The Fall of Nightmare Moon: A Play by Bardigan

[Bardigan]

Come one, come all, and see the newest thespian sensation sweeping the nation!


A new play by the master playwright Bardigan has surfaced, and will be premiering in Canterlot Theater THIS THURSDAY AT 7 PM MOUNTAIN TIME.


Come and see the wonders of a classical Equestria brought to life in musical form! Thrill to the daring portrayals of Celestia and Luna in an older, wilder time, portrayed by our nation's very own Elements of Harmony: FLUTTERSHY AND APPLEJACK APPLE!*


Witness the story of the greatest tragedy of our age, the rise of Nightmare Moon and the banishment of Princess Luna, told as only the forms of opera and musical theater can!** See the truth behind the events of the Longest Night and the resurrection of the Elements of Harmony - these are the ponies that started it all.


Are you brave enough to step into the halls of history and relive a tale of darkness, regret, and loss? Are you ready for a night of entertainment that may just blow your gilded horseshoes right off? Then come and see the spectacle yourself!


Tickets sold at discount rates up until opening night. Purchase them now; seats are first come first serve!



Everything will go perfectly fine! There is no reason to worry!




*Bit parts portrayed by Berry Punch and Derpy Hooves, and guest starring Pinkie Pie as THE SUN.
**Not officially sanctioned by the Royal House; may be subject to artistic liberties.

[Derpy]

Nooooooooo reason worry! ^.^

[Applejack]

Since stuff at th' play went, uh, not quite right, Ah reckoned folks'd appreciate seein' what th's ongs were S'POSED ta be like.

---

Good Morning, World! (Celestia's Overture)
(lyrics by EQM's Applejack)


[The stage is dark. A single spotlight lights and illuminates a filly (Morning Dew) and her grandmother (Amber Rose) as they walk to center stage.]

[Morning Dew, spoken]
Nanny, I'm scared.

[Amber Rose, spoken]
Why's that, dear?

[Morning Dew, whispering]
It's so dark.

[Amber Rose, spoken]
Don't you worry your little head about that!



[Amber Rose]
I know it's kind of scary
When all the light is gone
You feel you must be wary
But listen to this song:
Have faith and you will bury
That fear and you'll go on -
Because my dear it's very
Most dark before the dawn-



[All the lights come on full, bathing the stage in brilliance! A chorus of nobles and Solar Guards are revealed, and as a sun image is hoisted up, Celestia steps up to a dais at center stage, spreading her wings!]

[Chorus, Tenor]
Good morning, sunshine!
Good morning, sky!

[Chorus, Soprano]
Good morning, mountains!
Good morning, butterflies!

[Chorus]
Now it's dawn, the day has broken
Clouds are gently swirled
Time to rise and time to sing:
Good morning, World!



[Morning Dew, spoken]
Oh my pony, is that... Princess Celestia!

[Amber Rose, spoken]
It is indeed!



[Amber Rose]
This is our Princess
She is our sun
She brings the daylight
Each day to everyone

[Morning Dew]
She's so big and she's so scary!
Her mane is bright and curled!

[Amber Rose]
Don't you fret, she loves us all

[Chorus, Amber Rose, & Morning Dew]
Good morning, World!



[The sun is now up. Celestia steps down and walks forward. All the others bow to her as she passes, then straighten up again. She makes her way to greet Amber Rose and Morning Dew.]



[Celestia]
Good morning, ponies!
Good morning, friends.
It's good to see you.
The night is at an end!

[Chorus, Amber Rose, & Morning Dew]
For the day, we love our Princess
With her coat of pearl

[Celestia]
It's my task and it's my joy
Good morning, World!

[All]
Now it's dawn, the day has broken
Clouds are gently swirled

[Morning Dew]
Good morning, light

[Amber Rose]
Good morning, life

[Chorus, Tenor]
Goodbye to darkness

[Chorus, Soprano]
Farewell strife

[All]
Good morning, ev-ery-thing...
Good moring, World!



[They all exit in various directions, Morning Dew bouncing excitedly along with her grandmother. When the stage is empty, Luna steps out from behind a column, looking heartbroken.]

---

Good Morning, World, reprise


[Luna]
Goodbye to darkness?
Farewell to strife?
That's how they see me?
Their fear cuts like a knife.
For the day, they love *their* Princess.
At *me* hate is hurled?
What have I done to earn this...

Good morning, World.

[Applejack]

Come, Little Children
(by Brock Walsh & James Horner; intro segment added by EQM's Applejack)

[Outside in the early evening, Luna enters on a balcony; the rest of the stage is dark.]

[Luna, spoken]
Do they all feel this way? My little ponies, do none of you care for the nighttime?



[Amber Rose and Morning Dew appear, and run hurriedly from stage left to stage right, exiting as Amber sings]

[Amber Rose]
Come now, my dear one
The sun's gone away
There's no more time for day's blessing


[They leave, but as they go they pass an orphanage. The matron is shooing several children - including Spirit and Candlelight - inside.]


[Matron]
Inside, my children
To bed now, and stay
The dangers of darkness are pressing.



[She puts them to bed and leaves. But they are still awake.]

[Spirit, spoken]
Guys? Guys. I... don't want to be asleep.

[Candlelight, spoken]
Me neither. Every day's the same, but every night is different!

[The other foals nod in agreement]

[Spirit, spoken]
I love the stars and the quiet.

[Candlelight, spoken]
I wish we could stay up forever.



[Up on the balcony, somehow, Luna has heard all this.]

[Luna, spoken]
Hark! There *are* yet those who would choose to be mine! They crave refuge in the Night. And lo, there are few enough others who care for them.
Very well! Your wish shall be granted! Come, come to me!

[Luna spreads her wings and dives off the balcony into the town.]

