Night had long fallen and all was well under the gentle watch of the moon. Everypony adrift in sweet slumber as their home of Ponyville was bathed in the dazzling starlight. But while everypony else enjoyed sweet dreams, six stallions in particular found their own dreams to be taking an unexpected turn...
Stepping out of the fog, they very quickly noticed each other and the familiar map in the center of... wherever they were.
Guys...? Wha' th' hay's goin' on here? Whoa, this is probably the fifth or sixth most weirdest dream I've ever had! I don't even want to know... Dudes, are we really all here? Like... when Princess Luna connected our dreams into one big dream? Looks like it. The real question, though... is why are we having the same dream?
Midnight approached the map table, but noticed something wasn't right, Hey guys... is it just me, or are we missing too many thrones here?
The rest of them finally took notice and gasped altogether, You're right! And it appears only our thrones are present, even Spike's throne isn't here.
What could this mean? You got me, any ideas, big guy? Nnope.
Say, you think maybe it has something to do with that?
All eyes turned to the distance and gasped to see storm clouds coming their way, moving unnaturally strange, like a roll of shadowy fabric unrolling.
Okay, is it just me or is Cheese Sandwich making sense? Eeyup.
The storm clouds surged and rankled, rumbling ominously as they began to swirl overhead, taking the likeness of a tropical hurricane as crackles of electricity began to dance about in flashes enthralling yet intimidating. The six stallions watched in awe, the thought of taking cover never crossing their minds. Instead, there was an excitement slowly but surely spreading to every fiber of their beings! Something amazing was about to happen! Or something terrible.
Then, they saw Him!
Soaring through the storm clouds, as majestic as an eagle, lightning instantly reaching out in all directions with every beat of his wings, his flight path lined in his wake, trailing behind him like tail of tornado winds laced with electricity. He flew higher and higher until he was barely an electrical blip high up in the eye of the storm.... before he came crashing down in a thunderous THUD, arcs of electricity bursting out like splashes of water, the six stallions all yelping and falling back onto their own butts as they beheled this mighty figure.
He was an alicorn, taller than any they'd ever seen, even taller than Sombra. He was bulging in powerful muscles, his coat the soft blue color the clear morning sky while his mane, tail, mustache, and beard were stormy black, streaked with electrical blue and cloud gray, wild and flowing. His eyes were a similar electrical blue as they gave off electrical pulses every time he blinked, his horn was like a spearhead of lightning, electric yellow spiraling up its length and crackling with power, the feathering around his massive black hooves resembled cirrus clouds, and his cutie-mark was a mighty lightning bolt cleaving a storm cloud in two, surrounded by hurricane winds.
Finally, he folded his wings, the sparks and crackles of his electrical power going out, as he gazed upon these six young stallions and finally spoke in a voice that rumbled like a distant thundercloud.
"Be welcome, friends. I have long awaited to meet with you, though I apologize for not doing so face-to-face."
The Six Stallions were in awe of this mighty alicorn, that instinct spurred them to bow before his majestic might with the respect shown to one worshiped like a hero, yet they still didn't know who he was.
"There is no need for that. Rise, my champions, for I come with dire tidings."
They gazed up at him, looking concerned and a little nervous, and it was Midnight who finally dared to speak, Who... who are you?
"I am known by many names, in this modern age and in an age long forgotten," the alicorn responded regally, "though I wager you would know me as the Lord of the Storms."
The Six all gasped, The Champion of Faust! The Death Bringer from Above! The Thunder Belcher!
Midnight was equally in awe. He knew the Pony of Death existed, so why not the Lord of the Storms?
What are these... dire tidings you're here to warn us about?
"A great change is soon to transpire in the Seat of Equestrian Power," spoke the Lord of the Storms, "but as the old is preparing to make way for the new, an evil that has long festered in Equestria's heart like a parasite is seething with greed and hate, plotting to undermine truth and justice rather than lose the chokehold it had held over many for generations.
"You six must stand ready. Be vigilant, for when this evil finally steps into the light it will wield a dangerous power in effort to subjugate the citizens of this nation."
The six friends shared troubled looks that quickly dashed away, becoming bold and determined, The Guardians of Harmony will be ready, Lord of the Storms!
"I am honored by your dedication to your duty," nodded the Lord of the Storms in respect before he smirked, "But as Equestria must undergo this pivotal change, so too must you all change, for no more are you mere Guardians. From this moment on, I name you the Knights of Harmony!"
The Six felt a power course through them as six familiar crystals appeared in front of them, becoming their faithful swords as they became clad in their Harmonic Armor!
