The next few days flew by while Twilight finished keeping track of the preparations. Applejack had enough food for two Ponyvilles. Her family helped a whole heap before heading back to their respective homes. Once Rarity finished her ribbons, Pinkie had her way with slinging streamers and balloon blowing. Fluttershy's birds needed a bit more training, and spent the day after doing so. Rainbow had the day off, and decided to spend it asleep.

Darkness descended on Ponyville as the sun fell below the horizon, the moon taking its place. Pinkie had planned a "Summer Sun Party" at the library the night of said celebration. Most residents were asleep in their own homes, save for Applejack, Pinkie, and a hoofful of others including: a gray pegasus, a teal unicorn and her friend, an electric blue maned unicorn who wore purple shades, and a brown pony with a tie.

Twilight and Applejack were off to the side, talking about various things: life on the farm, Canterlot, and the family that went home. Lyra, the teal unicorn, cornered Link, and bombarded him with questions that he couldn't answer. Navi wasn't allowed to answer them either. Spike was too busy making nachos for the guests to actually converse.

"Applejack," Twilight started, "I recall you read 'Anthropology'. Where did you find that book?" The two ponies were beside the punch bowl, but neither had drank from it yet.

"This library right here, actually. Ah check 'em out, head home an' read 'em. Not durin' the day, mind ya, just at night, when Ah need ta fall asleep." She paused, holding a hoof to her chin. "Ah read that one... about 3 months ago? Sometime in spring." Applejack filled a glass with punch and took a drink. "Didn't think humans really existed 'fore a few days ago. It bein' in the fairy tale section an' all."

Twilight replied immediately, with as straight a face she could muster. "Fairies don't have tails, Applejack." This earned a chuckle from the farm-pony. Cute laugh she thought. "But I know what you meant. Do you remember everything you read about?"

Applejack took another, short, drink. "Not everythin'. Just the interestin' stuff. Humans, mythical creatures, and some adventure books every now an' then." She looked up the wall of books. "Ah'd say mah favorite so far'd be that red one way up there.

Twilight got it down in her magic and read the cover aloud. "'Journey Through the Crystal Mountain. A pony's Tale by Gem Stone'." She looked at Applejack, who wore a smile. "I don't think I've ever read anything by any 'Gem Stone'."

"Ya should," the orange mare responded. "She's an adventurer, not a whole lot famous, but she gets around. Heck of a good read if ya ask me. Ah recommend readin' it at least once." She went in for another drink.

Time to get serious here, Twilight. "Have you read anything on the topic of... Nightmare Moon?" Just saying the name caused a blast of punch to erupt from the earth pony's mouth.

It took a moment to wipe the liquids from her face, but once finished, she replied, "Nightmare Moon? Ah reckon Ah have, to Apple Bloom. As a bed-time story. And ya should know, all that hooey about it happenin', just ain't worth the effort. After all, it was in the same section as 'Anthropology'. 'Course, lookin' at 'im now" she pointed a hoof at Link, who was laughing awkwardly at a poorly timed joke. "maybe not all fairy tales are hooey after all."

A bed-time story? Fairy tale? That's it? Hmph "Applejack," she tried again, a bit more serious this time around, "if I put forth undeniable proof of Nightmare Moon's return, would you believe me when I say she's returning tonight, the longest day of the thousandth year?"

"'Undeniable proof? Well, it took me seein' 'im to believe they exist, so Ah guess Ah'd have no other choice but to believe ya." She looked once more at the human. Link gave Applejack a glance, to make sure things were ok.

"Good," replied the unicorn. But just 'proof' isn't going to stop this prophecy from occurring. "Because I have that proof I mentioned. It's upstairs, away from less trusting ponies." She and Applejack started towards the steps leading up to the bedroom. Link got to the bottom step as soon as they did. "Relax, Link. It's just a conversation. You can wait here, and listen, right? If I need your assistance, I'll let you know. Oh, and don't let anypony up these steps. But remember, restrain until it fails."

