A/N: What's up guys? If you have been watching my blog, you might have seen this coming, so here's a little reward for your patience and feedback, a new teaser! This is actually a rough version of the prologue. The finished version will have much more detail. Like always, I highly urge you to leave a comment and tell me what you think and be sure to follow my blog. It'll be full of various little details surrounding what's going on with this fic.

Take care,
- Gr4ve

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“Spike,” Twilight Sparkle giggled at her assistant as he held the camera in front of her. “Put that thing away. You’re making me feel like Fluttershy.”

“Oh, what’s the big deal, Twilight?” the young dragon asked, the camera’s lens focused on her. Her dress was like the star-filled sky over Canterlot castle tonight. “This is your night. You know why the Princesses want to honor you tonight.”

“Because we defeated Discord and saved Equestria, I know,” Twilight answered. She sighed. “It’s just… weird to have the entire Gala dedicated in our honor. I mean, after what happened last time.”

“Ah, don’t be such a baby, Twilight,” Rainbow Dash said as she swooped in from above the two. “This is so awesome! We have the entire Grand Galloping Gala dedicated to us! You need to learn to live a little.”

“She’s right, darling,” Rarity said, walking up to the three. “You need to put that mess behind you. Princess Celestia already said she forgives us for that dreadful debacle. Now, let’s get back inside. The others are waiting for us and the Princesses are about to make their entrance.”

Twilight nodded her head. Perhaps Rarity was right. She was spending too much time wallowing after all that had transpired last year. While the Gala last year was certainly an… interesting series of events, Celestia was a kind and forgiving teacher. She said it herself that events like these bore her and she was half-expecting them to try and “spice things up” as she put it.

For some reason, Twilight never understood that. It was a formal event. Sure, it was boring, but why would she expect her and her friends to cause a ruckus of epic proportions and flat out ruin one of the most important social gatherings in all of Equestria? Well, maybe not ruin it like they did, but why would she expect it? It seemed weird of her to pull off a gambit like that.

Twilight sighed again as she entered the ballroom, hoping everypony had forgotten about what had happened last year. She and her friends had gotten a lot of good publicity since then, what with the defeat of Discord and all . But she had told her friends to be on their best behavior, despite being the guests of honor. Tonight, there would be no funny business. Nothing would go wrong tonight.

She found the rest of her friends mingling in the front of the crowd, classical music echoing around the giant room. Working her way through the crowd, she made it to her friends. She looked on either side of her and smiled. Spike was right. This was their night. Nothing would go wrong on their night.

Suddenly, the lights went dim and the music subsided. A light came to life, illuminating the balcony that overlooked the room.. The triumphant fanfare blared, announcing the arrival of Princess Celestia and her sister, Princess Luna, as they strode onto the balcony, overlooking their subjects. “Citizens of Equestria, our loyal subjects,” Celestia began, her voice echoing across the room, “we are gathered here to celebrate and honor six ponies who stood up against disharmony and chaos and upheld the beliefs of love, tolerance, and friendship.”

Luna stepped in, picking up after her sister.“These ponies alone represent honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, loyalty, and the magic of friendship.”

“Together, these six represent eternal harmony and it is tonight, that we honor them…”

Twilght blushed as the two princesses made their speech. It was far too flattering. But it was their night after all. She looked beside her and saw Spike, his ever-present camera in hand, taping the whole thing. She smiled. What could possibly go wrong?

Then, it all happened so fast. A strange canister was tossed. As soon as the canister hit the ground, gas erupted from it. Twilight felt her eyes water. Her vision was going blurry. She felt several figures push her aside. They looked almost martial-like in their red armor and strange weapons. Their movements were quick and precise, going up the stairs and to the balcony. One of them was shouting orders, informing them to secure only their targets.

Twilight barely had enough time to gallop up the stairs to see one of the creatures bash Celestia in the head. Twilight saw another one approach her, he bashed her with his weapon too.

In the midst of the chaos, Rarity and the others tried to make it up the stairs and to the balcony when another group of the creatures bashed through the stained glass windows, swinging into the ballroom on ropes. One of them threw another one of the strange canisters. This time it erupted in a ball of blinding light. Rarity’s weight gave way as she felt something sharp prick her coat. Her vision went blurry; her screams for help seemed muffled. She could barely see two of the creatures bring Rainbow Dash and Applejack down easy with quick military-like precision. Pinkie Pie was hit with some kind of stick with an electrical prod at the end and went down as well. Poor Fluttershy was surrounded by the scary creatures. She was hit with one of the electrical sticks. Her body went numb as it slammed against the ground, tears in her eyes.

Twilight came too and climbed over the balcony railing and looked on the chaos that was ensuing. Her friends quickly rendered helpless by these… monsters. Before she knew it, she felt another blow to her head before losing consciousness.

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A/N: So there you have it. If you've played Arkham City, you'll know that this is actually a tribute to the game's opening sequence. Please remember that this is not the final version of the prologue. The final version will be much longer and have more detail and story elements. Anyway, remember to leave a comment and tell me what you think and be sure to follow me on my blog. Thank you for your continued support.

Take care,
- Gr4ve