//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: The Darkest Night 
// Story: Nightrise 
// by ThePrinceOfTheNorth 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 1: The Darkest Night

Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters, 1005 years ago...

"NOOOOOOOOOO," screamed Nightmare Moon as the energy from the Elements of Harmony finally dropped her on the moon, so very far away from all she'd hated and held dear. "WHY SISTER! WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS!"

"You killed her," said a voice, seemingly from nowhere.

"Who? Where art thou," demanded Nightmare Moon. "SHOWETH THYSELF AT THIS MOMENT!"

A strange, bipedal figure materialized in fron of Nightmare Moon, bowing in a dignified manner.

"Allow me to introduce myself," said the figure, "I am Prince John Winter of Solstice, but you, Princess, may simply call me Winter."

"Solstice," repeated Nightmare Moon, "Thy hath not heard of this Solstice. What is it?"

"Solstice is a massive city beyond the former location of The Crystal Empire," said Winter. "It is not often that we deal with ponies, as I have already told you."

Nightmare Moon delved into Luna's memories and found her talking to this 'Winter' in her dreams. Obviously, he knew how to use the Dream Walk spell.

"Wait, how hath thou come to be here," questioned Nightmare Moon.

"I was expecting you," Winter said, gesturing to something behind her. She turned to she something out of the bedtime stories that foals were told to go to sleep.

In front of Nightmare Moon was a giant moon crater, and in this crater was a black castle, a bridge spanning the massive gap between the edge of the crater and the castle doors. Nighmare Moon turned back to Winter. "Why hath thou done something such as this for thy."

"Because," Winter said, "I feel sorry for you. Because I care about you, despite the fact nopony else would."

As that revelation struck her, Nightmare Moon finally lost control of her emotions, and her legs gave out as she began to cry, her head hung down in shame.

Winter sat down beside her and began stroking her neck. "Shhh, it's okay. I know all you need is a little love and compassion, and you'll be all better."

Nightmare Moon nodded through her sobs and leaned against Winter, who was able to hold back even an Ursa Major, so an oversized alicorn leaning against him was as normal a thing as things got for him. "Let's get you to your castle."

~~~~~~~~~~

As Winter had constructed it, it did not take long to navigate the long black halls to get Nightmare Moon to her private chambers. Winter laid her down on the bed, which was...white. Nightmare Moon looked around to find herself back in Luna's room in The Castle of the Two Sisters, but was reminded of where she really was when she looked out the window or into the hallway.

"What is all of this made of," asked Nightmare Moon.

"Stardust," Winter said. "Stars that died long before Luna took the throne. I built it as a kind of private retreat, but figured it would be more fitting if the Princess of the Moon had a castle on the moon, don't you agree?" Nightmare Moon chuckled a bit. "Well, I must be off. I do still have a kingdom to rule, but do not fear, I will return."

As Winter was about to leave, Nightmare Moon called after him. "Winter!"

"Hmm," Winter said as he stopped and turned to face Nightmare Moon.

"Thank you," Nightmare Moon said, "For caring."

"Hey, everyone deserves some love and adoration, right?" Winter said. And with that, he promptly dissappeared in a flash of blue light, leaving Nightmare Moon alone...

Not alone, Nightmare Moon thought to herself, Luna's in here with me, and Winter will be back soon. I'm not alone anymore.