Wild Moon

Chapter 14

The throne room was likely the quietest location in Canterlot, where three earth pony guards stood at their posts, longingly looking out at the revelry.

"I thought someone was coming to relieve us," one groused.

"Knowing our captain," the second one posited, "He'll make us stay here all night for thinking about half-shifts."

"Not like him to be late," the third one noted. "He'd have our relief with him."

"Betcha all the pegasi are at the party," the first one grumbled. "Thunder Arrow and Lionheart probably already went, too."

A rattling at the main doors caught their attention. Relieved, they all turned to see if their captain had finally arrived.....

Until the windows started rattling as well. Side doors began to audibly tremble, and a sourceless wind stirred in the room. The three guards spooked, trying to figure out where this threat originated. No faces seen in the windows, no hoof kicking down doors. The room itself grew colder from the winds, then darker. The windows blackened, shielding the lights of the festival from the three trapped guards. Snapping to formation, each pony guard faced a door and blocked the path to the throne.

The blackness deepened, torches magically snuffed as the arches of the ceiling disappeared and replaced with darkness. It hung above them like a patient storm cloud, faint flashes of blue lightning a warning. The cloud sparked, then washed over the guards in a storm of fog. Coughing, the three guards staggered as the magical smoke coalesced past them and in front of the throne. All three wheeled, discovering they were not alone.

As their eyes opened, they felt seven sets of eyes of them.... and turned to face what had arrived.

"Ah, some of the loyal subjects.... it's been so long since I've seen your little sun-loving faces...." came the deep timbre of the lead stallion.

One guard mustered the courage to step forward. "S-state your business! Princess Celestia is not here!" Two steps forward and the lash of a wingwhipblade sent him sprawling.

Another guard advanced but was met with a wingblade to his bare throat by another armored stallion. "Back it up, Private," snarled the red and black armored warrior.

The leader smirked. "What's wrong, soldiers? Am I not 'Royal' enough for you? Do you not know who I am? I can excuse you not knowing my enterouge....."

The second guard met the leader's gaze and froze. "Moonshadow...." he whispered.

"Does my name escape you since I've not been on this throne for a thousand years? You're soldiers, perhaps you are not educated in the legends - and your precious Princess would not warn you of the signs! Though you would know the Legend of the Mare in the Moon, were you not raised on it?"

"The Mare in the Moon is an old pony tale to scare colts and fillies," the second guard sheepishly insisted. The wingblade closed on his throat.

"As I suspected... NO ONE REMEMBERS! You know of the Mare in the Moon, you fear the night! You fear the shadows because of ME! I am the Shadow of the Moon, the Weaver of Nightmares, the Blade of Souls sharpened by the Edge of Night! I am LAPIS UMBRAL!" The statement punctuated with a crack of thunder.

"Now that we know your name," the third guard queried. "Then why are you here?"

Umbral spread his wings. "Remember the day, soldier. It will be your last. Nightmare Moon comes home, and Eternal Night shall begin!"

The third guard charged. Before Umbral could act, Sandstone had plowed the guard into a wall. "Nopony interferes," he growled.

"They will not interfere, Sandstone - but bear witness." A flash of Umbral's eyes and the guards froze into granite statues.

~~Morning Star, it is time~~

Morning Star appeared before Umbral with Violet Force and Silver Shimmer. Umbral then turned to the others.

"My Wildforce," he announced. "You have your duties. Go."

The team scattered to task. Night Ash and Desert Sun cast over each door and window, posting fiery tornadoes that blocked any further access. With a nod to Morning Star she teleported from the throne room.

"We're gonna need her, aren't we?" Violet Force inquired as Umbral was casting.

"She will return.... with a guest."

Shining Armor sighed to himself as the music was starting to die down. The parties would slow just long enough for the sun to rise, then the ruckus would once again be underway. He wondered if everypony would just go back to the balcony where Celestia typically does her routine or if they'll just find a clear view of the east from other parts of Canterlot. Stuck on the north side of the perimeter, he wouldn't be able to see. He hoped that if his parents stayed up for it, they would be watching so they could tell him over breakfast.

"First Officer!"

Shining Armor wheeled to see Silver Bardiche cantering up. "Where are all the guards? I've been around the entire interior perimeter, no one is on duty save a few in the grand hall."

"I didn't dismiss them, sir. I haven't had anyone else report to me tonight, not even my Captain."

Bardiche grumbled and snorted, pawing the ground in frustration. "I knew Lionheart would sneak off to the festivities," he grumbled. "Thunder Arrow crossed himself off for the evening, I'd wonder if he dismissed his men already."

"That doesn't account for the rest of my, much less all of your contingents, sir."

"Most of my men volunteered for the late shift but did not report. They were simply to relieve the early guard, then check in with myself or Lionheart. Thunder Arrow wasn't going to 'babysit'."

"There's no one at the interior perimeter?"

"None," Bardiche growled.

Shining Armor looked around quickly before speaking. "With your permission, sir..."

"I'm listening."

"We need to see if we have anyone on the outside border before moving inward. We'll meet on the south side, then on to the castle proper."

Bardiche nodded and the two galloped off in opposite directions.

