"Thank you for the assistance," Shining Armor said, "I appreciate it."
"It's fine," the mare behind the counter said, waving a hoof. "I have a pair of colts of my own. I know how messy little ponies can get when they run around." She put the rest of the soap and shampoo into the bag.
The sound of a massive roar echoed through the building, causing the two ponies to jump. They bag fell to the floor as the two of them turned to look toward the door.
"What in Equestria was that?" the cashier mare asked.
"Whatever it is," Shining Armor responded, "it's not good." The stallion's horn lit up to grab the bag, taking it with him as he ran out of the shop and into the street of Ponyville.
There was nothing to be seen right away. Fortunately there was an easy way to figure out which way to go. Looking around, he spotted the ponies he was looking for. After watching them a moment, he then started running the way they had come from.
Most smart ponies run away from danger, he thought as he continued to run toward it.
"What's going on?" a voice asked. Turning his head, Shining Armor caught sight of Rainbow Dash flying near him in the same direction he was running.
"I don't know," the stallion answered, "but it sounds big."
The two ponies continued to run, soon being joined by Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie. As the group continued to move through town, they made their way closer and closer to whatever the source of the disturbance was. Then they saw it.
Standing in the center of town, was a shape that looked primarily like a bear. Except this bear was fifteen or twenty feet tall while standing on all fours, and was not solid. It looked like the night sky given shape, even with glowing stars making up its backside and tail. There was also a bright white star on its forehead above the big yellow eyes. One of its large clawed legs stood in the remnants of a trailer. Not far from the creature stood three unicorns: Sunset Shimmer, Snips, and Snails.
"What's going on?" Shining asked as he ran up to the three. He stopped as Sunset Shimmer looked at him. The look in the mare's eyes made him feel like someone had just dumped a massive bucket of ice water on him.
"Well, well, well," Shimmer said, "so nice of you to join us Shining Armor. I was hoping you would show up. It seems these two," she motioned toward Snips and Snails, "have decided to bring an Ursa Major to town."
"What?" Shining Armor, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack all called out.
"We wanted to see Sunset Shimmer vanquish it," Snips admitted.
"Yeah," Snails agreed. "Just like in her story."
"Oh I'm not going to vanquish it," Shimmer responded. "I'm going to incinerate it."
"WHAT!?" the seven ponies surrounding the flaming mare all cried out.
"That's right," she said with a grin. "Prepare to watch it become nothing but a pile of cinders."