Somewhere in the Wastelands...

The relentless sun hung high in the sky, beating down mercilessly on the barren wasteland below. A lone tumbleweed tumbled lazily across the cracked earth, pushed along by the dry, scorching wind. The skeletal remains of trees stood lifeless, their twisted branches devoid of even the faintest trace of leaves.

Beneath a dusty rock, a small lizard cautiously poked its head out, its scales already prickling under the sun's harsh rays. The heat was unbearable, but hunger outweighed discomfort. Its sharp eyes locked onto a sluggish fly nearby, its tiny tongue flicking out instinctively in anticipation at the sudden meal. Hunger turned to focus, and focus turned to a glimmer of hope as it began its slow crawl toward the unsuspecting prey. Inch by inch it would get closer, being careful not to surprise the morsal.

Before the lizard could make a meal of the insect, a whoosh split the air, a gray blur tearing past in an instant. The resulting gust sent the fly spiraling out of reach, tumbling away into the distance. The lizard froze in stunned disbelief, its once-promising meal now long gone. It turned to glare after the intruder in the distance, raising one tiny fist and shaking it furiously as it hissed what could only be reptilian curses.

Grumbling in frustration, the lizard resigned itself to defeat and began retreating toward its rock—only to yell as he saw something storming way to fast towards his direction. The lizard threw itself to the ground as a blue streak zipped by at impossible speed, kicking up a violent whirlwind in its wake. The lizard clung desperately to the earth as dust and debris whipped around it, its tiny claws digging into the cracked dirt until the storm passed.

Shaking itself off, the lizard peered up with narrowed eyes, watching the blue figure vanish over the horizon as it chased after the gray beast. With a long, exhausted sigh, the lizard trudged back toward its refuge, muttering silently to itself as it disappeared into the cool safety of its crack in the earth.

Some days, it just wasn’t worth crawling out from under the rock.

~~~

“Running away, Egghead?!”

The voice rang sharply in the mustached human’s ears, making him cringe in frustration. Turning around in his Egg Hoverer, he shook a clenched fist at the blue blur trailing behind him. “IT’S EGGMAN! DOCTOR EGGMAN! How hard is it to get that through your thick head, Sonic?!”

Sonic, keeping pace effortlessly, simply smirked as he feigned a look of pity. “Really, Eggy? I have no idea what you’re talking about. Maybe you should get your ears checked. You aren’t getting any younger, y’know.”

“Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!” Eggman barked, slamming a button to accelerate his hovercraft.

Unfazed, Sonic shrugged, his trademark grin widening as he picked up speed to match. “Suit yourself,” he quipped, effortlessly weaving through the twists and turns of the cavern’s dusty pathways. Though the narrow tunnels prevented him from hitting full throttle, tailing Eggman—and pushing his buttons—was satisfying enough.

“You know, Eggy,” Sonic teased, his voice carrying through the cavern, “one of us is gonna run outta steam soon, and I can guarantee it won’t be me. Why don’t you just give up now and save the ozone layer while you’re at it?”

Silence.

Sonic’s ears perked as he tilted his head. “What, no comeback? C’mon, Doc, you’re boring me over here.” Then he heard it—a low, smug laugh echoing ahead. His brow furrowed as suspicion crept in. “Oh, now you’re laughing? Care to share the joke with the rest of us?”

The cavern abruptly opened into a massive clearing, the rocky walls rising like an unbreakable cage. Sonic slowed to a halt, glancing around the wide space with an arched brow. “Well, this is cozy,” he mused, cupping his hands to his mouth. “Olly olly oxen free, Egghead!”

Eggman’s laughter rang out again, this time from above. Sonic looked up to see the rotund scientist hovering smugly in his Egg Hoverer, his glasses gleaming in the sunlight filtering down through cracks in the cavern ceiling.

“Ah, there you are,” Sonic quipped, planting his hands on his hips. “For a second, I thought you’d chickened out and ran away from your beating.”

Eggman smirked, his voice oozing satisfaction. “Why would I leave now, Sonic, when your demise is about to become my greatest masterpiece?”

With a dramatic flourish, Eggman pressed a button on his console.

The ground beneath Sonic began to tremble violently. “Uh-oh…” was all Sonic managed before the earth exploded, sending him hurtling skyward. His arms flailed as he reached the peak of his involuntary flight, gravity taking hold once more. Then his eyes widened in alarm as he came face-to-face with a massive, monstrous worm erupting from the earth. Its slimy body loomed over him, and its gaping maw—filled with spinning blades and jagged teeth—yawned open, ready to devour him whole.

“Oh, great,” Sonic muttered.

Before the worm could snap its jaws shut, something grabbed Sonic’s arms, pulling him to safety just in time. He glanced up with relief to see an orange fox with twin tails spinning like helicopter blades.

“Nice catch, Tails!” Sonic grinned as they soared toward a ledge above.

The fox landed them safely on a nearby cliff, flashing a sheepish smile as he rubbed the back of his head. “No problem, Sonic! Happy to help.”

Their moment of relief didn’t last long, however, as the rocky surface beneath them erupted into dust and rubble. Sonic sprang into action, grabbing tails and jumping away just as something blasted from the walls of the cliff.

“Whoa!” Tails exclaimed, eyes wide. “It’s an Extarian Worm! But—this doesn’t make sense! The largest one ever recorded was only two stories tall! This thing is huge—it’s a scientific breakthrough!”

“Less nerd talk, more helping!” Sonic shot back as he threw tails into the air and out of the way, dashing off to the side just as the worm launched itself towards the pair again.

From above, Eggman cackled gleefully, watching the chaos unfold. “OHOHOHOHO! Whats the matter Sonic? Is the Early worm getting the hog? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

Sonic groaned, rolling his eyes even as he kept running. “Geeze. You really should stop getting Orbot to write your jokes. Their even lamer then you are.” Grinning mischievously, Sonic kicked off the wall, angling upward with all the speed he could muster. Eggman’s smug expression faltered as he watched Sonic soar through the air—straight towards him.

“Wait… what?!”

In seconds, Sonic landed squarely on Eggman's machine, arms crossed and a cocky smirk plastered on his face. “Hey, Doc. What’s up?”

“GET OFF, YOU FOOL!” Eggman shrieked, flailing uselessly.

“Why? Seems like a nice and cozy place to stand while i catch my breath.” Sonic glanced down as the worm shot up toward them, its massive tail smashing through the air. “Hoo boy. That thing’s not letting up.” He leaned in, grinning at Eggman. “You sure you don’t wanna call it off? Or are we both gonna be worm food?”

Eggman’s face went pale. “I-I can’t! The tracking chip in the worm only recognizes your energy signature! I can’t stop it!”

Sonic’s smirk vanished. “W-What?!”

Before either of them could react, the worm’s tail lashed upward, smashing into the hovercraft and sending both Sonic and Eggman flying upwards. They screamed in unison, clutching at each other as they plummeted toward the worm’s waiting and hungry maw.

But just before they met their end, a swirling vortex suddenly opened beneath them, swallowing them whole. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the portal snapped shut, leaving behind a confused Tails and a very disappointed worm.

“…Wa...What just happened?”

