The Eternal Night

by unicorn724

First published 19th of September, 2015

What happens when Nightmare Moon returns and has Supporters?

What if there were no elements to be found when Nightmare Moon returned from her banishment? Did anypony wonder what would happen if somepony other than Princess Celestia knew of her, or was the Princess unaware of ponies with knowledge of her sister.

Prologue (Revised)

How many ponies know the true story of the princess of the night? The few who have heard the prophecy can only guess as to what it means. There are not many left that know of her. And many who have heard the story of her fall are wrong. So very very wrong.

If you talk to Princess Celestia she will say Luna went insane. That she changed and became evil. What the sun princess doesn't know is that her sister was ignored. Her ponies feared the moon princess. While Celestia received all the praise and love of their kingdom. Luna was shunned.

If you talk to the nobility who knew her they would only be able to give an in-between answer. Some were indifferent, she was just there, like a package deal with Celestia. The others, though, they hated her. Telling the ponies under their care what a vile monster she was. Ponies stopped going to her court because of this. Many of her nights were spent in silence. Occasionally she would wander the castle grounds running into some members of her guard.

Only two ponies know the whole truth, the Princess herself and me.

Author's Notes:

Hey, readers thank you for reading my story. I wanted to say if anyone has any ideas they would like to see in the story feel free to let me, just pm me.

Chapter 1 (Revised)

Over a thousand years ago there were two princesses, one ruling the sun the other ruling the moon. The ponies under their care lived peacefully, enjoying the elder princess's day but sleeping through the younger one's night. Princess Luna understood why ponies slept during her night. It was easier for them to work in the day's bright light and slept during the night, through the gentle light of the moon and stars. This went on for years upon years. Princess Luna worked hard to get the ponies to understand her night. She put together festivals and parties held at night and taught ponies about the stars and how they could use them to travel or see prophecies of the future.

Unfortunately, it did not last. Her guards, the thestrals, a lunar pegasus, were seen as monsters after the deaths of many ponies were blamed on them. Soon the nobility started the rumors that Princess Luna was behind these attacks and that she protected the killers of their land, since many of ponies were killed at night. The number of petitioners for her night court quickly dwindled leaving the occasional noble that came to harass her and demand her sister be given control over the night. Princess Celestia never noticed her sister's sadness. Too caught up in her growing amount of duties and being worshiped by her ponies.

One night just before the moon princess ended night court she was surprised to find that a pony wished to see her, she expected some request of letting her sister handle both sun and moon or her guard to be disbanded and banished from the kingdom as she had heard many times before. "What do you want." snapped the princess. "Are you here to tell me how my guards do not deserve to live or how unfit I am to rule because I defend the innocent under my care." The unicorn mare approached slowly afraid to set her princess off. It had taken a lot of courage to work up the nerve to see the princess since every other time she tried to come by the princess was yelling at the current petitioner causing the mare to run away to try another night.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Your Majesty. I have come to ask a favor of you." the mare spoke shyly.

"Please ask away, my little pony." Princess Luna said curious to see what the mare wanted.

"If you could spare the time and do not mind, I would love for you to teach me about the stars." the mare asked excitedly.

"You want to learn about my stars." the Princess was shocked. "Why?"

"Well, Princess allow me to introduce myself properly my name is Shooting Star, my special talent is the stars. However, there are no ponies willing to teach me more about them."

"Well, Miss Shooting Star I am done with night court for today and would be happy to tell you about the stars. Please follow me."

On that night the princess had found her silver lining. The two continued to meet every night after. To talk about what they did or for the princess to teach the pony about different stars. Sometimes they would wander the castle just enjoying each others company. One night, nearly a year after they meet, the princess offered her a gift.

"Star." Started the princess. "I have a question for you. Would you like to join my guard." Startled Shooting Star stopped walking to look at the princess.

"Luna are you sure. I thought only thestral were in your guard besides I don't know how to fight."

"Star I thought about this for quite some time now. and yes there are only thestrals in my guard, however, I have created spells that allow me to turn others into thestrals. Allowing me to expand the race from pegasi to unicorns and earth ponies as well. And I know you don't know how to fight but I could teach you. Please."

"Alright, Princess. I accept."

