding like much, she still gave Celestia no choice but to use the Elements of Harmony. The Elements being stronger than anything Celestia has even encountered, herself included, it doesn’t sound like much problem. The only problem is that they are almost useless alone; just pieces of jewelry.
Not being connected to the Elements any longer, Celestia can no longer feel any bond between her and the Elements. She used to be able to sense where they were. This is a bond that needs time to forge between them, much like friendship itself.
Looking out of the window, the sun was almost setting. This is one of her favorite parts of the day; the transitioning from Night into Day; the meeting Night and Day. She feels close to her sister at this time of day.
Celestia eventually found herself standing at her younger sisters’ door. Feeling the need to talk to someone, she quietly opened the door and walked in.
After walking to the middle of the room, she saw Luna standing on the balcony, watching the Moon rising, bringing on the night, almost chasing the Sun.
“Many fear it.” Luna said quietly.
“What was that?” Celestia replied walking onto the balcony, looking at the near childlike stature of her sister; her power waning as the Moon does.
“The Night; many beings fear it. The Moon, Night, darkness. Fear the mystery; comparing it with death, an end, sadness, full of creatures too evil to face the Sun. That isn't what night is. They do not realize what Night really is.” The Mistress of the Night said in a melancholy tone.
“That’s not how I see it.” Her sister said with warmth and comfort in her voice. “I see it as beauty. The stars in the sky can only be seen at night. They’re my favorite part of the sky.”
“If only others else thought it as you did. Now that Nightmare Moon is back, it will only reinforce their fear, wondering if she is there, plotting to take them away to who knows where…” Her voice filling with sadness, “And they’ll think it’s me that allowed it…” tears now flowing from her eyes, followed by soft sobs.
Luna was much like a child when the Moon waned; she drew her power from the Moon, much like how Celestia draws power from the Sun. Her body weakened, her magic weakened, she often couldn't control her emotions, and she became smaller. To make it worse, it got progressively worse as the Moon waned; only being as powerful as Twilight at new Moon; strong for a mortal, weak for her kind.
Looking at her trembling sister, Celestia placed her wing over Luna.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure that Twilight and her friends will stop--"
“What if they don’t?!” Luna cut her sister off almost as if she was angry at her.
Luna’s sadness turning into anger, frantic sadness filled her voice.
“What if they fail, and Nightmare Moon succeeds and the world is plunged into darkness? Darkness so thick not even a thousand Suns can't cut through it? The creatures of the day forced to hide and look over their shoulder at every step, every turn, and every breath of their life?” Anger reverting to sadness, Luna began to cry more forcibly, her fallen tears shimmered like stars before hitting the marble floor.
“Luna,” Celestia said with motherly firmness, “You need to have faith. Twilight and her friends can do this.”
Celestia brought her sister closer to her side; she could feel Luna almost squirm uncomfortably.
“I’m sure Nightmare Moon will be beaten. You know better than anyone it is darkest before dawn.”
“Yes, But I’m the only one that knows how dark it can get…” Luna split away from her sisters’ grasp to her bed adorned with sheets and blankets of deep purples and blues with silver dust to simulate the stars in the sky in the night sky. She just simply lay down silently, not pulling the covers over, not intending on sleeping.
“It’s not that I don’t have faith in them,” Luna started quietly, “It’s just that faith won’t end a Nightmare.”
Luna was right; faith and hope alone cannot end this. As much as she would like to try, the Elements were the only thing that could stop Nightmare Moon. It isn't the Night you need to fear, it’s the Nightmare that lives within it.
Half past 10; Twilight can’t sleep. Every pony else fell asleep almost immediately. Spike was still up making preparations for the next day as if tomorrow will be a normal day.
“Spike… Spike…!” Twilight called out silently.
“Yes, Twilight?” he quietly responded from the door way.
“Do you really think that we can do this?” Twilight said doubting herself. She knew that though she has saved every pony alongside with her best friends she had ever had, she knew that the fate of all of Equestria was at risk again. This time though, Nightmare Moon is even stronger than Celestia. How do you fight something that is stronger than the strongest being in the entire world?
“Twilight, you have saved the world before; what makes you think you can’t do it again?” Spike said with great confidence in his lifelong care holder and friend, he had more faith in her than she did in herself.
“Celestia is afraid that the Elements have been scattered all over the world. She doesn’t even know where to start.” She hastily replied in anguish.
“Twilight, I have faith in you, we all have faith in you; I would be surprised if you couldn't do it!” Spike said.
“Thank you Spike…” as he said smiling, drifting off to sleep, feeling better after conversing with her lifelong friend.
“Hey, what took you so long?” a familiar voice said in a playful tone.
Twilight felt very tired. Opening her eyes she saw that she was surrounded in a mist. Looking up, she saw a full Moon; odd because the Moon is at most half full and waning. Standing up and feeling more aware, she saw that she and her friends were standing in an empty grass field. She tried to look past the mist, but all she saw was the night sky. It was almost as if they were standing on a flat, grassy mountain top.
“Where are we?” Twilight said with a yawn. She shook what seemed like morning drowsiness away from her like water from her mane.
“We think this is a dream; that’s what we came to.” Rarity said.
“Are you ok Twi’?” Apple Jack said walking over. “We all felt like that when we woke up here.” Fluttershy said. “Yeah, I’m ok girls… Has Luna arrived yet?”
“No, I think she was waiting for all of us to be here, and I’ll ask again, what took you so long?” Rainbow Dash asked again.
“I was talking with Spike.” She replied quickly, not wanting to tell them what, feeling slightly ashamed in doubting in herself and all of them. “Well, I’m sure she’ll be here soon.” said Apple Jack.
Shortly after, the mist cleared, they could see that it was a never ending field, the Moon was right above them, and there were no stars in the sky above them. The Princess of the Night walked out of the remaining mist towards them, in her full power.
“Hello Twilight and friends.” Luna greeted them simply. Though she had almost completely re-assimilated back into the world that she had left for a thousand years, she still had an unintended detached tone.
“So, where exactly are we Princess?” Twilight had asked.
“Well, technically, you are all back in Pony Ville and I am in Canterlot. But if you asking about this realm, this is a dream.” A good enough answer if any.
“Do you have any idea why Nightmare has returned?” Apple Jack said with haste as if she thought that they didn’t have a lot of time.
“All I know is that when you defeated her the first time, all you did really was delay her in returning. She wasn’t completely destroyed; her energy had diffused through the world and it finally is reforming.” Answering that question, she looked at their faces. They were thinking of how that was possible.
“The Elements do not harm anything. They only change the state of things, be them evil or chaotic.” Luna said shortly after her first reply, answering the unspoken question.
“How are we supposed to beat Nightmare Moon now if the Elements don’t harm?” Rainbow Dash had stated. “If Discord could break from stone, what makes us think that Nightmare Moon can’t?”
“You say that as if you want to kill her.” Luna said half shocked but half understanding.
“Well, I really don’t think we have much of a choice this time around.” Rainbow replied almost shamed to say it.
“Rainbow!” Rarity cried out in disgust. “How could you say that?”
“No, Rainbow Dash. Rainbow is right. This time, Nightmare Moon cannot simply be banished. She must be taken care of permanently.”
The looks of all of their faces showed that they now saw the harsh reality of this.
“She deserves it!” Rainbow cried out in the darkness. Every pony’s gaze struck Rainbow, shocked. “Look, she tried to cover the world in darkness twice, now a third. Do you think that banishment could stop her?”
“I agree, but how could we destroy someone with the Elements?” Twilight said. “You can’t.” Luna replied. “You need to destroy Nightmare Moon, but there is something else.”
“What would that be?” Apple Jack asked.
“There is a piece of me within her and a piece of her within me.” Said in short reply by the Princess. “I believe this because when I slept a few nights ago, I dreamt that I was Nightmare Moon, newly reformed, ready for vengeance, just it was more like looking through a window, not exactly controlling.” No pony could comprehend what she had just said.
“Does that mean that if you can look in her, does that mean that she can look within you?” Rainbow asked, hoping that the answer was no.
“I am not entirely sure. But sadly, that is the most logical outcome.” As if on cue, thunder stuck the ground between the Princess and the six, leaving a large crater. The Moon darkened and a silhouette of the Mare in the Moon became the face and dark clouds shrouded the sky. Out of the crater arose Nightmare Moon.
“Do you really think you could conspire in my realm?” the Nightmare spoke in a large, echoing voice. Nightmare’s view caught the six friends. “You!” Rage and vengeance filled the creature. She turned into an angry mist and flew at the insignificant creatures of the day that had once torn her apart. “You need to wake up!” Luna desperately commanded as she jumped in the way of the dark mist.
“Twilight…” Every pony heard the voice echo through the realm. It was familiar. It had a concerned tone to it.
“Twilight… Twilight!” Spike commanded trying to get Twilight free from whatever locked her in the state. She woke with a start, springing form the bed and nearly landing on Spike.
“What is it Spike?” Twilight asked as if nothing was wrong.
“It looked like you were having a nightmare. You were running and you were talking…” Spike trailed off.
“What was I saying?” Twilight asked. “It sounded like you were saying ‘No, I can’t do this…’” Spike looked up at Twilight, worried. She was looking out at the window.
“What was going on Twilight?” asked Spike. The concern steadily grew in his words as they have started talking.
“We were talking with Princess Luna… She was answering our questions… But then… The others!” Twilight sprinted down the stairs and saw that every pony was awaking steadily.
“Well… That was eventful.” Rainbow Dash said.
“And scary…” Fluttershy added, still shuddering.
“What are we going to do…?” Twilight thought to herself looking out the window at the painted dawn that the sky had created as the sun chased away the Moon.
The castle was not like the Royal Sisters’ castle though it used to be of one of the Duke’s before even Nightmares’ time. It was larger, grander, and best of all secluded. Only those necessary to the survival of all of the guards and its ruler are inside. Few have seen the large crystalline moonstone walls since its new owner took refuge. Even fewer have been inside the walls; even fewer have been inside and left willingly. The guards are adorned in armor much like Luna’s guards; difference being that is the blue are much darker with a dark purple trim.
These warriors have been legendary for their ruthlessness in battle not stopping until they physically cannot even breathe. On the other side, they have been known to be compassionate and highly loyal to their dark ruler, their brothers in arms, and subordinates, not distanced and detached from others except their ruler like the guards of the infernal Sun. None of the guards though are Earth ponies. They may be the most resilient of the three races, but they are very inefficient; they are slow compared to the Pegasi and they do not have any magic.
The sky of the lands taken by Nightmare was always dark. Even when it would be night, there were no stars, but there was always a Moon; the Mare’s Moon. From there, Nightmare can see all through the darkness. The lands much resembled the Everfree Forrest. Large plants and ravenous animals have taken home. Being that it is always dark makes it perfect for them to prey on creatures not suited to the night.
Torches lit with purple flames emanating a purple light making it a burden to see in the halls of the large castle with walls adorned with purple tapestries and rugs, and black and purple marble slab walls being that there were also no windows. Large ceilings those of which you could not see the top due to the darkness made many recruits uneasy, as if they were being watched, which they were by the elite shadow guards that hide in the darkness.
A large throne sat in the center room on the fourth floor. The throne was made of dark purple glass and was sturdier than stone. Beside on both sides of the throne was a large basins filled with large black-blue fire which produced no heat or light. At any one time, the room is filled with guards from the large black obsidian doors, down the magnificent deep blue rug that went down from the door all the way down to the end of the room.
Behind the throne were the stairs to the Royal Chambers. There were only three allowed behind these doors; Nightmare Moon and her two personal guards, both of which are Alicorns themselves. These two guards were also considered royalty and rumored to be family to the Dark Mother. Words hardly ever passed their lips that weren't to the Queen of the Night or one another or an order to subordinates.
