Nightwaker

Chapters

Part II -- The Rule of Night
Part III -- Wake the Night
Part I -- True Night Returns

Part II -- The Rule of Night

The ride back to Canterlot on the Golden Chariot was long, chilly, and silent. Twilight sat with her head lowered in shame. Spike crouched close beside her, trying to hide behind her.

And next to her sat the deepest, darkest nightmare any pony could have ever imagined: the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon, alive and unquestionably real... and in total command of Equestria, by unassailable royal decree.

And it's all my fault, Twilight thought. I made this happen!

Twilight shivered whenever she felt those glaring green eyes looking her way. Nightmare Moon, for her part, seemed mildly amused.

"Strange as it may seem, young Twilight," she said breezily, "we appear to be stuck with one another. Thou are all alone because of us. And we find ourselves unfamiliar with the world to which we have returned. So perforce, we make you a bargain. Help us find our way here, settle smoothly back into our role as ruler of this land. And in return, thou shall want for nothing -- we shall see to it!"

Twilight shut her eyes tightly, silent and unmoving.

Nightmare Moon smiled. "Take thy time. No rush!"

The Chariot had followed a high arc through the sky, toward the peak of Canterlot Mountain, and now began its descent over the brightly-lit royal city. Nightmare Moon's eyes widened. Her jaws gaped in avid amazement.

"So this is Canterlot? Well, Celestia has certainly done herself proud! Then again, she did have a thousand years to do it."

She chuckled to herself evilly.

"We could have had a place like this in a day!"

Then the Chariot swung around and angled towards the royal palace. And Nightmare Moon suddenly drew back, a guardedly uncertain look on her face.

"Hmmm..." She looked to her companions. "Twilight, we would see a little more of this, our new home, before we take up our rightful place at its head. And it occurs to us that we have not had a hearty repast in a thousand years. Can thou recommend a place for us to dine?"

"Well, there's always Pony Joe's..." Twilight clapped a forehoof to her mouth in horror. When will I learn to keep my big mouth shut?

Nightmare Moon examined her reaction for a moment, smiling. Then she leaned forwards. "Flyers! We would dine at this... Pony Joe's! Take us there at once!"

The lead flyers stared at each other, in startled confusion.

Nightmare Moon's eyes narrowed. Then they blazed, coldly furious.

"AT ONCE!"

A searing bolt from her horn struck the flank of the rightmost lead pony, who yelped in pain and nearly lost control, then righted himself. With renewed urgency, the flyers coordinated a turn and swung round to line up with Diamond Avenue.

And brought the Chariot to a smooth halt right in front of the diner, with its cheerful sign: Pony Joe's 24Hr Coffee and Donuts.

A few minutes later, Nightmare Moon was seated on a comfortable chair pulled up to the counter of the shop, with Twilight and Spike seated on stools to her right. On a plate before her was a lonely, inoffensive donut, with strawberry icing and sprinkles.

She glared at it suspiciously. Her gaze snapped up.

"WHERE IS THE REST OF IT?"

Pony Joe, in his baker's uniform and folded paper hat, stood before her, wide-eyed and shivering. As a colt, he had always believed his parents when they told him that Nightmare Moon was just a story, that she wasn't actually real. And here she was, glaring at him across the counter with deadly intensity, her horn shimmering with power.

Her long forehoof jabbed at the plate.

"Dost thou think us blind? Think we see not that this... object is incomplete? Dost thou think to cheat us of what is rightfully ours?"

Pony Joe's teeth chattered. He looked ready to pass out from fear. His lips moved in something that might have been a prayer.

And then Nightmare Moon suddenly threw her head back in a long, braying laugh. "Oh, the look on thy face! It is priceless!" She pounded the countertop with an armored hoof, denting it severely and making the plates and napkin holders dance.

Then she gave Pony Joe a grin that could almost have been called genial, if it had fewer fangs. She waved a hoof. "Begone about thy work! Make more of these delightful confections!" Taking the donut up in her magic, she took a massive bite from it and chewed with satisfaction, then ventured to try the coffee from the mug beside her.

Her gaze shifted toward Twilight, who was staring up at her in amazement.

"Thou find it strange we can be so affable? Why should we not be? We have what we have always sought: our freedom from the Moon, Celestia imprisoned in the Sun in our stead, and our dominion -- which was always rightfully ours -- returned to us without a struggle! We can well afford to be indulgent, and we appreciate a good joke as much as the next pony."

Twilight kept staring.

Nightmare Moon sighed. "Understand us well, Twilight, we desire but one thing: acknowledgement, recognition, for ourselves and our glorious Night! Given that, all the rest can go hang. Thou can please thyselves, for all we care. Now, are thou not hungry?"

Twilight's own gaze fell morosely to the small muffin set on a plate in front of her. She wasn't sure she wanted it any more. She gently pushed it to the right, in front of Spike.

Who pushed it right back, looking up at her sadly.

Nightmare Moon regarded both of them for a long moment.

"We are cognizant," she finally said, "that this is not the outcome for which thou might have wished. Yet we are indebted to thee for our release. And despite what Celestia may have told thee, we do not neglect those who come to our aid... whether wittingly or otherwise."

She tilted her head, with a smirk. "We hazard a guess thou were intended to be Celestia's personal student?"

Twilight nodded sadly.

"Very well, then! We shall make thee our Acolyte, if it please thee: first amongst our Lunar Court, with authority to act in our name. And we shall provide thee with thy lessons, as is fitting for one of thy station."

She leaned closer, frowning in mock seriousness. "That is, if thou are good, and eat all thy vegetables!"

At Twilight's surprised look, Nightmare Moon laughed broadly. "Oh, Twilight!" She shook her head. "When we make a very weak joke thou are permitted to roll thy eyes at us!"

Twilight's eyes went wide in shock. And then she lowered her head and began to sob quietly.

She heard Nightmare Moon draw an annoyed, hissing breath. "Twilight!" the mare thundered. "Sit up straight! And look at us! We grow weary of this simpering, downcast attitude! We meant what we said: thou are Acolyte of our Lunar Court! Thou shall henceforth stand tall in our presence, head high and proud, as befits thy place at our side!"

Twilight reluctantly straightened up, and gazed up at Nightmare Moon, her eyes still brimming.

"Better!" The dark mare's voice softened. "And in return, we promise thee, thou shall have thy every wish. Thou has but to ask!"

She smiled, serenely confident, at the broken-spirited pony before her.

Afterward, they headed for the palace on hoof, to see more of the city. Nightmare Moon strolled proudly up Diamond Avenue, Twilight and Spike at her heels, the two nightmare ponies following close behind, and the royal guards spread out around her, announcing her arrival to the startled nobles and socialites of the city.

"Way for the ruler of Equestria, by royal decree! Way for Nightmare Moon!"

They mounted the steps of the palace, and then upwards through the building to the main Audience Hall. When the tall double-doors swept open and Nightmare Moon stepped inside, she paused, drawing a satisfied breath.

"This should do nicely," she remarked, looking around. "Though the decor is a little warm for our taste. And that is easily corrected..."

A toss of her horn, and an immense wave of transfiguration swept across the room. In place of the rectilinear, candlelit hall with the Golden Throne at its end, the room became circular, with a roaring bonfire in its center, and a massive, cliff-like dais at the far side. The ceiling became a great ribbed hemisphere of glass, like an observatory or planetarium, through which the starry night was clearly visible.

Nightmare Moon circled around the bonfire, and mounted the ramp to the dais. Here there was a raised platform with comfortable cushions, with smaller seating platforms to either side of it. And before them, set in the stone of the dais, was a large metal disk.

Nightmare Moon crossed to this, motioning with a forehoof for Twilight and Spike to take a seat on one of the small side platforms. The two nightmares followed up the ramp and took up station to the left and right on the dais.

Then Nightmare Moon turned and faced the waiting guards and nobles, plus the other curious onlookers who had trailed in after her. Her armored shoe lifted, and then struck the metal disk with a thundering metallic crash. Once. Twice. Thrice.

Doomsday itself might have sounded timid and unassertive by comparison.

CITIZENS OF EQUESTRIA! YOUR QUEEN OF THE NIGHT, NIGHTMARE MOON, HAS ARRIVED! LET OUR LUNAR COURT COMMENCE!

As a first order of business, Celestia's final proclamation was read out by the Chief Steward, and its authenticity grudgingly assented to by the chosen experts among the nobles... with one exception.

"Well, I'm not having any of this!" said a self-important voice. "The Princess cannot simply abandon her position and the succession like this! It's unheard of..."

Prince Blueblood's voice faltered, as he realized a gap was opening around him, other ponies trying very hard not to look like they knew him.

"And thou are?" Nightmare Moon asked, indulgently.

"I," Blueblood began, "am the nephew of Princess Celestia, and..."

He got no further. Nightmare Moon's braying laughter filled the chamber, drowning him out entirely.

"Celestia's nephew!" she shrieked, amused beyond words. Then in an instant her expression became darkly threatening, her eyes gleaming with rage.

"What is that to us, thou blond-maned worm?" she hissed. "Thou would be well-advised in future not to draw thyself to our attention!"

Blueblood cringed, whimpering, and scuttled back out of sight into the crowd.

"Well," called another voice, stern and bureaucratic, "I for one consider this a most fortuitous change!" A dark-maned unicorn with a sharp goatee trotted forward, and knelt before the throne. "We of the EEA have always valued strong leadership in the establishment of our curricula. And personally, I feel that strength should come right from the top, for the benefit of our students, and the proper defense of Equestria against external influence."

Nightmare Moon raised an eyebrow. "And who are thou?"

"Chancellor Neighsay, of the Equestria Education Association. The EEA..."

He was suddenly enveloped by a cold blue magic field, and hoist into the air by the scruff of his neck like a sack of potatoes. He was swept forward, to dangle eye-to-eye with Nightmare Moon's threatening gaze.

"We do not like sycophants," she snarled. "And we most particularly do not like those who think to blandish us with pomposity and self-serving lies! BEGONE FROM OUR SIGHT!"

With a helpless cry, the Chancellor was flung across the chamber in a flat trajectory, passing close enough to the bonfire that his academic robes caught flame, and then continuing on like a meteor through the doors at the far side, which swept closed with a resounding crash.

"Tell us," Nightmare Moon said, sounding somewhat bored. "Is there anyone of substance in this room who can be presented to us?" She glanced around, but no one spoke, no one moved, no one breathed. "No?"

She lowered her head, her expression dark and intimidating. "Be warned. Thou exist in the shelter of a promise: a promise to show thee mercy. It is unwise to make us reconsider that promise. Unwise indeed!"

After a tense few moments, the normal operations of the Court, such as they were, got underway. Petitioners began cautiously approaching to kneel before the dais.

Nightmare Moon cast a glance at Twilight, who had turned away and was sitting with her head down and her withers hunched.

"Acolyte, thou would like some time to be alone?"

Numbly, Twilight nodded.

"We understand. It has been a long and eventful time for thee. Go and rest. We shall speak again later. When thou feels up to it."

Swiftly, she gave orders for Twilight to be escorted to chambers suitable for the Acolyte of her Majesty's Court.

"Nacht!" she snapped. The nightmare came to attention. "Henceforth, thou shall serve as our Acolyte's personal guard. See she comes to no harm!"

The nightmare lowered his head subserviently, and waited patiently for Twilight and Spike to join him. Then the three of them were escorted from the Audience Hall by the household orderlies the Chief Steward had summoned.

Nightmare Moon settled back on her cloud-like cushions, and wallowed in the wondrous feeling of being free, and in power once again.

If only Celestia was here, she thought. To stand witness to her defeat! she added quickly.

The room Twilight was taken to was located close to Princess Celestia's suite of rooms in the palace. And under other circumstances, it would have taken Twilight's breath away.

It was grandly spacious, with a checkered marble floor and tall arched windows that looked out on a sweeping expanse of starry night sky. Near the windows there was a wide table, with a semicircular couch beneath the windows and comfortable seating on the near side. An elegant red-canopied bed stood to one side, with a teddy bear resting against the pillows. The room's other furnishings were finely made but homey in style: dressers, chests of drawers, and a bookcase chock-full of interesting-looking tomes. On one side of the windows was a door standing ajar, leading to what looked like a dressing room of some kind. On the other side, beyond the bed, a pair of doors let out onto a balcony, looking back towards the formal gardens of the palace.

Nacht followed Twilight and Spike into the room, and spent a few minutes examining it thoroughly from end to end. Then the nightmare nodded in approval, turned to Twilight, bowed his head like a major-domo, and retreated to his post outside the door, drawing it shut behind him.

Twilight simply sat down in the middle of the floor, feeling helpless. After a moment, Spike thunked down beside her to keep her company.

"Spike," she said quietly, "You don't have to hang around with me. In fact you probably shouldn't. I'm not going to be very popular around here from now on. There's no reason you have to be a part of that."

"Hey, I'm still your assistant, right?" He crossed his arms. "You're not getting rid of me that easy! We're in this together." He sighed. "I just wish there was something I could do to help!"

"Join the club." Twilight nodded.

"Hey, now that nobody's looking, I could try sending a message to Princess Celestia!"

She stared at him, hopefully. "Do you think it would work? Nightmare Moon said she was imprisoned in the Sun."

"Never know 'til you try! Quick, go open one of those windows so there's an exit!"

While she hurried to do that, Spike ran to the room's desk, found paper and quill, brought them back and sat scribbling industriously for few moments. Then he attached ribbon and seal, and held the scroll up, glancing at her.

"Here's hopin'!"

In a burst of green fire-breath, the scroll charred into a thin stream of smoke, which leapt into the air...

... and circled them for a brief while, going nowhere.

"Uh oh," Spike said. "That's not good."

"It can't get to her?"

"Worse. It's coming back!"

The smoke suddenly leapt back down at him. Spike looked seriously ill, then belched flame, and caught the scroll as it rematerialized. He smacked his chest with a claw, retching. "Yech! Return-to-sender is the worst, ya know?"

Twilight looked downcast, though she didn't forget to put a grateful hoof on his shoulder. "Thanks for trying, Spike!"

"Hey, no problem! At least now I don't have to wonder anymore."

"Maybe we should try contacting someone else," Twilight said. "Like my parents. Or maybe my brother... I wonder if he's back from Ponyville yet?"

"Uh..." Spike was staring, wide-eyed. "I'd say there's a good chance of that." He pointed.

She followed his gaze. And saw, standing outside on the balcony, Shining Armor looking in at them and waving a hoof. He motioned quickly for silence, then gestured toward the door's latch. Twilight nodded, then got up and crossed over to unlock the doors with her hooves, not trusting her magic. Then she stepped out onto the balcony.

"Shiny!" she said, hugging him. "How'd you get up here?"

"A couple pegasi from my squad gave me a lift. How you doing, Sis?"

"You gotta ask? I feel like Public Enemy Number One! Shiny, you've gotta believe me... I didn't want for any of this to happen!"

"I know, Sis! And I've never doubted you, not for a second! I wish we had more time, but I've got to get moving. Celestia gave me orders to take the Princess Cadenza to a safe hiding place."

"Princess who?"

"Oh come on, you know! Cadance? Your old foal-sitter?"

"Omigosh! Cadance!" Despite everything that had happened, Twilight managed a smile. "I guess you two finally found an excuse to elope, huh?"

"What? Twily... it's not... I mean..." He stumbled to a halt, looking embarrassed. "How long have you known?"

"Seriously? Like how long have I not known?"

"Yeah, well... Mom and Dad are coming with us for their own safety, so it's strictly professional. We'll try to get word to you if we can, but..." He winced. "It's best right now if nobody knows where we're going."

"Wow. And I understand, Shiny! Hey, how come you're doing this and not that Captain you work for?"

"Use your head, Sis! How's it going to look if the Captain of the Guard suddenly goes missing? Whereas who's going to notice a lowly Lieutenant, more or less?" He shook his head. "Celestia's certainly kept me busy these past couple of days. I think she knew this was coming. I just wish she'd felt able to trust us with the whole story!"

"What would you have done if you knew?"

He shrugged. "Probably try to stop it. And make a mess of things." He looked at Twilight sadly. "You could always come with us, you know. We could hide out, all of us together."

Twilight grimaced. "I really want to, but... well, if I somehow caused this situation, then I have to stay here and try to fix it. On top of that, for some reason Nightmare Moon seems to think I'm important enough to set one of her personal guards to watch me... so I can't exactly just go missing myself!"

"Okay," Shiny said, "but take care of yourself, huh? And if you need help, there's a group of guards here that are still secretly loyal to Princess Celestia. They'll help if you need them. Just ask for me by name, and they'll find you."

"Thanks! And you take care too, Big Brother! Say Hi to Cadance for me!"

"You bet, Sis!" He hugged her again. Then he looked up and waved a hoof. A pair of pegasi guards descended swiftly and grabbed onto him.

"You keep out of the cookies while I'm gone!" he called as they flew away.

"Try and make me!" she called up sadly, then watched until he'd disappeared around a corner of the palace.

She looked around, at the empty balcony, and the dark night sky beyond. Then she trotted back inside and shut the doors. She suddenly felt very much alone, even with Spike for company. Everyone she knew was gone. Her brother, her parents, Cadance, Princess Celestia.

