Shadow Wars: Dawn of a New Empire

A large shadow loomed over Canterlot, ponies looked up to see a massive triangular airship, hovering over them. Unlike the other airships that they were used to seeing this airship was larger and had three gigantic rockets that propelled the ship forward. This ship was also completely enclosed and heavily defended by loads of cannons that covered the airship.

Meanwhile, inside the command bridge of the newly built Sky Destroyer, Emperor Nightwing was admiring the instruments and the view through a large glass window.

Nightwing was angry, "How dare they attack my city!" He shouted as workers cowered in fear. He was pacing the bridge of the skydestroyer, where he asked his admiral, "How long until we can launch our attack on Manehatten?" He asked angrily.

Admiral Barking, stuttered, "Tomorrow, if we rush things, my emperor."

"THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" Nightwing roared as he started to aura choke the admiral, he then threw the admiral across the room as Lord Orchid and Greyfang entered the room.

The two shadow lords bowed before saying, "My emperor, I believe that we can infiltrate the city and assassinate, Celestia,"

"No, I want to be the pony that kills Celestia, besides, I have a plan," The emperor said as both Orchid and Greyfang looked at each other, then Nightwing ordered, "CLEAR THE ROOM!"

Everypony quickly left, while the two shadow lords were reluctant to follow but quickly changed their minds as Nightwing gave them a harsh look.

Once the room was cleared, Nightwing activated a communication droid, where a hooded figure appeared in a hologram, "Lord Deceptor, what is your current status?" Nightwing asked.

The hooded figure then replied in a posh voice, "I have not been discovered and I am ready to follow your orders, my emperor"

"Excellent, I need you to turn the two sisters against each other, I sense that they are both weak but from our recent encounter, I believe that Luna is more susceptible to falling to the dark side."

"Yes, my emperor, how should it be done?"

"I do not care, how it should be done, just don't make it obvious." Nightwing snapped.

"It shall be done, my emperor."

"One more thing, we will be attacking tomorrow, your identity is still hidden and unknown to our forces, do not reveal yourself to anypony, including our forces. And try not to get yourself killed." Nightwing said as he shut the hologram off.

***

Princess Celestia and the remaining elementals were stood around a brand new statue. It had been created to honour Cerberus as they had been unable to retrieve his body.

Princess Luna then looked over at her student, Defender had not taken his death well, she could tell that the young pegasus blamed himself for the whole war.

She treated Defender more like a son than a student and it pained her to see him like this. "There was nothing, you could've done,]" Luna told him.

Defender didn't say anything but instead nodded glumly, he then said, "I need to go lie down." Not waiting for a reply, he left for his room.

Luna wanted to stop him but decided that he needed some space, that was when she saw a crumpled-up piece of paper fall in front of her. She looked at the paper ball with interest, normally she would consider it a piece of trash but for some unknown reason, she felt like something was pulling her to the piece of paper.

Grabbing the paper with her magic she unfurled it to see that it was a note.

Luna,

I have something urgent to tell you. Meet me on Friendship Island at one am.

A friend

Luna was now suspicious, every instinct screamed that it was a trap, but Luna was too intrigued to ignore it.

***

Luna landed on the island, the Statue Of Friendship, watched over her like a green, metal guardian. Walking around the base of the statue, Luna noticed a mysterious cloaked pony, standing on the end of the pier.

When she walked onto the pier, the cloaked pony then bowed and greeted, "Princess, I am glad that you came."

Luna tried to recognise the voice but she realised that the pony's voice was being masked by a spell, "Who are you?" She asked as she gazed at the pony, her eyes full of suspicion.

"I am afraid that I have to keep my identity hidden, for she has eyes and ears everywhere." The pony said while looking around them to check if they were indeed alone.

"Who has eyes, everywhere?" Luna asked, still not trusting the cloaked pony.

"Celestia!" The pony spat.

"What about Celestia?" Luna asked, her distrust deepening.

"I am afraid that I can not say much but there is a sinister plot in the works. Celestia has grown power-hungry, she wants the crown for herself. She is planning on killing you!"

"WHAT! Celestia would never, she loves me, we are family! I should arrest you for treason."

"Does she? I have always seen you two separated, I have never seen you together, it looks like she is shutting you out."

"She's been busy with the war."

The pony released a hollow laugh, "She is a princess and the ruler of Equestria, she has generals and advisors to deal with the war. Face it your sister doesn't love you, all she sees in you is a wall that is blocking her from taking full control. Search your feelings, you know it to be true, your sister hates you."

Luna was stunned at first she didn't believe this mysterious stranger but now that she thought about it, Celestia had been distant.

The pony then looked around again before hurriedly saying, "You must act and stop her before it is too late. I have to go now but remember, you are the only pony that is strong enough to defeat Celestia!" The pony then jumped into the water below and vanished.

Luna quickly rushed to the edge of the pier and looked down but was disappointed to find no sign of the pony. Luna then began to head home, her head filled with dark thoughts about Celestia, she didn't want to believe that Celestia could have been corrupted, but ever since Nightwing came to power, Celestia had been different. Luna then began to ask herself,

What is Void, wasn't the only pony to fall to the dark side on that dreadful night..."