MLP FIM: The Visionary of Equestria

The Visionary of Equestria: Chapter 3
By: jungleboy69

Chapter 3: The Return of Nightmare Moon!

The party continued until late in the night while Twilight tossed and turned in her bed. She couldn’t sleep with all that racket coming from downstairs. “Hey Twilight!” Spike exclaimed as he and Drew came through the door. “Pinkie Pie's starting "pin the tail on the pony"! Wanna play?”

“No!” Twilight snapped. “Everyone in this town is crazy!! Do you know what time it is?!” “It's the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration.” Drew replied. “Everyone can stay up late so they can see my mom raise the sun.” “You can come join us if you want.” He added.

“Sorry, Drew...” Twilight replied. “I’m not going to waste my time with parties when I can be planning for Nightmare Moon’s return.” Spike sighed. “Come on, Twilight.” He suggested. “You really should lighten up. It's a party!” As he turned to go, Drew noticed Twilight imitating Spike in a mocking way, making him frown slightly while she laid back down on her bed.

“Urgh!!” She groaned. “Drew, I thought I'd have time to learn about the Elements of Harmony, to find a way to stop Nightmare Moon!!” “But, silly me, all this ridiculous friend-making has kept me from it!” She muttered, turning to Drew only to freeze when he saw Drew looking at her right in her eyes.

“Twilight...” Drew spoke up. “Do you remember why my mom chose you as her student?” “She chose you because she wanted you to expand your horizons.” He explained. “She wanted you to step out of your comfort zone, to see the world for your own eyes instead from a book.”

“You are a great student and my closest friend,” He added. “but you know you can’t push people away when there’re reaching out to you.” “Even in Canterlot,” He pointed out. “you pushed our classmates away.” “Even our times spent together was either studying or testing new spells.” Twilight remained silent, but continued to stare at her friend in shock

“I’m sure you can make a lot of friends, Twilight.” He finished. “I know it, Spike knows it, even my mom, Princess Celestia knows it.” “Don’t let your books hold you back.” He advised her. “Learn to accept the people around you.” “You’re missing out on all the fun.” Twilight didn’t say anything, she just laid back on her bed and turned to her side so that her back was facing him.

Drew sighed. “I’ll see you downstairs.” He spoke up. “I’ll save you some cupcakes.” With that, he left the room, closing the door behind him. Twilight looked out at the window at the full moon. Drew’s words continued to echo in her head, but it did little to ease her worries.

“Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night” She remembered the legend. “I want to make friends, Drew.” She said sadly. “I just wish it was easy for me, like it is for you...”

“I hope the Princess was right... I hope it really is just an old pony tale...” She whispered to herself as she continued to stare at the full moon. At that moment, Drew and Spike walked back into the room. “Come on, Twilight!” Spike exclaimed. “It's time to watch the sunrise!”

Twilight sighed, before looking at Drew. He was looking at her, his blue eyes seemed to stare right into her soul. Twilight felt her heart beat a little faster and her cheeks heat up. “Are you ready?” Drew asked and offered her his hand. Twilight looked at him and sighed, before taking his hand and making him smile.

(In Pony-Ville's Town Hall...)

The whole town was assembled at the Town Hall, the banners hung from the ceiling and streamers and ribbons wrapped around the columns. Twilight, Drew and Spike were there as well, along with the 5 other girls.

“Isn't this exciting?” Pinkie squealed. “Are you excited?! 'Cause I'm excited! I've never been so excited!” “Well, except for the time that I saw you guys walking into town and I went gaaaaasp!” Her eyes grew so wide they could have popped out of their sockets. “But I mean, really, who can top that?”

Twilight rolled her eyes while Drew and Spike chuckled. “I always loved it when Mother raised the sun.” Drew spoke up, smiling. “Even as a baby, she would always take me outside so I could watch the sunrise.” “Whenever I feel its rays shining down on me,” he added. “it always feels like her warm arms wrapped around me, like her hugs.” “She gives the best hugs...”