Celestia rested quietly before her reveal to the Ponyville citizens. The guards who tended to her had kept their conversations brief and respectful to her, and the guards in the town Hall's grand room had been passing along messages about how excited everyone was about the occasion. Celestia was excited too. The sun would rise at her summons, and a small village who has tended to itself for hundreds of years would be rewarded with the ceremony in person. She was well aware of the celebrations after the sun would be raised, and had heard of all the finery and food awaiting once there was light to the sky again.

"Princess Celestia, you have a visitor."

One of the grand hall guards peeked in on the beloved princess, much to the consternation of a local unicorn who had tried to shoo him off. Celestia tacitly motioned the young mare back, then faced her guard. "I will be making my presentation in a few minutes. Is it one of the citizens?"

"No ma'am," the guard politely replied. "One of your students from Canterlot. She says it's important."

The alicorn stood. "Show her in, please."

Another unicorn entered the sheltered room. "Princess, I'm not here to trouble you...."

Celestia opened her mouth to reassure her visitor, but it was not the unicorn she was expecting.

"Princess Celestia, this could not wait until after the sunrise." Morning Star had entered the room, head lowered, eyes wide in apology. "I have been insensitive to your attempts to teach me. I should have stayed to listen."

Celestia's surprise melted into relief, and she returned to her seated position to talk to her repentant student. "I can make time for apologies."

"May I speak with you on this... more privately?"

Celestia nodded to the guards, and they stepped outside. "Thank you," Morning Star responded.

"Now then," the princess began gently. "Will this mean you'll be returning to classes in the new term?"

"I will be returning to classes," Morning Star cheerily replied, "because I do have much to learn. I spent my time in the library trying to learn some things on my own."

"And what have you learned in that time?"

"I've learned...." Morning Star paused a moment to gather her thoughts. "I have learned that with the right teacher that I will have no limits to what I can achieve."

"Very good."

"I've brought you a gift... a 'friend' of mine found it for me to give to you."

Morning Star's horn began to glow, and a single flower peeled from behind her right ear. "It's a midnight rose," she told the Princess, "a flower that only opens at night. It bloomed shortly after you lowered the sun, and I thought it would be best that you have it. I know they're extremely rare."

"They are," Celestia agreed as she "took" the rose from her student. "I've not seen one in decades. Where did your friend find it?"

The reverent smile on Morning Star's face broadened. "I'll show you."

The rose- and Celestia- vanished. Morning Star admired the silence before taking her leave.

Silver Bardiche had slowed to a trot to assess the perimeter before meeting with Shining Armor on the south side. His ears swiveled in frustration, trying to get the slightest hint of why there were no patrols. With the celebrations dying down it was getting easier to pick up more sound nearby, but most of what he could hear were rushes of wind through the trees. The moon would be light enough, he surmised, to catch anypony in his near area.

His armor rarely silenced as he marched. His gaze never steered to the sky, perhaps where he should have been looking. A twitch of his ear caught the faint whisper of an increasing wind, and he blinked at the flash of two shadows above him. "WHO GOES THERE?!" he demanded.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" a deep voice growled.

Bardiche wheeled to the voice. "I'd - " his voice suddenly lost.

Hovering over him, silhouetted in the moonlight, flapped an --

"..alicorn...." Bardiche whispered. The earth pony started to back away, but his pursuer drifted in closer, sadistic grin only broadening.

"Alicorn," Hatchet repeated definitively. "Know your place, soldier, and KNEEL!"

Bardiche hesitated. "Not fast enough!" Hatchet threatened and sliced across Bardiche's back, clean through the back of the peytal and croupiere. The soldier stood up in shock as armor fell away, and ducked as the wingblade sliced at his helm.

"I said KNEEL!" Hatchet ordered, wingblade pointed directly at Bardiche's snout. "KNEEL BEFORE AN ALICORN!"

"I take no threats - not even from-" his defiance cut off as an armored wing slammed him unconscious.

Hatchet landed as he spotted Slurry standing behind the captain.

"Quit screwing around," Slurry hissed, "you'll catch someone else's ear."

"The look on his face was worth it," Hatchet leered. Let's see who else we can cut!"

Her head hurt. A lot.

It was dark. TOO dark.

Her eyes refusing to open, for the light beyond them would be painful. There, another stabbing of pain; she gasped for air, then could not bring any in.

Her wings felt glued to her sides, unable to move to her mental command.

Muffled sounds of wind and fire distant to her ears...the Great hall was on fire? a freak storm? She finally willed her eyes open, the light at first blinding to her. Blinking furiously, the room fell into place around her.

The Throne Room. She was back in Canterlot.

She could raise her head only slightly, feeling a weight on the back of her neck. Her legs felt like lead, her tail nonexistant.

The room was ringed with tiny firestorms, blocking windows and doorways. She could get her view from the main doors almost to the throne, but no further. A command to her horn to cast only made her head hurt worse.

"She's awake now?" Came a voice just out of her view. "Good. We are almost ready."

Something forcibly twisted her head, stretching her neck painfully. She refused to cry out from the motion, but the sight silenced her before the pain could.