And even her new friends, as well.

She crossed over to the couch by the windows and climbed up on it. In the distance, down in the valley below, she could just see Ponyville, still lit up against the Night.

She thought back to the party, to being with all her friends... to how happy she'd been, for just that one evening.

It was all perfect! And then my magic...

She jumped down off the couch, ran across and threw herself on the bed, burying her snout under the pillows. And just lay there, unwilling to move, unwilling even to think any longer.

Spike unhappily clambered up onto the bed and sat down beside her. He rested a claw on her shoulder.

"Twilight..." he said.

"Spike!" she shouted, muffled by the pillows. "I'm never using my magic again. Not ever!"

The only sound thereafter, for a long while, was Twilight crying herself to sleep.

When Twilight finally awoke, it was still dark out. She went into the bath adjoining the dressing room and splashed water on her face, then desultorily combed her mane and tail, trying to at least make herself presentable.

As she trotted back into the main room, Spike entered through the front door.

"Twilight! Good thing you're up. Nightmare Moon wants us!"

"What for? To sit by her side again and watch her destroy everything that ever mattered to me?"

"No!" Spike said. "She invited us to join her for breakfast!"

Twilight blinked, surprised. And realized she must have slept for longer than she'd thought, because she was definitely hungry. She followed Spike out into the corridor, where Nacht smoothly fell in behind them. The three of them proceeded to the main Audience Hall, and across it to an open balcony on the far side. A broad table had been set with a variety of breakfast dishes, gleaming under the stasis spells that kept them warm and fresh.

Nightmare Moon herself stood by the balcony railing, looking up at the starry expanse of the Night.

"Welcome, Acolyte," she said calmly, without turning around. "Thou slept well. We ensured thy sleep was untroubled."

Twilight tensed. It wasn't a question -- it was a statement. Well, she is Nightmare Moon. Why am I so surprised?

"Thou are just in time." Nightmare Moon looked round with a smile. "The petitioners keep clamoring for more light to work by. And now that thou have arisen, it seems an appropriate moment to indulge them."

She's going to raise the Sun? Twilight thought hopefully as she trotted closer. Maybe things won't be all bad.

But then Nightmare Moon simply lifted a forehoof and pointed it at the Moon. Her horn sang with power. And the Moon steadily brightened, like a lampwick being turned up, until it was painful to look at.

A pale, cold blue light spread across the landscape, like dusk or early morning, even though everything was lit up like broad daylight. The sky became midnight blue in color, the brighter stars still clearly visible.

"There! A simple adjustment of albedo," Nightmare Moon said. "So much easier than having to raise and lower it. Our Night can continue uninterrupted, and the world shall have the light it needs... but only such as we deem it worthy of!"

She swept around to the table. "Now, let us see what the kitchens have provided. We anticipated thou might be hungry."

They sat down at the table, and ate in silence for a time. And Nightmare Moon became increasingly restive, staring at Twilight.

"Child, what are thou doing?"

Twilight had been trying to use her tableware with her mouth and hooves, and it wasn't going very well. She hadn't done it since she was a foal and was woefully out of practice. Her greatest accomplishment so far was scoring a bullseye in the sugar bowl with her fork.

"Thou has a horn -- use it!" Nightmare Moon's own horn shone, and a biscuit leapt from the basket, dropping heavily onto Twilight's head. Another followed it. Then another sped straight at her face. Twilight dodged, but was struck by the one following it. More followed, and then a flying battalion of toast attacked her from all sides. It was followed by the butter tray, and then some of the smaller dish covers. Twilight put up her hooves to ward off the larger projectiles, but she was buffeted from every side mercilessly.

And then she saw the steaming teapot lift from the table, and sweep majestically toward her.

"URRRIIIHHHH!" Her horn blazed. Her magic lashed out, full strength.

The teapot whistled past Nightmare Moon's head, missing by scant inches, and vanished over the horizon.

Nightmare Moon didn't even blink. "Excellent, Acolyte!" she said. "Though we really must work on thy aim under pressure."

Twilight's face thunked onto the tablecloth in defeat. She gave a muffled groan.

"Thou cannot deny thy magic," Nightmare Moon advised. "If it pains thee, learn to use it properly. And we shall teach thee, if thou are of a mind to learn."

Twilight hauled herself up. Then, grudgingly, she began using her magic to work the silverware. And felt like a traitor with every bite.

Nightmare Moon continued to watch her with an evaluating gaze. After Twilight had gotten outside of a decent amount of pancakes and haybacon, the mare spoke again. "We hear tell from our staff," she said, "that thou single-hoofedly organized the town library in Ponyville."

That at least got a response from Twilight. "It was more like a few shelves," she said. "And I had tons of help from Spike."

Spike gratefully smiled up at her. Then his smile disappeared as he looked at Nightmare Moon.

"Thou likes reading?" Nightmare Moon asked gently.

"You could say that," Twilight admitted. Under the mare's inquisitive gaze, she sighed and went on. "It's how I learn best. I've never really liked lectures. There were always so many questions I couldn't ask. It was easier to just find the answers I wanted."

"Commendable," Nightmare Moon said. "Then I think I know exactly how we should begin. Come, Twilight!"

She rose, and Twilight and Spike followed. They passed through the Audience Hall, into the corridors beyond. And after only a few turns, Twilight had a pretty good idea where they were heading.

The berobed, grey-flanked orderly staffing the main desk of the Canterlot Archives was surprised when a lavender face appeared on the other side of it. But not very surprised. He had seen her often enough before.

"Oh. You again." He sighed. "Our policy has not changed, young lady. Unless you have a topic to research, we..."

The words dried up as he realized who was standing a short distance beyond her. The glowing dragon-like eyes seemed to peer into the depths of his very soul, uncovering all his secrets and arranging them in order to use against him.

"Our Acolyte," Nightmare Moon said flatly, "will inspect the Archives."

"Of course," he stammered. The orderly swallowed, and bowed tensely. He came around in front of the desk and stood facing Twilight obsequiously. "Can I be of any assistance, er... Acolyte?"

Nightmare Moon glared at him, her horn flaring.

"Yes. Thou can get out of her way!"

The orderly backed away in terror, bowing profusely. Though she felt bad for him, Twilight couldn't help but smile a little at his discomfort, thinking of all the times he'd coldly rebuffed her.

With Nightmare Moon following, Twilight trotted into the main hall of the Archives. And then she stood for a while in awe at the sheer number of books all around her. For a moment she forgot all her other troubles. She was in a library, and as always it was immensely reassuring. There were so many ideas here, just waiting for her. And she wanted to read them all!

Nightmare Moon allowed her to bask in delight for a long moment. "Go ahead, Twilight," she prodded. "Wander around, browse as thy will! And take thy time. As it happens, we have a small matter of our own to research. We shall await thee here."

"Oh! Is it anything I can help with?"

"A minor matter," Nightmare Moon assured her. "Nothing of consequence. Off with thee!"

Twilight didn't need prompting. She was off like a shot, and Spike had to scramble to keep up with her. The normally staid quiet of the Archives was occasionally broken by a distant squeal of delight as she came across something new. It made it quite easy to keep track of where Twilight was.

And Nightmare Moon turned to her own question. Her horn sang, and a tall swathe of gleaming magic began swiftly running along the wall of shelves on one side of the room, veering into naves and side rooms, and returning from them to continue on around the entirety of the Hall.

It was not possible to read books for content in this fashion, but a simple keyword search presented no difficulty. Mare in the Moon... Nightmare Moon... And, most importantly, the Elements of Harmony...

And the search came up empty.

Nightmare Moon snorted in annoyance. There was not a single book in the entire Archives mentioning either her or the Elements that had imprisoned her. "So..." she muttered to herself. "Celestia thinks that she can expunge our name from history, does she? We shall have to do the same to her in return."

She drew a comfortable seating cushion over to a table, on which several books lay open, with bookmarks and attached sticky-notes.

We have always wanted to construct a Forbidden Books list, she thought. How shall we begin? Well, we can get rid of all books on the Sun Princess and her reign. That should clear half the shelves in this place at least, make plenty of room for our own history. And obviously, those simpering romance novels Celestia was so fond of, those can go as well!

She smiled, getting into it. And wooly-headed academic texts, full of obfuscatory blathering. And flat-earther tracts... and pseudoscience of every sort... we shall tolerate no lies in our domain! They shall have the cold, unstinting truth, as sharp and exact as our Night! And if they fear the truth, we shall torment them with it, relentlessly, inescapably... until they SCREAM FOR MERCY!

She suddenly drew back, wide-eyed. The book lying on the table that she'd been glaring at with such ferocity... it had caught fire. Nightmare Moon gently huffed at it, extinguishing the flames. Then glancing about, she casually swept a forehoof, batting the ruined volume off the table and into a wastebasket sitting on the floor.

Then she got back to serious plotting and scheming. The Archives occasionally rang with a bitter, harsh, braying laugh, as the Queen of the Night made her plans...

Twilight left the Archives in high spirits, the side pockets of her carryall loaded with books. Together with Spike, and followed a few paces back by Nacht, she trotted happily through the corridors of the Palace, heading for her room.

And then, little by little, the good feeling ebbed away. She began to notice that ponies they passed, whether nobles, officials, or household staff, were all eyeing her with a mixture of nervousness and suspicion. More than once she caught someone glaring at her in outright hatred.

Her steps slowed, her shoulders hunched. And when she finally reached the royal residence wing, she made a long, hurried dash for her room and slammed the door, nearly catching Spike with it.

She shrugged off the carryall and dumped it on the floor. And stared at it, feeling guilty. She'd let herself get carried away, wasted a perfect opportunity to find out more about Nightmare Moon and the Elements of Harmony, wasted it on finding a bunch of books just to read!

Angrily, she kicked the carryall, spilling its contents across the floor, then trotted over to press her forehead against the side of the bed, eyes shut in self-recrimination.

Spike stared after her sadly. And then, reasoning that he might as well earn his keep as her assistant, he began collecting the scattered books and making room for them on a handy bookshelf. Sooner or later, Twilight might want them, so they might as well be ready for her.

There was a rap at the door.

"Oh! Who is it?" Twilight called dispiritedly, not looking around.

"Uh... hey, Twilight! Is it all right if I come in and visit for a spell?"

"Applejack?" Twilight swung round and ran to the door, all but yanking it off its hinges getting it open with her hooves.

The farm pony blinked in surprise, then trotted inside. "Howdy, y'all! Hey, there, Spike!"

"Hi, A.J.!" Spike said, coming over to join them with a smile on his face.

Twilight shut the door, and then the two of them stared at each other. "A.J.," Twilight finally said. "I'm sorry... for all of this! I'd never want anything like this to happen. I'm... I'm just so sorry!"

"Hey, now! Don't fret so, hon! I believe you!"

"You do?"

"Surely! Ya think we weren't payin' attention, all last night? I know the kinda pony you are, and this ain't it, no way! I mean, if y'all were really on Nightmare Moon's side, ya coulda just out and said you're with her when she showed up. If you keep insisting that you're not, it must be for a reason. And my money says, it's because you're tellin' the truth!" She looked uncomfortable. "'Course, uh... I'd stay off the streets of Ponyville for a stretch, if ya know what I mean..."

Twilight nodded sadly. "I wish I could go back there, though. If nothing else, to apologize to everypony!" Glancing at the door, she moved away from it into the room and lowered her voice. "But also because there were some books at the Library that I really need to consult again. About Nightmare Moon, and how she was defeated before. I wandered all around the Canterlot Archives this morning and I don't remember seeing a single reference here." Of course, I might have if I'd really been looking, she added, mentally kicking herself.

"Wayall..." Applejack looked thoughtful. "I could always hop back on the train and go have a look for ya. 'Course, I'm afraid I really wouldn't know much about what we're lookin' for!"

"You're right. I need to go look myself. Hmmm... my brother Shiny mentioned there are guards here who'd be willing to lend a hoof. Maybe they could help me sneak out of here tonight, and get back there?"

"How 'bout they help both of us sneak outta here tonight?" Applejack suggested. "That'll save me a return ticket. And besides, y'all look like you could use some company right now. No offense, Spike!"

"Hey, none taken!" Spike replied eagerly. "It's great to see ya!"

"Thanks, A.J.!" Twilight said. "And I promise... if there's a way for us to defeat Nightmare Moon, I'm not going to rest until I find it!"

"Well, all righty, then! So, uh... what time you reckon night happens now, anyway?"

Later in the Lunar day, getting on towards what they guessed was evening, Applejack trotted casually up the corridor towards Twilight's room with a loaded carryall and a large bedroll on her back.

She nodded pleasantly to Nacht. "Evenin' y'all! Just bringin' in some supplies for the sleep-over!"

The nightmare simply stared at her for a long moment, and Applejack felt increasingly nervous facing the stolid, emotionless gaze of his glowing eyes.

Then he swung round and opened the door for her.

"Thank ya kindly!" She trotted on in, and dumped her load on the floor. "I found the chocolate squares, Twi, but I couldn't find no marshmallows. May have ta skip the s'mores. What else does that book say we have to do?"

She heard the door click shut behind her. With a glance to be sure, she unrolled the bedroll, revealing a length of rope and other useful gear. "I chatted with one of the guards, and mentioned your brother's name like you said. And they're in on helping us get back to Ponyville. All we have to do is get down to the grounds and circle round to the guard post. They said it's too risky now to send pegasi up here to fetch us. They might be noticed."

As she was speaking, the light coming through the windows abruptly dimmed, as if a stormcloud had passed overhead. They peered out through the balcony door at the bottomless, starry sky.

"Hoo wee! Night sure falls powerful fast these days!"

Twilight crossed to the balcony railing, and A.J. joined her. Together they regarded the multistory drop to the gardens below. "Okay, so how do we get down there?" Twilight said.

"Hmmm... I could always lower you down, then shimmy down the rope myself. Or I could go first, then lower you down from the ground."

"What about your levitation spell, Twi?" Spike suggested.

Twilight shook her head. "I'm not sure I want to risk it. I still need a lot more practice!"

"No time like the present, hon," Applejack said. "And it could be a useful backup if'n we needed it. Why don't y'all give it a try?"

"All right. But let me try it on something replaceable first!"

Twilight looked around. Spotting a small decorative plant nearby, she gently fired up her horn, and applied the spell to it. The plant didn't move. Annoyed, she applied a bit more power, and then a lot more.

Nothing.

And then she realized she was still mentally calibrating the field for holding a book in front of her. Without thinking, she shifted the field to the shape of the plant.

They all stared up at the sky.

"Woah..." Spike breathed.

Twilight winced. "You think it's ever coming back down?"

"Not sure, hon! But look at it this way: we accomplished one thing tonight. We put a potted plant into orbit."

They went with A.J.'s original plan, lowering Twilight in a makeshift sling like a prize hog. Then A.J. came sliding down the rope, Spike clinging to her shoulders.

Keeping watch for patrols, they crept through the palace gardens, finally reaching the guardpost near the hedge maze. And they nearly collided with a gold-armored pony stepping out through the door.

"Uh, good evening, sir!" Twilight said, nervously. "I'm looking for my brother... Shining Armor?"

The gray-maned guard smiled down at her. "Yes, ma'am. We were told to expect you. Come with me, Miss Sparkle." He took them around the corner to a landing zone, and opened the door of a patrol carriage for them. They stepped inside.

And found Shining Armor waiting for them. "Hey, Twily! Did you miss me?"

"Shiny! What are you doing here?"

"Well, you did ask for me, right?"

"Yeah, but... what happened to getting Cadance to safety?"

"Already done. And just to be safe, even I don't know where she's hiding. Now, tell me more about this plan of yours, will ya?"

The flight back to Ponyville was uneventful. The carriage soon bumped to a halt in the Square, and the door was opened for them.

The Square was empty and quiet, only a few lights lit here and there to fend off the dominating gloom of the eternal Night. The Sun Ceremony platform was still standing nearby. Scattered around its base were flowers, candles, and other mementoes left by the town's inhabitants.

Maybe one day there'll be an official monument here, a life-size statue of her as she was when last seen, Twilight thought gloomily. Then she gritted her teeth. Not if I have anything to say about it!

Glancing around, they quickly hurried across the Square, around the Town Hall, and across to the Library. When they pushed through the Library door, the lights were off inside, and Twilight didn't want to risk turning them on. Instead, she ignited her horn, and quickly cast a luminance spell...

It was like standing inside a lightning flash that never ended. The room was filled with glaring, actinic light.

Twilight quickly doused her horn. "Um... that's not gonna work!"

"Here, let me!" Shining Armor said. His horn lit up with a gentle candle-like glow, perfect to see by. "Just so you know I'm not a one-trick pony!"

"Never said you were, Shiny!" Then she trotted hurriedly around the room, determined to make the most of whatever time she had.

"Elements, Elements," she muttered, reading titles as quickly as she could.

"Maybe upstairs in your room?" Spike asked, anxiously checking the lower shelves while she reared up to check the upper ones.

"No, Spike! It was somewhere down here, I'm sure of it. A book about the Elements of Harmony..."

"Oh, yeah?" snarled a scratchy voice behind her. "And just what are these Elements of Harmony!"

