Author's Note

I wrote this with a couple of my friends I made on another website, their "names" are TD and Admirer, as I call them. Their usernames are The Terror of Dimensions and Admirer Boy, and we all met on fanfiction.net writing together. We wrote this together, and I hope y'all enjoy.

Prologue: The Darkened Sun

Equestria. A land of peace and prosperity. Where ponies could live side by side in peace and harmony, guided by the magic of Friendship. And with the beautiful scenery that graced the current ruler, Princess Celestia, from her balcony perch at the Canterlot Palace, one would argue that this was the case: rolling green hills, lush forests, snow capped mountains, and all stretching as far as the eye could see.

However, evil wears many disguises, some of which are fair to behold; this was no exception. For hidden from the eyes of her subjects, Celestia had gone down a dark path, eliminating the Royal Family (including, supposedly, her sister) and all others she deemed a threat to her plan of total domination.

And currently, she was awaiting news from her guards of any other such threats, as she deemed them.

"Princess," A voice said as a black-coated pegasus stallion stepped onto the balcony, wearing a hooded cloak the same shade of black as his fur, covering his Cutie Mark and being designed to allow his wings free access if the need arose for him to fly. His eyes were a dark, dark green, so dark if one wasn't close enough they would appear to be black.

His name was Shaded Nights, and he was Celestia's advisor on any potential threats. But he also served a secondary purpose; he was a trained assassin, and had been used by Celestia several times to get rid of any obstacles.

"I have news." Shaded Nights said. Celestia turned her head slightly towards him and nodded to show she had acknowledged his presence, before turning back around as her horn glowed and the sun started to set.

"What news do you have for me this time, Shaded Nights?" she asked, not once faltering from her task.

"We've discovered three," the pegasus said, pulling a black leather journal from a hidden pocket inside his cloak and opening it up and reading from it what could only be a report from someone else.

"While here I have witnessed firsthoof the remarkability of three local unicorn mares. Once while near them I used my magic to gauge their own and it was beyond anything I have ever seen. They are close friends it would seem, and after much digging I managed to discover their names; Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, and Trixie Lulamoon. These could bring about an entire new era in our Majesties rule if we were to get to them, or if left alone could possibly be the source of our downfall."

Shaded Nights stopped reading and looked up back towards Celestia to see how she would take the news. Celestia paused for a moment, then lowered the sun entirely, the moon rising high into the sky, with the face of her sister forever engraved into it as she spoke.

"Very well. Bring them to me, alive, by any means necessary," she ordered.

"As you wish, your Majesty," Shaded Nights said, before turning and yelling back inside the castle. "I need a Captain of a Guard unit for a special task NOW!"

"Here am I, sir!"

A grayish-white pegasus with an ash gray mane and tail came forward and introduced himself, wearing the armor of a Royal Guard.

"Silver Spear, at your service."

"I want you to take your unit and capture three unicorn mares, named Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, and Trixie Lulamoon," Shaded Night said, his dark green eyes boring into the guard. "We need them alive. Use any means necessary." The assassin then stepped forwards, and there was a metallic hiss as a blade extended from a metal band he wore on one of his forelegs. "Failure will be met with severe punishment, so do not fail. Understood?"

"Understood."

Spear nodded with some determination in his manner. ”I'll bring them here, alive."

"Good. Then you are dismissed." Shaded Nights said with a snort. "And be prompt in it. Her Majesty does not want to be kept waiting."

Spear gave a nod at this and left to do the duty he was assigned.

"It is done," Shaded Nights said as he half-turned towards Celestia. "Soon, you will have three new ponies to break."

"Don't celebrate just yet," Celestia warned, turning to him fully. "I want you to follow him and ensure that the job is done correctly, just in case. I won't leave anything to chance."

"Understood. And any witnesses...?" The assassin trailed off, but there was the hint of a wicked grin forming on his face. Silence fell for a while, then Celestia's voice answered coldly.

"There won't be any witnesses."