Equestria has changed since The Darkest of Days. Since Celestia's Fall.

Dark forces, once held in check, are left to roam free, for those who stood against them are no more. All that remains are Twilight and her friends. But to stop this ancient threat, they must answer the oldest of questions.

What are the Elements of Harmony really? And what do they want with us?

Takes inspiration from and making reference to: Its a Dangerous Business, Going Out Your Door, by Jetfire, (Jetfire has given me permission to use material from DB), this is the tale of Equestria's near future, with Tolkein high fantasy, Eldritch Evils, and even elements of science fiction included.

Still (mostly) show canon. Until the attack on Celestia in the near future leads everyone in a direction they never saw coming.

Note: Currently not compatible with Besides the Will of Evil, Jetfire's official sequel to Dangerous Business.

I would also like to give a big shout out to my editor, 3theCaptain, who made this all possible. Thanks a million Captain. =) 3theCaptain

Non stylized summary:
Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Shining Armor are all wiped out in a single, massive attack. Over the next few years, three of those four have found a way to contact the world again, only to discover a religion has sprung up around the way they died.
The main story takes place many years after the attack. The young ponies of the show (ie pound cake and pumpkin cake) are just reaching adulthood. Twilight has had to rule alone, and war has broken out as those who would have never dared to attack Celestia and Luna, smell weakness.
The mane six are fractured, the weapon that struck the capitol has left vast areas of the world uninhabitable, and the Elements of Harmony are attempting to communicate with the world, warning everyone that the most ancient threat the world has ever faced has returned. A threat so old, the Elements of Harmony were originally built to fight it.