Twilight turned, and then drew back nervously, finding herself nose to nose with Rainbow Dash. The cyan pegasus was hovering in the air at eye level and glaring at her in suspicion.

"And how'd you know she was Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a spy? Woah!"

She was yanked down out of the air by Applejack. "Just simmer down, there, Sally. She ain't no spy! But she sure knows what's goin' on... don't you, Twilight?"

Looking past Rainbow and Applejack, Twilight saw the rest of her friends gathered around, looking at her with caution, uncertainty... and also hope?

"I'm so sorry for what's happened, everypony." she said. "I honestly don't know if I'm the cause of this or not, but that's not important right now. Either way, I want to put it right and get Celestia back. And I think I know how to do that."

The ponies looked at each other, seeming to come to some sort of agreement. "Well, then," Rarity said at last, "don't keep us in suspense, dahling!"

Applejack nodded. "Yeah, lay it on us, sugarcube!"

"Oooh, yes please!" said Fluttershy, excitedly.

Twilight sighed. "I don't have a lot to go on. I pieced together the legend of Nightmare Moon from the books I was reading upstairs, just before everything went haywire. And I think I know what we need to stop her: some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony. The problem is, I don't know what they are, or where to find them. I don't even know what they do! I thought I'd seen a book about them here somewhere, but..."

Pinkie Pie spoke up from across the room. "Elements of Harmony, a reference guide!" She pointed a hoof.

"What!" Twilight raced over and stared at the book on the shelf. "How did you find it?"

Pinkie bounced merrily away. "It was under E-eee!"

The book was in the non-fiction section she and Spike had organized the day before. Twilight facehoofed. She'd been so busy sorting the books that she hadn't paid enough attention to which books she was sorting.

Using her magic, she drew the book from the shelf and paged through it, skimming the text as fast as she dared. Even so, it was several tense minutes before she found the part they needed. "Okay, here we go. There are six Elements of Harmony: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, Loyalty, and Magic. The location of the sixth is a mystery, but the last known location of the remaining five elements was the ancient Castle of the Two Sisters. It is presently located in what is now... the Everfree Forest!"

"We can't go in there, not at night!" Applejack said. "Even in broad daylight it's not safe! That place ain't natural. Folks say it don't work like the rest of Equestria. It's cursed somehow!"

"C-c-cursed?" Fluttershy asked meekly, huddling into herself. "Oooh!"

"Cursed or no," Rainbow said, "if we need those Element things to get back our Princess, then we have to go in there and get them!"

"We may not have to," Shining Armor said. "From what my squadmates have told me, one of the first things Nightmare Moon did was send a group of her nightmares out to a castle ruins located in the Everfree Forest, to collect something."

"Then she must have the Elements already," Twilight said. "Somewhere in the palace. Assuming she hasn't just destroyed them. Oh, great!"

"Wayall," Applejack said, "assuming she hasn't, we'll just have to go back with you and help hunt them down. Right, gals?"

"Go to Canterlot! Oh my word, YES! ... Ahem, we're all with you, my dear!" said Rarity. "I'll admit what happened at the Ceremony caught us all a little off guard, but if you've got a plan, we want to help. All of us!"

"Yes, indeedy! I'm in!" Pinkie bounded excitedly. "Right, Fluttershy?"

"Oh! Um. Yes... yes, I think we should!"

They all looked at Rainbow. She was hovering with her forehooves crossed, giving Twilight a suspicious stare. Then Rainbow looked around at the others and shrugged.

"Eh... I still think you might be a spy! But if we're really aiming to take out Nightmare Moon and get back Celestia, then I want in on the smackdown!"

Twilight looked around at her friends gratefully. Finally things seemed to be looking up.

And then she stared worriedly at her brother. "Shiny, did you just say Nightmare moon sent a group of nightmares to the castle? As far as I know she only has two. And one of them's been guarding me for most of the day."

Applejack happened to glance out through the window beside her. And then she froze. "Uh, Twi? Ya might want to come see this!"

They looked out through the window, and up at the night sky. Lit by the cold white gleam of the Moon they saw well over a hundred gleaming-eyed, dragon-winged shapes rapidly approaching the Square.

"Eeep!" Fluttershy looked around for a handy table and hid under it.

"Ya know," Rainbow said, staring. "That would be pretty awesome, if it wasn't also seriously freaking me out!"

Shiny thought fast. "Twilight!" he snapped, "Get out the back way, circle around to the guard chariot. They'll sneak you back to the palace."

"What? You're not planning some kind of stupid last stand are you, Shiny?"

He swung round, gave her a tensely serious look. "Sis, you can't be seen here! None of you can! Right now you're the only ace we have. You need to find these Elements. And we need to convince Nightmare Moon you had nothing to do with this!"

"But..."

"Don't argue, just go!" He pointed a hoof. Then, without a further word, he hauled open the door and raced out, slamming it shut behind him.

"Shiny!" Twilight made to go after him, but Applejack stopped her.

"Your brother's real brave, Twi... and he's also plumb right. We gotta go!"

Twilight groaned, but then turned and led the way towards the back of the Library, with Rarity casting a luminance spell for them to see by. After opening two wrong doors they finally found the back entrance. Twilight gratefully hauled it open.

And found herself blinking in the light from a lantern held in the forehoof of a pony outside... a pony wearing black armor, with glowing eyes.

It was Nacht.

He and Twilight eyed each other in silence for a moment.

"Uhh..." Twilight smiled weakly. "Couldn't sleep? Wanted to find a book to read? And you know how you just get to wandering around at night..." Her voice ran down in the face of Nacht's impassive stare.

Behind them she could hear other nightmares approaching from inside. They were surrounded.

Rainbow crossed her forehooves resentfully. "Well that helped loads. You know, next time we need a better escape plan. Or at least a better excuse!"

They were escorted, gently but firmly, back out to the Square again.

There was no sign of Shining Armor, but there was a chariot waiting for them... and it wasn't Celestia's. It was midnight blue in color, long and sleek and knife-edged, with dragon wings and a red velvet interior. Heavy chains bound it to the traces, in which a team of sturdy nightmare ponies were already hitched, dragon wings spread in readiness.

Twilight tried to get the others to stay behind, but they were having none of it, and the nightmares surrounding them didn't seem open to discussion. In the end they somehow all managed to cram aboard the chariot, though Rainbow finally hopped into the air and hovered overhead to make room for the others.

And then the dark chariot swept up into the sky. The nightmare flyers made astonishingly quick work of the trip back to the palace, and soon they were landing on the upper platform. From there the party was herded down the corridor, and then leftwards into the Audience Hall.

Where Nightmare Moon sat waiting for them on her cushioned throne, eyes gleaming and fangs bared. And around her on either side were at least two dozen of the nightmares, forming a living wall at the edge of the dais.

Twilight came to a halt on the carpet in front of the dais, looking up worriedly at the Queen of the Night. She expected punishment, imprisonment, torture, just about anything --

-- anything, that is, except the welcoming tone in Nightmare Moon's voice.

"Ah, Acolyte! We trust thy excursion this evening was an eventful one? But really, Twilight! There was absolutely no need for thee to sneak out. Had thou but expressed a desire to visit that dear little town, we would have gladly given thee the use of our chariot."

"Yeah, I bet you would," Applejack muttered, then leaned closer to whisper to Twilight. "She sounds awful confident. Wonder why that is!"

Nightmare Moon glanced at Applejack, then looked to Twilight again. "As we said before, thou has but to ask! And we encourage thee, Acolyte," she went on, "to establish thy own circle of intimates here at our Court. These friends of thine, for example... they are more than welcome to stay here with thee, as guests of the Lunar Court, if thou wishes it."

With an indulgent smile, Nightmare Moon gestured a long black forehoof toward Twilight's cushion on the dais beside her. When Twilight hesitantly ascended the ramp a few steps, she could see that five smaller seats had been added in a semicircle behind it. Twilight continued up the ramp and crossed over to sit down, accompanied by Spike and the other ponies, who uncertainly found places for themselves on the available seats.

Then Nightmare Moon settled back on her own throne, for all the world as if nothing unusual had happened. "Thou are Acolyte of our Court, as we said," she went on. "And, perhaps, even our heir apparent? After all, we have plans beyond Equestria. At such time, we shall require somepony to rule here in our name."

She gave Twilight an evil smile.

"But let us first see if you are truly up to the task!"

Her gaze swept forward. "Bring them in!"

Through the main doors came the group of guard ponies who had helped them escape and travel to Ponyville. They were shackled together, and Twilight saw Shining Armor among them. He avoided eye contact with her as the group was led forward to stand before the dais.

"Thou appear for judgement before our Lunar Court," Nightmare Moon declared flatly. "Thou are guilty of conspiracy against our Court, and of high treason in absconding with our Acolyte."

"They were only helping me!" Twilight objected.

"Immaterial," Nightmare Moon replied coldly. "They are sworn to defend the Throne. They should know better. And we shall leave it to thee to teach them!"

She returned her gaze to the waiting prisoners. "Our Acolyte shall pronounce sentence upon thee!"

Twilight stared up at her, in shock. What is going on here? What's her game?

Whatever it was, she had to do something to save the guards standing before her, something Nightmare Moon wouldn't object to. And she was afraid she could only think of one thing.

Unwillingly, Twilight got up, steeling herself as she stepped forward to the top of the ramp. She risked a glance at her brother, who met her gaze without reacting -- and nodded minutely.

I'm so sorry, Shiny! she thought. I have to play along with her until I see what she's up to!

"Ahem! It is our judgement..." She took a steadying breath, and tried to sound forceful and confident, "... as Acolyte of the Lunar Court, that the accused shall be taken from here, and immediately cast into the deepest dungeon. And they shall be well treated!" she added quickly. She glanced at Nightmare Moon and went on. "... so that for the rest of their natural lives they may ponder well the folly of challenging the Court of the Night!"

She heard her friends gasp in shock, but she forced herself to remain standing proudly, her head high.

A clerk of the Court nervously advanced towards the ramp. "Forgive me... um, Acolyte! But... we have no dungeons."

Twilight felt tense enough to burst in tears.

"Then build some! Do I have to explain everything!" Gasping, she swung round, returned to her seat, and threw herself down on it, feeling horrible.

Nightmare Moon gazed at her for a long moment, an eyebrow raised. Then she turned back toward the clerk. "Thou heard the sentence. Let it be carried out!"

Twilight didn't want to look up, as she heard the guards being led away. She especially didn't want to see Shiny being led off in chains.

Then she noticed Nightmare Moon leaning toward her. "Thou are really going to have to develop a backbone, Acolyte," the mare said. "Sometimes it is necessary to be cruel, in order to be truly kind!" She leered in amused satisfaction.

Twilight gritted her teeth.

Somehow, she thought grimly, I am going to bring you down, Nightmare Moon. I don't care how... I'm going to make you pay for this!

To Be Continued...

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, its characters and indicia are the property of Hasbro.
No infringement is intended. This story is a work of fan fiction, written by fans for fans of the series.

Part III -- Wake the Night

A couple Lunar mornings later, Twilight was standing in her room before a trio of mirrors, a book hovering in front of her face. She was being fitted for an official Court robe by the self-appointed Royal Seamstress to Her Highness Acolyte Twilight Sparkle... or in plain language, Rarity.

Even under present circumstances the fashionista was still a little awestruck about finally being in Canterlot, part of an inner circle so close to the throne itself. She was living the dream -- even if it was a nightmare -- and she kept up a constant stream of gossip as she marked and pinned and adjusted the night-dark cloth.

"... and I was talking with Belgian Waffle, that very nice serving pony who set out our scrumptious repast this morning, and she says the herbs she tends to in the garden outside the kitchens just don't seem to be doing at all well under this pseudo-daylight."

"It's the same in the rest of the palace grounds," Applejack said, trotting in through the door. She waited until it was shut behind her by Nacht, before going on in a lower voice. "I've pretty much covered the entire area outdoors, any place I can get to on hoof, and I don't see anything that looks like it might be a Element, or a place it might be kept or buried. And you're right, Rarity -- this cold light we got now might be enough to see by, but it's sure not gonna be enough for farms and fields back home. If we don't get the Sun back, Ponyville's in for hard times ahead."

Fluttershy trotted in through the connecting door to the adjoining room that Twilight's inner circle had been given to stay in. "I've checked with the animals in the Royal Garden, to see if they know anything that might help, but they haven't seen anything unusual around the grounds, aside from Nightmare Moon's guards. Ohhhh..." She looked worried. "I hope my animal friends at home are doing okay!"

"Incoming!" Rainbow Dash hurtled in through the open porch door, hit the floor hard, and came to a rolling halt inches short of impaling herself on the trimming scissors floating in Rarity's magic. She hopped up and dusted herself off. "Well, that's it. I've covered the entire palace and grounds from the air again, and I still don't see anything that looks like new towers or vaults or places these Element things might be kept. But ya know, it would sure help searching for them if I had even a clue what one looked like!"

She crossed over to the couch by the window, hopped up on it, and stared down sadly at Ponyville in the distance. "I also swung by home, just to catch up on the latest news. It's not good. Apart from our families and ponies who know us, pretty much everyone thinks we've abandoned them, gone over to Nightmare Moon." She turned and thunked down on the couch angrily, crossing her forehooves. "This probably trashes any hope I ever had of getting into the Wonderbolts. But if it's what it takes to save Equestria from Nightmare Moon, then... yeah, it's worth it!"

Rarity paused, looking uncomfortable. "And all this isn't going to do my business any favors either. I've already received cancellations from the few society ponies I know here in Canterlot, and I can only imagine how they'll be piling up back home. So if things don't get better soon, I've been thinking of putting the Boutique up for sale, maybe bankrolling a food fund to help Ponyville in case times do get tough. And I've already got a semi-understanding with a buyer, a noble here at court who's looking to expand into the suburbs."

Twilight looked up at that. "Which noble?"

"Oh my word, dahling! I can't say! That would be indiscreet!"

"Well... whoever it is, if they've got that kind of money sitting around and they're not thinking of using it to help other ponies," Twilight grimaced, "then I'd like to know who it is. If I have to throw the book at somepony again to make my Acolyte act look good, I'd like to know it's somepony who really deserves it!"

Rarity smiled in agreement, and then got on with adjustments to the robe.

The door opened again, and in bounded Pinkie Pie, carrying a tray piled with cookies. "I've checked all through the kitchens and storerooms and such," she said happily. "No elementies there! But I brought us all a snack!"

Twilight wasn't listening. She was staring at her book again, muttering under her breath. She'd progressed to the point where her levitation was reasonably solid, at least for any object she was familiar with, and she'd managed to tone down her luminance spell to be useful instead of blinding. But she was still having trouble with some spells, chief among them teleportation.

Spike stood beside her, a small coffee mug in one claw. It wasn't for drinking. He'd been fetching it back for over an hour now as Twilight cautiously attempted to increase her projection distance.

"Okay, Spike," Twilight said, setting the book down. "Let's try it again."

Spike willingly set the mug in front of her, then backed hurriedly away.

Twilight focused. Her horn sang gently. The coffee cup vanished in a flash of light...

... and reappeared less than a yard away. Upside down.

"Urrhh! What am I doing wrong?" She buried her nose in the book again.

"Cookie, Twilight?" Pinkie asked, coming over to peer at the book herself.

"Thanks but no thanks, Pinkie. I have to figure out how to make this spell work. I just can't keep the spell focused and stable long enough to get any distance out of it."

"Which one's the spell?" Pinkie asked. When Twilight pointed, Pinkie stared at it closely, then suddenly smiled. "Why not make a singsong out of it?"

"Huh?" Twilight stared at her.

"Yeah!" Pinkie pointed a hoof at the text. "Da-dadada-da da-da-dada-da," she hummed. "Oh, I know! How about: when elephants last in the dooryard bloomed!"

"What? Pinkie, that doesn't make any sense!"

"Not supposed to, silly! That's what makes it easy to remember. You sing the song in your head, then you say the real words to it. Then you just keep repeating it over and over, and the rhythm helps you stay with it. I do it all the time when I'm trying to learn something tricky."

Twilight shrugged. "I'll try anything once." She put the book down, and waited while Spike teed up the mug for her. Then she focused, fired up her horn, and thought hard. When elephants last in the dooryard bloomed. She ran through the spell, following the same rhythm.

There was a flash, and the coffee cup vanished completely.

"That did it!" Twilight shouted. "Pinkie, you're a genius!"

"No, I'm not! I'm a party pony!" She smirked. "It's way more fun!"

"Where the hay did it go?" Rainbow asked. "Anyone see it?"

"Oh, there it is!" Fluttershy said, pointing.

They looked out through the porch doors, at a tower fifty yards away. Perched on its balcony railing, they could just make out the coffee cup... standing upright, neat as you please.

"Yee haw!" Applejack said, admiringly. "That's how we get 'er done, Twi!"

Twilight nodded absently, while flipping through a few more pages of the book, looking for other spells she needed to work on.

Then she suddenly realized the other ponies were all staring at her, as if waiting for the next move... from her.

Why me? she wondered, annoyed. I'm a near-dropout, stuck with way more magic than I know what to do with. Why do I have to come up with the plan?

Then she sighed to herself.

Because you're the Princess's student. And they're all counting on you.