Living in this castle is uneasy at first; the tall, dark ceiling; the intimidating guards whom of which you could not tell from a statue other than by color and not to mention who you are serving under; the Dark Ruler of the Night whom wants to blot out the Sun and create an everlasting Moon for all of entirety. It wasn't too often recruits would faint, panic, or even run away. They were allowed to run away; who better to tell the tale of this wretched place other than those who have seen its horrors?
Even after acceptance, entrance to certain areas was still restricted. Recruits with near or no experience with war had no reason to enter the war rooms of the second floor or the third floor of the lieutenants and officers’ quarters and offices, and only elite guards guarded the throne room of the fourth floor and none were allowed in the Royal chambers. Security may seem excessively tight, but when it is you against the world, there are no chances.
In the waking morning, Nightmares’ personal guards were standing at attention, one at the foot of Nightmares’ bed and one beside the doors which opened into the wall, facing toward his equal.
“How much longer do you think she will be away Brother?” The one at the door said with a yawn looking at the motionless, mane-less and tail-less figure that is Nightmare Moon. She looked so much different, almost powerless without her flowing mane and tale. Though he said ‘brother’, it does not necessarily mean that they are biologically brothers. The formal name for the guards is the ‘Brothers in Darkness’. There too were female guards, gender was not acknowledged; Midnight does not discriminate who it covers.
“I am not sure… the Dark Mother has never been out this long.” the other said feigning off sleep. These two were used to staying up all night, but standing watch at attention all night with little talking and no breaks can do a number on one’s spirit and body. But they were the best of the best; they had to be able to take extremes no matter how extreme.
“I wish that there were some clocks in this palace.” The one at the door complained. “It doesn't matter if there are clocks, it’s always night outside, what good would it do since shifts end at 12 hours?” the one at the bed retorted. Since Day and Night did not exist where the Hold was, shifts were divided based on hours and not day or night and marked by a single bell every 12 hours. Though time exists, differentiating between night and day would be unneeded; it is the only place where a 12 hour clock would make sense.
A short while after, a blue, shimmering mist seeped from the ceiling; the Dark Mother has returned. The mist splitting in two went to where her tail and mane should be, and Nightmare came to.
“How long…” she said waking up.
“About 10 hours, Mother.” The one at the door said. Silence as Nightmare stood up off of the bed; she was twice the size of her guards. “What happened?” asked the one at the bed. Normally she did not speak of what had happened to others. Since though, that these two were Her personal guards, these two got special privileges; practically royalty they were.
“I arrived at the Dream Realm, when I arrived, that cursed ‘Princess’ was there. She stopped me from bringing those infernal foals back with me.” She spat angrily. Though they were in the Dream Realm, Her magic was powerful enough to bring one’s physical from the physical realm and into the Dream Realm, and then back with Her.
“How did they get away?” the door guard asked still shocked that Nightmare arrived alone.
“That blasted Luna jumped in my way.” It reminded Her why I chose her body a thousand years ago.
“Nox, bring a bowl of fruit to the washroom,” The guard at the door trotted off to the kitchen, “Umbra, draw me a bath…”
The guard at the bed went over the washroom that was in the chambers. Nightmare had said this wearily. She had rarely ever been tired, she could not even remember the last time she was. She sat into the cold water of the bath and took a bite out of a pomegranate. How she wasn't able to get those six foals was beyond her. She was now the most powerful being, how could she not have gotten them? Perhaps it was because they weren't in her realm, the Realm of Nightmares. There, she had total and complete control of everything and everyone that entered. She often kept those she personally interrogated imprisoned there. Needless to say, she got whatever information she wanted.
Raising herself from the granite tub, she wiped herself dry and peered into the mirror. She looked strikingly similar lot like Princess Luna without her armor on. This was the only feature of hers she despised. Walking out fully adorned, she was the form that struck fear into the hearts of the creatures of the day. Her shoes hit the ground with a sound to that of a hammer dropped onto a stone road. The large formidable doors creaked open into the walls to whom they belonged and out of the darkness, Nightmare Moon stood in full splendor. All of the guards along the way to the door from the doors of the throne room bowed to their Mother of the Night. She walked down the stairs of the stairwell down into the second floor war room. There were high ranking officers and the highly esteemed ‘Father of Darkness’, the highest ranking member of the entire Hold. This man has been said to beat mouthy subordinates. This does not mean he is viewed as a bad person; punishment goes to where it is called for.
“Situation report.” Nightmare had said shortly.
“Mother, our lines have reached as far as Los Pegasus.” A female officer had said.
“Have we taken it yet?”
“No, Mother. Los Pegasus is a large city and-“I know what large cities mean, Child” Nightmare had interrupted. “How close are we to Pony Ville?” “Approximately 200 miles; Canterlot has been in the way for a while Mother.” A tall, slender and lean unicorn spoke looking down at the maps. These maps moved where the curtain of midnight moved.
“Canterlot…” Nightmare said with a face hate and a voice of malice. “It matters not if Canterlot falls; we need to make sure that Pony Ville falls. Soon, before those wretched foals leave to find the Elements.”
“Where did you put the Elements if I may ask, Mother?” Nox had asked in a hushed voice.
“I would rather it be that there are some things only I know, Dear Child.”
“Understood Mother.”
Walking back up a floor to the throne room, the guards that lined the room bowed as their Mother of Darkness passed to the throne. Sitting, she thought of the nasty plots that she could use. Many boring, many too complicated. Often some took too long to even get put together. To build a plan to beat those that have beaten you; how do you do that? If you over estimate them, it will take too long for the plan to go into action. Under estimate and they will stamp the plan into the ground. Like last time.
“Last time…” Nightmare ground her teeth together. Even thinking of what happened on that night brings images of pain, smiting light, and thoughts of vengeance. Even if she wanted to do anything, should have to wait until night, then she must wait for the foals to sleep; if they do sleep. They are unlikely to fall asleep all at once after last nights’ little incident, but eventually they would not have a choice.
“Mother!” Umbra said sprinting into the throne room, bowing at the foot of the throne.
“What is it Dear Child?” His Mother said in very concerned tone; Umbra doesn't sprint.
“It’s Celestia…” Umbra said gasping for breath.
“What is it?” Nightmare asked almost impatiently.
“She says she is here to talk and form a treaty.” Umbra had said after finally composing himself.
“This may save us from unnecessary head ache… Bring her in.” Nightmare had shouted. Within seconds, a being as tall as Nightmare Moon had walked in holding her head adorned with the golden tiara and her multi-hued mane up proudly with two guards at her side.
“Princess Celestia… What brings you to my humble castle?” Nightmare said with sarcastic hospitality.
“It isn't yours; it used to be a royal castle.”
“Hmm… Used to…” the darker Alicorn said with a malevolent chuckle. ”Now, why are you here?” she demanded.
“I am here to find peace between us.” Celestia said.
“You are… that you are… How do you intend to do this?” Responded Nightmare, resisting the urge to plunge her fangs into Celestias’, whose bite would either corrupt Celestia and turn her into a being of darkness, or completely drain her of all of her strength, physical, mental, and magical.
“I am willing to acknowledge you as a city with land from Equestria.”
“A very tempting offer… what lands have do you have in mind?”
“The untamed lands you have already conquered that are away from other cities.”
Calculating in her head, this would mean that she would lose land due to cities already conquered. “How about I keep the cities I already have and I stop attacking?”
“What?” a shocked retort from Celestias’ mouth. “What about the people that don’t want to live in darkness forever; what about the children that live there never to see the Sun again?”
“How about they move? They aren’t the only ones that want a family; my subjects have feelings to. Besides, it gets crowded in this little castle, and I have such a large family; I hardly know how we get by sometimes…” said with false despair.
Celestia groaned quietly. Nightmare didn’t seem close to budging on her deal though her eyes made it unclear; always seeming to glare, no one could tell if she even knew how to feel happiness and joy.
“Either you take my offer or you leave and let this conflict will continue. I warn you though, if you comeback, my offer will not change; lands I take will be mine.” The complete solidarity in Nightmare’s voice showed that she had no intention on losing what she had worked to gain. Celestia sighed and looked to her left and right. Her guards were looking at her hoping that she would choose today.
“It seems as if I have no choice…” Celestia said soberly.
“Oh, you have a choice, you’re just choosing the logical one; come with me.”
Nightmare rose and Celestia with her guards followed. Before Nightmare could step one hoof out of the throne room, Nox appeared and behind him were two guards dragging behind them a white Unicorn with a blue mane. On sight of the Unicorn, Celestia gasped silently.
“Mother, we found this one disguised as a guard on the fourth floor stair well.” A lieutenant said as he held him down.
“He could have at least stolen officer’s armor…” Nox whispered quietly to Umbra.
“Who is this insolent foal? How does he know of the location of my Hold?”
“Because… He snuck in with me…” Celestia admitted. Nightmare Moon looked straight into Celestias’ eyes. They were full of fear for the creature. Nightmare let a bloodcurdling yell as she reared up on her hind legs and slammed her forelegs into the ground. On contact, a dark aura shot out from to the insignificant being. Where the Unicorn was, there was nothing but fine dust and smoke rising from it.
“You monster! What did you do, kill him?!” Celestia cried out at Nightmare.
“No, but he’s going to wish I did.” Nightmare said in a deathly tone. “Show our visitors to the door; they are no longer welcome here." She said with a voice as abrasive as sand. She looked straight at Celestia "To think I would trust you…You destroyed your one chance at salvation. If you find any of her subjects, bring them to me without question.” Celestia and her guards were taken to the door.
After Celestia had climbed into the carriage one guard asked “What do you think she meant, Your Highness? ‘He’s going to wish I did’?”
“I can only hope it isn't what I think…” said Celestia morosely with a tear in her eye.
The white stallion was chained to the ground, unable to stand up. He woke with a start. Even though his vision was blurred, he managed to make out Nightmare Moon in the darkness.
Finally, her voice cut through the silent darkness like a cleaver. “You are very lucky she said you came in with her you know… I was going to kill you otherwise.”
“What are you going to do…? Where am I?” he said almost panicking.
“All in due time young one. Now, you will tell me who you are and why you are here…” said almost comfortingly.
“I’ll never tell you anything.” the stallion said quietly but rebelliously.
“Oh, I wasn't asking.” She touched her horn to his forehead. Instantly, a pain shot through his entire body, so much to the point he couldn't breathe. He was taken back to the day of the swearing in of the Royal Guard Captain.
“Ahh… you’re the captain of the Royal Guard… You and I are going to have some fun…”
“Are you girls ready?” Twilight asked once all six of them reached the outskirts of the Everfree Forrest behind Fluttershys’ Cottage.
“As ready as Ah’ll ever be.” Apple Jack said.
“Of course!” Rainbow Dash cried out with her usual bravado.
“I’m ready Freddy!” Pinkie said with her optimism.
“Yes, I am.” Rarity said.
“R-r-r… Ready…” Fluttershy stammered. Ever since the meeting in the Dream World with Luna, she has been more skittish than usual.
“Well, let’s go girls.” Twilight said swallowing her fear and doubt. “We can’t fail; we’re the Elements of Harmony.” Twilight said under her breath.
“Twilight? Do you think that the Elements are in the Everfree Forrest?” Apple Jack said looking from side to side; the Forrest still freaked her out.
“Well, I think it’s the first logical place to look in; I mean, Discord put the Elements in my book of the Elements.”
“That is true, but what if they aren’t there and something happens when we’re gone?” Apple Jack rebutted.
“I’m sure nothing too bad can happen in what, in hour or two?” Twilight thought.
“I don’t know…” Rainbow Dash muttered skeptically, remembering what Discord managed to do within the few minutes within the hedge maze.
Even though Midnight hasn’t reached Pony Ville or the Everfree Forrest, you could feel the influences; the air was damper and the nights became longer and darker. Passing where the brambles were thickest, Pinkie Pie spotted where Twilight closed up the Mirror Pond.
“Ohh! Twilight! Twilight! What if we use the mirror pond to make more of us and go search for the Elements?”