He stopped at the bottom step, and sat down, nodding his head. Nothing gets by me, yeah, I can do that. Hmm... for pegasi, they'd fly past me. Best to sit at the top. Standing up, he followed them up the stairs and once more sat down.

"How much longer until he stops hoverin' over ya like that?" asked Applejack as soon as they got into the room. She then took a moment to take in her surroundings: a couple stacks of books, a couple beds, a nightstand each, and some shelves which held some odd things that she couldn't make out by glancing alone. "If ya had beds up here, why'd Ah sleep on the couch, and Rainbow on a cloud? Those're big enough for two ponies."

Twilight half-tripped as she made her way to her bed. "If I had allowed anypony to share a bed, let alone sleep in the same room, then I have reason to believe Link would have gotten no sleep at all. He has a strong sense of duty, and his is to keep me safe." She paused a moment to think about what conditions could arise to allow such an occurrence, but doing so made her cheeks the slightest tint of red. "A-at any rate," she continued, changing the subject, "here's what I found..."

The two stayed up in the room for nearly 2 hours. Link, still at his post, had Navi get him a glass of punch. Lyra wasn't done badgering him, not yet. She and her friend, Bon Bon, climbed the stairs to converse with him once more. "You look down," Lyra began. "I have a small gift for you." She pulled out a pad of paper and a quill in her magic, and gave them to him for use. "Now you can tell us what's been bothering you. If anything at all... You can tell us."

He took the paper and quill and began writing. After a minute or so, he held it up so Navi could read it. Link took his drink and started in on it. "He says, 'Thanks for the gift, it was thoughtful, and to answer your most recent question, nothing is wrong. I'm at my post where I should be. Twilight has my complete trust, and since she's my C.O. it'd be best not to disappoint/disobey her direct orders.' He means the one that is keeping him on the stairs, and you girls out from upstairs. It's his job after all."

"Is being a bodyguard really all you do?" Lyra paused and back-pedaled a bit. "N-not that there's anything wrong with... whatever it is you're doing right now. I'm sure it's a very important task... Eh heh heh."

Navi looked at Link, awaiting some form of response. After a moment, he sighed, and rested his chin on his hands. "He finds it boring. He went through 5 years of military service, to be a... well, what you see now. He either thinks it's below him to serve as a bodyguard..." This earned a vigorous shake of his head and a scowl. "Or, that he's sad that this might be all he'll be doing." He returned to his original position.

"Well, I'm confident that you are destined for far greater feats." A gray pegasus, the one from a few days ago hovered at eye level with him. "Besides, if 'bodyguard' was the role you were meant to play, you wouldn't be here now. You'd still be in training. Your journey is only just beginning."

"Hey, I know you. You're that navigationally challenged mailmare, aren't you?" Bon Bon asked, tilting her head.

"Yeah... And thank you for using the correct term. Nopony ever does, not usually..." Derpy looked once more at Link. "May I join you? I don't really do parties, so I'm fine just sitting away from the others."

Link nodded his head and scooted over. "You don't want to see Twilight, do you?" Navi asked.

"Nope, I'm fine here." She carefully takes a seat beside him. And sitting down, she was almost half his size taller.

He looked up at her, a little shocked at the height difference between them, but elected not to bring it up. "She may have said not to let anypony past him, but she didn't say anything about having company."

Applejack looked through a telescope at the moon and the stars around it. "See those four stars? Those shining ones? Those are the ones that will help Nightmare Moon escape from her lunar prison. And it'll all happen tonight, er, tomorrow, er, ugh, this morning." Twilight took a second to look at the clock, which read 3:15 AM.

Stepping back from the telescope, Applejack laughed a little at Twilight's verbal errors. She then looked over the scattered reading material strewn about the room. "Impressive research, if Ah do say so mahself. And ya put this all together yerself?"