"Okay," she said. "We've searched everywhere that we can get to easily. So it's probably time to try places in the palace that are harder to get at, places normally off-limits to even the service staff: storage vaults, private quarters, administrative areas. Now, as members of the inner circle of the Acolyte, you should be able to get around the usual restrictions. Just say you're on business for me. But don't push it... if there's something that looks promising but it's too hard to talk your way into, just come back and let the rest of us know. Maybe we can figure out the right way to get in."

"Gotcha, Twi," Applejack said. "But... this is a big place, and talkin' our way around the guards and all is gonna make it take even longer. We'll need some time to cover it all."

"I know," Twilight said sadly. "Which means I'm going to have to do something I really don't want to do...

"... I'm going to have to make friends with Nightmare Moon."

Later that evening, shortly before full Night, Acolyte Twilight Sparkle stalked through the halls of the palace, looking the picture of cold, heartless vengeance in her Court robe. Spike trotted stiffly at her heels and Nacht loomed right behind her. Wherever she went, ponies hurried to get out of her way, averting their gaze to avoid meeting her steel-eyed glare.

Twilight wasn't sure how long she could keep up the act. She hated being treated like this. She hated having to act like this. But there were still no results from their search. The others had been gradually quartering the palace all day, as quickly as they dared, with not even a hint of a lead.

She didn't even slow down as she approached the doors to the Audience Chamber. The doors simply got out of her way. Silence fell in the chamber itself as she trotted calmly along the carpet, around the bonfire, and then up onto the dais. Coming to a halt, she dropped a short bow to the Queen of the Night, who nodded indulgently in return.

And then Twilight settled down on her cushion, with Spike at her side, and used her magic to pull a heavy volume from the stack beside her, flipping it open to one of the bookmarks she had left in it. She resumed reading as Nightmare Moon nodded to the Chief Steward for the Court's business to commence.

Despite appearances, Twilight was keeping an ear open to the business being transacted around her... and found it disquieting, to say the least.

The nobles and officials had quickly learned three simple rules for dealing with their new sovereign: keep to the point, quickly present the bottom line, and never ever waste her time. It had been several hours since anyone had been slung out through a window or mummy-wrapped in their own legal paperwork, but no one felt like taking the chance.

And equally, none of the nobles showed even a hint of concern about the change in power... they were all too busy vying with each other to win Nightmare Moon's favor. When Nightmare Moon commanded the commissioning of a Royal Bard, say, to compose poetry about the Eternal Night, or when she commanded the planning of a parade to celebrate her accession to the throne, they practically fell over themselves to comment on the appropriateness of her demands.

Don't any of them remember that she kidnapped Celestia and usurped her throne? And then she made even the throne itself disappear?

Still, as much as it troubled her to think it, Twilight had to admit that Nightmare Moon made a capable sovereign. Her stern, lightning-fast, no-prisoners decision-making was more than capable of handling the day-to-day of the Court. And the times when she needed to pause to have her Acolyte explain some puzzling modern concept, like "fast food franchise" or "juice cleansing", were steadily becoming fewer and far between.

In a way, it reminded Twilight of Celestia, eternally calm and in charge, dealing smoothly with a non-stop flood of decisions on seemingly petty issues.

And just as with Celestia, something was troubling the dark mare.

Nightmare Moon suddenly arose, stamped her hoof fiercely on the metal disk, and announced the end of the Lunar day session. As the petitioners filed out, and the clerks began sorting through the collected documents and proclamations from the session, she glanced down at Twilight.

"If we can tear thee away, Acolyte?"

Surprised, Twilight closed and re-stacked her book, and then followed alongside Nightmare Moon as she stalked down the ramp and across to the exit leading onto the balcony.

The mare stood by the balcony railing for a long moment, head lowered, eyes shut, sighing wearily.

"We had forgotten how exhausting Court can be, even at the best of times," she muttered. She glowered down at Twilight. "Acolyte, we envy thee the distraction of thy studies. Being patient and merciful with these useless, whining, craven, pompadoured mice... it is taxing in the extreme!" Her fangs bared viciously. "We wish that one of them would step out of line -- just once -- and relieve the monotony!"

"You have what you wanted," Twilight cautiously pointed out. "They respect your authority, and your Night."

"They do nothing of the sort!" Nightmare Moon snarled. "They plot, and scheme, and seek advantage!" She tilted her head sardonically. "Of course, we have no quarrel with that... strength of position and canniness of strategy are respectable to us." Her expression turned sour. "Yet we have not their respect! They think only of how to play us to their advantage."

She gave Twilight a glare that made her feel uncomfortable. "Even thou, mayhaps," she snarled. "Plotting and scheming against us!"

Shocked, Twilight wanted to gasp, and restrained herself with difficulty. Then she looked Nightmare Moon in the eye.

"What good would it do? You've won. I can't defeat you. I can only try to be of help, if I can."

Nightmare Moon stared back coldly. Then she nodded, almost gratefully. Looking up, she lifted her hoof and swiftly banished the cold blue sky of the Lunar day, returning the Night to its full, depthless glory.

"And as for our Night," she went on. "They have no praise for it. We wanted only for ponies to acknowledge our Night for what it is: terrifying, yet not terrible; awesome but not awful; inspiring wonderment, not dread. A thing to be awake for, and a thing of which to dream. Yet they find no joy in it. They sing its praises when we command, but... out of key, lacking conviction."

Twilight gazed up at the endless infinity of Night herself. Even now, having become accustomed to it, it was still breathtaking... and intimidating.

"What dost thou think of it, Twilight?"

The question was asked so casually, so hesitantly, that Twilight almost spoke without thinking. She took a moment to choose her words carefully.

"It's beautiful," she said at last. "But a little frightening."

"In what way?" Nightmare Moon's eyes flashed in anger. Then she appeared to reconsider, and deliberately spoke calmly. "Let us have thy frank appraisal. And fear not -- speak thy mind!"

"Well... the sky's a little too crowded. I've memorized all the known constellations, and I can't even find them up there. And the sky is so black, like a bottomless well. If it was just a shade lighter, so it didn't seem so empty and distant... and the stars... if they could twinkle just a little..."

She bit her lip, staring up at Nightmare Moon's glowing dragon eyes. And Nightmare Moon looked down at her wordlessly for a time.

Then her gaze swept up to the heavens. And the heavens were suddenly as Twilight had described... even more so, with an artistry she could not have hoped to put into words.

Twilight gasped, astonished.

Nightmare Moon nodded at the result herself. "Thank you, Acolyte. We have not had an honest critique of our work in a millennium. And strangely enough, we find it most agreeable!"

Her gaze swung back down again, sternly confident once more. "Now, let us see how thy magic has improved. Demonstrate it for us!"

Nodding, Twilight quickly ran through the gamut of spells she'd learned to properly control so far, including luminance, levitation, and low-grade transfiguration -- being careful all the while to keep her use of power to a minimum, hiding the true extent of her capacities.

But she needn't have bothered. Nightmare Moon was inattentive. She merely nodded when Twilight had concluded, offering a few bland suggestions for further study. Then she stared up at the depths of the heavens again, for a long time.

"We should not have given our word," she snarled at last. "Mercy... and for whom? For the common folk in that town below, who gave up their allegiance without even a hint of protest? For that lot back there in our throne room, who creep and crawl at our heels, begging crumbs?"

She stamped her hoof, hard, nearly fracturing the tiles. "Nay! They are unworthy of us! So, perhaps we need to set ourselves a new goal. And we have one... truth! We shall eliminate wooly-headed thinking, establish that selfsame pristine exactitude in our dominion as exists in the starry vastness of our Night."

She lowered her head and glared at Twilight.

"We demand truth, Acolyte!" she snarled. "And we shall have it! We are long past any shred of tolerance for safe, comfortable, self-serving lies. And we have had just about enough of being patient and merciful, if these do not bring the results we seek!"

Twilight shivered, fearing they were running short of time. If Nightmare Moon ever gave up on her self-imposed promise, there wasn't anything any pony could do to stop her. She forced herself to remain calm, gritted her teeth, and bowed.

"I understand," she said. "How can I be of help?"

The dark mare stared down at her for a long, silent moment.

"Serve us truly, Acolyte," she said finally. "Thee, and thy inner circle with thee... let there be one pony amongst all our subjects on whom we can rely completely!"

Twilight simply bowed her head subserviently, afraid to look Nightmare Moon in the eye.

Despite everything that had happened, despite everything Nightmare Moon had done, and might yet do... Twilight felt uncomfortable lying to her.

It felt like she was simply proving that Nightmare Moon was right.

Even with the best will in the world, they couldn't keep up the search all night. Late in the evening they grudgingly agreed they would resume the search first thing in the morning, and then turned in. After checking that her friends were comfortably settled in their room, with the exception of Fluttershy who for some reason hadn't returned yet, Twilight returned to her own room and tucked herself in.

And lay there in the dark, with the lights off, for some time.

She was afraid to sleep, worried Nightmare Moon might visit her dreams and catch wind of what they were doing. Although, so far it had been as Nightmare Moon had said: her sleep had been sound and undisturbed by dreams of any sort. But she found it hard to get to sleep, her mind whirling with ideas and potential plans for the following day.

And she found it hard to rest easily at all, knowing that Shiny was languishing in a cell somewhere.

Well, there was something she could do about that. While it might not be the wisest move, she felt it was worth the risk. She got up quietly, so as not to awaken Spike, put on her cloak, and crossed to the door.

When she stepped out into the corridor, Nacht glanced at her, then smoothly came about to face her. His glowing eyes stared at her intently. Not curiously, not crossly... just stolidly, placidly attentive, as if waiting for an order, any order, to give him purpose.

Twilight considered for a moment, then realized she might as well make the most of having him tailing her.

"Nacht," she said, trying to sound more confident than she felt, "I wish to inspect the guards who were imprisoned, to be sure my orders have been carried out properly. Can you take me to them?"

The nightmare thought briefly, then bowed his head. With a gesture of a forehoof, he immediately led the way along the corridor, and then down a long staircase into one of the sub-basements of the building.

After a lengthy journey through abandoned storerooms and dusty, cobwebbed stone corridors, they came to what looked like the farthest set of rooms it was possible to get to.

The rooms were torch-lit, and had been hastily reworked as holding cells, with bars and bunks. And within the cells were the imprisoned guards, Shining Armor among them.

And Fluttershy was there too, Twilight saw, together with some of her animal friends. She was engaged in animated conversation with Shining Armor, while the animals scampered from cell to cell, making themselves available to be patted and played with by the imprisoned ponies.

Though it tore her heart out, Twilight knew she had to make this look good. "What is the meaning of this?" she snapped, as she and Nacht marched into the room. She pointed a hoof at Fluttershy. "We should have thee arrested for giving aid and comfort to enemies of the state!" Fluttershy's eyes went wide, and she cowered behind her mane, looking ready to bolt from the room. Before she could, Twilight quickly continued. "But we are feeling generous. We shall overlook it -- this one time!"

Fluttershy calmed down a little, still looking nervous.

Twilight turned her attention to the guards keeping watch in the room, who had crashed to attention. The Captain of the guard stepped forward to essay a quick bow to Twilight. "Acolyte," she said, stiffly. "How may we help you?"

"It is our wish to interrogate the prisoners!" she snapped briskly. "Can thou and thy soldiers, ah... take a walk around the cell block or something?"

The Captain looked briefly offended. But then she nodded understandingly, and motioned with a forehoof. The guards formed up and marched out.

Twilight looked at Nacht. "Wait for me outside. I will summon you if I need you."

She didn't expect the nightmare to pay any attention to her. But to her surprise, he nodded subserviently, swung round, and trotted out of the room.

And Shining Armor nearly burst out laughing. "You ought to go into the theater, Twily! You've got that Captain Neigh act nailed!"

She smiled uneasily. "I'm just lucky I've read that book so many times! It makes it easier to stay in character -- almost too easy. And I'm sorry, Fluttershy," she added quickly. "I really appreciate what you're doing. I just couldn't say it before!"

"Oh... I see! It's okay. I understand. I just thought that these nice guards could use a little kindness, and the animals were happy to help!"

"How are you doing, Shiny?" Twilight asked.

"Fine, actually!" Shining Armor replied. "You said we were to be well treated -- thanks, by the way -- and the guards watching us are taking that literally. It might not look like much, but it's more comfortable than the barracks upstairs. But more important than that, how are you doing?"

"Not great. We're still searching for the Elements. Nightmare Moon must have them hidden somewhere, but we can't figure out where."

"She doesn't have them." It was the guard Captain, who had re-entered as they spoke.

Twilight stared at her, frightened, but felt Shiny put a comforting hoof on her shoulder. "It's all right," he said. "She's on our side. She is my boss, after all!"

"With all the side-tasks the Princess has been giving you, Shining, I'm starting to wonder if you're angling for my job when I retire," the Captain replied with a smirk. Then she turned back to Twilight. "But to the point, ma'am: Nightmare Moon sent her nightmares and some of our guards to the castle in the forest. But they returned empty hoofed, and she was really angry about that."

"Are you sure?"

"Ask the guard who wound up as a wall ornament. Or the one that was set on fire."

Twilight goggled. "She set someone on fire?"

"Worse... she made him think she had."

Twilight cringed at the thought. There was a side to Nightmare Moon that the mare was deliberately not letting her see. "But if she doesn't have the Elements," she said, frustrated, "then where the hay are they?"

And then she looked at the guard Captain, an idea dawning. "Is there anywhere in the palace that even Nightmare Moon herself wouldn't have access to?"

The Captain thought briefly, then nodded. "There's the private vault, in the Princess's quarters. Thank the fates that Queen Nightmare hasn't yet demanded it be opened. It was keyed to Celestia's horn alone, and from what I understand, it's pretty near indestructible, even for an alicorn as powerful as Celestia!"

"I see." Twilight took a steadying breath. "Well... maybe just for once I can use this ridiculous level of magic I'm stuck with! And we're running short on time, so we may need to go for broke. Okay, new plan. Tomorrow, when Nightmare Moon turns in for the day, we're going after that vault!"

Shortly after the rise of light of Lunar day, Twilight and her friends gathered on the balcony outside Twilight's room.

"You sure about this, Twi?" Applejack whispered. "We haven't nearly covered the rest of the palace yet!"

"We're running out of time," Twilight whispered back. "And this is the only clear lead that we've had so far. We just have to hope it's right!"

"And that we don't get caught if it's wrong!" Rainbow grumbled.

"C'mon! Think positive, Rainbow!" Pinkie chided her.

As they'd planned, Rainbow and Fluttershy ferried Rarity over to a nearby balcony. It was slow going, since Fluttershy was just barely strong enough to help carry a unicorn, but they made it. Once there, Rarity set to work on trying to work the latch on the door.

Applejack grimly put a hoof to her hat to steady it. "All right, Twi! Ready when you are!" She shut her eyes tensely.

Twilight carefully focused on Applejack, double-checking every step. She fired up her horn, and ran through the spell. And Applejack gently lifted into the air, hovered for a moment, then drifted across to the other balcony and was gently set down.

Twilight let out the breath she'd been holding. Looking across from the other balcony, A.J. silently waved her hat in proud congratulations.

Then Twilight repeated the levitation spell with Pinkie Pie, who stared down wide-eyed at the yawning drop below her as she drifted across, and kept a hoof pressed to her mouth to stifle giggles.

Then Rainbow and Fluttershy came back over to collect Twilight and Spike, and brought them across. As they did so, Pinkie finally managed to shove her comb under the door, and Rarity's magic lifted it and used it to trip the lock.

Then they made their way quietly along the corridors. The Captain had promised to adjust the patrols so they wouldn't encounter any of the Royal Guard, but that still left Nightmare Moon's own guards. Not to mention any of the palace staff who might be up this early. But they encountered no one along the way, and finally stood just around the corner from the tall, ornately carved doors of the royal bedchamber.

And saw two nightmare guards standing at attention, eyes wide and alert.

"We're not sneaking past them!" Rainbow grumbled.

"We won't have to," Twilight said. "But we'll have to stay quiet once we're inside, so they don't come crashing in on us."

"Or... one of us could keep them distracted?" Pinkie beamed, and then waved a hoof. "Oooh, me, me! Pick me! I'll have those guys in stitches!"

"They don't look like the laughing sort, Pinkster!" Applejack warned.

"Hey, my family lives on a rock farm... if I can make them laugh, I can make anypony laugh!"

Twilight stared. "Are you sure, Pinkie?"

"Relax, Twi! I've totally got this." Pinkie said proudly. "They'll never know you're here."

Then she sauntered right around the corner, and trotted straight up to the two guards. And beamed.

"Hi there! How ya doing? I'm your official candy-striper for the day! Who's got a smile for me, huh?"

The nightmares stared at her, completely deadpan.

"Oooh! A challenge!" Pinkie pressed her forehooves together, cracking her joints loudly. "You know, you guys remind me of my sister Maud? She likes rock jokes. Do you like rock jokes? Okay, a pebble, a rock, and a boulder walk into a bar..."

Rainbow cautiously peered around the corner at her. "We better make this quick," she whispered. "Before Pinkie forgets herself and hauls out the accordion!"

