The party had come to a halt a few hours later.  That pink pony had announced that it was time to watch Princess Celestia raise the sun and declare it to be the longest day of the year.  The ponies occupying the library had quickly made their way to the town hall, where their honorable leader will be making her appearance to bring the light of day.

The gang made their way through the crowd of ponies to get a front row view of the traditional event.  All six of them waited at the front, eager and anticipating the raising.  Moondancer let out a yawn and leaned against Twinkleshine.  Minuette giggled and poked at her, telling her not to fall asleep again.  Being reminded of last year gave Minuette a death glare, but she again just laughed at her friend.  

Lyra looked around the large room of town hall.  She noticed something that caught her eye at the party before they all arrived here.  She subtlety left her friends and made her way over.  

Lemon Hearts let out an annoyed sigh.  She had the look of displeasure on her face.  Lemon was never really the 'cheery' type, but more of the boring, let down pessimist.  There are times though, rarely, that she does crack a smile or a chuckle.  It is a feat of strength to make that pony in the least bit happy.  When Amethyst questioned what's gotten into her this time, she just replied 'I just don't really want to be here' and grunted.  Even though Lemon is always a downer, she comes around most of the time for the others.  When she's not being sarcastic, she usually helps them with anything.

Amethyst Star was almost the opposite of Lemon.  Lemon was as patient as they came, but Amethyst always wanted things to quicken their pace.  She had little to no patience when it came to things that even remotely caught her interest.  Lemon was calm and steady, but Amethyst was jittery and all over the place.  She also has sort of a motherly instinct in her, caring for almost everypony as if they were her children.  She does, however, get annoyed very easily.  Unlike Lemon, who can just sleep through even the most annoying things, like one of the professors at the school scratching the chalkboard with a horseshoe.

Minuette, or Colgate as almost everypony calls her by, was similar to Amethyst in many ways.  She has that care free type of attitude, always doing fun things and acting like there's not a problem in the world.  She was usually the one who cheers everypony up, and she herself never gets in the least bid sad or put down.  She's the optimist in the group, always finding something good in any situation.  The end of the world will come if that pony ever has a tear flow from her eyes.  

Then there was Lyra, she was kind of the middle ground between Lemon and Amethyst.  She has her up and down sides, but they're not as extreme as Lemon's dark moods and Amethyst's over-exaggerated super hyper ones.  As a musician, and one that plays the lyre, a calm and simple one, she has to be calm and open minded.  Emotions and feelings run through her very often, not once has she hid a single emotion behind the walls of her mind.  She is a very open pony, and always a good friend to the others.  

Moondancer yawned again and sat on her haunches while still leaning into Twinkleshine.  In return she also sat down to allow her tired marefriend a more comfortable position.  Moondancer rested her head in the crook of Twinkleshine's neck.  In any other situation, Twinkleshine would rest her head on the top of Moondancer's, but seeing that all her friends are surrounding her, it would be best that she kept it to looking mostly like a friendly gesture.

However, it didn't go so well.

"Awww isn't that just so cute?"  Amethyst said in a tone that sounded like she was talking to a baby.  

Twinkleshine froze up stiff as a statue.  The still half asleep Moondancer just waved her hoof up to the direction of Amethyst without even looking up, "Shut up, Amy."

"Oh lighten up, hon.  I'm only teasing."

Moondancer just mumbled something inaudible and continued to be half asleep.  Twinkleshine allowed her tensions to ease up a bit.  

Amethyst laughed, then turned to Lemon, "Don't you think they look cute together, Hearts?"

Lemon shifted her gaze to Amethyst, "Adorable."  She said with absolutely no emotion hinting whatsoever.

Twinkleshine sighed in relief.  Her friends don't seem to mind them two being together, even if they were just joking around.  Maybe it wouldn't be so hard telling them?  She hoped so.  It seems though as if all her friends somehow secretly know, but are trying to tell her as subtlety as possible.  Minuette commented on how they are always together earlier, and just now Amethyst said that they looked 'cute' together.  Lyra is the last one that hadn't made a comment yet, where is she anyway?