"I had Spike's help. Getting this much material organized wasn't easy. On top of th-"

"But, are ya 100% positive there's no hole in your theory, no small gap in your reasonin'? No slight chance yer wrong?" It felt almost wrong to even ask such a thing after all that has been brought forth. She sat down on the side of it all.

"With all I've shown you, and all you've seen for yourself, you still don't believe me?" Twilight looked upset.

"I-it's not that Ah don't believe you, it's just that, well, there might be somethin' ya might have overlooked, or not looked hard enough at." Applejack decided to tread carefully.

"So... How much do you believe? Because I'll take anything above 85%." She sat down, and waited for an answer.

Applejack looked again at the material, going over it in her mind. "... Clock me in at 90 then. Yeah, ya got good foundation, and yer proof is spot on. But, there's still that one chance that nothin's gonna happen."

"I can take it. 90% is less than what I was hoping you'd say, but I suppose it's high enough. Especially for what I have planned." Without skipping a beat, she got up, and started putting her research away. "Link and I will do what we can to stop Nightmare Moon, and being honest, he came back at the perfect time."

"Hold on there, ya mean you're gonna try to take down Nightmare Moon all by your lonesomes?" It was her turn to stand up. "Sure he's strong an' all. Even got that magic shield o' his, but this is Nightmare Moon we're talkin' about. She ain't no pushover."

"It's true what you just said, and I won't argue that point. But he's more combat ready than anypony. Besides, he was assigned to protect me, so if I do something that would put myself in harm's way, he wouldn't have a choice in the matter."

"You'd take advantage of him like that? He's practically yer family. Rrgh!" Taking a moment to simmer down, she lowered her voice. "If Ah could make a small suggestion, don't go into a fight intendin' to lose."

Twilight looked at the mare with much disbelief. "I hadn't planned on it. 1,000 years ago, Nightmare Moon was banished to the moon by our Princess, who used relics called The Elements of Harmony. Normally, it would have taken 6 ponies to do so, but Princess Celestia managed this feat by herself. I have to believe I can do the same. Link would serve as the distraction while I used the elements. That was the plan... And if you don't want to help me prepare for this then you can ju-"

Suddenly, the orange mare put a hoof over Twilight's mouth. "Don't even. Twi, listen... Ah'll help y'all get ready. But could ya wait until she shows up before ya shoot beams?" She removed her hoof.

"90% belief, huh? Or was that a lie?"

"Ah never lie. It's immoral. Ah do believe ya, but in the off-chance we're both wrong, and she's a no-show, we'd have gotten all worked up fer nothin'." She looked out the window at the moon. "Best Ah can say now is wait... Do somethin' about it if it happens. Until it does, go about like nothin's wrong."

Rainbow knocked on their window after landing on the balcony. Twilight opened it with her magic, and in flew a rainbow maned pegasus, the very same one who went hoof to toe with the kid on the stairs. "Don't either of you know what time it is?"

"3:30, or right around there," Twilight responded, looking at the clock.

"And what are you still doing here? The ceremony started half an hour ago. The mayor sent me over to see what was keeping you guys. Now that I'm here, you both need to get to town hall. She was going to announce your efforts towards the whole thing. Hard to do if you're not there." Rainbow landed in a huff.

Applejack looked at Rainbow. "Did Apple Bloom make it?"

"Yeah, she was asleep when your brother brought her, but she woke up soon after. Anyway, you better start moving before the townsponies die of old age."

Twilight looked concerned as she was making mental notes. "Right, on our way then."

The three of them headed out the bedroom, and saw Link accompanied by a gray pegasus. "Link, we're going to town hall. It's happening tonight, so gear up. I want you at my side throughout the ceremony. Understood?" This earned a nod from the Hylian. Together, the 6 of them made their way to town hall, Twilight occasionally looking up at the moon.

Town Hall looked better than when she had seen it a few days ago. Streamers hung from the rafters, and climbed the columns. It seemed very organized. Everypony in town was here, taking seats in the upper areas, and on the main floor. As they all walked in, Spike hopped up on Twilight's back.

