Prolouge: The Legend of a Nightmare
This is a tale from long ago. It is a tale of the first ponies in Equestria. There was two sister Alicorn Mares who rose to be princesses and ruled this land with peace. One rose the Sun, and the other, the Moon. Under these two princesses, the ponies it seemed that all would be peaceful.
They were wrong.
During the Alicorn's rule, there came to be an sudden "evil" that spread across the land, causing less and less peace every day.This so-called "evil" is known to be-and still is to this day-the Nightmares. It was in a form that we could not bear to see, for it was too horrifying to look at. It even had the power to possess a pony if their fear got the best of them, which is what happened to a certain pony-more specifically, an Alicorn.
The Alicorn of the moon became afraid that she wouldn't be able to see the beloved faces of her subjects in the starry nights. This fear built up until it turned into hatred for her sister being able to see the beloved ponies that was wanted to witness by the Mare of the Moon herself. The Lunar Alicorn finally cracked and rebelled against her sister, and the Nightmares were able to find the opportunity to take over her, creating the feared name of Nightmare Moon. A fierce battle took place until the Mare of the Sun had no choice but to banish her sister to the Moon. She went to carry on the responsibility of both her and her sister's duties in Equestria.
A millennium had passed. Things have changed very much since then.
Ponies went on with their peaceful lives, not knowing that tragedy would strike very soon. Fortunately, a young mare was able to see the signs through her studies. As the teacher of this lavender Unicorn, the Solar Princess took sent her to a place known as Ponyville to make friends. This lead to the re-appearance of Nightmare Moon in the town hall, announcing that there shall be eternal night forever. Though most was in fear that this could actually happen, the lavender Unicorn saw through this and swore that she would stop Nightmare Moon's plans. She didn't expect to have support, though. Throughout the Everfree Forest, she learned of what friendship means through her new friends.
When confronting the Mare of the Night, the Unicorn learned that the magic of friendship is what would be the solution to her intense battle with Nightmare Moon. Through Loyalty, Honesty, Generosity, Kindness, Laughter, and Magic, the Mane Six was born and they defeated Nightmare Moon through these elements known as the Elements of Harmony. The Mare of the Night finally broke free of the Nightmares, though most of her power was stripped by it. Her sister then appeared in front of her, causing the Moon Alicorn to sob in both sorrow and joy. She kept apologizing over and over for giving into her fears, but the Celestial Alicorn told her to stop because she already knew that it wasn't her sister's fault to being with, and should have seen the signs before it all happened.
Afterwards, the Lunar Alicorn stepped back into her position of duty in raising the moon, but there were still signs of the Nightmares lurking around Equestria. This both annoyed the sister Alicorns very much, and caused them much grief. After finally getting fed up with the disturbances, they decided to act before any more damage was done. The Sun sister informed her student to bring the Elements of Harmony with her and to rally up her companions for a very important task-sealing the Nightmares away. While this was being done, the Lunar Alicorn set up where the Nightmares would be sealed off. She then thought of how the railroads of Equestria could be for more than just travel, and decided on how to utilized them. The mission was about to begin.
As the Mane Six arrived in the Canterlot Royal Castle Grounds, the Sun and Moon mares came towards them, explaining what needs to be done. The Mane Six understood this and went to six different locations around Equestria by the railroad tracks. With the power of the Elements of Harmony, six shrines were built, and each element lends itself towards the shrine. With the shrines set, the Elements induced energy into the tracks, sucking all the nightmares away from Equestria and holding them for eternity. After returning to the Princesses, both Alicorns stated that they can no longer sense any trace of the Nightmares, and dubbed Equestria's rails as the Harmony Tracks.
The Mane Six went back to their everyday life while the Alicorn sisters went back to their posts in Canterlot. Peace was once again restored to Equestria. Five years later, the student of the Solar Princess is now an Alicorn herself with her own palace. Her friends still living their normal lives, but with much greater bonds of friendship than ever before. With other Alicorns throughout Equestria, it seemed that peace would be contained more so than ever before.