Her thoughts were interrupted as a choir of birds started to play a song.  The room got silent immediately, awaiting what will happen next.  Spotlights shined on the stage in front of the crowd of ponies.  A tan mare with a silver mane wearing glasses stood in the spotlight.

"Ladies and gentlecolts," She began, "As mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!"

The ponies roared in delight.  After a few seconds, it died down and the mayor spoke again.

"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 that 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!"

With that said, the mayor gestured to the balcony above her, and Rarity, the white coated unicorn they met before the party started, pulled a rope to open a pair of curtains.  When the spotlight hit the balcony, nopony was there.  Bickering started among the ponies.  Most of them had the same question on their minds, 'Where is the princess?'

"Remain calm everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation."  The mayor piped in over the bickering.

Twinkleshine turned to her friends, "Is this supposed to be happening?"

"I don't know, maybe, is this how Ponyville works?  I've never seen this before, the princess is always on time."  Amethyst started, worry in her voice.

"Let's just calm down, maybe something came up and she's a tad bit late?" Minuette chimed in, still smiling and acting like there's no problem whatsoever.

A second later, Rarity came back from behind the curtains, "She's gone!"

The entire room echoed with loud gasps.  Then fell silent.

Lemon Hearts grunted, "Such drama queens, all of you!"

Suddenly, and out of nowhere a royal blue haze appeared on the balcony, it swirled and intensified until a mass appeared inside it.  A large, onyx pony appeared.  The haze swirled around her until it connected and became her mane and tail.  The pony wore blue armor that matched the haze, and she had both wings and a horn.  The mere sight of her sent chills down a pony's spine.  Her sinister gaze was enough to freeze you stone cold.

Twinkleshine gently nudged Moondancer, "Umm, it's time to wake up now, Moondancer."  Her voice was shaky and filled with fear.

Moondancer lazily opened her eyes, trying to keep them fully opened until they found a comfortable position half lidded.  "Wh-what?  Is the sun here yet?"  She looked up on the balcony where the menacing winged unicorn stood, "That doesn't look like the sun, Twinkle.  What's going on?"  

"I...I don't know."

The onyx alicorn spoke in an eerie voice that chilled to the bone, "Oh my beloved subjects, it's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces!"

Another voice yelled out, "What have you done with our princess?!"

The dark alicorn chuckled, "What?  Am I not royal enough for you?  Don't you know who I am?  Does my crown no longer count that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?  Did you not recall the legend, did you not see the signs?"

"I did."  Twinkleshine turned to see who would stand up against this monster.  Surprisingly she saw that the voice belonged to Twilight Sparkle, "And I know who you are.  You're the mare in the moon, Nightmare Moon!"

Another collective gasp was heard.  Twinkleshine nearly trembled at the sound of that name, so the legend was true after all.

"Well well well." Nightmare Moon said, "Somepony who remembers me.  Then you also know why I'm here?"

"You're here to....to..." Twilight was too scared to finish her sentence.

Nightmare Moon chuckled, "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last.  From this moment forth, the night...will last...forever!"  The blue haze swirled up in a maelstrom above her head while she let out a sinister laugh.  Electricity crackled from the swirling haze.

Once the mayor had recovered from her shock, she ordered the guardsponies to seize Nightmare Moon.  They charged at the dark alicorn, only to be met by lighting strikes.  Nightmare Moon continued her evil laughing as she vanished into a blue haze and escaped out the front door.

"What just happened?"  Lyra said as she made her way back to her friends.  

Lemon Hearts was the one to answer as the others were too frightened to do so.  She spoke in an emotionless monotone voice,  "It's obviously a coup d'état.  This Nightmare Moon is obviously attempting to overthrown Princess Celestia in order to regain control of the Kingdom of Equestrian.  She started with the kidnapping of Celestia, then invaded this town to announce her arrival.  Now I believe she will be going to the other towns to announce her arrival and the bringing of eternal night.  Hmmm, eternal nighttime... I like it.  No more forsaken sunlight to blind me every day."

"Do you really think so?" Amethyst asked, ignoring her last comment on the sun.

Lemon shrugged, "Eh, probably."

"So what do you suppose we do?"  Lyra asked.

Once again, Lemon shrugged, "I'm gonna go home and sleep.  Night all."  She turned and made her leave.

