Chapters "Is this them?" Princess Cadence whispered to her husband, Shining Armor, as they hid in a bush just outside a campsite occupied by a group of about 10 ponies.
"Judging by the cauldron over there, the Lunar Republic flag, and the purple robes, I think this is the place" Shining replied.
They had secretly set out to investigate and possibly question a cult of Nightmare Moon followers who had recently settled in the great snowy lands outside the Crystal Empire. They didn't want to immediately approach these ponies, just in case they were dangerous.
"Everything is going according to plan, my brothers and sisters" An elderly unicorn mare addressed the group.
"Soon our Dark Queen will rise again, right Tenebrae?" A young stallion asked the mare.
"If you fools work faster, I might actually be able to live to see her glorious return!" The mare, now identified as Tenebrae snapped at the younger ponies.
"And just what is it that you're planning?" Cadence asked as she suddenly jumped out of the bush, much to the shock of the group.
"P-p-p-princess Cadence, your highness!" Tenebrae bowed before the Crystal Princess
"You didn't answer her question!" Shining Armor snapped as he jumped out of the bush and stood next to his wife.
"Oh um, we're..... rehearsing! Yeah, rehearsing, for a play in um... FIllydelphia, yes...." Tenebrae stuttered.
"We know what you're up to, and we plan to put a stop to it" Cadence announced. It was then that two unicorns stepped in front of Tenebrae and lit up their horns in a threatening manner.
"Boys, boys, there's no need for violence towards royalty now, why don't you go on back over there while I have a little chat with them." Tenebrae pushed her way through the stallions, who retreated back over to the campfire.
"We promise you that nothing suspicious or threatening to Equestria's citizens is happening here. We do follow Nightmare Moon, but let's be honest. The Elements of Harmony sent her packing, and it'd be nearly impossible to bring her back, don't you agree your highnesses?"
"I suppose" Cadence sighed. "But if we get any sort of clue that you're up to something, we'll be back, and we'll be bringing the Crystal Guards with us."
"Of course your majesty" Tenebrae bowed low for Cadence and Shining Armor, who turned to leave.
As the couple were walking away, Tenebrae lit her horn and guided her ominous black aura to Shining Armor's horn. Neither him nor Cadence noticed the spell that had just been put on them, a spell that could lead to disaster.
"Come on Twilight, we're gonna miss the train!" Rainbow Dash called up the stairs of the Golden Oaks Library in Ponyville. Soon she saw Princess Twilight Sparkle making her way downstairs.
"Sorry girls, I was just looking for some old spellbooks that I wanted to show Cadence, but I couldn't find them." The alicorn sighed.
"I love when we get to visit the Crystal Empire!" Pinkie Pie bounced all over the room. "And this isn't just any old visit, It's the Equestria Games!"
"Yeah, and the train leaves in 5 minutes and then there won't be another one for an hour, so let's get moving!" Rainbow began pushing everypony out the door of the library.
As the gang reached the railway station, the rest of Team Ponyville were standing on the platform, as well as the Cutie Mark Crusaders who would be carrying the flag at the opening ceremony.
"This is the first time I've ever been to the Equestria Games." Fluttershy squeed.
"Mine too." Rarity smiled. "And the Crystal Empire promises to be a worthy host this year. It was nice of Princess Cadence to invite us to stay in the castle during the games."
"It's great that all of you are coming." Twilight smiled. "When Princess Celestia told me that all the Royal Family was presiding over the games, I was worried that the rest of you might not get to come, besides Rainbow and Fluttershy of course."
"We'll always be with ya Twilight!" Applejack promised. "We know how nerve-wracking it is being a princess, and it must be a load off to have yer friends there with ya."
"All aboard for the Crystal Empire!" The conductor announced. Just about everypony on the platform was a part of Team Ponyville, the rest were a small hoof-full of ponies who were lucky enough to get tickets to the games.
"Oooh, I'm so nervicited!" Pinkie squealed.
"Go Team Ponyville!" Rainbow cheered as the train began moving. Rainbow had been chosen to be the captain of Team Ponyville, so she wanted to get the team as hyped as possible.
"YEAH!
"Hey look, who are they?" Pinkie Pie pointed out the window. They were now crossing through the snowy Crystal Mountains, the Empire wasn't far away now. Pinkie noticed a group of 10 or so ponies crossing through the snowy wasteland, though oddly enough they were moving away from the Crystal Empire.
"That's odd, on a day like today why would ponies be leaving the Crystal Empire?" Rarity asked.
"They don't look like Crystal Ponies to me." Twilight pondered. "Maybe they're just travelers who have no intrest in the games."
