Princess; I know that you told me you no longer wished to receive letters from me, but I feel this matter is of great importance. A few hours ago I was working with Spike on a bone restoration spell we found in the 'Starswirll the Bearded' section of the Canterlot library. I studied it for weeks and I was sure I could cast it. However when I attempted it I couldn't even get a spark of magic out of my horn. I tried it again and again but it wouldn't work. I thought maybe I needed a potion to restore my magic but I couldn't even pick it up with my telekinesis. I had Spike bring me the potion, after drinking it I still had the same problem. A few minutes later I was visited by Rarity who was having the same dilemma over at Carousel Boutique. I asked a few more Unicorns around town about their magic but no pony could perform even the most basic spells.

I was hoping you could do me a favor. As you may know we lost a shipment of 'Mountain Berries' the other day during transit to Manehatten. That pony was responsible, again. I have been trying to ring the 'Griffon Express' all morning to organize another shipment to be brought to Equestria, but I couldn't get our phones to work. Seems all the phones are down in Ponyville at the moment, must be reworking the lines or something. So to fix the problem I was hoping you could take an order form for more 'Mountain Berries' when you take on the apple delivery to the Griffon Kingdom this afternoon.

I would have Miss Whooves do it but she is busy cleaning up the house she hit with our shipment.

--------------------------2 Days Before The First Encounter--------------------------

I apologize for the late response, I had to rely on other means of letter delivery. On that note the courier has been paid already, although I'm sure he would deeply appreciate a drink. As you may have predicted, I am suffering from the same symptoms you described in your last letter. My magic has disappeared, I can feel the magical energy in my horn but I can not harness it. Before your letter arrived I requested Princess Luna to maintain the sun's motions, she could not as she was having the same dilemma. The most disturbing part was that the sun and moon began orbiting the planet by themselves. It does not make any sense, the moon and the sun never orbited like other stars. Luna and I always moved them, even before we descended from the heavens.

To Princess Celestia,

Please find enclosed a report on a major error on our weather schedule. You'll find it's contents are quite troubling, otherwise we wouldn't have contacted you. We have begun work to fix the problem we have encountered, we still felt it was necessary to inform you as the effects will be felt nation wide.

From the Desk of Laurette, Manager of the Cloudsdale weather factory.

Failed Weather report
Pegasus: Dust Devil
Area: Manehatten
Problem: Unable to effect weather
Reason: Cannot interact with clouds

Failed Weather report
Pegasus: StarBurst
Area: Fillydelphia
Problem: Unable to effect weather
Reason: Cannot interact with clouds

Failed Weather report
Pegasus: Lightning Dust
Area: Canterlot
Problem: Unable to effect weather
Reason: Cannot interact with clouds

Failed Weather report
Pegasus: Rainbow Dash
Area: Ponyville
Problem: Unable to effect weather
Reason: Cannot interact with clouds

-----
To all of my Great and Adoring fans,

The Great and powerful Trixie will not be performing tonight due to unforeseen circumstances. Refunds will be given.

--------------------------1 Day Before The First Encounter--------------------------

What in Celestia's mane are you doing over there?! The weather you brought to Baltimare does not match the schedule you sent us last week. The annual Baltimare yacht contest is an absolute disaster! What part of 'clear skies' made you think 'bring a MONSOON to Baltimare!!'

Just so you know we are not happy with your efforts and we will be filling official complaints. Compensation will be necessary.

-----

Attention Citizens of Las Pegasus

We ask you not to panic in these times of uncertainty. Even though we have lost control of the weather it is no cause to panic.

We ask you not to listen to the rumors of ponies going missing out in the desert; as they are completely false.

On and unrelated topic we ask you not venture out into the desert for the next few days; as an investigation is underway.

This is a message from the Las Pegasus City Council

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Princess, my citizens are in a state of utter panic and have taken to the streets rioting and screaming about the end of the world. The top secret information about the loss of control of both weather and time seems to have been leaked to the Manehatten Commoners. I have tried all sorts of tactics to reduce the panic, but I feel the only thing that will settle them is a calming speech from the ruler of Equestria. I feel other cities would benefit from this speech also. I beg you to not sweep this problem under the rug.

-----

This is a message to all personal

The factory will be closing early today for all sections due to the oversupply of rain, snow, clouds, and all other materials. All floor and delivery employees will be sent home at 12:30 while management staff will stay until 2:30. Due to a loss of productivity workers will not be back paid for this leave. Do not consult your Union representative if you have problems as management cannot organize a new agreement in this crisis.

Also Dust Devil is making a fine recovery in the Manehatten base hospital after the freak lightning accident last night. Use this as a reminder to handle your lightning with care.

From the Desk of Laurette, Manager of the Cloudsdale weather factory.

-----

Princess I have kept the deaths silent from the public but I am having a hard time keeping the pony folk from going into the desert. We have confirmed 4 deaths and 7 missing of all the armed ponies we have sent into the desert. The Autopsy reports you asked for will be delayed as the scientists are having a hard time identifying the cause of death. We will update you as it develops.

I would like to request more of the Canterlot royal forces for support in the desert search to avoid further fatalities.

-----

Equestria... A land widely praised for it's success and prosperity. Changelings, griffons, zebras; all were envious of her pony inhabitants. Perfect control of weather, great economy, peaceful lifestyle, wonderful communities. Basically a slice of heaven given to us from the goddess herself. We didn't realize it then but living in this perfect world made us weak and unprepared for anything that was outside our encapsulated world. Equestria didn't handle change very well.

Ponies can be pretty pathetic when we want to be. Like a foal who had their ice cream taken away, we felt the world was going to end when our luxuries were taken away and we would have to live like everypony else. Production was brought to a standstill without magic, scientists were baffled over the moon and sun moving themselves, there was rioting and looting throughout the streets of Manehatten just because they couldn't control the weather or use magic in their day to day life. We had no way of understanding how insignificant our current problems were, no way of comprehending the horrors the universe had in store for us.

I want to leave this entry with a few words from Celestia's public announcement, her words of wisdom were enough to calm Equestria, for the time being.

-----

-Excerpt from Celestia's Public Announcement-

"Yes it is true that the unicorns have lost their magic, but there should be no reason to panic. These effects should be just temporary side effects of a comet passing the planet. Do not fret as our magic will return to us soon. The moon and sun will continue to orbit without interference. Canterlot's head researchers are on the case and they will work to shorten these side effects as much as they can.

I will also take this time to officially apologize for the errors at the Cloudsdale weather factory. The CWF (Cloudsdale Weather Factory) have reported to me that their pegasus employees cannot control the clouds, that is why they have lost control of the weather around Equestria. The weather changes you all have witnessed have been natural changes, like those of the Everfree forest. Again; these effects are only temporary and the CWF will regain control of the weather with great haste. Until then disregard the weather schedule and be prepared for any weather. Also the CWF are doing everything they can so I request everypony to stop sending them complaint letters.

I urge the public to heed my words, because the last thing we want to lose; is our harmony."

-----

We lost control, that was the message they were sending to us.

I miss ya bro; Stay safe.

The Equestrian X-Com Project

by Sir_Puma

Prologue part 1: A Message lost in Letters