Sun and moon arise form the ashes of the day before
The great palace on the cliff side shines brightly as the sun sets, the brilliant rays of light reluctant to relinquish its brilliance to the oncoming moon. In a desperate attempt to linger a moment longer it stretches its rays as far and wide as it can reach before it is pulled asunder past the emerald blades of grass and azure oceans shimmering in its final light. This bears a significance and the feeling of finality that it always does, but and inevitability all the same though the great ball of fire's struggles have been set to rest until the coming day when it shall rise again and glorify the land in its brilliance. Tonight however, shall be more glorious in itself than any days that have come before it, so the hours waited after with anxiety promises.
Everyone is either safely indoors by this, the begging and then the death of the sun, or they await the approaching hour. The knights of her Royal Highness stand tall expecting the change at any moment, some even hold their breath, that would be the new recruits who have never experienced the transformation of the men at arms that had been there for years. The extinguished sunlight is now nothing more than a faded glow over the horizon until it is gone forever until the time again comes, calling for its return.
As the moon glided across the sky the stars danced and the world below began to change. First it was the plant life, sunflowers and others of that ilk were downtrodden in their expressions as moon flowers and other flora of the starlight hours began to emit their entrancing glow that attracted moths and passers by. The Fireflies were troubled to find their light outdone by the flowers yet again, but their protests went unheard and they only blinked in and out of sight. Everything else was cast into shadow, give or take a few candle lit areas and the occasional luminous toadstool.
Standing at attention along the battlements the Crown's own guards too were visibly affected by the time of day, their ears became harshly pointed, their eyes turned to pupils and their wings became a shade of midnight purple that coincided with their darkened armor as well. They were not to be crossed.
The moon, unlike the sun that fell before it, sheds its light rather lazily as if it too felt lethargic as the world in those bare moments betwixt. In the height of her power she is in no rush, there is no need nor urgency. For as the moon rises she is confident that she has all the time in the world. The princess Luna is drunk with the thrills the night shall bring to all that roam at this time of night, and all the lovers that sneak away to dance under the bright lantern aglow beneath the luminescence of the full moon. The world now changes and perceives the world with new eyes overlooking nothing. With the Majesty of night breathing new life unto them everything is cool and for just a moment, Equestria is cool and tranquil. And then she takes a breath everyone felt the land holding just as they themselves had waited for this approaching
of the dark and still absence of the sun. Fearing not the true darkness as there are stars aplenty to replace the one hidden now, yet still in close proximity. It is more than enough light with the moon's own rays rivaling what had once been the role of the great solar flower that
reigned what now feels like an eternity ago.
A filly's giggle is heard by few as the princess of the moon flies to the highest peak alongside the aforementioned celestial body. She casts a great shadow over the land as the ponies below lay unaware as they withdrew into the realm of dreams. Where her gentler spirit would watch over them, and any other night this would ring true.
The longer Luna enveloped herself within the light of the moon, the more her appearance changed. Her coloring grew darker until it was a midnight black, and her teeth grew into sharp points. The elegant princess becomes unrecognizable as her form increasingly merges with the terrible beauty of the midnight hours. Fearsome though she is, Nightmare moon is a pony to behold.
Her transformation complete, the shadowy alicorn glides with a breakneck pace towards the ground. Nearing the rooftops of the familiar and unfamiliar little Equestria she dances from shadow to shadow, and flits through the streets laid open and empty. Prowling upon other routes in search of ponies hidden away, but it is a good night, and nopony is found by her or her loyal batponies. Something even she can find a small triumph in.
The hours crawl and skid along so slowly, and so quickly. The first few hours were of a quieter substance, and uneventful by her standards. The longer it stretches however, the more the hours race after each other.
It is nearly midnight before Nightmare moon can reach the Everfree forest on her return flight.
The ebony alicorn comes to a rest her hooves alighting upon the ground. Her steps are planned and deliberate as she treads down the very same path she has come to know with great familiarity. She is no longer alone, she hears the other pony before she sees her. "Greetings, sister." She says without turning around. There is no need to. "My guards and I could find none of your little ponies hiding out of doors this night. You did well to keep warn them against doing so."
Celestia nodded. "Yes, and you did as well. Or do you not acknowledge your own achievements?"
The nightmare pony does look back at her sister, but in a matter of a few quick breaths, she is walking once again and paying her no mind. A grunt is her only reply. What the ivory alicorn didn't see was the lifting of the muscles on her face when she turned away. The two knew it was there, and so no more was said. A companionable silence falls between the two as they trot deeper within the Wood.
