Lunar Legacy

Chapter 3: Tearful Battle

Moonlight Gleam stepped outside to darkness when the dawn should be rising. She flew up to the tower where princess Celestia was waiting for her.

“Good, you are here.”  The Princess said. “Are you prepared? I will need time to concentrate once she is here to cast the spell. That means you will have to fight her off until I am ready.”

“I…am ready” replied Moonlight Gleam.

“Nightmare Moon Approaches!” shouted one of the guards. She rode upon a large dark chariot pulled by 2 pegasi with but with Bat wings and yellow eyes with thin pupils. The Princess of the Night had been transformed, with great black wings, her hair constantly flowing, fierce, cruel eyes, and pointed teeth. She was no longer the Gentle guardian of the night. She had become Nightmare Moon.

“What happened to those ponies? Their wings are like those of a bat and there is evil in their eyes!” exclaimed Moonlight.

“They have been corrupted by evil, just as Nightmare Moon herself has been.” Stated the Princess.

The chariot stopped over the city and Nightmare Moon Glided down, into the city streets.

“You must go, Moonlight Gleam. Help me stop the one who was once my sister, and your friend. Bring her before me and hold her off while I cast the spell.” The princess exclaimed. Moonlight simply nodded and took off into the air and then down into the city.

Nightmare Moon was parading through the streets as the common people woke from their homes to darkness. Moonlight Gleam flew straight down as fast as she could and crashed into Nightmare Moon, Pegasus and Alicorn alike tumbling to the ground.

“You Impudent Traitor!” screamed the enraged Mare of Darkness as she charged the agile Pegasus, but Moonlight was too quick and she took to the air once again; goading the former princess to come after her in the air. Nightmare moon spread her great black wings and took off into the air to face her pegasi aggressor. Moonlight was a trained warrior and an expert in flying combat, but the Alicorn had size and magic on her side. Moonlight darted directly at the dark mare, tears streaming down her face as she tackled her lost friend to the balcony where Princess Celestia waited.

The dark mare recovered to her hooves first this time and fired a dark beam of magic at Moonlight, but the winger warrior was too quick and she rolled to the side. Jumping to her feet she charged at nightmare moon, dodging bolts of magic as she closed the gap between them. When she got close enough, she reared back and kicked with her front hooves, landing a direct blow to the chest of the dark mare and knocking her back. But the Alicorn would not be beaten so easily.

Nightmare moon recovered quickly and retaliated by using her dark powers to swirl her dark mane into a storm and conjure lightning strikes. Moonlight Gleam was struck directly on her breast plate; it absorbed the blast, but broke in half and fell to the ground. She was saved by the insulating fabric of her armor underlay. Moonlight Gleam rose to her hooves and flew directly at Nightmare Moon. Spinning around her as fast as possible, Moonlight had trapped Nightmare moon inside a miniature tornado, or so she thought.

Even at her amazing speed, Nightmare Moon was able to fire a blast and strike her stomach. Thankfully there was armor there to protect her, but due to the sheer magical force, it cracked right down the middle. Moonlight flew backwards from the force of the blast and landed on her face. She staggered to her hooves, barely able to stand after taking that last hit, but somehow she managed it. She looked to the remaining princess, but she was still concentration the spell, she would need more time.

Nightmare moon saw what Moonlight had looked at; and found out that princess Celestia was concentrating on some magic spell. Nightmare Moon called upon her dark magic to transform into a tornado and charge at the princess. Moonlight flew right at the tornado and spun as she struck with a mighty kick. The Colliding force of the attacks threw both of them backwards, nightmare moon returned to her regular form. Moonlight’s boot on the hoof she kicked with was totally destroyed halfway up her leg, and she had burns on her hoof.

She staggered to her hooves, barely able to stand while still holding up her burned hoof. Nightmare Moon had already recovered and fired a huge bolt of magic at Celestia. Moonlight used the last of her strength to use her wings to throw herself forward and block the bolt with her still armored front hooves. The blast threw her all the way back against the tower wall. She knew she couldn’t give up now.

Using her wings, the only uninjured part left of her; Moonlight Gleam was able to get up and stand once more in the way of Nightmare Moon getting to Celestia. Then there was suddenly a Bright flash from Celestia, and chains of silver light descended from the moon itself and wrapped around Nightmare Moon. Once the chains were wrapped tight, they began pulling the Dark mare to the moon.

“AAAAHHGG” The wicked mare screamed “I shall return! I curse the one who stood in my way! I curse you and all your line! You will never rest peacefully again!” she screamed as the chains; unhindered by her struggles, pulled her all the way to the moon.

Moonlight Gleam collapsed once Nightmare moon was gone. The glow faded and Celestia collapsed nearby, but still crawled over to Moonlight. As moonlight lay there, she looked at the moon and saw that slight silhouette had appeared on the moon in the shape of Nightmare Moon herself.

“Are you alright Moonlight Gleam?” she asked

“I don’t think so, I’m wounded pretty badly. What Kind of spell did you cast on her?” Moonlight choked out. Her breaths were getting shorter.

“It was a spell to seal away any evil for a thousand years. I would have not chosen such a long imprisonment, but I did not make the spell.” The princess said somberly.

“Don’t you worry about me Princess; you’ve got a moon to set, and a sun to rise.” Moonlight Gleam said, in between short breaths.

“Yes, You are correct, Moonlight Gleam.” The princess said, tears beginning to run down her face. The princess stepped forward and began the magic.

Moonlight Gleam crawled over to the edge of the balcony and watched as the moon set in the west, and she watched as the sun rose once again. She slowly closed her eyes for the last time as she watched the last bit of the moon fade into the horizon.

The princess Landed on her hooves back on the balcony; tears running down her face and her neck, all the way to her hooves as she looked down to the Heroic Pony who saved them all. The princess stepped forward onto the edge of the balcony and called out to her people.

“Ponies of Equestria, Hear your princess! For I have a declaration to make!” Her voice booming across the city. “Today is a Day for Celebration! For we have been saved from Eternal Night! The Pegasus, Moonlight Gleam, is a hero! She gave her life so that we all may have the sun each day! To commemorate her heroic deeds, I declare that this will be the longest day of the Year, so that we may never forget that it was through her heroism that the sun has risen at all! This will be a day for celebration and Happiness, as she would have wished it to be!” The Princess’s declaration rang throughout the city.

“May this Heroic Pony’s deeds never be forgotten!”

After these events, a great statue was erected in every city square across Equestria, of the brave Pegasus Moonlight Gleam, standing firm against evil; even unto her last breath. Who defended all of Equestria from the darkness of an everlasting night.

Her son Comet Flare grew up and became Leader of the Equestrian Defense Force. He then became a Hero in his own right by Leading his forces against an attack from a rouge griffon faction and defeating them. He had a daughter by the name of Crescent Shine and the line continued for 1000 years. Today, the only descendent of the great Moonlight Gleam is known as Midnight Star; and that is where we continue this story.