"No intrest in the Equestria Games!?" Rainbow Dash gasped. "But the Equestria Games are like, the biggest event in Equestria! They're so awesome, there has to be a 4 year gap in between each games!"
"Perhaps they're not the sporty type." Rarity concluded. "The Equestria Games might not be everypony's cup of tea."
The train had now gone way past the mysterious ponies and the snow has almost disappeared. Instead they were in a grassy field. Up ahead, the reflection of the sun hitting the Crystal Palace was visible. They were just about there.
"Last stop, the Crystal Empire!"
"Oh my, the Crystal Empire looks simply gorgeous!" Rarity tried to keep herself from swooning. The city had been decorated from top to bottom with the Empire's Flag. The flags of just about every other competing town in Equestria was flying too.
"The Crystal Ponies have really outdone themselves!" Twilight admired the decorations. "Come on, we need to get to the castle. Rainbow Dash, you should go and register Team Ponyville."
"Sure thing, Twi." Rainbow Dash flew off to the stadium for registration.
"Her Highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle, accompanied by 4 of the other former bearers of the Elements of Harmony!" Flash Sentry announced with a blush as Twilight and the gang, minus Rainbow Dash, entered the Crystal Palace throne room, where the 3 other princesses and Shining Armor were waiting.
"Twily!" Shining Armor greeted his little sister with a hug. "I haven't seen you since your coronation! I've missed you kid!"
"I've missed you too BBBFF." Twilight smiled.
"It's good to see you arrived safely." Celestia was the next to speak. "I trust you're ready for the opening ceremony tomorrow, Twilight."
"Oh, she is!" Rarity jumped in front of Twilight before she could speak. "I've brought a selection of gowns for her to wear, I've polished her crown and her mane is going to be to die for!"
"The Crystal Ponies are so excited to be competing in their very first Equestria Games. We're sure to bring home the gold!" Cadence bragged jokingly.
"Oh, is that so?" Twilight grinned. "You've never seen Ponyville compete have you?"
Cadence and Twilight were interrupted by the sound of flugel horns at the other side of the room. Everypony turned around to see Rainbow Dash standing at the door with a sheepish smile on her face.
"I guess I won't be sneaking up on anypony here." She joked as she walked over to the rest of the gang.
"Rainbow, Cadence here thinks that the Crystal Empire will be taking home the gold this year." Twilight nudged the pegasus.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding." Rainbow laughed. "Ponyville has a team competing in just about every event, we're sure to bring home every single gold medal there is!"
"None of you seem to be thinking of Canterlot as a worthy opponent." Celestia grinned.
"Canterlot? Don't make me laugh!" Rainbow hovered in the air so she was glaring the Princess right in the eyes. "You guys didn't even get a single silver medal in the last games, and they were held in Canterlot."
"That's very true." Luna said. "That's why we've hired the best trainer bits can buy."
"You'll need it if you wanna beat Ponyville!" The blue pegasus taunted jokingly.
Everypony in the room began to laugh. A small amount of sporting banter made everypony feel less stressed about the games.
"Well, I believe it's time that I set the sun." Celestia announced. "Luna, come with me please." The Royal Pony Sisters left the throne room to change day to night.
"You guys should turn in early tonight. We've a huge day tomorrow. The Opening Ceremony starts at noon, so you'd all want to be up early to get ready." Shining Armor advised Twilight and her friends, who all turned to head to bed, leaving the co-rulers of the Crystal Empire alone in the throne room.
"It's been such a long day." Cadence groaned as she climbed into bed. "We were up before dawn to head out and investigate that Nightmare Moon cult, then we had to get the Empire decorated for the other towns' coming in today, and so much more "
"I'm just glad to finally get some sleep." Shining smiled as he got into bed beside his wife. He was asleep in seconds.
"Shining Armor!" Shining heard a stern voice before him. He opened his eyes, all was dark. He could see the silhouette of a tall pony standing in front of him. Her eyes glowing as white as Shining Armor's coat.
"Who are you?" The stallion asked.
"Who am I?" The mare asked. "Surely you must know who I am. I've met your sister before, after all, and everypony knows me."
"I can't tell who you are, it's too dark!" Shining Armor argued. He used a light spell to try and uncover this mysterious mare from the darkness, but it somehow didn't work. The mare lit her horn and their pitch black surrounding changed to the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters, deep in the Everfree Forest. The mare was now clear to see, and Shining knew who she was straight away.
"Nightmare Moon!" He gasped. "But that's impossible!"
