//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Before the Summer Sun // Story: Nightrise // by ThePrinceOfTheNorth //------------------------------// Chapter 4: Before the Summer Sun Lunar Palace, 5 years ago... Nightmare Moon paced back and forth in the Great Hall of her palace on the moon. Luna sat not too far away on smaller throne positioned beside Nightmare Moon's throne. "Where is he," Nightmare Moon asked, slightly agitated. "Sorry I'm late," said Winter as he entered the hall. "Meeting with the Council of Solstice took linger than I'd anticipated. Alexander, always one to start a fight." "What's your plan," asked Nightmare Moon. "Well, I've located the Bearers of my Elements of Harmony in a town called Ponyville," Winter said. "Celestia is headed there now. Once she gets to town hall, you swap out with her." "And then what," asked Luna. "I suspect that Celestia's protege, Twilight Sparkle, who I believe is also the Bearer of Magic, will discover the location of my Elements of Harmony," Winter said. "She will lead the other bearers into the Everfree Forest and to the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. There, you will face off with them." Winter stopped and gestured to Nightmare Moon. "How will I get out of there," asked Nightmare Moon. "When the bearers use the Elements, I will summon a shield to stop the magic, but make it appear like the spell was a success," Winter said. "In that moment, I will teleport you to Solstice and Luna to where you were, making it appear as if the spell actually hit you." "Very clever," Luna commented. "Are you ready," asked Winter. "Ready as I'll ever be," replied Nightmare Moon. "Good," said Winter. "And please, do put on a good a show." ~~~~~~~~~~ Three hours later... Nightmare Moon crashed onto a hardwood floor after being blasted by the Elements of Harmony. She had to admit, they were as powerful as Winter had said they'd be, which was a lot more powerful than she remembered them being. Nightmare Moon slowly lifted herself back to her hooves, taking in her surrounings. She was in a grand hall, decorated with purple velevt curtains and tapestries depicting either a four-point star in two shades of blue to simulate light or a white tree with seven stars above it on a blue background. A guard wearing an outfit of black armor and a cape with the tree emblazioned on it approached her. "I'm General Alexander of the 1st Royal Dragoons," said the guard with a bow. "I presume that you are Nightmare Moon, correct?" Nightmare Moon nodded before he continued. "Prince Winter is busy in a meeting in the War Room, but asked that I escort you to him anyway. Follow me, please." Nighmare Moon followed General Alexander up the stairs at the end of the great hall, on which was located a throne on the landing, and through the many halls of the palace. The decor remained the same, white marble walls with royal purple curtains over the windows and the same tapertries as in the great hall could be found paired, one on each opposing wall, and two of one on either side of one of the other, making for an interesting design. They soon stopped in front of a large wooden door that had been inlayed with gold accents. Alexander opened thedoor an led Nightmare Moon in. The War Room was different from the rest of the palace. Instead of white walls, they were grey, but still carried the gold accents, as did the decorative columns that circled the room. The room itself was, in fact, a giant circle. At the center lay a table with a holographic map of Solstice, and around this table were arranged fifteen chairs, Winter sitting in the chair with the tallest back. One of the seats was empty, but Alexander quickly filled this void. "General Flynn," said Winter, "We have not intervened since the conflict began. Just because that false prophecy is coming to fruition, does not mean that we must act." "But what if the Nightwings are controling them," asked another General, who was wearing a black overcoat with a dragon emblazioned in white on the back and an armband that had the White Tree emblazioned on it. "I gurantee you, General Aragorn, they are not being controlled by anyone but themselves," Winter said. The map then changed to that of an island shaped somewhat like a dragon. "Admiral Norrington, I want you to position your fleet off the southern coast, just in case there is the chance the fighting might spread to the mainland." "Understood, my Prince," said Admiral Norrington, "None shall reach the the shores of Equestria." "Are you satisfied," Winter asked of the Generals and Admirals that were assembled, and all nodded. "Well then, this War Council is hereby adjourned." Nightmare Moon ducked behind a row of chairs as the Generals and Admirals left the War Room, leaving only her and Prince Winter. "Poltics, how tiresome," said Winter. "You can come out now, Moonie." "How did you know I was here," asked Nightmare Moon as she rose from her hiding place. "I'm a god, it's my job to know," Winter said simply. "If gods don't know what's going on around them, then the title is meaningless." "Noted," Nightmare Moon said. "This is quite the place you have." "The Winter Palace," Winter said, "The crown jewel of the Kingdom of Solstice, in more ways than one, as you can see." "I do see," said Nightmare Moon. "If this is the Crown Jewel, then what is the heart?" "That would be the Citadel," Winter said, "It is where the Element of Love is kept, high above in a tower know as The Beacon." "A seventh Element of Harmony," Nightmare Moon said questioningly. "Indeed it is," Winter said. "Without the Element of Love, the other six wouldn't be complete, and wold be significantly less powerful." "I see," said Nightmare Moon, "So, it amplifies the other Elements of Harmony?" "Exactly," exclaimed Winter, "But it's getting late, and I do believe you've had a very long day." Nightmare Moon had been feeling tired since she had arrived, and had been wondering why. It seemed she now knew why. "A bed would be nice right about now," Nightmare Moon said after a bit more thought. "Follow me then," Winter kindly said, "I've had a room prepared for you, identical to the one in the Lunar Palace to reduce the feeling of homesickness, should the feeling arise." ~~~~~~~~~~ Winter wasn't lying. Nightmare Moon's chambers were an exact copy of her chambers in the Lunar Palace. "Thank you, Winter," Nightmare Moon said. "You are most welcome," said Winter. "I'll leave you to it, then." Winter gentely closed the door. As soon as he did, Nightmare Moon jumped onto the bed, feeling the soft matress beneath her. Within moments, she had fallen fast asleep.