Later that night, Twilight grabbed her things and anxiously rushed to Starswirl's cottage, telling Spike to look after their parents while she was gone. She was excited because in addition to learning new spells, she wanted to tell Starswirl about the strange beam from the constellation that had hit the moon.
On her way, she bumped into Trixie coming out of a magic shop where she was shopping for supplies; all the while, making Snips and Snails carry the bags.
"Excuse me, but when The Great and Powerful Trixie is walking, you should look where you're going!" said Trixie.
"Me?! You're the one who bumped into me!" said Twilight.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Trixie asked disingenuously.
"I am off to see Starswirl, thank you very much, Trixie," Twilight said.
Trixie growled in anger. "I don't understand why Starswirl wastes his time with you, when it could be better spent with The Great and Powerful Trixie!" she said.
In a huff, Trixie ordered Snips and Snails to leave with the bags, then stormed off with them, but not before swearing to Twilight that she would show Starswirl why she should be his apprentice and not her.
Twilight thought nothing of it and continued on her way.
Eventually, she made it to the cottage. Upon opening the door, she discovered Starswirl peering through his telescope at the constellation.
"Hey, Starswirl!" Twilight shouted.
This caused the old wizard to jump, making the telescope hit him on the head. Rubbing his head, he looked up to see his student. "Oh, hello, Twilight," he said.
"Sorry about that," Twilight said as she helped up her mentor.
"Oh, think nothing of it. They say it's a good idea for a person to get some sense knocked into them. Maybe the bump on my head will improve my intelligence. I sure could use it for my explosion spell," said Starswirl.
Twilight really wanted to tell Starswirl about the beam from the constellation, but the mention of it seemed to make him uneasy, though Twilight failed to notice until he passed her.
"Starswirl? Is something wrong?" Twilight asked.
Deep in thought, Starswirl paced and paced, eventually not even noticing or even hearing Twilight until she called him again even louder. "Huh?! Oh, nothing, nothing at all," he said, trying to maintain a level of subtlety in his voice. "So, how bout some spells, huh?!"
"Great!" answered Twilight.
Though she was a bit concerned, she quickly brushed it off, thinking that Starswirl was probably just worrying about that old explosion spell and the two preceded with their usual session.
Back at Canterlot High, Applejack and Rainbow Dash stood alone on an empty field ready for their rematch.
"Hope you're ready to get your butt kicked again," said Rainbow Dash.
"You won't trip me up like last time," said Applejack.
At Rainbow's command, the goalie, turned on the lights and the game was underway.
"By the way, did you notice that odd lookin' green light up in the sky?" Applejack asked.
"Actually...no," Rainbow Dash answered as she kicked the ball with her knees.
As usual, Queen Celestia looked out at the moon from her balcony. Even though it caused her great pain, she couldn't keep herself from doing so, for the moon was the closest thing to her sister she had. But somewhere, inside her grief, she had faith that someday, she and her would be reunited.
Little did she know, that day would come much sooner than she expected.
Throughout the halls of the castle, unconscious bodies lay on the floor; one by one, they fell.
As Celestia prepared for bed, a loud knocking was heard from her door. It was one of her royal guard in a rather disheveled state. "Your Majesty! A woman in a black cloak is attacking the palace!" he said.
The queen wasn't sure what was going, but whatever this threat was, she had to deal with it immediately. Rushing to her closet, she grabbed a set of golden armor and a long sword. After placing the armor on herself, she hurried out of her room to confront the terror that had entered her castle, following the path of beaten soldiers until it lead her to the castle courtyard, where Nightmare Moon stood before a pile of broken and beaten soldiers.
"Hello, Celestia," Nightmare moon hissed coarsely.
After all these years, her prayers had been answered, her sister had returned, but unfortunately, it was not the way she envisioned it. As Nightmare Moon stood before her, her eyes filled with subtle rage pierced through her. In some ways, the queen was a little scared, but she stood firm.
"Luna," Celestia said, hoping that saying her true name would at least attempt to bring back her sister.
But all it did was anger the dark queen further. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" she said.
"Yes, over a thousand years," Celestia answered.
"Yes, and in that, while you have been busy ruling over Equestria, I have been stuck in a lowly prison! But of course, you couldn't keep me locked up forever. It was actually quite shocking to me that I was able to get out until I realized my powers over the moon and space. While I was locked on that moon, I thought I was powerless for centuries. I tried gathering as much power from the moon as I could, but I just couldn't break free. But as the years rolled on, I discovered, I had a unique power over the constellations; I discovered I could actually move planets! In my state, I crafted my technique until eventually, I was able to form the perfect constellation to set me free. I was more powerful than ever before and at last, I was free! And now, we have some unfinished business, dear sister," said Nightmare Moon.
"I didn't want to fight you then, I do not want to fight you now, Luna," said Celestia.
"DON'T CALL ME THAT! I AM NIGHTMARE MOON! AND I AM THE TRUE RULER OF EQUESTRIA! Starswirl chose wrong! It should've been me, not you, who defeated Tirek; me, not you, who ascended to the throne of Equestria! It is my right, not yours! And now, I will take my rightful place on the throne, where I belong!" shouted Nightmare Moon.
