Monsters ravage Equus.

Beasts among Beasts destroy cities.

Purest of Monsters destroy, pillage, deceive, and kill by the score.

And Misunderstood flood the outer wilds, trying to survive.

A Cursebringer, marked by a pure white Skull, stands strong in the white.

Curses are brought to all.

Princess Celestia and Luna looked out upon the land that they had come to rule, although Celestia was more focused on the north. During the years following the Crystal Empire's return, Cadance and Shining Armor had told them of a creature that their subjects called, 'Skull, The Cursebringer'. It had plagued their lands ever since the Old King was destroyed, leaving the bodies of wild animals behind. All of those animals were either missing horns, hides, or, even more repulsing, bones and organs. Yet, the Diarchs, despite being troubled with the prospect, at the time, were not able to act. During the years proceeding the Empire's return, they had to deal with many old threats. Tirek, Starlight Glimmer, Queen Chrysalis and her revenge, The Pony of Shadows, all of them diverting their attention away from what was likely a threat just as great as they.

Especially since they now had proof that the creature had enacted a curse. A curse, of monsters. Monsters none had ever seen before, who easily tore through any defense or force they put up. It was clear to them what they had to do. They needed to stop the curse at it's source. Thus it was that Celestia summoned the Pillars. Sadly, Twilight and her friends had their hooves full with another task she had set for them, that of keeping the populace calm, and thus she had to bring the Pillars away from their travels and homes. It was not something she wanted to do, but times had forced her hoof.

"Sister, look at the bright side, at the very least the Pillars are more experienced with these kinds of threats. Surely our old teacher can break the curse with a simple spell," Luna assured her sister, looking worriedly upon the tall ivory mare, but bearing a smile nonetheless, even if it was forced.

"I know, Luna, but I worry still. Sombra was no regular pony, he was an Umbrum, naturally in tune with the dark arts, not to mention able to rival our master in magical might. I worry that this creature may just befuddle him, or have simply left to places beyond our reach so that it's work can continue," Celestia replied, staring out to the north with a deep frown on her muzzle. Luna placed a wing on her withers.

"Tia, while the creature has eluded many of the Crystal Guard, this is the Pillars. We both know they have seen more in their collective lifetimes than any of our guards, much less Shining Armor's. Have faith in them," she persuaded, shooting her sister a reassuring smile. Celestia sighed, lowering her head.

"I do. I just...worry," Celestia replied, before finally turning to her starry-maned sister. Luna's smile grew mischievous.

"Well, maybe some cake will help with that," she joked. Celestia's muzzle scrunched up as she gave her sister a disapproving look. "Oh come on, like cake hasn't helped take your mind off things before." Celestia grunted.

A knock on the study's doors brought their attention to the entrance of the room. They looked to each other, before stepping away from the balcony and into the room.

"Come in," Luna told those on the other side of the door. The doors open, and six familiar ponies walk in.

One is the mass of muscle, Rockhoof, his orange mane, beard, and tail accentuating his northern heritage. His famous shovel, his artifact, rests on his back.

One is the once beautiful Mistmane, now looking like a withered mare with a long, curved horn and flowing sea-green mane.

One is Flash Magnus, still bearing the armor of the Royal Pegasus Legion he left so long ago. His shield, Netitus, rests on his back.

Another is the Pegasus Somnambula, wearing a headdress reminiscent of Egyptian styled headdresses.

Yet another is the mare Mage Meadowbrook who bears her artifact, a healer's mask, flipped up and resting below her cherry-red mane.

And finally is the oh so legendary Star Swirl the Bearded, famous beard, cloak, and bell-topped wizard hat all just screaming his position as a master mage and spell caster. He strokes his beard as the guards close the doors.

"So, my old students, what's this about a new threat to the kingdom?" he asks.

Celestia manages a smile, and gestures to the cushions laid out on the floor around a large table. "Please, sit. This is a long tale, and it's better to share it with some tea." They all nod and sit down, though Rockhoof refrains from drinking or even touching his cup of tea.

"Tell us, what new evil do we face?" Somnambula asks, eyes inquisitive.

"Yes, well, I suppose we should start with it's creator, King Sombra..." Luna began.

"That is quite a story. I'm glad to hear the fiend is gone," Starswirl remarks, taking a sip of his tea.

"Yes, but the fact that he had enough power left before his end to summon a creature so mighty on it's own..." Mistmane began.

"...Is frightening beyond belief," Meadowbrook finishes for her. Celestia and Luna nod.

"We know very little about it as well. All we do know is that it bears armor the likes of which none have seen, and a skull without any skin or fur on it, much less organs at all. On top of that, it can cast curses and is cunning enough to evade detection," Celestia explains, looking into the murky liquid of her cup.

"And if the way you've said it leaves bodies of mangled animals in its wake, it likes to taunt, as well, unless it is using them for food. But I doubt anypony would go ripping off horns and fangs for food," Star Swirl mused, placing his teacup down to stroke his beard.

"What do you want us to do?" Rockhoof asks the Princesses, looking to them. The two diarchs share a look, before turning back to the assembled ponies.

"...We want you to find it, and end it and it's curse," Celestia told them firmly, face the sternest of stone. The Pillar's looks harden.

"..." they look at each other, seeming to have a silent conversation, before they all stand up and look to the Princesses.

"...We'll do it, if it means keeping our home safe," Mistmane states.

The Princesses let out a sigh of relief, before smiling.

"Thank you. We'll get a personal train ready to bring you to the Frozen North," Celestia tells them.

"...Train?" they all ask simultaneously, tilting their heads.

The Pillars step off the Princesses personal train, the Starlight Express, with a collective groan. Star Swirl cracks his back with a loud grunt. "Urgh, remind me to never ride one of those things again. Too much pain in my aging bones for it."

"I sympathize with you there, my friend," Mistmane says with a groan as she rubs her back. Flash Magnus chuckles as he steps off the train.

"Oh come on, that was fun!" he argues.

"I liked it," Meadowbrook agrees.

"I honestly prefer walking on my own hooves," Rockhoof commented, shooting the retreating train a small glare.

"You and me both, dear friend," Star Swirl agreed. Somnambula just giggled. Star Swirl looked about the train station, a little glad that nopony was around, since he did not fancy having a stampede of fans on him. "Right, well, according to Luna, the creature tends to stay near Mount Everhoof, so, let's head there first."

The others nodded, and they all stepped off the platform onto the cold, hard packed snow, and into the snowy plains, towards the tallest mountain in the world. They were unaware of a large, silver-furred wolf watching from atop a hill further away.

Author's Note

EDIT: Looking for a new song for the opening, since the last one is gone now, sadly. For now, the link will be removed.

EDIT: FINALLY found a good opening theme!

Well, I hope you all enjoyed this one, took all night to develop this, and most of this morning, hehe. (I got a bite too excited, now I can't sleep ) I really enjoyed writing this, and I think I'll continue to, what with my plans for this story.

Here's to hoping you all stick around.

Thanks for reading.

-Timeless Celestial

EDIT: Is this better? If not, can somebody just tell me where I made errors? I can't improve without knowing what I did wrong, friends. I'm assuming it's mostly the beginning of the chapter, but I can't say I have a clue as to how to fix it in it's entirety besides making it more descriptive and less talky. Even then, it's hard to come up with the right words. I'm putting my neck out here, guys, help an aspiring writer out.