There was nothing but chaos as several ponies made their way to the barracks, believing them to be safe. As the group entered the building, they noticed that their attackers had left them. The group stood on the training ground. Eventually, the ponies saw a solar guard walking toward them.
"Oh, thank you for coming to lead us in! I think we lost them," said a purple unicorn with a yellow mane and tail.
But no response came from the guard. The unicorn became uneasy with the silent treatment and continued.
"It appears the capital city is overrun by hollow ponies and skeleton ponies. The only places not overrun are Canterlot castle, Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns, and this barracks. Do you think you could escort us to the castle? I mean, I would like to know more about the Solar Guard, but the barracks looks a little creepy with no torches to light it up."
Then, she saw the beam of light and recalled that the other places with this light had been hit hard by the hollow ponies and skeleton ponies. She turned to look at the group she had come with and saw them on the ground with arrows piercing their sides. In horror, she looked back to the guard she was talking to, lit up her horn and saw the guard face mainly on the chess. Terrified, she saw that the guard pony was dead, his throat sliced by a sword, his eyes rolled up. But she also saw that his coat looked very smoky, as well as his armor. But before she could do anything, she fell down. A sword had been plunged into her chest, and like the ponies in her group, she quickly died.
Red Dawn, Sunset, and Sun Blast made their way to the castle where they saw a lot of fighting going on. Red Dawn suddenly remembered something he had said the night before, something he was not supposed to say. Thinking back on it now, he was glad he had said it.
Last night at Sun Blast’s home
"Thanks for supper," said Red Dawn as he finished his sundae dessert.
"No problem. Just remember to do your own dishes and try not to break any of them! They’re specially made from Los Pegasus, and I don't want to have to go back and gamble some more.”
The two ponies laughed. As soon as they calmed down, they made their way to Sun Blast’s living room where Sunset was looking for a good book. Sun Blast looked at his brother and said, "Ok, what’s going on? You usually go back to your place right after dessert, but you’re hanging back tonight, and I want to know why that is."
For a couple of seconds, there was silence. Finally, Red Dawn broke the silence. "There’s going to be an enemy. I cannot tell you what I know about them, but I need to tell you two the truth about what I’ve gotten myself into."
Sunset and her father looked at him seriously, and Red Dawn continued. "Do you remember what we went through to get here?"
Sun Blast said, "Of course. We came from Rainbowfalls, home of the Equestria Fair Trade Event. That’s where we got enough bits to ride the train to Canterlot. When we first got here, you and I settled in the louder part of the city, but then you joined the Solar Guard and things got better. The next thing I know, we moved up to the common pony section of the city, and then we barely ever saw you because you didn't stay with us. I guess you had to go on Solar Guard duty a lot, but I did find your constant absence strange."
Red Dawn said, "There was another reason. You see, when I got the Solar Guard job, I was approached by two ponies. One was hiding under her cloak, but she had a commanding voice that made me want to follow her orders. The other was a pony named Quiz Lamoni. He was wearing a suit that probably should not be in the lowest part of Canterlot. They had helped us, but the help came at a price. They had seen how loyal I had been to my follow ponies and they wanted me to be loyal to them. Or, to be more specific, they wanted me to be loyal to their organization, The Order of Time. This order was aiming for one thing and that was to control all of ponykind. They planned on doing this with magic artifacts that are believed to have been owned by three very old, but very powerful, ponies. One of the artifacts is War Path’s axe and armor."
Sunset asked, "How do you know who is part of this order?"
Red Dawn said, "Each member has a cloak. And they also have this." He took out a silver amulet with an hourglass and old pony-ish symbols all around it. As Sunset tried to read the symbols, Red Dawn said loudly, "The power to vanquish enemies needs to be worshiped and feared."
"So, you got us here by getting in bed with this Order, is that right?" asked Sun Blast with a serious look.
Red Dawn sighed and answered, "Yes, but I never believed in them. I just wanted you to be happy, living the dream."
Sun Blast walked up to his brother and hugged him. Red Dawn knew then that all was forgiven. Sunset joined in the hug too.
Suddenly, several explosions and screams were heard. Red Dawn, Sun Blast, and Sunset ran out the door and towards the castle, the only place they knew they would be safe.
Present day
As the three ponies entered the noble section of the city, two hollow ponies saw them. The contacted Twilight and told her they had found the pony she had been looking for.
The princess replied to them, saying, "Set up a trap, but don't kill her. She needs to understand why I am doing this, and when she finally knows, Celestia will be broken." And with that order, the hollow ponies started to call together all of the other hollows that were in the noble section.