Darkness swirled over Equestria, the sun had not risen for some time. In Canterlot Celestia and Luna were trying to figure out who could have taken control of the moon and was preventing the sun from rising while Ponyville and other towns had their own problems. Without the sun crops were dying off and many were starting to hoard food, but the worse part were the rumors. Some had proven to be frighteningly true, undead ponies staggering around, attacking normal pony folk but the most mysterious rumor was of a black alicorn with purple markings who seemed to be controlling the undead. Twilight and her friends were doing their best to keep Ponyville safe, but it was hard to prevent the undead from getting in from the forest, but they were able to funnel them to a choke point to make them easier to kill. Zecora was not in her hut as it was unsafe but rather was located with Nyota in his cart, which was enchanted with protection magic. It kept the undead out as the two worked to make a cure. Chrysalis delievered what she could, it being safer for her as her exoskeleton kept her safe from being bitten. Cresent Dawn, Ponyvilles protector was busy, his blade slicing and dicing where ever they could but he was only one vampony. Deep in the Everfree Forest, in a old, long forgotten and abandoned town hidden from prying eyes Dark Vortex sat upon a stone throne and cast his eyes around at the throngs of undead milling about. He stood and made his way to the intact house he used as a residence, closing the door and sealing it with a powerful rune behind him "At least they cant attack me. and now with the power and Spirit of Nightmare Moon at my disposal I can finally take over this entire place and bring back my mistress." Runes of silence bloomed on the walls, drowing out the sounds of the horde outside. Vortex opened a window and looked out "SCATTER YOU LOT! BEGIN THE ADVANCE ON CANTERLOT!" the hordes turned to look at him and then turned, making their way toward the city of Canterlot slowly. Vortex smirked and a masculine version of Nightmare Moons armor appeared on him, a large battle scythe of obsidian appearing and hovering near him. He picked it up with his magic and swirled it around his head "lets see them try to stop me. Im more powerful then any of them. With those stupid elements being kept busy by my hordes and the idiot traitor and her sister preoccupied this will be a breeze." Vortex set the scythe down and went to his bedroom, taking the time to lay down and get a bit of rest. Upon awakening he grabbed his scythe and walked outside, using a rune to transport himself to the front of the horde, raising the eyebrow of his flaming eye "Haven't gotten as far as I would have liked but  isuppose that is natural." A undead moved close and snapped at him a little, turning into a pile of ash as the scythe came down and sliced through it "you WILL NOT attack me." the others gave him a wide berth, but stayed close by, runes on their necks glowing a little bit as they moved around. Vortex made his way toward Canterlot and paused on the outskirts of the city, looking into it "excellent. They do not suspect a thing." the horde moved toward the city but halted right outside of it. Vortex stepped forward and pressed a hoof against a barrier, made to keep the undead out. He smirked a little and his horn flared into life, runes forming on the barrier and starting to crack and break it. The undead threw themselves at the runes, making the cracks grow larger and larger until the dome shattered, letting the horde of undead and their master in. Vortex stepped into the gardens of Canterlot and took a deep breath "this is the begining of a new year, a good year. A year of Darkness and Moonlight all over the land and ruled by ME. At least until my Mistress is reborn and takes her place as ruler." the undead chased after any ponies who were outside, making them scream and run in terror while Vortex made his way to the castle itself to challenge those inside. The enchantment on the doors was easily shattered with a black magic rune, the doors bursting inward and Vortex strode inside "Where are those who deem themselves Princess? I will put them in their place, under the hoof of Darkness!"