Angel of Nature: Defender of Equestria

Chapter 4: Return of a Nightmare


Fluttershy had been attending to her birds that were going to singing at the Summer Sun Celebration. So far, she was happy with the results despite all minor fixes that had occurred.

Like now.

One of her birds had fallen out of rhythm slightly with the rest causing Fluttershy to stop them.

"Excuse me, sir? I mean, no offense, but your rhythm is just a teeny-tiny bit off." She explained in a soft and caring voice.

The bird nodded graciously at Fluttershy, who smiled in return. She was just about to start them going again until she heard a voice speak from somewhere behind her.

"Excuse me?"

Although the voice didn't speak overly loud, the fact that someone was there still made Fluttershy jump somewhat in surprise. The birds were also slightly surprised as they didn't see the unicorn standing where he was.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you, miss." They said.

Fluttershy turned around nervously to see who was there. She came face to face with a silver furred unicorn standing a few feet away from her.

"It's alright...I just wasn't expecting anyone to be here..." She replied softly.

The silver furred unicorn took a few steps closer to Fluttershy making her grew slightly more nervous, although, as he got closer, there was something about the unicorn that now actually made her calm down somewhat.

The unicorn in question was currently looking at the birds Fluttershy had been speaking with moments ago and smiled.

"I see you have an appreciation for nature."

Fluttershy perked up slightly at that. "Oh yes, ever since I was a filly I have loved animals and have come to care for many of them."

The unicorn nodded before realizing something. "Oh where are my manners, I am Silver. You will be seeing more of me in Ponyville as I'm moving here to have a change of scenery, and I see I may have made the right choice."

"Do you like nature as well, mister Silver? Oh and I'm Fluttershy."

"Yes, I do indeed and please, just call me Silver." Silver answered, now smiling at Fluttershy.

Fluttershy smiled right back at Silver. Being in this unicorn's presence for some reason her feel calmer then she has ever been in the past. Usually, the calmest she ever is when she is alone with her animal friends. However, Fluttershy was now wondering why Silver was looking around in the immediate vicinity.

With a smile still present on his face and now sure there was no-one else around, Everfree took the biggest risk he had ever taken in going to other worlds. Normally, he would never consider doing this unless he had no other choice, but with Fluttershy, being a lover of nature as well and seeming like a mare who keeps to herself often, he felt he could share this with her.

"How good are you at keeping secrets, Fluttershy?"

The question caught her off guard as her eyes widen considerably.

"Secrets? Well, I don't share much with others often so...pretty well. Why are you asking me, though?"

Again, Everfree had a quick glance around the area to make sure they were alone, excluding the birds because he was pretty sure they already knew who he was.

"Normally, I wouldn't tell or show anyone else who I really am unless the situation called for it, but seeing as you a fellow nature lover, I know I can trust you not to tell anyone else and I do not normally trust others so easily. So, I'm putting a lot at risk by doing this you understand?"

Fluttershy simply nodded and then watched in amazement as the unicorn before turned into a bipedal creature standing taller than her. Normally, she would've have been scared at what was going on, but she immediately recognized who was now standing in front of her,

"Oh my gosh..." She whispered.

"I see you know who I am."

Fluttershy nodded. "You're Everfree, the Angel of Nature! This is such an honor! I won't let you down."

Everfree got down on his knees and placed a hand on Fluttershy's shoulder, smiling warmly at her.

"I know you won't. When we are in town, however, I ask that you refer to me as Silver. No-one else, other than Princess Celestia, knows my real identity."

Again, Fluttershy nodded. "I can do that."

Everfree's smile widened slightly. Fluttershy was such an innocent mare but a loving and caring one nonetheless, he knew she wouldn't say anything unless she was given no other choice. If that was the case, then he could forgive her for that.

With nothing more to reveal, Everfree simply changed back into his unicorn form with a bit of a sigh. "I always miss my wings when I have to change form."

"Then why not be a Pegasus?" Fluttershy asked as she flapped her wings lightly to reinforce the point.

Everfree chuckled. "Because then I would miss my magic, and more often than not, I need it. For example, your feeling calm now aren't you? That's because I have a magical aura that generally calms things within a few feet of me, without a form that can use magic, I can't use that, and that is my most basic power."

Fluttershy nodded in understanding.

"And I'm sure you understand why I didn't choose to be an Alicorn. An Alicorn wondering around the town isn't exactly the most subtle thing around but anyway, what say we head back to town."

"Ok, I was just about finished anyway." Fluttershy quietly said with a nod.