"Sorry, I left with the others. Navi said you didn't want to be bothered," he said.

"It's quite alright," she responded. Derpy and Dash, being pegasi, found their aerial positions. Aj found her way to the tables while Twilight walked up to the stage.

"And there she is." Finally "The pony responsible for overseeing this event. Please put your hooves together, repeatedly, for... Twilight Sparkle!" The crowd applauded as Twilight found her way beside Mayor Mare. Link stood between them. "Since we're behind as it is, there will be no speech. The introductions for the princess start in 15 minutes, so enjoy some... music..." She took this moment to shoot a glance at the pony behind the turntables, "from our local DJ, DJ PON3!"

Fortunately, the music was classical, not the usual heavy bass she was used to. 15 minutes passed, as Fluttershy got her birds singing. A spotlight shone down on center stage where Mayor Mare once again stood. "Fillies and Gentlecolts. As mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!"

Various cheers erupted from the audience as Twilight, Link, and Pinkie for some reason got to in front of the stage. "In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year!" Rarity, on the balcony above, used her magic to unfurl a yellow and gold colored banner, made herself most likely. Twilight looked around nervously. Link did much the same. Pinkie didn't, but smiled anyway.

"If it's gonna happen, it'd be happenin' any minute now." Applejack stood by the table, out of Twilight's earshot. Twilight looked again at the stage.

"-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, Princess Celestia!" finished the mayor.

Birds sang once more as the spotlight rose to shine on the upper balcony. Rarity drew the curtains to reveal... an empty stage!

"This... can't be good," Twilight uttered, looking to where her mentor should be.

"Remain calm, everypony. There must be a reasonable explanation." Mayor Mare held her composure on the stage. Pinkie started jumping to conclusions as Link peered around the room, hand at the ready on the handle to his weapon. Applejack approached Twilight.

"Okay, we can worry now," the farm-pony admitted. She looked up at Rarity.

"She's gone!" she exclaimed. Rarity headed down the stairs to the lower level.

Pinkie shrieked as she noticed pale blue mist form where Rarity once stood. After a moment, a black alicorn with head and chest armor appeared. "I thought our princess was a brighter color."

The raven alicorn gazed upon the audience. "Ah, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little, sun-loving faces."

"What did you do with the princess?!" outbursted Rainbow. She tried darting after the accused, but was held back by Aj, who had a mouthful of rainbow tail.

Laughter echoed from the dark intruder. "Why? Am I not 'royal' enough for you? Don't you know who I am?" She returned to her overbearing height. Changing her focus to Fluttershy, and ignoring Pinkie's antics, she continued. "Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for 1,000 years?" Changing it again to Rarity, "Did you not see the signs?"

Twilight stepped forward, Link drew his blade and shield. "I did. And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon." A collective gasp arose from the crowd.

"Well, well, well," Nightmare Moon once again took the floor. "Somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here."

"To bring about eternal darkness, and cover the land in a blanket of shadows." Navi piped up from beside Link. It didn't go unnoticed, as more laughter came from the dark one.

"Remember this day, little ponies, and whatever you are..." she gave Link a sharp glance. "for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last, FOREVER!!! Thunder echoed through the room from Nightmare Moon's now cloud-like mane and tail, both of which looked as black and spotted as the night sky.

Twilight could only look on in shock at the display of magic energy. She hadn't seen this level before today. Link remained at her side, a fierce look in his eye, yes, but his body language made it almost seem he was afraid. Rainbow Dash is one thing, but a huge pony with both magic and flight is something else entirely. 1 on 1 I'd lose... have to be smart about it... what would Silver do...?

Late update, I know. Life's been busy. Got booted from my house so I'll try to focus on a job. Still going on with this story. In the middle of the third part to the H&H Special I started way back in Dec, so expect that some time within 4 days-ish? ...

Yeah, have fun...