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Lunar Eclipse: The Rock Opera

by CrowMagnon

Chapter 1: Part 1 - The Whispers of Eclipse

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Lunar Eclipse: The Rock-Opera
by CrowMagnon

Twilight Sparkle kept herself perfectly still, not even daring to breathe. Throughout her short but eventful life, the young Ranger had faced everything from manticores to mad gods. No matter how terrible the foes in her past were, however, there was little that could ease the terror she felt as her mind raced with the countless thousands of ways that her mission could fail.

It was her talent, as well as her curse, to be able to lay out the mission in her mind and consider it from every angle which could lead to success or failure. As a former member of the Guard, and her current role as the ranking member of Luna's Rangers assigned to defending the ponies of Ponyville and its surrounding areas, it was a talent that had saved many lives, including her own. At the moment, though, it definitely felt like it fell more on the "curse" side.

Spotting a familiar grey pegasus out of the corner of her eye, Twilight asked without budging from her spot, "H-hey, D-derpy? Can you, um... h-how many ponies do you think are out there...?"

"I dunno, I'll go take a look," Derpy Hooves cheerfully replied, almost taking wing before a golden aura of magic surrounded her hooves, keeping them adhered to the floor.

"Remember, no flying inside," cautioned Dewdrop Decimal before returning her focus and magic to Twilight. "And you shouldn't even think about the audience. The dress rehearsals went great, and you're all going to be great tonight."

"Right. Right. When you've already proven you're tough, you don't need to sweat the small stuff," she whispered to herself, taking a deep breath as she focused on the little mantra her friend had made up for her.

Meanwhile, Dewdrop's magic finished its work, and the pale lavender librarian smiled before stepping out of the way so that Twilight could see herself in the mirror.

Even though she had seen it before in rehearsals, it always stunned Twilight when she saw herself like this. Instead of the shades of purple which were her natural colors, her coat was a bright white and her short mane, which had already been carefully styled by Aloe and Lotus, shone in the light as if each hair were a thread of spun gold. Even her violet eyes had become a bright sky blue. What was always most astonishing, though, was when she shifted her body in order to get a good look at her flank.

Twilight was no stranger to magic. Magic ran fairly strong in her family, and she had studied obsessively as a filly in the hopes of being a great scholar and innovator like Starswirl the Bearded. Even when that fell through, and she turned out to be something of a late bloomer, she continued to learn what she could in her spare time. After all, in the Rangers it was necessary to be able to adapt quickly in dangerous situations.

For instance, while she had never possessed an affinity for illusion magic, she had studied it extensively in order to recognize when it might be used against her. A skilled illusionist with ill intent could make their victim believe just about anything, warping all of reality in their senses but for one constant. Cutie marks were a representation of a pony's most fundamental nature, and would actively resist any spell intended to obscure or alter it.

In place of the compass rose that was her natural cutie mark, a gleaming golden shield adorned her flank.

"One of these days, you are going to tell me how you do that," Twilight said, prompting a modest giggle from the librarian.

"Sorry, Lieutenant, but a great and powerful magician never reveals her secrets."

A high pitched groan in three-part harmony graced the ears of the unicorns, who looked over to see three little fillies pouting in disappointment.

Twilight started pulling a golden Royal Guard costume toward herself, fitting the pieces over her body with an ease born from constant practice. "Shouldn't you three be with Nocturne and your sisters?" She carefully lifted the last piece, a sheathed sword with a golden handle, and attached it to her armor.

Apple Bloom replied, "They told us we could look around, long as we stayed out of trouble." This earned the fillies a suspicious look from the palette-swapped Ranger, but the little yellow filly didn't seem to notice. "Besides if y'all have a spell that can make cutie marks, why can't you give us some?" She, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo all looked up at the librarian with wide, pleading eyes.

