By now everypony has read the books and were now were now fully aware of the dangers now facing them. Starlight Glimmer had a curfew setup. All ponies need to be inside their homes by sundown, no exceptions. Anypony caught outside will either be ignored or treated with hostility depending on behavior. So far, for three nights, ponies were being visited by alternates claiming to be a dead relative or friend. They even managed to mimic dead pets from a dog's bark to a cat's meow.
Starlight was inside after taking a bath. She made sure nopony was looking before putting on her fake equal cutie mark. After putting the spray paint on she looked to the strange alicorn painting and dropped the can in shock. The face that was once a look of contempt now shown an insane and sadistic smile. "What in Celestia?"
"I once have deceived the sisters." Said a voice that sounded like a raspy whisper. Starlight could only look around in shock and confusion.
"Just like how you have deceived them." Said the voice again.
Just then the lights went out for a second before turning back on again. Starlight looked in shock as the strange painting was now gone. Now panicking she was now filled with lots of questions. What was with that painting? Did it make those voices? Was that a different kind of alternate? And more importantly does it know her past? She couldn't think straight with all those questions and more and she barely sleep at all that night.
===========================
The next day she woke up to hear a commotion outside. "Come on Feather Bangs be reasonable." Said Double Diamond.
"NO! I'm sick and tired of hearing my late Grandpa's voice at night. And my friends here can say the same."
Starlight looked and saw Feather Bangs and three mares loading up a wagon. Amongst the cargo were jars of their cutie marks. She immediately went outside. "What is going on here? Feather Bangs why are you and these three loading up this wagon of your belongings and why do you have your cutie marks? They're suppose to be in the vault!"
"I'm sorry Starlight but me and my friends can't stay here. After all that happened for the past three days. We can't do this." Feather said.
He then pointed to the purple pegasus adjusting the straps on the wagon load. "Fond Feather here got a letter from her Dad saying there are none of these alternates in Manehattan so we're going there."
"Ok but why do you have your cutie marks? Wait are you four..."
The four ponies nodded as a green unicorn walked up. "We're sorry Starlight but in all honesty we were actually happy with our talents and last night I heard the voice of my dead Aunt. She says I'm making a mistake. I know these alternates are suppose to trick ponies but for once I think they're right."
Feather Bangs cleared his throat. "Come on ladies lets go. I want to get to Manehattan before sunset."
The four began to leave but Starlight chased after them. "WAIT! Don't go! What about our mission!? Somepony STOP THEM!" She yelled only to suddenly trip and watch them go.
Nopony moved at all. All they could do was watch four ponies leave. Some were wondering if they should leave as well. Pack up their stuff and take their cutie marks too. Starlight got up and slowly walked back to her house. In the distance she could hear the distant sound of glass jars breaking. Just like that, Starlight lost four members of her community and cause.
Inside another house Twilight Sparkle and her friends watched through a window. They have watched these alternates come to the houses for the past few nights but none approached the one they were held captive in. "Twilight, what is happening?" asked Applejack.
"I think whatever is going on is making everypony slowly wake up."