SharpWit

"Need I really remind subjects to show proper respect and etiquette in the presence of royalty? Not to mention keeping pets on a leash."

@Shiny Silvermoon I suppose Palpatine's is not the most reassuring of smiles. Your valiant efforts appear to have paid off with this brokerage of peace between members. You make your team proud.

That is frosting! Well it's actually Smuckers Magic Shell which is supposed to harden in seconds, but apparently that's only if the item in question is below 65 F. so it driplbbled off.

@Shiny Silvermoon I beg your pardon? The only mistakes I've committed is the corruption of frosting on these "Half Moon" cookies I baked for us! My love for this team is mixed with ingredients and poured, baked goods meant for celebration! Instead I come back possibly abhorred, and having to face accusations? I have not an ounce of disloyalty, I mean this with absolute truthfulness. I simply tread the footsteps of royalty, for influence brings with it fruitfulness. Ounces none, sugar lots, and sweetness ever more. Forever in tune, I play for my beloved moon, until felled by the sword

Seemingly out of nowhere, a bolt of lightning would strike the ground, and before the galant display of comradery, the dark mare stood turning a plain glower into a toothy smile. "Ah, forgive my late arrival little ones, I was preoccupied with the "Night Life", Hahahaha! She looked about the various players, stopping at her sister and niece. "Well well, I didn't expect a family reunion so soon after the Crystal Empire fell again? Tis a shame we must face off like this. Fret not my dears, for though a line has been drawn between us, we will come together once this business is dealt with. And think of it like this Cadence, you may be spared from having to face your beloved husband. As for the rest of Team Ponyville, I have this to say.

A Preamble – Part Two A tall dark alicorn could be seen walking the perimeter of the Crystal Castle. Though their time had been short, she had enjoyed her stay in the Empire. Playing alongside the loving Cadence and Shining Armor, and even the sister she had once sought to overthrow, taught her that there was something of significance when it came to family, even if that meant losing. She tried to recall something she was certain their mentor, Starswirl, had said to the royal siblings once. Something about how failure was nothing more than another step towards success when it came to practicing spells? It doesn’t matter, she thought to herself with a chuckle. For the game would continue elsewhere, and there was more at play then mere sport. It set her mind at ease to patrol the grounds, the power she wielded relaxed by the humble means of hoofsteps. She had set off with mostly smiles behind her, though she saw the disapproval hiding behind Shining’s at the news of where she would be going. It was fitting after all,,, Team Moon. By creed they had called out to her, and she knew she could not deny their covert, nor could they deny her. This is the way. Completing another orbit, she approached a split in the path. One continued around the grounds, the other lead to the Caverns of Reflection. Legend told of the magical gems inside providing insight or showing ones true self upon the many facets. Couples would often visit together, knowing their love was destined if they could see each other and not only themselves. The significance of the legend faded, and it devolved into a place for passionate youth, and finally a tourist attraction upon the Empire’s return. She expected nothing more than a pretty array of sapphires and rubies, but her curiosity of the enchanted corundum drew her in. Might be worth seeing such a thing before she departed. Shortly she found herself at the caverns. Inside she saw an array of beauty, all the colors of the rainbow bent and scattered from the daylight pouring in. Further on, the light waned and her eyes naturally picked up on the subtle edges of each crystal, even within the pitch black. Alighting her horn, the cavern came to life with a hundred thousands images of the light blue aura and the shadowy mare casting it. Peering amongst them she saw nothing special, unless you counted how exceptional she looked. A neat experience for the commoner, but she had had enough, she turned with the reflections following suit, only not stopping? They turned and spun about, falling and splitting from one another like a foal playing with a kaleidoscope. Dismayed, she put her light out, but the reflections only hastened and magnified with color! She recoiled with dismay, what sort of magic was this!? Her depth perception left her, and the walls simultaneously fell back or leapt towards her. She stood upon solid ground but couldn’t see it, with uncertainty she turned once more only for her horn to ring against a firm surface. She saw as one image stood still from the rest, then fractured before a jolt of energy travelled through her body and the reflections sped through her. Nightmares by Loryska Memories flew through her consciousness, merging but conflicting. She saw her past self, attempting to take the throne from Celestia, but no? She was also protecting it! Her power hungry sister bursting into flames in a leaping attack to take the throne for herself? That didn’t happen right!? These faces, their names! So foreign yet familiar? The Luna of Old, the mighty Daybreaker, Lunara, Nightmares come and gone!? But then she saw herself in banishment amid the grey felspar and craters, watching the pale blue dot from her prison above, only for that to be mirrored in watching her beloved moon from a greyed and frozen throne! Victorious! but not so different from the fate she had suffered for a millennium. The pain of defeat and the pride of glory, the personal injuries she’d endured and the wrath she’d inflicted, the sorrow of sin and sacrifice of her sister, coming together all at once with sad tears and joyous laughter, all a part of a hysterical choir! And just like that, the rest of the choir was silent! Except for one,,, Laughing with devilish delight and streams of mourning running down her cheeks, she collapsed. Down to a chuckle, a gritted smile, and finally an exhausted sigh. Having come to a calm she opened eyes she knew not capable of closing so taught! With a deep breath she fully regained her composure, as the last few drops fell from them, temporarily leaving stripes of blue across her cheeks before turning black again. She was no longer in the caverns, but below a willow tree, branches swaying gently in the breeze. She felt the grass beneath her, oh how soft and lush it was. Deep within she felt a presence, separate but very much a part of herself. How long has it been, truly, since we touched grass? Another deep breath filled her with the presence of life aside from her own. This majestic trunk with all of its leaf lined branches, shading this patch so small but made of thousands of green blades. Them and everything beyond, filling a void she knew all to well, for she once left no rocks unturned, no trunks un-toppled and burnt, not even a single blade of grass unwilted. It Was Ponies by NadnerbD Neither here, yet there. The same space, different place, but certainly the same mare. Nightmare Moon stood up, eyeing a pebble between the blades. She rolled it with a hoof. She bore satisfaction knowing she did so with the same effort it would take for her to move a mountain, and remembering for the first time in a long time, that the simplest things sometimes brought forth the most joy. A fog seemed to set in, and the castle faded from view. She would have to join the others soon, and readied herself to go, but having just a moment left, enjoyed the grass. Part II/III Completed