“Pinkie, I closed the entrance to the pond for a reason.”
“Oh yeah…” Said almost like she previously had forgotten why.
A few more minutes of walking, they spotted Zecora’s hut.
“Hey, maybe we could ask Zecora if there have been anything weird going on around here!” Rainbow Dash said.
“Yeah, she knows this place better than any pony.” Twilight said in agreement.
Twilight knocked on the door. “Go away! There is no pony here today!”
“Zecora, it’s us; Twilight, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie!” Apple Jack cried. The door opened slightly and a black and white snout poked out.
“Ahh! There all of you are! I was hoping you haven’t gone out too far! Come inside so you can have a place to hide.” Zecora said in her usual rhymes.
All of the six sat around in a circle in the middle of the hut with the cauldron in the center.
“Zecora, have you noticed anything unusual going on in the forest?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe, it all starts just at eve! Shadows move without a body, trees sound without a shake, and there are cries of animals that I have never even heard; it has become absurd!” Zecora replied almost frantically. Apple Jack looked at Rainbow Dash who in turn exchanged a glance to Pinkie Pie, Pinkie to Fluttershy, Fluttershy to Rarity, and finally Rarity to Twilight who is lost in thought looking down tapping her chin with her hoof.
“This place has been giving me such a scare, I almost ran without a care!” Twilight perked her head up.
“Zecora, has there been anything going on deeper in the forest, like at the ancient castle?”
“It seems to me that that is where this chaos is centered to be.”
The six exchanged glances again.
“It seems as if we were right, girls.” Twilight said quietly. “Thank you for the hospitality Zecora, but we need to hurry off.” Twilight said standing up to her feet.
“I’m sure that it is more important than being with me; now go to where you need to be.” As the heroines ran out the door, Zecora glared. She waited for them to close the door, and dissolved into a fine mist.
As the girls descended deeper into the forest, a thick fog has been building. Fluttershy thought that she had seen figures racing in and out of the fog in her periphery vision, but concluded it was nothing.
“Well, at least now we know we were right.” Rainbow Dash said trying to lighten the mood.
“Yeah, ‘Ah just wish that it wasn’t so close to town, who knows what Nightmare Moon could have in store for us now?” Apple Jack said thinking of all of her family and friends still back in town. Rarity yawned.
“Is any pony else feeling a little drowsy?” Apple Jack asked.
“Yeah… I feel a little tired…” Rainbow Dash replied wearily. Even Pinkie hasn’t been her usual bubbly self.
“What time is it?” Apple Jack asked stumbling slightly.”
“We… uhhh… left at… we left at noon…” Twilight said feeling it herself.
At that moment, Fluttershy collapsed. So too did Rarity, then Pinkie Pie, Apple Jack, and Rainbow Dash.
It was at that moment Twilight comprehended what was going on. Her horn glowing lightly as she combated sleep, a gust was worked up. The strength of the gust increased and whipped away the mysterious mist. In turn, every pony that fell asleep woke up soon.
“Ugh… What was that?” Rainbow Dash said rubbing her head. Rarity started vigorously rubbing the dirt and leaves out of her mane, tail, and coat.
“It was Miasma; it’s a form of magical fog that does various things. But it shouldn’t have done the same thing to all of us…” Twilight was in thought again.
“Well, let’s not wait for it to build up again.” Rarity said finally cleaning out her coat.
“Hey, I remember that river!” Pinkie said skipping.
“Oh, hello!” a familiar voice cried out. It was the purple, serpentine dragon that they met the first time they went through the forest. He still had the moustache that Rarity gave him from her tail, but he made the other side the same way.
“What a beautiful style for your moustache.” Rarity said half complimenting herself and the dragon for mimicking the coloring and shape perfectly.
“Oh, thank you!” he replied with a chuckle, “It took me weeks to get it just right!”
“Not to break of the reunion, but we need to cross the river.” Rainbow Dash said with her indifference to fashion, style, and sophisticated personal aesthetics.
“Oh, of course!” He gladly replied. “But be careful, there have been shadows moving to and from that old creepy castle.”
Apple Jack looked over at Twilight. After they crossed, as the others ran off, Rarity and the dragon waved goodbye a second time.
“Well, here we are; back where we began…” Twilight said almost sentimentally.
“Eeyup…” Apple Jack said channeling Big Macintosh. The sky was black as night. “Uhh… Twilight? How long have we been out?” Apple Jack asked looking up at the starless sky. It was as if the sky was lower than it used to be. The Moon also had a face on it that hasn’t been seen since…
“We haven’t even been out for two hours. I think our suspicions have been thoroughly confirmed.” Twilight said a she stepped on the old bridge. As she did, there were three forms of shadows that shot up from the abyss. They landed on the other side of the bridge; The Shadow Bolts.
“Take one more step, and we’ll take the bridge down.” The one that seemed to be the leader said. Though wearing goggles, the friends could feel the glares from behind them.
“Yeah? Go ahead and try!” Rainbow Dash said leaping into the air and hovering with her wings. The Shadow Bolts burst into the air almost immediately and started chipping away at the support ropes and the stone pillars holding up the ropes.
“Rainbow, you need to stop them!” Rarity cried out, holding onto the bridge as they were trying to get back to where she stepped off from.
“I’m trying! There are too many of them!” Rainbow cried out, overwhelmed on which one to go after. Twilight dug into the bridge to support herself. Her horn started glowing with a bright white light. Finally, it fired into a large, blinding ray. The other five shielded their eyes. Their eyes not accustomed to a light so bright, the Shadow Bolts scattered, blind. One crashed into the forest, one landed on a ledge in the chasm, and another that had regained composure flew off to its’ master.
“Those guys were serious.” Apple Jack said as they finally crossed the bridge.
They stood before the ancient castle. It hasn’t changed a bit in this mysterious forest, seemingly locked in in time itself. Large foreboding pillars with vines and plants crisscrossing, rooting deep into the cracks. Windows of broken glass gave it an even more eerie feel like a haunted house. The large wooden door still sturdy and strong after the thousands of years it has been here.
“This place is timeless…” Twilight muttered to herself almost forgetting why she was here, to save the world and not study archeology.
“Umm…” Fluttershy finally piped up after an unusual silence even by her standards. “Umm… Twilight?”
“Yes, Fluttershy?” “Look.” She pointed over at where she was taken the first time with Nightmare Moon. There was a purple glimmering faintly emitting from the cracks and windows of the ancient building.
“I think that’s what we came over for…” Fluttershy said quietly.
Walking over the walkway that connected the two buildings, there were shadows moving in the darkness. Unusual shadows, shapeless shadows. The shadows you see in the corner of your eye, you look over, and it’s gone.
As they reached the rear building, there was a pedestal that had not been here last time that they have been her, and upon that pedestal was Rarity’s favorite accessory, the Element of Generosity.
“Careful, this could be a trap.” Twilight said cautiously. All of them have scanned the room tirelessly, looking for a hidden passage, a lever, a button, something. As their search came up negative, they prepared themselves.
“Alright Rarity, take it.” Twilight said. Rarity approached the pedestal cautiously. She slowly examined it from top to bottom. Seeing no immediate threat, she lifted the necklace off of the pedestal and onto her neck. Admiring its sparkle, she hadn’t noticed that the column had slowly retracted into the ground. A large trap door opened and took all of the friends down into the depths of a cavern.
Celestia sat in her room watching the Night and Day fight for control over the sky. She hadn’t let the Sun go down over Canterlot since Nightmare’s return; though it has taken a toll on her, she couldn’t allow it. She looked at the clock. Two o’clock. She sighed. Ever since she returned from the Nightmare’s Hold, she was over whelmed with worry from Shining Armor. How could she have let this happen to him, Twilight’s brother, practically her son? She tried to comfort herself saying to herself .
“He knew what he signed up for; he’s the Captain for the Guard for a reason” but every time she made up a new reason, she felt even more guilty. She took a final look at the horizon and walked out of her room. She couldn’t stand to look at it anymore.
Walking over to her sister, she hoped to speak to one who understood what was going on. She knew Luna was asleep during the day, but Luna has always been there when Celestia needed her; she longed that she would be there for her again.
She silently opened the large, blue door. She poked her head in and saw the curtains we closed and all was dark. Luna was sleeping in her bed. She looked even smaller than when she had talked to her two days ago. She crept into the room, trying to not let too much light in as to wake her. She silently walked into the room and sat by her.
“Luna…” Celestia whispered, nudging her small sister softly.
“Luna…” She did it again. She was about it again, but as she did, Luna shot up and sat straight up, looking into Celestia’s eyes. Her eyes glowed black, and her horn glowed black, and her mane flared black and stood like fire in the wind.
“You have allowed this! You were too weak to stop my return! Now you will see your world burn!” Luna called out. The voice was not hers even when she yells. It was clear that Nightmare Moon had managed to channel herself through.
“Luna!” Celestia said shaking her and touching her horn to her head. Instantly, there was a small pop, and the black aura dispersed and her mane returned to its regular state and she fell back into her bed. As if just waking up, Luna stirred.
“‘Tia…” she yawned. “What are you doing here?” said as she knew nothing that happened within the previous seconds. “I need someone to talk to.” She spoke not wanting Luna to know what just happened.
“About what?” Luna said half childishly.
“About Nightmare returning; when you were ‘in’ her, did you get a feel for how she thought?”
“Yes, I did…” Luna said looking down at the covers. “She thought of pure hate and malice… though it was like I was thinking of it. It was scary to think like that.” Luna said with a shiver running down her spine. “I don’t know how a creature can hold so much anger within its body.”
“It was a long while coming. I just hope that Twilight and her friends can change her to what she used to be.” Celestia said looking at the floor half ashamed, half hopeful, and all scared.
“Yes… I do too.” Luna said leaning on her sisters’ shoulder, hugging her.
Darkness. That was all Twilight saw once she had awoken. This kind of darkness was un-familiar to her. It isn’t like the darkness of a night sky, under a blanket, or even an unlit room. The darkness felt heavy like something was there holding the light away. She conjured a small orb the size of an apple to cut away the darkness. The others seem to have been unconscious too; for once the light shown over them, they stirred.
“Are you girls alright?” Twilight asked.
Ahm fine, just a little bruised.” Apple Jack said as she put her Stetson back on.
Pinkie leapt to her feet, “Okie dokie loki!”
“I’m quite alright dear.” Rarity said fixing her mane, seeming to be more concerned with it.
“I’m fine…” Fluttershy murmured.
“I think my wing kept my body from really getting hurt on that one…” Rainbow Dash said as she stood up from her side. Her right wing was clearly broken; Its digits frayed off at different angles. She winced in pain as she tried to fold it to her side.
“Oh… that doesn’t look good.” Fluttershy said as she walked over.
“Don’t worry,” Rainbow Dash replied, “It’s fine.”
“Oh no, it isn’t.” Fluttershy said. She touched Rainbow’s wing and near instantly the sky-blue Pegasus jumped back.
“Well, don’t touch it!” Rainbow Dash said almost scalding Fluttershy.
“Well it won’t heal right if it isn’t set properly. Here.” Fluttershy walked over to where Rainbow Dash had jumped over to.
“Now lay down, and when I say breath, take a BIG breathe in.”
“Ok...?” Rainbow Dash had replied reluctantly.
“Now why do you want me to-“Breathe!” Fluttershy said cutting her off. Rainbow Dash squelched in pain. At that moment, Fluttershy had placed her bones back into the correct sockets.
“That REALLY hurt!” Rainbow Dash said.
“Any other injuries major or minor we need to have looked at?” Twilight said. The other five seemed to squirm for a short second to make sure everything was in the same place and nothing was missing. Every pony came to a unanimous “No”.
Twilight looked around to try and get a good look at where they had landed. She looked up but didn’t see anything but darkness. She looked to her left and saw a stone wall. Just barely within the light of her spell. She walked along the wall and saw that they were actually in a small room with one wall not being a wall, but a steel bar gate. The gate seemed out of place; the walls seem as though they had been here since the rest of the castle, yet the gate seemed relatively new.