"Shining Armor, in a dream, nothing is impossible." Nightmare smirked.
"I'm dreaming? But why am I dreaming about this!?" The unicorn demanded.
"You'll know soon enough. Your magic is far more capable than you think. Especially when it has been... tampered with." The dark alicorn grinned.
"What!? What did you do to my magic?" Shining Armor snapped.
"It's not what I've done, it's what my loyal followers have done. They're not as innocent as they seem, Shining Armor, there is grave danger ahead of you." Nightmare Moon, and the castle, began to slowly fade away.
"Wait! What's going to happen!? Tell me!" Shining Armor chased after the floating alicorn, desperate for answers.
"Muahahahahah!" Nightmare cackled as she left Shining Armor back in the pitch black void where they had met.
Shining Armor turned around to find another mysterious pony behind him. The glowing eyes and purple smoky tail confirmed that this pony was King Sombra.
"Not all magic is pure, Shining Armor. You will soon find out for yourself." The dark king taunted before he too vanished.
"King Sombra!" Shining Armor woke up from his dream, rocketing up from his pillow.
The Crystal Prince looked around. He was back in his bedroom. Cadence was beside him, sleeping peacefully. Shining Armor saw sunlight beaming in through the window. He looked at the clock beside him, it was 6 AM.
"Oh no!" He cried out. "We overslept!" The stallion jumped out of bed, enveloping Cadence in his magical aura and dragging her with him.
"What th- HEY!" Cadence screamed as she was suddenly awakened from her slumber.
"Sorry darling, we overslept! It's already 6!" Shining cried as she opened the door and ran out, galloping down the corridor.
Cadence crawled out of bed. She brushed her mane and put on her crown, necklace and shoes. The day the Equestria Games was to start was finally here!
"Is everything ok Cadence?" Twilight asked as she hurried down the corridor to her beloved sister-in-law.
"They've been talking all morning." Cadence pointed a hoof at Shining Armor and Princess Luna, who were deep in conversation. In fact, Shining Armor looked quite worried about something.
"That's it?" Twilight asked. She was dragged out of bed at 7 in the morning so Cadence could point out that Shining Armor and Luna were having a little chat. "It's not like he's cheating on you, Cadence. He's not interested in older mares, especially mares who are 1000 years old."
Cadence chuckled and regained her serious composure. "Luna is the Princess of the Night. She's also the guardian of dreams, Twilight. She can see other ponies' dreams, and understand what they are about. Shining Armor seemed a little out of it earlier when we got up. I think he had a nightmare last night."
"So? Everypony has nightmares. I once dreamed that I lost my Magical Compendium Volume 6 book, I didn't sleep a wink for 3 weeks." Twilight said to the older alicorn.
"What I'm trying to say is, you're his sister. I want you to talk to him, maybe try and get him out of his panic. He has a long speech to make at the opening ceremony later, and you know what happens when Shining Armor mixes Public Speaking with stress." Cadence informed her sister-in-law.
Twilight shuddered, his Canterlot University Graduation Speech would always be burned in her mind.
"Thank you so much, Princess Luna!" Shining waved as the dark alicorn walked away from him. Twilight decided to make her move.
"What was that about?" She asked her BBBFF.
"Oh, um.. nothing. I was just asking Luna about the position of the moon. Remember the mirror portal you went through to the other world a while ago?" Shining Armor lied.
Twilight saw right through her brother's fib.
"Shining Armor! How dare you lie to your sister. I want you to tell me what you were talking to Princess Luna about right this instant!" The purple alicorn demanded.
"Ok ok! I.. I had a nightmare last night, and I wanted to ask Luna if she knew what it meant."
"What was your dream about?" Twilight asked.
"Well, it all started when I saw Nightmare Moon. She told me that someone's been messing with my magic, and that it's very powerful. Then I saw King Sombra, and he told me that 'not all magic is pure'. I went to ask Luna what my dream meant as soon as I woke up. She said she's never heard of such a strange dream, but she'll have a look through a journal she's kept of weird dreams ponies have had."
Twilight was stunned. "Nightmare Moon!? King Sombra!? This is serious Shining Armor! Didn't you go and see a Nightmare Moon cult yesterday? They could have done something to you!"
Shining Armor gasped in shock. "You might be right! I felt a little funny when we were leaving, they have to have done something to me. We need to find Cadence and Princess Celestia!"
The siblings galloped at top speed to the dining hall, where everypony was eating breakfast.
"There y'all are!" Applejack waved to the duo. "We were wondering if y'all were even gonna show up."
