The Midnight Zone

Twilight walked into the town hall with a growing sensation of dread. This night was the one Midnight Moon was set to return on. She and her friends had stayed up late, as had all the other ponies in Ponyville. They entered town hall, and took their seats. Mayor Mare took her position on stage. Fluttershy whispered something to her birds, upstage, probably about the music they were about to perform.

“Isn't this exciting?” asked Pinkie. “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–” Pinkie drew in a deep breath– “but I mean really, who can top that?”

Mayor Mare raised her hoof for silence, then started her speech. “Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!”

All the ponies cheered, except for Twilight, who was certain something bad was about to happen.

“In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, 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, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria...”

“Ready?” asked Fluttershy to her orchestra.

“...Princess Celestia!”

Nothing happened. Fluttershy’s orchestra faltered. Celestia didn’t appear. Rainbow flew up to the stage. “She’s gone!” she exclaimed.

There were hushed whispers.

“This can’t be good,” said Twilight.

“Huh?” asked Rarity. “Isn’t it obvious? The synchronization was messed up, and Celestia–”

The stage suddenly exploded in a cloud of a dark, smoky substance. It poured slowly off the stage, and flowed across the floor, like water in slow motion. Ponies jumped up on chairs to avoid touching it, their eyes riveted on the strange smoke… except Twilight. She was looking up.

“Oh no.. Midnight Moon!” she whispered.

“Oh, my beloved subjects,” said Midnight Moon. “It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces.”

Midnight Moon was standing atop the stage, and the smoke seemed to be emanating from her. Her coat was dark black, the same color as the smoke, which Twilight now took to be Darkness.

“You must leave!” commanded Mayor Mare.

Midnight Moon chuckled. “Why, am I not royal enough for you? Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs? Do you not know who I am?”

“I did!” yelled Twilight. “And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon–Nightmare Moon!”

The ponies gasped. Midnight smiled. “Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here.”

Twilight gulped. “You're here to… to…”

Midnight Moon laughed. “Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!”

“What did you do with our Princess?!” Yelled Rainbow. Everypony looked at her. Including Midnight. She seemed amused.

“And who are you?”

“I’m Rainbow Dash! And I’m asking what you did with Celestia!” the ponies in the crowd gasped, but Midnight Moon yelled in rage, and shot a curse at Rainbow.

It hit.

And Rainbow fell out of the air.

“YOU!” yelled Twilight, and before she even had second thoughts, she powered up her horn, and shot the binding curse she’d used on Rainbow the previous day. Midnight blasted Twilight’s spell out of the air, before shooting a spell that destroyed Twilight’s seat. Twilight shot more spells at random, which Midnight blocked. Fluttershy screamed and ran. Applejack dragged her best friend Rainbow away from the flying spells. Ponies were running every which way. There was an explosion, and the domed roof of town hall cracked and large chunks of concrete fell. Twilight shot a stunning spell at Midnight Moon, who at the same time shot a spell that seemed to have no color at all. They connected, and Twilight was pushed backwards. Twilight gave the spell all the power she could muster. “C’mon!” In her peripheral vision, Twilight caught a glimpse of Rainbow sprawled out next to Applejack, barely moving. Twilight tried to remain calm, and envisioned her spell stunning Midnight Moon.

The spell exploded, and there was a resounding CRACK! and then Twilight felt a rush of heat pass over her, and then she was running, running towards Rainbow and Applejack, and she caught Rainbow, and pulled her out of the building with Applejack right behind her.

“Twilight!” yelled Rarity.

“Did you beat Midnight?” asked Pinkie.

“I don’t know!” said Twilight. “But we have to leave! As long as we stay here we're in danger!”

Ponies started running again.

“Oh no!” said Fluttershy. “Rainbow Dash needs a doctor!”

“I don’t think a doctor will be able to help Rainbow,” said Applejack weakly. “Not when she’s been cursed.”

Rainbow gave a low moan.

“If a doctor can’t help to reverse curses, we need to find somepony who can!” said Rarity.

“But who?” asked Twilight.

“Zecora!” said Fluttershy.

Twilight nodded. “Let’s go!”