Over the next several months Luna trained Shooting Star. And she quickly rose the rank of Captain. She was the princess's second in command, her right hoof. Luna gave her a special job other than being her captain. As Luna's second she had unrestricted access to everything, even things the nobles and higher-ups in Celestia's guard didn't have access to. A few days after the two year anniversary of the night they met the princess had changed, angry and sad that the ponies did not love her or pay attention to her, she wished for the night to last forever. In a field away from the castle was Shooting Star, she had the night off and always meet with the princess here, but instead of Luna a different alicorn came towards her. Even with the different looks she knew it was Luna so she simply waited for the black alicorn to reach her.
"Evening Princess," the guard said looking at the pony before her.
"To you as well my friend," the alicorn replied. "I wish I could stay longer to explain everything but first I must deal with my sister. Please wait here till I return."
"Of course Princess." With that said the alicorn left. After an hour of waiting, Star started to pace, the princess had never taken this long to do anything she was always quick and efficient with her tasks. She did not have to wait long for an answer, but the answer she was given was not what she expected. Before Star had been a unicorn thestral but now she was an alicorn.

Author's Notes:

Hey, readers thank you for reading my story. I wanted to say if anyone has any ideas they would like to see in the story feel free to let me, just pm me.

Chapter 2 (Revised)

Shooting Star ran back to the palace quickly hiding her wings with her magic. As soon as she got to the palace she found Princess Celestia in the throne room crying, the elements of harmony lying on the floor around her. "Princess Celestia, are you okay? What happened?" she asked with fake concern for her.

Turning around to see who disturbed her Celestia noticed Luna's Captain. More shame and guilt washed over her knowing she had to tell Shooting Star. "I will be okay Captain. Thank you for asking. However, I can not say the same for Luna. She attacked me, started claiming that she was Nightmare Moon the empress of Equestria and that night would last forever. I couldn't reason with her and had to use the elements. She has been banished to the moon. I'm Sorry." By the end Celestia was crying so hard she never noticed Star leaving.

Knowing that she was now in charge of the thestrals, Star gathered all of Luna's night guard in a secluded part of the castle. "Thank you all for gathering so quickly. I have important news I must share with all of you." The ponies before her began to quietly murmur, curious as to what would require all of them. "The most important thing that you need to know is that Princess Luna has been banished to the moon." Many of the guards started to panic not knowing what would happen to them now that their protector was gone. "Please Let me finish. I know this is difficult news to take in however you must pull yourselves together for the sake of your brothers and your families. We are going to take the confusion of these events and use them to benefit our efforts to leave. Princess Luna has left me in charge of your safety. I want to get every thestral in this city out before tomorrow. "

"Captain what are we going to do? Is there anywhere we can go?" Many guards spoke out.

"I want us to go back to our city from before Luna found us. Its outside of Equestria so we won't have to worry about Celestia. I want a team to head there immediately after this meeting to get things ready for the rest of the guards and the civilians. I also need a team to escort the civilians there. Everypony else you need to gather what you need and head out in the next 20 minutes, stay in groups as you make your way there."

After giving the group, heading to the town, packs and teleporting them as far as possible, Star went to help the thestrals staying to get their families out. Setting them up a little way into the forest. Then she went out to tell the thestrals in the city. At every house she stopped at she told the families to pack only what they needed and that they were to leave an hour after sunset.

Once everything was done she headed back to the palace. Star stopped at her room to get the few things she needed before heading to Luna's room. When Star got there she was surprised to find a letter and a package with her name on it. Star continued to search the room for anything else Luna would need when she returned.

Author's Notes:

Hey, readers thank you for reading my story. I wanted to say if anyone has any ideas they would like to see in the story feel free to let me, just pm me.

Chapter 3 (Revised)

Author's Notes:

Shooting Star's thoughts have been italicized

Hey, readers thank you for reading my story. I wanted to say if anyone has any ideas they would like to see in the story feel free to let me, just pm me.

The evacuation of the thestrals went according to plan other than a colt sneaking away from home a few hours before nightfall. Star was back with her ponies guiding them to their new home. She had done as much as possible at the palace including setting up spells to keep ponies out of her room and office as well as Luna's in case she had missed anything important or too large to get out of the castle.

