Prologue: The Miracle
~BlackRoseRaven
“Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria,” began a melodic voice, as beautiful as the radiant alicorn who spoke. “There was a small, happy village in the heart of our country, that sat beneath the loving eyes of Canterlot.”
“Ponyville!” blurted one of the foals, and the others laughed as the mare before them smiled, her flowing mane gleaming with reflected joy.
“Yes, Ponyville.” she admitted, before she continued: “Ponyville was full of dear friends and happy families, good little ponies who lived good, happy lives. But one day, Ponyville was attacked by terrible monsters, who stole away every last pony in the village.”
The foals filling the library gasped, and the mare smiled again, her amethyst eyes drawing across the children as she continued softly: “The Princesses, for all their might, were helpless to do anything, anything at all. They could only mourn, and pray for a miracle. But, my little ponies, a miracle came: Ponyville was restored, and every pony, from the littlest to the largest, came back. It was truly a wonder. And life went on, as if nothing had ever happened, and no one, save the princesses, knew that anything had changed.”
The eyes of the mare roved up to a purple unicorn, who blushed and smiled brightly at her, listening to her as enthusiastically as any of the children here. The alicorn smiled with soft affection at this mare, before her eyes drifted to the side as an aide approached and whispered: “Princess Celestia, Lord Black has arrived and is waiting for you in Canterlot.”
“I'm afraid that's all I have time for today, my little ponies.” Princess Celestia said, much to the loud disappointment of the children. But she smiled at them and promised: “I'll be back another day to finish the story, I promise. For now, I'm very happy to see that Twilight Sparkle is taking such good care of you all.”
Twilight blushed and smiled radiantly, and Princess Celestia gave her a small nod that made the young mare light up, before the alicorn turned to leave with her retinue. As she stepped out the door into the sunlight, she looked up with a sigh, her expression hardening, her eyes drifting across the careless sky towards the darkening clouds beginning to obscure her warming sun.
Ah, if only miracles were real.
If only happiness didn't have such a terrible cost.