“This is odd…” Twilight had said investigating the gate even further.
“What Twilight?” Apple Jack replied.
“It’s this gate; it looks as if it was placed here recently. But that’s not the strangest part. There isn’t a lock and there aren’t any hinges.”
She reached out to touch it, and as her hoof made contact, there was a sizzling noise as she touched it. It burned her.
“Ouch!” she cried as she recoiled from the gate. The gate had seemed to move like the surface of water as a stone land into a pond.
“Well… if that isn’t the oddest little thing…” Twilight reached out again.
She made a small grunt as her hoof touched the gate. She tried to put the pain out of her mind. She started to press on the gate with more and more force. She felt as though she started passing through the gate. She did. She tumbled out of the cell as she did not expect to phase through. The other side she landed on was relatively well light with dim, purple torches. She looked back to the gate and saw it was still there and she could see her friends perfectly in the room guarded by the gate as if it was internally lit.
“Twilight? Where’d you go?” Rainbow Dash said.
“I’m on the other side of the gate.” She looked around and saw that there were similar rooms as the one she came out of, except that there was no gate. She saw a stone on the wall next to the gate that was slightly raised. She pressed it, and the gate dissolved into shadows into the floor. The others walked out of the cell and looked around.
As Rarity came out into the light, Twilight noticed that her Element was gone.
She gasped, “Rarity! The Element’s not on your neck!” Rarity gasped and felt around her neck. She looked in the cell. There was nothing in there but air and stone.
“Oh it would be so easy if I still had it…” She growled silently to herself.
“Pfft… Why would anything we do be easy, Rarity?” Rainbow Dash stated
“That fire can’t be real.” Apple Jack said as she looked at the torches magnificent purple and white flames.
“It is, but it’s magical, I’ve read stories about purple fire; it doesn’t produce heat.” Twilight said.
The six looked down both ways of the hallway and saw two stairwells, one leading up and the other leading down.
“Well, anyone got a coin? I don’t want to choose.” Rainbow Dash said half sarcastically.
“Let’s just try to go up! We fell down, right?” Pinkie enthusiastically said.
“Can’t argue with that logic.” Apple Jack replied.
“Well, let’s go.” Rainbow Dash stated courageously and impatiently. They had set off to the stairwell that leads upwards. Noticing that it was completely dark once they had reached it and Twilight’s light orb wasn’t casting light.
“Wait a second…” Twilight said as she looked closely at the dancing shadows of the torches flames. She noticed how that the darkness moved with the torches. She took a torch off of its stand and moved it about in the stair well. The torch brought light.
“That’s weird.” Twilight said. “These torches can light the darkness but my light can’t.”
“Maybe this darkness isn’t natural?” Apple Jack said.
“That would make sense, but what would be so powerful to make darkness like this?”
“Nightmare Moon?” Rainbow Dash replied.
“Yeah…” Twilight said softly. “Well, let’s make our way up girls.” The six stepped onto the stone floor and the sound of their hoofs hitting the stone floor caused an echo to softly ring through the darkness eerily as if it was whispering to them.
“What progress have we made?” Nightmare Moon asked forcefully to a female officer peering over a map.
“We have reached to the edges of the Everfree Forest, Mother, but it seems as if something is stopping our advance. We still have some influence in the area, but it seems as if this one specific area is stopping us.” She pointed her hoof at a small clearing of in the center of the forest. Upon closer inspection, it was the old Royal Sisters palace ruins. Nightmare turned this over in her head several times. She could not figure whether this was good or bad. There was still influence in the area, but she couldn’t advance any further into the area. It was more like the land was a colony to her empire.
“The palace is clearly what is stopping the advancement.” Another officer spoke up after several seconds. Nightmare wanted to speak up, but she decided not to. She would have said it was the Element she dispersed there, but after the debacle with Celestia’s little friend, she became more careful with information, giving it only to those necessary to carry out the action.
“Yes, it seems that it is. It may be a problem.” Nightmare said almost distractedly. “As you were.” She said she walked out of the room. She walked up to the throne room. Walking down the carpeted path to the large throne, all bowed before her. She sat upon the throne contemplating. It appears where the Elements are, the Darkness cannot continue… Nightmare still didn’t know how to take this information. Since the Element was there, once it left the area, it would make the area hers, but harder for her to get to the foals if they got more. IF they collect more of them, only if, she reassured herself.
Nightmare closed her eyes and saw Canterlot. She saw the fighting of her army and the Solar army below. She saw the castle below her. Its purple topped turrets, large white marble walls, the windows. She saw the citizens looking up at the sky, seeing the Moon and the Sun up in the sky. Some looked with disbelief, some looked in fear, but a few tried to go about their life. Nightmare chuckled slightly to herself.
“Get a good look at the Sun… It may be your last…”
She opened her eyes and saw Umbra walking up from the door on the other side of the room. “Has our special guest made any progress?” Nightmare asked.
“He hasn’t said anything other than whispering some words to himself and yelling that he won’t say anything.”
“Do you know what he was whispering?”
“He was just saying ‘Twilight…’ over and over.” Nightmare sat back into her throne.
“I may have to pay our friend a visit soon and see what exactly twilight has to do with him. Doesn’t he know it’s impolite not to speak to his hosts?”
“How old do you think these dungeons are, Twilight?” Apple Jack asked after examining a section of stone in the stairwell.
“I’m not sure. The dungeon we woke up in seemed old, but it was almost like place was sort of restored; I doubt even a Princess’ castle gate magic would last a thousand years, never mind the fact it seemed to be dark magic.” A moment after Twilight spoke, there was a soft squeak, much like a rat or a mouse.
“What was that?” Rainbow Dash asked sharply.
“It sounded like a rodent.” Twilight said. “Girls, check around your feet.”
They did. There was nothing around their feet. Twilight froze, looked up and raised the torch. Bats. A swarm of them. Many were sleeping silently, unaware of the intruders just 20 feet below them. But one looked straight at the ponies with its’ red eyes and shrieked like a banshee. It was then all of the other bats awoke. Those bats in turn started shrieking.
The bats flapped their wings and started to fly. All of the bats rising to fly at the same time, their screeching, and the flapping of their wings at once in the stone stair well was nearly deafening.
“Run!” Twilight yelled over the bats.
“Don’t have to tell me twice!” Apple Jack yelled running after Twilight. Along with the bats calling, the girls could hear Rarity’s yelling over the creatures. After continually running up the spiral staircase, not noticing many exits along the way, the ponies crashed into a solid wood door.
“Open the door!” Pinkie cried loudly, pounding on the obstruction.
“Move, Pinkie!” Twilight yelled as she moved her out of her way. The door was locked. Twilight charged up her magic and let loose on the lock and it burst like it had a cherry bomb in it. Bits of red hot iron flew off in all directions, hitting several of the bats. The bats that were struck had burst into a dark mist. A few bits had flown straight through Apple Jack’s hat.
“Whoa!” She cried as she felt the heat for a brief moment through her hair. Twilight flung the door open and the girls ran through it. Rainbow Dash had moved a large pillar over to block the door. Luckily the door opened into the room. After a few moments, the screeching had died off and the bats flew away.
“Whew, I’m glad I’m not a few inches taller.” Apple Jack exhaled as she examined the holes in her hat. They still smelt faintly of burnt leather. She placed her hat back on her head and looked around.
“Uh… Twilight? Could you light the room up a bit for us?” Apple Jack asked.
“Just a moment.” Twilight took the flame from the torch and divided it and sent it to other torches in the room. The room lit up greatly with purple.
“What is this place Twilight?” Fluttershy asked silently.
“It looks like an old royal bedroom.” Twilight answered.
There was a large circular rug in the center of where they stood. A few inches after the rug ended there were a few steps that went across the entire room to divide it. On the higher division, there was a bed with yellow and orange translucent drapery. It was vibrant and so was the wood work on the bed. There was a vanity to the left of the bed up against the wall and the mirror was almost new looking.
“It’s surprising that this place is so well kept after so many years.” Rarity said admiring the vanity.
“You say that as if no one lives here.” A voice off in the corner of the room said. The voice was that of a female. It had sounded like Nightmare Moon’s, just slightly higher and slightly less harsh. There was a dark blue Unicorn sitting lazily in a chair in the darkest corner that stood up and stretched.
“Who are you?” Rainbow Dash had demanded, raring up as if she was about to take off.
“Who am I? Who are you? Here you come, stealing my jewelry, causing a ruckus, killing my pets, breaking my door, and you ask me who I am? Someone clearly has never taught you your manners.” She strutted slowly to her intruders. “Judging by the similarity of your cutie mark and the Element of Generosity, I think it’s safe to assume that you are the bearer of it. And since there are six Elements, and six of you, you all must be the new bearers of the Elements of Harmony.
“That’s right!” Pinkie said in a way that showed she seemed to not realize the situation wholly.
“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash said digging deeper into her stance, “Now give us the Element and we won’t have to hurt you!”
The Pegasus chuckled loudly. “You hurt me? Ha! Clearly, you are fast, yet you have a broken wing, the yellow one is much too timid to throw a strike, the way the generous one is dolled up shows she wouldn’t want to get her coat dirty, the Pink one couldn’t possibly catch up to me, nor could the orange one. But the purple one…” she said turning into a mist going over to Twilight’s side. As she reached Twilight, a figure of her head could be seen from the fog she had reverted herself into.
“I can feel your power; the raw strength inside your body. You must be the Element of Magic… The most powerful and most elusive Element. Scholars studying all their lives cannot hope to even match the power. But you… you are different. I can feel it. But raw power is just that: raw. Even if you do manage to beat me, you won’t be able to change the Element back…”
“Change it back? What do you mean?” Apple Jack had spoken up.
“Oh, I took the liberty of personalizing the Element. No pony was wearing, so I assumed it was just lost and forgotten.” The Unicorn lifted her neck to show the necklace she wore. It was the Element of Generosity. Except that a dark power seeped off of it. Even a non-magical creature could feel the dark energy that emanated from it.
“What did you do to it?!” Rarity cried in dismay.
“Oh, when I tried to put it on, it burned me, being I’m not exactly a creature of ‘harmony’.” She had said harmony in a mocking tone. She was floating around the foals slowly with her legs semi-transparent and a fog around her where they would be.
“So I corrupted it. About as easily as that disgrace of a Draconiquis corrupted you six. I poured all of my feelings of greed and what I desired most into it, and, poof!” The Unicorn’s mist slightly burst as she spoke.
“It’s now the Element of Greed!” She let loose an evil laugh.
“How?” Twilight said in disbelief.
“Because, the Elements are only as perfect as your beloved Princess who wielded them was; which isn’t saying much really.”
“How dare you!” Twilight said, stomping her hoof on the marble floor.
“Oh, I dare very easily.” The Unicorn said in a mocking tone. “Oh, speaking of which, what do you think she is doing right now, sitting idly in her room? Or would she be taking a stroll through the gardens?”
This remark only enraged Twilight further. Her horn started sparking.
“Oh, but why would the Princess walk? Walking is for peasants. Just. Like. You.” The dark mare said slowly and angrily as she looked into Twilight’s eyes.
Twilight yelled and her horn glowed bright white as it fired off a beam of light. The light had sent the mare reeling back into the bed and she crushed it as she landed on her back.
“You want a peasant?” Twilight yelled angrily as her eyes glowed bright white.” I’ll show you a peasant!” She charged another beam from her horn, as she was about to fire, the mare let out a dark explosion that threw all but Twilight against the wall. Twilight and the Unicorn seemed to be lying dead except for the fact they were breathing on the floor under a dark blue shield.
Rainbow Dash had tried to break the shield, but as she struck it with her fore-hooves, there was a sound of electricity crackling and she was sent back and landed on her right side. She yelled in pain as she landed on her broken wing.
