A World Without a Rainboom

Nightmare Moon Returns

The day of the Summer Sun Celebration finally arrived, and Princess Celestia had chosen Ponyville to host the ceremony. Word had gotten out that Princess Celestia had a new student and she was quite the show pony. The town was in full swing and several parties had taken over the town in evening and planned to keep going till before sunrise. The town hall was decorated and staffed with the best guards the palace in Canterlot had, spirits were high.

"This is the perfect evening for relaxing with a glass of cider at home with my family. No press. No meetings. No fundraisers. Just my Family." Jack sighed as she sipped cider from a cup she had dipped into her barrel. "Best purchase I've made in months. I'm buying three more before I leave as a surprise to mommy and daddy."

"I like that idea, Jack. I think tomorrow should be our last day home. We have a lot to catch up on in the real world," Big Mac said looking at a schedule he had already redone twice during the vacation.

"Mac, I know it's frustratin' and all, but I really like being away from it all and relaxing for once. Let's come back every year, schedule it," she said with a certain demand to her voice as she waved her arm slightly.

"Jack, yer gettin' drunk. Let's go into town and walk it off. You know you can't control yourself when you drink."

"Like when? You can't give me one example, can ya?" Mac sighed.

"It's in yer belly, Applejack." Jack rolled off the couch and almost fell over standing up. Glaring at Mac she sniffled then walked past him to the door.

"Ya comin' or what?"

"Fluttershy! Fluttershy! It's time to go! We have to get to the party at Bon Bon's and eat LOTS of candy and cake and there'll bered punch! My favorite. I'm going ahead, you can catch up, right?" Rainbow turned and began flying away before Fluttershy answered. Calling out behind Rainbow Fluttershy answered.

"Oh, yes. I can finish feeding my critters quickly, then I'll be right behind you. Have fun and fly safe!"

"Okay!"

Gathering in the town hall after a long night of parties, candy, and celebrating, the mayor introduced the great Alicorn princess Celestia. Appearing in a bright yellow light the regal mare appeared. The ponies in attendance watched in awe as Celestia opened her wings and spoke loudly, yet kindly. "Greetings, my loyal subjects. I am pleased to see you all and I am honored to be here to raise the sun before you. As you know, 1000 years ago I began the tradition of raising the sun to honor the moon and begin a new season, for without the moon, we would have no light at night.

So, without further ado," closing her eyes her horn began to glow. Rearing up and opening her wings she began to hover and the moon began to set, the sunrise and colors of dawn and dusk began to fill the sky as the celestial bodies passed each other. Then they stopped almost parallel to each other in the sky. Turning from the windows at the moon and sun they looked to their princess to see why she had paused the cycle and gasped.

Celestia was bleeding from her chest as she hovered, but this was different. Her body and horn weren't glowing and her wings laid limply behind her behind her. With a motion she flew forward and tumbled from the balcony to the floor as ponies scattered, dumbfounded at what they were seeing. With a heavy thud Celestia impacted the floor and she groaned in pain. Stallions and mares screamed and backed away from Celestia who trembled in pain but didn't move her legs.

A dark blue mist appeared on the balcony and Nightmare Moon appeared, laughing loudly. "Greetings my children of the sun. Have you been relaxing and sleeping all night, waiting for the sun to rise so you could begin living? Behold; as the mare you love and worship, that controlled you, and nature itself, lay dying on the floor before you. I will tell you the truth she has kept from you for all these years; A goddess she is not, she simply doesn't age, but she can die."

Rainbow Dash screamed and flew to the other side of the room as far away as she could and found Fluttershy hiding under a folding chair. "Fluttershy!" Rainbow whispered loudly, "Who is that and is this part of the ceremony? It's really scary, I don't understand."

"No, Rainbow. This is horrible!"

"Ya bet it is," Jack said from in front of them without turning around.

"JACK!" Rainbow called loudly making several ponies and Nightmare Moon look into their direction. "I didn't see you there. Is this a movie?"

With a wicked laugh Nightmare Moon leapt to the floor standing over Celestia, placing a hoof on the broken mares back, applying pressure making Celestia groan in pain. "I won't let her die a martyr. I'll let her live as a prisoner in my castle in Canterlot. I am Nightmare Moon, and the night will last!"

Nightmare Moon moved to Celestia's front and looked at her. "You lose, you will remember this for all the rest of your years." She raised a leg and brought it down with massive force onto Celestia's horn shattering it and knocking Celestia unconscious as her head smacked the floor. Blood leaked from her mouth as her horn laid in pieces around her head. Ponies screamed and ran out of the hall into the town and waited, panting, and gasping in fear as Nightmare Moon levitated Celestia beside her. Closing her eyes the sun fell and the moon rose, then, she was gone in a swirl of blue magic taking Celestia with her.