Years in the past...
Proper Syntax woke up in a little wooden cell. One moment he was at a dock, with a saddlebag containing a notepad, pen, and camera. Next moment he has none of that stuff, and stuffed into a tiny makeshift "prison cell". Outside his cell he could see a crate. Knocks could be heard from there.
"Is anypony there?" Proper Syntax asked.
"Honey?!" A familiar mare's voice called out. It was Proper's wife.
"Where are we?" Proper Syntax asked.
"I don't know!" she replied.
` "Ah, good," an unfamiliar voice of a mare spoke. "You woke up. I'd like to get started..."
"Who-wha-how..." Proper Syntax attempted to ask, but repeatedly stuttered. "Who are you?"
"Just a policemare, really..." the mare responded. "Although 'undercover police' if you want to be specific..."
"Then why are we here?" Mrs Syntax asked. "Shouldn't the job of the Equestrian Police be maintaining harmony?"
"That's why we're here..." the mare replied. "Mr Syntax..."
An eye peered inside a peep-hole into Proper Syntax's crate-prison. Proper Syntax backed away slightly, flinching from the sudden appearance of a giant eye suddenly peering inside the crate. It was discomforting to say the least.
"It was hard tracking you down," The Policemare said. "But thanks to an...anonymous tip...everything else was a matter of presentation..."
The mare backed away from the crate, as she lifted a coffee mug. Proper Syntax could hear the faint hum of magic as she lifted the cup. It was a unicorn, no doubt. Just like Syntax's wife.
"What do you want?" Proper Syntax asked.
"I'm glad you asked..." the unnamed Policemare replied.
The Present...
A day had passed since the destructive fire consumed around 20% of the town. Relief aid ponies had recently arrived at Ponyville to help reconstruct some of the burnt houses. As a result, there were a lot of noise that occurred. The noise of magic drills, saws, and various other doo-dads of construction filled the streets.
Except at night...
Most ponies were asleep by this night of the hour. At the Carousel Boutique, however, the lights were still turned on, indicating activity. Rarity was working on another design for another client. For the entire time that Fancy Pants stayed at the Boutique, he had no luck contacting the mayor. Because the trains were still functioning, he could easily ride back to Canterlot. He said his goodbyes and thanks and headed out.
Before he left for Canterlot, however, he had business to attend to...
Twilight had finished a later rendition of The Ponyville Voice. She carefully examined the writer's literary abilities, while examining the prose, while simultaneously checking if the writer stuck to his/her point in a formal fashion. However, doing all of that, Twilight came to a compelling revelation.
"No wonder this group died out..." Twilight said. "These stories are so terribly written!"
Twilight threw out the copy of The Ponyville Voice into a nearby trash bin.
Instead, she took out a dusty old tome. It was one of her favourite books. Something written by a GOOD author. However, ever since moving to Ponyville, she never had a chance to read it again.
Meanwhile, Spike took the newspaper out of the bin, and rolled it up. He then swung it around like a sword, making playfully childish noises as he pretended to be a powerful dragon warrior. Instead, he made himself look utterly stupid in front of Twilight Sparkle. Suddenly he noticed that Twilight was opening a book that she had not opened in a while.
Spike sat next to Twilight, as she began opening the book. It released a vast gust of dust. Spike was about to sneeze again. Immediately, Spike grabbed the nearest junk paper lying around to sneeze on. He took the roll of newspaper, quickly unfurled it, and let out a mighty dragon sneeze of fire, which simultaneously sent the ashes flying towards Celestia's castle.
"Spike what have you done?!" Twilight said.
"I-I-I-I'm sorry! I was about to sneeze...a-a-and that was the closest thing and-" Spike hurriedly said.
"Ugh." Twilight face-hoofed, then let out a sigh. ''This. CAN'T. BE. GOOD."
"What was that anyways?" Spike asked.
The Canterlot Palace, the capitol of Equestria, was where the ruler of ponykind resides: Princess Celestia. The city inspires awe to all who can see it. It was a symbol of prosperity that lasted over a thousand years. It can be assumed that Celestia is the Goddess of the land. As such, nopony would question her prosperous rule.
Celestia finished reading a recent letter from Twilight Sparkle. She took note of what Twilight Sparkle had learned of. She then filed away Twilight's letter in a shelf near the back of her bedroom/study. Another lesson was learned. Princess Celestia could not have been prouder of her prized pupil.
Another letter was sent soon after. Celestia read the letter, only to realize it's not really a letter.
"Fluttershy..." Big Macintosh began.
Big Macintosh was sitting on some meadows on the outskirts of Ponyville at night (the same place the Butterfly Migration was seen). Next to the large red stallion was Fluttershy, who had a devastated look to her face.
"I'm so sorry," Fluttershy said. "I didn't want you to know it."
Fluttershy looked straight at Big Macintosh, barely holding back tears.
"I-I couldn't save myself," she said. "They...did things to me..."
Fluttershy collapsed into tears, embracing Big Macintosh. At this point she was crying louder she could scream. She had never felt this sad since she thought she saw a phoenix die in front of her eyes. The two had recently made a run for the hills after being chased by the Parasprite Swarm Trixie had.
"Where are you?!" Trixie said from a great distance. "I WILL DESTROY YOU!"
Big Macintosh carried Fluttershy away to a safe place. One which Trixie would not be expected to look inside. Big Macintosh knew that this was the perfect place to hide her beloved mare.
A doorbell was rung.
"Hello?" a familiar voice called. The door was opened to reveal an marshmallow-alabaster unicorn pony with a curly violet mane. Rarity.
"Oh hello Big Mac." Rarity said. "Hello Fluttershy. This is a pleasant surprise."
"Eeyup" Big Macintosh said.
"Are you here to pick up anything?" Rarity said. "I'm afraid I don't have anything for stallions at the moment."
"Nope." Big Macintosh replied. Simple as usual.
"Well, I guess there's no harm in having some visitors for the time being." Rarity said, as she returned to her work station.
A fancy-looking Stallion in the background, after magically lowering his cup of tea, noticed the incoming visitors. He had a friendly smile to his face. Fluttershy recognizes him. Fancy Pants
"Aren't you the young filly who accompanied Rarity?" Fancy Pants asked.
"umm...yes..." Fluttershy stammered.
"Ah yes. And you are?" Fancy Pants asked, his attention shifting towards Big Macintosh.
"Big Macintosh," he replied simply. Big Macintosh immediately saw suspicion in Fancy Pants, but chose not to act on it.
"Well, yes. Right then," Fancy Pants said.
The door was slammed open once more. This time the faint buzzing noise of parasprites accompanied it. At the door was Trixie, looking as though she was in a fight, followed by a roll in the dust.
"THERE YOU ARE!" Trixie said. "We still have some unfinished-"
And at that moment, Trixie noticed Fancy Pants. Anger quickly shifted into fear. Meanwhile, Fancy Pants lost his friendly smile, but kept enough composure to seem approachable enough.
"Trixie, my dear," Fancy Pants began. "Let us talk in private..."