//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: Radiant Eclipse 
// by BromptonCocktail 
//------------------------------//

After Tirek was defeated, Equestria was at peace for five years. However, according to Murphy's law, if anything can go wrong, it will. That is exactly what happened. One ironically beautiful day in Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle got a letter from Princess Celestia. The letter simply said for Twilight to come to Canterlot with her friends. No reason was given. Twilight arrived and that is when Princess Celestia delivered the devastating news. The Elements of Harmony were stolen by an unknown pony. 

The only evidence left at the time was a letter that read: "Dear Celestia, I am a pony who's identity shall remain unknown for the time being. However I think it is only right you learn about the army I lead. We are known simply by the Returners. We have built up secretly for the last five years and have finally grown large enough to start the revolution. The Elements of Harmony are no longer yours, they belong to us now. I have said too much already, so this is the end of my letter to you, the former leader of Equestria." 

Celestia feared for her kingdom and increased the defense of Canterlot. Twilight Sparkle and her friends returned to Ponyville with one job: report any suspicious behavior immediately. Despite their best efforts it wasn't enough. The letter was right about the revolution, because a few days later twilight woke up to see hundreds of ponies, Griffons, and Dragons marching through Ponyville. She contacted Celestia right away, and the letter that came back told Twilight about how the Royal Guards were fighting off an army that consisted of the same species. Twilight tried to go out and find her friends but was captured shortly afterwards by a Griffon, a familiar Griffon, named Gilda. She was transferred to a camp for prisoners and was only allowed to sit idly by while Equestria was waging war.

After about two months the fire of war died down and Equestria was split up into the four districts: North, South, East, and West. Twilight had no information yet on where her friends were. She had not heard from Celestia either. She had to get out and find them through whatever means necessary.