Rise of Ruinous

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: RISE OF RUINOUS

Chapter 12 - Enemies Into Friends

The time: Two months after Discord revealed the threat to Equestria.

Despite the direness of Discord's warning, this is a time for celebration, for this day marks the one-year anniversary of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor and the two chose this day to renew their vows.  Twilight Sparkle murrs as she and the rest of the ponies ride up to the castle on the train.

N.Moon: So, tell me about this Cadence again.

T.Sparkle: Cadence was my favorite sitter while I was growing up in Canterlot.  She and I had fun every day!  She's kind, she's sweet, she's the best friend I ever had growing up!

N.Moon: Sounds like she was a blast a minute.

T.Sparkle: You have no idea, Nightmare Moon.  And Shining Armor, my BBBFF!

Nightmare Moon cocks her head quizzically.

T.Sparkle: Big Brother Best Friend Forever.

N.Moon: *smile* Aw.

T.Sparkle: *nod* He is an amazing pony, and the Captain of the Royal Guard.

N.Moon: Sounds like a real pony power couple.

Both mares laugh as the train crosses into Canterlot.

*INTRO SEQUENCE*

As the train pulls up to Canterlot, Princess Cadence is there to meet it - and is almost tackled to the floor by Twilight Sparkle.

T.Sparkle: Cadence!

P.Cadence: Twilight!

The two mares hug, then.....

P.Cadence and T.Sparkle (while doing their special dance):

Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake,

*Twilight's non-Mane 6 friends minus Nightmare Moon walk off the train single-file*

Clop your hooves and do a little shake!

The two mares laugh as they hug each other, then Princess Cadence spots Virtuna.

P.Cadence: *GASP*  You poor thing!

In Fluttershy-ian style, Princess Cadence scoops up a dumbstruck Virtuna.

P.Cadence: How long have you gone with this?!

Virtuna: *blink* My whole life, miss?

P.Cadence: Is there ANYthing that could be DONE for you?

Virtuna: Not really.  I've gotten used to it, miss.

Corinne: She should get a l-l-load of MY fault.

As soon as Corinne starts stuttering, Princess Cadence locks eyes on the giraffe.

Corinne: Yes?

P.Cadence: You, too?!  *She looks at Twilight Sparkle incredulously*  You have two new friends and they.....

T.Sparkle: *laugh* Cadence, they're fine, they just have..... quirks.  (As each pony is introduced, they wave or bow at Princess Cadence) This is Virtuna, Pitstop, Trixie, Zecora and Corinne.

N.Moon (from inside the train): Corinne, how'd'ya get outta here?

Corinne: I-I-It's the doors near the f-f-front.

N.Moon (from inside the train): OK, I see it, thanks.

As the Mare in the Moon emerges, Princess Cadence shrieks in shock!

P.Cadence: WOW!  I knew you had unique friends since the last time we met, but I had NO idea one of them was the legendary Mare in the Moon!

N.Moon: *blush* *chuckle* Well-hey, I knew ponies thought of me, but I never thought they'd put THAT label on me.

P.Cadence: Really, you're a legend.  I must say, you've done a lot of good lately, though.

N.Moon: *nod* Just trying to help everypony.

P.Cadence: I've heard.

S.Armor: Twiley!

In comes Shining Armor, the unicorn hugging Twilight Sparkle.

S.Armor: SO glad you made it.

T.Sparkle: I wouldn't miss this for the world, big brother.

Shining Armor smiles, then notices Twilight Sparkle's new friends, most notably Nightmare Moon.

S.Armor: WHOA!  You're..... You're.....

N.Moon: *sweeping bow* Nightmare Moon, Version 2 and at your service.

Virtuna laughs her head off, making the black alicorn blush.

S.Armor: *chuckle* Interesting friends you met since our wedding, Twiley.

Trixie: *clears throat* The Great and Powerful Trixie chooses the word "unique".

That got both bride and groom laughing, then the two give the new arrivals a tour of the grounds where the party is to take place.  That night, the ponies go over their steps as Rarity unpacks their Gala dresses with Nightmare Moon playing the part of Princess Cadence and Trixie playing the part of Shining Armor.  The two mares are standing near a makeshift gazebo made of two mattresses and a bed.

N.Moon: OK, once more.

Trixie nods, then.....

N.Moon and Trixie (while doing it): Step, two, three, four, in, stop, *Nightmare Moon moves to the side to her right while Trixie goes to her left* one, two, turn and face.