"Okay, here goes..." Twilight was feeling confident enough of her magic now to try something more advanced to save time. She focused on the section of wall ahead of her, and concentrated. Her horn flared, and sang with power. But nothing happened.

"I don't get it," she said. "The portal spell should be working!"

"Uh, Twi?" Applejack said, pointing wordlessly.

Twilight looked behind her. There was a golden-rimmed gap in the opposite wall, large enough to drive a cart through.

Rainbow doubled over in midair, stifling a laugh. "Nice work, Star Swirl!"

"Shut it, Rainbow!" Applejack snapped. "She'd doin' her best!"

"Why don't you make me?"

"You c'mon down here and say that!" Applejack nudged her hat forward. "And don't think 'cause you're a bird-boned pegasus I'm gonna go easy on ya!"

"Shhh! Not helping, girls!"

"Oops! Sorry, Twi."

Twilight cancelled the portal spell. Then she faced forward again, figured out where she'd flipped a sign, and recast it. This time the portal opened where she wanted it. The others piled through quickly, and Twilight followed, then cancelled it behind them.

They found themselves in a large closet, with shelves stacked with blankets and spare pillows. And there was also a shelf loaded with old toys: wooden animals and tin figurines and carven pony dolls. Pride of place in the center was given to two large carven figures, aged and chipped yet still beautiful. One depicted a tall, proud white alicorn with a sunburst cutie-mark. The other was a smaller, night-blue alicorn with a moon-and-cloud mark.

Twilight stared at them, puzzled. The one was obviously Celestia, so who was...

"Uh, Equestria to Twilight?" Applejack whispered. "Which way do we go now?"

"Right, sorry." Twilight moved to the door, and gently eased it open. Beyond, they saw the royal bedchamber, which Nightmare Moon had apparently also redecorated to suit herself. The carpeting and walls were decorated in a moon-and-stars pattern, the windows were covered with heavy drapes that blocked out most of the light from the Lunar day, and the bed itself had an over-arching canopy with crescent moon sideboards.

And on the bed, the Queen of the Night lay sleeping, divested of her armor and huddled beneath the covers. Her snores were surprisingly soft and gentle.

"Okay," Twilight whispered. "The vault's in a room on the other side, through a door to the right of the bed. Let's head over there. And keep it quiet!"

They cautiously trotted out across the carpet, peering ahead through the darkness. And they could see the door ahead of them, to the right of the bed, standing slightly ajar.

As they crossed toward it, Twilight occasionally glanced at the bed and its sleeping occupant. There would never be a better time, she thought. One good blast of my magic...

She shook her head. That wasn't the way. She had no idea whether it would even work, whether Nightmare Moon might not simply shrug it off, even without her armor.

Just stick to the plan, she told herself. And don't wake her up!

Then she heard Nightmare Moon whimpering in her sleep.

Surprised, Twilight paused, and then trotted closer to the bed. It was difficult to see in the dim light, but the dark mare appeared to be struggling in her sleep, flinching and grimacing. Her face was wet with tears, her mouth open in a silent scream.

Twilight grimaced. She didn't like seeing any pony suffering like that. Not even Nightmare Moon. For a few moments she stood by the side of the bed, forehooves on the sideboard, while she wrestled with herself.

Then she cautiously reached out a hoof, to comfort the sleeping alicorn.

Silently, another hoof descended on her own, stopping her. She looked round, surprised... and froze.

It was Nacht. There was a long, chilly moment, while she and the nightmare eyed each other, his glowing eyes seeming to stare straight into her soul.

And then the nightmare nodded his head silently. Towards the door leading to the vault.

Dazed, she followed along after as he led the way. The door was open, and her friends were all waiting just inside... including a wide-eyed Pinkie Pie.

Nacht ushered Twilight through, then took up station outside, shutting the door behind them. Rarity quickly lit up her horn to give them light to see by.

"Uh... what just happened?" Rainbow whispered. "Why are they helping us?"

"And what were you thinkin', Twi?" Applejack hissed. "First you tell us to be quiet, so's not to wake Nightmare Moon up, then you practically go and do it yourself?"

Twilight shook her head. "I'm sorry... it's just that... she's suffering. She's having some kind of nightmare. And there's no one here to help her."

"Well, we have a nightmare of our own to deal with," Rarity sniffed. "And I rather think it's more important!"

"Yeah, first things first," Rainbow agreed.

Then Twilight felt Fluttershy's hoof on her shoulder. The pegasus didn't say a word, she just smiled understandingly.

"Okay, I'm sorry," Twilight said. "You're right. We need to stay focused. Now let's find out if this was all worth the trip."

They crossed to the far wall of the room, in which were set tall, solid-looking metal doors. In the center of them was a large golden star, with a round slot in its center.

"The Captain said it was keyed to the magic signature of Celestia's horn," Twilight said. "But there's a couple unbarring spells I can try. And if that fails, I figure a good solid blast of my magic in the lock might force it open."

"And bring all the guards in the world down on us," Rainbow said. "But hey, subtlety's an overrated concept anyway!"

"Here, give me a boost," Twilight said. With Applejack and Pinkie standing beneath her, she was able to line up her horn with the slot. Steeling herself, she charged up her horn and gently inserted it...

There was a soft clicking of tumblers, and the doors unlocked.

"Woah, nice!" Rainbow said, fluttering in the air beside her.

"Yeah, how'd you manage that so fast, Twi?" Applejack called up.

"I didn't," Twilight said. "It must be keyed for my magic signature, too!"

She jumped down, and the two earth ponies hauled open the doors. Within was a small, steel-walled closet. And inside it, resting on shelves, were ancient stone orbs, each with an embossed symbol on it.

"Paydirt!" Rainbow breathed.

"Is this it? Is this what we're lookin' for, Twi?" Applejack asked.

"The Elements of Harmony!" Twilight agreed, astonished. "We found them!"

Pinkie stared at them, puzzled. "One, two, three, four, five..." she counted. "Where's the sixth?"

"The book said the sixth element is Magic. It also said that when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth to be revealed."

"What th' hay is that s'posed to mean?" Applejack asked.

"I have an idea, but this isn't the place to try it. Let's move these someplace safe."

Locating a couple of carryalls, they hung them on Applejack and Pinkie, and loaded them with two orbs apiece. Rainbow swooped down and grabbed up the last one. Then they faced the door.

"What about the guards?" Fluttershy quavered. "Won't they stop us?"

"Let's find out." Twilight crossed back to the door and pushed it open.

Nacht glanced at her. And then he motioned a forehoof to the other nightmare, Skaad, who was standing by the open entry door. Together, the two nightmares stood watch as the six ponies and Spike toted the five orbs out into the empty corridor beyond.

"Okay, I'm gonna ask it again," Rainbow said. "Why are the guards helping us? Doesn't anypony else find that suspicious?"

"Don't look a gift pig in the teeth, Rainbow!" Applejack grumbled. "Okay, where to now, Twi?"

"We need someplace with some space to work." Twilight thought for a moment. "And I think I know just the place... come on!"

The Audience Hall was quiet at the moment, while her Majesty slept through the daylight hours, with only a few clerks and orderlies in attendance.

The main doors suddenly shone with violet energy, and then slammed open. The Acolyte of the Lunar Court stormed in, furiously angry, her robes flying about her. "Clear the Audience Hall, at once!" she thundered. "At once!"

"Er... Acolyte," the Chief Steward said worriedly, "is something wrong? Can I be of any assistance?"

"Yes," Twilight snarled, glaring angrily at him, horn blazing. "You can get out of my sight!"

It said something for the efficiency of the Court that the room was cleared in less than a minute.

Glancing around to make sure, Twilight motioned with her hoof. The other ponies and Spike trotted in. Then Twilight used her magic again to shut and bar the doors.

"Hoo wee!" Applejack said. "Remind me never to get in an argument with ya, Twi! Y'all could tell a raging bear where to go!"

"Actually, Harry's quite nice once you get to know him," Fluttershy said.

"All right," Rainbow said. "Let's get this smackdown started!"

The ponies carefully unloaded the Element orbs, and arranged them in a circle on the carpet.

"Okay everypony, stand back," Twilight said, parking herself on the floor in front of the orbs. "I'm not sure what will happen." The others willingly made room.

Twilight shut her eyes. Her horn sang with energy. A violet nimbus appeared around each of the orbs. Yet something was wrong -- she had tons of power to draw on, she was feeding it into the Elements, but nothing was happening. She stared helplessly at the spheres.

"I'm not sure what's wrong. I'll keep trying!"

"You think she can do it, A.J.?" Spike asked.

"I dunno, Spike, but I don't know anypony with a better shot at it!"

Twilight, eyes shut, struggled to stay focused, to keep channeling power into the orbs. She felt frustrated. Why is it so hard? she wondered. You'd think a magical defense artifact would be ready for use the instant it was needed! She began to worry that the Elements themselves simply weren't going to work. Maybe they're too old, too worn out?

All at once, the endlessly crackling bonfire in the middle of the room flared up, releasing a cloud of black smoke. Twilight and the others looked up, startled.

Omigosh! What did I do now? Twilight wondered.

Then the smoke swirled out into familiar long streams, writhing in the air. And from the cloud at the center, large dragon-like eyes shone. "Excellent work, Acolyte!" Nightmare Moon's voice boomed, filling the chamber. "Thou has finally located the Elements!"

The smoke spilled down toward the floor in front of them, and coalesced, revealing Nightmare Moon's armored alicorn shape. "While we suspected they might be in Celestia's vault, there was no way into it... until thou somehow discovered one." She rolled her eyes. "It certainly took long enough... we had almost run out of patience, waiting for thou and thy friends to be drawn to them..."

"She's been using ya, Twilight!" Applejack snarled. "This whole time!"

Nightmare Moon feigned astonishment. "Oh, please! Did thou think for one moment we would share our dominion with anypony else? All we needed was to locate the Elements -- and dear little, precious little, hopeful little Twilight, thou came through! And now that we have them out in the open, it's time to make certain they are never used again..."

The dark mare's eyes shone, her fangs bared, her horn blazed. A flash of magic enclosed both her and the Elements...

In an instant, they were both gone.

"Where'd she go?" Rainbow shouted.

"Over there!" Rarity pointed across the room to the dais, where Nightmare Moon stood, tall and proud, the two nightmare guards standing to either side of her. Above her in the air, the five fragile Element orbs spun round in a wide circle.

Twilight gasped, desperately frightened. She had to get them back. Just one more try, just one more...

"Stay here, everypony," she said flatly.

"Nothin' doin', Twi! We're with you!"

"Please, A.J. -- trust me on this?"

Applejack stared at her for a moment, then nodded.

Twilight got up, and trotted down the length of the carpet, and around the bonfire. Then she came to a halt facing Nightmare Moon.

"Only one of thee to face me?" Nightmare Moon cackled. "How terrifying."

"I don't know," Twilight said, "whether or not my magic helped you escape the Moon. Maybe it did, and maybe it didn't. But now it's going to put you right back up there!"

"Indeed? Oh, this we simply must see! Go on then... in thy own time, our Acolyte!"

Twilight began to ostentatiously paw the carpet with her hoof, readying herself to charge.

Nightmare Moon looked down at her, momentarily nonplussed. The Element orbs settled onto the dais around her.

"Thou are kidding," she sneered. "Thou are kidding, right?"

Twilight continued to scrape the carpet, her gaze set and determined, her horn beginning to blaze with magic. She still wasn't sure of the spell, but it was her best shot at stopping Nightmare Moon. And if it doesn't work, she thought, nothing else matters.

Her hoof came down one final time. And she charged.

Nightmare Moon shrugged. Lowering her horn, she leapt down from the dais, and charged down the ramp at Twilight.
Their hooves clattered over the floor as they closed the distance between them. Nightmare Moon was faster, and her long strides ate up much more ground.

Twilight lowered her head, preparing to cast.

When elephants last in the dooryard bloomed, she thought.

The two ponies collided --

-- or almost. Nightmare Moon skidded to a halt in astonishment, narrowly avoiding hurling herself into the bonfire. Twilight had disappeared.

Nightmare Moon swung round, and saw the smaller pony land painfully in a heap on the dais, to which she had teleported herself. And Nightmare Moon in her rush had left herself far down the ramp, just as Twilight had hoped.

But Twilight was still reeling from her first successful self-teleportation spell. I should take notes, she thought groggily. There might be a test later. Shaking her head, it took her a moment to focus on the orbs.

To either side of her the two nightmares stared at her, seemingly too astonished by her sudden appearance to do anything for the moment. Which suited her just fine.

Just one spark, she thought desperately. I have to make this work! Her horn flared. The orbs shone -- just a few moments more...

Nightmare Moon was far beyond simple teleportation spells. She simply dissolved into a vortex of spinning energy which snapped in on itself...

... and exploded into place on the dais, flinging Twilight away like a leaf. Twilight landed heavily on the carpet, far down the ramp.

Yet Twilight's final effort had not been without effect: the orbs were sparkling, energy arcing between them. And Nightmare Moon was standing in the middle of them, surrounded.

Twilight smiled proudly. Okay, Nightmare Moon! Get ready for a take-down!

Then the orbs suddenly fizzled out. Their power faded. And Nightmare Moon burst into laughter.

"Little foal!" she cried. "Thinking thou could defeat us? With the Elements of Harmony? Guess again! Thou needs the sixth element, the element of Magic -- and that is buried in the Sun with thy beloved Princess!" She cackled insanely. "Thou hast lost! No, thou hast failed even before thou began! Thou never had a hope of defeating us! No one shall ever use the Elements against us again!"

"No!" Twilight whispered desperately. "You're lying!"

"Would I lie, Twilight? See for thyself!" Nightmare Moon's horn flared. And the Elements leapt up from the dais and arced out through the air, each in a different direction. Twilight stared at them helplessly. One, maybe two, she might have managed with her levitation spell, but not all five. And there wasn't even time to focus it on any of them.

The Elements smashed down onto the floor around her, shattering into shards and dust. And Twilight's hopes shattered with them.

"Now you will never see your Princess," Nightmare Moon crowed triumphantly, "or your Sun!..."

The Night will last Forever!

Twilight's head lowered. She stared around helplessly, completely at a loss.

She heard the hoofsteps of her friends come up softly behind her.

"So that's it?" Rainbow said, shocked. "After all that, we just lose? Well, buck that!" She glared at Nightmare Moon. "Okay, lady, that's it! I'm gonna take you down myself!"

"Have'ta get in line, Rainbow!" Applejack called. "We're all with ya, Twi! Last stand or nothin'!"

"Indeed, dahling!... Yes, Indeedy!... Oh! Um... absolutely!" the others chimed in, as they gathered close, all around her.

Twilight's head came up. She'd just realized what she'd been missing -- completely missing -- in trying to force the orbs to activate.

They're not the true source of power of the Elements of Harmony!

She glared up at Nightmare Moon. "You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony, just like that? Well, you're wrong! Because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony...

... are right here!"

Twilight felt the other five ponies and Spike looking at her, not knowing what was up, but ready to back her play, no matter what. Just like the good friends that they are...

"Applejack, who believed I was telling the truth when no pony else would, represents the spirit of... Honesty!"

"Rainbow Dash, who willingly abandoned her own dreams to help her friends, represents the spirit of... Loyalty!"

"Rarity, who was prepared to sell all that she had to help those in greatest need, represents the spirit of... Generosity!"

"Fluttershy, who risked imprisonment to provide comfort to those wrongfully imprisoned, represents the spirit of... Kindness!"

"And Pinkie Pie, who kept our spirits up with a smile, a song, or a joke in the face of every threat, represents the spirit of... Laughter!"

Around them, the shards of the orbs vibrated, shuddered, and then rose swiftly into the air. They swept towards the ponies as Twilight called their names. The remnants from each orb split off and encircled each pony in a halo of glittering, shining fragments.

"The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge we faced in standing up to you!"

Spike looked up at her, wistfully. "I guess I don't get an element, huh?"

"Are you kidding me?" She smiled at him. "Spike, you're the most important one of all!"

"I am?" he looked startled... and hopeful.

"You gave me the key to all this, right from the very start! I was just too self-centered to recognize it!"

Nightmare Moon looked uneasy. Her eyes narrowed. "Then we had best take that key from thee!" Her shadows swept out, and snatched up Spike, dangling him in the air beside her.

"Help! Twilight!"

Don't worry, Spike! she thought desperately. I've got this -- I hope!

Steeling herself, she faced Nightmare Moon, keeping her voice level.

"That changes nothing. When Spike and I first met, he did something no one had ever done before. He became my friend, willingly and unreservedly. He showed me the true value of friendship. And that set me on the path to discovering the other Elements. And now I have all six!"

"You don't have the sixth element!" Nightmare Moon cried, uncertainly. "You don't have the element of Magic! Only Celestia had that!"

"Oh, but I do! Celestia understood that, I think! She said I possessed a form of magic that could rival even her own... and it's a different form of magic... the gift of Friendship!"

As she spoke, there was a blaze of light from overhead. A sixth orb had materialized, sending beams of light cascading about the room, and making Nightmare Moon flinch away from it.

The orb sank down to hover above Twilight.

"... and Friendship... is... MAGIC!"