Piercing midnight blue eyes froze her in place, combined with the dark blue shimmer of a midnight black horn. The stormcloud armor hung loosely, the leathery wings arcing off the shoulders as a threat to strike. The chestplate confirmed who had brought her home - the sight of three onyx crescent moons, bordered in pure silver, brought the name to her lips.

"Umbral...." she whispered.

"So you Remember? you appear to be the only one...." he deliberately turned his back to her. "You've awakened just in time. It would be a shame if you missed history."

Celestia struggled to get her footing, but her body refused to move. Or couldn't. She finally looked down, seeing layers of black wrapped around her.

"I see you've met Shadowbane," Umbral turned back to his sister. "It seems that Shadows still breed these fine beasts. So easy to hide in a Midnight Rose."

"What did you do to Morning Star?" Celestia demanded. Again her horn tried to cast, but the white-hot pain made her reel.

"I helped her fulfill a destiny. Apologies in advance for the damage to the throne room, we'll fix it eventually."

Celestia was once again forcibly turned, this time to see the center of the room. The floor had sigils and symbols carved into the marble floors, the carpet leading to the throne shredded and tossed aside. She saw other ponies - unicorns and pegasi - casting and preparing the ceremony. The princess' expression darkened.

"How dare you destroy this room for the sake of your pettiness."

"Pettiness? What you've done is Beyond insult!" Lapis spat at his sister. "You erase the names of family from history in the name of 'Harmony'! You erase the hardships of our mission and duties in the name of 'Harmony'! You insult your own sister in history - all in the name of this 'Harmony' you so dearly value??? The greater the purity you attempt to create, the greater the corruption to come! Can you not SEE this! You have subjects that have no choice but to follow you for there are no options??

"The balance of this world MUST be reset! The Family will not be forgotten! Our Family cannot be lost to history! I will set things right and YOU, Celestia, will be forgotten for these crimes you chose to commit against your own family."

Celestia struggled anew, only for the shadowbane to tighten. The sharp pains from her casting came from the black fangs sunk into her horn, sucking away the magic as it came forth, and then some. He focus returned to her furious brother, who now positioned himself by the rune-etched circle.

"Witness the freedom of the Mare in the Moon, her bonds Unspelled, her eyes to open to see her beloved night from her rightful place!"

Celestia ceased her struggling. Umbral turned away.

"I AM THE STAR OF NORTH, THE LANTERN TO GUIDE THE WAY!"

The Star Compass hovered in the center of the circle, a glimmer from the lapis lazuli mounted on top.

"WE ARE THE STARS OF EAST AND WEST," the two pegasi announced, wings spread. "WE ARE THE SHIELDS WHO BLOCK THE COMING DAY."

The Compass slowly began to spin, a rose quartz and a hematite glowing brightly.

"I AM THE STAR OF SOUTH, THE WEAPON THAT KEEPS THE OTHERS AT BAY!"

The Star Compass began hovering in the center of the room. The needle began spinning, daring someone to stop its rotations before sheathing in blue-white light. Black and dark blue lightning erupted from the sheath and ripped at the walls and windows, shattering many of them and carving a jagged hole in the roof. Tendrils of the black and blue magic swatted away the falling debris as the white sheath accepted four star-shaped essences from the four standing in the cardinal directions. Morning Star closed her eyes; Violet and Silver reared; Lapis gazed to the moon, directing the Four Stars into the heavens to call his dark sister home.

Night Ash "watched" the spell in action as Desert Sun marvelled at the four shimmering stars as they hurtled upward into the night, spiraling around each other in an almost celebratory dance. They left no trail behind them, pushing into the chill of the evening and closing on the sphere above, skewing but remaining separate as they circled the moon to gather their precious cargo and teleport her home. The roar of the spell and the storms in the room drowned Celestia's pleas......

The explosion and roar of the summons froze Shining Armor in his tracks. He saw the four spheres shooting toward the moon, too fast for him to contain with his signature shielding spell. He turned back toward the castle to see smoke rising from between the towers. With a muffled curse he broke into a sprint to find out what was going on.

He covered a dozen yards before he was tripped, then bulldozed out of the air into a tree. A shower of leaves hinted to his location, and he noted some dents in the sides of his peytal. He struggled to his feet, glancing around to who or what struck him. The distraction left him to trip over something else. The unicorn tried to get his footing but a hoof landed solidly on his chest.

"Atta way!" a colt's voice rang out. "Let's keep him busy!"

Shining Armor's protests had no chance to begin as stomps from the large hoof, followed by trampoline bouncing on his midsection by an armor-clad colt, scattered his thoughs and robbed him of breath. Kicking and flailing sent the colt sprawling but did not slow the stomping. "Get OFF me!" Shining Armor coughed.

"You're not goin anywhere," a deep voice replied. "And you hurt little brother. NO ONE hurts little brother."

Another definitive, harder stomp dented the chestplate, followed by a kick that added some dents to the croupiere. He heard the little one galloping back, so in the pause he quickly encased a shield around the colt and tossed him at his attacker. The two earth ponies collapsed in a noisy heap.

"I'm going to find what's going on around here," Shining Armor wheezed before leaving the brothers to untangle themselves.

Celestia could only watch, mystified by her angry brother and his three "disciples" as they cheered on the four "stars" shooting toward the moon.

