Full Moon Rising

     Dark Flame gazed at the Earth from his gray, cold, rocky home. It had been one year since his mother had promised him the world. They were to rule Earth side by side; she just had to take it. She had told him to stay put; she would come for him when the Earth was theirs. She promised him that the sun would no longer rise and the night would rule forever.

     The sun still rose, she had never come, and Earth was not theirs. He was still on the gray, cold moon and not in warm, colorful Canterlot Palace. He kicked a rock that was close by his foot then lowered his head and sighed. He looked back at the Earth. Maybe she had forgotten him? No, she loved him more than anything; she had told him that, he trusted her. He must go to her. He loved his mother; ever since his father had passed she was all that he had. The black alicorn spread his massive black wings and with one flap lifted himself from the moon’s surface with a cloud of dust. He flew towards Earth to find his mother.

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          Back on Earth, Twilight Sparkle and her friends were getting ready to watch a meteor shower.

      “This looks like a good place to set up the telescope, Spike.” said Twilight to her assistant cheerfully.

     “There you go.” said Spike, setting down the large, purple telescope on the cool damp grass.

      “Need some help with that?” asked Applejack as she trotted up the hill.

     “Nope got it.” reported Spike.

      “This is simply a marvelous night to watch the stars.” chimed Rarity as she came and stood beside Applejack.

      “Hi girls, where are Fluttershy and Rainbow?” asked Twilight.

      “Right here. Umph! Come on Fluttershy!” said Rainbow grunting and pulling Fluttershy by her tail.

     “NO!” screamed Fluttershy.

     “I was kidding when I said there’d be dragons. Now come on!” said Rainbow yelling.

     “Oh.” said Fluttershy quietly as Rainbow let go of her tail. She trotted the rest of the way toward the telescope and stood with the others.

      “Hey, has anypony seen Pinkie?” asked Rainbow Dash looking around.

      “Here I am!” chirped Pinkie popping up out of a wicker picnic basket with her face covered with cake. She extended her tongue and licked her face completely clean with a single motion.

      “MMM! Cakie!” squeaked Pinkie.

      “PINKIE! That cake was supposed to last everypony for the entire night!” scolded Twilight.

      “My bad.” giggled Pinkie lowering her head and smiling nervously.

      “Look everypony! It’s startin’.” said Applejack in awe.

     They looked up. The dark night sky was slashed with ribbons of blue light. Meteors sparkled and glittered as they streaked across the vast expanse of the sky.

     “OO! AHHH!” said all of them simultaneously with wonder and awe.

     Meteors flashed and sparkled everywhere. The sky was never dark for more than half a second. They lit up the world with their beauty and light. Suddenly, a bright, flaming purple one streaked across the sky. With a sound of thunder it rushed overhead and flew towards the Everfree Forest. There was a flash of white light and the sound of crashing trees as it landed somewhere within the dense woods.

     “WOW! It landed! C’mon let’s go check it out!” said Rainbow Dash enthusiastically.

      “B-b-but i-i-ts i-in the Ev-Ev-Everfree Forest!” stuttered Fluttershy nervously and half crying.

     “But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” said Twilight happily.

     “I dunno Twi; the Everfree can be dangerous at night.” said Applejack cautiously.

     “See, exactly, let’s stay here!” blurted Fluttershy quickly.

     “Well I’m going. Come on Twilight.” said Rainbow Dash without the faintest tone of fear in her voice.

     “Well I for one just had a bath and will not go and get dirty over some rock.” said Rarity in a rather snotty tone.

      “And, uh, I have to stay here and keep Rarity company.” said Spike coolly as he scooted closer to Rarity, who smiled lovingly at him.

     “There might be gems inside.” sang Twilight temptingly. It worked.

     “WE’RE IN!” shouted both Rarity and Spike simultaneously.

      “I wanna see the rock! I wanna see the rock!” said Pinkie Pie loudly as she bounced up and down.

     “Well if y’all are goin’ I guess I’ll tag along too.” said Applejack. She sounded like she really didn’t want to do this but she was going for her friends.

      “WOO HOO! Let’s go!” shouted Rainbow leading the way.

      They all ran towards the edge of the forest. Fluttershy didn’t move and attempted to slink away but Rainbow flew back and dragged her away. They soon caught up with the others and Fluttershy, forced to come along, huddled as close as she could to Twilight.

     “What do ya think it’s going to look like?!” chirped Pinkie excitedly.

      “I don’t know. No pony has ever seen one up close before.” said Twilight calmly.

     “So we’ll be the first ones to see something like this?” said Rainbow Dash hopefully like a child hoping for their parents to say yes to something really important to them.

      “Uh-huh.” said Twilight.

     “Awesome!” said Rainbow with satisfaction.

     They walked quickly through the forest, all except for Pinkie Pie, who bounced. By this time the meteor show had stopped and the moonless night sky was completely clear. Stairs glittered like tiny fireflies trapped in the sky, not that they could see them through the thick trees. The night air was cool and still. The frogs and crickets sang harmoniously, helping to lift some the tension Fluttershy was feeling. The leaves crunched rhythmically under their feet.