The orb above her exploded in a blast of brilliant energy. It infused the remnants of the other orbs, and brought them together, not merely as hunks of stone but as jeweled necklaces, which settled into place around the neck of each pony. Twilight's orb became a jeweled crown with a purple star gemstone, which settled atop her mane. The unleashed power enfolded them all, bringing them together, and rose in a prismatic fountain, its shimmering energy filling the chamber.
It arced down toward the dais and encircled Nightmare Moon, encasing her in unstoppable force. Spike fell to the ground unharmed, and scurried out of the way.

"No!" Nightmare Moon screamed, unable to escape. "Nooooooo!"

Twilight's eyes flashed open... and were pools of violet fire!

And now we finish it, Twilight thought. You're helpless! With the power I command, one thought, one wish from me and you're history, Nightmare Moon! You thought being imprisoned in the Moon was rough? Just wait until I've finished with you! You'll be a footnote in a history book, if you're even remembered at all!

And then, just as she was preparing to strike, she heard it... lost and alone in the darkest of nightmares...

The sound of a Princess, crying in the Night.

Twilight paused, listening. And then, setting aside the anger, the fear, the need for revenge, she followed it...

.....

Darkness. The blackness of Night itself. Of the deepest, darkest cave. Of the Universe itself before light existed.

Twilight nervously looked around, wondering where she was.

There was a noise behind her. It was half cough and half grunt. She turned, and then backed away a step.

It was Nacht. The nightmare's eyes gleamed like lanterns in the darkness. His heavy jaw was half-opened, revealing vicious looking fangs.

And then he nodded to her in a manner that appeared polite, though with a stiffness that suggested he was unused to the gesture. His voice when he spoke was gravelly and brutal... yet at the same time stolidly courteous.

"The Mistress of Nightmares..." he said, "... is... unwell. Can thou render assistance?"

Twilight nodded uncertainly. "If I can help at all, I'll try."

The nightmare turned and led the way. A short distance away through the blackness, they came across the other nightmare, Skaad, standing guard over a huddled shape lying on the ground.

It was an alicorn, like Celestia, but with a night-blue coat and a mane of ethereal stardust. The mark on her flank was a crescent moon half hidden in in a dark cloud. She appeared to be asleep, but struggled fitfully in a terrible nightmare, tears streaming her face, mouth agape in a silent scream.

Twilight stepped closer, glancing up at the two nightmares as she approached. They seemed to be warring within themselves, desperate for her help, yet instinctively wanting to keep her from their mistress.

Gently, Twilight leaned down and nuzzled the sleeping alicorn.

"Wake up," she said. "It's just a dream, whatever it is. You can end it. Just wake up."

The alicorn's eyes snapped open. She gasped, looking up in horror. "It's too late!" she cried. "We can never escape! We can never undo what we have done! We can never go back!" She lowered her head in sorrow. "And we will never see our sister again!"

Sister? Twilight wondered. "You mean Celestia?" Twilight asked, astonished. Her mind whirled, but she forced herself to stay focused on the suffering mare before her. "I'm her student. And I think she'd want me to help you, if I can. I want to see her again as much as you do."

The alicorn stared up at her. "What is thy name?"

"Twilight Sparkle."

"We are Luna!" the alicorn replied, with just a hint of pride. Then she hung her head. "And we are ashamed. We want to go back to who we used to be. We want it back, with all our heart and all our soul!"

"You can do it. It'll be alright," Twilight said gently, holding out a hoof. "I'll help, any way I can."

The alicorn gave her a cautious, evaluating look. "Why wouldst thou help us -- the Mistress of Nightmares?"

Twilight shrugged. "You look like you could use a friend."

Luna looked sad for a long moment. Then she nodded. "We have needed a friend for a thousand years!"

Luna, Princess of the Moon and the Stars, reached out to take hold of Twilight's hoof.

...and got up.

.....

The ponies all found themselves slowly recovering, lying on the floor in the throne room.

"Ow." Rainbow said. "I'm gonna keep saying it until the headache goes away. Ow. Ow. Ow."

"Everypony okay?" Applejack called.

They picked themselves up, and found that they were unharmed. And each of them wore a golden necklace with a gemstone matching her cutie-mark. All except Twilight, whose crown held a gemstone matching the purple star on her flank.

"Gee, Twilight," Applejack said, a little shame-facedly. "I thought you were just spoutin' a lotta hooey! But I reckon... we really do represent the Elements you were talkin' bout... the Elements of Harmony!"

INDEED YOU DO.

A warm, dawning glow began to fill the room, coming from the windows that faced East. And the voice that came with it was just as warm and comforting. It was a voice of great power, unbounded care, and a strength that was not to be trifled with, the voice of the tall white mare who appeared out of the glow and stood facing them, gazing proudly down at them. Her large eyes held a gaze of absolute, penetrating understanding.

It was Princess Celestia, standing before them, restored and regal.

The other ponies immediately dropped respectful curtsies. Twilight, on the other hoof, ran forward to greet her, head held high. "Princess Celestia!"

The Princess welcomingly drew her close in a warm neck-hug. "Twilight Sparkle! My faithful student! I knew you could do it!"

Then Celestia glanced around at the modified Audience Hall. "Twilight," she asked, half-seriously, "why is it that whenever you visit my throne room I wind up having to redecorate?"

Twilight smiled weakly. "Sorry, your Highness!"

"You have nothing to apologize for!" She looked sorrowful. "And I hope you can forgive me for not telling you more beforehand... there simply would never have been enough time. What little time remained you needed to spend with your friends, to build up the trust among you that would sustain you all. And I realized that I needed to stop trying to lead, and instead work to buy you as much time as possible, trusting you to find your own way. As I said, you had it in you to find the answers you really needed!"

"I understand, your Highness," Twilight said, smiling.

Celestia turned to look at the other five ponies, and Spike, standing before her. "I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return," she said, "the five element bearers living in Ponyville, the waning of the power of the Shepherd Stars. And the quite unexpected arrival of a fitting bearer of the sixth Element, possessed of a completely new form of Magic: Friendship Magic."

She turned back to Twilight. "And I could tell that, even inexperienced as you were, you were ready to take on this task. Yet you could not succeed, you could not power and control the Elements fully, until you recognized and held true friendship in your heart."

Her pleased voice took on a note of disquiet, as she turned toward the dais. "Now if only another will too..."

On the dais, in the midst of the shattered remnants of Nightmare Moon's armor, another mare lay sprawled and shivering, eyes tight shut: the night-blue alicorn mare Twilight had befriended, in the darkness of the Night.

"Princess Luna," Celestia called to her, gently, "it has been a thousand years since I have seen you last."

Luna looked up at her and gasped, wide-eyed... and then looked down in uncertainty and shame.

"Look at me, Luna!" Celestia said as she approached her. "I was wrong. I apologize. You have spent a thousand years imprisoned, and I have spent a thousand years regretting the arrogance that made me lock you away, when I should have listened to you. I wish to put that behind us, and start anew. We were always meant to rule together, little sister!"

"Sister?" Twilight's friends whispered, astonished.

Celestia came to a halt and gazed down fondly at Luna. "Will you accept my friendship again?"

Realizing what this meant to their ruler and to all of Equestria, all the ponies leaned closer, hanging tensely on every word...

Leaning a bit too far, Pinkie Pie fell over. "Woaoww!"

But Luna was focused only on Celestia. "Sister," she said at last. "I accept, willingly, without reservation. I have missed you every second of my imprisonment -- and not merely in the Moon... within myself. Can you forgive me for what I have done, for what I became?"

"I already have, Luna!" Celestia reassured her, tears in her eyes. "I have missed you so very much!"

Unsteadily, Luna rose, trying to stand tall and proud. And then she threw herself forward, burying her head in Celestia's mane, sobbing uncontrollably.

There was a loud sound of a nose being blown. Pinkie Pie was crying her eyes out. Then, mercurial as ever, she brightened up like a firework. "Hey! You know what this calls for? A PAR-TYYYYYY!"

Some time later, in Ponyville's main square, ponies were gathering, music was playing, and blizzards of confetti and streamers filled the air.

The Royal Golden Chariot touched down in the open space in the square, carrying both Celestia and Luna. They stepped down from it, to the cheers of their subjects.

Luna looked somber and uncertain as she strode along beside Celestia. She was having a hard time coping with everything that had happened, everything she'd done as Nightmare Moon. Then two small pegasi fillies swept up to her and placed a garland of roses around her neck. Though Luna still seemed uncertain as she gazed up at her sister, she did seem reassured at least.

The six Element bearers, together with Spike, smiled at each other as the crowds swirled around them. After all, the celebration was just as much for them, the saviors of Equestria.

Yet Twilight, pleased as she was at having figured out the riddle of the Elements, and the true purpose of her own powerful and unpredictable Magic, looked just as somber as Princess Luna did.

"Why so glum, my faithful student?" Twilight looked up to find Celestia standing before her, smiling kindly. "Are you not happy that your quest is complete, and you can return to Canterlot to begin your lessons properly?"

"That's just it!" Twilight looked down, sadly. "I've made so many good friends here... and I feel like I've found a home here... a place, something I can contribute to. And now I have to leave it!"

Celestia didn't react. She commanded. "Spike, take a note please!"

Spike whipped out quill and paper and stood ready.

"I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle, shall take on a new mission for Equestria: she must continue to research the Magic of Friendship she has discovered, and she must report to me her findings, from her new home... in Ponyville!"

As her friends gathered around her, Twilight stared up at the Princess in awe and renewed joy. "Thank you, Princess Celestia! I'll study harder than ever before!"

"I'm sure you will. Now if you'll excuse me, I should get Luna back home. We're going to take it slowly at first, until she feels ready to resume her duties as Princess."

"Let us know if we can help, your Majesty," Twilight said.

"Oh, have no worries, Twilight, I will!" Celestia replied.

When the Royal Chariot had departed, heading back to Canterlot, Twilight finally felt she could relax. There was the Library to organize, and she'd have to arrange a visit to Canterlot to celebrate getting her cutie-mark with her parents -- or perhaps she could invite them to Ponyville?

And there were dozens of other things she needed to do to get settled in, and begin researching the boundaries of the brand new field of Friendship Magic she had uncovered.

But for right now, she could relax and spend time with her friends.

And then she jolted, remembering.

Quickly, she rounded up her friends and Spike, and they set off to locate Photo Finish. The camera mare was just about to pack up and go, and could only make time for one shot, but they made it a good one.

Spike admired the photo for a while. Then he rolled it up in a scroll, attached ribbon and seal to it, and with a huff of green flame, sent it on its way.

Princess Celestia had just sat down on the restored Golden Throne in Canterlot, and was facing a busy day ahead, with a thousand and one things to see to in order to get Equestria running normally again. Then she was suddenly, pleasantly surprised by the arrival of a scroll, containing a photograph: The six Element bearers gathered on a hilltop, with Twilight in the middle of them, hugging Spike in her forehooves. And all of them smiling happily, together.

Celestia's face lit up with a smile of her own.

I could never have done this, not without all of you... she thought.

Do you know you're all my very best friends?

The End

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, its characters and indicia are the property of Hasbro.

No infringement is intended. This story is a work of fan fiction, written by fans for fans of the series.

Part I -- True Night Returns

On the longest day, of the thousandth year,
the stars will aid in her escape...
The Legend of the Mare in the Moon

Always remember what happened to the pony who suddenly got everything she always wanted...

She had no clue what would happen next...

It was a quiet evening in the grand Audience Hall of the Royal Palace of Equestria, apart from the trickle of the fountains to either side of the golden Sun Throne, and the respectful murmuring of the clerks and orderlies who came and went long into the night. And outside of the private thoughts of a lavender unicorn, seated on a cushion on a lower guest platform of the throne, fretting desperately to herself.

O-kay... she thought, I'm sitting ten feet away from the ruler of all Equestria, Princess Celestia herself. Oh my gosh! What's the socially proper way to even think in a situation like this?

Twilight Sparkle was wearing the night-blue, star-dusted dress that Rarity had made for her during her visit to Ponyville earlier that day. Thankfully the keepers of the School mews had found the shopping bag with the dress in it when the Balloon had returned itself on auto-pilot.

They'd also found the gem that Rarity had given to Spike. The small purple dragon was seated next to Twilight, turning the blue gemstone over and over in his claws, endlessly fascinated by it.

Then Spike noticed the look on her face.

"Relax, Twi!" he whispered. "Everything's fine. You finally got your magic and your cutie-mark, you're Celestia's personal student... and I'm your assistant! It's the best thing that could have happened to us!"

"I know, Spike!" Twilight whispered back. "I know! I just hope I'm up to all this."

She waited tensely as the Princess dictated a last few letters and orders. The tall, regal white pony sat on the high platform, seemingly at ease and in total command. Yet there was a subtle tension in everything she said and did. Twilight hoped desperately it had nothing to do with her.

"There, finished at last!" Celestia suddenly said, turning her attention to Twilight once again. "Paperwork! I always say it will be the death of me. Unfortunately, I'm immortal."

Seeing Twilight's uneasy look, the Princess smiled. "Twilight, when I make a very weak joke you're permitted to roll your eyes at me, you know."

"Um... yes, your Majesty," Twilight bowed respectfully.

"Twilight!" Celestia said sharply. "Sit up straight, and look at me. From this point on, I am your teacher and you are my student. You will neither kneel nor bow in my presence. No crouching, no crawling, no hesitation. And if you have a question, any question, you will ask it! Am I understood?"

"Yes, your Majesty!" Twilight almost bowed out of habit, and nearly give herself whiplash stopping in time.

Celestia nodded, and smiled reassuringly. "And I want to thank you for allowing me keep you here for a short while. I really wanted to have at least a little time to talk with you, to get to know you better. For instance..."

"Excuse me, your Highness." A gold-armored guard pony was standing before the throne, bowing deeply. "The Royal Chariot has been made ready, as requested."

Celestia glanced ruefully at Twilight. "Never fails." She sighed. "I'll walk you out, at least."

She got up, and Twilight quickly followed her example. She fell in beside the Princess, with Spike trotting along beside her, as Celestia strode down the length of the Audience Hall, through the main doors, and then swung right towards the Palace's upper landing platform.

"Twilight," Celestia said as they walked, "there are so many things I want to tell you, so many things I ought to tell you, right at this moment. But given the lateness of the hour I'll have to content myself with the most important.

"First, I won't tell you not to use your magic. You'll likely find that you need to, sooner or later. But... if you'll take my advice? Take it slowly at first. Remember the first rule of spellcasting..."

"Think before you cast!" Twilight piped up immediately. Then she grimaced. "Sorry, I interrupted."

"Don't apologize! I'm glad you know it so well, and I hope you'll bear it in mind. Twilight, you have unlocked a far greater reserve of magic potential within yourself than you have ever experienced. In fact, it's possibly greater than any pony alive has ever known. Even me... I'm not ashamed to admit that the power you can draw upon easily rivals my own."

Twilight stared up at her. "But, Princess... you can move the Sun, and the Moon, and the Stars!"

Celestia nodded. "Exactly! So... baby steps at first, Twilight. You may find that you need to relearn how to use your magic from the ground up."

"I'll remember!" Twilight said dutifully.

"Next, trust in your friends. They helped you discover your true calling, and they'll be a great source of help to you as you find your way. Trust them, and keep them close."

"I will, your Highness. I promise!"

"And lastly, no matter what happens always remember this, Twilight: you have it within you to find the answers you need. Just remain calm, keep an open mind, and be ready to act when it's necessary."

Twilight nodded. "I'll remember, your Highness. I won't disappoint you!"

Celestia came to a halt and looked down at Twilight. There was a hesitant, saddened look in her eyes.

All at once, Twilight found herself drawn into a warm neck-hug by the Princess. She felt Celestia's wingfeathers draped across her back.

"I'm sure you won't, Twilight," Celestia said softly. "One thing more... and this is really crucial..."

"Yes?" Twilight said, worriedly.

Celestia drew back, and smiled. "Have fun this evening! Spend time with your friends, relax, and just do whatever you feel like doing together. And when you return here, I promise we will have more than enough time together to get you started off properly... the way we should have done in the first place!"

"Okay! And thanks, your Highness!"

"You're most welcome, Twilight. Now, here is your ride," she said, looking towards the landing platform where the Royal Golden Chariot was parked, its team of flyers already hitched up. "And your escort."

"Twily!"

It was Shining Armor. The muscular, blue-maned stallion began trotting towards them. Then he suddenly came to a halt when Twilight collided with him going the other way.

"Hey, B.B.B.F.F.!"

Shining Armor willingly hugged her back and playfully ruffled her hair. Then he cleared his throat nervously and tried to come to attention. "Forgive us, your Highness!"

"It's quite all right, Lieutenant," Celestia said, joining them on the landing platform. "It is why you're here, after all. I am sending you to Ponyville with Twilight, to be there in case Twilight should have need of you. But don't hover, understood? Give your sister some space. Let her enjoy the festivities this evening."

"Understood, your Highness!" Shining Armor swept up a hoof in a smart salute.

"And Spike, you stick close to Twilight. Do as she tells you."

"You can count on me, your Majesty!" Spike replied proudly.

"Then I won't keep you any further. A pleasant evening to you all, and I'll see you later at the Celebration."

"Thanks for everything, your Highness!" Twilight said.