"...for on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in Nightmare Moon's escape; once free, the world will return to Eternal Night." Umbral shouted proudly before turning to his sister. "Yes, I remembered the Unspell; yes, I knew something of Shadow magic; and yes, I'll even be nice enough to bring the sun back - once we have shown all of Equestria who belongs on that throne!"

His speech interrupted as the Star Compass shattered, scattering metal and the four gems. In place of the brightly glowing artifact formed a jagged purple cloud that billowed through the summoning circle, a glittering smoke bordered in midnight blue. The cloud swirled around the room as if exploring, sweeping past Umbral's disciples and steering clear of the spellcasters. It then settled between Celestia and Umbral, revealing its sole occupant.

Nightmare Moon was home.

Lapis beamed at the sight of his dark sister- shimmering black, still wearing the stormcloud armor that she donned the night they confronted their family, aquamarine eyes wide in surprise and shock. Her glare hesitated on the trapped Celestia before turning to her brother. Her gaze softened as she took a few careful steps toward him, wings tenatively spread. "Umbral...?" she asked.

"You are home," he replied. "This night is ours to continue, but you must make haste. We have paved the way for you - first through the Prophecy, second by the Star Compass, and third by the hooves of those who Remember.

"Our 'dear sister' Celestia," Lapis condescendingly continued, "was to appear before a crowd in the villa of Ponyville - take her place. Remind Equestria. We will stay here and ensure that your word will be spread without interference."

"I have waited too long for this day," Nightmare Moon admitted. "I thank you for returning me home."

Horns crossed, almost symbolically, and the ghostly traces of night wrapped around Lapis Umbral like a new cape, hugging his shoulders and trailing over his legs, down his body and back up again before dissapating into a silvery shower of shared magic. She flapped her wings once, reared and vanished in a second swirl of the sparkling smoke, washing over him again like a wave.

His midnight-blue eyes closed as the magic continued to seep into him. It sank into his bones and muscles, awakening them as if he, too, had slept a thousand years. The stars began to twinkle in the confines of his curled mane, stretching it out and waving it in an unseen night breeze. His tail showed similar glimmers and almost rose up from its normally lowered position in revelry. The black in his coat flickered with the newfound stars, and the grays swirled like hurricane clouds. The new colors glowed under the barding as his form filled the armor properly. His eyes opened, even bluer than before and glistening like royal sapphires. He turned to his contingent, seeing them all in a reverent kneel before him. A slow, faint trace of a smile spread across his muzzle before he leapt from the ground, wings beating only once to place him dead center in the royal hall.

"LET THE NIGHT CONTINUE!" he thundered. "UNDER THE LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF THE MOON!"

Chapter 15

Thunder Arrow stifled a yawn as he trotted through the streets of Canterlot proper. The celebrations had slowed, and whispers of confusion permeated. Where was the sun? The longest day was to start soon, wasn't it? The pegasus guardcaptain had lost track of time, himself.

He frowned as clouds had formed over the castle, creeping into the town. "Violet and Silver are going to ruin the sunrise with that, aren't they?" he muttered.

The cloud rolled overhead like an unspooling carpet, rich in grays and blacks. No lightning to hint its approach, but a spill of fog underneath, just enough to reduce visibility. The air grew moist and thick, the humidity pressing down on the area. The moon remained clear in the sky, hovering in place and comfortable in its spot.... and brighter. It took a few looks for Thunder Arrow to comprehend what was happening, and was confirmed with two enormous claps of thunder.

Two pegasi had landed on the roof of a building close to the center of town. One was tall and heavily armored, standing guard next to..... a black and red alicorn. Thunder Arrow gaped.

"CANTERLOT!! AWAKEN TO ETERNAL NIGHT!" The "alicorn" announced. "NIGHTMARE MOON HAS RETURNED AND HER SHADOW HOLDS YOUR CASTLE! BOW TO THE SHADOW OF THE MOON, UMBRAL! BOW TO HIS KNIGHTS AND SURRENDER YOUR LOVE OF DAYLIGHT! YOU WANT YOUR SUN BACK? KNEEL! KNEEL IN THE NAME OF THE SHADOW OF THE MOON!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAAAA~!!!!"

The pegasus behind him did not speak, but glared alternately at who she guarded and those below. The citizens, either too dazed or tired from the party, weren't comprehending.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Thunder Arrow called back. "HOW DARE YOU THINK THIS KINGDOM IS YOURS! PRINCESS CELESTIA WILL RAISE THE SUN AND BLIND YOU TO YOUR FOLLY!"

The black and red "alicorn" laughed even harder. "SHE'S MINE, GREYSKIES! AND MY DESCENDANTS WILL RULE ALL OF EQUESTRIA!"

"I think you're overdoing it," Slurry whispered to the grinning Hatchet.

"Just give me this one, Slurry.... Umbral's doing the same thing to Celestia's face right now." Slurry rolled her eyes.

Thunder Arrow launched toward the rooftop where Hatchet stood. The two pegasi saw him coming and launched as well. "Face me, Alicorn!" Thunder Arrow demanded.

Hatchet swooped back around, showing off his wingblades. "Let's see whatcha got, Greyskies! Yer brave comin after me unarmed and unarmored!"

