BGM 1

The dead of night...Equestria sleeps under the light of Luna's moon. All seems well...and yet, all seems dark. In her chambers unaccompanied by anypony, the proud ruler of Equestria known as Princess Celestia lay in her bed. She tosses and turns, breathing heavy as she continues to sleep. But what plagues her mind not only upsets her slumber...but will upset the peace in this great land...

The sound of thunder rings out from the silence...

Clang

Sparks fly as clashing swords light the darkness...

Clang

Blood falls to the ground as a blow is dealt...

Clang

A blade falls to the ground...and the eyes of an evil spirit shine in the dark.

It looks forward, bloodlust showing...

Its eyes glowing red, hungry for flesh...

A chilling wind blows through the air as its haunting voice roars into the shadows......

"Our time has come once more!"

Celestia awoke from her nightmare. Beads of sweat dripped down from the back of her neck as she looked around her chambers, shortly realizing that no one was around. However, she still remembered those eyes. And the nightmare she had...

"I've had this nightmare for a long time now. The day I feared is finally coming to pass..." She muttered to herself. Calming herself down, the white alicorn laid her head to rest. Though she couldn't shake off the thought.

The following morning Celestia made her way for the throne room and met with her sister, Princess Luna who was standing by one of the stained-glass windows. Her luminescent mane flowed elegantly as she turned to face Celestia.

"We....I can see that you are unwell, sister." The lunar mare said.

"You govern the land of dreams. I know you saw mine. You know why I am so uneasy at this moment." Celestia informed her.

"But can it truly be? They are no longer among us. This should not be able to pass! It's naught but a hoax. A--"

"Still your tongue, Luna!" Celestia yelled, silencing her sibling. "I don't want to believe it either. But it would seem that it is all true. Though the titans made sure that every last one of them no longer existed in our realm, those who are bound by the thread of fate are going to do battle here. One way or another, it cannot be stopped."

"But still..." Luna cried. "What of her? She is still so young. Even if she is meant to do battle as well, she is inexperienced. She could lose her life. She could be taken away from her friends, the only family she's truly known! Are you really so cruel as to let such a young soul risk her life all because of some prophecy that may not even be t--"

A loud slap echoed across the room, the guards on duty turning their heads to see what had just transpired. A red imprint lay on Luna's cheek as Celestia brings her hoof back to the floor, glaring at her sister.

"Do you think I want to let her go?! Do you think I want her life to be put at risk?! Lest we not forget, Luna. She is my family too! Before giving her away, she was and still IS my daughter. Her life is very precious to me...more than you can imagine." Celestia cried, tears beginning to show. She wiped them away and looked to a window depicting a purple dragon under a blue heart. "But she HAS to go. It's her destiny. And I have faith that she will succeed. I apologize for striking you, Luna. I am ashamed of myself..." Celestia hung her head, her younger sister lifting it back up.

"It is alright. You are in a state of panic, just as I am. We believed this day would never come. But we should've been more aware. But regarding that, what shall we do? If the Knight of dread is truly upon us, then our fate is already sealed." Luna stated. Celestia chuckled and began to walk toward her throne.

"You forget, Luna. The tablet also mentioned a Paladin of pure heart. If I am correct, I may be able to summon him to aid us. But it will take some time. For now, I will write a letter to her to come to the castle. Rally the guard and have them go on patrol."

"Yes, sister." Luna said. The lunar alicorn smiled and flew outside, doing as her elder sister asked while the solar alicorn used her magic to levitate a scroll and quill in front of her and proceeded to write a letter.

"I was sure we had more time before this day ever came. I wanted to train you myself for this day. But it seems you will have to learn what to do on the field of battle. The chains of fate are indeed cruel. I pray for your success...."

BGM 2

"Barb? Barb!" A purple alicorn called out. The one in question groaned, covering herself from head to tail in order to ignore the stallion calling for her. But it was fruitless as the alicorn used his magic to lift the blanket from her head. "There you are. It's time to get up. I need you to take a letter for me."

The dragoness yawned and got up from her bed, her long and slender figure showing that she was perfectly healthy. Yet she was gifted with some physical strength that surpassed pony standards despite her looks. Her tail swished angrily as she displayed a look of annoyance on her face.