Clocks all around Equestria sound off. Midnight has fallen and the moon begins its gradual descent from the stars. Rejected by the other lights in the sky it reluctantly complies, but in a final act of resistance it takes its time with agonizing slowness.
Lights appear along the two rulers, illuminating the greenery surrounding them. Blues, greens, and lavenders followed by a few scattered yellow breezies flit around them and a few fly past, only to return again. They glow in the late hour and for all their pretense they are in no hurry.
A great stone table waits lazily well within the forest’s boundaries awaiting those who approach now at this ungodly hour. Finding their seats the two silently stare, sizing each other up. The Ivory summons a chessboard and its pieces forth. Neither move in challenge, yet. This is no ordinary board, this one has four sides. Ponies that stand independent and unaware of unfolding events, being left out of either’s influence, the bat ponies and their monarch the mark of the moon herself, Celestia and her ponies featuring her knights, the elements of Harmony though not as we pony folk know them, and the Chimera. The last has failed to show up, leaving the pony seat forever empty made things easier for political developments, and as such, nopony representative is being waited on.
“Do you think we should wait for him? He may very well decide against making an appearance.” Nightmare moon suggests, but her sister only shakes her head, believing the creature to be more honorable than her sister considers.
“No, He will be here on time, I am certain of it.” She replies at Nightmare’s look. Her promised me. Looking as though she heard Tia’s thoughts, the other's eyes widen, and she cannot hold back her next inquiry. “Why so much faith in the dishonorable?”
The mare of the sun only turns her head away, hiding her annoyance and regret. Perhaps she shouldn't trust him as she did, but she had seen the good in him and his chaos magic. How could she expect anypony else to understand? It wasn’t something she could explain to herself.
“Is that anyway to refer to a guest?” A sly, deep voice asks. The alicorns turn their heads and Celestia smiles while luna rolls her eyes at his theatrical entrance. Discord on the other hoof only stares at his dear angelic love. He pays no heed to the snorting raven across from the table. The object of his affections blushes a light crimson as she pretends not to notice him, as if her gaze when he first appeared could be dismissed so easily.
“Is this the same immortal I laid eyes on all those years ago, flawless, graceful and pure? Surely not, she dost blush too much, prey tell thou blushing mare where is my beloved?”
If her blush had been unoticable before, it shone prominently, neigh, it glowed. She glared at her love playfully and puts. “How many mares would you mistaken me for you great fool? Quit with your games.” her words sound annoyed, but her smile sends a different tone to them.
Discord's smile never fades, it can be seen in his eyes the adoration for the pony before him. He feels as though his heart would explode just from witnessing how she blushed in his presence. “No games, dear, sweet Celestia…. I made a promise did I not?” Celestia closes her eyes and smiles. “I was starting to fear you wouldn’t show I thought you would have met us down the path.”
“And cut in between your sibling talk? No I think not my dear.” He says aloud, earning another dismissal from the Nightmare sister sitting across from the two lovey-dovey immortals and ignores their talk at that point. Nothing was worth listening to their pointless chatter. He wastes not the breath of silence and temporarily deaf ear, and he leans closer to Celestia, and chuckles, “I have yet to fulfil my promise to you in its entirety. Let’s skip the politics tonight my dear, make them go quickly if you must, lest we lose the few hours we have together...”
At the mention of politics the Moonlight’s guardian raises her ear, suddenly listening again. She opens her mouth to tease the draconequus for using her sister’s affections to benefit himself. He always did enjoy the festivities that were to come after the council has been addressed. She should have known better she thought to herself.
Discord beats it to her however, and stops her with his intense eyes and his falsely playful grin. It is not a tease he utters though it may sound it, but a reminder of whose hour approaches. She saw it coming just before he spoke and it surprises her, and then infuriates her.
“Hmmm. Isn't’ it about time for you to… cool down ol’ Moony? The night is nearly over, why don't’ you just step down for a time and enjoy the peace while it lasts?” the Lord of chaos asks, smirking as he receives a glare from the now transforming alicorn. Luna indeed take splace of her darker twin. She still glared at him with the same, if a bit less intimidating eyes. Her expression never wavering as she watches him grin and approach her sister with his deceptive charm.
The Maiden of the night is not so easily intimidated however, and her temper boils as she stamps her hoof upon the earthen ground. She would have told him just that had she not been interrupted mid stammer. Her ear twitches at something sounding muffled as if by a great distance, but before anything can be done in response to it, a deafening screech fills the air, the echo of which was deafeningly loud making the moon princess’ ears ring. Suddenly wary of her surroundings the tense atmosphere is for a short while broken. Discord, using this to his advantage turns away from Luna and extends his lion arm to Celestia, who takes it without hesitation. She tries with some difficulty to stifle her laughter at her sister’s behavior as she is lead away and further within the line of trees.
