At the Castle of Friendship, Starswirl the Bearded came over for a visit. He wanted to borrow a new book for him to study and Twilight Sparkle was there to help, being the Princess of Friendship that she is. Twilight led Starswirl to the castle library where she helped him find a new book.
Starswirl the Bearded: Thank you, Princess Twilight Sparkle. I couldn't have found this book in this library without your help.
Twilight Sparkle: You're welcome, Starswirl. My friends and I are going to the Crystal Empire to attend Flurry Heart's birthday party.
Starswirl the Bearded: That's wonderful! How old is your niece going to be?
Twilight Sparkle: About three years old.
Starswirl the Bearded: That's nice. Now, I will be going to meet with the Pillars before I meet with Celestia and Luna tonight.
Twilight Sparkle: And then what are you going to do?
Starswirl the Bearded: I'll be going home to practice a few magic spells. I'm still getting used to this modern time period.
Twilight Sparkle: Well, it has been over a thousand years since you and the Pillars have been in limbo.
Starswirl the Bearded: Yes, I know. Well, I hope that you have a good time with your family, Twilight.
Twilight Sparkle: Thanks, Starswirl. Goodbye!
Starswirl the Bearded: Goodbye.
The unicorn wizard left the castle while using his magic to carry the brown book with Twilight's cutie mark on the cover. After Starswirl the Bearded returned home, Twilight went to see her friends, who were all excited to celebrate Flurry Heart's birthday at the Crystal Empire.
Pinkie Pie: Ooh, this is so exciting! We're going to celebrate at Flurry Heart's birthday party!
Twilight Sparkle: I know, Pinkie. I can't wait to see my big brother and my sister-in-law.
Rarity: And I can't wait to show Flurry Heart this dress I made for her.
Applejack: Now hold on there, Rarity. I just made this apple sauce for Flurry Heart.
Twilight Sparkle: Alright, girls. These are very nice gifts. But I'm sure that my niece will appreciate them sooner. Spike, could you send a letter to Princess Cadence and let her know that we're on our way to the Crystal Empire?
Spike: Sure thing, Twilight.
Somewhere in Trottingham, a young unicorn stallion wearing a dark red cloak was standing on a hill when he used his magic to remove his hood to reveal himself. The stallion's name was Courageous Heart. His fur coat was brown, his mane and tail were dark brown and he had amber eyes. Beneath his cloak, his cutie mark was a red heart with angel wings and a yellow star for a halo. Courageous Heart was ready to leave his home of Trottingham and head over to Ponyville to find the Princess of Friendship so that she can be his mentor. He suddenly heard the voice of his unicorn friend, Midnight Shade, a fellow citizen in the village of Trottingham.
Midnight Shade: Courageous Heart. Is that you?
Courageous Heart: Oh, hi Midnight Shade. What are you doing here?
Midnight Shade: I've come to see how you were doing.
Courageous Heart: I'm doing just fine, Midnight. I was bored, so I decided to get some fresh air.
Midnight Shade: Is that so? Well, Courageous. I'm curious to know why you wear that cloak so much.
Courageous Heart: *sigh* I wear this cloak so that no pony would know my secret.
Midnight Shade: What secret?
Courageous Heart: I cannot tell you or even show you what it is, Midnight Shade.
Midnight Shade: Why not?
Courageous Heart: Because I am no ordinary unicorn. I'm just a different kind of pony.
Midnight Shade: Well, what are you then?
Courageous Heart: I'm sorry. But I can't tell you. I'm just...different.
Midnight Shade: Well, whatever you are, I'm certain that the Princess of Friendship will help you when you meet her in Ponyville.
Courageous Heart: I have already told my parents that I'm leaving and I will surely go to Ponyville to meet the Princess of Friendship. Take care while I'm gone. Okay, Midnight?
Midnight Shade: Okay, I will. Good luck, my friend.
Meanwhile, at the Crystal Empire, Twilight and her friends have just arrived to celebrate her niece's birthday. When it was time for Flurry Heart to blow out the candle from the birthday cake that Pinkie Pie made for her, every pony in the crystal throne room sang Happy Birthday to the Crystal Princess.
All: (singing) Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you~! Happy Birthday dear Flurry Heart. Happy Birthday to you!
Princess Cadence: Go on, Flurry. Blow out your candle. Make a wish.