"Oh come on, Dusk. It's the weekend. Can't you take a break for once? I'm sure the princess won't mind if you miss just one l--" She cut herself off as a memory came to mind. Even if he was a prince, he was the still the same Dusk Shine that she knew. And if she knew one thing, it was that Dusk could have another breakdown if he didn't send a letter to the princess, believing she would get furious for not getting a report. "Alright. Let's get this over with." She sighed in defeat. Dusk Shine clopped his hooves together and cleared his throat, taking a dignified pose as he spoke. Barb, being his faithful assistant and all, took a quill and scroll and started to write his report down.

"Your faithful PRINCE, Dusk Shine." He finished. That was another thing Barb thought was annoying. Ever since he became an alicorn, and a prince of all things, Dusk Shine has gloated about his position on more than one occasion. Whether it was because he was happy or he just wanted to be a show off, she hadn't a clue. But it made her wonder what she ever saw in him.

At a point, Barb had developed a crush on Dusk. And even more, she blatantly put it out there that she liked him one time. But as she expected, he "sisterzoned" her by not acknowledging that she was in love. And by that, meaning he was completely oblivious to the fact that she confessed and pretty much said I like you too. But you make a better sister than anything else. Sorry. Let's just pretend nothing happened. It frustrated her deeply, but she grew out of it. But just the thought of that day still brings her blood to a boil.

"Barb? Hey Barb." Dusk called, breaking the dragon's thoughts.

"Huh? Wha?" She said, confused as to what was happening.

"I said, did you get all that?" Barb looked down and remembered that she was still writing a letter to the princess. Thankfully, she had written every last word he said prior.

"Yeah. I got it all. Don't worry. I'll send it." She said. She took a deep breath and let loose her flames onto the scroll, magically sending it out to Canterlot. Since she was older now, she learned how to use her flames in different ways instead of only sending letters. She could even use them to hurt if she wanted. But she was better than that. There was no way she'd ever have to fight. She covered her mouth and burped, a scroll with the royal seal placed on it falling into her hands.

"Is that from the princess? What's it say?" Dusk asked, eager to await her reply. Barb sighed and opened the scroll, but was quite shocked to see what was inside.

My dearest Barb,

I'm sorry to disturb you, but I request your presence in Canterlot on a matter of grave importance. You will be away for a long time. Do not tell Dusk Shine. I do not wish for him to worry. A chariot has been sent to bring you here. I will see you soon.

~Celestia

"Well? What's it say?" Dusk asked. Barb was speechless. Celestia...her mother wanted to see her about something really important. And for once, didn't ask for Dusk or the other elements? This was shocking....and downright amusing. She was called for something important and Dusk Shine wasn't allowed to come. It didn't matter if he was a prince or not. Celestia's word took precedence over Dusk's.

"Oh. Uh...she was quite pleased with your report. She says to keep up the good work." She lied. Dusk smiled and flapped his wings for joy, nearly taking off the ground. But before he could say anything, Barb kept speaking. "Hey. I'm gonna go out for awhile. Maybe see if Rarity needs some help with...dresses or something. Look, I'm gonna be gone for awhile ok?" She said.

"Uh...well...ok. If you say so." Dusk replied, starting to walk upstairs. "Just be careful. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I'm not a baby anymore. I can take care of myself." Barb whined in response. Dusk smiled down at her and was about to walk, but he stopped and looked at her again.

"Oh. And if you see Trixie..." He trailed off and scratched the back of his head. "Erm...I need you to tell her....that it's not really working out. I....kinda wanna see other ponies." Barb couldn't help but giggle at his statement, nodding her head without a word as she walked out. And like Celestia said, a chariot with two guard ponies pulling it. She stepped on, signaling the guards to go and took her into the air.

For the first time...well...second time in her life, she was being charged with carrying out an important task that didn't involve her friends. It made her very happy...

But she had no idea what exactly was in store for her...............

As well as the rest of Equestria.............

Prologue-End

Author's Note

A thread of fate. A knight of dread. A paladin of pure heart. And a prophecy that has faded from history a long time ago. What this will entail, only Celestia and Luna know. And you, the reader, will have the chance to see what will unfold. I wanna thank my girlfriend, MidnightPheonix for inspiring me to make this story. And i hope you all enjoy it