A Preamble - Part One The winds howled as they had for centuries, biting fervently at the mane and tail that flowed in spite of them and all that was. One knew their patterns well by now, and paid little attention until a slight, ever so slight shift raised a single hair. Her coat had laid perfect all of this time. With it her eyes snapped open, looking out upon her empty throne room. The most spectacular of royal chambers had long been reduced to the appearance of a prison long forgotten, time having turned most things to dust and grey, and lost to the snow and ice of the endless winter she had brought. The Dark Queen by CosmicUnicorn Slowly she lifted her magnificent wings, particulates of a bygone civilization fell from them, leaving trailing clouds to reminisce the debris of war they came from. Standing up, similar material shifted and descended hallowed steps, the cushion that padded the throne, unrecognizable as the powder her hooves left printed, making her way towards the entrance. Her horn aglow, she opened doors meant to hold an Ursa Major at bay, creaking in agony, their hinges moved with ease for her, but the ancient planks crackled and popped, splinters and sawdust cascading from within, betraying their age from weather and rot. Beyond the entrance was more of the lifeless rock she called home, Icicles stories high snapping, and snow billowing at meters height from the push. She stared out, wondering what had disturbed her, when she felt it again, even stronger. More hairs lifted out of place, and her mane pulled outwards. The winds shifted again, condensing in one location. She smiled with the satisfaction of hearing fabric tear, for reality’s was doing just that. A jagged rip through time and space appeared before her, and she smiled before turning her head around.” “Goodbye for now Equestria." Nightmare Moon said aloud. "It appears I’ve received an invitation." MWAHaHaHahahaHAA! To be continued,,,

The best kind

In hindsight it worked out, but her not being a "Princess" Princess was a joke for so long, and founding and being the head of a school I feel only added to how unnecessary it was for again, SO LONG

@Shiny Silvermoon I think I can speak for everypony on team Moon when I say, that your spirit and determination in the face of our would be undoers is inspiring and most appreciated. You're fun play style has and continues to serve as a bright and bubbly representation in balance with the good this team is capable of. Thank you. Now if you'll pardon me, theres some business to attend to.

