Ponyville. A small town. Usually, it's very quiet as well. More than once, it has been the target for some sinister plots. Targeted by Nightmare Moon, only by chance. Discord tried to make this town the chaos capitol of the world. Others have also tried to do some bad things to this town.
All of them have been stopped.
Ponyville is the home for the Elements of Harmony, bringing attention to the small town. They have beaten great foes over and over again. Yet the status of six ponies continues to bring various enemies.
The reputation of these six, however, discourages most small time villains from trying anything. Nopony has ever successfully taken the town. Only Discord has ever gotten close to victory. Until now.
Now, Ponyville is being targeted by somepony who knows how to take the town. After retiring from teaching at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, Professor Zeleanople has been arrested several times and commited to Canterlot's mental institution. He has been found designing weapons that will coounteract the power of the Elements.
The professor never got far enough to build these weapons. All of the designs have been taken and destroyed.
He was also recently released from his most recent sentence.
This is where our story begins.