//------------------------------//
// Prologue To Darkness 
// Story: The Unexpected Alicorn 
// by Bright Eclipse 
//------------------------------//

	In an old cottage on the edge of Meeryth, a small town sitting on the Equestrian-Griffon Kingdom border, a old unicorn was on the brink of a discovery that would change the world. This old unicorns name was Dark Phantom, and he was more excited than he had been since beginning this fifty year long crusade for the elements of disharmony. "Finally my life's work is all coming together, if only..." Dark Phantom scowled "If only that blasted Princess Celestia had listened, my work could have been finished so much sooner!" The old unicorn moved around his small study, storing various books and notes in his saddlebag. "But its no matter now, because now I can move to the next phase!" Dark phantom walked out the backdoor, taking in the beautiful mountain scenery. "I suppose being neighbors with the griffons does have some perks to it," The old unicorn tore his gaze from the landscape "no! Now is a time for action, I must be of!" And so he went, perhaps if the poor old stallion knew this would be the last time he saw his beloved mountains he might have taken a bit longer to look at his home.

Not too far away a dark spirit observed Dark Phantom with interest. "Soon you will have outlived your usefulness to me, then Equestria will have a new ruler..." the mare smiled for the first time in two years "and this time not even the elements of harmony will be able to stop me!"

Later, at the mouth of a cave at the base of one of the larger mountains, Dark Phantom lit his horn. "Even from up here, I can feel the magical power radiating from the elements. I can only hope that everything goes according to plan." Without further delay, the old unicorn delved into the beckoning shadows, not nearly attuned enough to notice the spirit following close behind.

After venturing deep into the depths of the cave, Dark Phantom burst into a small grotto. The spirit took in her surroundings, the grotto was lit be some kind of glowing moss that coated the ceiling, and there was a natural spring that was about three feet in diameter. Other than these interesting pieces there were no other details that stood out, and there were definitely was not anything that looked like a element of disharmony. But, she could definitely sense the elements "where are you hiding them, old stallion?" Of course he couldn't hear her, but he did move toward the pool in the center of the grotto. The old unicorn's horn glowed a bright silver and the water evaporated, the mist from the pool turning a rainbow of colors. Each color separated itself from the others and materialized into five necklaces and one crown. But while these looked similar to the elements of harmony, they were altogether darker and gave off a chaotic magical charge. "After fifty years... It's time for you to leave this world!" Dark Phantom levitated a obsidian knife out of his saddlebags and laid it next to the basin where the pool used to be, then his horn glowed once again and he created a intense blue fire in the basin. The spirit watched with growing interest  "How do you intend to destroy them old stallion?" Once again he unintentionally answered her question and dumped the elements of disharmony into the basin, then raised the knife to the base of his horn resting the blade against it. "It's for the good of Equestria..." The old unicorn was starting to sweat rather heavily "I need to get this over with..."

"Yes do hurry along, Equestria is waiting for the return of Night Mare Moon!" growled the spirit