//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Opprobrium // by Elusive Phoenix //------------------------------// Silhouettes gathered around the table in the dim light of the candles. A few wore hoods, but others remained unclothed. "Is it set?" one bearing a hood inquired. "Are we ready?" One of the uncloaked nodded slightly. "We have been ready since last night." The teeth of the first hood glinted brightly in the candlelight. "Fantastic." One of the non-hooded ponies spoke. "Sir, we are not a cult." The grin faded from the hood's face. "Do not make it seem like we are." The pony suddenly found a blade penetrating his throat, the blood coating it gleaming in the candlelight. "Is a sacrifice good enough for you?" The hood snarled. Only a short gurgle came before the creature fell off the blade that had passed through him. "Anypony else?" No response came. "Good. Begin the pursuit first thing in the morning. Nothing can go wrong." The entirety of the group nodded simultaneously and they all backed away from the table, into the shadows. One pony remained to blow the candles out, his white coat visible for only a fraction of a second before the light source was extinguished. Well, well, well. Discord thought. I can see some real chaos coming out of this.