"Take heart, my brave young knights! Stand strong, stand together, and above all stand for Equestria!"
The Six Stallions all woke up, back in their homes, still in their beds, their hearts beating strong with fervor in their chests, as they all had the same thought, That was no dream!
Meanwhile, there were others having an eventful night in Canterlot, but for very different reasons. In the office of Brass Scales, Duke of Law & Order, he was meeting with his longtime friend and colleague, Pipe Glass, the Duke of Magic and Mysteries. The two were enjoying sandwiches and coffee, despite the late hour of 1 am.
“So your agents have found something out about Buck Cheap, eh?” the judge gathered.
“They did,” the detective replied wearily. “But it's the breaking Dr. Caballeron out of prison with hired mercenaries, like griffons and diamond dogs, that I first found alarming.”
Brass Scales nodded. “I take it you suspect he's planning something?"
“I do. Don't forget, before the end of this week the aristocratic council will be abolished and then reformed into one where the ponies who comprise it are chosen via democratic vote, and that is something Cheap will not taking lying down...” Pipe Glass elaborated. “He'll make a play to keep the aristocracy in power. House Avarice has for too long enjoyed the political clout of their membership, using that power to maintain their hold over the organized crime of Equestria's underworld. Even without his seat on the council, Cheap's unethical business dealings have kept a steady trickle of money flowing into his pockets straight from the Equestrian economy."
Brass nodded, feeling more and more troubled with what Pipe Glass was sharing.
"So where does Caballeron fit into all of this? Why take such a risky endeavor as to break a known criminal out of jail? Last I heard, the investigation is ongoing but there was some dubious evidence uncovered pointing towards the criminal known as... the Lord of Lords."
"We've never been able to confirm it, but a fair number among various law enforcement throughout Equestria suspect that to be Cheap's alias in the underworld," Pipe Glass responded.
“My best bet is he wants Caballeron to find something for him, some kind of artifact of formidable power."
"There are many magical artifacts of renown," Brass Scales considered, "many of them have been found and recovered over the years. The more dangerous relics are locked away under lock and key whereas some are on display in certain museums. The question is, if he wants Caballeron to find him an object of power, is it one that has yet to be found... or one yet to be discovered?"
"I am afraid that it's likely not any magic relics that are currently known," Pipe Glass debated, "otherwise he could just have hired mercenaries to rob the museums or strongholds that are protecting the known and recovered artifacts that bear some kind of magical power.
"No... Caballeron, black market-dealing scum that he is, he is a certified archaeologist. You don't enlist the help of an archaeologist to steal an artifact that's already been found..."
"You enlist his services to find one that has yet to be discovered," Brass Scales nodded in agreement, before sighing in a troubled way, "Shit... If Cheap truly is conspiring against the Royal Sisters and the War Chief, he must be after an object of truly dangerous power, and we have no idea what it could be!"
“Keep your chin up, buddy. My agents are following Cheap as closely as they can... with the help of a certain group that shall not be named in this conversation between two dukes of the council,” Pipe Glass assured.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Brass Scales smirked while giving Pipe Glass a wink. “However, as much as I value Honesty, under these circumstances, I feel that we should keep this under the hat.”
“Agreed. The Royal Sisters, the War Chief, and the other princes and princesses, what with this reformation of the government soon to take place and Princess Cadance expecting, they have enough to deal with as it is," Pipe Glass nodded, "However, if things should escalate..."
“We will inform them on everything, or at least whatever they don't yet already know," agreed Brass Scales before yawning, "and I think it's time we finally got some sleep, given this ungoddessly hour."
The two shook hooves and stepped out of Brass Scales' office. As they did, Brass looked around at his empty law firm.
“Different when nopony's around. A tad spooky even."
“Yeah. But it's better this way,” Pipe Glass said. “Less ears around means less chances of the secrets being spilled and Buck Cheap getting wind of it.”
“I agree,” Brass said. “Have a good night, and have your agents keep on their hooves, especially around Cheap. If one of them should turn up something, call my secretary and tell her that 'Midnight will Chime Four'.”
“I will, I promise,” Pipe Glass said and the two walked out of the law firm and went their separate ways.
Brass knew he could count on the detective and his inner circle to keep this under wraps. It would take a court order to get a crowbar to break it out of them.
That morning, the Six Stallions met at Pepper Pony's. Auntie Spice and Doughnut Joe had yet to come back from eloping, but Cheese was more than happy to make them a breakfast pizza, a delicious pizza pie made up of scrambled eggs, melted cheese, and pieces of hay-bacon, and glasses of chilled apple juice.