Moondancer yawned, "I agree with her, let's go home Twinkle."

Twinkleshine, still in shock from the events that took place moments ago, stared wide eyed at the group.  "Aren't any of you worried?  This...Nightmare Moon...could've killed Celestia for all we know!"

Minuette chimed in with her always cheery voice, "Oh don't say that, Twinkle!  I'm sure the princess is fine and she's just waiting for the right moment to strike back at Nightmare Moon.  I'm gonna have to go with Hearts and MD on this one.  Let's just wait till morning and we'll figure something out then."  

"Umm, hon, there isn't going to be a morning.  Remember what she said 'The night will last forever!'?"

Minuette's face dropped "Ohhhh..." Her smile quickly returned back though, "We'll how about we all just set our alarms at some time in the am and meet up at Twinkle's place at 9?"

The five close friends all nodded in agreement, save for Moondancer, who just mumbled and continued leaning into Twinkleshine.  

"I'll go catch up with Hearts and tell her the plan." Lyra said as she made her leave.

Twinkleshine once again nudged Moondancer, "Alright Moondancer we're leaving now, wake up."

Moondancer jerked and shook her head to further wake herself up, to no avail.  "I'm....I'm comin'.  Just...just...could you carry me?  Please?"

"Awww, poor baby's exhausted." Amethyst piped in and chuckled.

Moondancer crawled onto Twinkleshine's back slowly so that she was laying on her stomach and half her body was drooping over Twinkleshine's left side, and the other half on her right.  "Twinkle...could you...could you slap Amy for me?"  

Twinkleshine chuckled and headed out the door with the others.  They went their separate ways a little further down the road to their own respective houses.  Minuette's advice seemed to certainly lift their spirits, as always.  Even when something as bad as a corrupted alicorn that kidnapped the princess and is threatening to never reveal the sun again comes out of nowhere.  

Minuette should of came with them, once that thought came back, Twinkleshine started to panic again.  She always loved watching the sunrise every morning, and now she may never see another one.  As she approached her house and unlocked the door, she dropped Moondancer on to her bed, tucked her in, then went inside the bathroom.

"Hey...wait."  Moondancer said in a soft tone due to her exhaustion.

"Hmmm?" Twinkleshine said as she turned around.

"Where're you going?  I...I want to snuggle with you..."  

"I'll be back in a few minutes, I need to use the bathroom."  Twinkleshine walked out of the bedroom.

"Hurryyyyyyyyy."

Twinkleshine went down the hallway until she ended up in the bathroom.  Once her business was done, she splashed some water on her face and all she did was stare at herself in the mirror.

She was too worried and stressed out to sleep, but she knew that she couldn't do anything about it.  What will happen now?  Without the sun, crops will not grow.  Food will not be harvested and all of ponykind will die from famine!  Without the sun, heat will not be given to the world.  The weather factory in Cloudsdale cannot bring the seasons without the heat, nor can it rain without heat.  The world will be in complete chaos!

What to do what to do?!  This was supposed to be the best day ever for her!  Moondancer had accepted Twinkleshine's love, and there she was in bed waiting to be cuddled up beside her.  Why had this day gone so horribly wrong?!  Why did it have to be this day that this...this...tyrant alicorn came down to overthrow Celestia or whatever Lemon had said?!  Twinkleshine nearly cried as she finally got out of the bathroom and slipped into bed.

Moondancer, using the last of her energy, inched her way closer to Twinkleshine and put her arms around her.  "Mmmmmm..."  With that she passed out right there and started to finally get some sleep.  Twinkleshine returned the hug and wrapped her arms around her marefriend.  The two lay embraced until Twinkleshine's fatigue finally afflicted her, and she too finally found rest.

<~>

*BANG BANG BANG*

"Twiiiiiinkle....make it stop!"  The half asleep Moondancer called out to the mentioned pony.  She nudged her to wake her up.

Twinkleshine groaned into her pillow, "Whaaaaaaat?"

*BANG BANG BANG*

"Twinkleshine, Moondancer, get your lazy flanks up and get outside."  That voice was all too familiar and monotone.