Flurry Heart took a deep breath as she spread out her wings before she blew out her birthday candle. Twilight and her friends cheered. Pinkie Pie threw confetti in the air, Applejack waved her cowgirl hat and Twilight praced with joy. Princess Cadence hugged her 3-year-old daughter and tears of joy ran down from Shining Armor's bright blue eyes. Cadence and Shining were happy for their daughter and Twilight was happy to attend her niece's birthday.
Shining Armor: Our little Flurry Heart is growing up.
Twilight Sparkle: She sure is, my BBBFF. My friends and I just got a few presents for Flurry Heart. Can she open them?
Princess Cadence: Sure she can. So Twilight, have you got to meet that new stallion yet?
Twilight Sparkle: *blush* You mean Flash Sentry? Well, no. I don't think we've seen him yet.
Princess Cadence: Twilight? We have big news.
Twilight Sparkle: Huh? What is it?
Princess Cadence: We're having a baby!
Twilight Sparkle: *GASP!* You mean...Flurry Heart's gonna have a baby brother or sister?!??!
Shining Armor: That's right, Twily. It will only take nine months for us to wait until the baby comes.
Pinkie Pie: Well, congratulations! Flurry Heart's gonna be the big sister of the year.
Applejack: Yes, Pinkie. Let us toast to the new prince or princess.
Meanwhile, in Tambelon, Emperor Grogar and Bray Locksmith were at the balcony, looking down at the city of Tambelon. Grogar noticed how the place hasn't aged well. The City was in ruin and it was long since forgotten by many. However, there will still creatures who lived in Tambelon before they were buried beneath the catacombs after they've died.
Emperor Grogar: Things have changed since a thousand years have passed. Now, I must begin my quest before I can conquer the land of Equestria. But first, I must acquire a general for my army of the undead before I recruit more allies to form a dark alliance. Bray! Let us go to the Well Of Souls and resurrect someone who can lead my army.
Later that day, the demonic ram led his henchman to a dark room where there was a pit filled with evil green ooze and green evil smoke. It was the Well Of Souls.
Emperor Grogar: Behold! The Well Of Souls. Tell me, Bray. Do you know someone who has died recently before you got here?
Bray Locksmith: Well, I did hear of a creature who called himself, The Storm King, before he got turned to stone and then he got shattered to pieces.
Emperor Grogar: The Storm King, hmm? Well, perhaps he can be the one who can lead my army of the undead.
Bray Locksmith: But how will we be able to resurrect him, Master?
Emperor Grogar: I am the Master Of Necromancy. Which means that I have the power to resurrect the dead.
Grogar looked at the Well Of Souls and focused his dark magic onto it before he used his Necromancy to bring The Storm King back to life. The green water from the well splashed all over the chamber and gusts of green smoke filled the air until Grogar lifted The Storm King's body from the well itself. Air flowed into his mouth and nostrils, filling The Storm King's lungs with oxygen until his heart started beating and his body slowly began to move.
Emperor Grogar: Rise, my general of the undead. Rise!
The Storm King: Ughhh...What happened? Huh? Who are you?! Where am I? What is this place?!?
Emperor Grogar: You are in the chamber of the Well Of Souls at the City of Tambelon. I am Grogar and this is my servant, Bray. You must be The Storm King.
The Storm King: What just happened to me? Did I...died???
Emperor Grogar: You've been turned to stone. Shattered to a million pieces. But fear not, for I have brought you back from the dead. Now you shall serve me as my General of the Undead.
The Storm King: What's in it for me?
Emperor Grogar: Satisfaction. I'm gathering an army to conquer Equestria and succeed where you came the closest.
The Storm King: And if I work for you, what will I get in return?
Emperor Grogar: Revenge, power, respect, money, and all the glory in the world!...And the best of your reward will be...that you'll get to unleash as many storms as you wish. Join me, become my General of the Undead and you will be rewarded.
The Storm King: Then, I shall do your bidding. Look out world! The Storm King has offically returned!
Emperor Grogar: That's the spirit! Come with me, boys. We are going to recruit more allies if we are going to form a Dark Alliance.
Bray Locksmith: But where can we find more allies, Master?
Emperor Grogar: We are going to Tartarus! I know an old friend of mine who can help us start a war on the land of Equestria.
Bray Locksmith: Wait...Tartarus?!? Isn't that the place where Cerberus guards its evil prisoners?
Emperor Grogar: Yes, Bray. Now come with me! It's only a matter of time before we begin our plan of attack.