She stood there...
Just like always...
Staring...
Those empty eyes...
She's opening her mouth...
She's about to speak...
…
Twilight sat up frantically in her bed, shivering. Every night. The same dream echoed in her mind. Always the same. A menacingly dark filly with red, empty eyes, staring at her. She always looked like she was about to speak, but she never did.
Twilight breathed heavily, her eyes darting around her bedroom on the second floor of the library. Her coat was soaked with a cold sweat, forcing a shiver out of her. The lack of light from the window implied that it was late at night. While still scared, Twilight was unsurprised. Every night, the same dream, the same awakening. She stood from her bed and walked toward the bathroom, her eyes checking every dark corner with the utmost caution.
She hesitated when reaching the bathroom. This... thing. It appeared in the mirror behind her once. She entered the bathroom and illuminated the darkness with her horn. The only image in the mirror she saw was herself. She let out a sigh of relief before grabbing a towel and drying herself of the icy sweat. She threw the towel to the hamper and made her way back to her bed. She tried to sleep, but was unable. She never slept after having one of those nightmares.
When the sun began to rise, she sighed happily and stood from her bed. After preparing herself for the day she emerged from the library and entered the early bustle of Ponyville. Her saddlebags were filled with books on early Cloudsdalean fashion that she was to take to Rarity.
Twilight didn't fear the day. The protection of the sun always made her feel safe. It was the night in which she had the nightmares. She quickly reached The Carousel Boutique, Rarity's home, and was near instantly greeted by the white unicorn herself.
“Oh, Twilight! I can't thank you enough for bringing these books to me. You see, I've been planning a revolution of Cloudsdalean fashion for Ponyville and I--” Rarity's words ceased.
Twilight stood in shock as she watched her dear friend speak, but without sound. Her mouth was moving, but her voice did not accompany it. In fact, nothing made any sound. Twilight looked around feverishly, but nothing she saw was making any noise at all. She looked back to Rarity, her eyes wide and her pupils horribly dilated. She could make out the lip movements of 'Are you alright?' but no noise joined it.
Twilight worried that she had gone deaf. Had her hearing just decided to leave her? No. Wait... There was still a noise. A dim humming coming from... somewhere...
I see you...
Twilight froze in paralyzed horror. Her head darted around, looking for something... anything. Then she saw it. Standing directly behind her. The filly.
The dark filly erratically moved its forelegs up and grabbed Twilight by the temples. Her empty red eyes glared deeply into Twilight's, tearing her mind apart from the inside out. Unable to bear the searing pain, Twilight fainted.
“Wh-Where am I!?” Twilight asked. As she looked around, she saw... Nothing. She was in a realm of... Nothing. There was no dark, there was no light, there wasn't even nothing. This place... It was composed of an absence of nothingness.
Twilight squinted her... eyes? Did she have eyes in this place? Did she have a physical form anymore? No... She no longer... was. She felt herself as an entity, but not a being. She was as conscious as an entity could be, but she felt nothing.
In the distance, Twilight saw a dim, colored light. It was blue and red, almost as if the two colors were somehow fighting, while still existing within one another. It was clear to Twilight now: Nothing in this place made any sense. Her scientific mind ached at this impossible thought, the thought of a realm of nothing, where there is no sense to be had.
No matter, she may not necessarily 'exist' in this place, but she was still Twilight Sparkle... right?
Twilight forced herself forward, wading through the nothingness. It felt cold and dry, yet at the same time felt like nothing. Twilight approached the combination of lights, and as she drew closer, a figure faded into view.
It was a pony, that much was clear. A mare, by Twilight's observation of the “being's” size and stature. It was obviously a unicorn. She inched closer and closer to the pony before her.
It opened it's eyes.
Twilight would have jumped in terror if she had the body to do so anymore. The sight before her churned in her nonexistent stomach. As the 'pony' before her opened it's eyes, it revealed to Twilight two empty sockets, dripping with blood. Twilight wasn't even sure if there were no eyes. The space where they belonged was filled with a darkness even deeper than that around her.
The being opened it's mouth. It was at this point where Twilight would wake up in a cold sweat, safely lying in her bed, but that wasn't the case this time. Even when she was dreaming, she was still somewhat in control. She felt the slightest sense of safety. There was none of that here. Twilight was alone. She was no longer the embodiment of herself. She simply... was not. Twilight wasn't going to wake up now. She wasn't dreaming. She was no longer safe. This was a world of that being's creation. She was playing by it's rules now, whether she liked it or not.
Here it comes. Whatever this... thing is. It's about to speak. Twilight would have lied down, covering her ears if she could. She was scared out of her mind. It's about to...
“Help... me...”
Twilight was confused. She was sure this thing was about to do... something. Something scary, painful or... deadly. It didn't. It asked for...
“Please... help... me...”
Twilight strained to understand the functions of this form of hers. Could she speak? Could she reply to this possibly tortured pony? She strained her entity, and focused on making words...
“What's wrong?” Twilight successfully spoke to this creature standing in front of her. The sight of it still scared her beyond anything she can recall, but she wasn't the type to leave somepony asking for help.
“It... hurts... Please... make it... stop...”
Twilight moved her entity around the pony, trying to examine further. In some strange way she wanted to help it. Twilight reeled in terror as the being's empty gaze seemed to follow her 'movements', if they could be called such.
“Who are you?” Twilight asked.
She was answered in the most terrifying way. The pony's horn began to glow. The nothingness was illuminated ever so slightly. Twilight wished she hadn't asked. She wished she hadn't seen this.
The being before her. It was... her. It was Twilight Sparkle, staring back at herself. Twilight would have vomited if she could. Never before had she felt so terrified, so empty... so alone.
“The... pain... So... unbearable...”
“What's happened to... you.” Twilight barely choked out these words. She was paralyzed in terror, but she felt like she needed to help... herself.
“Night... n-night...” The dead-eyed Twilight was unable to finish her sentence. Her mouth seized, and she stiffened her stance. Another pony walked into the scene. This one was the dark filly Twilight had seen in her dreams. The one that sent her to this strange realm. It seemed oblivious to Twilight's presence as it approached the familiar purple pony. As it walked, Twilight got a better look at the blue filly before her.
