Author's Note

Alright, this story was once known as, The Future is Ours: Salvation of a moon. After getting some feedback and giving it considerable thought, I decided to not only go back and redesign the plot a bit, but to also break it into two stories; this being the first part, and setting the stage, while the second one will be the adventure and conclusion.

Please feel free to leave thoughts and concerns and I will do my best to try and answer them. Thank you!

Fighting a losing battle

It was cold. No. It was by Celestia’s radiant flank it was freezing, or so was the agreement amongst the guards. The freezing temperature made gliding nearly impossible for pegasi, let alone fully armored pegasi to hold formation at such heights. Luckily their new armor was enchanted to withstand the colder temperatures; not against this kind of cold, but it still helped them in some way.

The dozen or so bat winged guards kept close to their charge as she flew just a ways ahead of them. Nightmare Moon seemed ill affected by the height or the chill as her wings effortlessly continued to sail over the cold front. Her escort struggled to keep pace, but even with the new armor, a buildup of slush along their wings continued to impede their progress. Still they pushed themselves with the tenacity forged by their status as Nightmare’s Elite.

Sadly the title acted more in line with a parasitic stigma than a title of respect.

Her moon’s light reflected off the motionless clouds, acting in a way that helped their newly improved eyes to see much better as they began ascending over the ominous mountain. In the not so distant past this mountain had the slightest amount of frost just barely covering its peak, but now the entire point was nothing but an avalanche waiting to happen. Their wings flapping harder as the group struggled to climb over the peak, the air burning their already frigid lungs as it tried to claim a life With the endurance provided from months of consecutive high altitude, and “winter” training the entire flight managed to fly over the mountain’s jagged peak before slowly descending to less freezing temperatures.

The numerous bonfires of Canterlot attracted them like moths to the flame.

It was only noon and the lands surrounding Canterlot Valley was pitch black as far as anypony could see. Only with their heighten eyesight could the guard make out the pinprick light of fires coming from homes, or from smaller, sparsely distant settlements. Beyond their sight was anypony’s guess. After the declaration of the Eternal Night, the country(and entire world) was left to run itself as Nightmare gathered followers, both willing and unwilling to hunt her sister, Princess Celestia. That was the bat ponies’ job in the grand scheme, to assist in Celestia’s capture, and bring her back to Canterlot for trial.

It had taken many months but another group had finally found, and captured Celestia. With this news, Nightmare turned her unit around with post haste back to Canterlot and had force them to fly nonstop. It was a miracle that none had been lost during the flight back solely because of Nightmare’s set speed. With the brightening light and warmth coming from the city the tired guards managed to pick up the pace; they looked forwarded to finally collapsing on a warm bed… even if today marked the death of the sun.

“Alright guard, close ranks and tighten formation.” Nightmare ordered as they approached the city square. The guard did as they were told, and followed Nightmare Moon as she descended into the streets, flying just a few heads above the crowded mass of ponies that had gathered. They turned right with the road as it opened into the massive city square, following its outline a bit before making their landing on the newly erected platform in the center.

With a pronounced thump, the party landed on the sturdy, wooden stage. The crowd shifted from open talk and discussions to whispers and gossip at their ruler’s entrance. The activity had quickly dissipated as Nightmare Moon turned to the crowd, her wings unfolding to their massive span to gather their attention. Her bat winged guards took their stations on her flanks, lining against the sides of the stage in a pseudo barrier to keep the crowd a set space from the stage. Everypony gladly gave to their demands if it meant holding closer to their neighbors. The mist from their many breathes hovered in the air like an ominous mist on the old Nightmare Night Holiday.

The alicorn lowered her wings once the gathered ponies had quieted some. It was time for her to speak.

“My fellow Canterliaons, we are pleased to see such a turn out for what surely will be a historic night!’ She boomed in the Royal voice. Its eccentric pitch rocked the very foundations of the city, causing a brief panic which was quickly drowned by the sharp stomping of armored hooves.

The Cosmic Guard stomped in unison before stopping with one last clack as their hooves came together, signaling order had be restored and Nightmare Moon had the floor. Her lips curled almost sensually at the display of training and obedience. It was a show of their loyalty and devotion to her, and soon, before this assembled mass of spectators it’ll be the first of many more acts. Without acknowledging their display, partly because she had expected them to do something without being told, Nightmare Moon returned to her speech.

