Our story begins in the far north of Equestria, just before the Crystal Mountains, alongside the railroad track that was to lead into the snowy territory. Of course, way back when, twenty three years ago, the railroads didn't exist.
Our story takes place sixteen years before the events of Nightmare Moon's return, in a quiet little city called Stalliongrad.
In this city, the ponies that inhabited it relied heavily on mining and exporting factory goods in order to survive. The harsh winter was not kind to them, and, as such, they relied on weekly caravans for their food and most other supplies.
The main race was that of the Earth Ponies, as their physicality was more suited to the harsh north and, although it was not uncommon to see a few Unicorns here and there, Pegasus were jokingly thought to be a myth. Gryphons were common, despite their country being far beyond that of the currently non-existent Crystal Empire, but Zebra were rare.
It is one such Zebra, Ma'lik, with whom our story begins; alongside his wife: a Unicorn named Starlight.
Currently, the married couple were clutching each others hooves tightly as the mare groaned and winced in pain. Childbirth was not an easy feat, but the doctors had learned the best ways on how to deliver foals in the harsh winter from their fathers, and their fathers before them.
With a loud gasp and a quick scream, both parents smiled in joy at the sight of their precious little bundle; a purple Unicorn with black stripes, hiding behind a short gray mane.
The little foal cried pitifully as the doctor carefully carried the newborn towards its mother and father; placing it gently within the tired mare's hooves as the father crowded in closely.
"She has your coat, and eyes." Ma'lik said softly in appreciation- soon finding himself lost within his daughter's bright red eyes as her crying turned into quiet whimpers.
"And your stripes. With any luck, she'll be as curious as you, dear." Starlight replied softly with a smile as she bowed her head to kiss the forehead of her child.
"And as beautiful as you. What should we name her?"
The two shared a long, adoring look at their daughter before their snouts turned back to each other- lips moving in unison to form a single answer:
"Darkswirl."
"I don't care!" Shining Armor shouted as he stormed down the halls of Canterlot Castle. "She could be having an orgy right now, and I'd still interrupt it!"
The pair Royal Guard that trailed after their Captain shared an uneasy look. "But, sir, wouldn't it be better to simply alert Princess Luna, instead? Night Court is in session." one of the Guards pleaded.
"Princess Luna will be informed after her sister! We are Royal Guard, not Night Guard." Shining Armor explained as they came to a stop before two large, wooden doors flanked by two more guards. "Unlock the door, I have an urgent message for Princess Celestia."
"I-I'm sorry, sir, but the Princess is sleeping." the guard stuttered.
"If you value the life of your family and the security of this nation, you will unlock that door right now, Sergeant!" Shining Armor shouted.
When the guard did not move, Shining Armor began to grab at the key hanging from the guard's neck with his magic, before the heavy lock clicked from the other side of the door.
"Captain Armor, what is the meaning of this? Why are you shouting?" Princess Celestia questioned, sleepily, as she poked her head out of the door.
"Princess Celestia, may I enter your chambers? I would not be here, shouting in the dead of night, if it were important enough to go to your sister." Shining Armor explained.
Princess Celestia took a moment to wake herself before giving a curt nod and opening the door wider for him, before closing it behind him as he stepped through the doorway.
"What is so important that it could not be told to my sister, or even wait until morning, Captain?" Princess Celestia asked as she pulled a brush from her desk and began straightening her bed-raggled mane.
Shining Armor closed his eyes and prepared his tongue for what was about to be said as he took a deep breath. "The Canterlot Vaults have been raided."
Princess Celestia's brush fell to the floor with a loud clunk as plastic hit polished marble.
"...and, in stark contrast to the eye-witness accounts, my client could not have kidnapped that foal from the park bench at twelve thirty-two, because Mr.-" the suited pony paused as he realized that Princess Luna was no longer listening to him; her eyes instead looking past him.
"Night Court will take an adjournment for one hour." Princess Luna announced as her sister stood by the door alongside Shining Armor. "Guards, please escort the defendant back to the dungeons, and his lawyer to his room."
