"...The stars will aid in her return, and she will bring about everlasting night..."

What really awakened the corrupted spirit of Princess Luna, Nightmare Moon, during the Sunset Celebration? As Twilight Sparkle moves to Ponyville, her worst fears of the prophecy are made real, and the dark sorceress unleashes her curse. But the prophecy failed to mention that she would not rise alone. During her imprisonment on the Moon, the corrupted goddess had taken three young colts from Equestria, and raised them to learn her dark magic. And as she trains them to spread darkness across the realm, the boys begin to look upon Nightmare Moon as their loving guardian. It is these three colts who are the key to fulfilling their mother's wish; to live in disguise among the ponyfolk, and stop the Elements of Harmony from keeping back the beauty of eternal night.

(cover art by mix-up)
(based on an idea by SageBrony07)