      They didn’t walk long. Only about five minutes had elapsed since they saw the sign that read, “Leaving Pony Ville.” They looked up ahead and saw a purple light through the trees. Rainbow and twilight looked at each other then continued forward. As they got closer they saw a massive crater. The purple glow that shown from it cast its light on all of the surrounding trees. They then saw that the ghostly glow was actually coming from the numerous purple fires that danced and crackled on the trees and grass. Many limbs had been snapped right off the trees and were scattered around the immense crater. The crater itself was only two and a half feet deep and twelve feet wide. In its center sat a massive black lump.

     “It’s enormous!” gasped Twilight.

     “GEMS!” screamed Rarity and Spike as they ran up to the edge of the crater.

     “You lied, I do NOT see ANY gems.” scoffed Rarity sticking her nose up.

     “I said that they MIGHT be on the INSIDE.” said Twilight sincerely. Applejack and Fluttershy were the last to reach the crater.

     “Well this was fun got to go! BYE!” blurted Fluttershy as she turned and ran.

     “Oh no you don’t” said Rainbow dash as she caught Fluttershy by her tail and dragged her back towards the hole. Fluttershy’s front hooves made little trenches as she tried to keep hold of the ground and not be pulled backwards.

      “It sure is big.” said Applejack in amazement.

      “Yeah… big.” said Twilight still staring.

      “It’s fun to poke!” chirped Pinkie jabbing at the meteor with her hoof.

     “Pinkie! Stop that! It could be dangerous!” scolded Twilight as she worried what might happen to her friend.

     “It doesn’t FEEL dangerous.” said Pinkie cheerfully and she continued to poke it.

     Suddenly the black mass quacked and shuddered. It slowly uncurled and standing before them was a massive black alicorn! His mane was not unlike Princess Luna’s. It looked exactly the same actually. His fur and sheer size were the real difference. His fur was jet black and he was huge; the size of one and a half Princess Celestias. He had wings and a horn to match. His cutie mark was a dark purple flame and his eyes glowed an emerald green.

     They moved back in fear. He was the biggest pony any of them had ever seen. He dwarfed them all! He stood there and looked at them. His eyes terrified them. There was something odd about them; something sinister.

     “Um, hi. I’m Twilight S-sp-sp-parkle. What’s your name?” squeaked Twilight fearfully as she shivered. Fluttershy had forced herself behind Rainbow Dash and Applejack; she wanted to run but was too scared. Everyone had forced Twilight to the front.

     “Greetings. I am Dark Flame, son Queen Nightmare Moon.” said the alicorn in a friendly voice. He was obviously their age. This meant that despite his size he still had some more growing to do!

      “I’m sorry but did ya say, ‘Queen Nightmare Moon’?” asked Applejack. She was shocked.

     “Yes, Nightmare Moon is ruler of this planet correct?” asked Dark Flame curiously.

      “Well, no…”

     “WHAT?!” shouted Dark Flame menacingly; cutting Applejack’s sentence off. “Then WHO is?”

     “Princess Celestia.” said Twilight timidly.

     “And do you like her leadership?” questioned Dark Flame. His voice had gone from angry to friendly again.

     “Why yes, of course.” said Rarity cheerfully.

     “TRAITORS! INSOLENT FOOLS!” yelled Dark Flame as soon as Rarity had finished her sentence. With one flap of his giant wings he lifted his massive body off of the ground sending leaves and debris flying. Everyone covered their eyes as their manes were blown around like they were in a tornado. Fluttershy bolted down the path as fast as she could.

      “I WILL find my mother and defeat Celestia! We WILL rule this land, even if I have to bathe it in FIRE!” shouted Dark Flame with a terrible rage. As soon as he had finished his sentence his horn flashed purple and shot searing purple flames at Twilight. She barely dodged it. On the ground where it had hit burned vivid lavender flames.

      “RUN!” shrieked Twilight. She screamed so loud that her voice cracked.

     They did not have to be told twice. They made a mad dash for the cover of the trees. They ran as fast as their legs would go. They could not see a thing. Suddenly, the night sky lit up with a silver glow. Twilight looked up. The full moon had risen.

      “The full moon ain’t for another MONTH!” gasped Applejack.

     “Dark Flame must have raised it.” said Twilight stunned. He was much more powerful than she had thought.

     As they dashed down the path flames shot down through the trees. They stopped and turned down another path.

      “That’s it! I’m going to give him a piece of my mind!” said Rainbow angrily.

      “Rainbow you can’t! He’ll roast you alive!” scolded Rarity sharply.

      “I’m not scared of him!” said Rainbow harshly. She felt insulted that anyone would doubt her fighting skills. More flames shot down almost hitting Rainbow.

