Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted

Octavia, a young cello player during one of Equestria's most artistic eras, is confronted by a strange hooded woman. After this, her world is turned upside down as she learns that Equestria is under a secret war between the Templar Order and their quest for Absolute Equality and the Assassin Brotherhood who fight for Freedom. Both want answers from her about her suspicious past. Octavia must brace herself for what could come from these bold organizations and these mysterious "Bearers of Harmony" she keeps hearing of.

Coverart goes to Rameslack

This story is a sequel to Harmony's Creed

"Nothing is True. Everything is Permitted."

"Chaos is Eternal"

I am A. K. Yearling. Some of you may know me as Daring Do. I am a Daughter of Chaos. I work in a secret organization that is bent on causing Chaos and Change. I was recruited by an ancient Assassin named Vinyl Scratch, who has been granted long life by our leader: Discord, the Lord of Chaos. Now I must fight alongside them, but I am not sure if I should. These aren't the noble Assassins of old.

In this unending war between the Assassins and the Templar, technology has advanced through the ages. The Brotherhood no longer uses cloak and dagger, but hacking devices. The Templar no longer pose as a crusading army, but as large corporate companies instead. It's always changing, but the goal is always the same. Everyone wants to rule the world.

Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.

This is our Creed. We are Assassins. Our cause: To rid the world of both Chaos and Absolute Order. To establish Harmony in lands that possess none. We were formed 200 years ago, when the mighty Starswirl The Bearded created the Elements of Harmony. These Elements have been passed down through the generations, picking their own Bearers. This generation, the Elements picked six strange girls to Bear them. A farmer, a street performer, a baker, a scholar, a tailor, and an animal caretaker.
With these girls at the helm of the Brotherhood, we hope to end the Templar's activities in Equestria. Though that may bring the entire government to its knees.

I am Den Master Octavia Melody, and I write this so that the future generations may remember our endeavors.

Coverart goes to Rameslack

Featured 12/29/15

(Slight SPOILS in the comments)

King Sombra came from an old age, a time where darkness and evil were prevalent across the land. The Princesse's power and influence were weaker in those days, for the land of Equestria was divided amongst many kingdoms of lesser Princesses and Princes. But out of all their ruling neighbors, The Four Shepherds held the most power of all, even threatening Celestia and Luna's kingdom. However, all of that changed when they vanished for a thousand years, ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity. Until that is, when the Crystal Kingdom reappeared, along with one of the Shepherds. King Sombra, however, was thankfully vanquished swiftly, but the following peace of his defeat would not last as long as anypony might think. A new force sets its eyes on the recently coronated Princess Twilight Sparkle, one that seeks to restore a lost heritage and remind the land of who is the true owner of the night. For when one evil is smitten, another appears in its place. And King Sombra was only the first in line.

Set before Season 4

Note: Dark tag is meant for Light Dark

Special thanks to my editor Ladrian for his diligent and superb work. I wish I had him when I first started this story because maybe then the early chapters would have been much better.

Special thanks to Stanku for revisions and prereading this story. It would be at a much worse state had it not been for his detailed opinions to each and every chapter, and letting me know where I can improve.

10/2/2014 : Woah... it's on the featured list... *cue squealing and fist pumping* THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Twilight Sparkle is invited to a party that Pinkie Pie is throwing. In fact, everyone is! It's a huge blowout and everyone in Equestria is invited. Twilight is dancing and smiling, greeting all her favorite foals, having one of the best nights of her life, but an unexpected cataclysmic disaster befalls the ponies. Spike, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie are nowhere to be found. In her quest for the truth and unearthing the mystery of the big Showroom Catastrophe, Twilight comes to realize that she can trust no one. She comes to realize that horrible things can happen to anyone at any time and it doesn't matter if you take all the right precautions, it doesn't matter if you are diligent about knowing the facts, it doesn't matter if you're careful, it doesn't matter if you're powerful. This world will take from you without mercy and will destroy everything. It doesn't matter if you meticulously protect yourself and everyone around you. You can never be immune to chance, you can't control what happens outside of yourself no matter how hard you try. All her life, she's fought for control. She has been obsessed with directing her entire existence, but she knows now that all of it was for nothing. Her whole identity thrown recklessly into a shredder and decimated before her very eyes. All she wants is control.

All she wants is control. But... she can't control what happens. She can't control other ponies, and she can't control the horrific consequences of other ponies' actions in her life. She can only control herself. She can only control herself.

"Wait, so you're telling me that you 'accidentally' burned down Canterlot Castle and need to stay with me until it's fixed?"
"Let's just say that Cadance kicked us out before we even showed up."

Celestia "accidentally" burns down Canterlot Castle, forcing her and Luna to stay in Twilight's castle until it's rebuilt. Let's just say that Cadance said "No"

Best shitpost story ever

Featured 1/1/15.

Revived after like 6 years lol.

The surface isn't safe anymore.

In the ruined depths of Canterlot, a team of brave salvagers discover six mares, long forgotten but miraculously preserved. Though these mares cannot remember what happened to their world, they possess powerful magic that hasn't been seen for centuries.

Now the Elements of Harmony are thrust headlong into a world beyond recognition. Twilight and her friends must dive into the sunken remains of history to determine what happened, but Equestria isn't the harmonious land it once was. Before they can focus wholly on the past, they may first have to survive the present.

It isn't going to be easy.

Audiobook by Skijarama!
Original Soundtrack by Noc!

Special thanks to Doccular42 for the original concept, and M1ntf4n for editing!

Join the Empty Horizons Discord!

Big thanks to dA artist fantazyme and reader jeffh4 for making this fantastic rendition of Rarity at Mr. Rich's party!

On the fence of whether to read? Check out the Rage Review or hear PaulAsaran's thoughts!

Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle, one a student of Celestia, the other just getting started, are yanked from their homes by a mysterious magical mirror. Now trapped on Earth, their lives forever altered, they do their best to cope. To learn. To join Starfleet, and, someday, to return to the home they lost.

Returned from hiatus, albeit with a less regular posting schedule.
Preread and editing work performed by Blue Horizon, Vic Fontaine, and witegrlninja. Thank you all very much.

Featured as of April 5th, 2021! Thanks all.

Featured on Equestria Daily as of August 7th, 2021! Thank you again so much!

Season 2 Cast List.

The world is dark. But the sun still rises.

The world is quiet. But the moon’s tides pull on.

The world is cold. But there is still warmth in Ponyville.

Placed fourth in the /PJ2023/ competition!

Twilight was always fated to be the savior of Equestria, along with her friends. But fate can be so easily altered. What happens in one alternate realm when instead of marrying a unicorn, Twilight's mother had instead married an earth pony, resulting in her daughter being hornless? Without her magic, Twilight's future and destiny are far less certain, as is the destiny of all of Equestria.

However, destiny is not so easily set off course. When the princess of the night returns, can one little earth pony hope to be the one to help her damaged heart?

Now with a TV tropes page! Thanks to redandready45.