~~~

A lavender unicorn mare gaped in awe at just how many bodies could fit into Ponyville's seemingly compact Town Hall. It felt like every pony in town was there, with pegasi hovering overhead and others crowding balconies along the walls.

A bright pink pony, the same one who had startled her earlier that day, suddenly popped up at her side, jabbering what was akin to nonsense, “Isn’t this exciting? Are you excited? ‘Cause I’m excited! I’ve never been so excited—well, except for when I saw you walk into town, and I went gasp, but who could top that?!”

The purple unicorn shook her head, tuning out the chattebox just as a butter-yellow pegasus led a flock of birds in a fanfare. All eyes turned toward the stage as the mayor—a tan mare with graying mane and glasses—stepped forward.

“Fillies and gentlecolts! As Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!” Her voice rang proudly. “In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise and celebrate this, the longest day of the year.”

The lavender mare glanced toward the moon through an upper window, her eyes widening as a cluster of stars collided with it—the dark image of the Mare in the Moon vanished. Her stomach sank.

This can’t be happening. I didn’t have time to warn…I didn’t have time to prepare!

“Now, it is my great honor to introduce to you, the ruler of our land,” the mayor announced, “the pony who gives us the sun and moon each day, Princess Celestia!”

Curtains were drawn. Birds chirped. A spotlight illuminated… nothing.

Gasps rippled through the hall.

The lavender mare whispered, “This can’t be good.”

The mayor tried to calm the murmurs. “Remain calm! There must be a reasonable explanation.”

The pink pony chimed in with glee, “Ooh! Is she hiding?”

A white unicorn with a purple mane emerged behind the curtain in a frantic state. “She’s gone!”

The crowd erupted in horrified gasps. Except for the pink one. “Ohh, she’s good!”

A swirling mist began to gather on the balcony where Celestia should have stood. It darkened and scattered, revealing a tall, pitch-black alicorn mare. Her cyan eyes, slitted like a dragon’s, scanned the room, her starlit mane flowing as though caught in a phantom wind. She wore a regal lavender helmet and breastplate emblazoned with a crescent moon.

The lavender unicorn’s voice trembled. “Oh no… Nightmare Moon.”

Her little dragon assistant that was standing by her side up until now fainted dramatically.