[Luna]
Come, little children, I'll take thee away,
Into a land of enchantment
Come, little children, the time's come to play
Here in my garden of shadows

Follow, sweet children; I'll show thee the way
Through all the pain and the sorrows
Weep not poor children, for life is this way
Murdering beauty and passions

[One by one the foals are picked up by Luna's magic and gently brought to her.]

[Luna]
Hush now, dear children, it must be this way
To weary of life and deceptions
Rest now my children, for soon we'll away
Into the calm and the quiet

[Together they soar above the clouds and away, and are soon gone.]

[Luna]
Come, little children, I'll take thee away
Into a land of enchantment
Come, little children, the time's come to play
Here in my garden of sha-a-dows

[Applejack]

[THREE MONTHS LATER...]

[Luna arrives and lands in a darkened chamber.]

[Luna, spoken]
Children! Thy Princess has returned.

[Silence. Luna looks confused.]

[Luna, spoken]
Children? I have somewhat for thee. Where art thou?

[Celestia steps out of hiding.]

[Celestia, spoken]
They are gone, sister. I found a new home for each, all across Equestria.

[Luna, spoken]
You took them!? My Children?

[Celestia, spoken]
They were never yours! Ponies cannot live in the dark!

[Luna, spoken]
HOW DARE YOU!?

[Celestia, spoken]
How dare I? Listen to yourself, Luna! You STOLE CHILDREN!

[Luna, spoken]
I did not steal them! They chose-

[Celestia, spoken]
Children cannot choose, dear sister! They are too young to understand.

[Luna, spoken]
You... took my Children who loved the night.

[Celestia, spoken]
Enough! Come, we have work to do. The new Summer Sun Celebration is tomorrow, and all of Equestria will be watching.

[Celestia leaves. Luna drops a bag full of toys and hangs her head. ]

---

Afraid of the Dark
(spoken dialogue by Meghan McCarthy, lyrics and additional dialogue by EQM's Applejack)

[Luna stands alone in the throne room. Outside there are cheering voices, and she listens for a moment.]

[Luna]
The sunrise shone its spectacle.
The ponies shout with bliss.
Their sunlight so delectable
What could compare to this?

[Luna's face twists as she slowly gives into her fury.]

[Luna]
Not nighttime, with the dark above
Not moonlight held so dear
Dear ponies, if thou cannot love
Then thou shalt learn... to... FEAR.

[Outside, there is suddenly thunder.]

[Luna]
You fear ghosties and ghouls
Too bad you're all fools
You made up your midnight scares
In your soft cotton beds
Dreams have danced in your heads
You've never had a REAL nightmare!
Well sit up and take note
I've got you all by the throat
Don't even bother striking a spark
It really matters not
Live or dead, you're caught!
Soon you'll be - afraid of the dark!

[Celestia arrives and stares in shock at her sister.]

[Celestia, spoken]
Dear sister, what are you doing??

[Luna, spoken]
Not another step! Did you really expect me to sit idly by while THEY all basked in your precious light!?
There can only be ONE princess in Equestria, and that princess will be ME!

[Luna slams her hooves down! The stage shakes and lights begin to dim! She lifts off, forehooves raised, and the moon rises, inexorably blotting out the sun!]


[Luna]
Dearest sister, how nice
You dropped in for a trice
While your party's still in swing!
It doesn't matter, I guess
It's over now, more or less
Time to face the doom that I bring!
For your so selfish ways
Here's the price you pay
For your crimes so vile and stark
The wage of sin is death
And with your last breath
I'll make you afraid of the dark!


[The shadows thicken and coalesce around Luna util she is no longer visible. She is heard, though, as she starts laughing madly! The shadows clear, and when they do, Luna is taller, darker, and armored in blue steel - she has become Nightmare Moon!]

[Celestia, spoken]
Luna! I will not fight you! You must lower the moon! It is your duty!

[Luna, spoken]
Luna? I am... Nightmare Moon! I have but one royal duty now - to DESTROY YOU!


[Celestia and Luna fight, over:]

[Celestia]
Sister, why do you rage?
What can I do to assuage
The hate that's gripped your heart?

[Luna]
Don't pretend that you care!
Stand and fight like a mare!
It's far too late to make a start!

[Celestia]
This is terribly wrong!
Why's your fury so strong?
How could I have left such a mark?

[Luna]
You kept the love for your own!
No more shall we share the throne
Now you DIE, afraid of the dark!


[Luna blasts Celestia, who falls. Luna laughs in triumph.]

[Celestia climbs to her hooves. A panel opens, revealing the Elements of Harmony.]

[Celestia, spoken]
Dear sister... I am sorry... but you have given me no choice but to use these!

[Held in her magic, the Elements begin to orbit Celestia and glow.]


[Celestia]
Luna, please! Your last chance!
Stop this lunatic's dance!

[Luna]
The time for talk has come and gone!
Close your traitorous eyes
Say your final goodbyes
There will never again be a dawn!


[Luna and Celestia fire a huge bolt of energy at each other - but Celestia's, reinforced by the elements, quickly overpowers Luna's and strikes her!]

[Luna, spoken]
NO!!

[While Luna is in the grip of the banishment spell, the song continues: ]


[Celestia]
A thousand years, on the moon! I
Am so sorry, dear Luna!

[Luna]
I'll return! Hear my words and hark!
And by the time that I do
Everyone dear to you
Will be forever AFRAID OF THE DARK!


[The spell takes Luna and she disappears. The moon's craters form the Mare in the Moon. Celestia lands, exhausted and devastated. She looks up at the moon and the song ends on a sad reprise:]


[Celestia, reprise]
Everyone dear to me?
Who did you think *you* would be?
Oh sister... Don't be afraid of the dark.