"Crap, he got away....."

Dustmite cantered around in frantic circles, searching for the unicorn stallion they had stopped. "He had armor on too," the little one continued.

"He wasn't a captain, tho," Sandstone said as he pushed back to four hooves, shouldering his armor back into place. "We're gonna need to find him, he might be headin for the grand hall."

The two zebras hurried off.

Bardiche groaned angrily as the world started reappearing around him. He felt like someone - or something - dropped a statue on his head. His helmet had rolled off, a deep dent just behind the ear holes.

"Another alicorn," he grumbled. "Probably zapped me unconscious. Why would he come here, when the princess is in Ponyville....." His frown deepened.

"Of course an alicorn would come here while she's away - if that one's even half as strong as Celestia....."

He galloped toward the main hall.

In Ponyville, Mayor Mare had the task of trying to calm her citizens. The hall guards were thankfully not seriously hurt, just shaken up from Nightmare Moon whipping them aside with lightning. Two helped with the crowd control while the third investigated what had happened.

"Please try to remain calm, everypony," the Mayor reassured. "I'm sure that what we heard was an-"

A piercing scream sent everyone scattering. The two guards hurried to the source, finding a poor young mare against a wall in the back area, trembling as though Nightmare Moon herself loomed over her. One tended to the poor red-maned mare as the other found three statues in the back with her. The guard paused, as in the low light he did not recognize any faces. "We need some lanterns back here!" he called.

The first guard repeated the order before turning to the shivering mare. "What happened here, milady?"

"I...I...." her eyes welled up with tears. "They were like that when I came back here after Nightmare Moon disappeared. I thought they were your comrades."

Mayor Mare and a couple of unicorns came to the back area with lanterns in tow to shed light on the matter. "Is everypony all right?" The frazzled mayor asked.

"She is, ma'am," one guard replied. "Which is more than I can say for them...."

Mayor Mare looked at the statues again, swallowing a scream of her own before approaching them. Each one frozen in mid-step, expressions unchanged. "What would have done this?" she asked the soldiers.

"Has to be magic, ma'am," the other guard replied. "We're just not sure what. Can we get the unicorns to move the statues closer to the wall? Don't want these knocked over."

The two unicorns carefully levitated one toward the wall. A guard noticed something falling from underhoof. He approached it carefully, sniffing at it. "Roses?" he queried.

The red-maned pony approached it carefully. "A Midnight Rose," she confirmed. "but what was it doing there? Did someone have flowers for Princess Celestia?"

"It fell off the hoof of one of the guard statues," the guard replied before approaching the moved statue "but I think that's a coinci-"

The guard's hoof landed on the petal, and he froze instantly. The red-maned mare fainted.

~~Such clever little foals,~~ Nightmare Moon updated her brother, ~~they're going to the ruins~~

~~follow them,~~ he replied, ~~make sure they do not get there, and if they do, sunder the stones~~

"I can hear you both," Celestia reminded Umbral.

"You should not eavesdrop on a private conversation," Umbral snapped. With a nod the shadowbane constricted, causing Celestia to grimace. "This night will continue, the darkness the cloak and the stars are my crown!"

"You think that darkness is your ally," Celestia whispered. "You merely adopted the dark, and it welcomes anyone."

"And you belittle me further?" He protested, snapping the wingwhipblade on her necklace. "You are in no position - "

Celestia didn't flinch. "The Shadows will betray you. A spark is all it takes to bring light and dispell shadows."

"This is a new time, dear sister - a 'day' I have waited for for a thousand years. The day that I BREAK THE VERY SUN!"

The white alicorn could only glare in defiance. The Shadow of the Moon locked stares with her and whipped her again, this time knocking her tiara off her head. "But what shall break first, dear sister... your spirit...." On cue, the shadowbane tightened. ".... or your physical body?"

"You....cannot....break....a...spirit...."

"Then I'll have to settle for breaking everything else. Pity."

Chapter 16

Thunder Arrow careened through the air, wings over tail, as the pegasus and alicorn pinballed him through the clouds. He could not fight them both at the same time, and would almost take his chances against the alicorn than his companion. Her strength - augmented by her wing-shields - had nearly stunned him out of the sky. He stung from several slices from the alicorn's wingblades and seared from a few lightning strikes. Now the two sailed around him almost mockingly, buzzing him and swiping at him in attempt to get him grounded.

"KEEP RUNNING!" the alicorn howled. "YOU'LL JUST DIE TIRED!"

Thunder Arrow banked hard and kicked a cloud in his direction. "I'LL FLY ALL NIGHT, MONSTER!"

The cloud slid in Hatchet's direction, and he slashed clean through. "HOLD STILL, THIS WON'T HURT LONG.... BUT OHHH IT'S GONNA HURT!!"

The pegasus guardcaptain picked up speed, steering toward the grand hall. "CATCH ME AND PERHAPS I'LL FULFILL YOUR WISH!"

Hatchet gave chase. Slurry caught up with her partner. "He's going to the Main Hall!"

"Let him," Hatchet sneered, "If I don't get him, Boss will."

Slurry peeled off from Hatchet, spotting someone below. "Just stop him!" she called after Hatchet.

