The Nightmare Awakens

"Is this them?" Princess Cadence whispered to her husband, Shining Armor, as they hid in a bush just outside a campsite occupied by a group of about 10 ponies.

"Judging by the cauldron over there, the Lunar Republic flag, and the purple robes, I think this is the place" Shining replied.

They had secretly set out to investigate and possibly question a cult of Nightmare Moon followers who had recently settled in the great snowy lands outside the Crystal Empire. They didn't want to immediately approach these ponies, just in case they were dangerous.

"Everything is going according to plan, my brothers and sisters" An elderly unicorn mare addressed the group.

"Soon our Dark Queen will rise again, right Tenebrae?" A young stallion asked the mare.

"If you fools work faster, I might actually be able to live to see her glorious return!" The mare, now identified as Tenebrae snapped at the younger ponies.

"And just what is it that you're planning?" Cadence asked as she suddenly jumped out of the bush, much to the shock of the group.

"P-p-p-princess Cadence, your highness!" Tenebrae bowed before the Crystal Princess

"You didn't answer her question!" Shining Armor snapped as he jumped out of the bush and stood next to his wife.

"Oh um, we're..... rehearsing! Yeah, rehearsing, for a play in um... FIllydelphia, yes...." Tenebrae stuttered.

"We know what you're up to, and we plan to put a stop to it" Cadence announced. It was then that two unicorns stepped in front of Tenebrae and lit up their horns in a threatening manner.

"Boys, boys, there's no need for violence towards royalty now, why don't you go on back over there while I have a little chat with them." Tenebrae pushed her way through the stallions, who retreated back over to the campfire.

"We promise you that nothing suspicious or threatening to Equestria's citizens is happening here. We do follow Nightmare Moon, but let's be honest. The Elements of Harmony sent her packing, and it'd be nearly impossible to bring her back, don't you agree your highnesses?"

"I suppose" Cadence sighed. "But if we get any sort of clue that you're up to something, we'll be back, and we'll be bringing the Crystal Guards with us."

"Of course your majesty" Tenebrae bowed low for Cadence and Shining Armor, who turned to leave.

As the couple were walking away, Tenebrae lit her horn and guided her ominous black aura to Shining Armor's horn. Neither him nor Cadence noticed the spell that had just been put on them, a spell that could lead to disaster.

"Come on Twilight, we're gonna miss the train!" Rainbow Dash called up the stairs of the Golden Oaks Library in Ponyville. Soon she saw Princess Twilight Sparkle making her way downstairs.

"Sorry girls, I was just looking for some old spellbooks that I wanted to show Cadence, but I couldn't find them." The alicorn sighed.

"I love when we get to visit the Crystal Empire!" Pinkie Pie bounced all over the room. "And this isn't just any old visit, It's the Equestria Games!"

"Yeah, and the train leaves in 5 minutes and then there won't be another one for an hour, so let's get moving!" Rainbow began pushing everypony out the door of the library.

As the gang reached the railway station, the rest of Team Ponyville were standing on the platform, as well as the Cutie Mark Crusaders who would be carrying the flag at the opening ceremony.

"This is the first time I've ever been to the Equestria Games." Fluttershy squeed.

"Mine too." Rarity smiled. "And the Crystal Empire promises to be a worthy host this year. It was nice of Princess Cadence to invite us to stay in the castle during the games."

"It's great that all of you are coming." Twilight smiled. "When Princess Celestia told me that all the Royal Family was presiding over the games, I was worried that the rest of you might not get to come, besides Rainbow and Fluttershy of course."

"We'll always be with ya Twilight!" Applejack promised. "We know how nerve-wracking it is being a princess, and it must be a load off to have yer friends there with ya."

"All aboard for the Crystal Empire!" The conductor announced. Just about everypony on the platform was a part of Team Ponyville, the rest were a small hoof-full of ponies who were lucky enough to get tickets to the games.

"Oooh, I'm so nervicited!" Pinkie squealed.

"Go Team Ponyville!" Rainbow cheered as the train began moving. Rainbow had been chosen to be the captain of Team Ponyville, so she wanted to get the team as hyped as possible.

"YEAH!" Bulk Biceps cheered from the other side of the carriage.

"Hey look, who are they?" Pinkie Pie pointed out the window. They were now crossing through the snowy Crystal Mountains, the Empire wasn't far away now. Pinkie noticed a group of 10 or so ponies crossing through the snowy wasteland, though oddly enough they were moving away from the Crystal Empire.

"That's odd, on a day like today why would ponies be leaving the Crystal Empire?" Rarity asked.

"They don't look like Crystal Ponies to me." Twilight pondered. "Maybe they're just travelers who have no intrest in the games."

"No intrest in the Equestria Games!?" Rainbow Dash gasped. "But the Equestria Games are like, the biggest event in Equestria! They're so awesome, there has to be a 4 year gap in between each games!"

"Perhaps they're not the sporty type." Rarity concluded. "The Equestria Games might not be everypony's cup of tea."

The train had now gone way past the mysterious ponies and the snow has almost disappeared. Instead they were in a grassy field. Up ahead, the reflection of the sun hitting the Crystal Palace was visible. They were just about there.

"Last stop, the Crystal Empire!"