"We were meant to rule Equestria together, sister!" said Celestia.
But Nightmare Moon would not listen. Using her magic, she created a dark sword, pointing it towards her sister. "I have been waiting over a thousand years for this and I will not be denied my destiny," she said.
This was not the first time Celestia had seen this look in her sister's eyes, she had seen it many, many years ago, when Nightmare Moon first challenged her and she felt the same sorrow as she did before. In Nightmare Moon's eyes, there was nothing but absolution; it either her or Celestia.
As she pulled out her sword, the same look of absolution fell on her face. For the sake of Equestria, she had to do what she must and if that meant taking down her sister again, then that pain would just have to be hers to bear again.
The two sisters stared each other down, sword to sword. It was either one's move, but both were cautious. Finally, both Celestia and Nightmare Moon jumped up in the air and clashed at each other with their swords. For the first couple of minutes they were engaged in an evenly matched swordfight. Celestia jumped over Nightmare Moon and tried to get her from behind, but Nightmare got her with kick and then charged her into the wall. But then Celestia used both her feet to kick her back. Nightmare fired a dark blast at her, but she dodged it and got her with another kick that sent her flipping into the air, but she landed on her feet. The two jumped in the air again, engaged in a mid-air sword fight until they landed on one of the castle roofs where they continued it. Nightmare tripped up Celestia, making fall to the side the roof. Nightmare charged after her and tried to knock her off the roof, but Celestia jumped off instead, throwing a fireball at her in mid-air; Nightmare however dodged it. When she went to chase after Celestia, she discovered she wasn't there, only to find her try to come from behind with a sneak attack, but she avoided it. Celestia changed up her offense by firing a series of fireballs at her which Nightmare deflected with her sword. One fireball formed a hole in the roof, which Nightmare decided to go through with Celestia close behind into the dining hall. But as soon as her feet hit the floor, Nightmare blasted her dark energy, sending her flying into the dining table. As she way down, Nightmare grabbed her by the throat and launched her through the door into the hallways. As Nightmare charged at her, Celestia fired fire at her, stopping her in her track and allowing her to get back to her feet. She threw another shot at her, but Nightmare blocked it with a dark shield, then used the shield to push her back through a wall. Nightmare then pinned her to the ground with a double stomp, followed by another. She went for a third one, but Celestia rolled out of the way and the two were engaged in another sword fight. With their free hands, they both fired a blast at one another with neither one being able to get the drop on the other. Eventually, both blasts exploded, sending both of them back.
At the moment, they were at a stalemate. Up close and personal, Celestia had experienced just much talent her sister really had, just as she did over a thousand years ago. There was no doubt that she felt that maybe Starswirl did fail to recognize her sister's talents and maybe she herself failed to make Starswirl see it as well.
Just, the two princesses powered up their swords and continued with the fight. Each hit with their swords caused a massive shockwave that caused the walls of the castle to nearly crumble. However, Celestia could feel that Nightmare's blows were stronger; so much so that eventually, she had broken her sword. Taking advantage, Nightmare landed a kick to the gut on her and then slashed at her arm with her sword.
Celestia held her arm in pain, nearly on one knee. The power behind her sister's strike was immense, but she couldn't let it get to her.
As Nightmare went for the finishing blow, Celestia kicked her sword out of her hand and then fired a burst of flames at her. With her groggy, Celestia then grabbed her by the arm and flung her into the ballroom.
At this point, the fight was turned into hand-to-hand contest. Celestia and Nightmare Moon attacked each with various magical attacks. As Celestia charged at her, Nightmare fired a blast of dark energy, but Celestia dodged it. She then fired a series of fireballs at Nightmare who dodged every one of them and then countered with projectiles of her own. Celestia used a firewall as a shield, then turned it into a fireball and fired it at her, sending her flying into the wall. Nightmare fired a blast, but Celestia jumped over it and fired at her in mid-air. Using her dark magic, Nightmare freed herself from the fire, then made a dark hand appear and used to to grab Celestia and slam her to the ground multiple times before slamming her into the wall. With her down, Nightmare fired another blast of dark energy at her, but Celestia dodged it and went for a punch, but Nightmare dodged it, grabbed her by the arm and flung her in the air, juggling her a few times with some kicks and then using a pair of dark hands to grab her and slam her hard into the ground. She tried to finish her off with a dark slash of energy, but Celestia just got out of the way and got her with a spinning kick, followed by a series of punches, then a blast of fire. But Nightmare retaliated by summoning an army of dark skeletons with swords and sending them after her. The skeletons wailed away at Celestia; two of them managing to get her in the arm and leg. Celestia took two out with a fireball. One tried to slash at her head, but she blocked it and took it out with a double kick. One managed to cut through her body armor and went for the attack but Celestia blocked and took one out who was coming after her, then it with a hard punch. She then took out the rest with a giant blast of fire.
