Equestria's Darkest Shadow

After getting rid of the letter, Starlight continued to talk about her brother, Shooting Star. She told her friends how he was always fascinated with spells since foalhood and how everyone admired his knowledge on old spells.  She even showed a photo of her and him as fillies. Shooting Star was brown with a black mane. He had a smug smile as if he were to either show he was the best or was up to something big.

"It's just a shame he mistranslated Sunburst's going to Canterlot as a means to get away from me." She sighed. "I only wish I could see him right now and tell him what happened so we could tie everything up."

"Well, there's no need to get too worked up, darling." assured Rarity.

"No, indeed." agreed Fluttershy. "I'm sure you'll meet him one day and tell him all about your friendship adventures."

"Totally!" put in Rainbow Dash. "And we can tell him about our stories, too! I'm sure he'll enjoy my stories best."

The others looked at her dryly.

"Though I'm sure he'll enjoy everypony else's stories, too." she added, sheepishly.

"The point is," concluded Twilight. "We're all confident that you'll be with your brother in no time and we'd be more than happy to be good friends with him as well."

"Thanks, guys," said Starlight.

At that moment, Spike burped up a scroll.

"Oh!" exclaimed Twilight. "I wonder what Celestia wants this time?"

"Maybe it's to congratulate you for managing to become a great teacher like she is?" suggested Spike.

Twilight opened the scroll and read it aloud.

"Dear Twilight Sparkle,

As we both know, the dangers in Equestria are growing stronger every day. As such, my sister, Luna and I feel that we must travel throughout Equestria more often to assist you and your friends. Worry not for the throne room as I have chosen somepony to be the official guardian of the throne. I would like you and your friends to visit my castle to have the honor to be the first ones to greet my new guardian.

RSVP,

Princess Celestia."

"Hoo-wee! It'll be great to have the princesses helping us!" cheered Applejack.

"Yeah! It'll be a million tons off of our saddles!" agreed Rainbow Dash.

"And I'd better start thinking of a new song to welcome our new throne protector!" added Pinkie as she grabbed a pencil and paper from behind her neck. "Hmm? What rhymes with 'guardian?'"

"I don't think a song will be necessary, Pinkie." chuckled Twilight. "But it is important we get to Celestia's castle."

Everypony agreed.

After they arrived in Canterlot on the train, they went to the castle and were greeted by Celestia.

"I'm glad to see that you all made it safely here." She smiled, warmly.

"We're glad to be here." replied Twilight. "And we're truly grateful of your assistance in our journeys in spreading friendship."

"So who's your new throne room guardian?" asked Fluttershy.

"I was just about to show you." answered Celestia. "Follow me." And she lead them all to the throne room door.

" The one I have picked to be the throne room guardian is one who has shown that they have learned so much about peace and responsibility. A kind, pure, and respectable soul. My subjects, I present you to my newest Guardian of the Throne Room!" She opened the door and everypony gasped in shock.

There, sitting on the throne, waving and smiling to Twilight and her friends, was....

"Discord?!" gasped Twilight.

"That's right!" He chuckled. "I'm in charge of protecting the throne now! Princess Celestia, such a pleasure to help you out." He blew a kiss toward her, teasingly.

"ARE YOU INSANE?!" reproached Rainbow Dash. "I wouldn't trust Discord to protect my Daring Do collection!"

Discord huffed. "Prejudiced much?" Everyone looked at Discord as he was immediately reading a Daring Do novel in a Daring Do costume with a banner over the throne reading "#DaringDoIsBestHero."

"I know this is quite shocking," explained Celestia. "But I have no other choice as he is the only one who can sense magic alterations and that Twilight still needs to teach as many friendship lessons to Starlight Glimmer as possible."

Everypony acquiesced in agreement.

Then Twilight noticed something strange. "Where's your sister?" she asked.

"I am not so sure." replied the Princess. "I had asked her to prepare for our announcement, but she's not come out of the--"

Just then, a guard came into the throne room. He looked alarmed. "Your highness!" He exclaimed. "Your sister! She's....She's......she's disappeared!"

Everyone in the room gasped in horror.