When Darkness Falls

"Now close your eyes and focus all of your thoughts on your physical body.", Purgatory commanded still maintaining a blank emotionless face. Sunny slowly lowered his head and shut his eyes, seeing only darkness. "You know what it felt like to be physically alive and aware, focus on that feeling while keeping thoughts of your physical shell." As Purgatory continued to speak, Sunny felt as though he was becoming more distant from the realm that was holding him. Purgatory's voice seemed to fade away, as if he was getting farther away. "The connection between this side of you and the evil within you, cannot be ignored. Embrace that connection...and see what Nightfall can see..." As those last, almost silent words left him, Sunny could hear sounds beginning to build up around him. Muffled and distant screams echoed through the air. He could hear strong cracking sounds and structures beginning to fall. He opened his eyes to see a city that was set ablaze. The buildings and landscape were burning intensely, as if a Tartarus-spawn dragon breathed his fiery breath over the land. Sunny tried to move only to feel that he had no control, as if frozen in place. As his head began to move on its own, as if looking around and taking in the view Sunny then realized that Purgatory's magic has worked. But this body isn't his no longer...it is the physical being of Nightfall. As if by fate or luck, Nightfall looked toward his hooves and stared into a small puddle of what looked like blood. His appearance reflected from the red puddle, giving Sunny a glance at his appearance that would have sent chills down his spine. What was once his brown well-taken care-of mane was now sticking out, as if a bolt of lightning had traveled through each particle of hair. The color of the mane was altered as well, replaced with a midnight navy blue and black ends. The fur matched the blue shade of his mane, and it seemed as though he was the same size if not larger than Celestia herself. Just the glare from his eyes could burn through the very depths of a pony's soul. They were serpent like, bearing the shade of a deep thick blood-like color. Nightfall then raised his head to look at the broken city once more. As Sunny watched him admire the scenery, he finally realized where Nightfall is. What buildings where left intact were structures that had had recognized, it was his home-town of Baltimare...

"Nightfall!", a thundering voice called. Nightfall slowly turned around to see that he was being called upon by Nightmare Moon, who was slowly trotting toward him. "What do you have to report?", Nightmare Moon asked expecting an answer. Nightfall lowers his head, and bends his knees before speaking: "Your majesty. Every little pony that is left have barricaded themselves up in the City Hall.", he spoke in a dark almost demon-like voice. "And what of the rest of the city?", Nightmare Moon asked expecting the right answer once more. Nightfall raised his head up, and spoke with a pleased look in his eyes: "Every piece of filth is either dead, or has surrendered. As far as we can tell, any-pony that is still alive is in City Hall." "Most excellent. Order all guards to form up at City Hall, we shall see if they are smart enough to surrender. And if they are not....execute them.", Nightmare Moon commanded. "With pleasure...", he said as a devious menacing grin grew on his face dawning his sharp teeth. He then proceeded to scream orders at all troops, "LISTEN UP YOU STAINS! EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU, TO THE CITY HALL NOW!! AND IF YOUR NOT THERE BY THE TIME I GET THERE, I'LL KILL YOU MYSELF FOR FALLING BEHIND!!" And with that the ground shook as if a stampede were making its way through the center of town. All guards were immediately heading for City Hall, knowing that Nightfall wouldn't go back on his promise if he even thought that they weren't listening. But fortunately for them, they all had gotten at City Hall before Nightfall led Nightmare Moon through the crowd. Pushing and shoving his way through as if they were nothing, not caring that he caused several to fall to the ground. Nightfall and Nightmare Moon stood at the glass front of City Hall, just watching all citizens that were left cower in shear terror inside the lobby. They looked on with up-most fright, for the entire army of Nightmare Moon was crowded around the front of the building. The glass serving the thin breakable barrier that stood between them, and their unavoidable demise. As I watched all those innocents being mentally tortured by the evil that was slowly inching closer to their last holdout, I suddenly had a vivid memory sweep over me. I thought back to that night all those years ago, when I had first met Celestia and Luna. I would have never expected that they would offer me a seat at the guest table along side them. I was merely an orphan, that didn't hold no bearing nor reputation to his name. But they looked beyond the name and the face. When they looked at me glaring through the window, they saw a kid that never wanted anything more than to be accepted. As my thoughts returned to the predicament at hand, Nightfall clinched his eyes for a moment and then shook his head as if he had seen the memory as well. "Nightfall, would you make us a door?", Nightmare Moon asked rhetorically bearing the arrogance she always possessed. Nightfall nodded, then lowered his head aiming his horn toward the glass. His horn began to glow a black oily shadow-like aura. Suddenly a burst fired a black bolt of pure magic, shattering what used to be the front of the City Hall instantaneously. Nightmare Moon began trotting through the now destroyed glass front of City Hall, followed by Nightfall and her two personal guards. "People of Baltimare, allow me to provide with insight of your current situation: I am Nightmare Moon, the Queen of everlasting darkness. I offer each of you the opportunity to surrender to my will and swear to worship your Queen for all eternity. It is not wise for any of you ungrateful mortals to refuse such an offer." One pony suddenly stepped forward from the crowd, showing no fear. "WE WILL NEVER WORSHIP SCUM LIKE YOU!" The brave pony is suddenly snatched up from the ground, being held by his throat. Nightfall pulls him down to his eye level with the black tendril that he was holding him with, keeping his