A swirling, black dome perfectly encircled what could only be the entire town of Hayton. Small bursts of darkness lashed outward into the air, as if it was alive, but the dome was clearly a conjured spell. As Rainbow Dash starred more thoroughly at it, she fearfully saw that it was slightly parallel to the spell Shining Armor used to protect Canterlot, and the one Princess Cadence used to protect the Crystal Kingdom from King Sombra. This, however, had a much more sinister appearance. Given the circumstances, she had no doubt of its purpose. It wasn't a shield to keep the town safe; it was a barrier to keep the town imprisoned.
“Rainbow Dash, are you alright!” Twilight shouted as the finally rejoined her friend. “We saw you crash and…” She stopped short as she caught sight of the dome. The unicorn’s eyes grew wide as she starred at the barrier. “Is that what I think it is?” she questioned nopony in particular. Each pony met the dome with similar response as they stepped out of the trees.
“ I've never seen anything like it.” Rarity murmured softly.
“What the hay are we gonna’ do now?” Applejack asked.
The group remained silent. After a few moments of consideration, Twilight addressed her friends with a stern gaze. “I’ll tell you what we’re going to do. We’re going to do exactly what we came here to do. I know this looks bad, but I have confidence in us. Remember what Rainbow Dash said? There isn't anything we can’t do together.” Twilight looked over at Rainbow Dash, who was sheepishly nodding. “Now all we have to do is get past this…obstacle…and we can finish what we started!”
"But Twilight, its so big...how are we going to get though?" Fluttershy peeped
"We have the Elements of Harmony. I bet they can help us out with this...thing," Twilight assured her.
Watching delightfully as her friends got into position, Twilight began to begin the invocation they had used few times before. But before the Elements could even start, they were interrupted by a deep voice that made the very trees around them shake.
“Thy effort to disrupt my magic is inadequate…I advise thou to HALT!”
All the ponies could do was to halt and quiver as the very ground beneath them shook. It was difficult to locate the source, but it seemed to emanate from the dome itself. Twilight frantically threw her own protection spell she had been practicing on the journey down around her group, waving her head around as she tried to spot the owner of the voice. When she saw no immediate threat, she slowly lowered the shield. A lifeless silence shrouded the clearing, until the air irrupted in the same slow, abysmal tone.
“Who dare approach me in such a manner? I command thou to name thyselves!”
“Just who do you think you are?!” Rainbow Dash reflexively responded before Twilight waved her off and cautiously faced the dome.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle, and these my friends, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. We were sent here by Princess Celestia as representatives of Equestria, as she cannot meet you herself. We have come here to discuss negations; namely the release of Hayton’s residents. We come to you in the most diplomatic way possible, as hope we can talk peacefully face-to-face.” Twilight looked hopefully for the appearance of anypony, but none came. Only the same frightful silence as before.
“Twilight,” Applejack whispered while keeping a stern eye on the dome, “I don’t like the look of this.”
“Representatives of Equestria you say…” the voice returned. “I sense that thou art more than that.”
Without warning, the necklaces bearing the ponies’ elements, as well Twilight’s circlet began to levitate up in a veil of black aura. Twilight had to grab the circlet to prevent it from falling off her head.
A dry rumbling now developed from the barrier, which could be nothing but the creature’s laughter. “Yes…yes… I feel inordinate power in all of thou.” The tendrils of aura coming off the dome began to grow. “Thou will make for significant minions in the days to come…”
The words sunk into the group as they looked among each other in terrified uncertainty. Applejack was the first to break from the stupor and look up at the dome. “Just what makes ya’ think we would ever listen to ya’?” she asked defensively.
“I never indicated thou had an alternative.” The barrier slyly replied. With that, a small hole began to open up in front of them.
Rainbow Dash, who had been expecting an attack the entire time, desperately pushed her friends away from the dome. She then flew up to face the threat herself. “If you think we’re going submit to your threats, you have another thing coming,” she growled, a renewed courage beginning to rise in her.
More rumbling laughter came from the dome. “Thou believe that thou can conquer me. The very notion conveys boundless comicality to my soul. It seems the ponies of this age have forgotten who I am.” The dome let out one final sinister snicker. “But soon, every pony will know my name.”
That’s when six of the tendrils on the dome suddenly became projectiles. Each latched onto one of the pony’s heads. Rainbow Dash reached up to tear the thing off, only to find it had already sunk into her skull. With one last look up at the dome, Rainbow Dash’s mind, as well as those of her friend’s, fell into nothing.