“Why is it always MY wing that gets broken?” She yelled as Fluttershy placed the bones back in place. Fluttershy looked at Rainbow Dash questioning whether or not she really said that. Rainbow Dash realized how that sounded and looked at Fluttershy and apologized, “Oh, sorry.”
“What are we going to do?” Pinkie said in complete disarray.
“I don’t think there’s anything we can do, Pinkie, we’ll just have to wait.” Apple Jack sighed.
Twilight woke with a start. She looked around to see that she was standing at the entrance of a labyrinth. She remembered everything in perfect clarity except what led her here. She looked around to see that it was just the entrance to the maze.
“Why is it always a maze…” Twilight said scornfully. Her horn was still glowing with anger. She couldn’t let her guard down, especially since in a maze, anything could be anywhere.
“Where are you!?” Twilight’s yell echoed through the entire labyrinth. There was no reply except a familiar chuckle. “When I find you… you’re going to wish… that I didn’t…” Twilight muttered angrily under her breath.
She wandered the maze for a while. The longer she did, the less real everything seemed. She knew it was a dream; it felt unreal even for a dream. She could see shadows in the corner of her eye, swearing there was something there, but nothing was.
“Come out of hiding you coward!” Her cry echoed through the maze again.
A more complex and mocking reply followed.“If you’re so powerful, why don’t you just use teleport to me?” A chuckle followed the question.
Twilight contorted her face angrily and gritted her teeth. She tried teleporting. The burst of magic had taken her back to the entrance.
“Oh yeah… You can’t teleport! Hee hee hee!” The voice of the mare was simply annoying Twilight beyond belief at this point. Twilight blindly chose where to turn next at this point. For all she knew, she started in the center and was working her way out, or up, or down, or wherever the blasted Unicorn wanted her to go. Twilight had turned right and it led to a dead end. As she turned around to go back, she saw that the way that led into the dead end was no longer there, only to be replaced by a field. It was quiet, there was a pond in the center, and there was a mountainous sky line.
She walked into the field slowly and skeptically. She heard grass crunch behind her. She turned and saw a tall and completely black figure. She fired her magic at it the instant she saw it. The field had dissolved into the stained-glass room at the Canterlot Palace and saw that the figure laying was not the figure, but Celestia.
She was lying on her side, heavily injured. Her pearlescent feathers were scattered around her, soaked some blood from the blood that had started to pool. The room had been destroyed; the door that held the room of the Elements was decimated, the stained glass windows had been shattered, the carpet was nearly non-existent and the parts that were, were burned and destroyed.
“You’ve failed, Twilight…” Celestia let out silently, “Nightmare won… because you weren’t strong enough…”
“What?” Twilight said not believing what she was hearing. She rushed over to Celestia. “What happened?” Twilight asked mournfully.
“You’ve failed…” Celestia said with a breath and laid her head down.
“What?” Twilight said stumbling back and finally sitting.
“How…” Night had taken its hold and Twilight could hear Nightmare Moon’s diabolical laugh.
“No… it can’t be…” Her tears it the ground. As they did… the ground dissolved like acid. The entire room began to disparate. When the palace was gone, Twilight saw Nightmare Moon standing tall and proud where Celestia’s body had been.
“It’s over Twilight…” Nightmare started with an evil grin, “I’ve won…!” She started an evil laugh. Twilight cried more forcefully.
“No…” she had started.
“No, what?” the victorious mare started, “It is clear that I have won! You will bow to me!” Nightmare slammed her forelegs on the ground and there was a tremendous rumbling.
“No… No… No. No. No. No. No!” Twilight looked up at Nightmare and her eyes and horn glowed with the light of the sun. Nightmare looked in horror and confusion.
“What is this!?” Nightmare cried out in horror.
“This is where you fall!” Twilight’s voice boomed echoed loudly through the midnight field. A golden light had shrouded itself around Twilight’s body. Soon, there was a large, golden and glowing Unicorn as large as Nightmare Moon. It charged at Nightmare with all its speed and takled the mare. Upon contact, the pure light had burned Nightmare. She cried out in pain and disbelief,
“What is this!?”
The golden figure simply stated, “A nightmare.”
The scene dissolved once again to the middle of the labyrinth with Twilight standing on the dark Unicorn’s chest. Tears were in Twilight’s eyes, which still were glowing white, anger was in her head, and power was in her heart.
“Please!” The mare shouted defensively, “Please don’t kill me!”
Twilight contemplated this in her head. How she wanted to. How she would love to, but she didn’t.
“Go back to where you came from and never come back.” Her voice had continued to boom. The scene dissolved finally to the royal bedroom. The dark shield had shattered like glass and the shards hissed upon contact with the ground. The Unicorn had blasted a hole in one of the stone walls and turned into the dark, shimmering mist, and fled, leaving behind the Element of Generosity.
“Yeah, you better run!” Rainbow Dash cried out.
“What happened, Twilight?” Fluttershy started.
“Yeah! Your horn had started glowing and sparks were flying like ptew!” Pinkie started running across the room continuously making inane sounds.
“A nightmare happened…” Recollecting what happened in the dream. She remembered every detail with perfect clarity.
Rarity walked over to the Element and picked it up with magic. “Oh… it’s all… evil.” She said.
“Don’t worry, Rarity, Ahm sure we could figure out a way to change it back, right Twilight?” No response from twilight who was looking off into the hole the mare had blasted into the wall.
“Twilight? Twilight!” Apple jack called. Twilight woke up suddenly and her head slammed right against Apple Jack whom was standing over her, trying to wake her.
“Ow! Land sakes, you have a hard head!” She said rubbing her head.
“What happened?” Twilight said rubbing her forehead. “Well, remember when we fell into the pit once Rarity picked up the Element? That didn’t happen.” Rainbow Dash said. Even she didn’t believe what she had just said.
“What? How?” Twilight asked back.
“We’re not entirely sure, but we think it was a dream.” Rarity said. The Element she wore around her neck was not gold, but very dark blue; almost black. The purple of the amethyst was much darker than it had previously been.
“But… what?” Twilight asked again, in even further disbelief. She looked over at Apple Jack’s hat and saw the several holes from the pieces of the lock that cut through it. She looked over at Rainbow Dash who had her right wing wrapped.
“How was that a dream if Apple Jack’s hat,” Twilight began to stammer, “And, and… Rainbow Dash’s wing, and and…” She merely sat in sheer and utter disbelief. She felt under her eyes and felt tears that had fallen and tried in her coat.
“We’re not entirely sure, as we said, but I think we have a lot more than just that ahead of us.” Apple Jack said inspecting her hat solemnly.
The mare had hurried back to the Hold as fast as she could, for the sun burned her when she was a mist. As she arrived, she reverted back into her original form and bowed sadly in the throne room to her Mother.
“I’m hoping you came here during the day in great haste to tell me what a success you had in stopping them, Dusk?” Nightmare Moon had said bored and sarcastically.
“I’m so sorry Mother…” Dusk began to tear up and her voice broke.
“I tried all I could but… the purple Unicorn is too powerful…” She broke out into a full, uncontrollable cry.
“I knew I shouldn’t have sent you… too inexperienced. For an officer, you are weak. I had hoped that you could at least take six young foals. But clearly, I was sadly mistaken. Leave my presence and pray that I don’t contemplate a punishment.”
The mare ran out of the room crying.
Never leave something up to someone who can fail at it… Nightmare Moon thought.
Celestia. She the oldest of the two sisters and most powerful of the two, so did she seen Nightmare Moon’s return coming? Yes, in fact, she saw her return coming; she just hoped it would not happen within this lifetime. She herself knows that the Elements of Harmony do not destroy, only change one’s nature. The Elements are those of healing. So how are Twilight and her friends supposed to defeat Nightmare Moon, when the only way to truly stop her is to destroy her, and the Elements do not harm? Quite a puzzle.
“You know you cannot defeat me.” Nightmare said with pure obviousness.
“I know. That is why I won’t; Twilight and her friends will.” Celestia rebutted defiantly and full of hope.
“How do you expect them to do that without the Elements?” Nightmare replied pointing out the glaringly obvious problem.
“They will find them.” Celestia simply stated. “They have defeated you once before, they have strength you can’t even imagine.”
“You mean Twilight does.” Nightmare said correcting Celestia. “The only one you have any faith in is Twilight; your most faithful student; your protégé; your fulfillment of your own immortal selfishness; to have a being that looks to you as a mother, no, as a goddess. Which is what you are, true, but you want someone who worships the ground you walk and treat it as if desecrating it is committing the greatest sin imaginable.”
“That’s not what I want…” Celestia said shamefully.
“Now it isn’t.” Nightmare said antagonizing. “Now she is just a personal weapon to show off, just like countless before her, and I know for sure she won’t be the last.” Nightmare’s tone had anger creeping into it. “You haven’t done a thing to help with the disasters plaguing your world since she and her friends became the Elements.”
Celestia’s gaze fixed downwards, her eyes almost full of tears.
“She is destined for great things…”
“You have said that about countless foals countless times.” Nightmare spoke as if from experience. “Remember Star-Swirl the Bearded who couldn’t even complete that spell of his and just gave up on it and threw it aside like a piece of trash?”
Celestia had anger growing inside her at this point.
“What about that sister of yours, who all she simply does is raise the Moon, or a better example; you? All you do is sit and reap the rewards of your immortality, all the smiling gazes, the unquestioning acceptance of your subjects, never having to work a day in your life.”
“You don’t know what it’s like!” Celestia spat, a tear flowing down her face.
“I don’t know what it’s like? What do I not know what is like?” Nightmare said leaning forward with her antagonizing tone returning.
“All of the great ponies in my life, all of the great things they have done, all of the ways they have helped everyone and everything, and all I can do is just to sit here and remember them! That is what you do not understand!” Celestia said leaning forward and stamping her right fore-hoof angrily as she spoke, making her point. Celestia has not felt rage like this in a very long time. More tears flowed from her large eyes as she looked down and shut them.
“You think I haven’t had people in my life that I care about that I lost?”
Celestia looked up and straight into Nightmare’s eyes and shouted, “No because all you know is hate! You have not loved a thing in your life! All you are is pure evil!” Nightmare narrowed her eyes into a glare.
“You think I am evil? You yourself know that there is no evil, just a darker shade of white. I have had family of my own; children, grandchildren; two sisters at one point.”
Celestia looked up. This struck a chord with her.
“You threw their love away when you become what you are now.”
“And what am I now, prey you tell?”
“A monster...” Celestia answered quietly and away from Nightmare’s piercing, serpentine eyes.
“Say that to my face…” The dark Alicorn demanded quietly and with supreme authority.
Celestia looked straight up into Nightmare’s eyes, “A monster; that is what you are! A creature trying to destroy all that is good for your personal gain!” She burst into tears. There was a silence as Nightmare’s glare intensified.
“We will speak again.” Nightmare said as she flew off.
“Sister, wake up!” a familiar voice broke Celestia out from her dream.
It was Luna. The Moon being quarter full, she was barely as large as Princess Cadence.
“What is it?” Celestia asked, concerned.
“You were talking in your sleep; I could hear you from outside your door. Is everything all right?”
“Yes… yes… everything is…” Celestia trailed off and wiped her eyes for tears, pretending to wipe the sleep away.
“No, everything isn't; I know that look. That’s your ‘I’m the big sister, I can do this on my own’ look. I’m not the filly I look like right now ‘Tia.” There have been many things that Celestia would have felt better about if she had spoken with her sister. Who knows Day better than Night?
“It was Nightmare Moon… She came into my dream.” Celestia admitted.
“What did she do?” Luna asked, climbing up onto her big sister’s bed.
“We just talked…”
“About what? You hardly ever talk to me about your problems, it’s a wonder you spoke to her.” That was true; Celestia did not want to share her problems with Luna, or any one for that matter; after all, she was the big sister, she can do things on her own.