With the soldiers taken care of, Celestia could now focus on her sister. But she was nowhere to be found. It was as if she had suddenly disappeared. Still, she knew she had to keep her guard up, for Nightmare Moon could strike at any moment. And in fact, she did, as suddenly, a dark circle formed under her and from out that circle, Nightmare Moon grabbed her and flung into the air, causing her to hit the ceiling hard. Nightmare then went for a dark blast, but Celestia quickly countered it in mid-air with a blast of fire. However, Nightmare's dark blast overpowered Celestia's attack, knocking her onto the ground. Nightmare then summoned an army of dark spikes from the ground towards her. Seeing them, Celestia quickly tried her best to evade them as they kept coming. She tried to destroy them with her fire, but it was in vain, so she tried to lead the spikes back to Nightmare, but the dark queen was too smart and immediately stopped them. As she did, Celestia did a cartwheel, forming a ring of fire and landed a hit on Nightmare. She hoped to land another hit, but Nightmare caught with a dark hand and used two more to wail on her with a series of punches. But Celestia broke herself free by firing a blast of fire at Nightmare. However as she went in for the attack, Nightmare repelled her with a blast of dark energy.
Celestia breathed heavily from exhaustion. This was not like the last time she and her sister had battled. Sure, it wasn't easy, but at least she and her were evenly matched. As the fight went on, it was becoming more and more clear that Nightmare Moon's power had increased exponentially. But she couldn't give up, not now. She had to keep her kingdom safe. As Nightmare Moon approached her, she went for a series of punches, but Nightmare formed her barrier, keeping herself protected.
Nightmare cackled. "My powers are drawn from the moon. With ever bit of the moon rays I absorb, I grow stronger and stronger," she said as she gave her sister a hard kick in the head.
A dark aura formed around Nightmare Moon as she stood before the weakened Celestia. As hard she tried, it didn't seem like there was much more of a fight she could put up.
Sensing the end, Celestia realized there was but one option left. Using what power she had left, she summoned to her the very scepter that she had used to imprison Nightmare Moon centuries ago.
"I was hoping I would never have to use this again, but I'm afraid I must," Celestia said as she pointed the scepter at her sister.
"Haha! That thing won't work on me again!" said Nightmare Moon.
Celestia fired a beam from the scepter towards Nightmare, engulfing her in a magic barrier just as before. For a while, it seemed that it was working, but as Nightmare had stated before, she drew her very powers from the moon and with the added power from its rays, she was able to break herself free from the scepter's magical grasp.
Celestia's eyes widened with shock as Nightmare Moon hovered above her; cackling and gloating in her triumph, conjuring a massive ball of dark energy. After centuries of imprisonment, on this night, Nightmare Moon would have her revenge.
The wounded Celestia lay on the floor of her ballroom, weakened, injured, unable to fight back as Nightmare Moon aimed the ball at her. "Don't do this," she said.
"I must...there is no CHOICE!" Nightmare shouted as she fired the ball of energy at Celestia.
A wicked laugh and smile crossed Nightmare Moon's lips as she saw the cloud of smoke appear where Celestia stood.
However, when the smoke cleared, what should've been the dead remains of her sister turned out to be the glaring face of her former mentor standing in front of Celestia; Starswirl the Bearded.
"Well isn't this a pleasant turn of events. Not only do I get to destroy my sister, but also the great Starswirl the Bearded. Now you will see why I was meant to wield the power that you gave my sister!" Nightmare Moon shouted as she fired a dark blast at the two.
Starswirl quickly created a blue magic barrier, protecting himself and Celestia, and taking advantage of the situation, teleported away.
When the smoke cleared, Nightmare Moon found both of them gone. While at first she as furious, she figured neither of them would pose much of a threat to her if they were to meet again. On this night, victory belonged to the dark queen of the moon and with her victory, she relished in the spoils. Using her magic, she transformed the castle to better suits her tastes.
Ugly gargoyles stood near the arches of the outside castle walls; tall black spires rose, nearly touching the sky; and every guard became subservient to Nightmare as she put them under her control.
But of course, this was only the first step in her conquest. For her to truly rule in Equestria, she would have to spread her power far beyond the castle. And with an army of soldiers under her control, it was only a matter of time before all of Equestria would know the name of Nightmare Moon.
Twilight had since gone home by the time Starswirl along with Celestia had returned. Upon arriving home, he placed her in bed and prepared an herbal remedy to heal her injuries.
"I...I'm sorry, my old master, I couldn't stop her," said Celestia.
"Don't blame yourself, my child. Nightmare Moon's power has increased greatly since the last time you two fought," said Starswirl.
The old wizard created a mixture of herbs and berries, along with some magic, and gave it to Celestia to drink. The queen could feel her injuries slowly healing, however, the emotional pain was not so easily remedied.
As it stood, Nightmare Moon was now in control of the castle and soon, her plans to take over Equestria would come to fruition. And if even at her best, Celestia couldn't take her down, who could possibly have the power to do so?