Shining Armor spotted Silver Bardiche charging toward the Main Hall. "Captain!"

Bardiche saw the unicorn and changed course. "What the hay is going on in this place? There's another alicorn on the loose who dropped me with a thought."

"There's a couple of zebras in heavy armor running around here too... definitely not ours. Did someone know Princess Celestia wasn't going to be here?"

"Just roughly half of Equestria," Bardiche snorted. "We should have known better."

"Lionheart said we had adequate complement...."

Bardiche snorted again. "'Adequate' is never enough. And I haven't seen him all night!"

Shining Armor glanced up, seeing Thunder Arrow being chased around above. "This was planned... all planned....."

"So now what?" Bardiche demanded. "Everyone's 'tired' from the celebrations, we'll be lucky to scare up any backup."

"I've been up all night - what's stopping me?"

"Us," a deep voice responded.

The earth pony guardcaptain and unicorn first officer turned to the voice, seeing two fully armored zebras standing with a tall female pegasus. "We're makin sure you don't go anywhere," the large stallion continued.

"On who's orders?" Bardiche snapped.

"On the orders of the Shadow of the Moon," Sandstone replied. "Sun's not comin back anytime soon."

~~your accent's slipping~~ Dustmite "sent" to his brother.

~~that was an accident!~~

"You needed to stay down," the pegasus growled at Bardiche. "You're tougher than I thought."

"I ain't goin anywhere," Bardiche growled back. "And neither are you."

Shining Armor took the split second to cast, capturing all three in a sphere. "You're all under arrest for treason to the Crown," Bardiche announced. "You have the right to remain in that spell. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the presence of Celestia herself. You have the right to explain yourself, because that'll be one heck of a story."

"Your orders are invalid," Slurry shot back.

"You can't keep us in here!!!" Dustmite protested. "Stony, Slurry, get us out!"

Sandstone and Slurry started pounding away at the shield. Shining Armor braced, not expecting the sheer strength of the larger zebra's kicks. The little one found a safe spot between the other two. "You can't hold us forever!" The little one jeered. "Once we're out, we're gonna trample you like a horde of buffalo! You're gonna be flatter than carpet!"

"Hold them steady, First Officer," Bardiche ordered. Shining Armor was already straining to keep the shield together.

"Let us out!" Slurry punctuated each word with a slam of her armored wing and shoulder.

Shining Armor kept focused on the sphere as Bardiche approached it. "You'll all be rotting in the dungeons once we take care of you and your boss."

Dustmite made faces at the Earth pony captain. "You and what army?"

"I don't need an army," he replied with a nod to Shining Armor. "Just need to knock you folks down a peg. NOW!"

The shield dissipated, and in that split second Bardiche had spun around and bucked Slurry away from her friends. She slammed hard into a statue and fell in a heap.

"SLURRY!" Sandstone called after her. She looked up dazedly.

Shining Armor then recast the shield around the brothers. Sandstone faced Bardiche, his magenta eyes darkening. "You... HURT.... her...."

"She's in armor, she's here to fight!" Bardiche justified. "What about you?"

Sandstone didn't verbally respond - his charge shattered the shield spell as he lunged for Silver Bardiche. "NO ONE HURTS HER ANYMORE!" He snarled as he trampled the earth pony captain without slowing.

"That's whatcha get for messin with us!" Dustmite crowed, barreling up to Shining armor and knocking him off his feet.

Sandstone would have been proud of his brother... if he wasn't so focused on avenging Slurry. Shining Armor kicked Dustmite away to help Silver Bardiche.

Lapis Umbral casually placed the guard statues in front of each door to the throne room. "You may dispell, milades, I believe we are safe for the moment."

The winds and fires snuffed out.

"You would have been welcomed back, Lapis," Celestia said to her brother. "A thousand years is time enough to heal wounds."

"You cannot heal this wound, sister. What you have done to this Family is inexcuseable. Why do you take our names out of the history books and scrolls? Why do you hide our finery behind closed doors? Where is the window that showed the 'harmony' you so enjoy? Where we stood together as a Family, where we defeated the very spirit of Chaos.

"We were all proud, even elated, that we were able to restore Equestria to its rightful place. I fear that your 'role' has made you arrogant and complacent, and it shows in how easy this takeover has been so far."

"I did not forget," Celestia sternly replied, "and that should be enough for the Family. Recall - our parents are not documented either."

"Father and Mother's history is far enough back that even if we remembered, would you have it commited to a scroll or book? You seem too happy that the 'origin' that the current generations learn is merely between you and Luna. You even spite Solaris in saying you alone weilded the Elements against her. *I* remember that night. You and Solaris. Luna and myself. It was a request-"

"A demand," Celestia corrected.

"All we asked is that there be equality! Nopony stayed awake to see Luna's work! Nopony would dare venture out when the moon was in the sky! They huddled in their homes, spoke in whispers and retold of Luna as some monster that fed on ponies as if she were half-dragon!"

"She is remembered on Nightmare Night."

"As a MONSTER! Not as the Princess of the Night! No one worships her as you have made Equestria only remember the one night in the centuries we worked together where she rightfully rebelled ag-"

"FOR EQUESTRIA!"

