Elements of Canterlot

Her friends had convinced her that everything would be fine, and that her fears were simply silly little stories she'd allowed herself to overly worry about. She wanted to believe those words, more than she could ever say, and yet, as she, her friends and Spike made their way towards the town hall of Ponyville, those fears continued to linger in her mind, eating away at her confidence. If nothing else, she could allow the hustle and bustle of the evening to distract her, as sure enough, every pony here had started to gather to celebrate the event.

"Wow, not bad for a country place, eh?" Minuette remarked.

Twilight smiled to her, looking around at all the eager new faces ready to see the Princess make her debut here. It brought to Twilight many fond memories, specifically of her own first time seeing Princess Celestia raise the sun. It was the day that first put her on the path to becoming her apprentice, and it brought warmth to her heart to remember it now. However, as she entered the Hall, things became more crowded than before, with a lot of pushing and shoving to get good spots.

"I know they're excited, but geez!" Moondancer commented.

Twilight too wasn't all that fond of this, but then again, when this might be the only opportunity one had to see Princess Celestia of all people, she supposed that it was to be expected that they'd be more vigorous than normal. Thankfully, things began to settle down, and in the growing quiet, Twilight took a moment to glance around. Just as she'd been told, the place was indeed decorated well, with ribbons, streamers and all manner of colours going well wherever one looked. And it wasn't long before her ears picked up beautiful birdsong, no doubt the work of the animal trainer she'd been informed of.

"Okay, Twilight...calm down. Things are going well. There's no need to worry."

Her words to herself, understandably spoken in a hushed tone, did not make her feel comfortable, as she'd hoped, and before long, she started to let her eyes stray upwards, to one of the many large windows that dotted the interior of this place. The full moon was there, as indeed was that ominous face of a horned mare. Twilight's eyes narrowed as she saw what looked like a quartet of stars draw nearer to the bright orb, but she shook her head, convinced that she was just imagining things.

"Twilight?"

The lavender mare looked down, smiling to see the face of Spike looking up to her. Reaching forward, she gave him a gentle pat on the head, speaking in a soothing tone, for his sake if nothing else.

"Don't worry, Spike. I'm just...thinking."

Spike opened his mouth to speak, only to be halted when, just then, a clear and loud voice called out to all in attendance.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, as Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!"

All of those gathered looked on at the town's Mayor, an older mare who stood at the end of the hall, bearing a look of pride that only came when one knew they were about to introduce somebody important. Twilight smiled at the thought of seeing her mentor arrive again, even though her fears continued to gnaw at her.

"In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year!"

Mayor Mare's words had continued to be spoken with confidence, but as she carried on with her speech, Twilight's eyes again betrayed her need to keep focused on the celebration. Instead, they again looked to the window, seeing that moon high above, and as soon as she did, her mouth gaped with shock. The stars, which she had previously thought were figments of her imagination, now reached the full moon. Twilight blinked in spite of herself, and as she again opened her eyes, she found, to her horror, that the image of the mare, the one every Equestrian had grown up knowing, was now gone. Instead, the moon was bare-faced, leading to a pit of dread in Twilight's stomach, even as all other ponies continued to pay attention to the Mayor.

"And now, it is my great honour to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..."

Twilight turned, seeing the spotlight fall onto the curtains, which now began to rise.

"...Princess Celestia!"

But there were no cheers. No calls of excitement. No greetings for the Princess. For as the ponies all looked on, they saw, to their horror, that there was no Princess Celestia. She was gone. Vanished, with no trace that she had ever been there. Twilight was stunned, as was every other pony, and her closest friends all looked to her with intense worry. The other ponies of Ponyville, understandably, began to nervously chatter, and as this went on, the Mayor tried to keep order.

"Remain calm, everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation!"

But Twilight already knew the explanation. And within moments, so too did everyone else. For in that very spot where the Princess was expected to be, there rose instead a blue and ethereal mist. It was magic, but of a kind no pony there had ever witnessed before. None knew it, yet all feared it, but none more so than Twilight, who took a worried step backwards.

