Legend of the Night: The Calm Before The Storm
The stars will aid in her escape.
The land was at ease with the Princess of the Night's moon high in the sky. Princess Luna stood on the balcony outside her tower, looking up at her beautiful canvas of stars and various shades of deep blues, purples and twinkling lights. She sighed with a smile at her masterpiece. But when she looked down to the land her smile vanished as she realized no-pony was awake to witness her glory.
It was the same story every night. She would constantly labor over the deep darkness and turn it into a beautiful masterpiece for all to enjoy and admire, but night after night all would be locked away in their homes, asleep in their beds. She had grown so furious with this fact that she vowed all would bask in her glory from then on.
The hour had come for the princess to lower the moon and make way for her sister to raise the sun. She stood there on her balcony, refusing to do so. After a length of time had passed for the sun to rise, Celestia, the Princess of the Light, came in behind her.
"Sister?" Celestia called.
"What are you doing here?" Luna replied. Celestia blinked. Luna turned to look at her eldest sister. "Did you think I would sit idly by while every-pony basks in your glorious light?"
"Luna, you must lower the moon." Celestia called. "It is your duty!"
"No!" Luna cried! "There can only be one princess of Equestria! And that princess will be ME!" Luna stomped her fore hooves to the ground, causing the stone flooring to crack. At this moment a strong aura of dark magic encased the young alicorn, lifting her from the ground and cocooning her in a sphere of magic. Moments passed as Celestia helplessly watch her younger sister become something else. Luna's body slightly grow in size to a dark beauty, her mane transforming to a cloud with a universal twinkle shining in the air, fangs replaced her teeth, all the while she was cackling. The magic vanished to reveal Luna, but it was not Luna. She was still an alicorn, but her deep blue coat was now black, her body more enticing and her domineer far more dark than ever before. The mare laughed wickedly as she stood in Luna's place.
"Luna! Don't do this!" Celestia pleaded.
"Luna?" The mare asked. "Princess Luna is no more. For I am Nightmare Moon!" She proceeded to cackle.
~~)oOo(~~
The darkness came to an end, but the sadness was strong in the air, especially around the castle. Every-pony elected to forget about Princess Luna, which was easy since most of the time they slept while she painted the night sky, and glorified Celestia even more for triumphing over the evil princess who tried to take over the kingdom. No-pony wished to think about what it would be like should that witch take over. They only chose to celebrate Celestia's victory.
Celestia now had more responsibility than ever before. Not only did she have to tend to the sun and the moon, but she was now forced to bare the memory of locking her only family away to the moon, forever. She gazed over the land and could only frown, when not in the presence of her subjects. The fresh memories of the past few months were too painful. As if spending a life time with the rare and perfect mate, only to have that forcibly ripped from you in an instant. She had spent so many years together with not only Luna, but other close friends, even lovers, as well. One by one they all fell to dark emotions. She was all that was left of the powerful beings who came to guide the ponies of this land. Now she's all alone. She let her head drop as a tear glides down her cheek and drips off her chin.
~~)oOo(~~
Unbeknownst to the world, a piece of the armor the dark princess were was dropped during the brief, yet heated battle between the Goddesses. A single unicorn was passing by when the sun glared of this piece and shined in his eye. He turned to find this single piece and stepped closer to examine what was causing the glare. He leaned his muzzle in closer and found a single diamond in the shape of a moon. He picked it up in his magic and turned it to get a better look at it. He smiled at his prize just before it flashed. The same flash glimmered in his eyes and he didn't take notice. He just stared at his newfound jewel.
He tucked it away in his saddlebags and trotted off, a spring in his step. Little did he know of the secrets this piece had to offer.
He was greeted by his fellow unicorns as he walked along the street. "Hello, Shining Star." A mare called. He inclined his head to her.
The days became weeks, weeks into months and months into years. As the years went by, the single lunar piece of Nightmare Moon's armor was passed down from generation to generation of the unicorn's family. As with each passing, more and more of the darkness filled their minds. The family who held the piece continually studied all forms of magic, generally dark rituals, always in secret. Nearly a thousand years had passed since the birth of the dark princess and the unicorn family had gathered generations of knowledge they kept to themselves and only a small handful of trusted followers.
"The time is close." A stallion stated as he writes in his journal. Two others on either side of his flanks.
"Yes, father." They replied. He puts his journal away and looks up to the moon outside the window.
"The Summer Sun Calibration is when we must act." He states.
"Yes, father." They repeated. He turns back to face them.
"You understand, in order for us to do this, we will not survive." They inclined their heads.
"We are ready to sacrifice ourselves for the return." The mare said.
"As we were born to do." The stallion added. The father inclined his head to them and turned to a lunar diamond encased on the shelf.
"Let it be known, upon the summer solstice, Princess Nightmare Moon will be freed from her prison and restore the beauty that is the night." The father stated. The two bowed their heads.
"To Nightmare's Night." They said in unison.