It was an alicorn... Twilight looked on as the dark alicorn filly approached her dead-eyed, embodied self. It extended a fore hoof and touched the embodied Twilight on the forehead. She screamed. The embodied Twilight screamed in pain as the filly pressed into her head. Twilight swore she could feel a fraction of the pain that her embodied self was under.
The embodied Twilight collapsed to her stomach and writhed on the ground. She ached and twisted under the pain the filly had forced upon her. Then, without warning or precursor, she died. The embodied Twilight's body ceased movement and halted breathing. Twilight felt as if a part inside of her entity had vanished. Like she had lost something that could not be recovered.
The dark filly quickly snapped her gaze to where Twilight was observing from. The eyes seemed to flash with darkness as she looked on in terror. Her mind was flooded with images, all of which she'd seen before, but none of which she could identify. Her sight began to fade. All of the nothingness around her began to take shape. Equestria built itself around Twilight's entity as she was held in place by the filly's gaze. Twilight's body began to fade back in around her mind.
Everything faded back into view. Twilight was standing in her bedroom, in her own body, in her own world. The dark filly was still standing before her. She looked so... out of place in the real world, almost as if she weren't real. The filly looked to the window above Twilight's bed, drawing Twilight's attention to it. She looked to the window and saw that it was morning. The sun was just rising. Twilight saw the sun's rays as they formed tightly around the silhouetted kingdom of Canterlot.
Twilight knew now. She had to go see the princess. What had just happened wasn't just a dream. That was real, and Twilight was no longer playing by her own rules.
She turned her gaze back to the filly to find that it had gone. Twilight felt as if she could sense that it wasn't just hiding. It was no longer in her world.
Twilight turned her gaze to the window once more, focusing on the mountain-bound castle in her view. She had to go and see the Princess, and she had to go today.
Twilight had made up her mind. She began pacing in her bedroom. Spike was still asleep, and it was still very early. Twilight hadn't told anypony, not even Spike, about her dreams. She couldn't bring herself to. She had to go to Canterlot alone. This was her battle, and the only one who could help her now was the princess.
Twilight made arrangements for Spike to stay with Fluttershy while she was gone, though Spike had wanted to stay with Rarity. Twilight didn't have time to warn the princess of her arrival before she teleported to the front gates of the city.
She visibly startled the guards at the gate, who tried their best to hide it. Twilight walked through the city toward the castle. She tried to think about what she would say to the princess. Twilight had spoken to Celestia so many times before that she wasn't nervous about seeing her, she was nervous about what the princess would say back.
Twilight threw all of the facts she had gathered together in her head. She listed them off one by one.
-She had been taken to some strange realm previously.
-She encountered two different ponies, a unicorn (herself) and an alicorn.
-What happened previously was not a dream, it was real.
Twilight shuddered in remembrance as she recalled her memories. The real thing that scared her, though, is how little she knew.
Twilight soon reached the gates to Celestia's castle. The doors opened as she approached. Twilight entered into a large, decorated corridor, lined on both sides with regal white pillars, separating numerous stained-glass windows. Twilight herself was present in some of the windows, showcasing her and her friends vanquishing Discord and Nightmare Moon. Celestia was standing at the far end of the hallway, looking on as Twilight approached slowly.
Twilight bowed her head as she approached Celestia, trying to spare her time for as long as possible.
“Greetings, my faithful student.” Celestia said. Twilight could tell that she was smiling, though she refrained from eye contact for the time being.
“Hello, princess.” Twilight said. “I apologize for showing up unannounced.”
“Do not fret, Twilight Sparkle. I sensed your presence as soon as you entered the city gates.” Celestia said with a chuckle. “Come now, what has gotten you so down that you cannot even look at me?” Celestia cocked her head.
“Yes princess.” Twilight raised her head slowly, looking into her mentor's caring eyes.
“Much better. Now, tell me what has y--” Celestia halted mid sentence, staring at Twilight's forehead.
“What's wrong, princess?” Twilight asked, very concerned.
“That mark...” Celestia had detached herself from the conversation. She was focusing on Twilight's forehead.
“What mark?” Twilight asked, a slight nervous sweat beginning to form on her neck. Twilight used her magic to summon in a mirror. The magical burst snapped Celestia out of her trance as she watched Twilight stare in horror at her own forehead.
The mark that adorned Twilight's head was that of an half circle, opened to the left side. Near the top of the inner arch was placed the silhouette of a mare's head with a large horn protruding from it. It was unmistakable. This was the mark of Night Mare Moon.
“Tell me what you saw.” Celestia commanded. Her silent wisdom was showing itself. In some way, it was like she knew what was happening.
“Princess, I--”
“Tell me what you were shown!” Celestia repeated, her voice now more urgent.
“Okay...” Twilight racked her brain, trying to fish out every last detail. “I was... watching a strange version of... myself--”
“What do you mean 'strange version'?” Celestia interjected.
“It was just like me, but it had empty eyes, and the sockets were bleeding.” Twilight felt tears begin to form at the edges of her eyes. “It kept telling me that it was in pain, and that it wanted me to help it...” The memories began to overwhelm Twilight. Her emotions got the better of her as she began to break down in tears.
Celestia approached her troubled student and placed a wing around her.
“It's alright Twilight. I know its hard, but you must continue. It is very, very important that you tell me everything you saw.” Celestia said, trying to calm her student.
“Another pony walked in... An alicorn filly.” Twilight recalled, “Her eyes were just as empty as... mine...”
Celestia was visibly shocked when twilight mentioned the filly.
“This filly... was she the same one you saw in your dreams?” Celestia asked.
“Yes, she...” Twilight paused, thinking. “Princess, I never mentioned my dreams... How did you know about them... and the filly?”
“Just keep telling me what happened.” Celestia commanded. Twilight nodded, wiping a few tears from her face.
“The blue filly... She reached out a hoof to... my... forehead” Twilight shuddered as she referred to the purple unicorn she saw as herself. “When she touched... my forehead--”
“If you'd rather, you don't need to refer to the purple unicorn as yourself.” Celestia said, “Call her 'the unicorn' if it makes you feel better.” Twilight nodded, wiping away a few more tears.
“The, uh... The unicorn screamed...” Tears began to flow more freely now. “She screamed in so much pain when the alicorn touched her head, and then she...” Twilight stopped and sobbed loudly.
“It's okay...” Celestia stroked Twilight's mane gently, trying to calm her down. “Just try and relax.”