feet from touching ground. "No one, speaks to Nightmare Moon that way. Now I myself will tell you only once you little whelp. Surrender to your Queen, or die..." The pony barely opens his eyes, still gasping and fighting for air. Through his irregular rapid gasps for air he manages to angrily say: "May the creatures of Tartarus tear your soul apart for all eternity!" Nightfall brought him close enough that only he would hear what Nightfall had to say, "You...first..." A second black tendril spawned from Nightfall's back while the other lifted the pony high enough in the air so that every-pony could see what Nightfall was going to do. The second tendril grabbed the pony by the front right arm, while the first released its grip from his throat so that his screams could be heard. The first tendril then took hold of his left back leg, followed by a third and a fourth that grabbed the remaining limbs that weren't held. Nightfall then grinded his teeth enjoying every shriek of pain, and every painful second. The tendrils began to slowly pull at all four limbs of the unfortunate pony, causing gasps and shrieks of horror to come from the crowd of frightened civilians. As the tendrils pulled tighter and tighter, the pony began to let out blood curdling screams. The crowd was beginning to fill with sounds of intense and fearful cries that would make the hairs stand up on the back of every-pony's neck. All except Nightfall, who was relishing in the moment. Bearing the most gruesome smile possible. Nightfall slowly pulled harder...and harder, bringing more screams from both the pony and the crowd. Bones could be heard breaking and dislocating, causing the skin to stretch farther than it was thought was possible. The screams drowning out the collapsing and burning of buildings all over the city, with tears running down the pony's eyes in streams equal to that of raging waterfalls. Until finally......the pony's entire body snapped, sending different pieces of his body flying in all directions of the room and causing intestines, muscles, and tendons to protrude from each part of the body. Serving as the only remaining things that kept them connected. Blood shot everywhere, staining the room as well as the ponies standing within. The body spraying the red mist, dawning its distinctive color and smell filling the room with even more fear and hysteria. Blood splattered all over Nightfall and Nightmare Moon, who stood there motionless. "Join him...or worship me...", Nightmare Moon said flatly with satisfaction while Nightfall enjoyed his handy work.

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Sunny collapsed to the ground, loosing focus and reverting back to the realm of Limbo. His stomach didn't want to accept what he had just seen, trying its hardest to regurgitate. But given that he was no longer among the living, all that his body could manage was intense dry heaves. The dry heaves were so rapid Sunny could barely catch his breath, even though he didn't need it. Purgatory just stood by, waiting for Sunny's stomach to adjust to the horrors of the grim reality that is war. "What...what kind of monster is this?!", Sunny managed to quickly say before he returned to holding the heaves back. "He is everything you aren't. Throughout the course of your life you have made your soul a vessel of peace and harmony. But every living thing always a side that they either don't know about, or choose to ignore. Nightfall has been within you since the day you were conceived in your mother's womb. He has been watching, anxiously waiting for you to make the wrong decision that would give him a loop hole to corrupt your soul. But as time went by, you were so dedicated to the cause of good that your mind was cut off from where Nightfall resided. Nightmare Moon sensed this evil locked away inside of you, and took advantage of the ultimate evil. Taking you under her control meant that she annihilated one of the beacons of hope and joy that stood between here and ruling Equestria. When you were turned she had also endowed Nightfall with amazing power, turning him to an Alicorn." "What manner of power is he capable of...?", Sunny asked dreading whatever answer he may receive. "He has the ability known as Umbrakinesis, which is the ability to harness and control the darkness. That is where the tendrils that he tore that pony apart with came from. He also has the power of Biokinesis...he can morph and disguise himself as any-pony and anything at will." "How am I supposed to take control over him? His power surpasses mine in so many ways that it is a no-win scenario with a being of that high caliber...", Sunny uttered sounding as if he had lost all hope. "Do you recall when Nightfall had first reached City Hall?", Purgatory asked still showing little emotion. Sunny thought back, when Nightfall had arrived at City Hall...he had a memory leap into his mind. He thought back to when he had first laid his eyes upon Celestia and Luna, and how they had invited him to take a seat with them. And then Sunny suddenly realized what Purgatory was talking about, Nightfall had flinched and shook his head as if the memory flashed across his thoughts as well. "Me and him had relived the same memory...", Sunny said flatly as if it wasn't important. Purgatory shook his head looking as if a little annoyed, "He shook his head and tried to remove it from his thoughts. That was just a small memory, if you both were to get consumed inside a more traumatizing and intense memory then you both could become unison once more. Giving you the opportunity to re-take control of your mind and physical body." Sunny's hope soon returned, if what Purgatory was saying is true, then there was a chance that Sunny could stop all of this before it gets even worse. "Sounds easy enough...", Sunny uttered. He was kidding himself, he knew that this would more than likely be the most important and hardest point of his life. "Alright, now focus. There probably isn't much time left.", Purgatory said reminding Sunny that time isn't on his side. I closed my tightly, trying to bring my thoughts back to me. Focusing back in on the monster that once dwelled with him, he had returned to Nightfall's gaze. Nightfall and the rest of Nightmare Moon's army were crowded around the once well decorated building known as Baltimare City Hall, awaiting what Nightmare Moon had to say.