As they sat around the table, nibbling at their slices, taking swigs of their juice, the silence was painfully awkward...
"So you guys all had the same dream or vision or whatever from the Lord of Storms too, right?" Cheese asked, finally breaking the ice.
"Oh thank Faust it wasn't just me..." Blueblood sighed heavily.
"So we really did have the same dream. Or vision, whichever you wanna call it," Soarin commented, everypony nodding in confirmation.
"Yeah, but what does it mean?" Thunderlane asked.
"No idea, but seems like somethin' bad's a'comin'," Big Mac noted, "he talked about some kind o' evil, din't he?"
"And then he dubbed us... the Knights of Harmony," Midnight added before he brought out his crystal, the one he'd gotten from his throne in the map room.
Recalling the crystals they'd received after the Map had revealed itself to them for the first time, one by one each stallion raised his hoof and summoned a fierce and regal sword, reflecting a mystical sheen. Again they fell silent for a long moment before Midnight said, "These swords... We thought they were just gifts or something from the Chest of Harmony after the Castle of Friendship and the map room came to be. But apparently, they're so much more than that..."
"Mine definitely is," Thunderlane spoke up before he explained how the map sent him and his sword on a mission to Vanhoover, where he prevented an innocent Dog from being framed by a crime boss and stopped this crime boss after his sword transformed.
"It became a bow, without a string or arrows, and somehow, I knew to call it by a name I never gave it... Skystrike."
"Mah mission from th' map was kinda like tha' too," Big Mac brought up, explaining how he was sent to San Clydesdale and prevented an innocent traveling troupe of performers from being framed by a disgruntled sheriff and an outlaw.
"Mah sword just turned into a new sword but Ah also got a shield t' go with it. Called it Stone Edge."
"Aw, our swords haven't become cool new weapons," Cheese whined like a pouty colt.
"Mine neither, not even when the map sent me on a mission," Midnight realized as he gazed at his sword. "But then again, the problem I went to help with, it didn't really need a sword to resolve it."
"So then, are we going to do this?" Blueblood asked, "Are we going to be... a knighthood?"
"I'm in," Thunderlane quickly volunteered.
"Me too!" Soarin chimed in.
"Sir Cheese Sandwich, ready to protect and serve," Cheese declared in a corny dramatic flair.
Midnight shared looks with Blueblood and Macintosh before saying, "This is serious. I mean, we basically got a dream from a legendary alicorn warrior who tells us that we have to form a knighthood to protect Equestria from some kind of evil that's about to rise up or something."
"Perhaps we should consult with my aunts and uncle about this?" Blueblood suggested.
"No, the summit for the reformation of the council is coming up in just a few days," Midnight shook his head, "They don't need us adding more concerns to...!"
They noticed the way Midnight's face lit up with realization, "The council...! The Lord of the Storms! He-he said that this evil has something to do with the Seat of Equestria's Power!"
"So then... whatever the threat is," Thunderlane theorized, "it's probably gonna strike during the summit."
"I agree that this threat may have something to do with the summit," Blueblood interjected, "but this is still speculation. Midnight, don't forget! At noon, we're unveiling the project we've finally finished after months of experimentation and construction."
"And let's not forget," Soarin brought up, "that after you and Blueblood do your thing, we're finally introducing our new flight squad. Didn't you say they all arrived like... two days ago?"
"Yes..." Midnight was beginning to feel swamped, "and lemme tell you, those flight suit uniforms were not cheap. But I've taken care of the preparations, and Blueblood, have Time Turner and Techorse run a few last-minute diagnostics, just to be sure there's nothing we haven't missed since declaring the project complete.
"Soar, Thunder, go see the others and tell them that the introduction ceremony will follow the unveiling."
"Hey Midnight, would ya like for me, Pinkie, and Party to set up a celebratory something-something?" Cheese asked, "I mean... you haven't exactly told me what this big unveiling or introducing thing is, but-"
"Uh.... sure, Cheese," Midnight nodded, "let's have a quick word once we're done here."
"Welp, sounds like y'all got yer things covered," Big Mac stood up from the table, "but Ah gotta go home an' check on muh `Shy. She's been getting nauseous more an' more lately, an' Ah'm gonna try an' get her t' go see Doctor Stable again. Ah tell ya, she's been gettin' mighty stubborn lately, Ah'd swear she was an earth pony wit' wings."
As Big Macintosh ambled on home, the guys shared a knowing smirk before Thunderlane proposed, "Anypony wanna raise the stakes he doesn't figure it out on his own before somepony tells him?"
They all shared chuckles and chorused, "You're on!"