“The unicorn... She fell to the ground and started writhing in pain... and then...” Twilight stopped and sobbed loudly once more before taking in a deep, calming breath. “And then she... She died. Right there in front of me... She just stopped moving and breathing and she... she died...”
Twilight began crying more openly now. She buried her face into her teacher's chest as she sobbed. Celestia stroked Twilight's mane gently, trying to calm her pained student.
“What does it mean, princess?” Twilight asked, weak from her sobbing. Celestia took in a deep breath through her nostrils, closing her eyes, almost as if to dread what she knows to be fact.
“Night Mare Moon is trying to return, and she's using you to rise to power...” Celestia said, almost regretfully.
“Why would she make herself so known by marking my forehead?” Twilight asked, recovering from her tears now.
“I don't know. Night Mare is smarter than that. She wouldn't do such a thing unless she had some deeper plan...” Celestia was lost deep in thought, trying her hardest to think through this.
“Any ideas, princess?” Twilight asked, hopefully.
“I'm afraid not.” Celestia said with a disappointed sigh, “The last time this happened, it was easy to handle because she had no experience, but now... Now it's like she really knows what she's doing.”
“Princess... You just said that this has happened before...” Twilight said, concerned, “When did this last happen?” Celestia realized that she had mentioned the last time Night Mare came to power without realizing it. She answered Twilight regretfully.
“The last time that this happened, you and your friends defeated her.” Celestia explained. Twilight nodded in remembrance. “A similar mark appeared on my forehead. I didn't show up to the Summer Sun Celebration, not because Night Mare had captured me, but because I couldn't face my subjects with a marking of evil adorning my face.” Celestia closed her eyes and her face held an angry, pained expression.
“Well then, shouldn't it be as easy as just assembling the elements of harmony again and confronting her?” Twilight asked, dearly hoping for an affirmative answer.
“I don't think so.” Celestia said. Twilight looked down in disappointment. “She foolishly presented herself early on last time. This time, however... it's like she's trying to channel something through you...” Celestia was obviously pained in saying this, as a single tear began to form in her left eye.
“What is she doing to me?” Twilight asked, half-rhetorically.
“I don't know... This time her strategy is entirely different, the only similarity being the bad dreams and facial marking.” Celestia said. The tear in her eye had retreated, and her face now held a look of angry determination.
“Speaking of the mark, princess...” Twilight said, shuddering at the symbol on her forehead, “You said that you were marked with it previously. Where is it now?”
“It disappeared once Night Mare was defeated. Hence why I made myself visible to my subjects once more after her defeat.” Celestia recalled.
The two sat there for a few more minutes, each lost deeply in thought. Celestia was the first to speak.
“I believe that the one who can give us the most help right now is my sister...” Celestia said, getting Twilight's attention.
“Are you sure? She was embodied by Night Mare. I'm not sure she'd want to revisit that part of her past.” Twilight objected.
“She's the only one who can help us right now.” Celestia said, beginning to stand, “She needs to help us, whether she wants to or not.” Twilight stood and followed Celestia as they walked toward Luna's tower.
Neither of them spoke as they walked, but they were both lost in very deep thought.
They soon reached Luna's tower. As they were about to knock on the door at the base of the tower, Luna called to them from the high window.
“Greetings dear sister! Who is that accompanying you? Is that Twilight Sparkle?” She was very cheerful today. Twilight and Celestia felt bad, knowing that bringing this matter to her attention would no doubt ruin her mood. “Please! Come in!”
The doors before Celestia and Twilight swung open, prompting the duo to enter. They walked in and stood on an arcane marking on the floor. In a flash of light, Celestia and Twilight were transported to Luna's room.
Luna picked up a crumpled piece of paper off the floor and flung it across the room with her magic. The paper ricocheted off of three different surfaces before landing flawlessly in a trash bin on the other side of the room. Without turning to face her guests, Luna spoke.
“We have had extra time to work on our aim in our spare time recently. We do believe ourselves to be rather talented in this field now.” Luna reveled in her skill as she looked at the trash bin.
“Luna.” Celestia said, getting her sister's attention.
“How may we help you two?” Luna said, a smile on her face, “Or have you just come for a friendly vis--” The smile on her face vanished quickly as Luna noticed Twilight's forehead. She looked at Twilight with a look of shock and fear.
“Luna... We need your help.” Celestia said as calmly as possible.
“N-No... That's not...” Luna was visibly shaken, “It's not... Possible...”
“Luna. You know what this mark means. We need your help.” Celestia said, slightly more sternly this time. Twilight looked on, helplessly as her teacher tried to petition for aid from her own sister.
“Yes... The mark of the Night Mare. We know it well...” Luna adopted a tone of aggravated displeasure as she turned away. “What do you expect us to do?”
“We don't know what Night Mare is planning, but you might.” Celestia said, rather bluntly.
“Why!? Because we were that monster at one point!? You think that just because we were her once, that we still are her now!? THAT IS WHAT THOU THINK'ST, IS IT NOT!?” Luna screamed, eventually bringing her tone back to that of the royal Canterlot voice.
“Luna...” Celestia said calmly, trying to quell her sister's rage, “Think about how bad it felt, being taken over by that monster. Do you want the same thing to happen to an innocent pony?” Celestia motioned her head toward Twilight.
Luna clenched her teeth and turned, as if she was about to force them out of her room, yet as she turned, she saw Twilight once more. She looked scared. Scared and alone, like she just needed somepony to help her. The same way Luna remembered feeling when she was taken by Night Mare. Luna's face softened and her body weakened. She bowed her head toward her guests.
“We are... sorry. We don't know what got into us...” Luna said, looking to Twilight. “You need our help, we understand that, but what are we supposed to do?” Luna turned to her sister, a look of confused sorrow on her face.
“Anything you can to help her.” Celestia said. Luna closed her eyes and began to think.
“We think we may know what to do.” Luna said, keeping her eyes shut, “If we enter Twilight Sparkle's dream, we may be able to find out what's happening on a deeper level.” Luna opened her eyes and looked to Twilight. She returned the gaze slightly hopefully.
“How will you do that?” Twilight asked, finally speaking up.
“There are various perks to being the princess that rules over the night. We have some abilities that not even our dear sister can claim.” Luna said with a smirk, looking toward Celestia, who returned her gaze with a slight smile. “In order to do so, you'll need to be asleep, Twilight Sparkle.”