"Cadence, dear.." Shining Armor whispered to Cadence as he sat down beside her. "We need to talk. Alone. After breakfast..."
"Ok?" Cadence nodded in confusion.
"Whatever took you so long, Twilight?" Rarity asked as Twilight sat down.
"We were just talking. Today's a busy day and we were just making sure we had everything under control."
After breakfast, Shining Armor explained to Cadence about his dream. The couple were now on their way out into the snowy plain where they had met Tenebrae and her goons the previous day. Hopefully they would get some answers.
As they arrived at the camp, they found everything packed up, except for a wooden box sitting in the snow with a note attached to it.
"What does it say?" Cadence asked her husband. Shining Armor read it aloud.
Our glorious mother will soon return!
-Tenebrae
"This is bad. They really did do something to me! Whatever it was, Nightmare Moon could return!" Shining Armor quickly opened the box that was left there. Inside was a red cloak and silver shoes, another note inside.
They will be put to use when the time comes.
Upon reading the note, Shining Armor's eyes began to glow a bright green, a purple haze spewing out of the sides.
"Shining Armor!?" Cadence panicked. Her husband collapsed in the snow, his eyes still glowing.
"I see you have received out gift, Shining Armor." A voice said to him. Shining Armor looked up. He was in the Everfree Castle again, but this time, instead of talking to Nightmare Moon, Tenebrae was before him.
"What do you want with me?" He demanded.
"Nothing much, you'll know soon enough though..." The elderly mare smirked mysteriously.
"Tell me what you want from me! " The unicorn screamed.
"If I told you, what would the fun in that be?" Tenebrae smirked again.
"Urgh!" Shining Armor growled, before he found himself back in the icy landscape beyond the Crystal Empire.
"You're ok!" Cadence hugged him. "What happened?"
"We're in a lot of danger, Cadence.." Shining informed his wife.
"Are you sure you're fit to do this speech Shining Armor? You're really stressed out from the vision you had." Cadence asked her husband as they were getting ready for the opening ceremony, which was less than an hour away. Cadence's mane was being tied up into a similar way it was worn at her wedding.
Shining Armor, who was in the middle of being groomed before he was to wear his Royal Guard armor, looked down at the floor nervously.
"I don't know if all these visions and what they're saying is true. It might just be the nerves at me. This is the biggest speech I've ever made. I'm the one who's officially opening the Equestria Games, only one of the biggest events of the year!" Shining Armor replied.
"Even if these visions are nothing but your nerves getting to you, the entire Empire is under strict guard. Not to mention all four alicorn princesses are here, one of them is your sister, the most powerful magic user in Equestria." Cadence assured Shining Armor.
Shining Armor was now ready to suit up. He put on his armor, donning his purple and gold helmet last, looking to his wife, bravery plastered onto his face.
"Cadence, if something does happen to me, I want you to know that I love you, no matter what." Shining kissed his beautiful alicorn wife and walked out of the room. It was almost time for the biggest speech of his life!
After another few minutes, Cadence's mane was finished, her official Crystal Empire crown firmly planted upon her head. Just as she turned to leave the room, Twilight walked in. She was dressed the exact same way as she was on her coronation day, save for her crown, which had been changed.
"Twilight? Is everything alright?" Cadence asked her sister-in-law.
"Oh yeah, everything's fine." Twilight smiled. "I just wanted to know how your trip out to the wilderness went."
"Oh, it didn't go very well. Shining Armor thinks that something really bad is going to happen, but he also thinks this whole think might just be his nerves getting to him over making his big opening ceremony speech." Cadence and Twilight left the dressing room and began to walk down the corridor, leading to the passageway to the Crystal Stadium.
"You said it was some sort of crazy cult wanting to resurrect Nightmare Moon, right?"
"Yes, that's why we went down to see them yesterday. A pony who had been out hiking through the mountains spotted them. They must have done something to Shining Armor that we never caught." Cadence pondered.
"Whatever it is, the Equestria Games is the most heavily guarded event in Equestria. If something goes wrong, almost the entire Royal Guard and the Crystal Guards are here, and so are all the princesses." Twilight assured her sister-in-law.
"I guess you're right." Cadence said. "But I'm more worried about Shining Armor. You know how he gets nervous when he's under pressure."
Twilight shuddered. "His graduation speech?"
"Unfortunately." Cadence shuddered too.
"Welcome, everypony, to the Equestria Games!" Shining Armor nervously announced, in the middle of the huge stadium. "As the Prince of the Crystal Empire, it is my honor and privilege to host this year's Equestria Games!"