As the room slowly began to clear until only Night Guards lined the walls in the gaps between windows, Princess Celestia cleared her throat and began walking towards her sister with Shining Armor in tow,
"Forgive me, Luna." Princess Celestia began. "Had I known I would be interrupting a trial, I would not have done so so abruptly."
"It is fine, sister." Princess Luna said, with a smile, before nodding down at Shining Armor. "What brings my sister and her Guard Captain to my Night Court?"
Princess Celestia turned her head towards Shining Armor, who nervously cleared his throat before taking a step forward.
"One hour ago, a patrol found four of my Guards murdered inside the Royal Archives." Shining Armor began, before he was interrupted by a dark grey batpony beside Princess Luna.
"Why am I just hearing about this, now?" the batpony began. "Royal Guards are not supposed to conduct patrols during Night Court without my permission."
"Hold your tongue, Captain." Princess Luna ordered, softly, before nodding at Shining Armor to continue.
"Royal Guard do not conduct patrols during Night Court, but the Royal Guard does guard the Royal Archives at all times. Your guard found mine murdered, and you were in Night Court, so I was alerted, instead." Shining Armor explained. "Who was told first is not important. What is important is, while making sure nothing was stolen, the Night Guard discovered that the seals had been broken on the passageway into the Canterlot Caves."
Princess Luna gave her sister an alarmed look, and Princess Celestia's worried gaze did nothing to calm the Princess of the Night as Shining Armor continued.
"I commandeered two of your patrols and followed the trail all the way to the Vaults, where it was discovered that the only thing missing was..." Shining Armor trailed off, shifting nervously on his hooves as he averted his eyes from Princess Luna's. "The only thing missing was... Nightmare Moon's armor..."
A long time ago, before the Alicorns fell from the clouds to rule the earth, when ponies still traveled the land and skies in feral forms, a beautiful cross between pony and nature was born.
The Flutterponies, with their butterfly wings and nature magic, ruled an area just south of what would eventually become Equestria. It was called Flutter Valley and it was inhabited, of course, by only the Flutterponies; a haughty race who took great pride in their intelligence, for it was only found within them and the dragons that they fought for territory, from time to time.
The Flutterponies were a society of scholars and magic users who feared nothing. They had beaten dragons before, fearsome scaled creatures that could grow as big as a small mountain and breath fire, frost, or poison, depending on the region. They had charted the entire continent and tamed one of every beast they encountered, from Manticore and Taraxippoi to even primitive ponies.
The land was theirs, save for those pockets of dragons, and the Flutterponies ruled until the Alicorns would come.
But, if you ever take caution from anything I say, do so with this: Even dragons have fears, little one, and the dragons do not fear the Flutterponies.
Despite all their intelligence and magic, the scholars of the Flutterponies could do nothing but sit in horror as they poured over manuscripts and books, scrolls and parchments, all looking for something, anything, that could divert or destroy the coming storms. You see, little one, the Flutterponies, with all of their knowledge and magic, had began idling in magics forbidden. Such actions have consequences, whether direct or not, and the Flutterponies had received two prophecies:
"Descendant from the sky, they shall bring peace and prosperity to the ground in which they step, and all will benefit from their presence. But they take no heed of their predecessors, and hell fire will rain from the sky as the clouds throw down stones to smite the sinners, both masters and slaves, and disorder will shroud the land."
"From the ashes of defeat will arise an undecided shadow, but the shadow does not know to whom it is attached. Fate rules supreme, from the harsh rock and sand to the snowy mountains; none may escape its eyes unassisted. But assistance comes from places that can surprise even Fate, and crimson eyes will unleash a nightmare upon the land."
Today, few even know that the Flutterponies existed, let alone of the prophecies they received. Whether the consequences came as a result of their sins, or if they would have happened, anyway, no one is sure.
But I can tell you this, little one: One prophecy has already come true.
And the other?
Well, its already happening.
