Prologue - Vengeance in the Night
As the moon lay in the darkened sky, and the stars flickered above the town of Ponyville, nine ponies cloaked in black exited the train station. Each bore a dagger forged from Orichalum, the only metal capable of slaying an Alicorn. Their cloaks had been woven with magic to make them nigh-undetectable by sound or sight.
Each of them knew what had to be done, and none spoke a word as they approached the Castle of Friendship. As expected, the door was sealed, but their blades quickly severed the lock from its hinges. They walked as one through the cold hallways, towards the third floor.
Once they approached the bedroom of Twilight Sparkle, they paused.
"Tonight…the false princess shall die, and we shall rise in her place." said one of them, ever so quietly, but with sheer determination and power in his voice. "For the future of Equestria."
"For the future of Equestria." the others repeated, with just as much conviction. As they reached towards the door handle, one of the assassins suddenly paused and turned back to the hallway from which they came.
"What is it?" the leader quietly demanded.
"I heard something." the other assassin replied. "And I get the feeling we're being watched. Have we been detected?"
"Impossible. There are no Guards here. The false princess still slumbers" a third whispered. "Let us finish what we came here to start. We haven't much time."
As they again moved to open the door, there was a low rumbling, and a feeling of intense fear settled over the assassins, as if they were to be judged by a greater power. The air around them, once clear, began to fill with a dark aura.
"What's going on here?" a fourth assassin mumbled to himself. The feeling of fear and the darkness in the air intensified, making the assassins' bodies shake despite their best efforts to steady themselves.
They did not know that this feeling was only a premonition of what was coming. One by one, the assassins each heard a voice speak in their minds. It would utter a phrase that would be the last thing many of them thought of before their death.
"I…am…your reckoning!"
Then, before the eyes of the assassins, the darkness in the air coalesced into a figure bearing a twin-bladed longsword in its right hand. It was almost as tall as Princess Celestia, and clad in onyx armor, with bronze and red ornaments. Ethereal veins sneaked over its body, and an ominous symbol on its face glowed in bright red. A tabard rested between its legs, and on its back was a kama blade, accompanied by a belt of throwing knives. As the assassins backed up, their daggers at the ready, the sword in its hand began to glow with red energy as it tilted its head, and gazed at them. To the assassins, it was as if they were staring into the face of death itself. Their grip on their daggers quivered, as their strength evaporated like a lone dewdrop on a summer's day.
Then, one of the assassins lunged, aiming for the being's heart. In an instant, the being sidestepped the attack, and caught the assassin with his left hand. Then, a dull crackling noise sounded, and the assassin fell limp to the floor, his dagger ending up at the feet of the being.
With a single step, the being crushed the dagger under his heel, and the orichalum metal shattered under its power. The sound reverberated through the halls, and the assassins moved as one to slay this new adversary.
The being placed his sword upon his back, and with his armored hands, began to slowly and methodically kill them, one by one. The first to attack lunged towards the being's head from above, and was swatted to the side by an effortless backhand. The impact broke the assassin's neck, killing him instantly.
Two others went for its legs, and were soon on the ground, with one of the being's throwing knives buried in their throats. Another tried to lunge from the side, and was swiftly thrown to the ground and laid unconscious from the impact. Two others harnessed their magic and fired a pair of concentrated blasts at the being, only for a vibrant white forcefield to absorb their attack.
The being drew two more throwing knives, and hurled them towards the assassins. The blades severed both of their horns cleanly, causing the two assassins to fall to the ground while clutching their heads in agony.
The last one stood fast, and with a snarl, lunged and intended to bring his blade down upon the being's head. Only the being sidestepped, and drew his sword. As the assassins landed on the ground, the edge of the blade was sent around his neck, pinning him to the floor. The being struggled to free himself, only for the being to grasp the sides of his head, the intent to snap his neck made clear.