When Nightmare Moon and Trixie are looking at each other, Fluttershy, then Rainbow Dash, then Rarity line up beside Nightmare Moon and Twilight Sparkle, then Applejack, then Pinkie Pie line up beside Trixie.

N.Moon: Looks like we've got it.

???: I'll say!

Everypony looks and bows.  There standing in the doorway, trying to stifle a laugh, was Princess Celestia.

N.Moon: *blush* Just trying to lend a hoof.  Besides, Luna's out watching for Ruinous and his henchponies.

P.Celestia: I know, we had to beef up security even more than when we got that threat from the Changeling Queen.

Teacher and student nod at each other, remembering that.

N.Moon: Oh?

T.Sparkle: She's referring to when Shining Armor and Princess Cadence got married in the first place.  A changeling armada attacked Equestria, led by their leader, Queen Chrysalis, who was posing as Princess Cadence at the time.  I was the ONLY pony who picked up on it and nopony believed me at first.  It was only when I brought the REAL Cadence back from the Canterlot Caverns that the truth came out.

P.Celestia: I'd've thought I'd've been able to trust her instincts by then, but the Changeling Queen was such a master of deception.....

N.Moon: *hoof up*  Trust me, I know the feeling.  I was once a master of deception myself, remember?

P.Celestia: *nod* Yeah, you probably could've caught her, as well.  I just hope we NEVER have to deal with THAT again.

T.Sparkle: Hear here.  I thought I lost your respect.

P.Celestia: You got it back when you returned Princess Cadence to Shining Armor.

Twilight Sparkle smiles at Princess Celestia.  Then, the sun goddess leaves the room with a yawn.

T.Sparkle: *yawn* I guess we all need to turn in.

N.Moon: *nod* We got a LONG day ahead.

The ponies redo the beds they took apart to make the stand-in gazebo.  That night, Nightmare Moon ended up sleeping alone - until Twilight Sparkle nuzzled up to her.  The Mare in the Moon looked at the lavender mare and smiled.  The next day, the ponies went over their routine for the renewal of vows one more time, this time in their Gala dresses.  They hit it perfectly as Princess Cadence trots up, snickering a bit.

P.Cadence: Way to tutor, Nightmare Moon.  You SURE you don't do this when you're not busy watching over everypony's sleep?

N.Moon: *giggle and blush* Twi needed a stand-in for you so the others could practice their steps for when you and Shining Armor make it official - again.

P.Cadence: *smile* Still VERY nice of you.

N.Moon: *blush* Aw, thanks, Princess.

Princess Cadence walks on and passes by a tray of drinks.  One of the guards walks by the tray, it's horn glowing green for a second as one of the drinks also glows green.  Both glows last for a second, then die down slowly.  Princess Celestia walks by, picking up the glass that previously glowed and taking a swig.

P.Celestia: Everything all set?

Everypony nods and smiles at the ruler of Equestria.  Wedding music starts up as Shining Armor and Princess Cadence walk up, the bride on the left side and the groom on the right.  Just as Nightmare Moon and Trixie played out, they stepped into the gazebo, took one stride apart from each other, then turned to face each other as Princess Celestia stepped up to act as the priest.  Just as they rehearsed, Fluttershy, then Rainbow Dash, then Rarity line up in profile by Princess Cadence as Twilight Sparkle, then Applejack, then Pinkie Pie line up in profile by Shining Armor.  Nightmare Moon smiled proudly.

P.Celestia: VERY well done, Moon.

N.Moon: Thanks, Princess.

P.Celestia: Fillies and gentlecolts, we are gathered here to witness the renewal of the bond of love between Princess Cadence and Shining Armor.  Their love is unbreakable, their bond is undeniable and their devotion is unmistakable.  On this day, all will bear witness as these two renew their lifelong vow of commitment to each other.  *She turns to look at Princess Cadence*  Do you, Princess Cadence, take Shining Armor as your lawfully-married husband, to have and to hold, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, forever and ever, as long as you both shall live?

P.Cadence: I do.

P.Celestia: *looks at Shining Armor* Do you, Shining Armor, take Princess Cadence as your lawfully-married wife, to have and to hold, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, forever and ever, as long as you both shall live?

S.Armor: I do.

P.Celestia: Then with the power vested in me as the ruler of Equestria, I hereby re-pronounce you stallion and wife.  You may now kiss the bride.

Once again, the two kiss, Nightmare Moon touched to tears at the moment.  Princess Celestia chuckles as she catches her.

P.Celestia: No shame.

That got everypony laughing, bride and groom nuzzling Nightmare Moon.  Soon after, the reception is in full swing, the Mane 6 and Nightmare Moon enjoying themselves.

