Dark Overlord Tenebrous' Eternal Eclipse took a harsh toll upon the land and people of Equestria. A year after his defeat, Celestia's ponies take a moment every day at sunset to honor the fallen and unify in the face of the night.

Applejack in particular is deeply wounded by this event, and, together with her young colt, mourns the loss of the pony she had loved most.

The most loyal pony she had ever known.

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I was in the midst of writers block for Fate's Plaything, and I listened to a certain song, I was inspired to write this, because part of me, as a military member, worries that something similar could happen to my own fiance. This is a one off that might possibly develop into a separate story addressing the events within it.

The lyrics of Applejack's song are a modified version of Hayley Westenra's Sonney.

I own nothing of this fic. All rights to Hasbro, the Hub, and Hayley Westenra for the song.

If you were offered another chance, would you take it? I mean, for anything. Turned down a date because you already had plans? Skipped out on dessert that one time becuase of your diet?

How about if you died, defending all you hold dear.

...except, it wasn't your turn to die?

And if you accepted, would you live with the strings attatched? Would you accept the consequences? Would you pay the toll?

And, should you face again the choice to give it all for a friend in need, would you make the same choice again, or take your second chance, as your friend pays the toll?

This, my friends, is my story of my second chance. This is my time as Fate's Plaything.

Authors note:

I know this is a HiE, but hear me out. This is my own spin on it, and hopefully, I can write something that hasn't been done before. No human-pony clop included. Also, I'm my own editor, so if you see any issues with the grammar, spelling, etc., let me know.

Cover art used with express permission of Deviantart user Aisoftplayer1234.

Celestia and Luna have ruled for a LONG time. They were even around during the Age of Discord. But few if any exist who know of the Pre-Discordian times, when the world was ruled, and balanced, by the Three. The most powerful beings to have ever lived.

The three who created the world, and gave it life, magic, and a seemingly everlasting cycle. But one one of the three noticed the daily trials and tribulations of the common pony, and tried to use their power to heal the wounds and right the wrongs, throwing the world into unbalance. A millennium long war followed, leaving the world in devastation and struggling to heal, and the Three gone. In their place was Discord, and two very young alicorns who would one day rule the land that would come to be known as Equestria.

Many centuries would pass since the first defeat of Discord and the banishment of Nightmare Moon. A year has passed since the renewal of Princess Luna by the Elements of Harmony. And a mere month has passed since the Changeling invasion. Luna and Celestia, separated for so long by jealousy, anger, and bitter feelings, once again unite and celebrate the first True Equinox.

But even as the world is celebrating a harmonious reunion, an ancient and forgotten evil, long hidden, festers within the heart of Equestria. One that even the Eternal Sisters AND the Elements of Harmony may not be able to defeat, and WILL leave Equestria changed, for good or ill, forever.

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This is my first ever Fanfic.

Rated teen for dark themes, possible grimdark chapters, sexual innuendos, and other thing I've yet to come up with. Definitely a work in progress. I've had this idea for a while and it has undergone a couple of revisions in my head. I haven't planned any of this, and all of this is being written on Notepad, so any spelling/grammatical errors are accidental on my part.

Here's hoping I do well. Please enjoy, comment, and critique.

Coverart will be added when I deem appropriate.