Lightning Chaser is a pegasus that has a rough life. He flew away from his home because his parents couldn't fund for a house, nor any food in Manehatten, his birthplace. He flew to Ponyville, where the ponies, pegasi and unicorns all lived together in Harmony...until the 5th day.
The 5th day of Lightning's stay there, a message mysteriously appears, saying to have come from Princess Celestia, and to meet her at Canterlot as soon as possible. The Princesses sent an assistant to help him get there, as some ponies have been known to murder anyone that tries to get to Canterlot.
When Lightning discovers that the assistant is a changeling, Lightning is shocked but is quickly reassured by Kropto, the Changeling, that Kropto is a good Changeling, and that he saw the "magic of friendship".

Meanwhile, Queen Chrysalis and her Changeling army are marching/flying to Canterlot, where she plans to take the Elements of Harmony and use them to rule Equestria!

Author's Note: This is before Luna was trapped inside the Moon, and before Twilight was born. So it's a good 1200 years ago. I have no idea how old the Queen is, but...it's a fanfic, alright?