Dewdrop rolled her own up toward the ceiling. "I keep telling you girls, I can't make real cutie marks appear. It's just an illusion. It doesn't have anything to do with a pony's special talent, and doesn't last very long anyway. Do you really want me to cast a spell on you that doesn't say anything about who you really are, just for the sake of having a mark on your flank?"

The trio blinked at her as if the librarian had just asked the silliest question in the world. "YES," they replied loudly and in perfect unison.

"There you three are!" Drawn to the sound of their voices, Applejack stepped through the door, the businessmare dressed in the ancient finery of a minor noble. Looking sternly at the three fillies, she tapped her hoof in irritation. "Honestly, girls, the princesses themselves are in attendance. Not to mention hundreds of ponies eager to see the show, so just for one night, can you-- Twilight, darling, are you alright?"

"She's hyperventilating," Dewdrop cried out. "Here, Lieutenant, breathe into the bag!"

-----

Meanwhile, Pinkamena walked across the stage to give everything one last inspection. Up above, a few pegasi were double-checking the sets and special effects equipment. Vinyl Scratch was busy doing sound checks with the help of Octavia and Fiddlesticks, the two earth pony cousins wearing identical dresses so that only their coloration and expressions differentiated them.

Out of the corner of her eye, Pinkamena noticed Derpy approach the curtains and stick her head out to wave to the audience. Before she could do anything about it, a pink, white-maned ball of tension suddenly ran up to grip the pegasus's tail in her teeth and yank her away.

"What do you think you're doing?" Spot Light, the irate earth pony mare in charge of providing costumes for the production, glared at Derpy with one eye twitching angrily. "This is a serious production, not a school play for foals! The princesses are going to be watching!"

The bubbly pegasus frowned and dug her hoof against the stage as she replied, "I know... that's why I wanted to wave to them, to say hi!"

Spot Light sputtered incoherently a few times before a hoof gently touched her shoulder. "It's quite alright, my little pony. I took no offense," said a soothing, motherly voice that caused the earth pony to gasp, immediately spinning around and kneeling as low as she could.

"P-princess Celestia! I-i-it's an honor, your h-highness," she stammered fearfully, not even daring to look up.

"Oh, the honor is mine. I had just settled into my seat when I saw this cute little pegasus emerge from behind the curtains. Tell me, are you the star of this show?"

This got a bashful giggle from Derpy, who replied, "Oh, no, your highness, I just help out and make sure everypony gets their scripts!"

"Really! A ravishing beauty like yourself? Such a waste. I must confess... I was captivated by you the moment we looked across the theater and I looked into your lovely eyes. Tell me, have you ever worn a maid outfit before?"

"Oooh, no, I'm no good as a maid. Things break all by themselves whenever I clean things!"

The voice of Celestia took on a sultry purr as she replied, "Oh, that's alright. I like things a little dirty..."

Apparently deciding that the conversation had gotten weird enough to warrant actually looking up at her sovereign, she did so only to growl quietly when she saw that it wasn't the Sun Princess standing over her, but Fluttershy in full royal regalia and false horn. Like Twilight, the pegasus's coat had been magically colored. It was now a slightly pinkish white with Celestia's sun adorning her flanks, though her mane had been left its natural pink, styled like ancient depictions of the princesses before their manes had adopted their current ethereal appearances.

"You know, your highness, you looked taller at a distance," Derpy joked, the two pegasi laughing as Fluttershy offered Spot Light a hoof up.

"You will not see the form of my revenge until it's too late," Spot Light grumbled, nevertheless accepting the assistance as she stood up again.

Pinkamena, upon seeing that the situation was dealt with, walked over and said, "Alright, everypony. Time to get into position. We're opening the curtains in ten minutes."

-----

"The curtains are going up in five minutes! I can't believe it, this is really happening," Rarity practically squealed with nervous joy as she bounced from hoof to hoof, trying to tell herself that it was real. Once again, she looked at the mirror, instead of Rarity Stone the rock farmer, grower and purveyor of fine gems and precious metals, she saw a young Princess Luna grinning at her, even if the wings on her back were merely props.