T.Sparkle: *blush* It was a moving moment the first time, too.

N.Moon: I know, but I didn't think they'd be that perfect for each other.

R.Dash: I usually stray from emotional stuff, but I'll admit it: It got me, too.

N.Moon: *nod* Yes.  *She blinks*  Hmm.

P.Pie: What?

N.Moon: Gotta get more punch.  I'll be right back.

T.Sparkle: OK, Nightmare Moon.

Nightmare Moon magically lifts the punch bowl and trots off as the same guard from before heads for Princess Celestia.

Guard: Princess!  I must speak with you.

P.Celestia: Oh. OK?

The two head off to the side, a line of light being made as soon as the two clear the party grounds.

P.Celestia: What is-!!!

Princess Celestia gets whipped in the side by a glowing green lash from the guardpony!

P.Celestia: What is the meaning of this?!

The guardpony snickers as he transforms into the Changeling Queen from the wedding!

P.Celestia: YOU!

The white alicorn tries to use her magic, but to her horror, she can't!

Q.Chrysalis - Changeling Queen: Was THIS what you were trying to DO?!

Queen Chrysalis laughs as she whips Princess Celestia over and over, on her back, in her face and at her legs.  Ponies panicked as the Mane 6 and their new friends tried to intervene - only to smack against a barrier and get flung back so hard and so far that upon landing, Virtuna's artificial leg snaps in half!

T.Sparkle: Princess Celestia!

Nightmare Moon was still getting more punch when the hullabaloo started.

N.Moon: What the haybale?

She gets out of the line after setting the bowl down and heads back to the reception.  Along the way, she runs into Prince Blueblood.

N.Moon: What's going on?

P.Blueblood: Oh it's HORRID!  It's attacking the Princess!

N.Moon: What's-attacking-the-Princess? *angry hiss*

P.Blueblod: I dunno, it looks like an insect!

With a disgusted groan, Prince Blueblood runs off, Nightmare Moon running back to the grounds.  When she gets there, she sees Queen Chrysalis standing over Princess Celestia, the ruler of Equestria on the ground, wincing in pain and criss-crossed with whip marks.  Something snapped in the Mare in the Moon and she galloped full-speed at the Changeling Queen, silver light enveloping her as she burst out of the gazebo, taking wing over the other ponies as she flew faster and faster.....

T.Sparkle: Nightmare Moon?!

R.Dash: What's she doing?!

Nightmare Moon growls as she slams into the barrier put up by Queen Chrysalis - only to feel it break!  The breaking of the barrier distracted the Changeling Queen just enough for her to cease her assault on Princess Celestia, turning just in time to catch Nightmare Moon in the whole frontside, the Mare in the Moon resembling a comet!  The Changeling Queen hurtled skyward from the impact, Nightmare Moon in hot pursuit as she smacked the black monarch again and again.  After a while, Nightmare Moon smashes Queen Chrysalis WAY up in the air, flying up fast and surrounding herself with a big orb of silver light!

N.Moon: NOT TODAY, YOU!! METEOR CRUSH!!!

When the ball of silver light struck Queen Chrysalis, it explodes, sending the changeling flying straight up, Nightmare Moon following her up.  When the changeling started falling back down, Nightmare Moon flew up a bit more, turned in a double loop and started flying downwards, barrel-rolling all the way.

N.Moon: -WOW!  Rainbow Dash.....  THIS is why you LOVE flying fast!  This feels AMAZING!-

As Nightmare Moon spirals down after the changeling, a barrier appeared in front of her.  Rainbow Dash, Pitstop and the Wonderbolts gawk in amazement as the barrier shimmers silver and surrounds her.  As soon as she's within striking distance of Queen Chrysalis, BOOM!!  Nightmare Moon ends up not only doing two Sonic-Rainboom-like sonic booms almost instantaneously, she appears to go THROUGH the Changeling Queen!  Even Princess Celestia - through the pain - had her eyes on her former foe, mouth open in shock.  Queen Chrysalis slams to the ground by Princess Celestia, her crown flying off her head and landing next to Twilight Sparkle.  Nightmare Moon pulls out of her dive, soaring just over the ground.  She slams her hooves into the ground and flares her wings, skidding to a stop right in front of the gazebo.  Nightmare Moon's eyes are focused on Queen Chrysalis, as if she's trying to burn a hole through the changeling.  But that wasn't the most shocking thing about Nightmare Moon.  In place of her starry mane and tail was a nebula and her wings were outlined in silver light.  Her choker seemed to cover her from her neck down to where her wings joined her body and her helmet was more elaborate and covered with silver as well.  Nightmare Moon cocks her head at everypony looking amazedly at her.

