Chapter: Prologue: The Great Gathering
The Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters…
In bygone times, the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters had been a fortress, a haven, a place of celebration, and a home. Its great towers and spires had soared into the sky. Its walls had sheltered inhabitants from the weather and danger, halls had echoed with laughter and chatter. The furnishings of the castle had been elaborate, elegant and illuminated the glory of the structure. Tapestries had hung across alcoves and chambers, statues of great Equestrians had been placed at every corner and paintings had graced everyponies eyes.
All that had changed since the imprisonment of Princess Luna.
The once formidable castle now barely possessed a wall to defend itself with and her splendid magnificence was now burnt away by the war. The comfortable haven had no roofs to block the rain. The home that was filled with so many good memories was now scarred by new and unpleasant recollections. The Everfree Forest, once the delightful, beautiful green backdrop for the castle, was now a refuge of monsters and a place feared by most ponies.
A white figure trotted through the ruins of the castle. The echoes of her hooves rang through the castle walls. Her normally shifting mane, pink like the rising sun was lifeless, its colours faded. Her great white wings that used to strike awe into all were now lifeless.
Princess Celestia, former co-ruler of Equestria and keeper of the sun, now sole ruler of Equestria and guardian of the sun and moon, raised her head to see the round deactivated shells of the Elements of Harmony.
It had only been two days ago that she used them to imprison her sister to the moon. Since then they had grown dormant. Now Celestia stood in front of them, her eyes dry. The alicorn felt like crying, but was unable to shed any tears. Her only sister was now lost to her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the approach of another pony. He was a turquoise unicorn stallion with a greying blue mane, a golden triangle was emblazoned on his flank.
"Milady, given the extent of the damage to the castle, it will take an estimated ten years to repair the structure and another five years to furnish it," spoke the pony.
"DUKE GOLDEN TRIANGLE, WHY DOST THOU INTERRUPT OUR MOURNING!" roared Celestia in Royal Canterlot. The old pony stood his ground against the verbal onslaught that was filled with anger just as it was filled with grief.
"Equestria cannot continue without a capital, we need to either restore this castle or build a new one," said Golden Triangle calmly. Although it seemed like the pony's comment had no effect on the Pegasus-unicorn at first sight, a close observer would notice Celestia's frame tense up and her wings fluttered slightly.
"Duke, how many years are needed to build a new castle?" asked the alicorn. The teal stallion bit the inside of his lip and tapped his left rear hoof anxiously as Celestia's pink gaze settled onto him.
"We do not know how long it will take to build a new castle milady. It shall depend on the design," replied Golden Triangle. Celestia nodded and glanced at the moon for a short moment. Shortly after that she turned her gaze back onto Golden Triangle.
"This task is too great for even your abilities, Royal Architect of Equestria. Thou shall need help in this endeavour. We shall gather some of the greatest minds and artists in Equestria and from them we shall choose a team that would build the new capital," declared Celestia.
Golden Triangle nodded and knelt. While he was glad that he would not be taking on this burden by himself, the stallion knew the problems of gathering so many conflicting minds. Despite this fact, the old architect could was glad that his sovereign was closer to her old self and that he was once again, back to work.
"Thy wish is thy command Princess!" declared the unicorn.
The Princess nodded, satisfaction etched on her graceful features.
"Then listen to our request: You shall declare a gathering to take place at the foot of the mount Canter. All ponies of the arts and construction are invited to attend. Announce that the gathering will be a display of arts and that there will be prizes," said Celestia. Golden Triangle nodded dutifully as he noted everything down in his head.
"And how is this gathering related to how thou shall choose the group milady?" asked the unicorn. To the duke's unease, Celestia cryptically smiled.
"I shall choose. That is all thou needs to know. Now go forth Royal Architect!" ordered Celestia. With that Golden Triangle nodded and galloped off.