~Princess Celestia
As a certain lavender Alicorn reads Princess Celestia's script on the 'Legend of the Mane Six', she is shown with an angered expression on her face as she talks aggravatingly to herself.
"Ugh, the alternate names given throughout this story is driving me CRAZY!" Twilight yelled out. "Seriously, I know how important it is to her that legends of our past should be told in third-person narrative, but with THAT many different alternations, it just kills it! I mean, who writes 'Sun and Moon mares'? Capitalization needs work...AGH! I can't read this again. I will write to Celestia when I have the chance. Overall it wasn't bad, but...STILL." She huffed as she laid the parchment onto her desk.
Proofreading was a normal job for Twilight as Equestria seems to get a lot of errors in their writings before they publish in the Equestrian Gazette newspaper. Though she tends to get annoyed very quickly and would rather deal with royal affairs such as paperwork dealing with economic policy and trade, especially if it dealt with affairs associating with Canterlot. What's even worse is how the simple errors occur more frequently than it should, and it drives her insane just thinking about it. She looks out her castle window, pondering about the past.
"*Sigh* I am glad everything's alright, though. The Shrines of Harmony are still doing their job, and nopony's having any nightmares. Sure looks peaceful and quiet. Less drama for me at least." She then then looks back at her desk, closing her eyes. "I hope my friends are okay. Sending them away from the castle like that may be a bit rash, but family comes first."
As the clock chimes in, Twilight opens her eyes and notices the time, and readies herself to leave for the day.
"One o'clock, huh? Well, I better get going. I'm sure that my friends are eager to see my Approval of Acquaintance of a peculiar somepony to help me with my studies. I just hope nothing goes wrong today." She muttered as she walked out of her room into the castle hall.
Author's Note
Whew!! My first chapter completed! Lot of first's today, such as this story and,...nevermind. Anyways, the prologue is a bit long-winded for what it was going to be, but I gave it my best.
Why is Twilight mad at herself for sending her friends out of the castle? Who is this somepony that will be Twilight's new student? Find out on the next episode of Dragon Ball Z-wait, wrong story. 
See you guys next chapter!!
As Twilight passed through the gates, she looked around. The day seemed almost as Twilight described it. Peaceful, cheerful, no drama to be found whatsoever. The sky was running nicely due to the Weather Ponies continuing success of cloud control. Twilight's castle was going in smooth fashion, and besides Princess Celestia's new Legend that obviously needs some revising, everything seemed felicitously in place.
It was...eerie. As if something bad or evil was bound to happen, considering Equestria was kept peaceful for the past five years. Even Twilight noticed how alarmingly tranquil it is, and the eeriness kept her on edge-sometimes sending shivers down her spine. She did well to dismiss it and kept going though her prestigious gardens. Twilight arrived at the train station where she stopped and looked around once more.
"I still am grateful that everything is in peace and order." The lavender Alicorn mutters. "I wonder how my new partner will handle being a student of myself, just as I was a student to Celestia. Oh, the memories never fade, do they?" Twilight grins as she is met by her past memories of being a student herself. "I better get going. Don't want to be late."
As she passes by two Unicorns of the Royal Guard in front of the train doorway, Twilight enters her cabin right in front of the main engine. As she sits down, she notices an envelope next to her side. The train starts to roll along the tracks as it whistles. She lifts the envelope using the levitation spell, being as it's easier and also second nature to her. As she opens it, she receives two notes; one from Princess Celestia, the other from her student-to-be. She skims through Celestia's letter and rolls her eyes.
"Your a bit late on apologizing for that ruthless Legend you sent me. I swear, you eat more cake than you do trying to make quality stories-not like THAT'S anything new." Twilight chuckled as she put the Princess' letter down beside her. She then looked at the second letter, reading out loud.
"Dear, Ms. Sparkle. I am so pleased to be accepted as your new student. My parents are very proud of me and I thank you for that. I am also very excited to be the student of what was the former student of Princess Celestia. But that leaves me with quite a load of questions. I will ask those questions once I become your student. Again, thank you for allowing me to become your student. I greatly appreciate it!! Yours truly, Stargate."
