The Summit

Finally, the carriage arrived at its destination. Starry Skies peered out of the window, and what she saw bedazzled her. The royal city of Canterlot! It was such an amazing sight, even in the middle of the night. The two sisters got off and began walking toward the castle. The streets were emptied and barely lit. This happened to cast an eerie glow over everything, but the city still retained its regal beauty. At the end of the market street, the two ponies could see Princess Luna waiting, so they quickly galloped over.

     “Princess!" They both shouted.

     "Hello, girls. You arrived just in time. Now follow me, Celestia is waiting for us at the castle."

     "So, is there anything else you can tell us, Princess?"

     "No, Midnight Spark. I'm afraid everything will have to wait until the Princess Summit."

                            * * *

     They continued onto the castle. The silence of the night was strangely soothing to Midnight's nerves. She felt relaxed as she walked through the doors into the meeting chamber. Midnight looked around and saw Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. Behind them, stood two pegasi. The black pegasus stood tall behind the two, while the other pegasus stood timidly behind them. Luna led them to her side of the table where they could see everyone clearly.

     "Welcome Luna," announced Celestia, "and hello to your students as well."

     "Thank you, sister. Is Twilight Sparkle not here yet?"

     "I'm afraid not, but don't fret. She was meeting with her friends and will be here shortly." Luna nodded in response. "Now, I've obviously called you here for a reason. But, I'm not the one to deliver the information to you. Mustang!"

     In walked a tall and stout stallion. His coat was a pale grey, and his eyes were a steely blue. He walked up to the table and cleared his throat.

     "Good Evening, everyone. My name is Steel Mustang, and I'm here because an eminent danger has risen in Equestria. An ancient island has risen to the west. In olden pony times, this isle was known as the Corrupt Island. Long ago, the evil of that one island leached the life out of Equestria. Life was at the brink of destruction with no hope of survival. With only one chance left, a group of high elders known as the Lustrous Purifiers cast a spell that banished that small island into the depths of oblivion. The spell was supposed to keep this island contained forever, but the spell was broken by a force of pure evil. This is very serious as this spell was supposed to be unbreakable. This evil now threatens to consume the land in darkness as it once did long ago. If we do not find the source of this malevolence and destroy it, life as we know it will perish."

     Steel Mustang finished his briefing. Midnight's mouth was agape as he stepped aside. She quickly closed her mouth and looked around. She saw the same astonished look on everyone's face, except for Celestia's.

     "I have little knowledge of this land, and I fear that the Elements of Harmony won't be enough to contain it. I have summoned you all here to-"

     "Sorry I'm late, everypony!"

     "Twiley! Where were you, kiddo?" Shining Armor piped up.

     "I was sending my friends out to inspect a few things. When I was done, I met up with Sunset Shimmer and rushed here."

     "Your arrival is most fortunate Twilight. Come in, I must inform all of you."

     Princess Twilight Sparkle walked into the chamber, followed by Sunset Shimmer. Midnight saw the unicorn and was suddenly filled with anger. She sat as quietly as she could while Twilight Sparkle and her student, Sunset Shimmer, came to the table.

     "As I was saying," Celestia continued, "I have summoned all of you students to travel to the Corrupt Island to face this peril and neutralize it. I wouldn't have call upon you to complete such a dangerous task unless there was another way. The last thing I want is for my subjects to befall harm, but the fate of Equestria hangs in the balance. I ask for your aid. What say you, ponies? Will you help me?"

     "I will gladly accept this mission." spoke out Midnight Spark.

     "As will I." stated Sunset Shimmer. Midnight gave her a scowl.

     "I'd love to" exclaimed Starry Skies, as she bounced around Midnight.

     "I speak for both myself and Dusklight Dancer. We will join in this quest." said the black pegasus behind Shining Armor.

     "What will you have me do, Princess Celestia?" interrupted Steel Mustang.

     "Steel Mustang, as the captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard, Special Services Division, I want you to accompany and protect these ponies on their mission to protect Equestria."

     "I will do my best, Princess. You have my word."

     "Very well. This summit is adjourned. Dismissed"