After a few weeks of travel, the last group had finally made it to the city. It was a system of caves high up on the mountains bordering the north of Equestria. The caves had been used by their ancestors before Luna had found them. There were many levels in the system as well as water springs and streams running throughout. Since the first two groups of guards got there a few small buildings had been built around the entrance. The guards had worked had to make the caves more home-like and to gather food for the ponies that would be arriving.

During the time the thestrals were here Star would go back to Equestria and sneak around the palace and where Celestia was building her new castle in Canterlot. While sneaking around one day she came across Starswirl the Bearded and Celestia talking. Since Luna's banishment, Starswirl's health had been deteriorating to the point that he was bedridden. Star knew it wouldn't be long before he passed, She did feel bad for him, Celestia and Luna were like daughters to him, though he would never admit it. They had gotten closer to him than anypony else and losing Luna had taken its toll on him.

"Celestia there is something I must tell you. I have seen it in the stars. Luna will return. On the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape and she will bring about nighttime eternal. Do not worry though it can be prevented. There will be others able to wield the elements to stop her. " Celestia left after thanking him for the good news. But at least Star knew when her princess would return.

Starswirl stared at the spot where Star was hiding. "Shooting Star. I know you there please come out so that we can talk." Shocked that someone had discovered her she stepped out into the room. "I would like to be able to see all of you, not just what you let others see, take the spell off of your wings."

"I cannot say that I am surprised you knew. It is nice to be able to talk to you again Starswirl. Since you know about the wings, can you tell me why I have them? Why I suddenly became an alicorn the moment Luna was banished."

"Do you know about the Alicorn Rule? It states that there must be two alicorns. When Luna left the Elements needed another alicorn. They typically choose somepony close to the old alicorn. Did you know that alicorns that ascend later in life do not receive immortality, they are long-lived but will eventually pass. However, being chosen like you have, I do not know what will happen."

"How do you know this? I doubt it is written anywhere and Celestia is too much of an airhead to know this."

"Child I have been around since before Equestria was founded. I have seen the rise of the pony tribes and the fall of the alicorns. I walked this earth when the alicorns ruled. Why do you think I always were the cape. Nopony treats you normally when you have wings."

"You ascended, You're an alicorn!" Starswirl simply nodded before falling asleep leaving Shooting Star to ponder this new information.

Over the next thousand years Shooting Star kept the thestrals safe and thriving. Building up the race for when their Princess would return. She taught and trained all of the descendants of her friends even getting the mares to join the guard. After a few centuries, she had built the guard up enough to overthrow Celestia when the time came.

As I watched the night sky, I knew my queen was going to return.

Ponies were starting to file into the town hall where Princess Celestia would raise the sun celebrating the 1,000-year anniversary of the Summer Sun Celebration. I still can't believe she made a holiday out of her own sister's banishment. At the moment I was a royal guard, it was my job to keep the ponies under control and protect the princess. Blah. Oh, protect our precious Princess from everything that might hurt her. The only reason I joined her guard was to keep an eye her and to keep up with modern times. It wouldn't do for all of Luna's guards to have no clue what things were like nowadays. It was a boring job but it kept me in shape and gave me more training. And I was able to get thestrals disguised and placed in the guard. The hall was filling up quickly and it was time to get in place, right by the main doors.

The ponies were watching the balcony as Mayor Mare said " Fillies and Gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration! In just a few moments our town will witness the magic of the sunrise and celebrate this the longest day of the year! 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 moon each and every day, the good the wise the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria Princess Celestia!' God I always hate that part. Go ahead talk it up, it will be that much better when she falls. But when it was time to raise the sun nothing happened, no sun no princess. Many of the ponies were surprised that Celestia wasn't there. Coward. I cant say that I'm surprised. Shes probably hiding in her castle surrounded by her guards.

After a few moments of nothing a purple mist filled the spot where the princess should have been, a large black alicorn soon took its place. All the ponies had horrified faces, not knowing what was happening."Oh, my beloved subjects, it has been so long since I have seen your precious little sun-loving faces," the black alicorn spat. Throughout the crowd, there were shouts of question, asking what she had done with their princess. Laughing the black alicorn said "Why am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am? 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 and I know who are. You're the mare in the moon, Nightmare Moon," a violet pony said.