N.Moon: What, do I have something in my teeth?

As Nightmare Moon licks her teeth with her mouth shut to check, Princess Cadence produces a mirror.  When Nightmare Moon saw her own reflection, the Mare in the Moon was shocked!

N.Moon: Holy..... By the silvery moon, this is.....

T.Sparkle: Wow!  And what power!  I mean.....

Twilight Sparkle gasps as she sees Princess Celestia struggling to get up and she rushes to the side of her beloved teacher.  Nightmare Moon follows her as the rest of the Mane 6 gather near her.

T.Sparkle: Princess Celestia!  Oh, my GOSH!

N.Moon: Everypony, MOVE.

The Mane 6 back away from the princess, Nightmare Moon laying by her.

N.Moon: Princess, up on my back.

Princess Celestia nods and slowly hugs Nightmare Moon from behind, her front hooves crossed around Nightmare Moon's chest, right in front of the crescent moon on her choker and her back legs hugging Nightmare Moon's waist, just in front of her cutie mark.  Giving herself a count of three, Nightmare Moon rises to her hooves, a bit off balance due to Princess Celestia's weight, but she soon catches herself, carrying Princess Celestia back to the reception area.  Shining Armor and Princess Cadence get a lounge-style sofa to the princess as Nightmare Moon puts her on it with her magic, dropping to the ground beside her as she returns to normal.  The two alicorns slowly turn to face each other.

N.Moon: You've GOT to lay off those oat smoothies, Princess.

Both alicorns laugh.

P.Celestia: I know, *tosses her mane* but the ones by the stadium are just so GOOD!

N.Moon: Indeed!  Especially the raspberry ones.

P.Celestia: *GASP!* *laugh* I like strawberry myself.

As both alicorns laugh again, two more guardponies emerge.  Spotting Queen Chrysails' motionless body and her crown, they turn into two younger changelings resembling her, one male and one female, bearing big grins.

P.Celestia: *blink* More?

Nightmare Moon slowly rises from the ground, ready to fight again, then.....

Changeling M: You did THAT to Mother?

N.Moon: I did.

Changeling M: THANK YOU!!

P.Celestia: *groans as she looks at the two younger changelings* "Thank you"?

Changeling F: Yes, thank you!

Changeling M: You don't know what this means!

P.Celestia: Then tell us.

The two changelings whimper as they see Princess Celestia in her condition.  They fly up and throw a green fireball at the white alicorn, healing her and restoring her powers!  The two alicorns gasp in shock as Princess Celestia slowly gets back up, bearing no evidence of the beating she took from Queen Chrysalis.

P.Celestia: OK, that's impressive.

Changeling M: Thank you!  *giggles*  Where are *lands* my manners?  My name is Prince Shiftshape and this is *The female changeling lands* my sister, Princess Morphina.

P.Morphina: *bow*  How do you do?

N.Moon: Not bad.  Your mother sorta..... made a mess of our party.

P.Shiftshape: *nod and blush* Yeah, she's not a fan of Equestria.

P.Celestia: Oh?

P.Morphina: She wanted to destroy Equestria just to destroy Equestria.  Feeding on love was just an excuse, see, we're trying to vary our diets a bit.

Applejack: Well, that's mighty big of ya'll.

P.Shiftshape: *nod* We thought so, too.  Anyway, we have something else that our mother hated.  *He looks in a saddlebag*  SHOULD be in here..... *Princess Luna walks up*  Don't tell me she.....

Princess Morphina helps her brother look, then.....

Virtuna: HEY!

Both changelings look at the struggling pony trying to carry a black scroll with a green ribbon and gold seal wrapping it up.

Virtuna: What the hay-hoo is this thing?!

P.Shiftshape: *GASP!* My scroll!  *pulls it to him with his magic*  Thank you, little pony!

Virtuna: You're welcome?

Prince Shiftshape floats the scroll towards Princess Celestia.

P.Shiftshape: Here.  This'll explain everything.

N.Moon: *intercepts the scroll and undoes the ribbon* I'LL read it.

Nightmare Moon trots off to a side as she reads, then slowly stops.

T.Sparkle: What?  *walks to Nightmare Moon a bit*  What is it?

N.Moon: "On this 25th day of.....", "the soverign nation of Transforma and the nation of Equestria..... shall enter into civic union.....", *She turns slowly to look at Twilight Sparkle* this is a peace treaty.