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Nightfall's attention was focused on the roof of the City Hall, which stood somewhere around 5 or 6 stories high. Nightmare Moon then appeared on the roof, looking just as arrogant than ever. "Hear me my subjects, the city is ours! Balitmare has fallen, the only city that stood between us and Canterlot! Soon, all will kneel before me and I shall reign in my rightful place as Queen of Equestria! At this very moment I have guards keeping watch over Canterlot, watching for movement if Celestia even thinks that she could match us! Canterlot shall be ours in just a matter of time! But for now, let us enjoy ourselves!" With those final words, Nightmare Moon condensed into a shadowy cloud and appeared next to Nightfall, "Well said, my Queen." A group of guards then walked out onto the roof to where all could see, bringing with them some prisoners. "These fools refused to bow to Nightmare Moon. And now, we will show them what happens to those that re-bell!", the guard yelled. The large crowd that was Nightmare Moon's army then began applauding and shouts rang out, desperately awaiting for the execution of the prisoners. Two guards brought forth the first victim. "Stat your name!", the guard commanded. "Artimane", the pegasus said flatly. "Hold him!", the guard instructed. Two guards then took the pegasus by both of his front legs and help him upright down on his knees. The guard then took the tip of a spear, and began to slowly cut off the pony's ears, one by one. As the screams echoed throughout the once populated city, the crowd cheered on the guard that was torturing this pony. The executioner then threw the ponies ears toward the crowd, the cheers increased. "THIS COULD HAVE ALL BEEN AVOIDED YOU SCUM!!", the guard screamed loudly at the pony that was now short a set of ears. With blood pouring from the stubby slits where his ears used to be, Artimane lifted up his head and silently uttered through his pain filled tears: "up yours..." One of the guards that held him down, hit him hard in the back of his head making his forehead bounce off the flooring of the roof. "HOLD HIM AGAIN!", the executioner commanded in anger. As he was held on the ground, his wings were violently ripped from his back...sending feathers floating through the air as his bloody wings were thrown to the ground. "Get him out of here.", the executioner commanded. The two guards then picked him up, but instead of being taken away they threw him from the roof. The pony screamed so loud as he plummeted to the ground, and then there was nothing but a mangled body and no screams. The torturing continued, killing two more ponies after him. Slaughtering them, making them suffer because they would not give in. Nightfall watched on, enjoying every second of it...every scream...and every drop of innocent blood that was spilled. Sunny wanted to turn away and ignore it all, but he continued to watch...building up more and more rage toward Nightmare Moon and her army. It made him sick to his stomach, but he knew that before this war was over that it was going to get worse than what it was now. And finally the last pony was brought forth, another pegasus...but this certain pegasus stuck out to Sunny in someway. "Speak your name!", the executioner ordered. "Bugs Lee" Sunny's eyes went wide inside of his mind, for this just wasn't any other pegasus. It was Sunny's childhood friend, that backed him up through his days at the orphanage. 'no...no...No, NO!', Sunny began to scream in his mind. "What should we do with this one?", one of the guards asked. "Get him on the floor!", the executioner commanded. They proceeded to cut off Bugs's wings as they did with the first pony, but Bugs barely let out a scream. He was clinching his teeth, determined to not let have the pleasure of the kill. When the wings were removed, the executioner spoke in agitation: "Oh, so we got a tough guy. Stand him up!" They picked him up, standing him up straight. The executioner suddenly raised his front legs up high in the air, and slammed down with all of his weight on Bugs's back legs. The sound of the bones being separated and broken tore through the air, followed by Bugs's screams. But Bugs's soon tried to hold it in once more, letting out only small whimpers and whines. They all then proceeded to kicking and stomping his body, beating him down more and more. "Bring him here.", the executioner ordered as he walked closer to the edge of the building. The guards held him up, with what was left of his hind legs dragging behind. Blood coming from his mouth, and his eye beginning to black and swell. The executioner