**********************************************************
Dazzling Chainmail galloped though the crowded streets towards Manehattan Central Park. Virtually the whole city was heading to the same location. “I sure hope Mayor Smooth Horn is right about the park keeping ponies calm. If they decide to panic…” No, she couldn't think that way. Smooth Horn was right; when everypony hears that Princess Celestia thought this would be best for the city, they will understand and comply. After all, Princess Celestia always knew what was best for her ponies.
As Dazzling entered the large gate that marked the entrance to the park, she could see that the mayor was already standing on the large platform that was hastily constructed just a couple of hours earlier. The crowd of ponies waiting was already enormous, and there were still many ponies trotting in. She climbed up the stairs to Smooth Horn, who smiled at her before continuing to study his notes. Dazzling took her seat next to the podium and waited patiently while the crowd packed into the park.
When the last ponies were settled, Mayor Smooth Horn cleared his throat and stepped up to the podium. The casual chatter that had been flowing through the crowd ceased and all eyes fell to the platform. “Good Morning, citizens of Manehattan,” Smooth Horn began as he grimly looked out at his audience. “I wish it wasn't such bad news that I have been tasked to give to you. It seems, however, that is not the case.”
“As of this moment, there is to be no entry or departure of this city, and there is to be no pony on the streets after sundown or before sunrise. Let me express that these orders are not mine; they are direct orders from Princess Celestia herself, and their sole purpose is the protection of you and your loved ones.” The mayor paused as he surveyed the crowd, who were whispering in alarmed tones. Despite that, the crowd seemed fairly tranquil, and best of all, understanding. For that, Smooth Horn was grateful. “I will let Chief Dazzling Chainmail fill you in on the details.” Smooth Horn stepped down and nodded at the silver unicorn.
Dazzling stepped up and shyly greeted the ponies watching her. “As you heard, the city is going into complete lock-down. We would like to make sure everyone knows this is just out of precaution; no threat has been made…yet.” Dazzling caught a few questioning glances at the last remark, before nervously continuing. “We know that many of you have family in Hayton, and we understand why you object the idea of being forced to stay here; maybe some of you even wish to travel to Hayton yourselves. But let me tell you, it is simply too dangerous. There has been no response from the town since the incident. For those of you who have not heard, we had sent a recon team to Hayton to see if we could learn what has happened there; a team that included our messenger to Princess Celestia. We…lost contact with the team. Without them, we don’t have contact with Princess Celestia. However, when we were still in connection, the princess had stated that she was sending Princess Luna herself along with an entire platoon of Royal Guard to protect this city, and they are due to arrive by tonight.”
“Princess Luna?” the ponies whispered to each other. Dazzling Chainmail could understand their concern. Princess Luna wasn't exactly a public figure. Most citizens could only identify her from paintings of the dark times when she was known as Nightmare Moon. Not exactly somepony they wanted roaming Manehattan. Dazzling hoped that if any good came from this, the ponies of this city would see that Princess Luna has changed since then.
“I understand that this a stressful time for everypony,” Dazzling Chainmail added as she closed up the conference. “Our only wish is that you oblige to these new rules as best as possible, so we can make this incident as endurable as possible…for everypony. Thank you.” Dazzling Chainmail one last bow and stepped down to join Mayor Smooth Horn, who was giving an assured smile. The crowd stomped their approval as the assembly ended.
“I couldn't have said it better myself, Daze,” the mayor said as they walked out of the park towards City Hall. “You know, you wouldn't make a bad mayor yourself.”
Dazzling Chainmail grinned. “And take the job away from the greatest mayor Manehattan has had in ages?”
“I wish I had as much confidence in myself.” Mayor Smooth Horn sighed. They had reached City Hall by now, and Smooth Horn was reaching for the key to unlock the door.
Dazzling Chainmail stopped him and leaned closer. “What was that you said yesterday in your office? Never in past millennia has something like this happened? I think for something so outlandish to happen, and for you to keep complete order in the city, is a remarkable achievement. The citizens of Manehattan really do trust you. Look what you have gotten this city though so far. Nopony can replace you.” She adoringly smiled, slightly embarrassed at her sudden surge of compliments.
Mayor Smooth Horn returned the smile before grimly looking over her shoulder. “That’s just it Daze…I fear the worst has yet to come. I can only hope that I will be prepared when it does.”
