Rise of Ruinous

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: RISE OF RUINOUS

Chapter 26 - This Just In!

The time: One month after the tornado.

The mean pony that checked Fluttershy out of the tornado has been put on an official blacklist from any kind of team duty.  Speaking of Fluttershy, the yellow pegasus was nominated as a top flyer and tornado maker for Cloudsdale.  It's the later story that drew Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to Fluttershy's cottage, the farm filly knocking on the door.  Angel Bunny answered the door, blinking at the notepads the fillies were carrying.

A.Bloom: New editor-in-chief.

The rabbit smiles, stepping aside and letting the Cutie Mark Crusaders in single file.  The four ponies talked for a while, the fillies jotting down notes, mostly talking about Fluttershy's effort in the tornado.  After a while, the fillies have all they need and they thank Fluttershy, hugging her before heading back to the school.

*INTRO SEQUENCE*

Cheerilee and her students on the "Foal Free Press" gather in the classroom - all but editor-in-chief Featherweight.

Cheerilee: My little ponies, listen up!  Featherweight came down with the Feather Flu and will be out for a week.  So, I have decided that the intern editor-in-chief will be.....

???: ME!!

Everypony looks at the door, spotting the last pony anyone expected: Diamond Tiara!

D.Tiara: Make way for the NEW editor-in-chief of the school paper!

Cheerilee: Now, look here, Diamond Tiara, you were stripped of that title and assigned to printing duty.  As Celestia is my witness, you will NOT send ANY of my little ponies through what you sent them through again!

D.Tiara: Bite your bridle, teach!  YOUR editor-in-chief is sick, YOU need a stand-in, YOU have NO CHOICE!

Cheerilee blinks as Diamond Tiara takes her place.

D.Tiara: Now, we will be printing a special edition of the "Foal Free Press".  The Cutie Mark Crusaders will be reprising their role as Gabby Gums for this issue!

The trio gulp collectively, remembering what happened last time.

D.Tiara: And I want the biggest exclusive in the the history of this paper..... I want BIG!  I want SHOCKING!  I want..... *glares at the CMCs* NIGHT... MARE... MOON!!!

A.Bloom: OK, lemme see if I got this right: *points at Diamond Tiara* YOU want *points to herself* US to go ALL THE WAY TA CANTERLOT and get a sit-down interview with the Mare in the Moon while she's A. Protectin' everypony's sleep, B. Studyin' with the princesses and C. Most importantly, tryin' ta help protect Equestria from Ruinous and his Elements of Darkness.  *shrug*  I dunno if we can, she has a couple of BIG things on her plate right now.

D.Tiara: *pounces Apple Bloom!*  I don't care if she's trying to help cure the Cutie Pox, GET ME NIGHTMARE MOON!!!

Later that day, the Cutie Mark Crusaders sigh as they make the long walk to the train station, arriving in Canterlot right at sundown.  The princesses were about to change the day into night when the CMCs entered and bowed.

P.Celestia: Cutie Mark Crusaders?

P.Luna: What brings the three of you to our abode?

A.Bloom: Pardon our unplanned appearance and our intrusion, but we need to have an interview with Nightmare Moon for our paper.

The two princesses exchange looks.

P.Celestia: You three wish to have an audience with the Mare in the Moon?  She's a bit busy right now, arranging the stars.

Scootaloo: *groan* i was afraid of that.....

P.Luna: Child?

S.Belle: Our editor-in-chief was pretty adamant about us getting an interview with her.

P.Celestia: *writes a note*  There, this should explain everything.

A.Bloom: *takes the note and puts it in her saddlebag, all three CMCs bowing again*  Thanks, Princess.

P.Luna: *Both princesses bow back*  We are sorry your request could not be accepted.

The fillies walk out slowly.  Just as they leave, Nightmare Moon flies in.

N.Moon: What were you discussing?

P.Celestia: Some fillies from Cheerilee's school wanted to interview you, I said you were too busy.

N.Moon: Well, that's very interesting since *clears throat* I AM too busy.  Discord and I are working overtime with the changelings to watch for the next Element of Darkness.

P.Luna: *nod* That is what we told them.  I just hope our response is satisfactory.

Back at the school, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had given Princess Celestia's note to Diamond Tiara.  The spoiled filly read the note and promptly threw it out, making the trio gasp in horror!

