The Old Order

The room is silent as the Mane Six are not sure what to ask first. Twilight Sparkle breaks the silence, "Well you can start by telling us who you are."

"My name would be...difficult for you to pronounce."

"Well then...what should we call you?"

"Whatever you see fit Princess."

There was an awkward silence as Twilight was not comfortable just giving some random pony a name. She nor her friends knew anything about him. Also, they found the tone of the mysterious pony's voice odd. It is very similar to Pinkie's sister, Maud Pie, tone of voice; very plain and low.

"How about you take off your hood?," Rainbow Dash suggests.

"I'm sorry?," The pony questioned.

"I prefer to talk to a pony muzzle to muzzle; eye to eye."

"I see. If you wish, then I do not object. However...," The pony motions one of his front hooves as a reminder that his movements are limited by the chains.

As Twilight is about to step forward, she is stopped by Rarity's hoof. "This could be a trick. If he was planning to harm the princesses in anyway, we can't risk him trying anything to you. You can't use your magic to protect yourself in here."

Twilight put Rarity's words into consideration, "I don't think so. During the attack, he had the opportunity to strike me down, but he didn't." Twilight again moves toward the mysterious pony. She removes his hood and is startled at what she sees. "H-how? I can't believe it."

The rest of the Mane Six are puzzled as to what Twilight could be startled by. Looking at the pony from a distance, the coat color was white as Rarity's, but not as clean. Marks of dirt can be seen around his muzzle and seems to continue down his neck. The mane is long, black, messy and covers one of his eyes. His visible eye is somewhat peculiar as it is plain white. His pupil, if there was any, seemed nonexistent. For most ponies, it would be both unusual and perhaps terrifying for foals and yearlings. However, these characteristics should not cause the questioning look given by Twilight.

"Oh come now Darling. He might be filthy and his mane is an absolute mess, but nothing we can't fix."

Twilight turns around and walks towards them, "That's not it! During the attack, he was using powerful magic but..." After regrouping with her friends, she turns around and points to him. "But he has no horn."

The group gasps at the sudden realization. How could this pony cast powerful magic without a horn? Although there are alchemists amongst Pegasus and Earth ponies, there are no records of any who can or could have created anything like the power he displayed.

"What are you? How could you use magic on that scale with no horn?," Twilight asked, with a hint of fear caught in her throat.

"I was sent here by Father and Mother. To be more specific, the princesses Father and Mother."

The Mane Six are in shock. Of course it is a normal cycle for somepony to be born to have parents, but the parents of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna was never something to be questioned. It was always believed that both Luna and Celestia have always existed; From the beginning to the end of days.

"Th-the...princesses'...parents?"

"OH! WE CAN HAVE A FAMILY REUNION! I WILL BAKE THE BIGGEST-"

"NOT NOW PINKIE!!!," The rest of the Mane Six shouted at Pinkie.

"Oops. Sorry. Carry on."

Twilight returns her attention to the mystery pony, "Earlier, you called the princesses your sisters. You claim you are their brother?"

"That statement is only partially true. Although we are not of the same blood, their parents raised me in the afterlife."

"The afterlife?"

"I am what you would call...an angel."

The Mane Six could not believe what he just said. The thought of an angel standing right in front of them almost seemed impossible. Although there were stories of such beings, most considered them to be a myth and legends.

Twilight became speechless at this discovery. As her mind was still processing, trying to take in this new information, Applejack stepped forward, "Now y'all look here, how do we know y'all ain't lyin'. The princesses have never mentioned this before."

"They never told you because you were never suppose to know."

"Why would the princesses not want us to know about their parents?," Fluttershy asked. "Oh, if you don't mind us asking."

"You were all taught that in the past that it was only the two sisters, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, that existed to take care of their subjects and their kingdom. However, the truth is that there were many powerful gods and goddesses. Their parents are a couple of the many that exist to this day. There was a time when they made their appearances known. Within time, religions were formed across the land to appease the gods. This, however, began to create conflict. With too many religions, the many nations had disagreements amongst one another. As disharmony began to spread across the land, the gods decide that something had to be done."

"So what did they do?," Rainbow Dash questioned, as if they were reaching the climax scene of a Daring Do novel.

"They devised a plan to erase themselves from existent. Many nations had their faults; the Gryphon Kingdom with their greed, the Yak Kingdom with their short temper, the Changelings for their hunger. It was eventually decided that the pony nation would be the battleground."

"The battleground?"