"Well, well, well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I am here."

"You're here to, to..."

"You are here to bring about the eternal night as Queen of Equestria," I said making my way towards her and bowing.

“Do you think I want the affection of Celestia's guards, even if you praise me," the alicorn spat.

"Aw, My Queen. But you always loved my attention. I'm surprised that you forgot me." I said changing into my normal form and Night Guard armor.

Chapter 4 (Revised)

"Are you sure it was wise to let the ponies go?" Nightmare Moon asked skeptical of her guard's plan.

"Of course. After those six mares go on their feeble search for the elements they will run back to Celestia. Once she knows about their failure she will try to keep to news of this from the rest of her subjects and will hole up in her castle. Plus when she finds out that a guard supports you she will be wary of who to trust within the guard."

"Where are the elements anyway? I always wondered what Celestia did with them after our fight."

"She left them here, surprisingly. After she banished you they rejected her and turned dormant. So nopony can use them now."

"I hate to break it you but they could still be used. Once their wielders find them they should return back to normal. What then?"

"You do not have to worry. I have been watching over the elements since your banishment. we are the only ponies to have come here since Celestia moved to Canterlot. Plus before your release I went to fetch them. And I have them hidden were Celestia and her minions will never find them."

"It seems you have thought of everything. Well, I must ask what happened after I was banished, you look quite different."

"Right after you banishment I turned into an alicorn. I later had the chance to talk to Starswirl and he said that it was because there has to be two alicorns at all times. So I was your replacement until your return"

"What do you mean by 'replacement'?"

"Like I said no matter what happens there must be at least two alicorns so when you were banished the elements chose me to fill in."

"I did not know of this. You said Starswirl told you. How did he know?"

"Starswirl was an alicorn. Its why he lived so long."

"I see," said the black alicorn. “I have something I wish to give. For taking such good care of my ponies during my absence and for all of the planning you have put into my return. I, Nightmare Moon formerly Princess Luna, hereby decree that the Thestral Guard, Shooting Star, will be my second in command holding the titles of Princess of Equestria and General of the nocturnal royal guard." Once the queen finished speaking she touched her horn to Star's and there was a small amount of magic that was transferred between the two

"My Queen, I don't know what to say. Thank you. I just hope that I can repay you."

"Do not worry about repaying me, you have dedicated your life to me and I wished to thank you for taking care of things while I was gone. If there is anything you would like please do not hesitate to ask."

"Well, there is one thing. May I call you Luna like I did before?"

"If that is what you wish, I would be happy to have you call Luna again."

"That is wonderful, now I have something I have been working on that I would like to show you, please follow me."

"What is all of this," Luna asked looking around the room she was in.

"I have done a lot of preparing for eternal night. I had to make sure the ponies would be able to survive eternal night. I have modified plants too were they only grow with moonlight. All of the plant life outside is growing because of the moonlight."

"Then why are these plants so much larger?"

"These plants have never been in the sunlight, I only take them outside during the full moon, the rest of the time I keep them here. I found a way to produce moonlight in here."

“You created moonlight? That's amazing!" Before Star could explain more a loud boom was heard. "What was that," Luna asked.

"Somepony is looking for me. I made an alarm so that I could get to my post before anypony noticed I was not there. Care to join me, you could act like a new recruit that I have to show around."

"Very well."

"Lieutenant Stella," somepony called out. Turning to the sound Star found herself facing the captain of the guard, Shining Armor. "Hello captain, is there something I can do for you?"

“What happened at the Celebration?"

"The summer sun celebration?" The captain nodded in response. "I wasn't there sir. Princess Celestia told me I had to show the new recruits around. The princess said shed let you know."

"Well, she didn't. Next time let me if something like this happens. Carry on."

"Yes captain," Lalin saluted.

“Well he is not pleasant," Luna said from beside her. "What was with the different name?"

“I know the captain is an asshole. While I have been in hiding at the castle I use a different name just in case, but I keep them related to your night."

"I like that thank you. So where to first."

Author's Notes:

Hey, readers thank you for reading my story. I wanted to say if anyone has any ideas they would like to see in the story feel free to let me, just pm me.

