The Ponyville Rift

“Family is a hard term to pin down. Yeah, it means your blood relatives, but it also means so much more than that. Your family is who you would give your life for, without thinking twice. When you love someone enough to take their place in Tartarus; that's your family.

I have a pretty big family. Maybe that's why I'm so cool with this? Because even though it sucks I won't be able to hang out with my friends anymore, or see my little sis' grow up with her friends, I know that they will grow up. Because I am taking their place in Tartarus.” – Excerpt from scorched parchment found just outside Rainbow Crater National Park, ca. 1022

“Dear Princess Celestia,

I'm becoming concerned with the data we are getting from the Ponyville Rift. The magical pulses are increasing in frequency and power. I fear that whatever, or whoever, put these portals here are finally ready to act. Whether peacefully or aggressively I can't be sure. All I know is the chill in my bones when I look into it.

The power of Friendship Castle is enough to stop the rift from expanding, for now. But it won't be long before th-” – Letter from Princess Twilight to Princess Celestia, found in the ruins of Friendship Castle, ca. 1016

“--'These “Rifts”, as we call them, appeared suddenly and simultaneously across all of Equestria' said Princess Celestia in her address to the nation today. 'We are putting our best scientists to work deciphering this mystery, Spearheaded by my former student, Princess Twilight Sparkle. But, until they have the answers we seek, I'm asking all of my little ponies: please, please avoid these Rifts at all cost. We cannot know what happens to anypony unfortunate enough to fall into one.'

Princess Luna declined to comment.” – Excerpt from The Royal Herald, front page ca. 1014

“The monster—for that's what it was—rose from the swirling magics like a giant awaking from sleep. Long, black tendrils lashed against rock and tree, smashing it all like they were made of crackers. It was hungry. The thing may as well have been a starving beast for the way it dove at me. Its teeth were cold as it latched onto my leg. Damn near soiled myself, I was so scared.

It would have torn my leg clean off if the castle hadn't exploded just then. Ponyville must have been a good mile away, but the shock wave was enough to fell a tree on the beast. Let go of my leg after it went quite, too. I'll have the scars for a while yet, but you can't deny I'm the luckiest bucker you'll never meet, ha ha!” – First hand account of Invasion Day, as told by Rumble, ca. 1016