“About several things; about students, evil, Twilight…” Celestia trailed off, “About her…”
“You mean Nightmare Moon?”
“Yes…” Celestia felt a tear crawling from her eye.
“She isn’t what she used to be; you’ve got to remember that.” Luna said.
“Do you think that she could be again?” Celestia asked with hope. There was a pause, Luna looked away, out of the balcony window, and back again. “I’m not sure… I didn’t think I could have been saved from her, honestly.”
There was another pause, a longer one this time. Luna reached over to her sister and embraced her. “I know Twilight and her friends can do it.” Luna said. “Yes… I’m sure Twilight - and her friends can do it…” Celestia caught herself. Nightmare was right; Celestia only truly had faith in her most faithful student.
Celestia rose from her bed, stretched her legs and wings and walked over to the balcony with Luna behind her. The two looked up to the sky at three different bodies in the sky, the Sun high in the sky, the Moon setting, and the Mare’s Moon chasing the Sun.
“It’s supposed to be dawn…” Luna said quietly. Celestia fixed her gaze to the large field below where the war between her and Nightmare Moon’s soldiers had still waged for the second week straight. Her look was sad and reminiscent.
“They’re- We are fighting a losing fight.” Celestia said emotionlessly. She was thinking of when Shining Armor had been captured in Nightmare’s Hold. Luna looked at her in a way that questioned whether Celestia was the supreme powerful being that she remembers her sister being.
“How could you say that?” Luna demanded. “Do you really think that we are losing?”
“Yes…” Celestia still spoke with cold emotionality, gaze still fixed on the battle waging below.
“So you believe no matter what happens, even if Twilight finds the Elements, we will still lose?” Celestia looked down and closed her eyes ashamed. A single tear flowed from her eye, down her face, and onto the marble floor.
“What has gotten over you? A minuet ago you said you had all your faith in her!”
“I have a letter to write…” Celestia said silently. Luna looked at her sister disappointedly and took that as her cue to leave.
Celestia dipped the quill into the ink and wrote, “Dear my most faithful student, Twilight…”
Nocturne Chapter 8 What she means to him? Everything
The day of his wedding, the day he became the Captain of the Guard, the day he received his letter of acceptance into the guard. In all of these days, there was always one there, Twilight Sparkle. But why? What connection the two had, Nightmare wondered. Being forced remembering these was a very painful experience for Shining Armor.
“What does she mean to you!?” Nightmare demanded with all of her authority. All Shining Armor could do was let out an agonized cry. “I hope you know that I never ask.” Nightmare said reminding the tortured Unicorn. “All you have to do is tell me and this will be over.”
“No…” He replied with his usual rebelliousness.
“If that is what you desire…”
Nightmare continued to search through his memories. His emotional, physical, and psychological strength has weakened significantly since he was brought in. Yet, he still kept his rebellious behavior.
“You have held on this long, I will commend you for that.” Umbra had said as he was catching his breath.
“I don’t need your commendation…” the stallion said panting.
“Right, you need Celestia’s.” Nox said, “All you need is for her to pat your head and give you a medal and you go off happy as the little dog you are.”
“If I wasn’t chained down…”
“What would you do; you, a single colt in a cage against three immensely powerful beings? If you weren’t necessary, you would be dead, you should be grateful.” Nox reminded him of the situation he was really in, but as long as he did not talk, he would remain necessary, therefore alive, Shining Armor thought.
Shining Armor let out another pained scream as Nightmare continued to search.
“Why can’t I find what she is to you?” Nightmare demanded as she released him again from the spell.
“You can’t find what you don’t understand…” This was the second time she had been told by another what she did and did not understand; she already grew tired of it.
“I spoke with your little Princess Celestia, you know.” Nightmare said as-a-matter-of-factly.
“You don’t deserve to even utter her name…” he said as he was holding onto consciousness as best he could.
“For your sake, I will pretend I did not hear that. Before an ungrateful guest so rudely interrupted me, I spoke with her. She said the same thing you did. All think they know who I am, pure evil, a never ending nightmare, but they do not know a thing. Do not speak what you do not understand. You do not know who or what I was before I became what I am now. All of that has led up to now and it has made me stronger than you could ever imagine.” Nightmare shocked Shining Armor for his insolence.
“It’s really a wonder how you survived past the third day; I must know your secret.” Nightmare entered his memory once again, and found something.
“You’re her big brother… She is your little sister…” Nightmare fully realized the connection. She contemplated in her head what to do.
“Wait,” Nox spoke up, “That purple little girl his sister?” Nox looked at Umbra.
“It appears so; it makes sense when you think about it.” Umbra replied to Nox’s unguided question. “Both are really powerful and both have connection to their Princess.”
“It seems to me that she is what is keeping him strong, Mother.” Umbra had pointed out.
“But what to do about this…” Nightmare pondered relentlessly.
Nightmare brought herself to realization, “There is only one thing to do.” As she brought her horn to his forehead, it glowed with a dark, dreadful aura; even being in its presence made one feel uneasy. Shining Armor let out a pained cry, and the chains rattled violently as he twitched on the ground; finally, he fell unconscious.
“What did you do to him, Mother?” Nox questioned. “In due time my child… all in due time…”
The Element was no longer the Element of Generosity, but of Greed. The purple diamond was much darker, almost black. The band that went around the neck was no longer gold either, but black. Just touching it made one feel envious and greedy.
“I just can’t get my head around it; how does one change an Element of Harmony?” Twilight paced the room as she said this. “I didn’t even think it was possible!” Twilight continued.
Rarity stared mournfully at the corrupted Element, “It was so beautiful with the gold and purple… Now it’s black and obsidian… Who uses obsidian in jewelry?”
“It hasn’t changed physically, well, other than color, only its power.” Twilight replied to Rarity, “Maybe that mare used the same process to change the Element as Discord did to us.”
“Do you think that if this happened this Element, that the others could have been changed?” Fluttershy spoke up.
“It’s not what I hope, but it is most likely what happened.” Twilight said quietly, looking at the purple necklace.
“There’s no point in just sitting around starring at it; Twilight, do you think you could try to revert it?” Rainbow Dash piped up suddenly.
“It’s worth a shot Twi.” Apple Jack concurred.
“I’m sure it can’t hurt, but I don’t know what would work.” Twilight pondered as to what could possibly work to reverse the immensely powerful magic used to change the single most powerful thing in all of Equestria.
“Perhaps a memory spell?” Rarity suggested.
“But those only work on a living being.” Twilight rebutted.
“I always considered the Elements to be alive.” Apple Jack replied.
“As have I.” Rarity agreed. “Same here.” Rainbow Dash agreed with the other two.
“I agree…” Fluttershy also agreed.
“Give it a try Twilight!” Pinkie said with her ever-usual optimism.
“Well, here goes.” Twilight’s horn started to glow. She closed her eyes in case anything happened. Something did. As she placed her horn upon the Element, there was a loud crack and everyone and everything were thrown around the room.
There was no visible change to the Element, other than some scorching where it sat and on the base.
“Maybe we shouldn’t try to change it…” Apple Jack said coming up from under a pile of books. Twilight levitated all of the books up from their disheveled positions and began to rearrange them back into their correct positions.
“We’re going to have to somehow eventually.” Twilight placed the last book where it should be.
“There has got to be a way…” Rarity said quietly to herself.
Twilight looked at Rarity’s cutie mark, and then the Element, and then back again, thousands of thoughts and possibilities and calculations were running in her head at the same time. She pushed it to the side.
An hour later, it had begun to storm violently. Twilight, Apple Jack, and Rarity were taken back to the night of their sleep over. Luckily, for tonight though, there were no trees to be struck by lightning and no mud to track into the house.
Twilight looked up at the sky and saw that she could still see the Moon through the clouds. She knew that Luna was watching over her right now; she could feel it. She looked up morosely, and could feel Luna’s sympathy through the medium in the sky.
“Sol et Luna custodierit me…” she said quietly, but loud enough for every pony else to hear.
“What was that, Twilight?” Rarity said, startling Twilight out of her conscious coma.
“Oh… it was just an old prayer to the Sun and Moon…”
“What language is it? It didn’t sound like Equestrian.”
“It’s an old, dead language, the language of a once great empire, one larger than Equestria, actually.”
“What was its name?” Fluttershy asked.
“No pony knows, the name hasn’t been uncovered yet, archeologists just call it Humanus Imperium, the Kind Empire.”
“Well that sounds kind of like Equestria, ‘Kind Empire’.” Apple Jack said.
“That’s where irony kicks in; scientists think that they destroyed themselves in a large ball of fire of some sort.” Twilight almost giggled thinking of the irony herself.
“Must have been some powerful Unicorns to destroy an entire civilization.” Apple Jack said in reply.
“Actually, it is theorized that there were no Unicorns in their Empire, not even Pegasi and the Earth ponies were used as some sort of slaves.”
“That sounds like a horror story!” Rarity chimed in, disgusted. “They must have been horrible!” She continued with fear still in her voice.
“Actually,” another actually, “They had made many advances in art, literature, and science among other things, even managing to fly amongst the stars and planets.” Twilight continued, commending the ancient empire.
“If they did all of this, why did they kill each other?” Rainbow Dash questioned. “That’s what has stumped scientists since their discovery; if you were a leader in the mightiest empire the world has ever seen, why or how could you want to destroy it?”
“Greed…” Rainbow Dash said quietly, looking at the Element.
“Exactly.” Twilight said approvingly. “Greed can make anyone do horrible things, no one being is safe from it, every pony is greedy in one way or another though; some can fight it very well, others not so well. It all boils down to how well you can manage your greed.”
“Umm… Twilight?” Spike said quietly from door.
“Yes, Spike?” Twilight said in reply.
“You have a letter…” Spike avoided Twilight.
“Well, bring it here.”
“Princess Celestia said she wanted you to read it alone.”
“If you say so.” Twilight said trotting away into the room Spike was in. Spike closed the door behind her as she exited. His face shaped as if he was bracing himself for an impact. Within thirty seconds, wails were heard from the room.
“Celestia above! What was in that letter, Spike?”
“Apparently… Shining Armor has been… capture by Nightmare Moon…” As he finished the sentence, every pony burst into a more than audible gasp.
“What? How?” “Shining Armor was spying on Nightmare Moon’s castle, but he got caught on the day Celestia came to cover his escape.” Twilight’s crying could still heard from the other room.
“Should we go in there?” Rarity asked with her voice filled with pity.
“I’m not sure…” Spike said quietly. He walked over to the door, opened it and walked in. In about five seconds, he was thrown out of the room, with the door slamming shot and locks clicking into place.
“Looks like we’re going to have to ride this storm out, too.” Apple Jack said looking out the window at the dark, swirling, and consuming storm.
“They all think they know so well as to what I am…” Nightmare spoke to herself angrily as she lay in her bed, on the verge of sleep.
“They don’t know him…” She drifted off, a tear in her eye, remembering the one that mattered most to her, her king. Her equal, her love, her husband.
When she awoke, everything was off. Not everything being wrong, just off. She rose from the bed and looked around the room. The entire room seemed different, like someone woke before she did. Only she sleeps in her room though. She walked into the bathroom. The tub was wet, as was the sink.
Nightmare Moon had been known to be paranoid at times. She outright imprisoned ponies if she felt they conspired against her. Such occasions were very rare though, but this made her feel as if there was something or someone else here. She opened the large doors and walked down the staircase leading down to the throne room. There were two thrones. She remembered everything now. It was her husband. She walked down the staircase to the second floor war rooms where he normally was.
As Nightmare Moon entered, all rose and bowed to her, and returned to their works.
