The Old Order

The day started out peacefully in the city of Canterlot. Ponies were roaming the streets; going on about their daily lives. Ever since the attack of Lord Tirek and nopony noticed the time changes of Starlight Glimmer, everypony felt at peace. However, they knew not what was about to occur to remind them of the dangers that exist.

Inside Canterlot Castle, Princess Twilight Sparkle walks side by side with Canterlot's Captain of the Guard.

"I have the reports from the patrols over the last couple months your Highness. Forgive me for asking, but is there a reason why you wish to see them? I can assure you it has been nothing but quiet."

"Nothing is wrong Captain" Twilight replies, "its just that...it has been, as you said, quiet. Maybe a little too quiet. I thought maybe one of the patrols might have reported something out of place."

"Understood your highness. I shall escort you to-"

Before the Captain could finish his sentence, a commotion can be heard from the down the hall towards the Castle Entrance.

"What part of, 'You can't see the Princesses' don't you understand?," said one of the Royal Guards.

"What you fail to understand is that this is a matter of great importance." A figure in a white cloak replied. The voice is of a male, but the hood covers most of their face.

The Captain looks to Twilight, "Excuse me Princess, it seems I have other matters to attend to."

"Of course Captain," Twilight replies, "but please be patient with him."

"You have nothing to worry about Princess. I deal with ponies like these on a weekly basis."

Twilight levitates the stack of reports from the Captain as he proceeds to the entrance of the castle. Not long after Twilight heads in the opposite direction to her quarters, she catches a glimpse of bright light from the corner of her eyes. Before Twilight was able to see the cause of the light, the light already faded away and all she saw was the Captain on his knees shielding his eyes. It was not just the Captain, but the Royal Guards at the entrance were groaning in the same position as well. The only one standing was the mysterious pony in the white cloak.

"Wh-what did you do!?! I can't see!!!"

"Forgive me, but I don't have time for this. Do not worry, the blindness is only temporary." The pony in white then starts making his way down the hall to the Throne Room.

With his eyes still closed, the Captain screams an order, "Guards! Defensive Formation! Protect the Princess!" Not a second later, the sound of pounding hooves roar throughout the hall. A small group of the guard created a thin line in front of the Throne's doors, while the rest created a defensive line preventing the pony from continuing. After the formation was complete, the room fell completely silent. The stallion slowly came to a halt, but did not speak.

Twilight has never seen such an event occur; a single pony to be so bold as forcing his way to a Princess with a castle of well-trained troops. At first, she thought maybe it was some crazy impatient pony who wanted to discuss something only he found important. Or perhaps he had a new invention to show the Princess that could benefit all of Equestria. As she studied him closer, she can see a calm and clear minded pony. He has shown no fear in front of the might of the Royal Guard. He stood there as if there was not a single guard in front of him. A uneasy feeling started to grow inside Twilight.

"Surrender and come with us quietly!" A Sergeant of the Royal Guard broke the silence.

The pony points his head to the Sergeant. "Please do not interfere. It is important that I must speak with the Princess. I do not want to hurt you."

Although Twilight does not believe him to be lying, she felt those words to be empty. She felt the tone was neutral, as if he was not trying to show no hostility. However, she also senses a strange aura around him. Not of evil, but something that shines as bright as Princess Celestia. Despite this, she considers him to be dangerous.

"First squad, take him!" First wave, consisting of ten earth pony guards, rush towards the pony in white. The pony did not even flinch, but remains where he stands as the guards form a circle around him. Each guard, equipped with spears, had their weapons aimed at the pony. Slowly they closed in on him, like a snake slowly curling up their prey with their body. It looks as if the pony admitted defeat, but the atmosphere quickly changed when the guards screamed in pain and dropped their weapons. Not only did they drop their weapons, but they quickly stripped off their armor. At first, almost everyone was confused as they saw nothing happen. Then one of the guards screamed, "Sergeant, our weapons and armor, they are too hot!" With that being said, there were no burn marks seen on the guards.

The pony in white spoke, "I grow tired of this." He ran straight toward the guards without warning.

Twilight was shocked as the speed would be enough to even impress Rainbow Dash. She dropped the reports and ran to the guards to lend her aid.

The pony began to make a white glow and was closing in on the guards.

The Royal guard quickly created a shield wall. Supporting them, unicorns of the guard created a barrier to hold back the attacking pony. The pony made contact with the barrier and was holding, but the impact was more powerful than expected. Not long after the impact, unicorn guards collapsed from exhaustion or their heads pounding. The guards of the shield wall dug their hooves in and prepared for the impact. Their effort is in vain as the pony smashed through the wall as if running through a thin bush. Guards were flying in the air; either creating hard impacts on the castle walls or landing on the floor. The pony was about to collide with the last line of defense guarding the Throne's doors. The Royal Guard was ready to fight, but deep in their hearts they knew it was futile.

Twilight, however, threw herself in front of the guards in a fighting position. As she is preparing a spell to counterattack the mysterious pony, she was surprised and confused at what she saw next. The pony in white stops in his tracks before making contact with Twilight. Both Twilight and the pony were inches away from each other. Although most of his face was covered by his hood, Twilight could feel that he was staring straight in her eyes. Thinking quickly, she casted a spell to create energy restraints around the pony. The spell was successful and causes the pony to collapse to the floor.

Seconds later, both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna enter the hall.

"Twilight, what happened?" Celestia questioned, but Twilight could not answer. Twilight was distracted with the many questions that ran through her mind. Who is this pony? How could he have such power? Why didn't he attack her?

Luna nudged Twilight, "Twilight Sparkle? Are you alright?" Twilight snapped out of her gaze and replies, "W-Wh-....Yes Princess I am fine, but..." She did not finish her sentence, but looked throughout the hall at the damage and destruction. Many badly injured guards lay on the floor groaning in pain and many others lie unconscious.

"Who did this?" Celestia asked. Again Twilight did not answer, but looked to the trapped pony.

"Explain yourself!" Luna asked.

"At last, I get to talk to you...sisters."