D.Tiara: You think I am to believe THAT?!  You three probably faked it so you DIDN'T have to interview her!

A.Bloom: That note is from Princess Celestia!

D.Tiara: I! DON'T! CARE!!  You will pay for this!!  YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!!!

Three terrified fillies rushed out of the school and to their clubhouse, shivering in fear.  The next day, the "Foal Free Press" ran A story on Nightmare Moon, but it was packed full of misinterpretations and embarassing moments.  The two princesses read it, blinking uneasily.

P.Luna: I hope Moon didn't get her hooves on this.....

The loud opening of a door dashed their hopes.

P.Celestia: Nightmare-Moon!  I-told-them-you-were-busy, I-!

N.Moon: The Cutie Mark Crusaders are not to blame for this.  I believe the reason why can be found on the opposite page.

The princesses look and saw the three embarassing pictures Diamond Tiara blackmailed the Cutie Mark Crusaders with in "Ponyville Confidential".

P.Luna: I see.

N.Moon: I want to have a talk with this..... Diamond Tiara.

P.Celestia: PLEASE don't be TOO harsh on her.

N.Moon: That depends on her.

Nightmare Moon flies down to Ponyville, ponies afraid of her for the first time since she met Virtuna.  She heads for the school as the Cutie Mark Crusaders rush outside.

CMCs (rapid-fire): Nightmare Moon, please don't wreck our school!  It wasn't our fault!  Diamond Tiara did it! *Nightmare Moon stops and listens*  Featherweight's out for a week with Feather Flu!  We TRIED to explain to Diamond Tiara!  She threw out Celestia's note!  She-!!

Nightmare Moon silenced them with a hoof, smiling a bit at the frantic fillies.  The trio smiles back, relieved at having been forgiven.  Nightmare Moon heads into the school, several students awestruck at how magnificent she was.  Cheerilee nods at Nightmare Moon as she heads towards a shaking Diamond Tiara.

Cheerilee: I'll leave her to you.

Cheerilee heads off to a side, leaving Diamond Tiara to face Nightmare Moon one-on-one.

N.Moon: So..... *reads the story a bit* .....1200 years ago, I helped Trottingham win the Equestrian Soccer Championship?  There are a number of problems with that story.  *trots around*  There was no Trottingham 1200 years ago, there was no EQUESTRIAN SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP 1200 years ago - unless the players were kicking around a rock *She smiles a bit, making all the ponies not named Diamond Tiara laugh* - but the main problem with that story is *looks at Diamond Tiara with a fearsome glare* I'M ONLY 1183!!!

Diamond Tiara was shocked into submission by Nightmare Moon's flash of anger!

N.Moon: Correct me if I am mistaken: *looks at Apple Bloom* Didn't your sister and the other Elements of Harmony defeat Fyb, the Element of Darkness of DIS-HONESTY?  Wouldn't that've brought about the *glares at Diamond Tiara* END OF LYING?!  And WHERE did you get THIS?  *holds up the paper*  "Went on a ship voyage around the world."?  As much as I'd love to, I can't even go in the blimp from here to Canterlot sometimes without feeling nauseous.  Where do ya suppose I'd get the stomach to float in a boat for a decade!?  All this story is is just YOUR effort to put SOMEthing in the paper, and you NEV-VER took one fact into consideration: I AM TRYING TO HELP SAVE EQUESTRIA FROM RUINOUS AND THE ELEMENTS OF DARKNESS!  There is NO TIME TO SPARE!  *She gets Princess Celestia's note out of the trash*  And to throw a letter from Equestria's ruler in the trash like a candy-bar wrapper, HOW DARE YOU!!??  Have you no sense of respect?!  *looks at Cheerilee*  I don't think she's going to be allowed to even PRINT the paper, let alone RUN it.

Cheerliee: *nod* I agree.  Diamond Tiara, from now on, the only thing you can do associated with the "Foal Free Press" is read it.

Diamond Tiara fled out of the school, fearful of Nightmare Moon.  The Mare in the Moon, however, calmed down and started to head out, but then.....

N.Moon: Ya know, I can't just leave this be.  Yes, I have a lot to do.  Yes, the battle against Ruinous takes top priority.  BUT!, I cannot go to sleep knowing *holds up a paper* this slander is out-and-about.  How would ya like to hear my REAL story?