Umbral startled at the interruption, seeing a dark gray pegasus rocketing into the throne room from the open ceiling. No order spoken from the dark alicorn; Violet Force and Silver Shimmer launched to attack. Celestia could move her head just enough to see Thunder Arrow being triple-teamed above them, battered with wing-shields and scarred with wingblades. She looked to her brother, who watched with the coldest of indifference as Violet Force slammed Thunder Arrow to the ground at Umbral's feet.

"I see you've come alone," Umbral observed. "Not a sound strategy."

"what have you done....." Thunder Arrow wheezed, exhausted from the chase and the fight. He struggled to stand to only have Hatchet land on one wing. He grimaced but refused to show the pain from it. "why.... do you... do this....."

"Why do you resist? Is the message not clear? *I* rule Equestria now. Nightmare Moon will be returning here in a few hours and this will truly be over."

"Kneel," Hatchet hissed at Thunder Arrow, who refused to move.

Lapis snapped a wingwhipblade on Thunder Arrow's free wing. "Speak! Are others coming? Do they dare try to stop me when I could end my sister's rule much more permanently?"

On cue, the shadowbane constricted. Celestia refused to cry out from the pain. "Stubborn, the both of you."

"no.... others....?" Thunder Arrow asked through short breaths.

"No one other than the guards when we arrived. You alone stand against me." Violet Force and Silver Shimmer landed, flanking Umbral. "Since you did not Remember."

Thunder Arrow's eyes widened when he recognized the brother and sister next to the dark alicorn. "those weren't.... stories...."

"NOW do you understand?" Violet Force gloated.

"WE'RE taking over," Silver Shimmer bragged.

"and YOU," Morning Star finished, "will be the memory." A twinkle from her horn, and Thunder Arrow fell unconscious.

Sandstone and Dustmite were dropped in an unconscious pile at the base of the statues, encased in a shield for now. Shining Armor had a lot of trouble stopping the larger zebra the second time, and worried for the earth pony captain. He trotted back to Silver Bardiche, who lay in his side, armor bent and pocked awkwardly from the berserker attack that he barely survived.

"Captain...." Shining Armor apologized.

"I'll live," Bardiche grumbled. "but not gonna be much help to you now. Whatever's going on, it's gotta be stopped."

"I could get you to the infirmary...."

"I said I'm fine," Bardiche coughed. He attempted to stand, then slouched back to the ground with a groan.

"Captain, I-"

"Get inside, First Officer. That's an order. I'll be here when you get back."

Shining Armor hesitated before wheeling toward the main hall.

Chapter 17

~~The elements of Harmony are here,~~ Nightmare Moon informed her brother. ~~They will be sundered before these foals to prove our mission complete~~

~~Thank you sister, I'm sure even Celestia is glad to know this~~

Celestia remained defiantly silent. She softened as she saw Desert Sun and Night Ash levitate the unconscious Thunder Arrow to another part of the room. "What will you do with him?" she asked her brother quietly.

"He yet lives, I'm not about to remove him as he appears to be a strong pegasus soldier. I cannot speak for any of my group, however....."

Celestia puzzled the statement, then gasped when she saw Hatchet launch to that side of the room. "He likes to play," Umbral explained with the faintest of smiles, "I worry that he breaks toys on occasion...."

The Princess had finally enough of her brother's smugness. She started to struggle again, the Shadowbane caught off-guard as she had remained still for so long. It gripped her tightly, but the thrashing was hard to calm immediately. Shadowbane bit down on her horn - hard - and her body spasmed, actually rocking the two off the floor for a moment. "I won't let you get away with this," She promised.

"'get away with'?" Umbral repeated. "My dear sister, who will save you now?"

His answer came from the main doors being bucked in, dumping the statue aside. All turned to the entrance.

"Princess Celestia!" Shining Armor called. "I am here."

"A lone unicorn solder?" Umbral smirked. "You're kidding, of course...."

Shining Armor lowered his head and challenged Umbral. The alicorn was surprised that this one's tenacity. "Stand back, miladies. Permit me to finish this one myself."

Shining Armor charged. Umbral smirked, and in a display he reared, letting his wings spread wide and thunder backlight him to a giant shadow. Shining Armor closed, horn glimmering to life. Umbral's horn sparked, but before the winds could blow they swirled around him inside a large magenta sphere.

"What is-" He stammered as Shining Armor charged right past Lapis to Celestia.

"My princess," he whispered to her as he slid up to her and the Shadowbane.

"Soldier," she whispered back, "stall him a few moments longer..... please...." She tried not to cry out again as the shadowbane squeezed her tight.

"Princess!" Shining Armor could not help her as he felt his shield shatter with the alicorn's magic.

"You FOAL!" Umbral bellowed. "You seal your fate with your interference!"

Shining Armor charged again, but his path blocked with a line of fire. "Back away, soldier," Desert Sun warned.

"He is mine, milady. Please tend to what's left of that pegasus."

Desert Sun backed politely away, flames dropping only slightly. It was enough for Shining Armor to easily clear and he leapt closer. He landed and ducked as a wingwhipblade zipped overhead, then pulled himself to his full height to rear.