Chapter 5 (Revised)

During the short walk to the castles main gates Star continued to update luna on modern day Equestria. As well as other important events from while she was gone. This included many of the things the thestrals have done. Even though the ponies of today did not know that some of their most used items had been created by those that wanted to see their downfall. Once the main gates were in sight Star pointed out the few thestrals that were there. Upon reaching the gates she introduced the guards to her trainee in disguise. While talking to the guards Twilight Sparkle and her friends ran up to them.

"Oh, Twilight Sparkle we did not expect you back so soon. It is nice to see you again. And you brought others. Are they friends of yours?."

"Hi, Lieutenant Stella, it's nice to see you again. But we really need to talk to the Princess can you take us to see her?"

"Of course, I was about to take Private Selena over that way now. I must ask, what happened at the celebration, you seem flustered?"

"Can I tell you when we get to the princess?"

"Sure, besides we are almost there."

Upon their arrival at the throne room, the guards alerted Celestia of her student's arrival and urgent need to speak with her. The guards closed the doors behind the group as Princess Celestia came over to them. "Hello my little ponies, what can I do for you?"

"Princess you weren't at the summer sun celebration today and ponies started to get worried. And then a black alicorn came out of nowhere. She called herself Nightmare Moon and said she was there to make the night last forever."

"I sorry I missed the celebration I had something come up and was unable to make it to Ponyville. Can you tell me more about this alicorn that you saw?" Turning away from the guards the princess lead her ponies away from her guard to continue their conversation.

"God, being this close to her just makes me want to kill her," Luna whispered to Star.

"Do as you wish. I will follow your lead no matter how you chose to act."

"Get ready. I have a plan," Luna warned before sneaking over to the shadows. After changing into Nightmare Moon she emerged from the side, walking farther into the room. “I heard somepony talking about me. I'm amazed somepony remembered me. Who was it, How about you?" Nightmare said while Celestia and the other spun around to see what was happening. Nightmare pointed at Twilight "I remember you! You're the little filly that thought she could get the elements, Celestia's little tool."

“Everypony get behind me," Celestia instructed. Moving quickly Star wedged herself in between the white alicorn and the mares, causing them to back further away from Celestia. Keeping up the ruse that she was going to protect them. The two alicorns started to fight, both evenly matched it was back and forth of who had the upper hand. When Nightmare Moon was starting to lose patience Star cast her spell, holding the mares in the air unable to move before changing herself.

"Princess," Star yelled sounding like Stella. Celestia turned to see a new alicorn. Holding her ponies with her magic. Twilight was beside her with a large knife to her throat.

"You vile creature! Put them down now!" Celestia said sending a blast of magic at the unknown alicorn.

Blocking the spell with a shield Star cooed at the raging princess. "Ta ta ta, I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You wouldn't want to hurt sister anymore, would you?"

"You are not my sister," Celestia said sending another blast at the unknown alicorn.

This time instead of blocking with her own magic, she moved the little yellow pegasus mare in front of her. Celestia watched in horror as the mare was hit with the spell. As soon as the spell hit the mare screamed out in pain while twitching in shock, not able to bear the blast that was meant for the alicorn.

"I would not try that again. I will use the others and then repeat the cycle."

"You wouldn't."

"Really? You think that I care about these pathetic excuses for ponies. Then go ahead, test me. I will gladly kill them!"

"No," they all looked over to Nightmare Moon who was forgotten during the last few moments, "death will not come to them. Torture them all you wish but do not kill them. I want to hear them beg for death."

"Yes, my queen," Star said with a sadistic smile gracing her face.

"Queen? Since when are you a queen." Celestia said while looking back and forth between the two dark mares. Trying to keep their attention on her hoping that the guards would notice the commotion and come soon.

“When you and the rest of Equestria abandoned me. When I took the name Nightmare Moon to lead my true subjects to freedom." walking to Star she gave her a small nuzzle. "Do you surrender, sister," Nightmare Moon spat, while Star pushed the blade farther into the flesh of the mare beside her.

Author's Notes:

Hey, readers thank you for reading my story. I wanted to say if anyone has any ideas they would like to see in the story feel free to let me, just pm me.

Chapter 6

"Yes," Celestia said dropping her head, wings falling limp at her sides." Do whatever you like to me but let them go."

