Before anything else a warning: This book contains accurate historical facts concerning one of the greatest tragedies in Equestrian History. When Princess Twilight Sparkle asked me to research and compile all the information and myths surrounding the pony who would come to be known as Alushy, and the now notorious “Day of Red Night”, for the Royal Canterlot Archive I’ll admit I was sceptical. By now all of Equestria, and the lands beyond, know of the disappearance of Fluttershy; embodiment of the element of kindness, key member of the Court of Friendship and one of the chief faculty at Princess Twilight Sparkle’s very own School of Friendship. It is common knowledge that she was traumatised by her experience and has not been seen in public since. Every little Filly and Colt (myself included) grew up with the tale, told on Nightmare Night, of the Crimson Demon that feeds on the blood of ponies. And they all know that the two are supposedly one and the same. The academic community also accepts that this is a load of horse apples.
So when Princess Twilight approached me three summers ago at the Canterlot Royal Library and made this proposal, I thought perhaps I was being snubbed by the princesses and the academic community at large. As a scholar I was dismissive. As a sceptic I was mocking. I thought the whole thing to be a grand tale concocted by the Princess of Friendship and her court in order to scare Ponies, Zebras, Griffons and Hippogriffs alike into behaving, and not letting their studies wander into the realms of demonology and Dark magic.
But whilst researching this book I descended down a dark hole, a pit of horror, a one way trip straight into Tartarus where all the darkest, deadliest secrets of Equestria reside. And let me assure you dear reader, once you know the truth you can never escape it. So you have been warned: Read at your own peril.
Understand that the intention of this account is not to question the actions or decisions of those involved. Nor is it intended to paint any pony as hero or villain, fated or foolish, genius or moron. It is simply an account of events as they occurred, and should be interpreted as such.
I have compiled this book from first-hand accounts told by the victims, survivors, witnesses and even the members of the Court of Friendship and the Princesses themselves. These have been combined with meticulous research and thousands of hours spent reading through document after document in order to create an accurate account of the birth and rise of the Countess of Blood, the Nightwalker, the Crimson Demon, the Queen of all Demons and the twisted Element of Friendship; Alushy.
-Tall Tail Hoofmann
Professor of Dark Magical Theory
Royal Canterlot Library