Standing at the balcony was a Unicorn larger than Nightmare Moon. His mane and tail were stationary and gray, unlike Nightmare Moon’s. He stood with tall and proud, his head held up high and his back straight, watching the moon. His boots ran up to his knees with links that connected his greaves on both pairs of legs, which had links connected to his cuirass. Though it was damaged, beaten, and scarred, it still held the magnificent blue finish it shared with Nightmare Moon’s armor. His coat was a deep blue on his ‘top’ half and progressively changed to deep purple at midway of his torso with hairs that shone like stars in the night sky spotted around his coat. His cutie mark was a dark moon with a bright corona, the sun being behind it.
“Hello, mein Wunderschone Auptraum…” He spoke with a gruff voice and an accent similar to photographer in Pony Ville.
“You would not believe the nightmare I had last night…” It felt odd saying her name not as her name.
“I know, I could feel; you kept kicking me out of the bed, so I just decided to start my day early.” He said this not with blame, just as a statement.
“Sorry…” This was said with a sense of apology said to none other than her light through the night.
Aureole… this was his name. There are only two others that ever meant near what he meant to her.
“Give it back, Umbra!” A small voice cried out from outside the door. The scampering of eight feet could be heard clearly, as well as the screams of two colts running up and down the marble halls. The echoes were sure to be heard upstairs, and bless the souls of those on the first floor.
The war room doors burst open two nearly identical colts ran through and jumped on top of the granite table that ran the length of the room. As the two tore across the table, they scattered papers, quills, inkwells, and books. As one lead reached the end of the table, he let out a small grunt, he fluttered his wings with all his might, and landed on Nightmare Moon’s back.
“Hemmo mudder nightare.” He had something in his mouth. Nightmare looked back.
“What is the means to all of this?” she demanded of the two foals.
“Umbra took my Ursa Teddy!” the smaller one yelled out, distressed. Nightmare looked farther back at the creature sitting on her back and saw that he was indeed in possession of the Ursa. Nightmare lifted the colt off her back and onto the ground, a few feet away from the smaller one.
“Umbra, why did you take the Ursa?” Nightmare spoke with motherly sternness.
“Because…” his view wandered around the room as he spoke, avoiding the two adults in the room whom towered over them.
“Because I wanted to play with it.” He looked up at Nightmare as he finished where he trailed off.
“You know you aren’t to take things that aren’t yours without permission.” Nightmare’s tone held firm, but soft.
The small colt placed the Teddy on the ground.
“Now what do you say?” Nightmare asked.
“Sorry, Nox…”
“For?” Nightmare pushed him to finish the statement.
“Sorry for taking your Teddy…” Umbra looked down, guilty.
Nox picked the teddy up in his mouth, and nearly ran out of the room, but was stopped by Nightmare Moon.
“Uhp. Nox, what do you say now?”
“I forgive you, Umbra,” said Nox with almost the same tone as Umbra.
“Now, away with you two, before I gobble you up,” Nightmare said playfully pushed the two colts out of the room, the two continued running, but they were laughing and squealing delightfully.
“How we have put up with those two so well?” Nightmare said with a chuckle, bringing her hoof up to her head, shaking it.
“The body is capable of great things under duress,” Aureole replied with a chuckle.
Nightmare chuckled back. She looked into the disaster-piece the two created as they made use of the table as a raceway. There were some ink hoof-prints and spills being wiped down, papers still being collected, and maps being mended.
Nightmare shook her head as she laughed in half in despair, half out of humor. How two things so small could create such a big mess was beyond her.
“I can only imagine those two when they grow older.” Aureole read her mind completely.
Nightmare smiled in horror at the thought of those two in adolescence.
“I swear I’m not the mother,” she laughed. He laughed too.
“They would make wunderbar warriors.” He said this with pride.
“I am not letting them fight in the war when they get older,” she said protectively.
“Eh, you cannot blame me from trying.” He said casually. He has asked many times before, she has declined many times before.
Aureole had been raised from a long line of warriors; he would like to have somepony carry on the traditions of his family.
“How about a fresh guard for a personal student?” Nightmare questioned.
“It just wouldn’t be the same,” he said sentimentally.
“I can respect that.” Nightmare kissed him on the cheek, and took her leave of the room.
Nightmare rose in a cold sweat. She looked around; Aureole was not next to her. Nightmare often had trouble discerning the real world from dreams oddly enough, for she resided in both worlds. She promptly went returned to her sleep.
Nightmare awoke once again to hear the sounds of Aureole readying for the day, shower running, sink running, and the clinking of armor joints connecting and clinking. Today is the day he leaves for his tour to take Marenich, his hometown from Celestia’s Empire. There have been skirmishes to take Marenich before, but because of its size and proximity to Canterlot, it has been five years since the front reached the Marenich boarders.
“Welcome back to the Bereich des Lebendigen, Auptraum.” Aureole said from the bathroom, drying his mane. Nightmare stretched as she rose.
“Today is the day, isn’t it?” Nightmare said mournfully. He has left for tours before, but none lasted more than two months.
“Do not worry, I will be safe.” Aureole looked into Nightmare’s eyes. He could feel her worry. She could feel his sympathy.
“I have left for more dangerous tours before,” he reassured her, “This one shouldn’t last too much longer than three months.”
“A lot can happen in three months,” Nightmare said woefully.
Nightmare sat alone on her throne. Aureole returned this day from the front. He had been away six hundred days, far longer than previous expectations. These days have been tough on not only Nightmare, who had not only wrangle the two foals who have grown substantially and take up the jobs that Aureole had around the hold, but on the two Umbra and Nox, both of whom ached to see him again.
“Mother Moon! Mother Moon!” An officer came charging through the doors urgently. “It’s Father Aureole… he…” The officer could hardly manage his breathing.
“What, what is it?” Nightmare demanded with urgency.
“Father Aureole has been mortally wounded on the front!”
Nightmare’s eyes widened, her mouth fell agape.
“Take me to the front!” She demanded forcefully.
“I do not believe it is wise for you to be-“
“Take me!” She demanded of him.
It was dusk, as the fronts always. Winter had gripped the landscape with snow and ice. Though it was cold, it could not numb the pain of knowing her most loved is nearly dead.
As the chariot landed, she leapt off it, rushing over to the medical tents, tearing through them looking for Aureole. She finally found him. He was alone in his own tent with four medics surrounded him. Nightmare held her breath as she saw him. Her heart nearly stopped. His helmet lay at the side of his head, his cuirass was broken at the chest, and it was bloodstained. There was a bloodied spear in the corner of the tent. He lay on his side, bandages blooded on the front and the back. He was conscious, just barely.
“No… no, no, no, no…” she began to weep as she inched closer to a scene she wished she would not wish on Celestia herself; the one you love most near death.
Aureole heard Nightmare. His ears perked up, his eyes opened, and he took a breath of air. “Mein Wunderschone Auptraum…” he said weakly, trying to get the words out with a groan.
“This can’t be happening…” Nightmare began crying completely.
“I am sorry mein fraulein, it is…” A tear arose from his eyes.
“What happened?” Her voice began to break.
“A Pegasus took by surprise from behind with that spear…” he motioned his head to the corner of the room. “I got him regardless…” He uttered these words with a pained groan as he attempted to stand up.
“Sir, it would not be wise to stand,” one of the medics stated.
“If I am to die, I will do so standing…hnng… up…” Aureole stood to his feet. He stumbled over to Nightmare who walked over to him and embraced him in her forelegs and wings.
“Do not mourn me…” Aureole said as if such was possible for Nightmare.
“You are asking a cricket not to chirp…” Nightmare burst into a full-blown cry. How he could ask her to do such a thing?
“You must be strong…” He said this weakly and pained, trying to hold on. Nightmare could feel his tears down her neck.
Aureole began to tremor greatly.
“This can’t be happening…” Nightmare gripped him harder.
“I am sorry…” his voice was a whisper. He collapsed. Nightmare let him to the ground slowly.
“How I have found a mare such as you is a mystery…” This was said with his final breathe. These were his first words to her and his last.
Nightmare awoke once again with tears in her eyes. She wiped them from her eyes, made sure that this wasn’t Aureole wasn’t beside her, unaware of her sadness, and fell back to sleep.
It was now the day of Aureole’s funeral. Does Nightmares mind ever cease torturing her?
Behind the hold’s structure, there was a garden filled with beautiful flowers of purples and blues and blacks and greys. Beautifully sullen willow trees that ravens, nighthawks, and nightingales sat upon and sang songs of the night. This was Aureoles favorite place in the entire hold.
In the center of the garden, there sat a fountain. The fountain had been replaced with a mausoleum. On the arc of the entrance of the was inscribed with the words ‘Vater der Nacht, Vater der Finsternis, über uns wachen im Schlaf’, translating to ‘Father of Night, Father of Darkness, watch over us in your sleep’.
Just in front of the mausoleum, every pony in the entire hold had congregated for the funeral of their lost comrade and leader. So many had attended, that many ponies had to watch from balconies, and many could not watch at all.
A general that had learned from Aureole himself, and whom Aureole considered a son, stood on a podium in front of everypony in the hold.
“My Brothers, my Sisters, we are here on this dreadful night to mourn the passing of our Father, Aureole,” He could not hold the tears that fell back. “A fearless leader, who would not let anything between him and victory,” His voice began to tremble. “And though he could not see it…we…we…” The stallion burst into a full cry now. “We took Marenich! I am sorry!” He ran from the elevated position in uncontrolled sobs.
Umbra who was at this point had turned 11 little more than a week ago, walked up to the podium and struggled to look up it, so he climbed and stood atop it.
“I think what General Shade is trying to say, is that Aureole was a Father to all of us, not just the ones that he loved.” The tiny colt sniffled back the tears. Though he was young, he was very mature for his age. “And he… and he…” Umbra had become crying now. Nightmare Moon had been silent and motionless the entire time, trying to comprehend whether this was real or a horrible nightmare.
Nightmare walked over to the podium, picked up the sniveling colt, and comforted him.
“Thank you, Nox…” Nightmare said silently in his ear.
“Thank you all for fighting for the Night…” She herself began to cry.
The casket in the mausoleum had begun to lower into the seemingly infinite hole. Nightmare could not bear to watch, and retreated to her quarters, alone.
Nightmare woke in a cold sweat yet again. She was not only sweating, but also had broken out into a full cry. She could not control her sobbing. At this point, she is glad her room is soundproof.
“Do not mourn me…” Nightmare said spitefully as her horn began to glow. The sound of stone sliding on stone filled the room as the bed slid out of the way. Below the bed, laid long staircase that extended below the base-floors of the entire Hold.
She began her descent down the staircase. She had not been down here since before she was exiled to the Moon. Only she, Umbra, and Nox knew of this place. As she passed, torches lit with a purple light.
As she descended further, she grew closer to tears. Last, she had cried was the day of the funeral, as Aureole’s body slid into the ground for eternal slumber.
She finally reached the bottom of the flight of stairs. The torches lit and a small room, about half as big as her bathroom had none but one thing in it; a stone sarcophagus with the bust of Aureole on it.
It was morning. The rain had subsided finally; the clouds have disappeared for now. It smelled of rain and mud and sorrow. Birds were flying around, reconstructing their nests. Rabbits, snakes, and other subterranean creatures were outside their burrows waiting for them to drain.
Luckily, no trees had fallen, no-pony had been struck by lightning, town hall’s repairs had held up, and all was fine.
In twilight’s library, everything was quiet. Every pony was awake, just in silence.
“How long do you think she’ll be in there?” Rainbow Dash asked silently.
“Ah’ don’t know, the way she threw Spike out made it seem she wanted to be alone for quite a whiles.” Apple Jack replied in a whisper.
There was a subtle clicking of locks, a doorknob turning, the creaking of hinges, and the sounds of hooves hitting the ground slowly.
Twilight was looking down when she exited the room, when she looked up, she had the look of despair. Every pony sat in the room silently and motionlessly, waiting for Twilight to move, make a sound, something. She burst into tears just like last night and embraced all of them.
“It’s all right, sugar cube.” Apple Jack tried to comfort Twilight.
