//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Rise of Nightmare Moon // Story: The Life and Tales of Game Design // by Game Design //------------------------------// Game Design felt a poke on his nose. He twitched his nostril hoping that maybe it was an itch on his nose. After he felt it again, he slowly opened his eyes, and noticed that Spike stood in front of him. He walked in before but he noticed that the two ponies where asleep so he decided he’d let them sleep until the Summer Sun Celebration had started. Game Design yawned and looked next to him. Twilight was still asleep, looking so calm as she slept. Game smiled and lightly nudged her check. “Twi.” He lightly called. Twilight slowly opened her eyes, and smiled at her friends. She stretched and brought her neck up. “Did you sleep well?” Game asked in a loving tone. Twilight smiled and nodded, rubbing her head in the stallions chest. “What about you?” She asked, in just the same tone. “Perfectly.” The two shared in an embrace before Spike interrupted. “You guys, the celebration is starting!” The two, giggled and nodded. They got up, and walked with Spike out of the Library, and followed the other crowd of ponies to the Town Hall. The building was packed full of ponies of each kind. Pegasi, Unicorns and Earth ponies all gather to see Princess Celestia raise the sun, and announce the first day of the summer solstice. Game, Twilight and Spike stood at the front of the crowd close to the balcony that Celestia would walk out on. Twilight and Game just so happened to be even closer to one another then they had been in a while, they sat on their flanks, holding one another in an embrace. Out of nowhere Pinky Pie flew in, or at least it seemed like so. “Hi Pinky.” The two purple ponies greeted in unison. “Hi Game, hi Twilight!” The pink mare greeted back with much more enthusiasm. She looked over to the mare unicorn, and smiled at her. “Hey, you’re smiling now, and not a facky fake smile, a really real smile!” Twilight chuckled, and nodded. “ Yes, well you can thank this stallion for that.” She said, snuggling deeper into Game Designs chest. Game smiled and kissed the mares horn, which again caused Twilights horn to glow once again. Pinky smiled, and was about to say something else when the room fell silent. The three looked up to see that a brown mare, with a gray mane had walked onto the balcony. “Mares and Gentlcolts!” She announced. “We gather here today to celebrate the 1000th year of raising of the sun! With out further a dew, please help me welcome her Majesty, Princess Celestia!” Everypony in the room applauded as they waited for their princess to walk out and meet them. After a while, of the princess not coming out the room fell silent in confusion. Twilight especially was worried, out of no where she remembered her reason for being worried all day, she remembered why she didn’t want to stop and talk to anypony. Rarity, walked form the side of the balcony and pecked in. She quickly darted out, a look of fear over taking her, as a cloud lingered out of the room. The cloud formed into the shape of an alicorn, just as large as Celestia. The cloud began to shift into a solid, and laughed manically. It was a mare, but she was black, and her main was like the cloud from before. Twilight shook with fear, and Game could feel it. He looked down and was about to comfort her, when she confirmed who it was. The alicorn was Nightmare Moon. ~~~ Guidance had walked past a couple of guards that stood outside a door. The mayor of Ponyvile had just left, and was getting ready to announce the Princesses arrival. “Hello Princess.” He said, smiling as he watched the princess ready herself. Celestia didn’t have to see who it was to know it was Guidance Support. She knew that peaceful, and calm voice from anywhere. She smiled before she even turned around. “Hello my friend.” She greeted, looking down at the stallion. “Are you enjoying yourself?” “Well.” The blue alicorn began. “I must say, the ponies here have wonderful personalities.” He commented with a smile. “Plus the food here is great, I’ve been told it all comes from one little place called Sweet Apple Acers.” Celestia smiled, she was happy to know that her friend was having a good time. His smiled quickly faded though, with what came to his mind next. “Celestia, I don’t think this is a good idea. What If they don’t succeed? What if Nightmare Moon…” “Guid.” The large alicorn called, stopping the unicorn from finishing his thought. “Don’t you trust me?” “Of course Princess.” “And I have not made you doubt me before, have I?” Guidance shook his head. “Not in the slightest.” “Then you must trust me now. It’s a risky call, I know, but I have full faith in my student, and I’m sure that she will succeed.” Guidance sighed and nodded his head. Celestia smiled and leaned down, smiling back at her friend. “Now my friend, I must ask you to leave, I would not want to put you in harms way.” The unicorn nodded, and exited the room. He sighed once more, as he whispered for the Princess to be careful. Celestia turned to the window. Her look grew from happy to serious. She focused, calling on her magic. She reached out, and felt the power of the moon in her horn, and with a flash it seemed as if nothing happened. She turned, and looked to notice another alicorn, kneeling down on her legs. Celestia was hesitant, but took a step forward. “Sister?” She muttered, hoping that the pony would have changed during her banishment. The figure only stayed quiet, but her horn lit. With a flash, Celestia was gone, and Nightmare Moon stood alone. “Please help me welcome her Majesty, Princess Celestia!” She heard the words and smiled a devilish grin. She turned her head towards the balcony entrance. “Looks as though my subjects are expecting me.” She said to herself. She slowly walked towards the door, unable to hold her excitement she grinded as big as she could, taking her cloud form to surprise her new subjects.