//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: The Enigma of Indigo Moon 
// by IndigoMoon 
//------------------------------//

March 22nd, 1009 C.R. (Celestia's Reign)




Celestia lay sound asleep on her bed when a series of rapid knocks on her door awoke her. 'Who'd want to see me at this time of night', Celestia thought to herself.

"Who is it?" she called.

A familiar voice floated through the door "An old friend in a big hurry."

Recognizing the voice, Celestia sprang from the bed and stormed over to the door. She threw it open to reveal a unicorn stallion standing there. He was a pale blue with a badly-kept, two-toned blue and purple mane. His clothes looked worse for wear: his old waistcoat had holes in it, his blue flannel travel jacket had thinned with time, and his saddlebag was faded to a grayish-brown. The only nice piece of clothing he wore was a thin, greenish cloak that sat atop his saddlebags, fastened around his neck. His mane was dirty, he had bags under his eyes, and he had scratches and bruises everywhere. But what caught the Sun Princess' attention was that fact that her two personal guards lay unconscious on either side of him.

As soon as she had opened the door, the poor stallion began talking. "Celestia! Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaeease don't summon any guards! You have to listen to me before it's too late!" cried the stallion.

"Indigo Moon..." Celestia growled. "You have the audacity to sneak into the most securely guarded city in Equestria, come straight to my private bedroom, and beg me for an audience? All while being the most wanted criminal in the country?!"

"Yeah, it looks bad, I know... Wait. 'Private bedroom'? Does that mean you have a public bedroom?" asked Indigo.

Celestia's eyes narrowed as her glare hardened.

"I'm here is because it is imperative that I am."

Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Fine," she said., leading Indigo Moon into the room. "You have five minutes. No more than that," she said.

Indigo gave a weak but grateful smile. "That's all I'm asking for. So... I'm considered Wanted No. 1 on what charges, exactly?"

"Mass ponyslaughter," Celestia deadpanned.

Indigo's eyes widened. "Oh, my... That's more severe than I thought. But I Pinkie Promise, cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye, that it wasn't me," Indigo said as he pantomimed the motions. "And I have proof." His horn began to glow, and out from underneath his cloak floated two books. One was a beat-up, leather-bound journal, and the other was a pristine, new book with a black cover.

Remember that mission you sent me on two years ago today? Well, this journal contains all of my findings. I finished it, you know," said Indigo as he floated the journal over to the Princess. She took it and set it on a nearby table. Indigo continued, "and about four months ago, I began writing down what really happened all those months ago, and have been giving them to A.K. Yearling, or as we know her, Daring Do. Daring agreed to type up the notes and ramblings I gave her into a coherent story. Only she and a couple others know the truth. Just 10 minutes ago, I was in Braydenton when I received a letter from her saying she had finished the book. I immediately teleported over to her house, where she gave me this." He floated the black book over. "After collecting it, I teleported here, to give it to you. It's about time that everypony knew the truth about what actually happened to me then, and what's still happening to me now."

Indigo stood up. "Now," he said. "If you'll excuse me, I need to leave. I've learned, and you'll see soon enough, that if I stay in one place for too long, bad things happen."

Celestia spoke up, "Why? What bad things?"

Indigo spoke gravely, "Celestia... I'm being hunted. You'll soon know everything. If you need me, use this." A bit flew out from underneath his cloak. "Just hold this in your magic and you can talk to me. It has a twin, which will remain in my possession. When you've finished reading the book, 'call' me, and I'll be here quicker than you can say "Ahuizotl". Goodbye, Princess. And please, you must believe me. It wasn't my fault."

And with a flash of light and a bang, Indigo Moon was gone.

Celestia looked at the coin in her magic and scowled. "Alright, Indigo," she said, sighing. "I'll read your little book."

The bit glowed and Celestia heard Indigo's voice in her head:

'Thank you...         '

Celestia lifted the black book from the table as she walked toward the beanbag chair in the corner of the room. She sat down, and once she was done sinking into the sack-like seat, she opened the book and began to read...