Not a single creature noticed the imaginary zone created in the middle of the Everfree Forest. Maybe because it was meant to be undetectable, and for the most part, it was, except to those privileged enough to know about it. And to every pony that ended up close to it, they noticed absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. Not even Celestia or Luna themselves could detect the zone.
Inside the imaginary zone was a dark clearing. No stars were bright enough to penetrate the field of magic that surrounded the zone, and even the moon's light was blocked, making it nearly pitch black inside the field. The only light was that of a fire that burned in the very center of the clearing, surrounded by 8 hooded figures. The light from the fire danced gracefully around the clearing, casting a shadow for each 4-legged figure out towards the edge of the clearing. The figures stood there, quietly watching the fire while they waited.
In the sky above, a midnight purple and blue cloud swooped around, eventually landing in a gap between 2 of the figures. Each figure bowed towards the sentient smoke as it formed into a more solid shape. The smoke condensed into a tall, sleek pony. On both of its sides grew large wings. A mane and tail of black smoke formed on her head and flanks, both were long and elegant, flowing off the side even though no wind blew. A large, sharp horn shot out of the top of the large pony's head. When its eyes opened, they gave off a dark purple glow, as if it were overflowing with magic. The hooded ponies remained bowed as the dark Alicorn looked at its surroundings.
The Alicorn looked over each figure, stopping on one, a slightly humorous smile spread across the Alicorn's muzzle. "I see you had to send a changeling in your stead, my dear Queen Chrysalis. How goes your recovery?" The Alicorn's voice, smooth and feminine, a slightly sinister tone to it, held genuine concern towards the Queen as she spoke and heard through the changeling.
The changeling reached up to push back its dark, oversized hood; its sleeves falling slightly to reveal a black, hole-filled limb. As its hood fell back, it stood and looked up at the Alicorn, a black face was revealed in the firelight. The reveal showed a creature whose green mane and small horn were riddled with holes. The eyes glow a low, ominous, green as it looked up to the Alicorn and spoke, its voice sounded like many voices speaking in unison. "Thank you for your concern, my dear friend. I assure you that I shall be fully recovered soon enough. I apologize that I could not present myself in person, but I am currently tending to my weakened forces. It shouldn't take us more than a month to regroup and regain our full strength again." Queen Chrysalis' words coming through the changeling gave a sense of disconnect to the other members of the group.
The dark Alicorn chuckled quietly. "That is good to hear. I hope you do not run into any complications." The changeling nodded as the smoky figure dismissed it and its queen turning its head slightly to address another figure. "And how goes out chemical and biological weapons, Xira?"
Another hooded shadow lifted a leg and removed its hood as it stood. The zebra watched the fire, not looking at the Alicorn out of sheer respect and fear. Her mane was a short Mohawk, mostly black with a few white streaks running along it in jagged lines. Her eyes were a deep red, and when she spoke, it was with a deep, melodic voice. "My goddess, it goes very good; my time limit was well understood." Her words rhymed with ease as she gave her status update.
With a nod, the Alicorn looked over the other 6 figures. With the fire illuminating them slightly, it was easy to make out that there were 2 unicorns, 2 pegasi, and 2 earth ponies. The Alicorn smiled slightly, seeing that her plans were slowly, but steadily, coming to fruition. With a raise of her smoky wings and head, she announced to the group, "We shall meet here again in a month's time! Until then, continue my work!" The Alicorn's figure reshaped back into its smoky cloud and then rose into the dark sky, disappearing from sight.
As the smoke flew off, the group chanted in unison:
"LONG LIVE NIGHTMARE MOON! LONG LIVE THE GODDESS OF DARKNESS!"