Twas the darkest of nights, with no stars above, when the earth was shook, and too the waters thereof. Outward they swelled, exposing more than sand, while the peaks ashore split and filled with new land. Then swiftly they returned, with a mighty roar, faster than the wind rushing over the sea floor. The ground too produced a swell, lifting with it rock and decay, from the very depths of hell. Material cascaded down an ever widening slope, while mountains worth spewed forth in scope. Nature at its worst, at one another they flowed. With ravenous hunger and thirst, one could only hope they'd slow. The earthen titan, met the oceanic leviathan, and through them the world went the way of Babylon. Into one another they clashed, but when all had strewn, nothing was heard, not even a splash. Silt, soil and sediment settled into the seas. Saccharine saturations became of forgotten dreams. For the call was answered, and in swept the tides, but the glassy sheen went unseen, for twas the darkest of nights." @BornAgainBrony @Kujamih

Tis fine to walk the path of darkness, if you know the way. For your stumbles shall be met with starkness, and the end of days. The darkness you claim, an abyss by another name? Thou surely jest for we are not the same. Oh so bold and distinguished, a lie only self sold and so embellished. Thou cold stare truly be a fiery glare. You are no monster under the bed, no appetite for fear without control. Rather the begrudged and restless, insisting on sleeping upon a bed of coals. The anger, it burns! Through and through it churns, glowing bright red through your cracks! The pain it lingers, dripping upon knuckled fingers, enveloped by an insatiable wax. There's the candle you hold, unrelinquished. Old spite and scold, waiting to be extinguished. Let go of the past, escape your inner crisis, or risk true darkness, and the sound of silence. Walking our path is all and well, but reaching its end is not the goal. For its end is yours, and so too is another lost soul. Thou may open thy mouths and emit rebuttals and scolds, but dare not presume. For when this one does, it does nothing but consume.

Knocks. Dear Team Tartarus, You are hereby notified to vacate the premises at the MLPF World Cup Quarterfinals by May the 23rd 2023 at 8:00pm. The reason for this eviction notice letter is: Team Moon needing more space for their throne. Which is in direct violation of your rental agreement, as noted below: Us eventually tiring of your antics as entertaining as they've been, and let's face it, it's not good to turn getting your butts beaten into a habit. Speaking of butts, enjoy the fullmoon while we leave you behind in a trail of lunar dust!

Tartarus is so exhausted from trying to play "cool" that somepony fell asleep on the 0 key.

Not to bribe anyone or anything, but I've got some themed treats in the making, exclusive to Team Moon. Join if you want the recipes Come to the darkside, we have cookies,,, really! And Blue milk too! No, it's not food coloring.

If they're sentient like in the show, I imagine it'd be the latter. Any and all depictions of things will get viewed in two ways simultaneously by their group. Some will see the entertainment value in a character and appreciate any level of representation, and some will also see it as insensitive at some level, depending on the accuracy of the portrayal, whether there's an acknowledgment for events of the past, and the the extent to which cultural appropriation occurs. Within amd outside the group, many opinions will be found between these. The show has had issues with cultural depictions before, one of the more notable was of the Bison in Season 1, Episode 21 "Over a Barrel" as native americans. I remember this episode being somewhat controversial at the time of airing, and thus having less re runs, as well as being the reason for such a notable introduction of another species in the show to make so few appearances later in the series, even with repeated visits to that location, Appleoosa. https://ladygeekgirl.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/my-little-pony-and-racism/ Of significance from this article I've read, As one user on the MLP:FiM wikia page mentioned: “Thanks to this show, I now believe it is okay to appropriate another nation’s land and natural resources, as long as you get them perpetually addicted to a substance.” I would guess that this depiction cames from a place of innocence, the comparisons to real life are easy to draw, making it insensitive none the less. It's impossible to know what dragons and unicorns would think, but if they've been fully integrated with human societies at this point with less than sour histories, then they may simply see the show as nothing more than what it's intended, a form of children's entertainment.

Sorry, if the dragons can't even keep members of their species from being on other teams then their must be something to this friendship business.

Hmm, Derpy is one of the best, but I would love to see Zephyr Heights potentially go up against Cloudsdale to see which has the strongest wing power. Then again, everyone's already lost the space race.

@BornAgainBrony In an attempt to glimpse the insignificance of our competition, we may have accidentally squished them via cornea.

This is the way Filler

For now,,, keep your landlords happy and the lights will stay on. You never know what's lurking in the shadows.

I can't help but stand in solidarity with some fellow baddies, but be weary monsters of Tartarus. For monsters may consider themselves at home in the dark, but ye be but tenants. Know that when a certain team comes knocking, the rent is due.