“I'm afraid that I'm not very tired right now... Sorry...” Twilight said, averting her gaze.
“That won't be an issue.” Luna smirked once more.
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked, rather concerned.
Luna moved toward Twilight and lowered her head. She touched her horn to Twilight's and shot a bolt of energy through them into Twilight's head. Before she could object, Twilight collapsed on the floor before her, forced into a deep slumber.
“You could get into real trouble if she accuses you of performing that spell to a court.” Celestia said, smiling deviously at her sister.
“What she doesn't know won't hurt her... or us, for that matter.” Luna said, tossing one more smirk at her sister before getting to work.
“And by 'us' you mean you, right?” Celestia asked, cocking her head slightly.
“Are thou not an accessory to the sleep spell right now?” Luna asked, rather arrogantly. Celestia looked down and nodded, a small smile across her face.
Luna touched her horn to Twilight's, causing a dark blue glow to encompass both of them. Quickly after, a purple glow mixed in with the aura. Luna had connected to Twilight's mind through her dream.
Luna watched on, unnoticed, as Twilight's dream unfolded before her very eyes...
Twilight stood in a space of absolute darkness. She looked around frantically, as if she knew what was about to happen. A dark filly alicorn appeared before her, and stared into her eyes with it's dark, empty, bleeding eyes.
Twilight looked at the alicorn in sheer terror as it began to open it's mouth. Suddenly, it's mouth snapped shut as it's face held a look of surprise. The filly turned away from Twilight, drawing a sigh of relief out of her, as well as a look of concern. The filly alicorn grinned evilly as it disappeared into a cloud of dark blue dust.
Luna looked all over the dream realm, trying to find the filly alicorn. Suddenly, it appeared. It grabbed Luna's gaze and stared into her onlooking mind. Luna thought she was undetectable while observing a dream, but she had been spotted and captured by the creature within Twilight's dream.
The being began pushing it's way forward, melding with Luna's mind. It knew just how to infiltrate her mind in particular. The being worked it's way into Luna's mind, holding her in place.
The being festered within Luna's head, empowering itself as it took control of her brain. Once it had gathered enough power, it shot itself through Luna's horn and directly into Twilight's.
Luna was ejected from Twilight's mind and was blown back from the magical discharge when their horns disconnected.
“Luna! Twilight!” Celestia yelled in fear as she watched on, helplessly. She rushed to her sister's side as she began to sit up, rubbing her head. She forced open one eye and looked toward Twilight.
“Oh no...” She remarked, grabbing Celestia's attention and drawing it toward the purple unicorn across the room.
Twilight was lying on her side on the far end of the room. Her body was shrouded in a black mist, as a dark purple and blue glow shone from beneath it.
“Twilight?” Celestia called out to her student. She was answered only be a deep, cynical laugh.
“Twilight...” Luna said, all too aware of what was happening. Twilight stood and the mist cleared from around her.
Twilight had changed. She was as tall as Luna now. Her mane had grown in length and now drooped below her front knees as she stood, and the bright purple and pink stripe that had previously been present in her mane and tail had vanished. Her once bright purple coat had darkened to a sickly, almost gray purple. Her hooves were adorned with black horseshoes that stretched up her legs past her knees and resolved to points at their tops. She wore a black breastplate with a reddish-purple six pointed star in the center. Her eyes held a similar color, and were sharper than they once were, and her horn had grown in length and sharpened at the tip.
“Twilight!” Celestia yelled. She charged at her once faithful student, her horn at the ready. Directly before impact, Twilight teleported out of the way, causing Celestia to hit a wall behind where she stood.
“Foolish princess. Honestly now, I thought you'd be smarter than to rush me right off the bat.” Twilight said in a cynical tone, staring arrogantly at Celestia. Her voice was still recognizable as that of Twilight's, but it sounded almost distorted, and seemed to echo within itself.
“What have you done to Twilight!?” Celestia asked, filled with rage at what was once her student.
“Why don't you ask your dear sister. She caused it, anyway...” Twilight stepped aside, no longer obstructing Celestia's view from Luna. Celestia cast a look of disbelief at Luna, who was casting a similar look at Twilight. “I will say, however... being Night Mare Moon was fun, but I feel as it'll be even more satisfying being the New Moon. Hmm... You know, I'm not sure how much I like that name... tell you what: I'll keep thinking about it, and I'll get back to you when I come up with something good.” With that, New Moon vanished in a black spark, leaving the two princess sisters alone in Luna's room.
Celestia teleported herself in front of Luna and pushed her up against the wall with her fore hooves, pinning her. Celestia stared into her sister's eyes with more of a rage than she had ever felt before.
“WHAT DID SHE MEAN WHEN SHE SAID THAT YOU CAUSED THIS!?” Celestia called upon her royal Canterlot voice as she shouted at her sister. Celestia's shouts were the fiercest in history, shaking the tower as well as various surrounding buildings as her voice echoed throughout the city.
“We swear to you, sister! We had no willing part in Night Mare's transfer!” Luna said, trying to calm her sister.
“EXPLAIN YOURSELF!” The very foundations of the tower shook under the volume of Celestia's voice as she interrogated her sister.
“While we were observing Twilight Sparkle's dream the monster spotted us and entered our mind. It must have powered itself in there before transferring into Twilight through her horn! We would have stopped her if we could!” Luna said, her calm attitude beginning to wear thin.
Celestia pushed her hooves against her sister hard while bearing her teeth before sighing in defeat and releasing her. Celestia dropped to her knees as Luna fell to the floor. In her rage, Celestia had lifted Luna from the ground and slid her up the wall, almost crushing her lungs under her strength. Luna gasped for air as she hit the ground, coughing violently.
“I'm sorry... I... lost my temper.” Celestia said, averting her eyes from her sister's. “I don't know what came over me...”
“We understand. We acted in a similar manner earlier today, remember?” Luna said, looking toward her sister. Celestia met her gaze, her eyes filled with sorrow. She just nodded. “Now do us both a favor and put that anger toward 'New Moon'.” Luna placed a hoof on her sister's foreleg and offered a smile. Celestia met her gaze and smiled back.
“Now, how are we going to go about getting Twilight back and defeating New Moon?” Luna asked, casting a glance in her sister's direction.