      “Come out and face me then!” said dark Flame menacingly as ever. Rainbow looked wild-eyed above her. They could hear his great wings flapping somewhere overhead.

     “He has really good hearing.” said Pinkie shivering from fear.

      “Too good!” squeaked Twilight. She was so scared she could barely speak.

      “This way!” ordered Applejack as she darted down another wooded path.  The path was dark; firefly’s blinked around the sides of the path. As they ran they could here Dark Flame flying in the other direction. They all breathed a sigh of relief. As they darted down the path they noticed that the frogs had stopped singing. That usually meant danger.

     They soon caught up to Fluttershy. She was running slower now. They came up on the side of her. She was panting from exhaustion. Her fur and mane were drenched with water and mud. She must have fallen at some point along the way.

      “Easy Sugercube.” said Applejack gently, trying to comfort Fluttershy.

     “We should carry her.” said Spike worriedly. Fluttershy stopped and nodded her head. Her tongue hung out of her mouth. Her breathing was shallow. She looked faint.

     “Easy, easy.” said Applejack. Rarity and Twilight placed Fluttershy upon Applejack.

     “We have to get back to Pony Ville!” squeaked Pinkie worriedly.

     “You’re right! We HAVE to worn everypony before it’s too late!” said Twilight bravely.

     “NO! I left a cake in the oven!” said Pinkie.

     “PINKIE! THIS IS SERIOUS!” yelled Rainbow.

     “STOP IT!” scolded Applejack. They looked at Fluttershy. She had passed out.

      “Come on, let’s go.” said Twilight quietly.

     “She needs water NOW.” said Spike staring at Fluttershy, who was now conscious but just barely.

      “All right.” sighed Applejack as she gingerly kneeled down to let Fluttershy off. She tried to get off but toppled to the ground with a soft thud.

     “FLUTTERSHY!” screamed Rarity. Fluttershy mumbled something. “What was that dear?” asked Rarity anxiously. They all had tears in their eyes.

     “Water.” said Fluttershy weakly.

     “Here.” said Rainbow softly as she grabbed some fog and mad it rain into Fluttershy’s shivering mouth.

     “Better?” asked Twilight worriedly. Fluttershy nodded weakly. They placed her back on Applejack.

      “All right, let’s go.” said Twilight leading the way through the dense woods. The trees stood menacingly along the path. Their branches and trunks gave them the appearance of monsters.

      About five minutes later they arrived at the edge of town. They had just broken through the woods when suddenly Spike and Fluttershy were captured in glowing purple spheres!

      “FLUTTERSHY! SPIKE!” they all screamed. Fluttershy let out a blood curling cry that sent shivers down their spines.

      Dark Flame laughed evilly and then flew into view over the tree tops. His horn glowed a dark violet. The same color as the spheres.

     “LET THEM GO!” shouted Twilight.

     “All in good time my dear.” said Dark Flame in a gentlemanly manner, not unlike that of Discord. “I need them for something first.”

     “You let my Spikey Wikey go or I’ll rip you to shreds!” screamed Rarity. She stepped toward the sphere.

      “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” said Dark Flame as his horn caught on fire and the sphers flashed a red color, then back to purple. Rarity backed off. She did not wish for any harm to come upon her friends.

      “What do ya need em’ for?” asked Applejack timidly.

     “I can’t tell you because then it would ruin the surprise I have for this entire planet. Besides… I will not tolerate your interference in my plans any longer.” Dark Flame explained. “Keep the dragon. It’s the yellow one that I need.” he said menacingly after a short pause; he dropped Spike from his bubble. Rarity caught him with her magic before he touched the ground. Spike was dazed.

     “Oh Spike, are you okay?” she asked anxiously.

     “I’m fine.” said Spike.

      “Touching.” said Dark Flame sarcastically.

     “You let Fluttershy go or ELSE!” yelled Rainbow Dash.

     “Ah, the one that challenged me in the woods. I accept your challenge.” said Dark Flame calmly. His horn let out a green energy beam that sent Rainbow flying backwards. She fell to the ground unconscious.

     “RAINBOW!” they screamed as they gathered around her. Dark Flame cackled evilly and flew away.

     “Oh Rainbow.” sobbed Twilight. They all began to cry when suddenly, Rainbow dash moaned and fidgeted her wings a bit.

     “SHE’S ALIVE!” screamed Pinkie excitedly.

     Within minutes they were standing outside of the hospital. They sat in complete silence contemplating their next move. The doctor said Rainbow would live, but it was a wonder that she survived; she might not ever fly again. Dark Flame had captured Fluttershy and was probably trying to squeeze information from her. This had been a horrible day.

     Twilight broke out into tears. “I should have never suggested that we go see the meteor!” she sobbed.

     “It ain’t yor fault.” said Applejack trying to comfort her.

     “Yes it is.” said Twilight. The words came out in between sobs. “If I weren’t so interested in stupid science we wouldn’t be in this mess!”

     “It’s okay we’ll find a way out a this. We always do.” said Applejack sweetly.