//------------------------------//
// Mysterious plans 
// Story: Return of the king 
// by emberflare 
//------------------------------//

It was midnight and Luna’s moon was high in the sky as, inside an abandoned in the everfree forest, a small group of six ponies sat around a table facing each other.
“Kind of strange, don’t you think?” asks one of them.
“No, the plan was simple. I don’t see why you’re questioning it now. It’s too late if you’re having second thoughts” replies another pony harshly.
“It’s simply that, well. Is this right? It just seems like we’re going to complete our mission, then be disposed of”
The group remained silent for several minutes after that comment. None of them wanted to think about what had just been said, but it was in the back of all their minds.
Suddenly a seventh pony entered from the front door. It was clear that this pony meant business. He entered and instantly spoke, a deep voice “Gentle colts, it is nice to see you all made it”   
There was simply silence, the group were intimated by this 7th pony. He was, after all, in charge of their group and a mastermind. “Have you all completed your tasks?”
“Yes” they all reply.
“Very good. Follow me” he orders “We have work to do” he walks out the house, and the 6 ponies follow him out, deeper into the ever free forest. 

At the same time in Canterlot, Princess Luna had been reading several royal documents when she came across something that raised her eye brows. She instantly burst into Celestia’s room, expecting to see her sleeping, instead seeing her sister standing up, almost like she was…waiting for her.
“Luna” Celestia says in a weak voice.
“I have found several documents that are….” Luna paused, trying to think of the words to say “I can’t even think of the words for you right now!” yells Luna, using her Royal Canterlot Voice Celestia had taught her as a little joke.
“Luna, you must understand. My position isn’t easy! I don’t like what I am being forced to do, but it is necessary! For the continued survival of our kingdom!” preaches Celestia.
“Since I returned from my banishment, you’ve taught me to be a kind ruler, despite the treatment I get from the general public. I agreed with you, only to find these!” Luna uses to throw the documents at Celestia out of frustration, knowing her 
sister was right.
“If you’ve seen these, then you understand what I have to do to keep this a secret. Imagine the consequences if…” Celestia couldn’t finish her sentence.
“Sister, I may disagree with you on moral grounds, what could happen if….” Luna pauses for a few seconds “Do you really think some pony would actually try it?” asks Luna tensely.

“I hope not, but you yourself Luna know the horrors that can be committed if…somepony is pushed”
Luna slowly understands what her sister was doing “Very well, I will make the necessary arrangements” 
“One last thing Luna” says Celestia, making Luna turn around “Leave them where they are. If my theory is correct, they’ll need to work together”.
“Very well sister. I do think, however, Twilight at minimum should be informed” suggests Luna.
“Very well, I will ask her to come. I hope this day doesn’t come, but if it does..”
“Then everypony will be looking for us” Luna finishing Celestia’s sentence as she exits the room. Celestia walks over to her private study desk and opens a secret compartment. She brings out, off all things, a board with many pieces on it. Each piece looked like a pony, and the board, Equestia.
Celestia started making changes to the board unhappily, knowing it was necessary, yet cruel. She hated his board, this game. But the protection of her subjects made it necessary. 
Celestia then put it back, and walked over and started writing on a scroll to send to Twilight.

“Dear Twilight Sparkle, my most trusted student. I request that you come to Canterlot as soon as possible, the situation requires it. I know this is hard, but please keep this secret, even from your friend for now. When you return, you may inform them, but until then, it is important this is kept quiet. 
Your teacher, Princess Celestia”

Celestia wrapped it up, placed a special royal seal on it, on that hopefully Spike recognises, then sent it off to Spike.  
She looked back at the drawer as she lies down in her bed “I am doing this to protect all my subjects” she whispers, trying to convince herself what she was doing was the right thing to do “I am sick of this battle, this fight. This game” she closes her eyes and tries to sleep, guilty the only thing on her conscience.

Back, deeper in the everfree forest, the group of 7 ponies are still walking, getting closer to their target. Despite the cold weather and silence, they continued on.
After several hours of hiking, the group finally arrived outside a hill. This hill had massive gates buried into them, and gave a cold feeling. The group stopped.
“We are here” says the leader, a smile forming on his face before he turns around to face his companions “Are you colts ready?”
“Yes” they all reply. The colts sounded similar, and changed. The leader smiled as he remembered casting a powerful spell, basically rendering them his slaves, able to think, but not much.
“Well then, let’s go meet our maker” he says, opening the gates and entering the tomb. He walks only several metres inside, the cold air making his followers shiver.

Suddenly, a deep strong voice emits itself deep from within the tomb “Who goes there?” it demands.
The unicorn doesn’t reply, his blood red mane covering one of his eyes. His other eye looking out in the darkness in front of him “I have come to free you master, the world will yet again bow to you!” he calls out, using his magic to carry his voice.
A laugh fills the hall, even making the unicorn himself feel the cold “It has been many years when I dreamed of this day. It has finally arrived. Come, my student. Come and free me from my stone prison!” calls the voice, as the unicorn alone head further into the tomb. The tomb of those who shouldn’t see the light of day, of those who would destroy the world.