"Really you would give up yourself and all of Equestria for this mare? You are weaker than I thought." Nightmare laughed at the fallen princess while placing a magic inhibitor ring on her horn. "Before I let your little ponies go I have one condition. I want your magic. Only after I have it will I let them go."

“What! But that’s not even possible!"

"Do not lie to me you know it can be done."

"But it has to be done willingly."

"So you are not willing to give me your magic to save your ponies."

"That’s not what I mean..."

"My queen, it sounds like she does not care about her subjects. I have a few ideas on how to make her cooperate."

"I agree. But for now, let us stop these games. I tire of these ponies and their pathetic princess "

"Of course." Star started walking towards the fallen princess, bringing the six mares with her. She then tied them up with magically enhanced ropes and placed magic inhibitor rings onto the two unicorns. Once the seven ponies were bound and gagged in the center of the room Star cast an illusion spell to make the ponies look like Nightmare Moon and her followers. "For now I would suggest we act like Celestia and a guard. Would like to be Celestia or shall I?"

"I will stay off to the side for now. You know this world much better than I, go ahead."

Casting another spell Star made Luna and herself into a guard and the princess. "Guards," The false Princess shouted. Several guards burst through the door to see their princess and a guard standing near a small group of unusual looking ponies.

"What happened Princess," Captian Armor asked having been near the throne room when the call came.

"Nightmare Moon has returned, as well as her evildoers. Please move them to dungeons I want them all in separate cells."

"Yes, Princess. Anything else?"

"Yes have the Nobles of Equestria assemble. I require their presence and I want them here within the month."

"Princess, I'm not sure that we can gather the nobles that quickly. There are several that are outside of our borders and many more that live near the borders" the captain stuttered.

"Very well. Gather them as quickly as possible. I will wait."

"Yes, Princess. Right away."

Chaper 7

The Captain quickly left to start gathering the nobles as the princess requested. While the remaining guards moved the prisoners to the dungeons followed by their princess and another guard.

"Make sure you put the alicorn in solitary confinement. I don't want her to be able to communicate with her followers." the guards nodded and followed the princess's orders, making sure all of the captives were in place and everything was locked. After leaving the dungeons the princess and the guard strolled through the castle enjoying each others company. Soon they came across a guard. And the princess gave him a signal to meet with them in a hidden room.

Upon reaching the room Star seen the guard they had passed as well as a few others. She turned back to her normal form though Luna stayed disguised as a guard.

"Good afternoon Captain," said the thestral that had been summoned.

"Hello, my friend. Thank you for coming. I have wonderful news that I wish to tell our brothers and sister. Please gather the others, we will meet in our normal spot."

"Will we have more plans for the queen's upcoming arrival?" the guard asked.

"Not quite. Although you all will be given new orders concerning her majesty. But there are several other things to discuss. However, while you spread the news of our meeting you must spread a warning as well. There are several creatures in the dungeons that look like us and our queen. Do not be fooled by their looks they are under an illusion spell and are not apart of our group. That will be all. Thank you."

Star turned from her guard and put her disguise back on. And left the room with Luna following her.

"That was interesting," Luna said quietly beside her. "I do not remember my guards to be like that."

"I have been training all of them since you left. Over the generations they have become more use to military life. Although I am slightly disappointed, he didn't questioned your presence and all of the thestrals know who is here.''

The pair quickly arrived at a pair of doors with the sun on their surface. Star pushed the door open while Luna quietly sneered at the doors. "I understand how you feel," Star said having caught Luna's expression. "I feel that way too. However, this is the best place to hide for now. We have a few hours till the meeting with your guards. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have." Satr spoke giving Luna a small smile knowing it must be hard for the older alicorn to adjust to everything going on around her.

After several hours of waiting it was time for the pair to head to the meeting with the thestrals in Canterlot. The meetings had been held in the crystal caves under the palace since it was close but well hidden. Upon their arrival the eyes of every thestral turned to the pair, many looking at the guard suspiciously.

"Greetings, my brothers and sisters. I have gathered you all here for some very important news. But before I go any further there is somepony I would like you all to meet." Star gestured to Luna who came forward and looked over the crowd a small smile upon her lips.