“Tonight's the night of nights! A night that all gathered will witness snuffing of the sun by our very hoof!” Nightmare screamed with vigor as the mass of ponies gave each other worried looks that voiced their enthusiasm. Most didn’t like it but none did anything to stop or impede it.

Nightmare Moon looked off to the sides of the stage, nodding her head at a couple of guards on the edges of the mob. The pair quickly took the sky, heading for the castle with the speed of an injured bird… Nightmare would have to punish them for their lack of urgency. But tonight was a good night and she’ll be damn if a couple of ponies were going to mess it up. She swiveled her attention back to the crowd who were now looking at her with a mixture of curiosity as well as fear.

Surprisingly, she only had to wait a few short minutes before sounds of disbelief and gasps filled the quiet square. Nightmare turned toward the disturbance with a wicked fury in her eyes. Her heart was alight with glee and anticipation at was to come, and by the sound of the crowd it would only get better. The ponies parted as a column of armed guards cut their way through, not even stopping for those that failed to move out of the way. Soon the first of them had managed to reach the stage in the center of the square, joining the rest of the guard that made up the barrier around Nightmare Moon. The column moved with the disciplined professionalism expected of trained guards; not even giving their surroundings any attention unless it called for them to. Once the last of them had reached the stage, in uniform they halted their march before turning toward Nightmare Moon, and giving her their attention with a quick salute.

“Empress Moon, we brought it like you asked.” The more formally dressed pony informed the alicorn. The ponies closest to the stage renewed their whispers at the officer’s words. What was this creature they had brought and what was her interest in it?

Nightmare Moon nodded happily at his words, she made a jester with a hoof and the guards responded quickly by opening their ranks down the very center, parting enough to allow their “companion” room to emerge. The crowd looked on with keen interest, noting every movement as if it’ll help them figure out their mysterious guest.

The mystery only deepen when four guards emerged from the column wrapped in chains. At first the rumor that circulated was that they were traitors that had been captured, but quickly a few ponies noted that they had too much freedom for being in chains. Which their observations were only proven right when it looked like the chains were only wrapped around them, tying them together… to aid them in their struggling to pull a great weight.

They were dragging something.

Attuning to their herd nature, the ponies as one started moving between each other, foals jumping on their parent’s heads, pegasi tried to take to the air for a better view but were quickly stopped by the guards. Still they’re previous discontent was forgotten as they all wondered what it was on the stage. Finally after a torturous wait they finally got their first glimpse of it, and it was massive.

The color was the most distinguished trait it possessed; as comparable to the sun against the night sky. The pure and radiant white coat made a few ponies shield their eyes from its intensity, but it wasn’t nearly as bright as it could have been. Many stains that looked like blood and dirt covered the beast so much that some could have mistaken them for spots, but other than that there wasn’t much else that stood out. Certainly there weren’t any animals with this coat color around these parts; perhaps it’s a bear from the Great North? It made sense and many started nodding their heads at that logic…

Its massive wing suddenly twitched.

The appendage was so still and awkwardly bent that many didn’t notice it until it moved. Just looking at it sent chills down their spines as many pegasi clutched their own wings in response since they better understood the anatomy of a wing. The amount of pain it must be experiencing was just impossible to even think about, let alone try and comprehend. Most of the feathers were unkempt and unclean having been stained with the blood and cobble from being dragged along the pavement. Nearly every segment of feathers were in some way misshaped, broken, cut, bent, or spread in any direction other than following the wings natural curve.

The poor creature. Whatever it did or didn’t do to catch Nightmare’s eye just didn’t deserve it. Mutters of sorrow and a few shouting that their hearts were with it went out, but almost instantaneously the dark alicorn’s murderous eyes fell upon them. The soulless gaze was utterly terrifying. Parents shielded their foal’s eyes; others averted their own while a couple even fainted from them. She made it clear this creature of grand stature deserved every bit of it, and to feel for it would only invite the same upon them.

“DO NOT PITY THIS CREATURE!” Nightmare Moon shouted with the ferocity of a rampaging dragon.