The mare in the mirror was soon joined by a tiny purple dragon, who hugged her leg tightly and looked up with wide, innocent eyes. "You're a bootiful pwincess, mommy."

Rarity had to bring a hoof to her mouth to muffle the noise that tried to come out of her, her heart threatening to melt in her chest from her adopted son's sheer adorableness. When she was relatively certain that she wouldn't make a scene, she lowered her hoof and patted him on his scaley little head. "Oh, Spikey-wikey..."

"Come on, kiddo, we should get to our seats," came the voice of Carrot Top. Carrot farmer, friend, and occasional dragon-sitter, the curly-maned earth pony came over and gently pried Spike away from Rarity's leg before setting him on her own back. "You'll be getting to see your mommy be a pretty princess for all of Equestria." On her way out, Carrot Top glanced over her shoulder and said, "Knock 'em dead, Rares!"

As she turned back to the open the door, Carrot Top stopped in her tracks as her path was blocked by a pony-shaped mass of darkness which stood in front of her. Inky tendrils of pure darkness flowed and writhed around the living shadow's body as two crimson eyes opened. "Knock them dead...?" it asked in a raspy voice. "Isn't that... my job?"

Both Carrot Top and Spike screamed at the top of their lungs as the equine abomination let out an evil, soul-chilling laugh. At least until Rarity floated a newspaper over toward it in her magic. Rolling up the paper she swung it down against the monster's snout, getting a startled yelp from the monster. "Shame on you, Rainbow! Scaring Spike like that!"

"Ow," the shadow groaned, rubbing her muzzle as her eyes were momentarily knocked back into their rose-colored hue before the spell coloring them turned blood red again. With a chuckle, Rainbow Dash replied, "Aw, come on, Rarity. Dewdrop went to the trouble of making me look scary, so I had to take it for a test run! Besides, Spike's a tough guy, aren't ya, Squirt? If you really thought I was some kind of monster, you'd have fried my mane off, wouldn't you?"

"Y-yeah," the baby dragon stammered. "I-I-I knew it wuzn't real! It's j-just Ms. Rainbow Dash!"

"R-right," Carrot Top replied with a nervous laugh. However, she gave Dash a pointed glare as she added, "just Rainbow Dash the prankster." Sidling past the monstrously disguised pegasus, the trembling Carrot Top made her way to the audience seats.

Once they were out of sight, Rarity huffed, "Rainbow Dash, what in Tartaros made you think that was a good idea?"

"Well, considering what the kid's going to be seeing in a few minutes, I figure it'll be better for him to get a reminder now that it's all make-believe," Rainbow Dash explained. "That way he won't get the idea that he actually does have to torch the place to protect you."

Rarity narrowed her eyes dangerously as she asked, "and did you have to do it by scaring him and my friend half to death...?"

Rainbow Dash felt a chill that made her start to wonder which of them was supposed to be playing the monster in this production. "Ah... heh... well..."

"Hey, everypony! Miss Pie says it's time," Derpy said, sticking her head into the room. Just as suddenly, the pegasus ducked back out and zipped off down the corridor.

"Alright, showtime," Rainbow Dash said, grateful for the interruption.

Sighing to herself, Rarity followed after the pegasus and vowed, "Alright, we'll put this off for now. But if Spike has nightmares tonight, then you'll be seeing me in yours."

-----

By the time all of the actors huddled together backstage, Twilight had just barely managed to stop hyperventilating.

Pinkamena looked around at the others and nodded in approval. "We've put in a lot of practice," she told them. "You, the musicians, the stagehands... I'm so happy that you all agreed to help me put this together. It's going to be great."

Given the lack of passion or enthusiasm in the poet's expression, it would have been easy for most ponies to mistake Pinkamena's atonal pep speech for sarcasm. Knowing the importance she placed in words, however, the amateur actors took what she said at face value. Each of them smiled to make up for the lack of one on Pinkamena's own face, even if some of them were more strained and nervous than others.