Only Luna heeds the noise, as she swiftly looks about to assess the seriousness of the horrid sound. They were in the everfree forest after all, it can only be so tamed by alicorn magic. The thought made the accompanying howling of timberwolves seem like laughter to her ears. Perhaps this clearing was too vulnerable? Undistracted either of the trio could blast the wooden creatures to scraps, however… on a night of festivities, who would be attentive tonight? She shook her head, no, they had come here for longer than anypony could remember and no such incidents had transpired in all that time. It isn’t until the noise goes off again and it is joined by a cacophony of more familiar sound waves that it begins to take form and sound like… music.
She too blushes at this, but out of sheer embarrassment. Luna would have laughed at such gullibility, had it not been herself that fell for the trick. Discord always got on her nerves like that, and it truly had sounded so dreadful what with the first indescribably indecent notes. It was yet another reminder of her dislike for the draconequus seconded only by his courtship of her sister, Tia, that he played such ghastly pranks.
Of course it was only one of his instruments, and not only that but a distraction!, she curses her foolishness, noting that her sister as well as the thrice mentioned creature had fled the scene in her bewilderment. The music continues to pour out of thin air, emanating as if it came out of the air itself and the flickering lights of breezies and lanterns that now litter the skies with their own light. A quick observation clarified that the music, while ricocheting off from the surrounding overhang of branches and shrubs, was gradually moving away. While it was meant to keep her at bay, perhaps it could also lead her to whom she seeked. Emphasis on gradually, however, it could be hours before she found her sister and the buffoon that was so taken with her.
It didn’t take nearly as long as Luna had feared for her to find her sister again once she began her chase of the song. It seemed that she was chasing the ponies necessary to play the invisible instruments instead of notes carried on the wind. All the while her face had turned beet red, chasing something that wasn’t really there in any form but a sound was rather humiliating, more so than the prospect had at first seemed to her.
It appeared Discord had conjured yet another oddity with his magic during her absence. A great white pavilion was floating where it would have been otherwise invisible from where she was had he wanted to hide it. That is to say it glowed with a brilliance that was a bit difficult to look directly at if one’s eyes were not adjusted. “I should never have turned my back on that one.” Luna remarks as she takes in the dancing couple beneath the cover of the structure’s roof. Disapproving of the pair and acting protectively of her love struck sister, she attempted to intervene. Unsurprisingly, before she can blink, much less move a hoof she is met with another obstacle; The little pavilion Discord created with his magic grew to accommodate the newcomers that had unbeknownst to the star-clad alicorn, gathered alongside her outside of the enchanted shade. Ponies she had never seen before headed past her to join in the dance. Discord had always loved his illusions, it would only make sense that these were apart of that. Now she had to get to them in order to put a stop to it, which meant getting through the now crowded perimeter of the ivory pavilion. While nopony would notice, it was still sure to draw unwarranted attention from any number of sources, she wasn’t concerned about the smoke and mirror guests, so much as the ponies that lived near the outskirts of the forest and the many beasts of the Everfree. It was hard enough to miss a flying pavilion, but one that was illuminated so unabashedly was another entirely.
Luna made her way to the pavilion only for it to relocate. Three times she tried, and it wasn’t until the fourth that she managed to enter through the arches of it. With no sign of the two love birds, she tried to move further through the gathered crowd. She couldn’t get past any one of them. She was growing incredibly irritated with the festivities herself, when a stallion’s voice could be heard from over her shoulder just as laughter rang about her head from across the space. It was not one she was familiar with, the voice, not the laugh.
“Don’t tell me Discord actually made an illusion speak to me.” She mutters under her breath as she turned to the stranger one who spoke, rather put out by the prospect of such nonsense. She paused when she saw his face, and part of her wished it wasn’t an illusion, truly, but she quickly pushed aside the thought.The stallion before her was the picture of a gentlecolt. He was tall and his coat was grey like the clouds that warned of a coming storm. His mane was black, and while it wasn’t oiled, it had the look of it. His eyes were red, a rose red, something else that caught her off guard. Red eyes were rare enough, typically associated with villainy, but there was nothing that screamed of villainous intent about him. She did admit to herself however, that he melded along a little too well among the shadows, where she wasn’t even sure there were shadows to begin with. It wasn’t until he cleared his throat that she realized she was staring and while it looked like she was hiding the fact, he seemed to be staring as well.