Finally, Twinkleshine got up and pulled the blanket off of Moondancer so that she'd get up too.  Moondancer disapprovingly  groaned, but still stayed in bed unmoving.  When Twinkleshine decided she had enough, she used her magic to grip Moondancer's tail and forcefully yank her off the bed.  She yelped and landed with a thud on the floor.

"Alright I'm up!  Jeez what's gotten into you?"  Moondancer said as she rubbed her rump and got up standing.

Twinkleshine ignored the questioned, "Let's go see what Ms. Sunshine wants." She said with heavy sarcasm.

Twinkleshine made it to the door and opened it, and of course Lemon was standing there in all her pessimism with a surprisingly amused expression on her face.  She had the slightest smile on and her eyes glistened with....something.  Twinkleshine couldn't put her hoof on it, was it...joy?  

Blasphemy.

"What's the matter?  Did Nightmare Moon do something?  Is Celestia still missing?"

Lemon rolled her eyes, "Well if you cared to open your eyes and look around you..."  She waved her hoof up in the air.

Twinkleshine still wasn't catching the drift.  She shot a confused look at Lemon.  Nothing seemed wrong, it was warm, sunny, and---

Sunny.

She gasped when she realized it, "The sun!  It's back!"

"And the captain obvious award goes to-drum roll please-Twinkleshine!  Woopty doo."

Twinkleshine turned and called for Moondancer.  Once she had come out and noticed the light of dawn, she too gasped in joy.  The three unicorns all walked to a large group of ponies, where their other friends were standing.  In the middle of the group, a chariot could be made out.  On top of the chariot, two winged unicorns sat.  One was instantly recognized as Princess Celestia.  The other was announced as her little sister, Princess Luna.

The crowd of ponies roared in delight!  Joyfully cheering for the return of the princess of the night.  Harmony once again had returned, and all fear of everlasting darkness had quickly escaped their minds.  Twinkleshine sighed happily like she never sighed before.  Maybe the day wasn't so bad.

She was wrong.

Moondancer tapped her shoulder and Twinkleshine turned around.  She quickly wrapped her hooves around the white mare's neck and lunged forward.  At first, Twinkleshine was completely surprised.  But it didn't take long until her heart completely melted and she pushed back against Moondancer's kiss.  For the brief moment they shared, nothing in the world existed.  Time was an illusion, reality a myth.  For the moment their lips touched, they were in heaven.  

"Oh....my....Celestia."

The sudden realization came to light as Twinkleshine broke away from the kiss with her entire face a deep shade of scarlet.  She slowly turned her head to face her friends.  Moondancer did the same, but she looked more...calm than her partner.  Amethyst looked mortified for a brief second, but a smile slowly crept into her mouth.  Lyra had that look she always had when she got excited: Large toothy grin, eyes were wide and her pupils were small, and she started jumping up and down.  Lemon, well she was...nothing happened to her she just looked like she always did: Unamused.  And Minuette was...not here?

"Enjoy the show?" Moondancer said with a smirk, which only made Twinkleshine's blush somehow intensify.

Lyra and Amethyst squealed in delight and ran up to hug the two mares.  They both started babbling words that neither of them could clearly make out.

"I'm so happy for you two!"

"How long has it been?"

"How did this happen?"

"You two are soooo cute together!"

"Totally called it."  That monotone voice belong to Lemon who cracked the slightest smile.

Every single worry left Twinkleshine's body at that moment.  Her friends accepted her for loving Moondancer, and she shared her first kiss with her love on the same day they got together.  Lyra and Amethyst stopped bone-crushingly hugging the two and allowed them some privacy.  Once again Moondancer brought her lips to Twinkleshine's, and once again her heart melted.

This truly was the best day ever.

<~>

The indigo unicorn slammed her door open and immediately jumped into bed.  She started to sob loudly into her pillow, smearing her makeup all over it.  What was once the most care free and happy pony they ever knew, was reduced to a broken puddle of tears.  This was probably the first time she had ever cried in her life, excluding when she was a foal and couldn't control it.

This had to be the worst day ever.

Minuette looked to her right on her nightstand where a picture frame stood.  She pulled it over to her and stared at it with sorrow.  The picture portrayed a white unicorn, with a fluffy pink mane.

"Twinkleshine...I will always love you."

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