Spike was laying on his bed, reading a letter he’d got from his changeling friend, Thorax. Apparently, he was still finding it hard to believe that he had become the new leader of his people, though he was getting more used to the idea every day. Some of the changelings started traveling to other parts of Equestria in order to find ways to use their shape-shifting abilities to help ponies.
Spike put a claw to his chin, ‘Hmmm, what could they use their abilities for? Maybe they could play the other half of a set of twins in a play?’ He shrugged and set the letter down. He was hapy that making friends with Thorax had such an amazing result in the long run.
BUUURRRP!
A belch or green flame interupped Spike’s thoughts as he recieved a message bearing the royal seal. Wasting no time, he rushed into the hallway to find Twilight.
Twilight was in the throne room along with the rest of her friends (except for Starlight Glimmer, who was visiting Sunburst in the Crystal Empire) , who were helping to plan a picnic lunch for the upcoming weekend.
“So, Starlight is NOT going to be back by the weekend?” asked a surprised Pinkie Pie.
“She decided she wanted to stop by her old village on her way back to Ponyville,” explained Twilight, “Since the townsponies forgave her for what she did, she wants to get to know them better as actual friends”
“I made so many cookies in advance too.” said Pinkie with a sigh
The rest of the group rolled their eyes. Knowing Pinkie, there would probably be plenty leftover even if Starlight was there.
The double doors flew open as Spike rushed over and stood on his small throne next to Twilight’s handing the scroll to her. Twilight took the scroll from the breathless dragon; noting the royal seal, she wasted no time reading to find out what Princess Celestia could want. She opened the scroll and began to read it out loud:
My Dearest Twilight,
It is with great urgency that I request your assistance. I have recieved grave news from the town of Centrotlia; multiple foals have disappeared from their homes without a trace.
Please, as soon as you recieve this message, take the first train to Centrotlia that you can. Princess Luna will meet with you there.
I, regrettably, am currently unable to leave Canterlot. It pains me to watch from the sidelines. I hope for your safe return and the return of those missing foals.Sincerely,
Princess Celestia
The throne room was silent for a moment or two before the group scrambled to prepare for the sudden journey.
Twilight and her friends were on a train headed for Centrotlia less than an hour after reading the letter from Princess Celestia. As soon as the seven friends were settles in their car, they immediately started discussing what they were getting into.
“Foals disappearing without a trace?” Fluttershy said to nopony in particular, “I can only imagine how their poor families must be feeling.”
“I hear ya, sugarcube.” said Applejack, “Even with all we’ve faced so far, I just don’t know what I’d do if Apple Bloom just up and vanished.”
“And what about the poor foals?!” said Pinkie Pie as she paced in a small circle, “Wherever they are, they must be so scared, maybe they’re sad or cold or hungry or…”
“Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash held the pink party pony still as she looked her in the eyes, “Freaking out about it isn’t helping.” she let Pinkie go and flew back to her bunk.
The car was quiet for a while as the ponies and dragon tried to compose themselves. Everypony’s thoughts raced with concerns and questions, though there was nothing any of them can do as they haven’t even arrived on the scene yet. They tried to push these thoughts away and change the subject to something more cheerful, hoping to cross their bridge when they came to it.
It wasn’t until late the next morning when the train finally arrived at Centrotlia. Twilight’s group got off quickly and hurried to find Princess Luna.
“Um, excuse me?” the group was called to by a deep, but soft voice.
Coming up to them was a unicorn stallion; he had a silver coat, a messy dark red mane, and his cutie mark was a near-full moon that was tinted blue.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle?” he asked, sounding a little unsure.
“Yes?” replied Twilight
“M-my name is Mystic Night. I’m here helping investigate the disappearances. Princess Luna requested I come meet you here and to escort you to town hall.”
“Well then by all means, lead the way, darling.” said Rarity
Mystic gestured toward the direction of town hall and led them there. He seemed to be trying to stay as close to them as possible and trying to keep his distance at the same time.
The town itself seemed very peaceful. Not much bigger than Ponyville, except that the houses were slightly more packed together. If they hadn’t been told beforehand, Twilight and her friends would never have guessed that such misfortune had befallen such a place.
“Out of curiosity, why didn’t Princess Luna meet us herself.” inquired Twilight
Hidden Mystic stared at the ground for a second, he looked like he was thinking about what to say.
“Princess Luna arrived yesterday,” he said, finally, “many ponies started to think that with the princess of the night here, the disappearances would stop and they could focus on finding the ones that were already missing. But last night, two more fillies disappeared.
“The townsponies have been bombarding the Princess with questions all morning,” he continued, “they were still going when I left to find you and your friends.”
The group arrived at town hall, they could hear the chatter of many anxious ponies on the other side of the double doors. Mystic took a deep breath. His horn glowed ruby red as he pulled open the doors.