The crowd leaped back in fright, terror and instinct demanding them to run, stampede, or take flight; anything that’ll put a valley’s distance between this…this inpony monster from the caverns of Tuataras. As the ponies thought this, an ominous chilling wind, almost on command exhaled forth from the night. The bonfires that created the only source of light flickered and danced madly to the unheard beat. They lunged, and grew brighter and stronger as the wind’s eerie tune energized them to new and freighting feats. The crowd twitched and turned, cowering closer to one another; watching as the fire built a wall of hellish flame around the City square, trapping them.

The hellish lambent intensified its holdings on their minds by toying with their sight. Their cell was bright; brighter than they have ever bare witnessed to since the sun’s collapse. Everypony, every detail, every aspect, was displayed to all expect for the only shadow in this inferno.

Oh Sweet, sweet Celestia come back to thee!

The wicked unclothe eyes hung in the pure darkness that definitely stood unaffected by inferno of light around it. Its eyes bore into their hearts with malice intent. Suddenly the light betrayed something of it, illuminating the poisonous glaze that coated its fangs as it smiled. A laugh followed. Than another and another before its mighty wings unfolded, taking the shape of doom and dread incarnate…the shape of Nightmare Moon.

“DO YOU SEE!? I TOO CAN PROVIDE LIGHT!” Nightmare howled. “I TOO CAN BE JUST AS GRACIOUS AS THAT WRENCH YOU CALLED PRINCESS!” She roared angrily now. The guards in front of her dropped in pain from suddenly becoming death in both ears as the ponies in front of them followed suit; the rest clutching their ears to numb the pain. Thanking the Sun for leaving them a bit of their hearing.

Her head turned furiously toward the broken creature that lay disposed next to her. Her horn shined its brilliant midnight color as it gathered magic for her use. The body was cloaked with the dark bindings of the night, it twisted and offered some form of resistance to the magic’s touch.

It moved, and convulsed in pain at the unwanted attention but that didn’t stop the dark mare as she gripped it firmly with her magic. Its high pitched shriek from the pain waned the crowd’s hearts even more as they watched helplessly, being shackled by their fear of the Empress Moon. She dragged it closer to her only to add to its pain, before nimbly levitating it off the ground so she could look it in the eyes directly.

It uncurled limply, losing its previous resistance and liveliness. The more Nightmare lifted it off the ground the more distinguishing features came to light. Its white coat was even more scared and dirty than expected; cuts and gashes adored its sides and legs like it was part of a disturbing ritual. Its damage wing from earlier didn’t fall toward the ground, instead it hung fixed pointing to the sky while it’s other wing… just wasn’t there. Discoloration on its coat marked possible bruises, possible scorch marks from magic, but from their distance it wasn’t for certain what it was other than it only added to the long list of wounds. By now the ponies silently wept for her.

They only needed a quick a moment to recognize the mauled and molested body of their Princess.

Nightmare Moon grinned madly at her sister who could barely keep conscious at the moment. Her laden eyes made no effort to hide the pain or weakness she was feeling, Celestia had all but given up hope over the past months and by now wasn’t feeling any more optimistic. She watched with some interest as her sis…Nightmare Moon’s demonic eyes bore into her mind.

“Do you see now sister how foolish you were? Do you see now that you could never have truly stood against my night?” She asked Celestia, not really expecting an answer. She asked more as a way to boast her own ego and rub her victory in Celestia’s muzzle even more.

“Do see your little ponies?” She asked suddenly. Nightmare Moon yanked Celestia’s head toward the crowd and the guards that still covered their ears. Both parties looked up at their princess getting one of their first looks since this entire affair started. Her current state, and health was anything but grand, in fact it was disheartening to see a once majestic being reduced to such a lessen standing. But it would take much more for them to completely lose faith in their princess. After all she’ll always be the true princess of Equestria.

The dark alicorn watched with rising anger renewed as the reactions were less than stealer. Nightmare gritted her fanged teeth the more she watched the hope in their eyes renew itself to replace the fear and obeisance she had worked so hard to install just vanish in mere seconds. Even her own guards never showed her that much respect and she had allowed them the privilege to live and serve her! Celestia’s eyes flared with life at the sight of her ponies before they closed in pain as Nightmare started constricting her neck with magic. Nightmare Moon turned to the ponies with malice, barely able reign herself back from lashing out and slaying some of those ungrateful ponies!