"We just have to do as well as we have in rehearsals. I've personally seen how good you all are, so don't worry about what anypony else might think. They're all complete strangers, anyway. And the princesses, of course. And any family or friends who were able to make it here tonight. And the theater critics."

Applejack very politely coughed to interrupt. "Ah, Pinkamena, darling? There are times when you should perhaps quit while you're ahead," she said, gesturing with a tilt of her head toward Twilight, who seemed to be having trouble breathing again.

"Fear not the opinions of lowly rabble. Thou shalt put on a most impressive show, and worry thyself about naught else. Thine princess commands it," Fluttershy exclaimed, doing her best impression of Celestia's voice.

"That's right," Iron Will chimed in, flexing in the black armor he had been outfitted with. "After tonight, all of Equestria is gonna know how we rock! Am I right, girls?"

"YEAH," the Cutie Mark Crusaders shouted. The volume the three fillies put out made Scootaloo's mother, Nocturne Striker, flinch. The thestral Ranger's bat-like ears flattened against her head. Still, she grinned at them and tousled her daughter's mane in a way that made Aloe and Lotus groan in the background at having to style the rambunctious filly's hair again before the Crusaders' scene came up.

Pinkamena nodded, then signaled with her hoof toward Vinyl Scratch, who was working the sound equipment. "Okay. It's showtime," she said as she took her mark at the center of the stage, the others watching her go and either moving to prepare for their opening scenes or settling in to watch.

With a wide grin, the DJ hit some buttons on her console with her magic, and the first strains of music began to play.

~~~~~~~
Prelude
~~~~~~~

(Based on "Act II - Intermission" by The Protomen)

It started with the plucking of a guitar. Soft, lonely tones which set the mood as the firefly lanterns along the walls of the theater were dimmed, and a single spotlight illuminated the center of the stage. The curtains opened while the eyes of everypony in the audience adjusted to the dark, casting Pinkamena alone in the sole spot of radiance.

As the guitar strummed, the poet looked out into the emptiness. Her gaze seemed far away, as though she were herself looking back into the past while the guitar added its emotion to her otherwise atonal speech.

"Once upon a time," she recited, "in the magical land of Equestria, there were two sisters. Each morning, the elder sister would raise the sun, giving the ponies a bright day in which to work and play. Each evening, the younger sister would raise the moon and stars to give the ponies a beautiful, restful night. Together, the two royal sisters brought joy and harmony to all the ponies of Equestria."

More lights slowly illuminated the stage behind Pinkamena, and the ponies in the audience could see the outline of a tower balcony on which a horned and winged figure stood. Her horn glowed in the darkness, allowing them only a glimpse of her features before tiny pinpricks of light began to spring up in the black canvas representing the night sky.

As the "stars" came to life, a bright full moon rose up into view, and the ambient lights brightened enough for everypony to clearly see Princess Luna, or rather Rarity playing the role of her. The gentle strum of the guitar pulled the audience's hearts and thoughts into the scene as they saw the indigo princess set the night sky into place and look upon her work with a wan smile.

Many were so focused on the actress playing Luna that they didn't notice the black, inky shape creeping and slithering toward the base of the tower until it was halfway across the stage, and Pinkamena stepped aside to continue her narration.

"There were other beings, however, which did not appreciate the prosperity and happiness that Equestria enjoyed. The Eclipse, a being of darkness and disharmony, grew to hate the light that the royal sisters shed upon the land. Skulking in the shadows, Eclipse waited until the younger sister was alone, admiring the starry night she had brought forth."

"It is a beautiful night tonight," Eclipse said in a raspy voice which set everypony on edge. "Your nights are always so beautiful. It is a shame there are no ponies here to share it with."

"Who said that? Who is there?" Luna looked around before leaning down over the edge of the balcony, though Eclipse quickly skittered behind a tree so that the alicorn couldn't see it.

