The Moments Before

The summit came and passed, everypony headed home so they could prepare their forces and their defenses for the day that Twilight and Celestia would return.  The night of September 6th arrived.  Colgate and her officers had just finished their supper and headed into the commander's room.

General Stinging Haze asked, "Colgate, you seem a bit nervous.  Are you alright?"

Colgate replied, "For the most part.  From what I understand they will be freed from the solar disk tomorrow morning as soon as the sun is completely above the horizon."

Stinging Haze asked, "Will it be when it rises above the horizon here or in Faustica, since that is where Celestia was banished?"

Colgate replied, "Here.  This is where Twilight was banished.  I just hope they don't land here in Ponyville. I never thought I would be nervous about anything, but this is one thing I am nervous about."

Colonel Black Mist asked, "Really?  I thought you were never scared of anything in your entire life."

Colgate replied, "I'm not so much scared as I am nervous.  The last time I was nervous about anything was whether I would get accepted into the Manehattan Dental Academy."

Ice Storm asked, "I have heard that some old alliances could be restored once they return.  Shining Armor is Twilight's brother.  If any alliance is renewed, it will be between him and her.  I think we need to have some sort of plan for action."

Colgate replied, "Agreed.  I think we need to have a contingency plan in the event that he betrays us, which unfortunately is very likely."

Stinging Haze asked, "Could you banish him to the void?"

Colgate replied, "I could but I will not do so until he commits an act of treason such as siding with her and does things that are not in the best interests of Equestria."

Ice Storm asked, "Colgate, do you want to be awake before sunrise tomorrow morning?"

Colgate replied, "Yes, I do.  I need to see this happen.  After breakfast tomorrow I will go and call every Alicorn with the exception of Rarity into duty."

Lieutenant Cold Wind asked, "Why aren't you going to call Rarity into duty?"

Colgate replied, "Because 1,000 years ago when Twilight and I were trying to turn her into soldier material, she became a disobedient brat, refused to take part in military exercises and I could see her stabbing us in the back and joining Twilight's side simply to spite us, no matter how much she hates Twily now."

Captain Iron Chains asked, "Where is Shining Armor anyway?"

Colgate replied, "He is in a meeting in Maredrid.  I sent him there because I needed to be here because of this anniversary.  I'm getting tired and I need to get some rest.  I need to be up before dawn tomorrow."

"Alright Colgate, you're the boss." said Ice Storm

They all hit the hay for the night, nervous about what the next day would bring.  Colgate was the most nervous she had ever been in her life.  She wasn't so much worried about herself or her power over Equestria, it was a worry about the whole planet's well being.

In Maredrid the sun rose just like it always had.  The shops were setting up in the streets, the foals were heading off to school and in the east rose the sun with the silhouettes of Celestia and Twilight, one last time.

LaurFa asked, "Shining Armor, do you know what today is?"

Shining Armor replied, "Yeah, it is September 7th.  What is so special about that?"

LaurFa said, "It was one thousand years ago today that Celestia was banished to the sun.  Legend has it that when the sun rises in Ponyville that both Celestia and Twilight will finish their sentences and return to this world."

Shining Armor asked, "Where will they make their return to?  Will they return to Ponyville or will they go somewhere else?"

LaurFa replied, "I don't know but I do know that Colgate is certain that they have reconciled during their time in the sun."

Shining Armor asked, "Why is she paranoid about that?  I have never seen her paranoid about anything.  I think this is actually scaring her."

LaurFa said, "I agree.  I think that is why she called the summit so early.  She thinks that Celestia and Twilight are going to have some sort of supreme plan to retake the world.  She also thinks that once Twilight returns, that a lot of her old alliances will be reformed."

Shining Armor asked, "Does she think that I will stab Equestria in the back and become loyal to the Dark Goddess again?"

LaurFa replied, "Yes, she does.  She is worried that all of the leaders except for her and Luna will fall under the spell of Twilight again simply because she will have returned."

Shining Armor replied, "I can understand why.  It doesn't make sense to me but I can understand why she thinks that.  Please don't tell anypony else this, but I am scared of her return.  I have heard that both of those two will have regained some of their former powers."

LaurFa said, "Colgate done a lot of studying and in our summit last month, she told all of us that she learned that they will have regained some of their powers and may remember their spells.  She is most worried about Twilight remembering her loyalty spell."

Shining Armor replied, "I can understand why.  That would scare me too.  The thing I am most scared of is falling under her spell again."

LaurFa said, "Same here.  But we can't allow ourselves to get terrified over everything.  How about we go grab a bite to eat.  It might calm our nerves."

Shining Armor agreed that it would be a good idea because he was hungry as well.  Little did they know that they would be the first targets of the Dark Goddess Twilight and Celestia.

It was afternoon in Faustica as Luna was looking at the sun as it continued to get closer to the horizon.  Cosmos could see the concern in her eyes and asked, "Luna, what has you so worried?"

Luna replied, "Today is the day that they return.  This has me very worried."

Cosmos asked, "Why are you so worried.  I can understand your worries involving Twilight, but why would Celestia's return bother you so much?"

Luna said, "Why?  Because while they did hate each other when I banished Celestia, at the Ponyville summit, Colgate mentioned that they may have reconciled during their time in the sun and became allies."

Cosmos asked, "Does Colgate think that they would want to take over the world?"

Luna replied, "Yes, she does.  She knows the absolute most how Twilight's mind works.  She knows her desire for global conquest, she knows her thirst for absolute power and she knows that Twilight will stop at nothing to achieve her objectives."

Galaxia flew down to the balcony and saw their discussion.  She asked, "Are you two nervous about what is going to happen?"

