When Princess Cadance and Shining Armor travel to Ponyville for their first anniversary, the Changelings launch an assault on the unprotected city of Canterlot. Taken without warning or without word, the city's defenses fall and Queen Chrysalis claims it for her own, killing Celestia as a token of her victory. With its grand ruler dead, and Princess Luna's whereabouts unknown, something that had been inconceivable in Equestria for over 5000 years now begins to tear it apart--war. (Pre-read and edited by w_o and Lochon)