//------------------------------// // 0- Prequel- The Missing // Story: (Commission)- Keys to the Missing // by DuskShadowBrony //------------------------------// Prologue- The Missing It was another normal day in Ponyville. Rainbow Dash had gotten up early to clear the skies, allowing Celestia’s sun to shine down brightly onto the small, peaceful town below. A certain Earth Pony hummed to herself as she meticulously tended to the flowers around her home. Her coat was a pale yellow, her bushy orange mane and tail twisted with locks of a lighter orange. Her sharp green eyes glittered as she worked with enthusiasm. “There, that looks perfect!” she stood back to admire her work. The colorful arrangement of flowers were perfectly arranged, at least in her mind. “Morning, Junebug.” a purple Alicorn trotted up the path, smiling. “Princess Sparkle!” Junebug started to bow, stopping as Twilight waved her hoof. “Morning, to you, too, Twilight.” Junebug dropped the formalities at the Princess’s encouragement. “Beautiful as always.” Twilight nodded at the flowers. “How long did this take you?” “You know me, I’m a perfectionist. I started arranging these things as soon as the sun rose.” Twilight laughed. “Of course you did. Anyway, Pinkie wanted me to help hand out these.” she went into her saddlebags, with a rather modest Royal Crest on it, enough to show her authority, but not showing off. “Here.” she passed across a bright pink card, decorated with streamers and confetti. You’re Invited! Pinkie Pie’s Super-Fantabulous-Party-Bash! Games, cookies, cupcakes, drinks, and more! Sugarcube Corner, 31st of May (Today! Yes, as in today, today!) 12 PM to Midnight Hope to see you there! ~Pinkie “I’ll definitely be there.” June said happily, feeling excitement deep in her. She was not as crazy as a party pony as Pinkie, but she was more obsessed with parties than most other ponies. And plus, who could turn down a party hosted by Pinkie? ------ “Glad you could make it!” Pinkie slapped a party hat on June. “Oh, lookie, you’re a Unicorn now!” she gasped, touching her own hat. “Hey, so am I!” “Hello to you, too, Pinkie.” June giggled, adjusting her hat. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” June noticed something was off. “Hey, where is everypony else?” June looked around, but the room, although heavy in decorations, only held Pinkie and June. “I don’t know. Maybe they got lost?” Pinkie suggested, although her voice now had a tone of worry in it. “I don’t think that anypony in Ponyville would get lost on the way here.” June took a seat, glancing at the clock. 1:00 PM. “Oh, hi Dash!” Pinkie bounced happily as the rainbow and cyan Pegasus glided in. “Hey, Pinkie.” Rainbow looked around. “Um… great party? And I thought I was late.” One by one, the rest of the Mane 6 came in, but still, nopony else had arrived. “I don’t get it.” Twilight muttered. “I know I handed out the invitations. The streets were empty, but I thought that was just because they were at Pinkie’s Party.” “Well… a party with seven is still a party, right?” Pinkie regained her usual giddiness, bouncing to her hooves. “Yes. Seven.” a shadow, unknowingly to them, was watching from the window, as they started up the party. ---- It was almost midnight when they had settled down. “Really happy you girls could make it.” Pinkie smiled a little as they were cleaning up. “Still, though. Where did everypony go?” Twilight was still wondering, as she deflated the balloons with her magic. “I’m really starting to worry. Maybe I should send a letter to Princess Celestia.” “Where did little Spike go, darling?” Rarity asked, her horn glowing as she folded an origami box for the trash. “I asked him to watch over the library.” Twilight answered. “Hey, June, what’s wrong?” The Earth Pony was staring at the door, where a gray Unicorn stood. He had blazing green eyes, and a dark gray mane and tail. A brown cloak covered most of his body, including his cutie mark. “Evening, ladies.” his voice was deep, yet silky smooth. “I suppose you want to know where everypony went.”