Capitulo Uno
A Chance Meeting
"It is said that everything is not what it seems...I've come to learn this particular saying firsthand when I was under unfortunate circumstances..."
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It was a fine spring day in Canterlot, with everything going about the same way it had the day before, not that the citizens found anything wrong with it. There were certain ponies of upper class enjoying their brisk walks while simultaneously basking in their haughtiness as their noses were high in the air. Luxurious establishments were bustling with activity in a more collected fashion than any neighboring cities. It was a perpetual cycle of action, and anypony wouldn't trade it for the world.
Of the many citizens going about their own business was none other than the most important pony amongst the locals: Fancy Pants. He was seen in his fine black tuxedo outside of a cafe sipping tea with his wife, Fleur De Lis, who chose to stand rather than sit down. After finishing his latest sip, Fancy Pants faced Fleur with a content smile.
"Such a pleasant air this day, would you not agree, Fleur?" He asked as he watched Fleur extend her left hind leg backwards while placing her right foreleg behind her head, merely giving off an 'mhm' in reply as she arched her back. Fancy Pants only chuckled in amusement at the sight.
"I know you possess a penchant for poses, but must you do so during our conversation?" He asked as he raised an eyebrow at Fleur.
"You know that it's the only way for me to gain proper exercise while on the go. Besides, you've never commented on it before, have you?" Fleur replied with a sly smile as she struck another pose, though she briefly wiggled her flank at her husband and winked.
"Touche, my dear. You do look rather stunning when you're 'working out', as it were." Fancy Pants quipped as he sipped his tea. While he did so, his right ear twitched, bringing him to pause mid-drink before lowering his cup and looking around in bewilderment "Strange...I thought I'd heard something out of the ordinary for a moment..."
"Oh? What troubles you, dear?" Fleur said as she took a break from her poses, noticing Fancy Pants' change in behavior.
"I'm not certain...But it felt as if-" Fancy Pants was silenced when a small tremor rocked himself, Fleur, and the civilians around them. When the tremor subsided, everypony looked around, murmuring amongst themselves over any potential dangers that may have befallen their peaceful city. What made it worse was that some ponies could not help but feel as if a presence were around the area; a presence that filled them with unease.
"What in Equestria is that?" Fancy Pants whispered as he looked around.
"I-...I'm not sure...Are we in any peril? Is this a sign?" Fleur asked as she trembled, her former mood vanished.
"Even I am uncertain to the answer, my love...But I do know who can help us in our time of need," Fancy Pants said as he tried to locate the source of the tremor.
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"I never thought I would owe my life to such interesting creatures, let alone the one that had rescued me from such a cruel fate..."
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Canterlot, as a city, was glorified in its own way, but it did not hold a candle to the castle that belonged to the diarchy that governs over all of Equestria. Canterlot castle was a symbol of Equestria's pride and joy, and the many citizens of Equestria near and far would find solace in the help of their rulers, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.
The two sisters were busy with their scheduled hearings from their subjects in the throne room over varying matters, some of which were tedious in their own way, giving whomever would speak to the princesses an open ear. They were currently listening to a brown stallion's proposition that involved expanding his hayburger business towards Ponyville. Celestia smiled warmly at the stallion before her.
"Your proposition is very appealing indeed, Mr. Patty Pat. I will permit you to construct one of your restaurants in Ponyville."
"Thank you so much for your approval, Your majesty!" Pat took off his chef's hat and bowed in genuflect with a grin on his face, "I won't forget this act of kindness. I'm sure Ponyville will enjoy my life's work!" Before Pat could feel like performing a victory dance, a royal guard burst through the throne room doors, galloping towards the princesses and stopping next to the burger chef.
"Majesties, there's word of an unknown disturbance that has caused distress in the city. We desire your presence immediately."
"A disturbance?" Luna asked inquisitively "What has happened that requires our attention?" The guard looked up at Luna with a frown.
"We're unable to discern the source, but according to our report, some of Canterlot's citizens were met with a small quake, followed by a feeling of somepony close by, though we do not know for sure," He hung his head again, "The guards stationed to patrol the city streets have searched high and low for anypony in particular, but we have no leads whatsoever, and the citizens are growing restless," Celestia and Luna stared at each other before sharing a nod and looking back at the guard.
"We're on our way," Celestia said in determination before turning to a grey mare wearing glasses, "Postpone any further hearings until this matter has been resolved," She said authoritatively.
"Yes, your majesty," The mare replied as she bowed. Celestia and Luna rose from their thrones and followed the guard outside of the castle.
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"It was my aspect and mine alone, yet there he was..."
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Nervous murmurs filled the air as the citizens around the tremor's area could not shake the feeling of a being in their presence. Some darted their heads about in hopes of avoiding a possible ambush while others tried to muster the courage to leave. Whatever it was, they felt it robbed them of any instinct to run away, making them think they would be open for attack if they had done so. A wealthy couple held each other as they shivered in fear.
"What do we do, dearest? I'm uncomfortable with the position we're in," Upper Crust mewled to her husband.
"N-Now now, sweetheart. We have to be strong..." Jet Set gulped as he shivered, "That's right...strong...Like the guards that patrol our fine city..." He said with faint reassurance.
"But they're just as afraid as us..." Upper Crust pointed out.
"...Oh dear..." Jet Set whimpered.
"The princesses! They're here!" A noble cried out in desperate joy, eliciting a swarm of relief from nearby citizens as they saw the approaching images of Celestia and Luna.
Celestia and Luna were looking around as they approached the crowd of distressed ponies, wondering if it were possibly Discord pulling another prank on the citizens. Both of them were miffed just dwelling upon the possibility.
"Sister, what compelled you to release Discord knowing that he wouldn't change his demeanor entirely?" Luna asked irritably, "We would be lucky if he did not choose to disrupt any neighboring nations and thereby initiate conflict between us."
"It was a good idea at the time, but I'll admit I regret ever coming up with it. But we have to be sure it is him so we won't have to deal with any further-" Celestia stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes widened in surprise as she looked forward.
"Sister? Sister, did you find Discord? What has he done?" She followed her sister's gaze and let off a low gasp at what was seen.
"What? What's happening?" One of the ponies asked "What do you see?" He asked as he tried following the princesses' gazes. Sadly for them, what the princesses saw, they could not.
It was better that way.
In Celestia and Luna's vision were two foreign and battered figures coated in copious amounts of scars and blood in the middle of the crowd. There was a bipedal creature with peach skin and blue hair, wearing tattered white garments and was on his knees and gasping for air as one of his green eyes were closed. A skeletal jaw piece rested on the right side of his face. A katana-shaped blade was seen on his waist.
On his back was another figure, though its face was hidden and its arms were slumped over the former's shoulders. its skin was darker and its hair yellow, and appeared to be wearing the same color of garments. The gasping figure stared up at the princesses once he noticed their eyes were locked on him.
"Hey...If you two can actually see us, I'm gonna need a favor from you both..."
To be continued...