“IS THIS HOW YOU SHOW YOUR RULER AND HIGHER PONY GRATITUDE FOR LETTING YOU LIVE IN MY GLORIOUS NIGHT!” Celestia choked as the hold gained strength, cutting off her air.

Nightmare paid no heed.

“DOES THOU LOVE HER SO MUCH YOU SHALL FORSAKEN ME ONCE MORE?” She convulsed spitefully, even relapsing back to her traditional tongue. The flames that had once hellishly ensnared the crowd were almost extinguished immediately from the hurricane that came from the enraged mare, leaving only the glow of her moon. Yet even now the two alicorns stood out drastically with Nightmare turning an even darker shade of black and Celestia...remaining not as dark. She snorted the last bit of irritableness away before calming herself just enough to think. If that’s how they felt, then she’ll just have to change that.

“We… I see how it’s to be than.” Nightmare Moon stated with misguided conviction as the air next to her shimmered and pulsed brightly with dark magic before the distorted air split open to reveal its deadly purpose. Nightmare plucked her favorite weapon from the portal with such care; it was hard to believe her capable of such a thing. She held it above to let the moonlight reflect of the unnaturally spotless blade; the same weapon she had first forged, and had used in every conflict up to her banishment.

It was the same weapon Celestia had destroyed by hurling it into her Sun.

“eh…h…ho…” Celestia wheezed as she was gravitated to the weapon Nightmare Moon gripped eagerly with her magic. It was almost right after the major clash between their guards where Celestia had managed rip it away from her before sending it straight to the center of the sun. After that fight Nightmare had retreated back to their home where one last confrontation took place before Celestia banished her to her moon. An act that had infuriated and caught Nightmare Moon completely off guard and to this day had never forgiven Celestia for.

“You know Celestia, you really disappointed us. We believed you had higher standards than the rest of rubble that had made up your old nation, yet it appears you're the same as them just taller.” Nightmare Moon snorted unimpressed at the mare before her.

It was quick and so sudden it took almost a full second for the crowd to realize what had happen, but when they did they only closed their eyes trying to lessen the screaming that followed. Nightmare in a sudden and spontaneous act of aggression raised her newly claimed blade and sliced Celestia’s other wing off. The new unicorn cried in agony once her damaged nerves finally processed the wings removal. Her wailings danced perfectly with the eerily haunting night that surrounded them; many found it disturbing but a few actually forgot what had just happen and even started picturing the setting as a beautiful example of a Nightmare Night.

The dark alicorn herself seemed to be dancing to its tune, one or two claimed she was even humming to Celestia’s changing pitch.

Celestia’s broken tears did nothing to end her pain, only serving to wash some of the grime that had built up around her cheeks. She blinked to clear her vision to stare at the happily singing monster before her. Her wheezing reminded Nightmare that she still had a barely breathing Celestia in her magical grasp, and with a fleeting annoyance returned her attention to the almost dead mare.

Nightmare Moon waited until Celestia’s bloody coughing finally ended so she could listen to her final words. “Wh...what...where..i..is my sister.” Her words felt along the lines of a statement expecting an answer than hoping for one. Nightmare laughed. It seemed Celestia still couldn’t let go of old habits from her ruling days... Nightmare would indulge her one final time.

“Where is your sister you ask? In your final moments of life you don't spit blood in our face or curse our bones to damnation, but worry for your family. A touching but pointless concern...” The encroaching darkness violently engulfed the alicorn mid speech in a vortex of pure darkness. A darkness that made going to Tartarus sound pleasant. It spun around her body as it aimed for the night sky before reversing its direction back toward the cold ground; like how a clock is adjusted clockwise before moving counter clockwise.

Celestia watched in horror as the darkness receded to expose the mare of the moon once more. She had shrunk nearly 4 inches in total height, her wings no longer held the air of unchallenged dominance that would have ultimately defeated Celestia. Her royal dark blue coat stood boldly against the pitch black world around them as she opened her eyes to reveal the familiar irises Celestia had known for her entire life.

