Shade enters Town Hall and frowns when she see how full the building is. The pegasi are courteous enough to hover in the air, at least. Shade spots a familiar rainbow tail in the air and makes her way to Rainbow Dash.

"Cupcake?" Pinkie Pie springs up in front of Shade with a tray of cupcakes balancing on her head.

"Cotton candy," Shade nods.

Pinkie Pie giggles and throws her head back, launching the tray in the air and making it land perfectly on the table. She zooms over to Twilight's side. "Isn't this exciting? Are you excited, 'cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went," Pinkie Pie takes in a deep breath, "but I mean really, who can top that?"

Shade senses Twilight's annoyance of Pinkie Pie.

"Aren't you excited?" Pinkie Pie turns to Shade.

"Super," Shade says with a German accent. She smiles at Pinkie and leans closer to her, "I am using all my will to keep my excitement in from destroying the world, Pinkie."

Pinkie giggles and hugs Shade's neck.

Bird fanfare begins to play. Shade spots Fluttershy hovering in front of a stand of birds as she conducts them. A spotlight switches on and focuses on Mayer Mare who stands under a balcony to addressing the ponies.

"Fillies and gentlecolts," she begins, "as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" She pauses to allow the ponies to cheer. She continues, "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 the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria. . ."

Shade notices Twilight's odd behavior, and she wonders why the unicorn is acting strangely.

". . . Princess Celestia!" Mayor Mare announces.

The birds shrill in fanfare again as Rarity pulls on a rope to open up purple curtains on the top balcony. The spotlight illuminates a spot of the gallery void of any Princesses.

Rarity gasps in confusion, "Huh?"

"This can't be good," Twilight says.

Pinkie looks to Shade.

Shade shrugs, "It is not like Celestia is in my pocket."

Mayor Mare notices the ponies starting to panic. "Remain calm, everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation!" she assures the ponies.

"Ooh, ooh, I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" Pinkie jumps up and down.

"Maybe she is playing dead!" Shade replies sardonically.

Twilight glares at the green earth pony.

"She's gone!" Rarity exclaims.

"Ooh, she's good," Pinkie Pie compliments over the collective gasp of the ponies.

Shade shrugs. A surge of magical energy makes her snap her head up and Pinkie Pie shrieks at the blue smoke rising from the balcony.

"Oh no!" Twilight whispers. Out of the blue smoke, a black alicorn with an astral mane and tail rises to strike an imposing pose. "Nightmare Moon."

Spike faints and falls off Twilight's back, crashing to the floor.

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

"What did you do with our Princess?!" Rainbow Dash challenges. She prepares to take off, but Applejack bites down on the pegasus' rainbow tail.

"Whoa there, Nelly!" Applejack speaks around a mouthful of hair.

Nightmare Moon chuckles, not just at the scene but also the stupidity of the pegasus. "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?"

"Ooh, ooh, more guessing games!" Pinkie chimes. "Um, Hokey Smokes! How about . . . Queen Meanie! No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty " Applejack and Shade both shove a cupcake into Pinkie's mouth to silence the pony.

"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?" Nightmare Moon questions Fluttershy first before switching to Rarity.

Shade clenches her jaw and digs her hooves into the granite floor.

"I did," Twilight speaks up which gains Nightmare Moon's attention. "And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon Nightmare Moon!" Twilight reveals the alicorns identity.

The ponies gasp collectively again. Shade rolls her eyes.

"Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here," the black alicorn states.

"You're here to. . . to. . ." Twilight gulps, not able to finish her sentence.

"To bring eternal night," Shade finishes for the lavender unicorn.

Nightmare Moon chuckles darkly, "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!" She cackles as her mane and tail swirl around her as it shoots lightning with cracks of thunder.

Shade rolls her eyes and starts to walk out of the hall.

"Seize her!" Shade faintly hears Mayor Mare shout once outside Town Hall.

"Pfft!" Shade raspberries, "As if those inept guards could ever do anything."

Shade heads down the street that leads to the Everfree Forest. She kicks herself for not noticing the importance of today sooner. Celestia will have no doubt seen the signs, so Shade is heading for the Castle of the Two Sisters where the Elements of Harmony are at. Perhaps Shade can intercept the Elements before Celestia to not allow her to use them against Nightmare Moon.

Shade is at the entrance of the Everfree Forest and decides to drop her disguise. She turns her head back to the town of Ponyville. Hopefully, her friends will not enter the forest. As she is about to take her first step, wing flapping catches her attention. She looks behind her and sees Ditzy Doo flying towards her.

"Shade?" Ditzy Doo asks a little uncertain.

"Hello, Muffins," Shade smiles weakly.

"Wow, Shade, you're. . . grown!"

"Yeah. Puberty was kind to me." Shade clears her throat, "What brings you out here?"

"Well, I saw a pony walking towards the forest I wanted to stop them from going in. Then you just poof up!" Ditzy emphasizes with her forelegs.

"Now you know it is just me. Please, go back to town, Muffins."

Ditzy Doo lands and hugs Shade's neck, "I don't want you to be alone in such a scary place!"

Shade nuzzles Ditzy's neck, "I will be okay. Do not worry about me."

"I can help!"

"I know. But I do not want one of my best friends to get hurt," Shade explains with a hoof on the gray pegasus' shoulder. "Can you stay here and prevent ponies from entering the forest?"

Ditzy Doo salutes Shade, "Yes, ma'am! Oh! Wait! I'll go get you some muffins for the road!" She disappears in a plume of dust before Shade can stop her.

Shade smiles and waits patiently for her friend's return. About fifteen minutes later, Ditzy Doo returns with a basket of muffins. Shade accepts the basket and teleports them to a safe place to keep warm and out of her way. With one last hug, Shade is finally on her way to the castle.