Prologue: Queen Malice

The air was so thick with rot and smog that Starshower could hardly breathe. None of that mattered now because it would all be over soon. All her friends were part of the witch's collection and she would join them soon.

A tear fell from her eye and she couldn't even wipe it because of her chains. They were so tight that her neck and legs were dug raw. If only she was a unicorn or Pegasus pony. She could have been helpful to her friends in fighting against her forces. Starshower was only an earth pony though.

The sound of keys made her heart race. Her time was up. She had to be brave. She would not give that evil woman the satisfaction of seeing her fear. That was easier said than done.

Those unnatural red eyes of her shadow minions crept through the darkness. The air was chilly whenever they were near. She felt her chains pull and she followed. She was led through a winding castle until they entered a throne room. Old pictures of kings and queens of long ago hung on the wall. Candles lit the room just enough to make out silhouettes.

When her eyes adjusted she saw her. There she was sitting on a throne of stone, the vile woman who created this never ending darkness. She was wearing a crimson dress that almost resembled flowing blood. Her pale skin shined in the dark room and contrasted with her dark purple hair. She had black streaks that ran through her purple hair.

"I'm glad you could make it, my precious little pony. I'm sorry I couldn't meet with you sooner. I was busy."

Her voice did not match her evil heart. It was seductive and smooth, almost inviting.

"I'm going to ask you a few questions and I want this to go well, so please answer truthfully."

She stood up and walked down the steps. She came into the light and her face was beautiful. A haunted beauty.

"Tell me dear, do you know any human girls?"

Starshower had never met a human. She only knew her pony friends. She shook her head no.

"Do you have any knowledge of a rainbow with magic powers?"

Starshower looked away. "I don't."

The woman became angry.

"Don't lie to me!"

"I'm not lying! I know nothing about a rainbow!"

The woman slapped her face.

"You little wretch! You're not worth my time."

The room filled with a breeze that came from nowhere. The wind blew out the candles and Starshower was in complete darkness again. She tried to break free from her chains in a panic. An evil presence filled her heart and drained her hope. A shadow came from the woman's chest and encircled Starshower.

"Noooo!"

When the shadow cleared Starshower was a statue.

The woman laughed.

"Pathetic. Put her with the others."

She walked to her court garden in the center of the castle.

"I must find that human girl and destroy that rainbow! Only then can I live to rule this land forever."

She walked past the courtyard of pony statues. All of them ponies she had turned to stone. She knelt down by the pond. She took a dagger from her belt and slit her palm. She calmly let three drops fall into the pond.

"Three drops of blood I pay for these waters to show the way. Tell me what you see?"

Mist rose from the pond and gave her a vision.

"I see ponies playing together. A human girl is with them! These must be the ones. My goal of eternal life is close. Where will I find them? Hmmm, past the black mountains and shivering waters? That is a long journey. I'll make them come to me. HAHAHAHAHAHA!"