Tale of Two Tyrants and the Eternal War

"I can walk, Twilight." Sweetie Belle stated. Twilight reluctantly let go of Sweetie Belle's hoof. They were making their way up the mountain.

"How much longer, Twilight? Climbin' and bein' sick don't really mix." Said Applejack.

"Well, climb no more, because we're here." Twilight gestured to the large stone wall in front of them.

"What is it?" Asked Fluttershy. "Look at the markings on it."

"It looks like…a door." Said Twilight. It was indeed. The door was carved of stone, and had 6 slots in the center. One was an apple, one was a butterfly, one was a diamond, one was a lightning bolt, one was a balloon, and one was a star. Sweetie Belle trotted up to Twilight and felt the stone door.

"These slots feel like the shape of the Elements." Said Sweetie Belle.

"The Elements?" Twilight dug through her saddlebags, then pulled out the Elements of Harmony. Twilight handed them to Sweetie Belle, who pulled out the gems. She started with the balloon, dragging it across the door until she found the right slot. To their surprise, it fit perfectly. Sweetie repeated the process with the other 5 gems, then handed the empty necklaces and tiara back to Twilight. With all 6 Element gems, the door rumbled, then slowly slid open.

"It's now or never, girls." Twilight led the troupe inside. The entrance was a spiral staircase. The stairs led into an underground cathedral. The back wall was completely gone, and the rest were carved of crumbling, wet stone. Stone benches lined the sides, and vines crawled on the walls and floor. At the end of the walkway was a large stone statue of Celestia and Luna. There were pictures carved into the walls. One was of Commander Hurricane, Private Pansy, Chancellor Puddinghead, Smart Cookie, Princess Platinum, and Clover the Clever. Another was of Starswirl the Bearded and Clover the Clever looking at 6 gems.

Yet another was of Celestia and Luna as fillies, raising the Sun and Moon to create the first Solar Eclipse.

"What is this place?" Asked Sweetie Belle. She felt along the walls, piecing together an ancient picture in her mind.

"I don't know…but it's amazing." Twilight gasped in awe.

"This, little ponies, is your tomb." A voice echoed from the end of the walkway. The ponies turned their heads to see a tall, black-coated mare with a long purple and white mane, and blue dragon eyes.

"Nightmare Moon! What have you done with Rarity!?" Demanded Twilight, spreading her wings.

"Nothing really, I just borrowed her body. I promise I'll give it back." Said Nightmare, her voice velvety.

"Give her back to us. NOW!!" Bellowed Twilight.

"If you want your precious Rarity back…you'll have to take her!!" Growled Nightmare, firing a bolt of blue magic at Twilight. Twilight jumped, dodging the projectile by an inch.

"You're not the only one with magic, Nightmare!! Girls, get to safety!" Twilight instructed. Twilight's horn flared, then a ball of blazing fire was launched at the dark mare. Nightmare swiftly dodged it, then Twilight was entangled by brambles. Nightmare strode up the aisle like a bride on her wedding day. She then clasped her hooves around Twilight's neck.

"You're more of a pathetic weakling than I thought." Cackled Nightmare. Twilight narrowed her eyes.

"That's just what I want you to think." The brambles released Twilight, then wound around Nightmare, binding her. Twilight shoved Nightmare off, then got to her hooves. "Now, lets try this again. Give us Rarity, or else!!" Nightmare laughed. Twilight punched Nightmare, a tooth flying out of her mouth. "Give. Me. Rarity."

"Or what? You're gonna hit me again?" Nightmare smiled, blood seeping out of her nose and mouth.

"I'll do much worse if you don't surrender!!" Snarled Twilight.

"Oh, how cute. Little miss Twilight's gonna hurt me! Well I'll tell you now, this isn't the last time we'll be seeing each other. I've got plans for you, Twilight Sparkle." Nightmare turned into a wisp of purple smoke, then flew out of the cathedral. Twilight stood, dumbfounded. Twilight galloped up the stairs to outside, where the others were waiting.

"What happened? Is Rarity with you?" Asked Sweetie Belle.

"I'm sorry Sweetie…Nightmare Moon is possessing Rarity, and she said she had plans for me."

"Plans? That doesn't sound good." Said Sweetie.

"In the meantime, we still need to find Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie."

"Alright then, lets go!!" Sweetie galloped back down the mountain path, the rest of the group struggling to keep up. Upon reaching the bottom of the mountain, a rainbow umbrella hat lay torn up in the dust. Twilight levitated it, and closely examined it.

"Is that…" Fluttershy trailed off.

"Pinkie Pie's." Finished Applejack. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the group gazed up at the quickly gathering storm clouds. Twilight gaped, and her eyes grew wide.

"Girls…"

"Yes, Twilight?" The group asked in unison.

"If Nightmare Moon is possessing Rarity…than that means that Princess Luna is out there somewhere." Twilight turned to face the girls, the tattered hat in her hooves. "Luna is the only one sane enough, and the only one with the knowledge to help us put an end to this war."

"Can she help us save Rarity?" Asked Sweetie hopefully.

"…We'll try as hard as we can, Sweetie Belle." Twilight reassured. Sweetie nodded.

"Where would Princess Luna even be?" Asked Fluttershy. Twilight gazed back up at the stone door, and the twinkling stars in the sky above it.

"I have an idea." Twilight fanned her wings. "Girls, we're going to the Moon!!"