Cracked

Prologue

(Art is not mine)

A hooded figure trotted to the top of a cliff, green and yellow eyes glowing dimly in the full moonlight. A light red tufted dragon tail brushed the stony ground, the frequent click of scales on stone.

The figure let out a soft sigh, staring at the tall pony that looked upon the stars. She had a white coat with flowing pink, light blue, light green, and sky blue mane. It almost looked like colorful stars being blown by the wind. However, there was no wind that night. The mare closed her pink eyes and whispered softly, but so the figure behind her could hear.

"Is she ready?" The white mare whispered.

The figure didn't speak; they just nodded, slowly walking to the mare's side. They were both about the same height, but the hooded figure had a wispy, but sleek beard flowing out of his hood. It reminded the mare of her old friend, Discord. The figure's horns glowed with a neon green aura and it lifted their hood off.

"Tell Luna to meet them at the Northern Caves." The figure's rasping voice was heard.

"I will. Your apprentice will be there, right? Luna has a special gift for her." The mare asked the elder.

"She will, she will. I am not bragging, but I must say, she has improved in magic very well. The little troublemaker is leading a patrol by the Northern Caves tomorrow. You may send your apprentice to meet her." The elder chuckled.

"We could make it seem like they met on accident. Like this talk never happened." The mare calmly laughed, but not a giggle.

"We could let them go on their own way, yes." The elder agreed, raising a claw to stroke his beard.

"Then it is agreed. Our apprentices will meet at the Northern Caves. Ditzy is ready?" The mare said.

"Ditzy is ready. She's right here, actually." The elder chuckled, his horns once again glowing green. A grey mare with a blonde mane and Amber eyes shimmered into existence right beside the tall white mare.

"Oh, greetings Ditzy." The tall mare smiled, setting a wing lightly on the pegasus' head.

"Hi, Princess Celestia!" Ditzy smiled, waving her hoof.

"You know the plan?" The elder asked.

"Yup! Watch the apprentices, see how it's going, and frequently report back to you." Ditzy saluted, making her eyes go all spinny-crazy.

"Oh, Ditzy. You are one silly mare." Celestia laughed.

"We will contact with this." The elder said, holding up a red gem amulet. "I have cast a communication spell on it. Tap it and whisper 'Equestria,' and then we can see out of your gem. When you want to tell us what's going on after the events, drop it in water while holding onto the rope."

"Clever!" Ditzy commented, once again saluting for no reason. Celestia chuckled, staring at mare amusingly.

When the princess turned to the elder, he gave her a smiling nod, and he shimmered into mist.

The pegasus took off into the sky, and Celestia soon found herself alone, staring into the stars once again.