"They first had to decide which nation would be considered the peacekeepers. The pony population covered most of Equestria and majority of the population were considered kindhearted. Without knowing, they would be the catalyst to peace across the land. After the choice was made, the plan went into action. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, offered themselves to stage the events of Nightmare Moon."

Rainbow Dash interrupts, "Woah woah woah, wait a minute. What do you mean, 'Stage the events of Nightmare Moon?'"

"The plan was for Princess Luna to turn into Nightmare Moon and rule the land with her night sky for a time. Princess Celestia was to defeat Nightmare Moon and restore balance to the land. In the process, 'restoring' her sister and both rule the land together. However, the plan almost failed when Princesss Luna was not able to control her dark magic and lost herself during her reign. Princess Luna had no intention of relieving the throne to her sister, and thus there was a battle between good and evil. Princess Celestia had no choice but to use the Elements of Harmony and banish her sister for a thousand years."

The ponies remained silent. All this information was a lot to take in. In the end, Princess Luna was sacrificing herself for Equestria. The plan went wrong and Princess Celestia was forced to send her sister away. Pinkie Pie was the first to shed tears, but then followed by Rarity and Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Twilight looked down at their hooves; overwhelmed with feelings of sorrow.

Applejack breaks the silence, "How in the hay was this plan suppose to erase the other gods and goddesses from existence?"

"Because they did not intervene," Twilight answered. "Since Nightmare Moon reigned over Equestria for a time and none of the other powerful beings stopped her tyranny, all the nations felt abandoned and lost hope. Since Princess Celestia was the only one to appear and take a stand, it was believed that she was the only higher power. As the years went on, the many religions disbanded and the gods of old became a myth or a bunch pony tales."

"Exactly. Within time, the conflict died down and peace was restored across the land."

Rainbow Dash flew within inches in front of the mysterious pony, "What about all those times they have saved Equestria before? The fight with Discord? King Sombra?"

"Those were unfortunate matters. Not all gods and goddesses were on the path of light."

A look of worry grew on Twilight's face, "But if you are here...then something must be coming. If the gods of old wanted to be kept secret for over a millennium, then it must have become important for them to send an angel to us."

"I come to you as a warning. An old enemy of the gods will return to Equestria and wreak havoc to recreate his empire."

"Listen," Rainbow rudely interrupts, "I don't believe in any gods or angels, but what I can believe is that we can handle anything thrown at us. We stopped Nightmare Moon, Discord, Lord Tirek, and many other powerful enemies. I say, let this enemy of the gods come."

"I am afraid you will regret those words Ms. Dash. As the enemy I speak of...is Typhon."

While five of the Mane Six had no reaction to the name spoken, Twilight was the only one with the look of utter fear and collapsed to the floor. "No no no no no no that cannot be true."

Rarity puts a hoof on Twilight's back to try and comfort her. "Twilight, what is wrong dear?"

"After our little event with the poison joke, I began to read more on myths and legends. During my studies, I came across a text on Typhon. He is described as a dragon with a hundred head of snakes growing on his shoulders. Each head would give off a terrifying scream of different animals. Fire is constantly burning from his mouth and eyes."

"Yes, but what those books left out was that Typhon was the former ruler of the land. Every living creature was living in poverty until Typhon's fellow gods turned on him. No longer were they able to stand idly by and watch the world suffer. They attacked Typhon, defeated him, and banished him to Tartarus."

A look of excitement grows on Twilight, "Wait, if they were able to defeat him before, they can defeat him again right?"

"Last time they fought Typhon, he was alone and off guard. This time, the gods are fighting an army under Typhon's rule. They are holding him and his army at bay at the Gates of Tartarus. They will not be able to help us..."

Rainbow Dash descended to the floor upon hearing this. The Mane Six remained silent and sweat in fear.

Fluttershy speaks up, "How are we suppose to stop him?"

"We believe that the Rainbow Power you posses should be enough to stop him. Until then, I am assigned to protect all of you."

"Protect us?," Applejack questioned.

"We are sure Typhon will send agents to sneak out of Tartarus and target you. They only sent me to not arouse suspicion."

"Why can't we just finish this whole thing and attack him now?," Rainbow asked.

"Typhon's army is mighty and their numbers are unlike any you have seen. You would have a stronger chance at victory by gathering an army of your own."

The Mane Six look at one another. Twilight looks to the angel, "We have to...think about all this."

"Of course your highness."

Turning towards the door, Pinkie Pie gave a few light taps on the door. The door opened and the Mane Six exited the cell. Twilight was the last to exit. Before the cell door shuts, Twilight looks back and makes eye contact with the angel pony. Both never break their gaze, as the door slowly shuts between them.