"An admirer, your highness. And hopefully one that you will come to call a friend," Eclipse replied. "I greatly love the time and effort that you put into the night. So sad, then... so sad that your little ponies do not share my appreciation for your work."

Luna gasped and briefly reared up, taken aback by this. "Bite thy tongue, whoever thou may be!" The strums of the guitar grew more noticeably more aggressive, but still melancholy as she began to sing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Whispers of Eclipse
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Based on "The Good Doctor" by The Protomen)

Luna:

My dear sister and I have now ruled for many years.

Together we have struggled to earn the respect of our peers.

Our little ponies too have worked, tirelessly, to maintain harmony.

So We take up the mantle of the stars and the cycles of the moon.

Our nights are like an offered blanket. A peaceful respite is Our boon.

We will not hear wicked slander against them all.

They've worked so hard beneath the sun,

Their daily toils now are done.

And now that the night has begun

They can have the rightful rest they've won.

The percussion picked up, jarring harshly for a moment as Eclipse slithered between the trees, always staying just out of Luna's sight as it sang its rebuttal.

Eclipse:

Are you explaining it to me, or is that what you tell yourself?

Do you think the only reason they hide away is for their health?

I hear what they whisper, when far away

From royal ears.

They sing your sister's praises, but you're the one they spurn.

Despite the cool of night soothing the sun's burn.

And all I want, is for you to get the love you've earned.

Luna: They've worked so hard beneath the sun (Eclipse: They've played all day beneath the sun)

Their daily toils now are done. (And now that they have had their fun)

And now that the night has begun (They'll ignore everything you've done.)

They can have the rightful rest they've won. (You know I speak the truth!)

Luna turned to storm away from the voice that would say such things to her, but instead of taking the scant few steps that would be needed to go inside her tower and shut out the shadow, she hesitated. She looked back over her shoulder at the moon and stars she had raised with a frown.

Luna:

What then should We do, if things are as you say?

Perhaps they do not love Our night as they celebrate the day.

Is that really so bad?

Our sister works so hard each day to make the land a better place.

It should be little wonder then, that they have scarcely seen Our face.

Does that mean We're cast aside?

(They are toadies) Our ponies appreciate Us in their own way.

(They are too petty to care) They may not have the time to send their affections Our way

But they do care. (Just look around.)

They are tired and need their rest (Why don't they spare an hour?)

So tomorrow they'll do their best. (They only fear your power.)

We love them dearly. (Only I love you!)

"The princess fell deep in thought as the whispers of Eclipse echoed in her soul," Pinkamena narrated while Luna lowered her head. "It would have been a lie to say that its words did not resonate with her. For years, she had shepherded the night just as her elder sister did the day, but while they came in droves during the day, they quickly left for their homes once night fell. Once again, she spoke the words which gave her work meaning, and yet this time they felt somewhat hollow in her heart."

They've worked so hard beneath the sun,

Their daily toils now are done.

And now that the night has begun

They can have the rightful rest they've won.

Ponies go now to their respite. They do not have time to look up.

No time to see the sky we've raised. No time to see a lonely mare.

As We look upward to the stars, We see them twinkle 'gainst the dark.

We need no admiring throngs, just the touch of friendship's spark.

We shall speak with Our sister

When she wakes to bring the dawn.

She shall prove We are beloved,

So for now, thou should BEGONE!

Luna stomped her hoof and stormed off the balcony as the curtains closed.

To be continued...

Author's Notes:

I swear, my muse keeps teaming up with my video game addiction to keep me from finishing "Snowblind", but this idea was just too awesome not to run with. I mean sure, I could've just written this as a regular story, but why tell a story when you can ROCK it? And what better way to rock than with the help of The Protomen? So sit back, turn the speakers up, and enjoy the tale of Luna's fall and the battle between Celestia and Eclipse.

Comments and opinions are very welcome.

Next Chapter: Part 2 - A Shadow Falls Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 34 Minutes
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