Twilight smiled as she laid Stargate's letter on top of Celestia's. "I really am glad to that I get to be your new teacher too. With you also being an Unicorn just like I was before I became an Alicorn, I'm sure we can both get along." She looks out the cabin window. "Yeah, I'm sure Shining Armour is proud of you as much as I am."
Fifteen minutes have passed. Twilight is napping comfortably on her cushioned seat, almost drooling. She wakes up and starts to notice the Crystal Empire on the horizon out of her window. As she gets situated, using a tissue from the box near the window to wipe the drool off of her face. The train stops, and Twilight exits the cabin with the same two royal guards that were at the train station in Twilight's kingdom. Before arriving at the gates, she looks around once more.
"Okay, this is starting to freak me out a little more that I thought. This is more painfully eerie than peaceful." She glances from side to side in slight worry. She then straightens up and breathes in deeply. "Calm down, Twilight. Its only been five years. I'm sure Equestria can handle the peace for a few more."
After passing through the main gates, she starts trotting towards the Crystal Palace. She glances at some of the homes an shops that were along the path towards the palace. Upon reaching the Crystal Heart, she notices some old friends of hers.
"Twilight!" Exclaims a certain baby dragon.
"Spike! Long time no see!" Twilight runs up towards him. "I hope everything went well with you being Rarity's part time assistant."
"Well? That's a large understatement. It was-how would you put it-simply charming." His eyes fluttered with love.
Twilight nods her head. "So, how's Rarity with her latest fashion lineup? I heard it was beyond extravagant."
"Indeed it was!" A marshmallow coloured pony chimes in. "The judges awarded me first place! I have five consecutive top lineups! Oooohhh, it was FABULOUS!!" She flamboyantly exclaimed. "And also Twilight, congratulations on becoming the teacher of a student such as Stargate. I received news of it only last week, and I made immediate preparations for your Approval."
"Thanks, Rarity. I think its going to go well, too." Twilight grinned.
"By the way," Rarity points to some other old friends by the newsstand. Twilight smiled brightly as she galloped towards them.
"Hi girls! How has life been?" She yells, as all of her friends cock their heads towards her and also smile brightly.
"Well if it ain't my ol' friend. Hows it going?" Applejack greeted her.
"Twilight! Its been AGES since I've seen you!" Rainbow Dash screamed as she flew towards Twilight.
"Rainbow Dash, nine months isn't 'ages'." Twilight Chuckled. "And Applejack, I'm doing quite fine."
"Glad to hear that from ya, pardner." The orange mare said.
"It sure feels like its been ages." The sky blue Pegasus exclaimed gruffly.
"Yeah...where is Pinkie and Fluttershy?" Twilight asks looking around.
"They are already in the palace. I'm sure they can wait for you." Applejack replied. "Besides, all of us need some catching up to do, I presume?"
"Yes." Twilight nods. "Why don't we chat while heading up to the Crystal Palace?"
"Sounds like a plan!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "Hey fashionista! We're going to the palace!"
"Spiiiiiiike!" Twilight yells cheerfully.
Rarity glares at Rainbow Dash. "I'm coming!" She and Spike both run towards the trio before letting down to a steady trot.
"I'm glad to hear that phrase again." Spike grunts sarcastically.
"Oh, Spike. It wasn't that bad." Twilight evilly grinned.
"You haven't changed much?" He asked.
"Nope!...well, maybe a little." Twilight chuckled.
"Hey, a lil' is better than nothin'!" Applejack proclaimed.
All of them laughed as they headed towards the Crystal Palace, talking about their time away from the past nine months.
"So, how has the Wonderbolt Academy been going for you, Rainbow Dash? I've heard you got promoted." Twilight asked with interest.
"You bet I did! Say hello to Wonderbolt Lieutenant Rainbow Dash! Assistant of the renounced Wonderbolt, Admiral Spitfire. But, you knew that already." The pegasus grinned.
"That great! how is it like?"
"Its actually quite nice. I have some time to meet up with other experienced Wonderbolts in meetings, Spitfire calls me to help her out with some drills-believe me, it is AWESOME-and I have some free time to practice my flight patterns. All in all, I'd say getting screamed at by Spitfire during the Wonderbolt Academy was TOTALLY worth it." Rainbow Dash said with glee.
