//------------------------------//
// Starlight Glimmer: Flaws of Equality Part 1 
// Story: The Ancient Guardians 
// by autobotfan15 
//------------------------------//

A red earth pony mare stood by the end of a section of train track with a wagon. She of course was waiting for a train. When it finally came she put on a bright smile as the train came to a stop and the engineer climbed down. The mare named Swoon Song walked up to him. "Good Morning Rapid Run got your weekly post. Have you given anymore thought of joining our cause?”

Rapid Run sighed as he opened a boxcar to drop off a crate. "For the last time Swoon Song, I'm happy with my cutie mark and my job and no amount of words can change my mind. Anyway there's an issue now going around Equestria apparently some strange anomalies have been seen in small towns and this crate has, not only the mail for your town, but books that should give more info oh also fliers for six missing mares."

Swoon Song twitched as he spoke and helped lift the crate into the wagon. "Oh well I'm sure if we find missing ponies, we'll find them and I'll let Starlight Glimmer know. Bye Rapid.”

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In the small town many ponies gathered around the crate. Some have gotten their mail but Starlight Glimmer just grimaced at the missing pony fliers. The ponies that were missing were Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends. The same mares that tried to disrupt her equal utopia merely a week ago. She just threw them away as she pulled out the book about the ongoing threat that is happening. The book was titled 'Dangers of Alternates by Night Watch.' She opened it and began reading aloud.

"Alternates are mysterious beings that are capable of luring and destroying prey through many forms of Psychological warfare. These alternates can make themselves look like ponies much like changelings can do, but they can only mimic the decease loved one of their prey. When encountering alternates do not let them into your home no matter how convincing they sound and refrain from communicating with them."

Starlight was confused if these things found their village how can she trust anypony? She continued reading. "While they make themselves look like ponies they can actually be distinguished by their abnormal biological characteristics."

On one page she saw the silhouette of a pony with a simple smile that was labeled normal but below that were three more with either a big head, very long legs, or a very sinister smile that looked like the lips were touching the ears. Those three were labeled alternates. "Ok this is creepy."

She continued reading about alternates not knowing what was about to happen to her way of life. But as she read she saw a framed picture of a grey alicorn wearing a white robe hanging on the wall. "Was that always there?"

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Later that night many of the ponies were tucked away sleeping. Inside one house was a stallion named Arrow Cartwheel. He was a very strong supporter to Starlight's cause. He was getting ready for bed when he heard a knock on the door. As he got close he heard a voice. "Honey, I have a present for you."

Arrow stopped dead in his tracks and looked at a frame picture of his younger self with an older mare that was his mother. His mother died years ago and the voice at the door was hers. "Mom? Is that you?"

There was a brief silence until the voice came back. "Honey, I have a present for you."

Arrow trotted to the door and slowly opened it and there stood the mare that raised him but something was different. He didn't remember her eyes being so big and he certainly didn't remember her mouth being so wide. He stared in shock before uttering. "You're not her. Who are you?"

The pony just unhinged her jaw like a snake and made a screaming sound before lunging at him, forcing him back inside and slamming the door closed.

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KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Starlight Wake up we got an emergency!" Exclaimed Double Diamond as he pounded on Starlight's door.

Starlight eventually opened it. "Did our prisoners escape?"

"No they're still in the house."

"Then what's the problem. Its five in the morning." Groaned Starlight.

"It's Arrow! He's trying to kill himself!"

They both raced to the center of town where many ponies were trying to hold Arrow down. "What is going on here?" Asked Starlight.

"He broke into my bakery and tried to kill himself with my knife. He wouldn't stop talking about his mother and disappointment." Explained Sugar Belle.

Starlight Glimmer just looked at Arrow as he continued to struggle against the ponies restraining him. He eventually calmed down and was soon sent home. Starlight didn't know what to make of this. All she knows  is, if this is what an Alternate is capable of then this town might be in trouble.