Celestia smiled tightly, and simply nodded her head in dismissal.

With Twilight leading the way, the three of them boarded the platform of the Golden Chariot, with Shining Armor sitting on the right, Twilight in the middle, and Spike on her left. The flyers called out readiness, and snapped out their wings. The Chariot lifted swiftly into the sky, surrounded by a small escort of winged guard ponies.

"Thanks for being here, Shiny!" Twilight said, now that they had a moment to themselves. "Oh, and this is Spike, by the way. He's my assistant."

"Hey, nice to meet ya!" Spike said, putting out a claw for a shake. "Any brother of Twilight's is a brother of mine. Uhhh... that sounded better in my head."

"Don't worry, I get what you mean!" Shining Armor grinned. "And I'm glad to have some help looking after Twilight, she's a hoof-full!" He stared at her, amazed. "Sis, do you know how many storerooms I turned upside down looking for you? And do you have any idea what it's like having the boss of my boss of my boss summon me to the Throne room, and tell me she's sending me off to Ponyville... and only then tell me how proud she is of you, and that it's because I'm escorting you there?" He shook his head. "And you've got your cutie-mark, and everyone saw the roof of the Palace get blasted into the sky. I mean, I can't even! I'm still processing all this."

Twilight grimaced. "I'm sorry, big brother!"

"Hey, it's okay! What matters is, you're safe. Just... don't pull any more stunts this evening, huh?"

"I'll try not to," Twilight said uneasily.

She was thinking about the one attempt she'd made so far to use her radically heightened magic potential. All she'd done was try to levitate the hat that went with Rarity's dress, to put it on her head.

And she could still taste the resulting cloud of shredded fibers.

She trotted to the side railing of the Chariot and leaned on it, looking back at the Royal Palace slipping away into the distance. It was like an island of warm light in the surrounding gloom of the mountain peak and the deep-purple night sky beyond. And on the upper landing platform, she could still see the minute white form of Princess Celestia, standing all alone as she watched them depart.

The Princess was scared.

Twilight found it hard to accept, but it was so. Of what, Twilight couldn't even guess, but she hoped she'd never meet it.

The Golden Chariot swung down into Ponyville, gliding to a stop in an open space in Ponyville Square near the Town Hall. It was quickly surrounded by what looked like the entire population of the town, looking on wide-eyed as Twilight nervously stepped down from the Chariot, her brother and Spike close behind her.

An elderly, tan pony with a scroll cutie mark stepped forward. And bowed to her.

"Miss Sparkle," she said as she came up, "I'm Mayor Mare. On behalf of all of Ponyville, I'd like to welcome you to our Celebration!"

"Um... thanks?" Twilight wasn't sure if she was supposed to bow in return.

"Now, the Princess requested that we make you feel at home here. And she also requested we make the Library available for your use this evening. If you'll step this way, please?"

The Mayor quickly led the way through the crowds, past the Town Hall, and over to the large oak tree with the red door set in its base. The Mayor pushed open the door, then stepped back to usher Twilight inside.

Twilight got halfway through the door. And then stopped so fast that Spike ran into her.

The interior was brightly lit and spotless. The dust and dirt of long neglect was gone. The place looked as if it had been steam-cleaned. The wood of the walls shone as if freshly polished, the wall-hangings and artwork looked brand new. Every book had been dusted thoroughly.

Mayor Mare followed her in as Twilight trotted around the table with the horse-head statue on it, astonished. "We did have to tidy it up a bit," the Mayor acknowledged. "But we here in Ponyville pride ourselves on our loyalty to the Princess. When she asks something of us, we don't stint. And that goes for you too, Miss Sparkle. If there is anything we can do for you, just let us know!"

"Wow... I'm standing in the middle of a library, and I just don't have the words! Thank you, Mayor!"

"Our pleasure! Oh, and by the way, we noticed the excellent job you did helping to organize the collection here. If you're ever looking for something to do, Ponyville could always use a talented librarian. And you clearly know one end of the alphabet from the other, my dear!"

"I would love that!" Twilight said. "But... I'm still not sure what my schedule's going to be like, being the Princess's student."

"Not a problem, my dear! The offer stands if you ever want to take us up on it." Mayor Mare smiled. "Now, if you do have a few moments, there are some town officials who would love to greet you and have a word or two..."

Twilight was about to say yes, out of sheer gratitude. But then Shiny cleared his throat importantly. "Excuse me, Mayor!"

"Eeyes?" she looked at him, startled.

"Princess Celestia's instructions on the subject were pretty clear: she didn't want Twilight to be bothered with a lot of formality. She wanted Twilight to be able to relax and spend time with her friends. Isn't that right, Miss Sparkle?" He trotted over to stand next to her, proud and strong.

"I do appreciate everything you've done, Mayor," Twilight said, uneasily. "But the Princess did seem to think that spending time with my friends was important."

"Then by all means you should, my dear!" Mayor Mare replied, smoothly. "I'll let you get settled in. And do let us know if you need anything." She left with a polite nod.

Twilight looked up at Shiny. "Thanks, big brother!"

"Hey, just because I'm standing at the other end of a corridor doesn't mean I'm not paying attention when I see the Princess herself walking my way!" He ruffled her mane with a hoof. "I'm going to go check in with the local guard outside. Will you be okay here?"

"I'll be fine, Shiny! Go guard something!"

He smiled, and trotted out through the door, shutting it behind him.

Spike stared around the room. "Geez..." he said in a small voice.

"And how, Spike!" Twilight agreed. "This place looks a thousand times better!"

At the rear of the main room there was a staircase leading up, and she cautiously climbed it. At the top she found a small bedroom, with a window loft area for the bed. And even more books, ranged on shelves around the walls.

"Omigosh...!" Twilight breathed. "This is perfect!"

She trotted over to one of the shelves, and then sat down facing it. Gritting her teeth, she gently fired up her horn. Picking a book she hoped wasn't too valuable, she lightly tugged on it.

It hit her in the face, and then fell to the floor. Shaking her head, Twilight focused on it, and even more carefully... lifted.

The book drifted up unsteadily, then hung in the air in front of her as if it was sitting on a table. With light pings of magic, Twilight flipped it open to a random page, and then carefully flicked pages back and forth.

And felt tears welling in her eyes as it all started to sink in.

"Spike," she breathed. "I've never been able to do this before! Just hold a book in front of me, without using my hooves. And now it's so easy I have to think hard not to have anything crazy happen!" She shivered. "It's kinda freaking me out here!"

Spike peered up at her, then put a claw out to touch her shoulder. "It'll be okay, Twi! We'll figure it out. You'll feel better once you've got used to it. And I'll help, anything we need to do!"

"Thanks, Spike! I'm glad you're here. I wouldn't want to be alone, dealing with something like this..."

When she felt ready to face the world again, Twilight opened the front door of the Library and trotted outside, with Spike pattering along beside her.

"Hey, Twi-lighhht!"

"Pinkie Pie?" Twilight smiled. "It's good to see... oomph!" She found herself being hugged tightly, her face smothered in Pinkie's cotton-candy mane, which smelt of peppermint. It was like being mugged by a candy cane.

"You're back! Are you glad to see us? Huh, huh, huh? 'Cause we're glad to see you! I'm really glad to see you! It means I can throw you a Welcome-to-Ponyville party, just like I wanted to when you got here before, but I wasn't able to do it then, and it's still the same day, so it still counts! Hee!"

Applejack was right behind her, as were Rarity and Fluttershy. And Rainbow Dash hovered in the air above them. Rainbow smirked at her. "We all saw you wingin' in on Princess Celestia's chariot. Now that was majorly cool!"

Applejack nodded in agreement. "Ya looked like a million bits, Twi!"

"And why shouldn't she?" Rarity dimpled. "She's wearing a Rarity original!"

Applejack smirked at that. "We woulda said hi to ya right away, Twi, but Mayor said you needed a few minutes first."

"Which we can totally understand, dahling!" Rarity said. "What with your busy schedule and all! I didn't realize you and the Princess were this close! Ooh, this is all so exciting!"

Twilight winced, and looked around at her friends. "Look, I want to level with all of you," she said. "This morning, I was inches away from being kicked out of Celestia's School. I ran away from the School because I couldn't take it anymore. I came here and met all of you... and somehow that unlocked my magic, kicked it into high gear. And now suddenly I'm the Princess's personal student, and everypony is being incredibly nice to me." She smiled sadly. "I'm just not sure I deserve all this!"

"Shoot, Twi!" Applejack smirked. "You make it sound like you done somethin' wrong! Sometimes you got to run away from whatever it is you been doing, in order to find out what you shoulda been doin' in the first place. I mean, take me, for instance: running off to Manehattan when I was younger. Didn't work out for me, but it's clearly worked out for you, so I'm pleased as punch for ya, gal!"

"Indeed, dahling!" Rarity said. "And if the Princess thinks you're suitable material to be her student, that's good enough for the likes of us!"

"Yah, so live it up!" Rainbow smirked. "Enjoy the ride! You think this kinda thing happens every day?"

"Yay!" Fluttershy said softly.

"Well... thanks everypony," Twilight sighed in relief. "And on top of everything else that's happened... I got my cutie-mark as well!" She flipped back the train of her dress to show it.

"Woah! Now that is awesome!" Rainbow said, and the others nodded agreement. "Uh... what does it mean?"

"I'm still working on that. I think it represents my magic, but I'm not sure how."

"Oh!" Pinkie Pie's face lit up. "You know what this means! Cute-ceañera! We get to celebrate you getting your cutie-mark! And I'm gonna throw you the best welcome-party-and-cutie-mark bash EVER! Just tell me where ya want it!"

"Um..." Twilight considered. "I suppose we could use the main room at the Library..."

"Great! Gimme juusssst a few minutes!"

Pinkie Pie vanished through the Library door, slamming it behind her. For a while there were loud crashes and thumps coming from behind the door, followed what sounded like a cannon blast.

"All done!" Pinkie said happily, pushing the still-smoking party cannon ahead of her out through the door. "I'll just go get the refreshments from the store. Back in a hoofsie!"

The rest of them peered through the door. The entire room was decorated in bunting and streamers, with bunches of balloons tied everywhere, and tables with festive tablecloths arranged around the room.

"How did she...?" Twilight began. But Applejack put up a hoof to stop her.

"Word to the wise, Twi, from a local here? Don't ask!" She looked nervous. "Ya might get an answer!"

In no time at all the party was in full swing, and it seemed like the entire population of Ponyville cycled through it at one point or another, because Twilight was constantly being introduced to new ponies.

At one point, Applejack tapped her shoulder, and introduced a gray, blond-haired pegasus with crossed eyes. "And this here's Derpy, our mailmare."

"Uh, Hi, Derpy! Thanks for coming! And this is Spike, my assistant."

Derpy looked at Spike. "Hi, Spike!"

"Hi, Derpy! Hey, I like your eyes!" Spike said, "They're cool!"

He said it so earnestly that Derpy couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Spike! You got nice dragony eyes yourself!"

Spike preened happily at that.

Twilight simply gave up trying to count how many Apple relatives she was being introduced to. There was the red stallion Big Mac, the yellow filly Apple Bloom, bright green Granny Smith, plus an unbelievable number of cousins, half cousins, and ponies who might be cousins, but no one was completely sure.

They did the traditional reveal of her cutie-mark on the stroke of midnight, and everyone complimented her on it, though like Rainbow they were puzzled as to its meaning. Shiny simply ruffled her mane, lost for words. "It suits you, Sis," he finally said. "Beautiful and hard to figure out! When this is all over, we'll have to have another celebration for Mom and Dad back in Canterlot. They're gonna be so proud!"

And Pinkie organized endless games and activities, so it was well into the wee hours when Twilight finally was able to take a break and wander amongst the shelves of the Library, checking out its collection.

Several minutes later she came back into the main room, a book floating unsteadily in her magic as she turned pages in it with abandon.

Applejack smiled at the others. "Find a good read there, Twi?"

Twilight looked up, surprised. And then winced, ashamed. "Oh, I'm sorry, girls! I should be spending time with all of you. But I'm a sucker for a good book, and this is a Library after all. It's hard not to be distracted!"

"Shucks, Twi!" Applejack said. "You're our guest! Plus which, you're practically Princess Celestia's representative here tonight. You've already been so nice about greetin' everypony who came to the party, and joinin' in on things. So if you need to take a break and dive into a book, you go right ahead and do it. We'll all be here for you, when you come up for air!"

The others nodded in agreement. Twilight smiled. "Thanks! And I do appreciate being given the Library for the evening. There are books here I've never seen in the library in Canterlot. This book of old pony legends for example. There's an entire chapter on the legend of the Moon's mare shadow!"

"The Mare in the Moon?" Spike asked. "But that's just an old pony's tale!"

"According to this it's not just a tale, Spike. The legend has been around for centuries, being lost and rediscovered, practically back to the dawn of the millennium. Listen to this:

On the longest day, of the thousandth year,
the stars will aid in her escape,
and she will bring about Eternal Night...

"Ihhh," Rarity shuddered. "Sounds dreadful! I'm glad it's only a legend! It is just a legend, right?"

"Sure it's a legend!" Rainbow scoffed. "Like the one about the Headless Horse! Or the Olden Pony... Who's got my rusty horseshoe? Oooooooo!"

"I'm not so sure," Twilight said. "It's more of a prophecy than a legend, and according to this the specifics of the prophecy have remained constant since its earliest days, which is highly unusual."

"Wayall, as long as we have Princess Celestia around, we don't have to worry none," Applejack nodded proudly. "I mean, she raises and lowers the Moon every night herself! Ain't nothin' she can't deal with. Right, Twi?"

"I suppose," Twilight said, distractedly. Still reading, she wandered away towards the drinks table.

"Who-wantsa-cup-caaake?" Pinkie Pie sang, wandering through the crowd with a tray on one hoof. "Applejack?"

"Nope, I'm good, Pinkster."

Pinkie glanced at Twilight, then leaned closer and whispered. "You think Twi's having a good time? I hope she's having a good time. If she wasn't having a good time she'd tell us, right?"

"She's fine, Pinkie! Don't worry her, now!"

Not even paying attention, Twilight experimented with her magic by picking up a likely-looking bottle from the table and pouring from it into a cup. Then she added a straw, pleased at how she seemed to be getting better at levitation every time she used it. She had much greater power, yes, but the basics were the same. It just took finer control.

"She just seemed so lonely when she came here, I wanted her to know she has lots of friends here, so I threw this party for her, and got all of us together, and invited everyone in town..."

"Uh, yeah, Pinkie. We know?" Rainbow said. "We were there?"

Attention focused on a difficult passage in the book, Twilight took a deep swallow from the straw.

"...and now she has lots and lots of friends! Right, Twilight?"

Twilight's eyes went wide in horror. The book hit the floor. She turned towards the others, her face contorting in surprise, shock, and various degrees of eye-watering pain.

"Are you all right, sugarcube?" Applejack asked, concerned.

"Awwwwww," Pinky said. "She's so happy she's CRY-ING!"

What happened next was astonishing. Twilight leapt into the air, snorting like a train whistle, her mane and tail bursting into flames, her whole body limned in violet energy...

And then, in a blinding concussion of light, she was gone.

"Twilight!" Spike cried.

"Huahhhh!" Pinkie Pie said. "She exploded!"

"Can ponies do that?" Spike asked, terrified. "Just spontaneously explode?"

In the distance, through the open front door, they heard a descending scream followed by a splash.

"That came from the river!" Rarity said.

"Stay here, y'all, and keep an eye on Spike," Applejack said. "Rarity and I'll check it out!"

The two of them hurried out through the doorway.

Spike went over to the table and examined the bottle Twilight had poured from. "Hot sauce!"

Pinkie tipped the bottle in his claw with a hoof, pouring a generous dollop onto one of her cupcakes. Which she then tossed in the air and ate. "What?" she asked indistinctly, looking at the shocked expressions on everyone else's faces. "This stuff is good!"

Galloping through the crowded square, Applejack and Rarity quickly reached the grassy bank leading down to the Argentum river. And found a sopping wet, bedraggled, and mildly singed Twilight just hauling herself out of the water, shivering and draped in duckweed.

Twilight glanced down at herself. Her dress was little more than burnt fragments, her mane and tail a wet mess. But otherwise, she appeared unharmed. Seeing the others, she waved weakly. "Oh, Rarity! I'm so sorry about the dress! You went to so much trouble to make it for me!"

"Oh, my stars! Dahling!" Rarity said, as they hurried over to her. "I'm not worried about that, just as long as you're all right."

Applejack looked at her worriedly. "You are all right, aren't you, Twi?"

"I'm fine," Twilight said sadly, her eyes lowered.

She didn't feel fine. She felt utterly ashamed.

Happily the Library's bedroom included a small bath. After a quick warming shower, Twilight tucked herself in the bed and sat reading from the books of legends Spike had brought her from the Library's collection.

"You... need anything else, Twilight?" Spike asked, looking up at her anxiously.

"Thanks, Spike. I'm good... I guess."

"What's wrong?"

Twilight shut her eyes and sighed. "I'm so embarrassed, Spike! I haven't had a magic runaway since I was a foal. And this makes twice so far. Three times, if you count wrecking the palace!"