A.Bloom: You sure?  I wouldn't wanna impose.

N.Moon: Apple Bloom, I'm sure of it.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders sit down with their pads and pencils as Nightmare Moon tells them of how she first appeared.  The students were shocked at how evil she used to be, which made them even more impressed at how good she's been acting.  When the interview was concluded, the students applauded, although Apple Bloom had one more question:

A.Bloom: Why were ya'll so jealous before?

N.Moon: This doesn't condone my actions, but I hope it explains them: Imagine you're a world-class artist.  If your pictures were hanging in the best museums in Equestria and nopony saw them, wouldn't you feel a bit hurt?

Cheerilee: So you felt underappreciated.  Twilight Sparkle once told us about Princess Luna.....

N.Moon: *nod* Right.

Cheerilee: .....and how she was resentful of how everypony loved Princess Celestia.  You're over this, I take it?

N.Moon: Thanks to Virtuna's help, I'm getting there.

???: *cough* That's nice.

Everypony whirled, gasping as Featherweight struggled to get up the steps.  Nightmare Moon flapped her wings and put a force field up.

Featherweight: *cough* Hello, Nightmare Moon.  Fancy seeing you.

N.Moon: Yeah.  I'm sure that your prescence here while still feeling the effects of Feather Flu means you've seen Diamond Tiara's attempt at an exposé about me?

Featherweight: *nod and cough*  Y-yeah.....  I had no idea that *BIG sneeze* that me missing a week would cause this much damage.

N.Moon: *reassuring smile*  Believe me, I'm not angry - anymore.

Cheerilee: You should've been here a bit earlier, Featherweight.

Scootaloo: Yeah, she let Diamond Tiara have it!

The four foals laugh, Nightmare Moon blushing.

Featherweight: So, what's big *COUGH!* news?

Apple Bloom showed Featherweight the story and the little pegasus gasps.

Featherweight: Really?!

N.Moon: *nod* Yeah.

Featherweight: *smiles at Nightmare Moon*  I'd hug ya, but I don't want you to get sick.

N.Moon: I understand, thanks for your consideration.

A.Bloom: Well, I know ya'll're busy, so I'll let ya head back, K?

N.Moon: *smiles* Glad I could help out here.

Cheerilee: You're always welcome back here, Nightmare Moon.

N.Moon: *bow* Thank you.

Nightmare Moon turns into purple smoke and heads back to Canterlot as Featherweight - from outside the school - took command of the paper.  The black alicorn appeared, blushing when she saw the two princesses.

P.Luna: So you DID do it after all.

N.Moon: Just didn't feel right with all those lies about me in the paper.

P.Celestia: *smile*  I see.

N.Moon: Turns out all it was was just a spoiled filly's lame effort to have SOMEthing to print - and to injure the reputations of the Cutie Mark Crusaders in the process.

The princesses nod and wince, remembering the pictures.

P.Luna: So, what's next?

N.Moon: The spoiled filly is forbidden from even printing the paper, let alone dictating what goes in it.

P.Celestia: YOUR decision?

N.Moon: Naw, Cheerilee's.

P.Luna: Noted.  *yawn*

N.Moon: *nod*  I got it, OK, Luna?

P.Luna: *nod* Thanks, Moon.

Nightmare Moon nods, then flies outside.

N.Moon: I've seen the princesses do this millions of times..... *She grunts as she tries to raise the moon*  .....This shouldn't..... be-too..... HARD!!

The moon rises smoothly across the sky, Nightmare Moon smiling brightly.  The ponies marvelled at their old enemy raising the moon, applauding loudly when the job was complete.  Nightmare Moon heard them and smiled brightly, happy tears in her eyes.

N.Moon: thanks, girls.....

The Mare in the Moon goes on her nightly nightmare-removal rounds.  In Applejack's house, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were having a sleepover when Apple Bloom woke up as the moon rose high and bright in the night sky.  She looked outside and smiled as bright as the moon.

A.Bloom: ya'll welcome, nightmare moon.

Apple Bloom goes back to sleep, a copy of the "Foal Free Press" with the real story on Nightmare Moon on her nightstand.

TO BE CONTINUED