“We need to assemble the remaining elements of harmony, before New Moon get's to them.” Celestia said.
“She'll already be on her way there, so we need to move, now!” Luna placed a hoof on her sister's neck as Celestia teleported them to Ponyville. When they arrived, night had fallen, and the streets were empty.
“We need to split up to reach all of them in time. I will gather Kindness, Generosity, and Honesty.” Celestia said, looking into the town.
“And we will obtain Loyalty and Laughter.” Luna agreed. The sister's nodded and ran off in different directions. Celestia first arrived at The Carousel Boutique.
“Oh, princess! To what do I owe this pleasure?” Rarity asked, rather confused.
“I have precious little time, Generosity. I need you to follow me, now.” Celestia commanded.
“Um... Of course! Whatever you need, princess.” rarity was concerned. She didn't often speak to the princess, but when she did, she was referred to as 'Rarity'. She knew that something big must be happening for her to be recalled as her element. Rarity followed Celestia as she ran toward Sweet Apple Acres. They soon arrived and were met almost instantly by Applejack herself.
“Well howdy, princess and uh... Rarity?” Applejack was confused.
“Honesty. I need you to come with me immediately. I have no time to explain.” Celestia said. Applejack simply nodded and followed as they set off for Fluttershy's cottage.
“Oh! Princess!” Fluttershy bowed before Celestia.
“Kindness, I need you to come with me now. I will explain when I can.” Celestia commanded.
“Oh, um... Alright...” Fluttershy meekly joined the group as they ran toward the center of the town. There waiting was Luna, accompanied by Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.
The five elements stood around, chatting quietly to one another, trying to figure out what was happening. Celestia and Luna were also talking to one another silently, trying not to concern the elements any further.
“We do not understand...” Luna said, “Why would New Moon not come for the elements? What is she planning?”
“I don't know. Perhaps we should get Spike as well. He may be of some help.” Celestia said.
“Indeed, or in the very least, he'd want to know what is happening with Twilight.” Luna agreed. The duo asked the elements if they knew where Spike was. Fluttershy mentioned that he was staying with her while Twilight went to Canterlot, but he left during the day to go back to the library.
The princesses and the elements ran toward the Library to claim Spike, however, what they found held the exact opposite of their wishes. New Moon was levitating just above the top of the large tree. Floating near her was a small purple and green dragon, floating in front of her, encased in a dark red aura.
“Is that... Twilight!?” Applejack asked, overcome with confusion and terror.
Celestia and Luna looked on as New Moon held Spike in her magical grasp. She quickly noticed her audience and spoke to address them.
“Greetings, my precious subjects!” New Moon said, looking toward the small crowd.
“Twilight! What are you doing?” Rarity called, rather concerned.
“That's not Twilight anymore. She's been taken over by Night Mare Moon.” Celestia said, not averting her gaze from New Moon.
“But we beat Night Mare! How is she back?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“We will explain everything when we can, but for now, we need to focus on this!” Luna said, staring angrily at New Moon.
“I'm terribly sorry, were you looking for Spike here?” New Moon asked, her voice filled with arrogance.
“You put down my little Spikey-Wikey!” Rarity shouted, bearing her teeth as she growled at New Moon.
“Calm yourself, Generosity! He's not your precious little dragon anymore.” New Moon said, her voice growing to a more stern tone.
Before their eyes, the small purple dragon was transformed. His purple scales turned to a deep bloody red, and his green underbelly and spines turned to a sickly purple, causing him to mimic New Moon's colors. His stature began to increase as he grew in height before them. New Moon landed on the top of the library and set Spike on his feet next to her. He stood about as tall as she was.
“Now, Spike. Be kind to our subjects, and say hello.” New Moon said, her arrogant tone returning.
Spike opened his eyes to reveal two hauntingly red irises, staring down at them from the centers of his eyes.
“Hello...” His voice was still reminiscent of the Spike they once knew, but it held a slight distortion in it's tone.
“Now, Spike. Let us depart from these powerless foals!” New Moons said, catching Spike's attention. “We have work to do...”
“WAIT!” A voice called from the crowd below. It was Rarity. Her eyes were beginning to glaze over with tears. “Before you go... Can I just say goodbye to Spike... Please...”
Spike turned and looked at New Moon, who simply held an impatient look. She motioned one of her hooves forward, instructing Spike to approach Rarity. Spike jumped down from the Library top and landed on the dirt ground below, causing a small indent to form where he landed. Spike approached Rarity, and when they were face to face, Rarity brought something forth. An object that she held very dearly to her heart. It was the fire ruby that Spike had so selflessly given to her so long ago. At the sight of it, Spike's eyes flashed green, and his face held a surprised expression.
“Take this... So you'll always remember me.” Rarity forced a smile and placed the heart shaped gem in Spike's claw. Spike's face held a slightly pained expression. Rarity hugged Spike before turning away from him and facing her friends. Spike put the fire ruby away.
“Yes, yes... That was all nice and...” New Moon stifled a gag “~romantic~... but Spike and I need to be going now.” New Moon teleported Spike back up to her and then teleported both of them out of Ponyville. The mood calmed down after they left. Nopony wanted to say anything. They were all too shocked. Not even Pinkie, which served to shock the others even more. Rarity was the first to speak up.
“Right...” She wiped a few tears from her face, “Now I believe it's high time you two princesses explain just what is happening! Uh... With all due respect, of course...”
“Indeed.” Celestia agreed, “It goes without saying now that Night Mare Moon has returned, and that she has unfortunately taken the body of Twilight Sparkle to do so.” Celestia closed her eyes and tried to think, letting Luna take over.
“Night Mare Moon, or as she's referring to herself now, New Moon, has been taunting Twilight from within her dreams, no doubt using her time there to empower herself as much as possible.” Luna took a deep breath, “We used our magic to look into one of Twilight's dreams, but when we did, Night Mare spotted us, and used us as a bridge to enter Twilight.”
“And now she's taken Spike.” Pinkie added, stating the obvious.
“Yes, and we fear what it is she has planned for him...” Luna said.
“Because she didn't come after any of us first.” Applejack added. Luna nodded her head. Celestia was still deeply lost in thought. The entire party calmed down and stopped talking, each of them trying to think of some solution. Rainbow Dash finally spoke up.
“Hey Rarity,” Dash said, catching her attention, “I thought you didn't really like Spike. How come you gave him that flaming ruby, or, whatever it's called?”
