Shadowfall

by Lunaftw

Rating: everyone
Tags: Sad, Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 2245

As Twilight's new immortality troubles her, an old enemy of Celestia's rises again.

Twilight's been a princess for a few years now, finding that while her friends have been aging, she has not. When faced with this, her sadness and anger are taken advantage of by an old "friend" of Celestia's... one she had hoped never to see again.

Published 2014-06-18 03:00:05 UTC
Last updated 2014-07-06 13:41:34 UTC

Old Nightmares

Twilight sat in the library, Thinking. Thinking about the fact that while she didn't look a day older than she had all those years ago, other than how her mane sparkled now and had begun to flow, her friends were getting older and older. Spike had sprouted wings, though he was growing much slower, and would live much longer, being a dragon growing off of love instead of greed. Rainbow Dash's once lightning fast wings wouldn't fly so fast. Pinkie's once bright and vibrant mane was turning grayer every day. They were getting older. She was not.

"Dear Princess Celestia,

I would like to meet you in the library Wednesday at noon.
There is a matter I would like to discuss with you. Please bring tea.

Your faithful former student,

Princess Twilight Sparkle."

The days until Wednesday were long and slow. Twilight wondered if the princess would agree with her. She has to, she just has to! Thought Twilight. I don't know what I'd do if she doesn't. Twilight sat down, forlornly thinking of what would happen if fate was against her.

Finally, Wednesday arrived. Twilight opened the door to let her former teacher, mentor, and friend into the house.

"Hello Twilight, you wanted to talk with me?" She said, her voice as smooth as cream pouring over silk.

"Yes, Celestia. Lets sit over here," She suggested, gesturing to the table and chairs in a small cozy alcove. The sun princess nodded, and took a seat across from Twilight.

"Celestia, now that I'm an alicorn, doesn't that make me immortal?" Twilight asked. Celestia was slow to respond.

"Well, since you weren't born an alicorn, you're only immortal in the sense that you don't age." she replied, taking a small sip of tea before daintily setting it back down. "So, in a way, yes."

"Well, um, Princess? Could I ask you a favor?" Twilight asked.

"Of course, Twilight," Celestia responded, taking another sip of tea.

"Well... could you.. make them alicorns too?"

Twilight didn't have to say who "they" were. Celestia sighed, and set her tea back down. Twilight watched in horror as the next words came out of her mouth.

"I'm sorry, Twilight. I cannot."

Twilight stood as still as Discord's statue once stood. Her mane stopped it's majestic flow. She felt a million emotions rush toward her at once. Sadness. Despair. Anger. And then they all came out at once, in a mangled, broken cry.

"How could you!" Twilight screamed at her former teacher. "Why would you make me a princess if my friends couldn't be too?!"

"Twilight! Listen! I didn't make you a princess!" Celestia said.

"Well, then who did? Cadance? I know it was you! You were there!" She shouted in reply. "Destiny is a force stronger than any magic! The choices we make determines our destiny, and your choices brought you here!" Celestia argued. Then her voice took a gentler tone. "Twilight, I've lived for thousands of years, Luna the only one immortal like me. Even then I had to spend a thousand years without her." she soothed, stroking her former student gently with her downy wing. "I cannot control your friend's destinies, nor can I forsee them. Spike will be here for thousands of years with you. You have everypony's support. Isn't that enough?" But it wasn't enough. Celestia knew it, even as she spoke the words. And immediatley regretted it.

"Enough? It will never be enough! Enough is my friends! Enough is them!" She screamed. "If I can't have my friends, then Nopony CAN HAVE THEIRS!" As the words escaped her mouth, the room was thrust into darkness. Oh no, Celestia thought. This can't be good. Then the darkness lifted. Celestia looked up. Before her stood something she had hoped never to see again. Wicked cackling echoed around the vast room. Celestia looked with horror at what used to be her student.

"Twilight!" she desperatley called.

"Twilight Sparkle is no more!" a voice shouted. "Shadowfall Star has arisen!"

Author's Note

Yeah... My first fanfic. Pretty messy, and not that great.

Yes, I know it was stated that Twilight will not outlive her friends, but this is a fanfic, so... yeah. Hope you enjoyed, next chapter coming soon.

Pleasure To See You Again, Celestia Dear

In Twilight's place stood the very enemy that had caused her sister to thrust the world into enternal night.

"Nebula!" she spoke with shock. then her shock turned to anger. "Get out of her!" she cried.

"Oh, Celestia, always ruining my fun, just like when we were young," the creature replied, exnamining his new pony form. "Don't go thinking I'll let her go just because we're kin," the monster said.

"You're not my kin," Celestia hissed. "We stopped being cousins the moment you took Luna. I'm not going to let you do the same to Twilight." She said, sounding more confident than she felt. Will I have to send her away, as i did with Luna? she thought. I hope not. The wicked voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Have you forgotten, Celestia? You are no longer connected to the elements. And I have the most powerful one of all under my control. There is nothing you can do." The truth behind his words sunk in. There was nothing powerful enough to defeat Nebula.

"After all these years, dear cousin, i have finally triumphed! The world has been wrapped in layers of beautiful anger, so much, no one will be able to find anyone they care about."

In an instant Celestia was at her old castle, which was but a ruin now. She had failed in finding Luna, most likely the effects of the wicked spell. She was, however, able to find her library relativley unharmed. She was desperatley searching for a book, a guide to what could be done. Finally she found what she was looking for. She pulled the ancient book out of a pile of debris, dust scattering everywhere. She blew the many layers of dirt and grime off the cover. It read:
Legends of Harmony; tales of those who forged the most powerful objects known to ponykind.