The stadium erupted in cheers. The four alicorns were seated in a special V.I.P box, along with the nobility and important ponies from around Equestria.
"So far so good." Twilight whispered to Cadence, who was in the throne beside her.
"Get over here you buffoon! It's starting!" Tenebrae screamed at one of her henchponies as she watched Shining Armor's speech through a dark spell. The cult were hiding in a cave just south of the Empire, waiting for the right moment to fully activate Shining Armor's curse.
"S-s-sorry Tenebrae, ma'am. I thought I saw somepony outside." The henchpony stuttered.
Tenebrae sighed as she lit her horn, a dark magic aura surrounding her horn.
"Um... what did the green grape say to the purple grape?" Shining Armor had run out of things to say, but Spike wasn't ready to light the torch yet, in fact, he wasn't even there. It was time to resort to his fail-safe mechanism.
"Breathe man! Breathe!" Shining Armor chuckled a little at the joke, the rest of the stadium remained quiet.
Twilight facehoofed.
"Here comes the dragon!" Tenebrae gasped. "It's just a matter of seconds now!"
Shining Armor turned to see Spike ready to light the torch.
"So... without further ado. Let the games.... ugh.." Shining Armor rubbed his hoof on his forehead and collapsed on the ground.
"Shining Armor!" Cadence and Twilight flied in unison. The two alicorns flew down to the stallion, a few guards crowded around him.
"Are you alright!?" Twilight asked her brother.
"I'm fine..." Shining Armor stammered. "In fact...." The unicorn opened his eyes as he stood up, revealing them to be glowing in the same way as King Sombra's. "I've never been better!"
Shining Armor's horn lit up, but instead of the usual magenta aura, his horn was enveloped by an eerie black aura.
"Protect the princesses!" One guard yelled. A group of guards formed a shield around Cadence and Twilight, while another group barricaded Celestia and Luna, who were still sitting up at the royal box.
The stadium erupted in screams of terror. Was this King Sombra possessing Shining Armor?
"Shining Armor!" Cadence cried out from inside her pony shield.
"Your husband is gone, princess!" The stallion cackled. "I'm the embodiment of the dark magic that cursed him, and I don't want to hurt anypony. I'm just here to pick somepony up." Shining Armor turned and grinned at Luna up in the royal box.
He lit his horn and immediately turned into a shadowy figure. He flew right over the barricade blocking Luna from him and flew away with her.
"Unhand me!" Luna cried in fear. She shot a beam from her horn and the two fell onto the balcony of the castle.
Twilight, Cadence and Celestia teleported up onto the balcony, while Twilight's friends and the public waited below.
"Give her back to us!" Celestia fumed. This was one of the rare moments where she experienced anger.
"You can have her when I'm done with her, but I don't think you'll want her." Shining lit his horn and pointed it at Luna. "It's time to bring back the Queen of the Night."
"No!" Luna finally realized what was about to happen to her, and there was no way it was going to happen.
"Yes!" Shining Armor shot a dark beam at the blue alicorn, who was then enveloped in a black sphere.
"Luna!" Celestia cried as she ran up to her sister, she poured every ounce of magic she had into breaking Luna free before it was too late.
"Sister, please, I'll be alright!" Luna spoke meekly before her eyes began to glow.
Once the dark magic around the alicorn dispersed, the pony standing there was not Princess Luna
"Nightmare Moon!" Twilight gasped.
"Muahahahaha!" The dark mare cackled.
"What have you done to my sister?!" Celestia demanded.
"Luna? She's been locked away deep inside her soul, giving me plenty of room to take my body back!" Nightmare smirked.
"You won't stand a chance against us Nightmare Moon!" Twilight challenged the taller alicorn.
"Oh, if it isn't Twilight Sparkle." Nightmare grinned. "Last time I saw you, you didn't have those beautiful wings." Nightmare pointed to Twilight's wings, which were fully opened.
"Surrender now, Nightmare Moon!" Celestia growled. "Even without Luna, you are no match for three alicorns."
"I wouldn't be so sure, Celestia. When one can control is properly, Dark magic is limitless. Try me if you please, but you'll regret it."
"I will do whatever it takes to get my sister back!" Celestia lit her horn, ready to attack her foe.
"No, we can't." Cadence sighed. "Nightmare Moon's dark magic is much more powerful than even me, you and Twilight together. We'll have to find another way."
"Right you are, Cadence!" Nightmare cackled. She lit her horn and the sun began to descend from it's midday place in the sky. The moon soon followed. The Crystal Empire was left in complete darkness.
"From this day forth, and I really mean it this time, the night shall last forever!"