Only a sudden scream of "Dear Celestia!", fully tinged with utmost fear and shock made it pause in its tracks. The being turned to see the horrified face of Twilight Sparkle, standing in the doorway, alongside a small reptilian creature whose mouth was simply agape. The being plucked his blade from the floor, and placed it on his back. As it approached Twilight Sparkle, she charged up her horn to defend herself and her companion…only she soon found a single finger pressed against her lips, making her stop in an instant.
"Be silent, Twilight Sparkle." the being said in a grim tone. "There may be more of them here. Seal yourself in that room, and call whoever you can for aid. I shall ensure your safety."
"Who are you?" Twilight asked, very much surprised that the being knew her name. The being simply knelt down on one knee before speaking.
"I am the Shadow Stalker." the being, apparently masculine by the underlying sound of his voice, said. "I have been sent to this world to protect you, on the orders of my master."
"I don't understand what's going on here in the slightest! Who is your master…and how do they even know about me?" she asked again. "Tell me!"
"All will be explained in time." the Shadow Stalker replied. "For now, again, summon whatever aid you can. I shall survey this place for any more of these...evildoers. I will return shortly."
And with that, the Shadow Stalker walked down the stairs, his kama blade at the ready. Twilight grimaced and quickly slammed the door, and with a shaking hoof,she sent a distress message to Princess Celestia through Spike. The young dragon was quivering throughout the process, barely able to speak.
Less than a minute passed before Princess Celestia herself had teleported herself into Twilight's room, and no less than a full company of Solar Guards accompanied her to secure the perimeter. As four Guards began looking over and securing the bodies, Celestia brought Twilight and Spike to the downstairs dining room.
"Twilight, Spike, are either of you injured?" she asked, as calmly as she could, given the circumstances of her arrival.
"We're both fine." Twilight replied. "Listen to me, there's a…"
"I am here." said the Shadow Stalker, as he entered the room and sat cross-legged before both alicorns and Spike. "And I will answer whatever questions you ask of me."
"And who are you?" Celestia asked, with a raised eyebrow.
"As I have told Twilight Sparkle, I am the Shadow Stalker, a servant of my lord, Hunhow." the Shadow Stalker replied. At the mention of the name "Hunhow", Princess Celestia flinched and went slightly pale, causing Twilight and Spike to look at her in astonishment. They have never seen her react like that before.
"Celestia…who's Hunhow?" Twilight asked, dreading the answer already.
"An old...acquaintance of mine." Celestia replied. "That would be putting it in a more friendly manner, however. Hunhow is a member of a race that one came to Equestria, and very nearly destroyed our world. I am surprised he still lives." she added those words, which were directed to the Stalker.
"My master is no longer your enemy." the Stalker replied. "He sent me to defend Twilight Sparkle from any danger, and should you distrust my words…I bring a message from him that will assure you of my intentions."
"Let me see it." Celestia said, and the Stalker handed over a small device made from onyx, ruby, and gold colored material. She touched it with her hoof, and her eyes closed as a pale red cloak of light enveloped her. Twilight was about to speak, but before she could, the light faded. Celestia breathed in deeply, and turned back to the Stalker.
"I find this hard to believe after all this time." Celestia said with suspicion in her voice. "The New War has ended, Hunhow has joined the cause of the Lotus and the Tenno, and he now intends to aid Equestria, rather than subjugate it?"
"It is the truth." the Stalker replied. "You have his solemn word, and my own."
"Then you shall come with us to Canterlot." Celestia replied, rising from the table. "And on the way, you shall answer any question Twilight asks you."
"As you wish." the Stalker nodded. "I am at your command, Twilight Sparkle. Shall we depart?"
Twilight could only nod as Spike hopped up onto her back. As the Guards escorted the four of them outside, they also brought with them the shackled forms of the living, and the bodies of the dead. The deceased were kept obscured by a magical shroud that not only kept their identities hidden, but their wounds as well.
Once all of them were ready, Celestia teleported them as one to Canterlot, as it neared the time for the sun to rise over Equestria.
Author's Note
Wow. This is probably one of the most fulfilling chapters I've written. And I hope you enjoy.