"Oh no!"

Her fears, those that had dominated her mind for so long, now took shape before them all. For from this blue mist emerged a figure. A mare. Like Celestia, she too was an alicorn, but with fur as black as night, and clad in armour of azure blue. Her eyes were harsh, and she gazed out at the cowering mares and stallions before her, as though triumphant from some unseen battle. Gasps of shock and fear were abound, yet this intruder was not concerned for their reactions.

"Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces."

Twilight knew they had to tread lightly here. This was an ancient being of immense power. One false move and they could all be in danger. Unfortunately, she'd neglected to give such advice to her friends, and Moondancer now took a firm step forward, pointing a hoof towards the dark alicorn.

"What have you done with the Princess?!"

Twilight's face went pale, worried beyond words over what the consequences of such an outburst would be for her friend. Instead, and to her albeit very small relief, the towering mare simply appeared amused by the young unicorn's defiance, letting out a hearty chuckle.

"Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?"

Lemon Hearts winced, leaning over and whispering to Twilight.

"I'm usually one for guessing games, but..."

Apparently, the newcomer had heard her, and narrowed her eyes as she again scoured the terrified crowd.

"Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"

Annoyance and rage wrestled for dominance in her voice, and she looked out at each and every pony here. Naturally, all those being looked at were terrified at what this aggressive mare would do next, and even more of them just looked confused over what she was talking about. But Twilight knew, and with that knowledge, she took a single step forward, taking a deep breath, before finally making her voice known.

"I saw the signs! And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon..."

She frowned.

"...Nightmare Moon!"

All gasped at the name, no doubt remembering childhood tales given to them by their parents through the generations. Tales and songs and myths of the dark alicorn, who once sought to dominate and rule all of Equestria in ancient days. But as for Nightmare Moon herself, she actually seemed impressed by Twilight's words.

"Well, well, well, somepony who remembers me."

The mare smirked.

"Then you also know why I'm here?"

Twilight gulped, and here she struggled to answer, if only because she feared that answer.

"You're here to...to...to..."

Nightmare Moon's smirk widened, and she again looked to the rest of the crowd.

"Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!"

She cackled wickedly, creating a literal storm of lightning and wind around her through her awesome power. Mares and stallions, colts and fillies alike cowered in the face of this power. But there was one among them who was not so afraid, and that was Mayor Mare. She was no fighter, it was true. She was a politician. But here, in the absence of Princess Celestia, she was these ponies' leader. So, she led.

"Seize her! Only she knows where the Princess is!"

The Canterlot Guard, those who had attended this place to protect Princess Celestia, now heeded the command of the Mayor, spreading out their wings and launching themselves towards this monster who had captured their monarch. Twilight, watching them fly closer to the centuries-old alicorn, stretched out her hoof.

"No! Wait!"

But it was too late, for the guards were already approaching Nightmare Moon at great speed, attracting the latter's attention.

"Stand back, you foals!"

With a mere thought, Nightmare Moon sent some of her lightning towards her assailants, sending them hurling backwards. Twilight watched with disbelief as those soldiers were thrown about like ragdolls, defeated before even reaching their target. As for the dark mare herself, she cackled once more, using her magic to transform herself back into that ethereal mist, after which she flew speedily out of the hall. There were many murmurs of fear among the Ponyville ponies, but Twilight nevertheless ignored them, charging outside to follow the mist, only to find, once she was outside, that it was gone.

"Twilight?"

Twilight turned, and saw that it was Moondancer, surrounded by Spike and all of her other friends. A moment or two passed, but soon, Twilight's spectacled childhood friend stepped closer, her eyes filled with fear.

"What...what was that?"

They looked to her for answers, and after letting out a deep sigh, Twilight gave the only one she could.

"That, Moondancer...could be the end of all of us."