then slipped a noose around his neck, "Any last words you piece of filth?" Bugs slowly lifted his head, looking out at the crowd. He stared directly at Nightmare Moon, and then spat toward her. "LONG LIVE CELESTIA!!!", he screamed with what breath he could manage to catch. His body suddenly jolted forward, the executioner had bucked him over the edge. As he began to fall, everything seemed to slow down to Sunny. His first real friend, was falling to his death. SNAP! The rope quickly tightened, as he fell the remaining length of the rope. Snapping his neck instantly, leaving the battered, broken, and bruised body of Bugs Lee hanging from the roof of City Hall. Sunny couldn't take it anymore, he turned away. Fighting back tears, clinching his eyes closed. "Bugs...", he said as a tear left his eye. At that very same moment, the grin that was normally plastered across Nightfall's face was gone. And a drop of blood, seemed to seep from his eye and run down his face. Just then while the crowd continued to cheer in excitement, a voice could be heard calling for Nightmare Moon. "My Queen...My Queen...word has come from Canterlot!" Nightmare Moon stood up, "SILENCE!" Everypony went quiet, and the messenger trotted over to where Nightmare Moon and Nightfall were standing. "Celestia is on the move. Her and her entire roster of troops were spotted marching toward where the old Kingdom used to stand." An odd look washed over Nightmare Moon's face as she silently said out loud: "Shes going after the Elements..." All of a sudden as if some-pony hit him in the stomach with a brick, it dawned on Sunny. 'The Elements of Harmony!', he spoke in his mind. 'I can't believe any of us didn't think of it sooner... The Elements are our only hope of defeating Nightmare Moon.' Sunny then snapped back to Nightfall as Nightmare Moon began to yell, "Change of plans! We move NOW! Celestia believes that the Elements can stop me, and that is where she will meet her demise! We make our way to the old Kingdom, NOW!!" And just as quickly as the order was given, every Pegasus took hold of either a Unicorn or Earth guard and took for the skies. With as much haste as possible the horde of ponies made their way to the old Kingdom, where Celestia and her guard were on the march for the Kingdom as well....

As Celestia led her men to the old Kingdom, she began thinking about all that transpired over the last 6 months. Her sister was gone...her best friend was gone...there was nothing left for her. Equestria was being overrun by a great evil that had taken everything that she held dear away from her, and soon there would be nothing left. But deep within her heart she knew that no matter how much she has lost that this land still needs her. All the living things of Equestria need her, every living soul depends on her. Whether or not they win, she will still make sure that it wasn't lost without a fight. And she will fight to the finish, it is as much her place to die for Equestria as it is for the guards that protect it. When thoughts of her Royal Guard began to enter her mind, she soon found herself thinking about Sunny. She never would have imagined that a little filly, that just happened to peer through the window of a silly old banquet would turn out to be the best friend Luna and herself could have ever asked for. And now they're gone. But that doesn't change the fact that Nightmare Moon needs to be stopped. The Elements are her last option. She had hoped that she wouldn't need to use them on her own sister, but she has no other choice. As her mind continued to race, they had arrived at the front gate of the old Kingdom. Celestia's horn glowed a yellow glittery like aura as the gate slowly began to open. They continued on. As she passed the overgrown structure that used to be her kingdom, she began reliving that horrific night. But she brushed the thoughts away, focusing her attention on the task at hand. Just as she had set hoof on town square, she laid her eyes upon the battle ground for the first time in 6 months. The grass had gotten taller and small trees began to sprout in certain spots, the aftermath from all the magic had made the old kingdom nothing more than an old forest. Suddenly, a great voice thundered through the air. "CELESTIA!!!" Celestia quickly looked toward the skies, only to see Nightmare Moon with her army following directly behind. They landed no more than 200 feet across the clearing. "NIGHTMARE MOON! THIS ENDS NOW!", Celestia screamed dawning untold amounts of rage that had built up within her. The Final Battle is upon us...the entire fate of Equestria all depends on what happens next...

"It has begun..."