"Good evening everypony. It is wonderful to see you all again." Luna said while changing back into Nightmare Moon. Looking around the room she could see the surprised faces of her guards. Then as one everyone in the room, Star included, bowed low before they called out, "All hail Nightmare Moon, the queen of the night."

"Thank you everypony. It brings me such joy to see so many of you have survived throughout the years. Now we have many things to discuss and I would like for my Captain to explain everything."

"Since our queen has just recently returned to us she has not been informed of what we have been doing. So allow me to recap our purpose here. Our group has been placed here to support our queen when she is ready to dethrone the sun demon. We are the largest group of guards outside of the City of Stars. However, we are spread out into key areas of Equestria. Currently, the biggest threat to us is the sun princess and her niece. as of right now we have the sun princess as well as the future element bearers held in the dungeons, thus leaving Princess Cadence. The Queen and I are working on plans for how to deal with the princess. Our plans will be set in motion upon the arrival of the equestrian nobility that the other guards are gathering. Until they arrive you must all continue your normal work. Should anything change you will be informed. Someone will have to inform the guards at our city that the queen has returned and requires them, leave a small unit of guards there to defend the civilians should anything happen. After that, you must inform our groups in Equestria. That is all, dismissed."

Chapter 8

(The doors to Celestia's bedchambers after the meeting with the guards)
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"Thank you, that is all," Star said to the guards that opened the bedroom doors for her and Luna, who was once again disguised as a guard. Luckily for them it was well known through the guard that the princess liked to take her guards to bed.

Closing the door behind her, she followed Luna into the center of the room and removed the fixed spell on them, making them look like who they actually were. Looking over to Star Luna began the conversation that was sure to take up a large portion of their evening. " I must say I am curious as to what you have planned."

"I'm sorry if anything I said tonight has upset you. I have been trying to prepare everything for you." Star was looking down at the floor thinking Luna was upset with her.

"Do not fret my dear friend. You have done so well. I merely wish to know what you have planned." Luna said lifting Star's chin up so she could look into the other's eyes.

"Well, by having the nobility here it will be easier to show Celestia’s defeat to you."

"With them all here I could banish her to the sun or kill her and make them watch."

"I was thinking something else. What if we hold her captive till we can strip her of her powers. Then let her live...?”

"What! I know we need her alive till I get her powers, but we can not let her live after that."

"But once she is powerless she can't fight back. Plus once you tire of her presence, we can make her live with the mortals, they would shun her. So she would deal with the guilt of not being able to protect her ponies and having them hate her."

"I like how you think. Make her suffer what I went through. I only see one problem, we have to wait till she gives me her powers. You know that."

"We use inhibitor rings until she gives you her powers. Make it so that only we could remove them then torture her subjects in front of her till she gives in.''

"That could work for now. Anything else to go with it?"

"What about Discord, 'she' could defeat him. Think about it 'famed princess defeats ex-lover but not sister'."

"Problem, we don’t know where Discord is."

"He’s a statue in the palace gardens."

"Alright, but what are we going to do about the other princess?"

"Oh, her and Shining Armor are engaged. Let's get the Changelings to help with them. I'm sure we could work something out. Have her attack and then fight 'Celestia' and lose. Maybe trade the princess of love for that."

"I like the idea. Could you go to work this out with their queen before the nobles arrive?"

"Sure as long as you can play Celestia. I shouldn't be gone for more than a week. Plus I will convince those two to move up their wedding date."

"Alright, I think we have everything settled until you have to leave then. I believe it is time for me to retire for the rest of the evening I look forward to seeing you in the morning Star.

Author's Notes:

Hey, readers thank you for reading my story. I wanted to say if anyone has any ideas they would like to see in the story feel free to let me, just pm me.

Chapter 9

The next morning Star left to see Cadence and Shining Armor, leaving the sleeping queen a note. She was able to convince the soon-to-be-married pair to move up the wedding to a week after the nobles arrived. On her way back to the Princess's chambers she told a guard she had passed that she would be in her study for the rest of the day and that she was not to be disturbed.

Star took the rest of the day to inform Luna of what she would need to know while she was gone. By the end of the day, Luna was able to act just like Celestia. The pair had agreed that Luna would talk to discord while Star was gone. Luna figured the God of Chaos would be more willing to talk to her since they had once been friends.