“For your information, Rainbow Dash, I care very much for my little Spikey-Wikey, and I'm rather appalled that you would suggest otherwise!” Rarity's voice held a tone of impatient disapproval, “And secondly, the gem that I gave to him is called a Fire Ruby. It's the same one that he gave to me on his birthday a few years ago.”
“Alright. Sorry.” Rainbow Dash said, backing down. A tone of silence fell over the crowd once more. This time it was broken by Celestia.
“We need to find some way to figure out where New Moon is going...” Celestia said, addressing the crowd.
“Oh, um... I probably should have mentioned this earlier...” Rarity said, sheepishly, “But I was always so worried about losing that Fire Ruby that I placed it under a tracking spell.”
“A what?” Applejack asked.
“A tracking spell. You see, my magic focuses on finding gems and creating beauty, and one of the spells that I know for finding gems includes tracking ones that I mark with the spell.” Rarity explained. Celestia's eyes shot open and she looked at Rarity.
“So you can track their movements through the gem that you gave to Spike?” Celestia asked.
“Of course. I knew we would need a way to follow them. I apologize for not mentioning this earlier.” Rarity said, averting her gaze.
“Why didn't you tell us about this sooner?” Rainbow Dash said rather impatiently.
“I said I apologize for not mentioning this earlier.” Rarity said, matching Dash's tone of impatience.
“Calm down you two!” Luna commanded. She turned to look at Rarity. “Where are they now?”
Rarity closed her eyes and her horn began to glow, though it's aura was not affecting anything.
“They appear to be heading toward the Crystal Mountains.” She said, opening her eyes and turning toward the princesses.
“That's all the way in the frozen north.” Luna said, turning to her sister. Celestia nodded.
“We need to follow them. Luna and I have enough magic in us to teleport all of you to the mountains, but not ourselves. It's just too far a distance and there's too many of us.” Celestia said, “We will send you five there, but Luna and myself will have to fly.” The five elements nodded in agreement.
“After we send you, my sister and I will have to go to Canterlot to retrieve the elements of harmony. After that, we will make our way to meet you.” Luna said. “It is very important that when you arrive, you find someplace to hide. Do not approach New Moon, under any circumstances. We are powerless against her without the physical elements.” The five nodded in agreement once more.
“Good luck... Princesses.” Fluttershy said timidly before huddling into a group with her friends.
Celestia and Luna forced all of their energy into their horns, encompassing the five little ponies in a mixture of gold and blue energy. Suddenly, in a flash of bright white light, the five were gone.
Celestia stood upright, but Luna stumbled slightly, visibly exhausted from exerting so much power.
“We need to go, now.” Celestia said, her voice filled with steadfast determination. Luna nodded, and the two took to the skies toward Canterlot.
A bright flash of light caught the attention of a passing mountain goat as five ponies appeared on the ground next to him. The goat shrugged it off and continued his trek.
The ponies stood and shook their heads clear before speaking.
“It's freaking freezing!” Rainbow Dash said, visibly shivering.
“I know it's cold, but we need to find someplace to hide out until the princesses arrive.” Applejack said.
“Look, over there!' Pinkie said, pointing. “There's a cave!” The group shuffled their way through the snow and over to the opening in the mountainside. Once they had entered, each of them shook off their hooves. Fluttershy looked to the back of the cave.
“Um...” She said, visibly shaken and apprehensive.
“What is it, sugarcube?” Applejack asked, not tuning to face her friend.
“Umm...” She repeated, louder this time, raising a hoof to point. Each of the ponies turned to look to the back of the cave, and were met with the sight of New Moon staring back at them.
“There are 26 other caves on this mountain alone, yet you somehow choose the one that I am in. Well done!” New Moon said, mocking the ponies. “Where are your princesses, hmm? Aren't they here to protect you?”
“They aren't here. Reading says nothing.” Spike said, leaning toward New Moon. He was sitting at a flat topped stone which had a circle of magical energy atop it. There were two visible markings within the circle: one where Rarity was standing, and the other where New Moon was standing.
Rainbow Dash poked Applejack and pointed inconspicuously toward the radar-like device that Spike was watching. Applejack nodded her head. Rainbow Dash took to the air and hovered closer to New Moon.
“So... 'New Moon'... That's kind of a dumb name, don't you think?” Rainbow said, almost mockingly. Applejack poked Pinkie and pointed her toward Rainbow Dash. Pinkie gave a comical salute and walked over to New Moon. Dash was about to say something else, but was interrupted by Pinkie.
“Yeah, New Moon is a pretty weird name I mean Night Mare Moon was a cool name and it was nice and scary, but New Moon I mean come on is that really the best you could come up with I could probably think of a million better names like what about Twilight Moon or um okay well maybe not a million more but is New Moon really the best you could come up with I don't really think that New Moon is that scary of a name and that is what you're trying to go for right now scary right like I said Night Mare Moon was a scary name because that reminds me of nightmares and I don't really like nightmares I cant think of anypony who actually likes nightmares because they're just so scary well actually scary things don't really scare me all that much because I was told at a really young age that the best way to calm my fears is just to laugh at them I guess that's why I'm the element of laughter right because I'm always ready to laugh at any given moment and sometimes that just gets a little to annoying to some ponies especially when they see it as a time when I really shouldn't be laughing--”
Pinkie Pie attacked New Moon with a barrage of words, each sentence melding in with the one that came before it, making the entire speech one big jumbled mess of sounds. New Moon dropped to her stomach and clasped her hooves over her ears.
“Shut up! Shut Up!! SHUT UP!!!” New Moon screamed at Pinkie but she refused to halt. Spike stood from his post and walked over to Pinkie. He picked her up and clasped a claw over her mouth, muffling her voice, though she still tried to talk.
Rarity took the opportunity and walked over to the stone that Spike was sitting at. She pumped some energy through her horn and blasted it into the magical radar, sabotaging it indefinitely. The image on the stone froze in place. As Rarity moved, the circle that represented her did not. She quickly ran back to join her friends.
New Moon materialized five cages. Spike put a line of tape over Pinkie's mouth and placed her in one of the cages. He did the same for the four remaining ponies, excluding taping their mouths.
New Moon turned and faced a stone wall behind her. On the wall was the imprints of the phases of the moon. She used some of her magic to do something with the symbols. The five ponies weren't quite sure what.