“No, it isn’t,” she yelled between sobs, “Nightmare Moon… has… Shining Armor!” She began to cry even more forcefully, she could not even speak.
Pinkie Pie began to cry, herself.
Rarity started, “Don’t worry, I’m sure that we will be able to rescue-“
“And how long would that take? Weeks? Months? Years, even?” Twilight yelled out.
“I don’t know how long, but we will save him.” Rarity consoled.
Twilight sat up and regained her composure. She wiped the tears from her face.
“I’m sorry…,” she said with one final sob.
“Don’t worry, darling…” Rarity said.
“I know this isn’t exactly the time to be asking this, but when you girls think we should start heading out to find the other elements?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I’m not sure, but I think we should leave at latest by tomorrow.” Twilight said after finally calming down, eyes still red with tears, chest still empty of the heart that was torn from her chest.
“How will we locate the Elements though?” Rainbow Dash returned, a question for all in the room.
“Well, let’s think; who out there would we think can locate very beautiful and priceless pieces of jewelry?” Rarity asked aloud.
“Umm… pirates?” Rainbow dash answered
“Oh, Rainbow, don’t be so ridiculous like that.” Rarity replied, almost condescending.
“I don’t know Rare, if there is any pony in the world that would know where something the likes of the Elements, it would be some pony that travels a bunch.” Apple Jack replied, agreeing with Rainbow Dash.
“Ooh! I know some pirates!” Pinkie yelled as she jumped into the air.
“Are these actual pirates or just some ‘pirates’ that go around exotic places?” Rainbow Dash asked suspiciously.
“Considering that they have a big ship with a black sail and a smaller flag with a skull and cross bones on it, I would call them pirates!” Pinkie replied just as enthusiastically.
“Well, do they stay in port anywhere near here?” Twilight questioned.
“Yep! Just a few miles east of Dodge City, there is a port that is very close to their home base on the Mareibean!”
“That settles it, we’re goin’ to Dodge.” Apple Jack said with certainty.
“We should leave tomorrow and prepare today.” Fluttershy spoke.
“Remember to say any goodbye’s today, girls. We don’t know how long we’re going to be out.” Twilight said.
“Oh, hay…” Apple Jack said as if she forgot something,
“What is it Apple Jack?” Twilight asked.
“The Sisterhooves social is in a week, Apple Bloom is going to be devastated that I can’t compete with her.” Apple Jack said rubbing her forehead.
“Oh, that’s right,” Twilight said, “There’s always next year, right?”
“Yeah, I suppose… That’s what I said last year when Rarity competed with Sweetie Bell.” Apple Jack said.
“All I know is that it will take more than a week to do all of this.” Twilight said.
“I’ll tell Apple Bloom.” Apple Jack said disappointedly.
“Alright, let’s all get ready every pony. Remember, we have a long road ahead of us, but we aren’t walking it alone.” Twilight said with confidence.
“I don’t want you to go, Apple Jack, the Sisterhooves Social is in a week!” Apple Bloom cried out indignantly as she clung to Apple Jacks left hind leg.
“I don’t like it any more than you do, Apple Bloom, but I have to do this.” Apple Jack replied.
“You said we would do it this year, last year!” Apple Bloom cried out almost crying.
“I know I did, but this is really, really important.”
Realizing that Apple Jack could not stay, Apple Bloom released her vice grip from Apple Jack.
“Hey, when I get back, I promise we will do whatever you want to do together.” Apple Jack said trying to comfort her younger sister. Apple Bloom looked up and smiled sadly up at her sister. The two embraced and Apple Jack took her leave, full saddlebags on her back.
“I know this is short notice Angel, but I don’t know who to leave in charge.” Fluttershy said as she flew back and forth, to and fro, hither and thither, filling her saddlebags with supplies for the road.
Angel Bunny just sat in the middle of the room, forearms crossed, glaring.
“I know, but I just don’t want to leave you alone. Oh! How about Spike watches you? He did such a good job last time.”
Angel’s face changed several times to surprise, fear, into a ponder, and then he shrugged into indifferent agreement to Fluttershy’s suggestion.
“Good, I knew you would agree.” Fluttershy said as she lifted up Angel, hugged him, and brought him along back to the library.
“Mom, Dad, I’m sorry to push this on you, but I need you to look after Opal while I travel.” Rarity said.
“Oh, it’s alright.” Her father said.
“I agree. I’m sure Opal would be just as happy as we are to take care of her.” Her mother said as she lifted up Opal and held him.
“Opal is a boy, Mother.”
“Oh, well I’m sure we can take care of him just as well.” As she said that, Opal pried free from her grip and hid under the rug.
“Uh… Right… I’m going to head out now. Good bye.”
“Bye sweetie!” Her father called out.
“Have fun!” Her mother called out.
“Gummy, you’ll be ok with me leaving you with Mr. and Mrs. Cake, won’t you?” Pinkie asked her alligator. In reply, Gummy blinked and moved his eyes independently.
“Great, I knew you would understand!” She hugged Gummy and placed him on her bed.
“Tank, you be good, alright? Don’t cause any trouble.” Rainbow Dash said to Tank. Tank slowly nodded and smiled.
Rainbow Dash hugged tank quickly and raced back off to the Twilight’s house to ready up one last time before heading on the most grueling adventure these six have ever faced.
The group had left just before sunrise. They had been traveling for about half an hour and the sun had just begun to rise. The cool morning air could wake up even the sleepiest of fillies. The morning birds sang their songs, and the cicadas hummed their tunes. If you looked back, you could still see Pony Ville’s windmill, but just barely.
“So, Pinkie, just who is this friend you have?” Apple Jack’s voice rose as the current trip had been, for the most part until this point, wordless.
“His name is Black Mane, but - ” Rainbow Dash suddenly interrupted Pinkie-
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, THE Black Mane? The Black Mane that terrorized the Mareibean?” Rainbow Dash interrogated.
“Yes, but he’s changed! Now he isn’t all ‘Argh! Give me all ye’ booty!’” Pinkie answered, defending her friend who is not present.
“I admit, getting help from a pirate has notorious as Black Mane isn’t exactly number one on my list of comfortable things,” Rarity began slowly, “but if Pinkie trusts him, I think we should give him a chance.”
“Honestly, we don’t have much of a choice either way, girls,” Twilight started in a monotonous tone, “Either way, we would have to find someone who could track down the Elements, and it would likely have been someone who can’t or won’t do it legitimately.”
All was almost uncomfortably silent after Twilight spoke, but every pony new she was right.
As the seconds ticked to minutes, minutes to hours, the sun began to set.
“Are we almost there? My hooves hurt, and I think I have a sun burn…” Rarity began complaining.
“Don’t you ever stop whinin’ Rare?”
There was a short silence.
“Let’s not get into that again, please.” Rarity said with all of her dignity
Shortly after Rarity said that, Dodge City rose up on the horizon.
“Thank Celestia we are here, I don’t think I can walk much further,” Apple Jack spoke what was on every pony’s minds at that point.
“Apple Jack? Is that you?” A familiar, proper drawl called out. The six friends looked around as to find the source of the call. Within seconds, a mare with a red mane and tail primped up more than Rarity’s came prancing out of the saloon. It was Cherry Jubilee.
“Miss Jubilee, what a pleasure to see you.” Apple Jack said this as if it was a surprise to see her, it wasn’t though.
“As it is to see you dear. What brings you over to my neck of the frontier?”
“Celestia has sent us out to defeat Nightmare Moon.” Apple Jack stated simply and shortly.
Upon hearing this, Jubilee’s face fell, her eyes widened, jaw dropped, skin crawled, and heart sank.
“So it’s true…” the terrified mare muttered under her breath.
She began to mutter silently under breath, look from place to place quickly, and sway back and forth like a strong breeze was about to sweep her off her feet.
“Some pony catch her, she’s gonna - !’ Rainbow Dash called out as she saw her start to fall. No pony could catch her in time. Jubilee hit the ground. Her eyes were still open and she was muttering something no pony could make out.
“Let’s get her to her house, I guess…” Rainbow Dash sighed as she picked the mare and put her on her back.
When Jubilee came to, she was on her couch in her living room.
“Wha… what happened?” The mare had a befuddled look on her face.
“You passed out, I think, after we said Nightmare Moon is back.” Fluttershy answered softly.
“I had heard rumors, but I thought it was just a bunch of pony feathers, nut now… I just don’t know.” Jubilee seemed collected now.
“That’s why Princess Celestia sent us out; to stop Nightmare Moon.” Twilight leaned forward a bit in her seat.
“I appreciate it girls, I sure do. I bet every pony else is, too.” Jubilee’s voice made a compliment more of a gold medal than words.
“Well, we better get walking now if we want to get to the port by morning.” Apple Jack stood and adorned her saddlebags.
“Whoa, no, no, no. No heroes of mine are going to come by my house and leave without my hospitality.”
Apple Jack slowed at the door.
“All six of you are staying for the night here.”
Apple Jack’s look gazed toward the ground, and she placed her bags on the floor next to the door.
“Now that is settled, it’s time for dinner!” Jubilee cried excitedly.
The banquet brought out was for the most part cherry based: cherry pie, cherry fritter, cherry sarsaparilla, cherry jam, jelly and preserves, cherry Frisch, and all the like.
“So, darlings, now that Nightmare Moon has returned, is Luna…?” Jubilee started.
“Nightmare Moon and Luna are two different mares, now,” Twilight bitterly answered Jubilees unfinished question.
“Ahh,” Jubilee retorted, “So we don’t have too much to worry about?” Jubilee questioned
“Actually, Miss Jubilee, Celestia fears that Nightmare is stronger than before,” Rarity gave the red headed mare another reason to lose consciousness.
“No offence, dears, but how do you plan on defeating her if she is stronger than the last time?” Jubilee asked the question that the six have been asking themselves since they received their task from Celestia.
“That’s why we’re going to get the Elements of Harmony, to stop Nightmare Moon once and for all,” Apple Jack spoke with Rainbow Dash’s confidence.
“Y’all are very brave, I want y’all to know that,” Jubilee complimented.
“Thank you…” Twilight said as if the compliment was for her alone.
Twilight stood and walked up the stairs to the bedrooms.
Jubilee’s eyes followed Twilight and once she believed Twilight to be out of ear shot, she whispered, “She isn’t being herself, has something happened?”
At that moment, every pony’s blood went cold. Though Shining Armor wasn’t related to any of them, they considered him a brother, so no pony wanted to retell what happened.
“Her brother Shining Armor, the captain of the Royal Guard was captured by Nightmare Moon,” Fluttershy spoke quickly to end the silence.
“Oh, my gosh, that is horrible!” Jubilee yelled silently.
There was another short and uncomfortable pause.
“We better make sure that Twilight’s alright, come on, girls,” Apple Jack got up and too, walked up the stairs, followed by Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash.
The door to the room was closed. Apple Jack knocked, “Twilight, you alright?” she asked.
Twilight opened the door and immediately walked back to the bed she was laying on and buried her head in the pillow.
“Twilight, are you alright?” Apple Jack asked.
“What do you think?” Twilight responded, muffled by the pillow.
“I know what you’re thinking, and we will stop Nightmare Moon.” Apple Jack tried to comfort Twilight.
“How do you know?” Twilight lifted her head from the pillow.
“While we go out wasting time looking for the Elements, we’re fighting a losing war. For all we know, this is the only place not taken by Nightmare, and all the while, Shining Armor is being tortured by Nightmare!”
Twilight slammed her head back on the pillow.
Apple Jack sat at the foot of the bed, “Look, we will beat her, we’ve done it before.”
“Yes, yes, every pony keeps saying that…” Twilight said with disdain.
“Look, let’s just get some rest, then we can go off and keep looking for the elements,” Rainbow Dash said.
“I agree, I’m tired from walking,” Rarity agreed.
As every pony climbed into bed, Pinkie called out silently, “Hey, Apple Jack, you’re not going to sneak away in the middle of the night this time, will you?”