"Say what now?"

She looked at him. "Other foals worried about wetting the bed. I worried about waking up with my sheets toasted. I once had to wear an inhibitor ring on my horn for three months straight! I was so relieved when I finally learned how to keep my magic suppressed on my own."

She sighed. "Celestia's right, I'm going to have to learn to control my magic all over again. I can't let a little surprise make me lose it like that, not with this kind of power. I might hurt someone!"

"But Twilight," Spike said reasonably, "how are you gonna learn to use your magic, if you don't use it? You just need practice, that's all. More than that, you need a sparring partner!"

"Huh?"

"Yeah! You can practice spells on me. I'm tough, I can take it!"

"Spike! Don't even joke about that -- I could really hurt you!"

"Hello? Dragon? We take baths in hot lava! Or so Celestia's told me, I've never actually tried it. I can take anything you dish out. But, just to be sure..."

He scurried off to the closet. There were rummaging and clanking sounds, and then he returned. He had two pillows tied around his middle, and a bucket on his head for a helmet.

He took up a gunfighter stance, and glared at her. "Okay, I'm ready! Hit me with your best shot, sister!"

He looked so determined that Twilight couldn't help bursting into laughter. After a moment, Spike joined in as well.

"Sorry, Spike! But you look ridiculous!"

"Yeah I do, don't I?" He trotted back over to the bed. "So, uh... you okay now?"

"Better than I was, thanks! Look, Spike, I'll be all right in a bit. You go back to the party and let everyone know I'm fine, and I'll be along. I just... need a little quiet time right now, that's all."

"Okay, will do! And if there's cake, I'll bring you some. Oh, after I've checked the frosting. With Pinkie Pie, ya never know!" He shook his head and trotted off down the stairs. Twilight watched him go, thankfully.

Then she turned back to the books.

There was the book she'd already found, describing the legend of the Mare in the Moon. But there was another book, which went into more detail on the origins of the Mare herself. It was a little wordy and took time to get through, but it spoke of the Mare having been defeated by something called the Elements of Harmony.

Twilight grabbed up the cross-reference book she'd found, and quickly looked that up.

Elements of Harmony: see Mare in the Moon.

Well, that was a big help. She picked up another book Spike had come across. And found that it described an even older legend, from the very beginning of the millennium: the Legend of the Two Sisters:

Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria there were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land...

Twilight read on, in increasing fascination, of how the younger of the two sisters became supremely resentful and jealous and was thus transformed into the legendary mare of ultimate darkness: Nightmare Moon. Who after a great struggle was finally defeated and imprisoned in the Moon...

... by use of the Elements of Harmony.

Twilight sat bolt upright. "The Elements of Harmony? Then the Mare in the Moon... is Nightmare Moon!"

She stared out through the window, at the Moon with its Mare shadow, looming in the night sky. She felt a sudden chill.

On the longest day, of the thousandth year...

This was the thousandth year of the Summer Sun Celebration, traditionally held at the height of summer... on the longest day...

She stared closely at the moon, and at the four Shepherd Stars which constantly held station at the corners of a tetrahedron around it. Ever since she was a foal, whenever she'd looked at those stars she'd heard a faint, clear note, as if the stars themselves were singing to her. As she'd grown older it had gradually faded away, to the point where it was almost inaudible. And tonight, she couldn't hear it at all.

She leaned forward, peering up at the Stars.

Was it her imagination, or were the Shepherd Stars moving? Slipping closer to the Moon?

The stars will aid in her escape... and she will bring about Eternal Night...

All at once, Twilight flung off the covers, and stared in horror at her flank. At her cutie-mark. Six stars. And Celestia said my power rivals her own. And she can move the Sun, the Moon...

... and the Stars!

No! she thought in mounting terror. No, no, no! Is that what my magic is for? Is that what I am? The means of Nightmare Moon's escape?

She gritted her teeth, terrified beyond words, beyond reason itself.

"Hey, Twilight!"

"Aaaaaaaahhh!"

Spike stared at her, wide eyed.

"I... just wanted to let you know, it's getting close to time to go out and watch the Sun rise. Twilight? What's wrong?"

Twilight tensely kept her fears to herself as she trotted out the main door of the Library and into Ponyville Square, and then through the massive herd of ponies all waiting for the Ceremony to begin.

She had no proof, and even worse no time to do anything about it. She considered asking Spike to send Celestia a message. But what would she say? More importantly, what would the Princess be able to do, that she couldn't do already?

It was still nighttime, and the sky was clear. The familiar warm, deep-purple skyglow was scattered with a few stars here and there, forming the familiar constellations. The Moon rode high in the sky above, with its baleful Mare shadow, the arched head and horn sharp and clear.

It all seemed perfectly normal.

The area of the square between the Town Hall and the river had been roped off, and a platform built for the ceremony itself, together with a red carpet leading to a landing area.

As guest of honor by association, Twilight had a front-row space reserved for her and her friends, next to the open area enclosing the platform. As she took her place in the middle of it, Pinkie Pie nudged her happily.

"Isn't this exciting? Are you excited, 'cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited! Well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went Huaaahhhh! but I mean really, who can top that?"

Mayor Mare stepped up onto the platform, and turned to address the crowds.

"Fillies and gentlecolts! Welcome to the 1,000th anniversary of the Summer Sun Celebration!" Waiting a moment for the cheers to subside, she went on. "And now, it is our pleasure and privilege to welcome the ruler of our land, the pony who gives us the Sun and Moon each day -- the good, the wise, the bringer of Harmony to all of Equestria... Princess Celestia!"

As Mayor Mare climbed down from the platform and stepped to the right of it, Twilight looked up and saw the Golden Chariot, with Princess Celestia aboard, already descending from the sky. The Chariot slid to a stop in the space provided for it. As one, all the ponies of Ponyville knelt in respect as Her Highness stepped down onto the carpet... even Twilight, who reasoned that this was an appropriate exception from the Princess's instructions.

At a signal from Mayor Mare the town band, together with Fluttershy's bird chorus, struck up the bars of Equestria, The Land I Love.

The Princess strode forward unhurriedly to the platform, and mounted it. She stood quietly, head lowered, for a long moment. Then her head rose and her eyes searched the audience. Her gaze finally met Twilight's. For a brief moment, Twilight thought she saw Her Majesty looking regretful, even apologetic. I'm so sorry, her look seemed to say.

Then she lifted her eyes to the sky overhead, to the Moon. Twilight followed her gaze, and gasped. The Shepherd Stars were moving now, drawing closer to the Moon.

Twilight glanced down fearfully at her cutie-mark.

Am I doing this? How do I stop it!

She looked up again, just in time to see the stars vanish behind the Moon. And with a brilliant flash, the Mare shadow simply vanished, leaving the Moon's face as bare as a foal's flank.

A wall of darkness swept across the land. The air grew chill, the wind picked up. And shocked cries went up from the crowd of ponies as one and all they looked up and beheld the night sky...

The true night sky.

It had not been seen in a thousand years.

Twilight gasped. The sky was depthless, infinite blackness, yawning overhead like an immense well. One could fall into it, and go on falling until one expired in its depths like a drifting ember, never hitting bottom.

The stars themselves were coldly glinting sparks of light. And there were so many of them that Twilight couldn't even recognize the constellations she knew so well. There were stars Twilight had never seen before. There were stars between the stars she'd never seen before.

There were wisps of tenuous gas, nebulae, and small spirals which the eye simply could not resolve properly because they were mind-bogglingly distant. And stretching across the entire sky was a vast river of phosphorescent light, a wash of cold glow arching from one horizon to the other.

The crowd, almost as one, looked down to the platform, to their Princess, seeking comfort from the yawning chasm of Night overhead.

And the platform was empty.

.....

Sister?

I am here, Luna.

Ha! At last. Oh, come now, Sister! Thou knew this day would come! That we would be free again!

Yes, Luna. I have spent a millennium in anticipation of this day.

Has it been so quick? We hope thou are prepared to spend an eternity in thy Sun! We will make sure thou are never freed from it. We will bury it below the horizon, so its very memory shall be forgotten. None will ever know of it, and none shall ever come to thy rescue! And the most important Element -- the Element of Magic that thou embodied so well. That too will be buried with thee, forever! None will ever wield the Elements again!

I am prepared, Luna. I ask but one thing: mercy.

WHAT? Thou dare ask US for mercy! Thou were not merciful a thousand years ago, Sister, when thou imprisoned us for contesting thy insufferable arrogance!

I know, Luna. And you were right. The time has come for me to step aside. But I do not ask mercy for myself. Do what you will to me. But show mercy to our subjects. They are yours now, and they are blameless. Show them kindness.

Very well! We can be gracious in victory. We shall show mercy to thy ponies... if they grant us the absolute dominion that is our right!

They will, Luna, I promise. And know that I have always loved you, dearest Sister!

Nothing else? Thou simply yields? Thou are a disappointment!

I shall leave you now, Luna. Goodbye.

Sister? ... Celestia? ...

.....

And the platform was suddenly not empty.

Moon-silver armor, cladding an imperious alicorn as dark as night itself. Luminous, dragon-irised eyes, gleaming a lurid, phosphorescent green. A horn like an avenging sword, wings like storm clouds. An ethereal blue mane, glittering with starlight. And all about her, streams of night-dark smoke swirled, like extensions of her very being.

Standing to either side of her were two black-armored ponies with glowing eyes, fangs, and broad dragon-like wings, like nightmares brought to life. (*)

The Mare in the Moon had returned.

"Our beloved subjects!" Her voice swept across the stunned crowd like a whip-crack. "It's been so long since we have seen your precious little sun-loving faces!" The acid in her tone could have eaten through plate steel.

"What did you do with our Princess!" shouted Rainbow Dash. She leapt into the air, ready to launch herself at the dark alicorn, but then Applejack caught her tail in her teeth and yanked her down again.

"Why? Are we not royal enough for thee?" The Mare smirked. "Dost thou not know who we are?"

Her wings slapped air, and she lifted easily into the sky, hovering overhead. Suddenly she darted to her right, frightening away Fluttershy's birds, and causing the yellow pegasus to cower in terror. "Does our crown no longer count, now that we have been imprisoned for a thousand years?"

She swung forward again, facing the crowd. "Did thou not recall the legend? Did thou not see the signs?"

"I did!" Twilight glared up at her. "And I know who you are! You're the Mare in the Moon -- Nightmare Moon!"

The crowd gasped in horror, recognizing the apparition before them from dozens of Nightmare Night celebrations -- and their own worst nightmares.

The lurid green eyes swept Twilight's way. And Twilight cowered, suddenly not too certain she wanted to draw the dark mare's attention to herself. If even Princess Celestia can't stand against her, there's no way I can, not with my unreliable magic!

"Well, well, well!" Nightmare Moon said. "Somepony who remembers us. Then thou also knows why we are here!"

"You're here to... to..." Twilight's voice gave out in terror.

Nightmare Moon smiled at her fright, seemed to draw strength and confidence from it. Her gaze swept the crowd, her voice rising in triumph.

"Remember this day, little ponies, for it was thy last! From this moment forth...

The Night shall last Forever!

Her bellowing, insane laughter filled the Square, rebounding from its edges and filling the air with mad, terrifying echoes.

Mayor Mare finally got over her shock. "Guards! Seize her! Only she knows where the Princess is!"

The Royal Guard ponies hurriedly launched themselves at the platform. But the Mare merely tossed her head slightly, her eyes gleaming -- and the guards were hurled away like leaves.

Then she swung her head round to look at the nightmares standing stolidly on the platform below her.

"Nacht! Skaad! To us!"

The nightmares looked up at her unhurriedly. And then their wings pounded the air and they swept up to join her, their eyes glaring fiercely at the crowds below.

The swirling tendrils of black smoke swept around all three ponies, writhing and coiling as if preparing to lash out. Nightmare Moon bared dagger-like fangs, her horn a lance of cold, gleaming fire, her wings spread, her eyes flared, ready to fall upon the crowd before her...

"Mayor Mare!" a voice called. It was Shining Armor, making his way with difficulty through the crowd to reach her.

Nightmare Moon paused, eyeing him, her horn still gleaming.

Shining Armor gave the Mayor a scroll. "Here, ma'am! You need to read this... aloud, to everyone here. I was given this by her majesty, Princess Celestia. It's a proclamation she wanted read after the ceremony."

Mayor Mare stared at him, astonished. Then she took the scroll and unrolled it, swiftly examining the signature and seal.

"Oh my word!" she said. Then she raised her voice to the crowd.

"Attention, everypony, to the words of Her Majesty! I, Princess Celestia, hereby proclaim that the alicorn known as Nightmare Moon..."

She swallowed, and went on. "... shall take my place as sole ruler of all Equestria, and be accorded your respect, honor, and allegiance as befits that office. Know that I take this action willingly, out of care for you, my beloved subjects. And I ask you to accede to this decision out of the respect and devotion you have always shown me. My thoughts... go ever with you..."

Her voice trailed off. She looked up at Nightmare Moon.

Who looked astonished. Her horn faded to silence, her wings furled. Accompanied by the nightmares, she descended back to the platform again. Her armored hooves landed on its surface with a heavy, definitive thump.

"Well! Celestia has always been a pony of her word. So we shall keep ours. We have agreed to be merciful... and so merciful we shall be." Her eyes narrowed, sweeping the crowd. "Provided there are no further displays of wanton disobedience!"

Nightmare Moon looked at the gray-maned Captain of the Guard, who had just climbed onto the platform. The two of them eyed each other for a long, tense moment. Then the Captain wordlessly put out a hoof and Mayor Mare passed up the scroll. The Captain examined it carefully, at length.

Then she reluctantly swept off her helmet, and bent knee to the Nightmare. "We are yours to command... Nightmare Moon," she said, through gritted teeth.

The Royal Guard, who were just picking themselves up and reassembling, eyed one another uncomfortably. And then knelt as well. "Long live... Nightmare Moon!" they chorused, flatly and unevenly.

"We accept thy service, Captain!" Nightmare Moon answered. "Assemble thy troops, and prepare for our return to our Court." Then Nightmare Moon swung back to the crowd, smiling confidently.

The citizens of Ponyville glanced at each other nervously for a long, tense moment, fear warring with loyalty. And then, by twos and threes, and finally the entire multitude, they knelt as well.

Nightmare Moon grinned, her fangs gleaming.

Then her gaze fell on the five ponies facing her in the front row. She glanced to her right as well, at Fluttershy. Her grin vanished, replaced by a watchful, uncertain look. She seemed to be examining each of them closely.

Then she turned her attention back to Twilight. A long black forehoof jabbed like a spear, aimed right at her.

"Thou, who knew our name... what is thy name?"

"Twilight Sparkle." Twilight huddled into herself sadly, not liking the intense look she was being subjected to.

"Indeed? And is it just possible... Twilight Sparkle... that we have thee to thank for our deliverance?"

Twilight looked up, eyes wide. "What?"

Nightmare Moon's head tilted, her look guileful.

"The Shepherd Stars that held us in check... weak as they were, they might have held on for a week, a month, even a year. Yet all at once they surrendered to us, almost as if something had given them just that tiny extra push to make them yield."

She eyed Twilight with a sinister smile. "Or perhaps... someone?"

Twilight shook her head. "No! I never... I couldn't have! I mean..."

"Twi?" Applejack said, looking at her.

"You?" Rainbow snarled, glaring angrily.

"I don't know what happened!" Twilight burst out, terrified. "I didn't want to do it! My magic got away from me again, and..."

Nightmare Moon held up a long, black hoof to stop her, and Twilight sank into an ashamed silence.

Then Nightmare Moon glanced at her nightmare guards. "This one shall come with us," she said. "For her own safety." She extended her hoof encouragingly. "Come with us, Twilight! We shall see no harm befalls thee." She pointedly glanced at the crowd, then lowered her voice to a whisper. "We do not fancy thy chances if thou remains here!"

Twilight shut her eyes for a moment in shame and misery. Then she got up and trudged reluctantly to the platform. Taking hold of Nightmare Moon's hoof, she allowed herself to be drawn up onto it, and then placed in the charge of the two nightmares.

Spike glanced around helplessly at the other ponies for a moment, and then scrambled up after Twilight, to stand huddled in fear beside her.

Twilight felt every eye in Ponyville glaring at her, including those of her friends, sitting in the front row of the crowd and staring up at her in a mixture of disbelief, shock, and anger.

Suddenly, Twilight realized Nightmare Moon was speaking to her. "We asked thee a question, child!" she whispered crossly. "What is this place called?"

"Ponyville..." Twilight murmured, surprised.

"Citizens of Ponyville!" Nightmare Moon called out calmly, as if she'd known it all along. "We thank thee for thy accedence to the wishes of thy former sovereign, and for thy acceptance of our rule. We shall return to the palace -- our palace -- to resume our rightful place. And though there shall be no sunrise this morning, thou hast our leave to continue enjoying thy Celebration for the nonce. But be ready! Our orders for thee will be forthcoming..."

She lowered her head, eyes narrowing threateningly, horn flickering.

"... and they will be obeyed."

To Be Continued...

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, its characters and indicia are the property of Hasbro.
No infringement is intended. This story is a work of fan fiction, written by fans for fans of the series.