Dazzling gently shifted his head back to hers. “You will be…and I’ll be there to help you in any way I can” she assured him.
The mayor looked into Dazzling’s compassionate eyes. “I wouldn't have it any other way, Daze.” And with that, their heads locked into a passionate kiss.
**********************************************************
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes as she slowly regained consciousness. The first thing she noticed was she had a pounding headache. The second thing she noticed was the red lightning bolt around her neck that represented her element was shining with an unexplainable intensity. The necklace sustained the glow for a solid minute before it finally died out.
At first, Rainbow Dash was engrossed by the display, but then she remembered where she was and quickly looked up to check on her friends. Her heart sunk when she saw that it was only Twilight that was lying next to her; her face perplexed in some unseen torment. Rainbow Dash desperately called out their names, and was greeted with nothing but the echoing of her own voice. Realizing she was getting nowhere, she knelt down next to Twilight. Whatever was going on inside the lilac unicorn’s mind it was hurting her. When shaking her didn't work, Rainbow proceeded to lift her onto her back. “Don’t worry Twilight,” Rainbow Dash promised, “I’m going to get you out of here.” But just as she was about to take off, she felt Twilight begin to move. Breathing a sigh of relief, she set her back down on the ground.
“Twilight, I’m glad you’re awake. Do you have any idea where everypony else is?” Rainbow Dash asked as she hovered up again in hopes to glance one of her missing friends. To her confusion, she heard no response at all. “Hey Twilight, I’m talking to…” That’s when Rainbow Dash caught a glance of Twilight’s eyes; except they weren't her eyes at all. Where she was usually meant with a light purple that matched the unicorn’s coat, she was greeted with nothing but a pair of expressionless black orbs; the pupil and iris were non-existent. “No…Twilight, what happened to you?” Rainbow Dash cried, only to get the same soundless result.
Without warning, Twilight abruptly turned her focus on the entrance in the dome; the entrance which Rainbow Dash realized was still present. She began a slow trot toward the dome, her gaze never wavering from her destination.
Rainbow Dash stood in dismay as she watched her friend mindlessly wandered toward the dome. Slowly, she came out of her stupor and dashed over to the shuffling unicorn. “Twilight, you have to snap out of it. Something isn't right. We have to leave!” Not to her surprise, Twilight made absolutely no response to Rainbow Dash.
If Twilight wasn't going to go herself, Rainbow Dash had to make her. Preparing herself for resistance, Rainbow Dash grabbed Twilight and heaved backwards. Carrying a pony’s weight when they weren't moving was one thing; pulling a pony’s weight that’s moving in the opposite direction is another. She only managed to stall Twilight’s progress until she found herself stuck in place. “Twilight…please…we have to go,” Rainbow Dash pleaded. She knew that if she let her friend go into the dome, she might not see her ever again.
But something else was wrong. The unicorn was moaning, and her face was in torment; the same expression she bore before she awoke from unconsciousness. Rainbow Dash loosened her grip, wishing for a way to confront her. “Twilight…” she began, until noticing Twilight’s horn was glowing. Her face was fixed in pure wickedness, directed entirely at Rainbow Dash. The facts came together a millisecond too late for the pegasus. Twilight let out a ball of pure energy the zeroed in on Rainbow Dash’s chest. She flew backward, wings offering no assistance as she crashed through a dead tree trunk and plowed into the ground.
Intense pain was all that greeted Rainbow Dash as she slowly rose from the dirt; both physical and emotional. Twilight was already heading back to the dome, not casting even a second glance back. Rainbow Dash got up to chase her, but she didn't make it far before her vision blurred. It was only then that she became aware of the large gash on head that was saturating her mane with blood. She could feel her energy draining along with the crimson liquid. All she could do was watch Twilight as she entered the dome, leaving her alone in the malformed clearing. That last realization that all her friends must have meant the same fate finally broke Rainbow Dash’s sanity. The bleeding pegasus collapsed onto the ground in a soundless wail.
“Merely one pony left,” the voice that had tormented the group previously declared in a proud tone. “One more…” the voice paused, as if realizing something for the first time. “Thou art…awake?” it asked. The confusion in the voice was evident; confusion that quickly turned to rage. “I command thou to come hither!” Somewhere in the fog of her suffering mind, Rainbow Dash knew the voice was speaking to her, but she remained in her feverish position.