The dark alicorn above them spoke with a chilling regality. “Oh, my beloved subjects. It’s been so long since I’ve seen your precious, sun-loving faces.”

A cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane shot forward, pointing her hoof accusingly. “What did you do with our princess?!”

An orange pony yanked her back by the tail before she did something she would have regretted. “Simmer down, Rainbow Dash.”

Nightmare Moon chuckled darkly. “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?”

The lavender unicorn spoke up, louder this time. “I did! And I know who you are… you’re the Mare in the Moon—Nightmare Moon!”

The crowd gasped again.

Nightmare Moon’s eyes narrowed in intrigue. “Well, well, well. Somepony who remembers me. Then you must know why I’m here.”

The unicorn faltered. “You’re here to… to…”

Nightmare Moon’s laughter echoed through the hall. “Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth… the night will last forever!" Her mane erupted, spiraling into a storm of darkness and lightning.

“I won’t let you!” the lavender mare shouted, her voice trembling but firm. “I know who you are! And I know how to stop you! Just give up now or… or…” Her words faltered as Nightmare Moon turned her icy gaze on her, a wicked smile curling across her dark muzzle.

“Well, well… a little hero in our midst,” Nightmare Moon purred, her voice dripping with condescension. “How adorable. can't let such defiance go unpunished now, can I?”

Before the lavender unicorn could react, Nightmare Moon’s horn flared, unleashing a beam of dark magic directly at her. Desperation took over the unicorn. Her horn glowed instinctively as she summoned her magic to defend herself, though it flared far stronger than she intended. Instead of simply deflecting the attack, her spell burst with raw energy made it vanish before splitting open a hole in midair.

Two loud, panicked screams echoed through the hall as something—or rather someones—was hurled out of the void, landing hard on the floor with a pair of unceremonious thuds. All eyes soon turned to the bizarre newcomers.

One of them was thin and blue, with spiky hair and bright red shoes, his face contorted into a mix of shock and confusion. The other, a tall red figure with shades and an unmistakable air of annoyance, sat up groaning.

The blue one recovered first, shoving the round one aside as he adjusted a red scarf draped around his neck. “Well, uh… that was surprisingly convenient, the hole opening up out of nowhere I mean,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his head. He glanced around the hall, taking in the crowd of ponies for the first time. “Huh… a room full of colorful horses. Definitely didn’t see that coming. Weird, but not the weirdest day I’ve had.”

“What is the meaning of this?!” Nightmare Moon roared, her horn crackling with menace as she stomped her hoof. “Who are you?!”

The blue creature turned toward her and raised an eyebrow, blinking. “Okay… correction. Colorful talking horses. Now it’s the weirdest day.” He shot an annoyed look at his round companion. “Alright, what did you break this time, Eggman?”

“Me?! This isn’t my doing, you meddlesome rodent!” The one called Eggman barked back, struggling to his feet. “If anyone’s to blame, it’s you and your incessant interference!”

“Silence!” Nightmare Moon bellowed, her patience snapping as dark energy surged around her. “You dare to ignore me?!” Without warning, her horn flared again, firing a beam of magic straight at the blue figure.

“Look out!” the lavender mare cried in alarm.

But the blue creature was already moving. In a blink, he leapt out of the way, the beam striking the floor where he’d stood, leaving a scorched mark in its wake. He landed effortlessly, crouched in a ready stance, eyes wide but gleaming with amusement.

“Whoa!” he exclaimed, standing up and dusting himself off. “Someone’s got anger issues. Did we interrupt a bad day or something?”

Nightmare Moon’s eyes glowed dangerously, her horn charging with dark energy once more. “Who are you, demon?! Speak before I obliterate you!”

The blue figure waved his hands nonchalantly, completely unfazed. “Whoa, whoa, easy there! No need to jump to ‘obliteration,’ and definitely no need for name-calling. I mean we just met after all.” He grinned, adjusting the fabric wrapped around his wrists. “If you really must know, I’m Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog!” He shifted into a confident stance, his smirk practically radiating defiance. “And judging by the looks on everyone’s faces, you’re not exactly Miss Popular around here, are ya?”

Nightmare Moon's eyes narrowed dangerously, her cyan gaze gleaming with icy contempt. Shadows swirled around her, coiling like snakes as her dark magic crackled ominously. “You dare mock me with your insolence, you wretched creature? You will bow before me, or be destroyed!”

Sonic casually stretched his arms over his head, rolling his shoulders as if the alicorn’s threats were little more than background noise. “Wow. Bow or be destroyed? You really went straight for the villain starter kit of lines, huh? Points for sticking to tradition, I guess.” He smirked before rubbing his nose with his thumb. “Right then! You wanna play?” pointed towards the Alicorn. “Then let's play!”

Author's Note

Redoing this one