"Oh, that reminds me. You were here doing the music for the Summer Sun Celebration right?"

Fluttershy nodded. "Yes, I was."

"Well, you have done a very good job, Fluttershy. Now, let's head off."

Everfree and Fluttershy had wandered back into town just in time to see Twilight running towards what looked to be a treehouse. Everfree looked amuse as he assumed she had run from something that she didn't want to be a part of, however, Fluttershy saw something that piqued her interest.

"Is that a baby dragon?"

"That's Spike, and from what I gather, he is Twilight's assistant."

"Oh, I simply must speak with him and learn all there is!"

After Twilight disappeared into the building, the two ponies followed after. However, they heard a rather loud sound as they got near the building, it had sounding like someone, or a bunch of someones, had shouted 'surprise.' Seeing how Fluttershy had giggled slightly, Everfree had a feeling she knew what it was.

"Seems Pinkie Pie has thrown another of her parties."

Fluttershy walked into the building with Everfree entering not far behind her and when he got inside, to say he was surprised would be an understatement. The inside of the tree had been completely hollowed out to make it look like a room and there were bookshelves all around the place, with stairs off to the far right leading up to what Everfree assumed to be living space.

Wow...although should have figured there'd be a library here, just wasn't expecting this.

"Come meet my friends, Silver." Fluttershy said, pausing briefly to make sure she had said the correct name.

Fluttershy led Everfree through the crowd of ponies to a group of four mares, two of which he recognized, conversing and as the two approached, they looked at them, smiling at them both.

"Well, howdy, Fluttershy. Ah see you have met Silver." Applejack said.

Fluttershy simply nodded.

"Hey Silver!" Rainbow greeted, smiling happily, sharing another hoof bump with him.

Everfree looked at the other two ponies that he didn't know. One was a white furred mare with a very stylish purple mane and tail, her Cutie Mark being three diamonds. The other was a pink furred mare with a very poufy pink mane and tail, but it looked better then what Twilight's had when Rainbow messed it up, her Cutie Mark was three balloons.

"Hi there! I'm Pinkie Pie! You're new here as well aren't you? I saw you with Twilight earlier today and just had to throw a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party for you both! Two new people for me to know now!" The pink mare said quickly, getting right up in Everfree's face.

"Simmer down, Pinkie." Applejack said, pulling the mare back.

"As for me, darling, I am Rarity. I own the Carousel Boutique. Do stop by if you need anything designed."

After introductions, the six ponies simply conversed.


Throughout the night, the six ponies that now all knew each other, simply talked with each other, getting to know one another better. This continued until they were moved over to the town hall where the celebration was to take place and until it was time, the ponies continued talking with one another.

"Filles and gentlecolts!" Mayor Mare called and once all ponies looked at her, she continued.

"As mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!"

All the ponies crowded in the current room cheered with joy before quieting down to allow the Mayor to continue once again.

"In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year!"

Again, the ponies cheered.

"And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..."

Everypony waited with baited breath, Rarity prepared to pull the curtain open that was hiding the Princess, Fluttershy made sure her birds were ready and when Mayor was sure every pair of eyes was on her, she finished.

"Princess Celestia!"

As the curtain opened, Everfree's heart nearly stopped when he saw that Princess wasn't where she should have been and feared for the worst. Looking out a nearby window and up at the moon, his heart sunk. A few seconds ago, there was a shadow of a mare's head on it, but now it was gone and Everfree knew what this meant.

Oh no...

Purple smoke rolled into the building, cause everypony to become nervous and chatter anxiously, trying to discern what was going and before too long, they got their answer as the purple smoke turned into the corporal form of a pony. A pony both Everfree and Twilight had hoped wouldn't appear.

"Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little sun-loving faces."

Rainbow Dash was immediately, or tried to be, in the mare's face, demanding that she tell them where Princess Celestia was. Applejack was the one restraining her, though if only just.

The mare simply chuckled. "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?"

Pinkie went into a rant about the possible names that could be the mare's but the mare in question was starting to get annoyed very quickly.

"Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"

"I did." Everypony looked to see Twilight had spoken. "And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon – Nightmare Moon!"

Nightmare Moon chuckled again. "Well, well, well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here."

"You're here to... to..." Twilight stuttered.

Don't say it...don't let it be true. Everfree silently hoped.

"Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!"

Nightmare Moon laughed madly and evilly as thunder echoed throughout the town hall along with her cries of laughter, causing all the ponies to fear for the worst and indeed it was the worst.

Nightmare Moon had returned.