Luna replied, "Yes, I am, very nervous.  I didn't expect all of this to happen but we will just have to deal with it."

Cosmos said, "I really don't know what happened.  One moment Celestia was our little filly and then the next she is seeking to conquer the world."

Galaxia shouted, "It is TWILIGHT that is seeking global domination, not Celestia."

Cosmos said, "Geez honey, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to offend you or anything!"

Galaxia said, "Well everyone seems to always point the blame at Celestia.  Oh, let's blame Celestia more, oh Luna is so wonderful, Luna is so perfect, I can't take it anymore."

Luna shouted, "STOP IT, BOTH OF YOU!  Look, I know there is a lot of frustration among all of us but we can't just go blaming one another for the things that are happening.  What has happened has happened and we can't just go back and change it.  We need to focus on the matter at hand."

Both parents were stopped in their tracks to see their daughter reprimand them like that.  They finally realized that dark times were at hand and that arguing was no way to handle things.

Luna asked, "Do you two feel better now that you have calmed down a little bit?"

Celestia smiled and said, "Yeah, I guess."

Luna said, "Well I need to go set the sun and raise the moon.  Those things won't do those on their own."

Luna headed off to handle her royal duties while Cosmos and Galaxia watched Luna set the sun and raise the moon.  They both realized that this may be the last peaceful sunset and sunrise this world will see for a while, so they figured they better enjoy it.

Dawn was approaching in Ponyville as Colgate woke up.  She saw the horizon growing lighter and lighter.  She headed out to her balcony with a great sense of dread.  She thought to herself, "What if once the sun is up and they are free, they come here?  What if they start a global war?"

Ice Storm walked out onto the balcony and stood beside Colgate.  He said, "I know you are very nervous about this, but you have to keep your composure.  You have told us to keep calm more times than I can count and now it is you that needs to remain calm.  With composure comes victory, without it comes certain defeat."

Colgate replied, "Thanks Ice Storm.  I really needed that pep talk right now.  I guess right now we just wait for the sun to rise above the horizon?"

Ice Storm said, "Yeah, that is the most we can do.  Oh, I see it.  It is coming over the horizon."

A bright orange disk started to rise with the silhouettes of two ponies in it, Princess Celestia and the Dark Goddess Twilight Sparkle.  The sun continued to rise until the whole sun was above the horizon and then *FLASH* the silhouettes were gone leaving an empty solar disk.

Colgate flew down to the base and shouted, "EVERYPONY, WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY!  PRINCESS CELESTIA AND THE DARK GODDESS TWILIGHT HAVE ESCAPED FROM THE SUN!  PREPARE FOR BATTLE!"

Colgate then sped over to Sweet Apple Acres.  She saw the Apple family standing over by the barn.  Applejack approached her and said, "Howdy Colgate, how are y'all doing?"

Colgate replied, "Not good Applejack, not good."

Applejack asked, "What is going on?"

Colgate replied, "This morning at sunrise Celestia and Twilight finished their 1,000 year banishment to the sun and have returned to this world.  Where they are, I am not sure but I need to know something."

"What is that?" asked Applejack

Colgate replied, "I need you and your family to be ready for duty.  I don't want to anger you but we really need every hoof we can possibly get."

Applejack said, "Sure we can help y'all.  Come on Big Mac, come on Granny Smith, come on y'all!  We have a war to win!"

Colgate replied, "Thanks Applejack.  You have no clue how much this means to me.  Now I need to go gather the others."

Applejack said, "What about Rarity?  What are you going to do as far as she is concerned?"

Colgate replied, "I'm not even going to mess with her.  If I try to get her to answer her call to duty she will just yell at me or hurl insults."

Applejack said, "Good move.  Let's get things organized.  You go rally the rest of the troops while we head to the base."

Colgate sped over to Fluttershy's cottage and started banging on her door.  "Fluttershy, it's Colgate.  We need to get moving!  War is upon us."

Fluttershy opened her door and said, "WAR?"

Colgate said, "Yes Fluttershy, war.  This morning Celestia and Twilight escaped from the sun and have returned to earth.  Where they went, I'm not sure but I don't want them harming your woodland friends."

Fluttershy shouted, "They're not hurting my woodland friends, I will see to that!  I will KILL THEM before they touch them!"

Colgate replied, "Great to hear it, now off to Cloudsdale.  I need to rally Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow Dash was sleeping on a cloud when Colgate landed next to her.  Colgate shouted, "Up and at 'em Rainbow!  We have an emergency!"

Rainbow asked, "What kind of emergency?  Is it so important it couldn't have waited until later?"

Colgate replied, "No.  It can't wait.  Listen, Celestia and Twilight have been freed from the sun and they have returned to our world.  Where they went, I don't know.  We just need to keep them from coming here."

Rainbow said, "You got it boss!  Let's get started!"

Finally Colgate flew over to Sugarcube Corner to round up Pinkie.  She was banging on her door when the door finally came open.

Pinkie said, "Oh, hi Colgate!  How are you doing today?"

Colgate replied, "I'm not doing all that good.  We have a serious problem."

Pinkie asked, "What is that?  What problem do we have?"

Colgate said, "Ok, here is the problem we have.  This morning, as soon as the sun was raised fully over the horizon, Celestia and Twilight both escaped.  It has been 1,000 years since Celestia was banished and now she has returned.  We need your help in corralling those two.  We can't have the world plunge into darkness again.  Will you help us in this?"

Pinkie replied, "Of course I will!  You are a friend to me and a great commander.  Let's get this going!"

Colgate was very frustrated with everything that was going on but at the same time she knew that everything was working in an orderly manner and that nopony had anything to worry about.  Unfortunately though, this would not be the case around the entire planet.