Twilight smiled in agreement. Soon, Shy’s bird fanfare sounded, and Mayor Mare emerged on stage with a spotlight shining down on her. “Ladies and Gentlemen!” She spoke through the microphone. “As mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!”

The crowd cheered as she continued. “In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year!” Everyone cheered again, Drew cheered the loudest. He always looked forward to seeing his mother raise the sun. Twilight giggled when she saw his reaction but grew worried when she noticed the silhouette on the moon was gone.

“And now!” She announced. “It is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day!” She pointed up to the balcony. “The bringer of harmony to all of Equestria... Princess Celestia!!”

Everyone watched in anticipation as Rarity pulled back the curtains. All of them eager to see their beloved princess, eager to watch her raise the sun, eager to find...an empty pedestal. Everyone was surprised and shocked. “M-Mom?” Drew asked, shocked and worried.

“This can’t be good...” Twilight muttered, worried as well. The crowd began murmuring and whispering nervously. “Now, remain calm everyone!” Mayor Mare tried to settle the nervous crowd. “I’m sure there must be a reasonable explanation!”

“Ooh, ooh!” Pinkie raised her hand. “I love guessing games! Is she hiding?” “No!” Rarity cried out in shock. “She’s gone!!” Everyone gasped in horror. For Drew, he felt the color drain from his face. “Gone...!?” He exclaimed. “What do you mean ‘gone’, where’s my mother?!”

“Calm down, Prince Drew...!” Mayor Mare exclaimed. “I’m sure your mother is on her way!” However, it seemed that fate proved her wrong when a dark blue mist appeared on the balcony and swirled around, making everyone gasp. “Oh no...” Twilight muttered, knowing full well who it was.

Soon, the mist split apart to reveal a beautiful woman with long flowing blue hair and wearing dark black armor on her top, arms and hands. She wore a long blue skirt that reached and covered her legs and behind her, were two large, black wings. The most terrifying were her eyes, a malevolent bluish purple, the color of darkness.

Everyone’s eyes widened in horror. Twilight was especially nervous. “No...Nightmare Moon...” She whispered. The wicked sorceress looked down at the frightened crowd with a nasty smirk on her face. “Oh, my beloved subjects” Her voice was cold as ice. “It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces.”

The crowd trembled. “What did you do with our Princess?!” Rainbow yelled defiantly, preparing to fly up and confront her. Only for Applejack to grab her by the tail. “Whoa there, Nelly...” She warned her, knowing that confronting Nightmare Moon head on was suicide.

Nightmare Moon chuckled darkly. “Why, am I not royal enough for you?” She taunted. “Don't you know who I am?” “Ooh...Ooh, more guessing games!!” Pinkie exclaimed again, oblivious to the tense atmosphere. “Um, Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie! No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty—” She was cut off when Applejack stuffed an apple in her mouth.

“Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?” Nightmare Moon asked, making poor Flutter-Shy and Rarity recoil when she glared at her at them. “Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?”

“I did.” Everyone in the hall turned to Twilight Sparkle who glared defiantly at the sorceress. “And I know who you are. You’re the Maiden of the Moon, Nightmare Moon!!” Everyone gasped in horror, they heard stories and legends about the terrible Maiden of the Moon but never believed it. Now, it was a nightmare come to life.

Nightmare Moon chuckled. “Well well well, someone who remembers me.” She stated. “Then you also know why I'm here.” Twilight gulped nervously. “You're here to... to...” She stammered, making the dark sorceress chuckle darkly.

“Remember this day, little fools, for it was your last.” She declared as the mist grew larger around her. “From this moment forth, the night will last forever!” She cackled wildly as thunder boomed in the sky.

Everyone could only watch in horror, Twilight was especially afraid. Her worst fears had come true, Nightmare Moon has returned and planned to plunge all of Equestria in eternal night. She turned to Drew, but grew surprised when she saw his eyes were shadows and his hands balled into fists. “D-Drew...?”