It was around noon in the essentially small town of Ponyville. The sun was still shining high above the vast blue sky, which was covered with a few clouds. Down below, ponies walked along the street going about their businesses. However, six mares were walking amongst the dirt roads of Ponyville, and the gorgeous white unicorn mare tried her best to not get at least a dab of filth on her hooves.
After a few minutes of walking, they reached their destination: Sugarcube Corner. They made it inside before sitting down at a table.
...
Meanwhile, in the dark foreboding Everfree forest, the draconequus sat in his bedchambers. The mirror with his evil doppelganger still remained bearing an evil smile. "Discord, if you say she was coming back, wouldn't she back by now or was your faith misguided? Your love for this pony has clouded your judgement."
Discord could feel his anger boiling to the surface, but instead of unleashing it he kept his composure. Taking a deep breath he breathed in, then out, then repeated a few times. Finally, he looked to the mirror with a smug look. "You really think I'm so gullible to fool for your mind games. Need I remind you that you're me?"
"Except, you fear the loss of a dear friend. So, answer me this: what would you do if she is gone?"
The draconequus didn't take kindly to that question especially that remark about their difference.
...
Back in Sugarcube Corner, the six friends each had a smoothie in front of them. Each smoothie had a variety of flavours.
Twilight took another sip. "Mmmm," she sighed with a satisfied smile.
The other ponies each took a sip of their smoothies. The farm pony mare looked at the young alicorn with a grin. "If yer like that there smoothie ah bet ya enjoy Sweet Apple Acres' famous apple cider." The cyan pegasus's ears perked up at the mention of Sweet Apple Acres' legendary 'apple cider.'
"If you haven't drank that you haven't yet lived," said the brash cyan pegasus.
The alicorn looked at the cyan pegasus nervously, slightly rubbing her forehooves together. "Well..."
"You never had Applejack's family cider!" Exclaimed the cyan pegasus, jolting off of her seat in shock. All eyes were specifically focused on her.
"Ya can't be that shocked if she never had any, Rainbow Dash–" the farm pony mare paused before a smirk attached itself to her lips. "–yer right, Rainbow. Twilight has never had any of mah family's apple cider, how 'bout we change that. Ah, reckon I will give er one full barrel fer no price, basically on dah house."
"What?!" the cyan pegasus exclaimed with a baffled expression; the look on her face was priceless the farm pony chuckled with a smug expression. After realization, the cyan pegasus frowned. "You are so regretting this AJ," the rainbow-maned pegasus thought.
The four other mares laughed at their friend's dismay. However, a question popped into the alicorn mare's mind. "What's wrong with her?"
Rarity cracked a smile before answering, "Well, every cider season in Ponyville, Rainbow has never achieved in drinking the cider, except when we are at Sweet Apple Arcs and are allowed to have some. Plus this is the first time a barrel goes out for free. And she's not happy, since it's not her getting it."
After finishing their smoothies, the six friends left Sugarcube Corner. Each had a satisfied smiled (all but Rainbow Dash, who had a small frown.)
...
Back in Discord's bedchambers, he still saw that same mirror except it wasn't currently occupied by the evil spirit. He looked out the window seeing it was late in the afternoon and still his best friend had yet to return. Every moment away he spent from her the more worried he became. Once again the evil spirit yet again occupied the mirror. "Feeling lonesome are we? How sad, your dear Twilight abandoning you for the ponies that represent an Element of Harmony. And, considering she is an Element herself, the Element of Magic if I'm, not mistaken."
Discord crossed his arms with a confident smirk, his concern completely disappeared. "She may be an Element of Harmony but there is an oversight you missed. She is the princess of friendship and my first friend–"
"Indeed, that may be true but she's your only friend. Without her, you are nothing. Now no more denying, she isn't coming back." The sentence repeated in the mind of the draconequus.
...
Back in the small town of Ponyville, the sun was beginning to lower to make room for the night. The six mares stood at the path that led into the Everfree forest. On Twilight's back was a barrel.
"Ah'm guessing this is goodbye?" the farm mare asked with a small frown.
"I guess..." the young alicorn spoke as she gazed at the dirt path.
"Be careful, Twilight. This forest is very dangerous especially at night," said the rainbow-maned pegasus. Twilight nodded.
The other mares bade their friend goodbye before cradling each other into a group hug. The hug only lasted for a little while, before the mares and Twilight went their separate ways.
The young alicorn stepped into the Everfree forest, she walked along the dirt road. As she walked a few buzzing sounds made themselves known. The young princess's ears perked up, as she turned her head. She saw a few dark bug-like creatures.
They began to charge at the young alicorn. Panicked, the alicorn galloped away, hoping to get away from her attackers. As she ran, she was breathing heavily, thinking she got away, but she tripped and face planted on the ground. She looked up only to see the same creatures with a green aura charging from their horns.
"What do you want from me!?" the alicorn exclaimed, her voice had a hint of terror.
One of the taller creatures stepped forward; he had a purple shell with holes in his black body. On top of his head was red spines. His eyes were purple. "Our queen requires your presence. Come with us willingly or will take you by force," he spoke with a gruff voice.
With no choice, the young alicorn gave in to his demand and dropped the barrel before willingly following the three creatures.