Umbral lunged, the two horns crossing and arcing with blue and dark purple lightning. Shining Armor pushed forward, Umbral pushing down. "This is futile, soldier," he taunted, "you have no chance against me!"

"I still stand, I stil fight!" Shining Armor growled back, "my life means little if our Princess is in danger!"

"You should not stick your horn in Family business!"

"Family?" Shining Armor's guard dropped only slightly. Enough for Umbral to clap him with his massive wings. The unicorn slumped.

"It is done," Lapis Umbral declared. "None here to oppose me, none who can stop me! So said the legends, so brought by the Star Compass. Sister, surely you will abdicate to my victory?"

"The elements...." she whispered.

"The elements are dead."

At this proclamation Lapis felt something - a twinge of magic, distant, but familiar. He turned first in the direction of where Nightmare Moon had taken the stones of the elements, and he knew she had shattered them. But what was this new trace?

Celestia's resolve steeled when she too felt it. The others in the room knew something - whatever it was - was happening. The shadowbane loosened its grip to tighten, but Celestia was ready for it. Whipping her head aside, the shadowbane had lost its grip. It snapped at her horn, and with a brilliant flash of light it dissipated with a howl of agony.

"You think that The Elements of Harmony are so easily destroyed?" Celestia queried as the last of the black bonds fell away. "That's not how they work ."

"The only ones capable of wielding the elements were our Family!" Umbral protested. "With the lines drawn, they would never activate again. With Solaris, Cepheid and Aphelion no longer here, they would be useless."

"The elements are living spirits and they are at home where Harmony can resonate. One of my students - and her newfound friends - have awakened them with the bonds of friendship forged because of this absurd takeover!

"Had you forgotten what happened when the Elements were brought to the castle the first night? how they each reached to us? Do you even remember why it worked?"

"Friendship??" Umbral snorted in disgust, "Friendship is fleeting! The Elements worked for us because we were a Family- a family of Alicorns!"

"They worked," Celestia continued in a lowered voice, "because at that time we WERE a family:

"Aphelion, who balanced the tides with the Moon and held us together with truth, bore the Agate of Honesty;

"Solaris, our eldest brother, who raised us when our parents departed and showed us how to build this kingdom, earned the Tourmaline of Kindness;

"Cepheid, who stepped away from his duties of balancing the sun and seasons and found the Elements on a long journey to aid us in defeating Discord, barring all distraction but his mission, bore the Ruby of Loyalty.

"These, with you and Luna at our sides, created the Spark that armed me with the Tanzanite of Magic, and completed the circle that banished Discord. It was not because we were alicorns, it was because we worked as one. You, and Nightmare Moon, made the single mistake of silencing the Elements for our Family."

"Luna's Generosity was never appreciated! That was the entire point - "

"I'm not finished," Celestia interrupted. "Your rebellion that night, one thousand years ago, was Luna turning away from her element of Generosity - resentful that she thought no one appreciated her work and forcing it on all of Equestria. And you. my brother, fall as well - for you have long since FORGOTTEN

HOW

TO

LAUGH."

Lapis could not mount a protest - the realization, and the sudden drain of magic as Nightmare Moon was dispelled, left him staggering as though physically struck. The stars in his coat were gone; his star sapphire eyes now nothing more than their darkest blue; and his mane and tail nothing more than a curled and shaggy mess as though he'd run through a rainstorm. Celestia did not waver as her gaze pierced him like a sharpened wingblade.

"You see, Umbral, these spirits can only resonate in Harmony. That no longer resonates in our Family, but in the hearts and minds of all ponies. They work hard, and together they have created a Harmony that no magic or demand can sunder. Friendship and Harmony are what make Equestria what it is. You cannot change that."

Night Ash and Desert Sun brought Hatchet with them back to the two alicorns. Desert Sun's expression fell when she saw Umbral without the stars in his coat. Night Ash could tell something was wrong, but couldn't speak.

Violet Force and Silver Shimmer winged over as well. Morning Star was gaping at her new teacher.

"Boss....?" was all Hatchet could muster. All of them looked to Lapis Umbral, who had been working so hard with them, letting them live their dreams, trying to make - and change - history, could only stare as their Master, their 'king' whose words and actions had brought the Wild Force together and assembled the Four Stars, wobbling in place with an expression they'd never seen from him.

There were tears in his eyes.

Tears formed at the ends of The Shadow of the Moon's midnight-blue eyes, the despondence and disbelief of a thousand years' work shattering before him.

The others looked to each other. They had not heard him laugh - they had seen hope in his eyes, faint smirks, and Night Ash even recalled him singing - but never a laugh.

"Why ... why should I laugh...."

"Because that was who you once were, Lapis."

The dark alicorn steeled, locking gazes with his sister. "No," he replied, clouds gathering overhead. "THERE WILL BE NO LAUGHTER!!" he reared, and the entire room washed over in Absolute Night. Thunder roared and the winds blasted through the room, staggering Celestia.

She whipped away the darkness with her wings, only to find the room damaged even further. Her former student, the two other unicorns, the armored pegasi - they were gone. Celestia lowered her head, eyes closing. "I'm sorry, Lapis," She whispered to herself before turning eastward. She had a sun to raise..... and a student to congratulate.