Spike sat at the stone and watched carefully, looking for any further readings to come up. Rarity couldn't help but smirk at his ignorance. Applejack looked to the mouth of the cave and saw Celestia and Luna peeking in. Applejack and Celestia locked eyes and Celestia nodded affirmatively. Celestia looked toward New Moon and formed a plan. She used her magic to remove the tape from Pinkie's mouth.
Pinkie looked around the cave, rather confused. She noticed Celestia at he mouth of the cave, who gave her a wink. Pinkie smiled widely and quietly alerted the others of the presence of the princesses. Celestia and Luna retreated from view and formed a plan.
“How are we going to get the elements on the ponies while they're in those cages?” Luna asked.
“More importantly, how are we going to work the elements without Twilight? She is arguably the most important one.” Celestia added. Luna gave a deep sigh, closing her eyes.
“Back when we were Night Mare... We could feel a part of our self within the beast.” Luna said, “We know that Twilight is still in there. We just need to get the physical element on her and the real Twilight Sparkle will do the rest.” Celestia nodded in agreement.
“So... we need to get the elements on the ponies and New Moon from a distance, since we can't enter their cages, and we need to get New Moon to turn around so we can put the element on her.” Luna said, trying to work through the problem.
“If we enter the cave and confront New Moon, she'll likely turn around. She's not one to make the first attack, so as long as we don't charge her, she probably won't move.” Celestia said.
“But how are we going to get the elements onto the ponies?” Luna asked, cocking an eyebrow at her sister. Celestia offered a smirk.
“How's your aim?” She asked. Luna looked confused by this question, but quickly resolved to a devious smirk. The two entered the cave and made their presence known.
“NEW MOON!” Luna called upon her royal Canterlot voice as she addressed the evil at the other end of the cave.
New Moon turned to face the princesses with a surprised look. She then turned to Spike impatiently.
“Why didn't you tell me they were here!?” She yelled at Spike.
“They aren't showing up on the reading!” He replied, just as confused as her.
Celestia gave a wink to Pinkie Pie, signaling for her to begin speaking again.
“Hey New Moon and by the way I still think that's a weird name I mean you really couldn't think of anything better come on it cant be that hard I mean like what about um well okay maybe it is kinda hard working with that I mean the only variables here are Twilight Sparkle and Night Mare Moon and the fact that you're the new Night Mare Moon you know what now that I think about it maybe New Moon is the best name for you I mean like what I said earlier Twilight Moon yeah that just doesn't sound cool enough and a New Moon is an actual phase of the moon see it's right there on that wall behind you so I guess that works well enough anyway don't you think that the moon is actually kind of--”
As Pinkie tortured New Moon with her unfaltering words, Spike was tampering with the arcane circle on the stone in front of him. Taking the opportunity, Celestia brought forth a small regal chest. She opened it and presented it to Luna. Luna took the element of Honest out of the box and flung it toward Applejack. The necklace landed flawlessly around her neck and latched itself to her. Luna repeated the motion for Kindness, Loyalty, Generosity, and Laughter.
The only element left in the box was the tiara of Magic, the element that Twilight embodied. Celestia and Luna nodded to one another before Celestia called out to New Moon.
“Hey Twilight!” She yelled, catching New Moon's attention. Luna grabbed the final element with her magic and flung it toward New Moon as she faced them. New Moon's eyes went wide as it flew at her, and she ducked out of the way just in time to cause it to hit the wall behind her and fall to the floor. Luna's and Celestia's faces held looks of irritation as New Moon looked at them triumphantly. She motioned to Spike to grab the element from the ground.
As Spike stood he bumped his knee against the stone in front of him. The force caused something to fall from his inventory and land on the ground. He heard a sound like glass hitting stone as he turned to look at what had fallen. There, on the ground behind him, he saw the Fire Ruby.
New Moon forced magic onto her horn and spawned two more cages, forcibly blasting Celestia and Luna into them. She walked over to the cages to address her new prisoners.
Meanwhile, Spike stared helplessly at the ruby on the ground behind him. His eyes flashed their original green once more as he grasped the sides of his head and fell to his knees. The five elements watched as Spike wrestled with his own mind right in front of them. Spike stood, his head still facing the ground. He looked up toward New Moon. What the elements saw shocked them. Spike's eyes had resolved to their original, safe green hue. He looked angrily at New Moon and walked over to pick up the tiara of Magic.
“DID YOU REALLY THINK YOU COULD DEFEAT ME THAT EASILY!?” New Moon had lost her temper and was vocally lashing the princesses before her. “I AM THE EMBODIMENT OF THE NEW MOON, AND I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED BY TWO LOWLY PONIES SUCH AS YOURSELVES!”
“Then how about a dragon?” A voice called out from behind New Moon. As she turned, she saw Spike charging at her, the element of Magic in his claw. New Moon took a defensive stance and slightly lowered her head as Spike jumped at her. Just as Spike made contact, New Moon thrust her head upward.
Everything happened so fast. Spike rolled off of New Moon and landed on his side on the cold ground, revealing the tiara of Magic adorning New Moon's head. The tiara began to glow as it sat upon her head. The five other elements began to glow as well. Each of the ponies opened their eyes as they began to glow white. A rainbow formed from within their spirits as it came to shape above their heads. It charged downward and encased New Moon.
“I won't let you do this to me, or my friends. It's time for you to leave.” This voice echoed from deep within New Moon's throat, though it was not the monster's voice. It was Twilight, calling out from within her captors body. Her voice was calm and unchanging, as if it were her very soul speaking through New Moon.
“NO! I CAN'T LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN! I WON'T LET THIS--” New Moon screamed. Her words trailed off as she went silent. The rainbow cleared, revealing an unconscious Twilight Sparkle before them. She had returned to her original colors and size. The group looked toward Spike, who had also returned to his original stature and color scheme. However, they each quailed in fear at what they saw next. Forming around Spike was a quickly spreading puddle of a rather unfamiliar crimson liquid. A final flash of dark purple magic flared as New Moon's spells faded, prompting everypony to gather around the injured dragon.
Luna picked him up and assessed his wounds. New Moon had thrust her horn directly into his gut, causing a large hole to form. He was still breathing, but just barely, and he was bleeding heavily. Luna placed Spike on her back.