Carefully, she opened the book. She was instantly greeted with yet more dust. Coughing, she sent it away with a bit of magic. She flipped through the pages, looking for something that would help. At last, at the very end of the book, was a story telling of a time when harmony was first discovered. It went like this:

Long ago, when harmony was but a new idea, a terrible monster of anger and hate attacked the land. Defenseless and unprepared, the new kingdom soon fell. All but seven survived. Poppy Puddinghead, Clover the Clever, Smart Cookie, Paulina Platinum, Hilda Hurricane, Petite Pansy, and Starswirl the Benovolent. The seven hid in an abandonded mine and soon decided that they needed something to fight back with. Starswirl proposed they enchant something that appeared to be harmless, catching the monster by surprise. He carved seven gems from the glittery walls, and instructed the others to reach deep into thier hearts, and find there what they treasure most. They each said their treasures simultaniuosly, and the tip of Starswirl's horn glowed brightly. and whispers filled the room.

"Laughter," Poppy said.

"Kindness," said Pansy.

"Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Magic," said Smart, Hilda, Paulina, and Clover. Finally one last word was said, completing the spell.

"HARMONY!" Starswirl shouted, and the room was filled with a blinding light.

When the light dimmed, everyone could see a regal crown atop each of their heads, each with a gem reflecting the marks of their destiny. The seven stood confidently, knowing they now represented something very powerful, The Elements of Harmony. Wasting no time, they hurried out of the mine to face the monster. He was defeated with a bright rainbow of all different colors. But Starswirl was nowhere to be found. The others searched for days, weeks, months, until finally they found him encased, crown still on his head, in the very stone from which the Elements were forged. The others somehow knew what they had to do, and with a flash of magic from Clover's horn, they too, were encased, forever protecting the true elements until the only half as powerful copies were unusable. Keeping them safe until a day when they would be needed most. Many have tried to find them, but never prevailed.

Celestia sat a little straighter. All was not lost. If she could find them, bring them here, she could defeat Nebula, once and for all. He was foolish, unknowing of the true elements. I must find them. she thought. But I can't do it alone.

Author's Note

So many headcanons.

Together

Author's Note

Yeah, I know, really short chapter.

Together

Celestia was strong enough to alter the spell just a bit. Using almost all her strength, she let out a powerful burst of magic. Luna soon appeared, first just a shimmer but soon became opaque.

"Sister, we had just enough magic to be able to find each other. Thank the elements we can." The confident voice of the regal moon princess, her sister, made Celestia feel more sure of herself. "Come, sister, for you know we must depart now," Celestia replied. With a brisk nod, Luna tore out the page, and the two sisters flew away, determined to succeed in their quest, fearing what would happen if they didn't.

The journey was tough and cold, but they trekked on nonetheless. They moved through the snowy tundra that was a green meadow before the Elements hid themselves. At last they arrived at a pile of rotting wood. Gingerly, the two sisters lifted the wood away. Soon the mouth of a long, dark, cave streched before them. Illuminating their horns, they stepped into the darkness.

They might as well have been trying to find their way through a maze. Whenever they thought they were in the right direction, a sturdy wall blocked the way. Eventually, Celestia couldn't take it and charged, horn glowing brightly, right at the wall.

The next few moments were confusing. The wall had melted away like jelly when she stepped throught it. She stared at the wall for a while, until Luna also stepped through, snapping her back to reality. Luna hurried to her sister's side, and together, they inspected the room. There was a small wooden table, and clear, brilliant, shining gems covered the walls. They turned around slowly, admiring it's beauty. Then something happened that made them both freeze. The wall of gemstone was encasing seven ponies, seven ponies who wore elegant crowns with sparkling gemstones. The two sisters exchanged a glance. They had found them. The True Elements of Harmony.

This is the Last Time

"Nebula!" Celestia and Luna burst into the library, confident and determined looks upon their faces, much to Nebula's amusment.

"Ah, Princesses. Lovely to see you again. It's been so long, hasn't it, Luna? Perhaps we should chat a little, get caugh u-"

"We have nothing to say to you, Nebula. How dare you think you can simply waltz in here, destroying and breaking whomever you wish? You only bring pain with you, Nebula. No- you do not cause it. You crave it, do you not? You simply love the pain of others." The regal Moon Princess paused for a moment. "Do not think for a second that We fear you. You will fall, keep that in mind. And do not even think about coming back. This is the last time, Nebula. The last time somepony gets hurt because of you." Her Royal Canterlot Voice echoed loudly through the library.

Nebula's expression was uncertain for a moment, as if he was worried, but it was swiftly replaced by a smirk and a chuckle.

"Two little ponies against a powerful being twice as large as you, with twice as much magic. How, exactly, are you going to defeat me?"

Celestia stepped forwards. "Because this time, we don't come alone."

At that moment, seven ponies strode into the room, each with a crown upon their head. Without a word, they formed a circle and the tallest of them, a unicorn, was charging his horn.

"What the..." Nebula said, staring at the sight of it. "No." He whispered as the seven ponies lifted into the air, a rainbow that he knew all too well emerging from the center of them and making a path straight for him. "NO!" The light, the vicious light, everywhere! Blocking out his senses as darkness began obscuring his vision. The last thing he saw before his vision faded was Luna, standing over him.

"Sleep tight," she whispered, Nebula finally falling into a deep sleep.

"You have done well, today, Elements," Celestia addressed them, nodding to each one in turn.

"Thank you, but we must leave now. This is not our time in history." Starswirl glanced back at the other elements. "And.. I do not think I am worthy of any element I bear." At this, a look of surprise spread across the face of Celestia.

"But you created the elements, how can you say that?"
Starswirl laughed wryly.

"I understand Harmony quite well, but friendship? Friendship is simply a mystery to me." He took his crown off and destroyed it in a blast of magic. "My element is not needed. Farewell, princesses of Equestria." In another flash of magic, he and the other elements disappeared.

.