The voice remained silent for some time, unable to understand how and why its control had failed. Eventually, with harsh, insincere authority, the voice responded. “Very well…If thou will not come to my side thyself, thou will be escorted here.”
From the same point Twilight had disappeared, a new group of ponies began to saunter towards Rainbow Dash. As they drew closer, she noticed that they had the same shadowy eyes Twilight had displayed; a sign that they were under the control of the evil monster that was hiding in his dome. They wore vests the presented the crest of Manehattan. Even the fact that she was in immediate danger was not enough to motivate her to leave, fight, or display any of the bold action she was accustomed to. She was broken, wishing only for the pain to end in any way possible.
The puppets were only a few meters away now. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes, preparing for the worst. Soon it would be over. She lay there in wait, not moving, not speaking. Only waiting.
But nothing happened. Confused, she opened her eyes, only to find her vision was nothing but pure silvery light. “Am I dying?” she thought to herself. She still felt the agony from her wound, and her heartbeat was slowing. “Is this how dying really is?” she pondered, before her mind once again slipped into darkness.
**********************************************************
Princess Celestia stood alone in her throne room, as she had requested. She needed time alone to process the events of the past few days. She was currently observing the window depicting the Elements of Harmony and their victory over Discord. Everything had seemed so hopeless then. Then, when all seemed lost, Twilight broke the trance that Discord had put on her friends and herself. All it had taken was a reminder about the magic of friendship by the use of resent letters that Twilight and her friends had written to Celestia. She had at least been able to help them in that aspect.
But for the first time, she, conjurer of the sun and co-ruler of Equestria, felt powerless.
Her uneasiness wasn't helped by the nagging feeling she was forgetting something incredibly important. First, her sister suffers a mental attack in which she feels a presence attempting to control her mind. Then, an entire town disappears from existence. To top it off, when she feels the town again, it is not her loyal subjects she feels, but an army of creatures to take their place. It all seemed so…familiar. Of course, that was absurd; nothing like this has happened in Equestria, she would have remembered it.
Princess Celestia was too caught up in her thoughts to even notice the swirling black form amassing in the center of the throne room.
“It has been excessively long, Celestia,” the form whispered, shocking the princess out of her contemplation. “I decided it was time we converse once again.”
Slowly turning around to face her visitor, Princess Celestia gruffly tensed her muscles. The creature that had caused so much trouble was standing before her…or at least an apparition of it. The form itself was fading between reality and oblivion, but its voice could be heard as if the real entity was in the throne room with her. “We do not know each other,” She responded coldly, attempting to control her anger.
“Come now,” the form retorted, “More than a millennia and a half has passed, but thou cannot state that thou do not recollect me.” Princess Celestia remained still, disarrayed. The creature carefully studied her reaction. “Thou truthfully do not remember me…Lord Plagueis?”
“I do not” Princess Celestia answered clearly. Nothing was hidden in her voice. There was no doubt what she said was true.
Lord Plagueis thought for a moment. “That leaves merely one possibility. Thou have chosen to forget.”
The words sunk hung in the air. Celestia began to deny the prospect of what he was accusing. She stopped herself when she remembered the sense she had just before her thoughts were interrupted…the sense that she was forgetting something important. “It doesn't matter who you are, or if we have meant before, Lord Plagueis. All that matters is that you will fail. Of that, I am convinced.
“Ah, thou art under the same delusion thy ‘representatives’ were. I suppose that would clarify why thou commanded thy greatest fighters to me, so vulnerably. I pondered whether thou possibly had given up once thou learned that I was finally free. Needless to say, none of them can answer thy demand now, Celestia”
Princess Celestia’s eyes expanded. “What have you done with the Elements of Harmony?!” Any suppressed emotion she had was gone now. Even though the figure before her was just visualization of the real thing, she found herself in a hostile position.
Lord Plagueis simply sneered at the enraged princess. “Thou will see in time. Thy sister, however, is going to discover much sooner. In fact, she will meet the exact same fate they did, as will you.”
Princess Celestia had heard enough from her new nemesis.“I WILL NOT ALLOW IT!” The princess bellowed, shooting a bright magic ball of condensed magic at Plagueis. The wall of her throne room was the only thing to receive the blast, taking out a good chunk of a pillar as well. Above her she could feel Plagueis’ presence leaving the room.
“Enjoy these final days of freedom, Princess Celestia,” Plagueis warned as he left, “for they will be thy last.” With that, the apparition of Plagueis was gone.