They stared diligently into her soul, boring deep into Celestia’s inner being and essence.

Luna tilted her head questioning at her sister, before happily closing her eyes to smile; antics of a foal that knew something the other didn’t. Happily walking the remaining distance between them, Luna closed gap between Celestia’s and her horrified muzzle to enjoy the complete look of terror engraved onto it.

“But sister, I’m right here.”

____________________________________________________________________

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Luna yelled in shock as she awoke in a cold sweat. Her labored and struggled breathing filled her thought and hearing as she tried to reclaim her breath. Luna’s hooves wrapped themselves around her distressed body in an attempt to stabilize the uncontrollable shaking. Meekly collecting her shattered mind, Luna raised her dilated pupils in observance to the alien room around her. What greeted the scared alicorn was the massive; obsidian rich chamber Luna called her room, home, and workshop for the past several months since her “welcomed” return from banishment.

The chamber was setup to mimic the large (and wonderfully built) dome of the modern day astronomy observatory that was located near one of the major towns or cities. The name escaped her, but Luna had never seen it but from the illustrations and descriptions she had heard... it was perfect. An entire room dedicated to the art and science of the stars and the night sky brought much needed joy to her heart but now with these darkening times it was becoming a curse.

The room before was used as an off hoof storage, but had been renovated in a matter of 2 weeks nonstop to match the look of the observatory. At its completion, Luna was overjoyed at the vaulted ceiling look, but now the 360 degree look only hid the disorientating shadows that mocked her. The constant and very real feeling of being on display didn’t help her current mental state either.

Luna was now having second thoughts about having placed her bed in the center of the chamber.

Even constricting the sheets closer to her body, Luna still felt a cold shiver slink down the entirety of her spine. The result startled her into a mild panic while her eyes faked as much bravado as they could. The flickering lights cast from the enchanted candles aided Luna to some degree, but not enough to quell her terror. Using her magic, Luna managed to brighten them some; they dimly illuminated the chamber enough to cast it in a nightly, mystifying haze that a normal pony would only find in a horror tale. This sent the terror returning with a fury. Luna’s traitorous moon candles were not helping, but seemingly betraying her to the horrors and demons that lurked and stalked her room. All of this only reinforced the belief she needed to remain in bed.

A flutter of movement caught the corner of her eyes; it was met with a quick turn around and a question. “Who is there!?” the trepidations alicron shouted. “We beseech thee, stop this act and return to once ye came!”

Another flutter this time came from the opposite side. Luna answered it with a Royal shout, shattering her mighty, and ancient oak desk into fine wooden chips. The soft clicking of hoof steps coming from behind her bed earned itself a shout as well; which broke one of the massive night stained windows in the process, releasing a fury of sunlight into her chambers. Luna hissed angrily at the light blinding her sensitive eyes. It would have lasted longer if not for the panic pounding of multiple hooves on her door.

“What was that yelling princess? Are you alright?”

Of course it was guards assigned to her door, a questionable act in Luna’s opinion which left much to be desired. In thought the idea of guards near and at the ready sounded good, but the execution left a bad taste. In her day, all of this yelling would have not only alerted every guard in the castle but they wouldn’t have hesitated to break the doors. Act first, ask questions later. These guards would have allowed a foreign threat enter uncontested before fighting back. With the exception of her Captain, the whole lot was near damn worthless.

“We are fine! Return to the post beside our chambers, and tell our sister we have awakened. ” After asserting her authority while avoiding a direct answer, the prior tensioned had dissipated leaving Luna feeling even more drained than before going to bed. It felt more like another all-nighter in the archives, only this time with fewer books…and less water damaged tables.

The archivist still refused to leave her unsupervised after that.

The sunlight annoyed Luna greatly; noting against her sister but having a bright light shunned in her eyes wasn’t a pleasant thing. Still it was a great motivator for the princess to wake and make preparations for the approaching late afternoon. The sunlight also took some of the darkness away, and for that little fact the young princess gave a silent “thank you” before teleporting to the safety of her washroom.

A silly act, but who knows what sort of creatures lurked under the bed.