Twilight Sparkle gasps.

T.Sparkle: *floats over an invitation* And it's dated the day AFTER the wedding.

P.Celestia: Really?

Princess Celestia walks to Nightmare Moon and looks over the treaty.  After both alicorns nod in agreement, Princess Celestia signs it.

P.Celestia: Fillies and gentlecolts, you are all witness to a peaceful union between two nations.  The crimes of the mother shall not be handed down to the next generation.  Prince Shiftshape, Princess Morphina, welcome to Equestria!

Everypony cheers as Prince Shiftshape nuzzles Princess Celestia.

P.Luna: Aw!

Princess Celestia blushes as she smiles at Prince Shiftshape.  Two guards take Queen Chrysalis into custody, her powers sealed forever by the power of Nightmare Moon's attack.  Twilight Sparkle finds Queen Chrysalis' crown and floats it to Princess Morphina.

P.Morphina: *takes it* Thanks, Twilight Sparkle.

T.Sparkle: I'm sure you'd bring honor to that crown, Princess Morphina.

P.Morphina: *bow* I will, Twilight.

Princess Cadence smiles at Princess Morphina.

P.Cadence: You're certainly an interesting one, Princess Morphina.

P.Morphina: *smile* We're gonna have fun teaching each other.

T.Sparkle: I'm sure of that!

All three mares laugh as the Wonderbolts smirk at Nightmare Moon.

Spitfire: OK, you!  *Nightmare Moon giggles*  Have you been watching Rainbow Dash flying?

Soarin: That was remarkable!

N.Moon: *blush* Well, that FELT remarkable!  I understand why you fly so fast, that was the greatest feeling I ever had!  *The Wonderbolts smile*  And those tricks you do!  All I did was a pair of loops and an extended barrel-roll and WOO!!

Spitfire: Actually, I was referring to what happened during that long barrel-roll.  Did you know you made what appeared to be a DOUBLE "Rainboom" while you were attacking the Changeling Queen?

N.Moon: Seriously?  I was just thinking about "How DARE she attack the Princess like that?!", I didn't pay much attention to anything peripheral.

Soarin: That was an amazing trick, and you say you weren't trying?  *Nightmare Moon shakes her head*  Wonder what you can do when you DO try.

All three laugh as Princess Celestia walks up.

P.Celestia: I concur, Nightmare Moon.  I have to ask you, where did you get that power?

N.Moon: Not sure.....  I saw Queen Chrysalis beating you and just..... felt something deep in me just..... snap.

P.Celestia: *nod* I'd keep an eye on that.  If you did that to Queen Chrysalis and the rest of the Bearers of Harmony inherit that power.....

N.Moon: Then we have nothing to worry about when it comes to facing Ruinous.

P.Celestia: Oh?

N.Moon: *smile* If each of those ponies can self-amplify their Elements of Harmony, then their collective hearts already beat in synch with the Heart of Equestria.  And you said we can beat Ruinous when that happens, right?  Trust me, Princess, the seeds of our victory have been planted, and with *she returns to the form she had after beating Queen Chrysalis* ME on the team, we... will..... win.

P.Celestia: You seem so sure, Nightmare Moon.  *She smiles at the black alicorn*  Good.

Nightmare Moon smiles as she sees Princess Celestia walk off.

N.Moon: -From enemy to hero..... This'll be a story for my memoirs.-

Nightmare Moon laughs as Virtuna trots up to her as best she can.  The black mare flips the three-legged filly on her back with a smile.

Virtuna: Thanks, Moon.

N.Moon: You're welcome, Virtuna.

As the reception restarts, Princess Luna smiles at her former dark side.

P.Luna (voice-over to all the ponies having fun):

Dear Princess Celestia,

Usually, one can count on friends to be there when times are good.  But the true measure of friendship is when times are bad.  A friend that will help you out of your darkest times is a friend to truly call on.  And even the worse enemies can eventually be the greatest friends ever, good times OR bad.

Your loving sister,

Princess Luna.

Princess Celestia heads to her bedroom after the party to see the letter Luna wrote.  Reading it, she laughed and murred with a proud smile on her face.

P.Celestia: Just like my Twilight Sparkle.

Finishing the letter, Princess Celestia heads to bed.  After she lays in bed and puts the covers on, she hears a whump by her.  She turns and smiles warmly.  There, sleeping on top of the covers, was Nightmare Moon.

P.Celestia: rest well, my protector.

With a chuckle, she lays back down and sleeps.

TO BE CONTINUED