//------------------------------//
// The Invitation Letters 
// Story: Letters From The Enemy Inside 
// by The Sleepless Beholder 
//------------------------------//



Dear possible friends.

So, how do I put this? My now official landlord, Princess Twilight, has been helping me deal with some problems of my past regarding a certain friend, and to help that process, she suggested getting some new friends.
The problem with that is; I don’t really know anypony who I haven’t done or tried to do something bad. Like, brainwashing, destroying their friendship, stealing their cutie marks, all of that.
However, since you don’t have a cutie mark, you’ve helped me before, and I’ve done nothing against any of you, I was wondering if you would like to hang out sometime here in the castle? Play some games? Drink hot coco? Eat some cupcakes? What do you say?

Am I doing this right?

Your possible new friend,
Starlight Glimmer.









Dear Starlight Glimmer.

This sounds like it would be a lot of fun. Count me in!

Your new friend,
Discord.









Dear Starlight Glimmer,

I do have a cutie mark, so if you promise not to take it away, I think it would be a good way to unwind from a day of scheming.

Your new comrade,
Cozy Glow.









Dear Starlight Glimmer,

I would gladly spend some time with you instead of remaining in this cursed cell. However, you would need to ask Celestia to let me go out on parole to do so.

Your new associate,
Lord Tirek.









Dear Lord Tirek,

I can take care of that easily.

Your prison breaker,
Discord.









Dear Starlight Glimmer,

I was about to deny your offer, but it suddenly got really interesting, so I will join your little group. I expect some very good cupcakes.

Your new acquaintance,
Queen Chrysalis.









Dear Starlight Glimmer,

Do you have room for one more?

Your recently resurrected possible future ally,
King Sombra.







“And that’s what happened,” Starlight finished explaining to Twilight, with all the major villains of Equestria, plus one filly, waiting patiently behind her to be let inside the castle.

Twilight’s jaw was burrowing into the ground. “H-how? How did you even–?”

Discord blew a raspberry. “Oh, liven up Twilight, this is just in good fun.”

The alicorn frowned. “Your definition of fun is not healthy for anypony. And I can’t just let you-”
“Letter from Celestia,” Spike interrupted her, handing her the piece of paper.

Twilight quickly opened it.



Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I want to see where this is going.

Your intrigued monarch, 
Princess Celestia.



“What?! But how am I going to make sure they don’t do something nefarious?” Twilight exclaimed.

“That’s why I’m here!” Luna shouted from behind the crowd.

“Hey, if you’re going to stay with us, at least dress accordingly,” Chrysalis complained, and Luna rolled her eyes before turning into Nightmare Moon.

“Does anycreature want cupcakes?” Spike offered, and the crowd agreed as they pushed Twilight aside so they could enter the castle.

Once they were alone, Starlight looked downcast. “I ruined everything again.”

Twilight sighed. “No, you did exactly what I told you to do. It’s just… these aren’t the kind of friends that will help you feel better.”

Starlight sat down. “They were the only ones that came to my mind.” She put her hooves against her face. “I’m a lost cause.”

Twilight gently pushed her hooves aside. “You’re not a lost cause, you’re just still learning. Me and my friends passed through a lot of friendship lessons before we became who we are today. I don’t expect you to do the same in just a couple of days.”

Starlight looked up at her landlord. “What do I do then? Tell them to leave?”

Twilight looked back at the castle with a frown. “As much as I would like to, denying them what you promised could be more detrimental than just letting them gather in a place where we can keep an eye on them.” The princess took a moment to think, and came up with an idea. “How about you go find one more friend? One that isn’t a public enemy of Equestria.”

“I guess I can try,” Starlight said, not really convinced.

“I’m sure you will do fine Starlight, just relax and be yourself. If you can somehow charm all these villains into eating cupcakes together, getting a new friend will be a piece of cake.” Starlight smiled a little, comforted by her words, and slowly stood up. “Now, if you excuse me, I need to see that our guests behave.”

The alicorn left in a hurry, and Starlight started walking towards the center of the town.
“Okay, who in this town could be my friend? Somepony who doesn’t know me, that’s not an enemy of Equestria, and that’s smart or stubborn enough that I can’t brainwash them if I wanted.” She then saw a small stage being prepared right next to a blue traveling wagon.
“There’s a new pony in town?” Starlight wondered as she got closer. “Uh! She seems to be a magician.”