The next morning Star prepared to go meet the changelings. She had set up for her top guards to be there for Luna if she needed them. Star was currently disguised as Lieutenant Stella, she had told Shining Armor that the princess had sent her on a mission and that she would be back in a week.

Star teleported to the badlands, the last known hiding place of the changelings, grateful for the extra magical power being an alicorn gave her. Having made it there safely she checked her things before walking into the unforgiving wasteland. Star had been walking for almost a day and a half. She knew she was being watched and had been for the last few hours. Finally, she got tired of their antics and called out, "I know you are there, there is no use hiding. I come on behalf of my queen and wish to make a deal with your hive."

The changelings that had been following were shocked to have been discovered. They contacted their queen to inform her of what had happened. She agreed to meet with the pony, curious to see who could have discovered her drones and to see what she had to trade.The changelings had escorted Star to their hive and were currently leading her to the throne room.

"Ah, here is the little pony that wished to see me." The changeling queen said, lounging on her throne.

"Your Majesty." Star nodded, refusing to bow to anyone but Luna."My Queen has sent me on her behalf, she wishes to make a deal."

"Go on then. I have other duties to attend to."

"I would rather we discuss this in private, Your Majesty," Star said glancing at the drones around the room.

"No. Say what you have to say now or leave. I will not take any suggests from you." The Queen practically spat staring at the pony before her."

"Perhaps you didn't hear me," Star growled. "I said we should move to a private location or at the very least you should remove your guards."

"Guards, remove this pony from my sight." The queen snarled. The guards moved towards Star, intending to follow her orders. Before the guards could pounce on her. Star teleported to another spot in the room. She then grabbed the guards in her magic and changed to her alicorn self. The guards in her grasp gasped before they were thrown out of the room, the doors behind them.

"I want this conversation to be done in private. Now that we are alone we may continue." Star spoke in a clam even tone glaring down the queen who sat silently on her throne.

"Fine. Now that you have disrespected me in my own home, please tell me what this deal is that you are proposing."

"My name is Shooting Star. My Queen, Nightmare Moon, is working on plans to overthrow Celestia of Equestria. She would like for you to participate. Should you except we will grant you access to the population to collect food, if all goes as planned we may even give you the princess of love."

"I must say. You have caught my attention. I would be willing to accept. Before I do however I would like to know exactly what part I will play in this."

"I would be happy to tell you more. But before I do I must contact my queen to let her know of this. Do you have a room I could use during my stay?"

"One of the guards will escort you to a room. Please inform the guard when you will be ready to discuss things further. and you may address me as Queen Chrysalis." The queen said, then motioned to the guard that had entered the room.

After receiving the reply to her letter Star informed the guard that she to speak to the queen. The guard then lead her down several halls to a room with a large table in it, waiting for her there was the queen.

The guard quickly left the room not wanting a repeat of what happened earlier. Sitting down across from the changeling Star started what was sure to be a long conversation. "My Queen has accepted your request and had given me permission to further discuss our plans." The queen nodded, signaling for the alicorn to continue. "In about one month the youngest princess is to be married. You are to infiltrate the castle and stop the wedding during the ceremony. Once done, you will fight Celestia and lose. After that you must disappear, whether you return to your hive or hide in Canterlot is up to you. As well as how you plan on stopping the wedding. During your mission, you may choose what to do with the bride. I would suggest that you replace her, that way she is out of the way. My Queen would like to be informed of your exact plans beforehand."

"You dare to order me." The queen snarled. Thus causing the talk to go on for several hours. The queen mostly snarled and screamed while Star sat there calmly waiting for the queen to settle before continuing. After two more days of the queen bickering with her guest, they finally agreed on a plan very similar to what Star had said in the beginning. She also agreed to send on of her drones to this Queen Nightmare Moon.

Once Star and the drone were ready Queen Chrysalis escorted them out of the hive where star teleported herself and her guest back to the Canterlot Castle. Star resumed her guard disguise and told the drone to change as well. She then showed the drone to his room and placed two of the thestral guards outside the doors telling them to alert her if the visitor needed anything. She then went to find Luna and inform her of the good news.