"I have to agree with the info you're telling me. Sounds quite the experience!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Yeah, it is!" Rainbow dash replied.
"Cool! So, Applejack! Hows the family?"
"Doin' just fine! Big Macintosh an' I have done pretty well during Applebucking Season. We were able to make quite the profit for the farm. I reckon that Granny Smith won't live much longer though."
"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Any sicknesses?" Rarity chimes in.
"Naw, just ol' age. She knows it too. Besides, no pony lives forever. Even Alicorns have to go at some point in time-no offense, Twilight."
"None taken." Replies Twilight.
"Besides that, things have been going smoothly; no bats gettin' into 'em apples that AREN'T designated for them, that's for sure. Applebloom is doing well through school. She's almost t'wards her graduation!"
"That's great to hear!" Twilight smiles.
"Yeah. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are right beside her and probably will be during the graduation. They still have the Cutie Mark Crusaders thing going, considering they haven't gotten their cutie marks yet. But hey, you can't force something like that onto a pony. Remember what dear Applebloom did that one time?" Applejack asks rhetorically.
'Please don't remind me of that. That's a mental image I can't ever get out of my head." Rainbow Dash replied in disgust.
"Sorry, just askin'. I have to ask you something, Twi'." Applejack says.
"Yes, Applejack?" Twilight replies.
"Its been awfully quiet the past four ta' five years if ya' ask me. Ever since we banished the Nightmares into the Harmony Tracks, I just been having these shivers down my spine. Its eerie, I tell ya'."
"Probably Discord plotting something we don't know. If anything, we're ready. Even without the Elements of Harmony, Discord can't do much now that he's reformed." Rainbow Dash replies.
"I've been getting the same shivers down my spine as well, so much that even Spike can sense the tension. Something bad is gonna happen soon, I just don't know what." Rarity chimes in.
"Not only can I sense it-its almost like I could smell it coming." Spike grinned.
"Cut the jokes, Spike." Twilight responds. She then turns to her friends. "Consider the feelings mutual. I've been doing my best to try and ignore the eeriness so I can resume with my royal duties, but we cannot avoid this with how often its happening. Once my approval of Stargate is done, I shall deal with this issue."
"Sounds like a plan. And uh, by the way," Applejack says as she puts her hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "congratulations on having a student of your own! I'm sure Princess Cadence is waiting for you in the Throne Room along with your brother."
"Same from me, pal! Princess Cadence is going to love having her own foal be taught by the Alicorn of Friendship. Uhh, what is she again?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"Her name is Stargate. She is the first born daughter of Princess Cadence and my brother, Shining Armour. She is a Unicorn that is said to have superior abilities in magic, and has much more potential to be shown from what I've been told. I held her in my hooves after Cadence and Shining Armour held her first. She was beautiful black foal with what looked to be a galactic blue mane. She Unfortunately she has asthma, but that is taken care of due to her taking an inhaler once a week. I've heard that she already got her Cutie Mark, which is said to be the result of helping Luna raising the Moon by raising the Stars with her since Luna was sick at the time. From what I've heard from the last time I saw her, she seems to be doing fine." Twilight concluded.
"She's a Unicorn that has superior abilities in magic? Sounds a lot like a certain somepony we used to know." Applejack glances at Twilight grinning. Twilight turns back to her in mild disgust but smiles and shakes her head chuckling at the ironic statement.
"Well what are we waiting for? I'm sure that darling Stargate is growing weary of waiting." Rarity exclaims.
"Right! Let's go!" Twilight responds. Things seemed to go just as planned for Twilight, which worried Twilight even more as she rushed toward the entrance with her friends to the palace. Even perfection sometimes has its misdemeanors.
Author's Note
Oh, baby. Princess Cadence and Shining Armour had a daughter? Who knew...It seems that Twilight has caught up with her friends activities over the past nine months. Being a Princess does take its toll, I guess. Same goes for the apology letter from Celestia. With every second growing more eerie, who knows whats bound to happen. See you guys next chapter!!