“I will take him to the Canterlot hospital. You all tend to Twilight, quickly.” Luna quickly teleported herself out of the cave with Spike. The remaining ponies gathered around Twilight, waiting for her to react.
Nopony said anything for a few minutes. Twilight was breathing, but nopony wanted to force her awake. They stood around her for a few more minutes until she finally came to.
“Ow...” She said, visibly disoriented. “What hap--” She paused her words as her mind caught up with her. She remembered everything. All that she said, and all of the pain she caused. She averted her gaze from any of the ponies around her, even the princess. Her face held a saddened and mournful expression.
Her face quickly changed, however, when her friends and Celestia herself embraced Twilight in a large group hug, savoring the presence of their friend.
“It's so good to have you back, sugarcube.” Applejack said, smiling happily.
“It's sooo good to have the Twilight we know and love back. I was really really worried when the rainbow came down and hit you but I knew that it had to be done after I saw what that nasty New Moon did to Spike and--”
“Pinkie!” Yelled numerous ponies around her. Pinkie smiled apologetically and quieted down.
“Wait... Where is Spike?” Twilight asked, looking around frantically, “What happened to him!?” She was visibly worried for the well being of her assistant as her eyes darted around the cave, trying to find him.
“New Moon...” Celestia spoke up, “She stabbed him through the stomach with her horn. Luna has taken him to the Canterlot hospital.” Celestia bowed her head and closed her eyes.
“I--” Twilight was at a loss for words, “I... stabbed Spike...”
“No! You did no such thing, Darling!” Rarity spoke up, trying to calm her friend, “It was that monster, New Moon that did it. You had nothing to do with it!”
Twilight's eyes were shut tight, though tears were still flowing freely. She was overwhelmed by the amount of things happening all at once.
“I'm... so sorry... for what I've done.” She said, looking away.
“You've got nothing to be sorry for.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Yeah, you're a victim here.” Fluttershy added.
Twilight clenched her eyes shut once more, trying to agree with what they were saying. Her tears still fell freely as she lay on the cave floor, trying to tell herself it was alright.
“Can I... go and see Spike?” She asked, her voice weak and sorrowful.
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Celestia asked.
“Yes. I need to see if he's okay.” Twilight rose to her feet and looked at Celestia.
“Very well.” Celestia teleported Twilight and her friends to Canterlot. She did not join them, due to lack of available power.
Twilight ran toward the hospital as soon as she arrived. Her friends struggled to keep up with her as she ran. Once she arrived, she made her way to the front desk immediately.
“Spike, dragon.” She demanded, a few tears still falling from her face. The nurse looked at the chart in front of her.
“In surgery.” She replied.
Twilight felt faint. She wanted to throw up but couldn't. The thought of her harming Spike, the dragon that she hatched, in any way made her sick to her stomach. Her mind went blank, her legs went numb, her sight grew dim. Twilight collapsed on the floor before the nurse.
“Miss?” The nurse called out, “Miss!?” The nurse rose to her feet and called a few assistants to her side. They lifted Twilight from the floor and took her away as her friends could do nothing but stand and watch.
“There she is.” A familiar voice called out a Twilight began to awake, “How ya feelin'?”
Twilight's eyes began to clear away the darkness and the haze before focusing on the being before her. It was the friendly purple dragon she knew all too well. Twilight tried to sit up, but was promptly halted by Spike.
“Whoa whoa, hold on.” Spike said, bracing a hand against her foreleg. “Don't sit up too fast. Don't want to hurt yourself.”
“Spike?” Twilight asked, still very disoriented and groggy, “What happened?”
“They told me you passed out in the lobby.” Spike clarified.
“Lobby?” Twilight asked, her voice weak. Her mind began to come to as she recalled where she was. She looked around the room and understood it as a hospital. She recalled passing out after hearing about Spike being in sur... “Spike!” Twilight leaped forward and embraced the baby dragon in a hug.
“Ow! Calm down a bit.” Spike gently pushed Twilight off of him and back into the bed. She looked at his underbelly and saw a large bandage wrapped around his torso. It was colored slightly red just above his gut.
The sight brought Twilight to tears. She clasped a hoof over her mouth as she cried outwardly, recalling everything now.
“Spike, I'm...” Twilight said before being cut off.
“Don't, Twilight.” Spike said, stopping her in mid sentence, “You have nothing to be sorry for.” Spike leaned forward and hugged Twilight. She wrapped her forelegs around him and cried as they embraced.
Twilight wiped the tears from her eyes, slowly calming herself down.
“It was you who put the element of Magic onto New Moon, wasn't it?” Twilight asked, her voice quiet, with a hint of sadness.
“Yeah. I don't remember what it was that brought me to do it...” He smiled at Twilight.
“Thank you.” Twilight said, smiling back at Spike. Just then the door to the room opened and seven other equines walked in. Twilight's face held a surprised look as her friends and the two princesses greeted her.
“How are you feeling, Twilight Sparkle?” Luna asked, causing Celestia to give her an aggravated look, having been just about to speak.
“Better. That's for sure.” Twilight replied. “I know now that it wasn't me who did any of the evil that occurred while New Moon had taken me, but I'd still like to apologize for everything that happened.” Twilight closed her eyes as a few small tears made their way down her cheeks.
“All is forgiven, Twilight.” Celestia said, drawing Twilight's attention, “After all, we could have been much worse off.” Celestia motioned her head toward Spike, who smiled at Twilight.
“Thank you.” Twilight said.
A white pegasus entered the room, a red cross on her flank. She didn't notice the other ponies, and instead turned her attention to Twilight.
“Miss Sparkle. You appear to be feeling much better, so we can discharge you now.” The nurse said, giving Twilight a slight smile. Twilight nodded her head in thanks. The nurse turned to leave, and was visibly caught off guard by the large number of ponies in the room behind her. “Wow, brought the whole crowd I see, even... Ah! Your highnesses!” The nurse bowed before Celestia and Luna, who each gave her a respectful nod. The nurse stood and bowed her head before departing.
“Well, sounds like you're good to go!” Rainbow Dash said, giving Twilight a smile.
“Yeah. I'd like to get back to Ponyville as soon as possible.” She said. “I'm not up to teleporting yet though...”
“Our power is still rather drained as well.” Luna said, motioning to her sister.
“Well, who's up for a train ride?” Asked Twilight.
