//------------------------------//
// Prologue  
// Story: Guardian of Fire 
// by googolplex 
//------------------------------//


Prologue

Which is faster? Light or Darkness? Light is the fastest thing, but it only lights everything that the darkness has already touched. In essence, the dark will always precede the light. Darkness is power, and to control that power, you need crystals, black crystals. Black crystals are the rarest, most powerful crystals in existence. Controlling them means control of the world. Ponies, zebras, griffons, and even dragons would kneel before my might. But before my dream could become a reality, two annoying nuisances grew jealous of my power, and proceeded to banish me to the shadows. What they did not know is that day or night, there are shadows, and I was now watching them always, waiting for the perfect chance to strike, biding my time while I gained my strength. When the time drew to its most opportune, I staged quite the act, having them believe they had finally won. But that was far from the truth. A nightmare? No, I am real, and I am coming. Hide, my little ponies if you wish. Run if it makes you comfortable, but you cannot escape.  



Cerberus is standing outside the gate, eyes deadlocked on whatever lies just beyond the two dark doors. One head is barking ferociously while the other two growl. The cave, which is normally dark with a few torches here and there to light the way in and out, is now a shimmering blue color and the gates themselves are constantly letting out beams of orange lightning when slowly, they open. Screams and yells of anguish fill the air as the gates of Tartarus open all the way. A large wall of blue flame bellowing out from them. A frighteningly large shadow appears behind the wall of blue flames and Cerberus, suddenly playful, runs to the shadow with delight, all three heads now barking excitedly. Then, flames die down and the gates close. A grey unicorn stallion stands at the now closed gates. His hooves, mane, and tail all protruding the blue flame, his orange eyes look to the giant three-headed dog and then he smiles. Cerberus is now wagging his tail in excitement and playfully jumps down on his fore-paws.
"Cerberus!" he yells with excitement. "Oh buddy it has been too long! What's it been? Forever?" He laughs at the thought of it. "Ah yes, time does seem to become meaningless there. Someone has been a good boy hasn't he? Keeping all those dangerous monsters away?" Cerberus licks his friend in acknowledgement. "Oh! Oh! How about a game of chase?" he smiles and rears back and stamps the ground. It cracks underneath his hooves. His smile quickly turned to a frown when he looked at the  cracks underneath his fiery hooves. "It seems my burdens have not quite left me, have they?" He looks at his cutie mark, a rondache with a single red and yellow flame in the middle, then he turns back to Cerberus, "Come here you!" Cerberus runs to the stallion who then rubs him behind all six of his ears before Cerberus then lays on his back to let the stallion rub his belly. "Who's a good boy?" The two were enjoying themselves, but the stallion forgot about his hooves, and left them on Cerberus for too long, causing his fur to catch fire. Cerberus began running in circles trying to extinguish the flame, but to no avail. The stallion uses his magic to carry water from a small nearby pool to put out the flames. "Sorry! So sorry!" Cerberus whined but was otherwise okay, and ready to play again after he licked the now bald spot on his stomach.
"I need to find the princess. Perhaps she can- No she can remove this dreadful curse, but I can only hope that she will. Cerberus, will you lend me your memories?" Cerberus knelt down and the stallion touched his horn to the dog's middle head. Moments later, they both raise their heads. "Thank you, friend. It turns out I was right to see your memories. You have come into contact with someone who personally knows the princess. If all else fails, I shall return soon" His horn began glowing a bright orange, then with a flash of light he was gone. Cerberus then walked to the edge of the cave and laid down with one head to the gate, one head to the moon, and one head in the direction of the grey unicorn. Then they all laid down to rest. 
The mysterious unicorn arrives at the Everfree castle. He looks around and sees nopony, only trees and what's left of a crumbling castle, looking around for signs of life. Then he opens the front door, barely on its hinges, and when it opens he finds a bear laying in the middle of the room, asleep. It notices his presence and looks up. "So I guess she really isn't here anymore," he said to himself again." The bear stands and runs after him. "You'll regret this! Stop!" He yells to the bear band stamps his hoof and the ground shakes beneath him. The bear stops and runs the opposite direction. The unicorn frowns and leaves. 
He walks across the bridge and look around at the forest. "If that purple unicorn is around, she has to be close," he says to himself. On his way, he stops at a pond to get a drink. 
Suddenly, he winces at the pain in his head. He opens his eyes to see the fire on his body burning brighter. "No!" He shouted. "I must keep this under control." He starts beating at his head. Then he stamps down, ground cracking beneath his feet. "Physical exercise should help!" He began running. Faster and faster until he came across a mare, wincing at the light of his flames.
"What the heck is goin' on?" she shouts to him, though she cannot actually see him. He says nothing, only runs, his fire burning even brighter.
"The pond! I'll put myself out there!" he says confidently. He runs to the pond and jumps in, hoping for the best, waiting.