It was a normal summer day in Ponyville. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and Twilight was sitting in her new castle doing what loves most……reading. But she wasn’t just reading, she was studying. Since Twilight became the official princess of friendship, twilight has taking her studies to a whole new level. She has taken it upon herself to learn all that she can about all forms of magic, and she loved nothing more than some time alone to do just that.
“TWILIGHT, WHERE ARE YOU!?” of course that time was very rare.
“What is it Spike?” twilight asked, not wanting to put her studies on hold for somepony’s stupid problems…..again.
“Well…..you see…”
“Wait Spike, let me guess. Rarity needs me to give her advice on a dress, or maybe Applejack wants me get rid of some insect that are attacking the farm, or maybe Rainbow Dash wants to show off again, or…”
“TWILIGHT, SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND LISTEN TO ME!”
Twilight was taken aback by Spikes sudden outburst, but she soon realized that what she did was uncalled for.
“Hehehe…sorry Spike” Twilight apologized feeling rather embarrassed.
Spike let out a frustrated sigh before continuing.
“Actually, everypony’s been really worried about you. You spend all you time cooped up in here with your stupid books.”
“STUPID BOOKS!” Twilight was yelling again. “Spike books are not stupid, they are harbingers of knowledge and understanding,
they’re a way for pony’s to experience that past and all of the wonders it held, their…..”
“ANYWAY, I actually came by to give you a letter from Cadence.”
Twilight instantly forgot about her rant and quickly snatched the letter from Spikes claw, nearly knocking him over in the process. She quickly ripped the letter open and started reading, and every word she read caused her smile to grow and grow, to the point where Spike was worried her face was going to rip in half. Finally she put the letter down and started celebrating.
“YAAAAY, YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES.”
“HAY! Dragon being left in the dark here. What’s it say?”
“Oh right. Spike this is big news. Go get the others and meet me back hear ASAP.”
“ASAP?” Spike asked while scratching his head.
Twilight just rolled her eyes. “It means As Soon As Possible. It’s a military thing; now get going.”
Twilight was practically shooing him out the door. Once Spike was outside he took off running. Twilight slumped up against the wall, pressing Cadences letter to her chest. Twilight opened her eyes and noticed the book she was reading. The darkness within: a reference guide to dark magic. Twilight simply tucked her book in her saddle bags that were nearby and walking into her throne room to await her friends.
******************
Spike returned to the castle as fast as he could, five ponies in tow. When Spike told them that twilight had big news he was instantly bombarded with questions that he couldn’t answer. Thankfully they were back at the castle and they would get their answers. The group walked into the castle throne room to find Twilight writing a response for Cadence’s letter. She didn’t notice them until Spiked ‘cleared’ his throat. Twilight turned and her happy grin grew into a huge smile.
“Oh finally your all here. Please take a seat everypony, and dragon.”
As everyone went to their thrones Applejack was the first to speak.
“Well Twi, what’s the big new ya got fer us.”
“Oh yes darling you must tell us all about it.”
Twilight was about to speak when her vision was suddenly clouded by a pink face and two light blue eye that stared into her own.
“Tell us! TELL US NOW!”
“Pinkie, back off and let her breath.”
“Fine Dashie but only cuz you asked nicely.”
Twilight finally had space to think. She regained her composure and cleared her throat before speaking.
“Spike, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash. At approximately 10:53 this morning, Spike gave a letter from Princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire. The information held within said letter was astonishing to me. And therefore I had Spike get you all. The information within this letter was unexpected and is in no way a reflection of the Crystal Empire or her…..”
“OH FOR THE LOVE OF CELESTIA. STOP GIVING US A BRIEFING AND CUT TO THE CHASE WILL YA!!!!”
All eyes were now on Spike who was standing in front of his throne with an expression of anger that would cause Nightmare Moon to shake in her boots.
“Ok ok fine.” Twilight cleared her throat again. “Cadence has invited us all to attend the crystal fair. And she says that she has some really big news involving her and Shining Armor.”
Spike slapped his face with his hand. “That’s what you were freaking out over. And invitation the fair. Honestly I don’t see why that’s so important.”
Spike, the Crystal fair is where we were able to defeat king Sombra and liberate the Empire from his evil clutches. I for one would love to see how the fair id different now that he’s gone. Also I have some questions involving my studies that I want to ask Cadence.”
“Well I don’t why I need to go. I’ll just stay here and keep the castle clean.”
Twilight leaned right up next to Spikes ear and spoke, “I bet you would get the full-fledged royal treatment like you did during the Equestrian games.”
Spikes eyes suddenly opened wide and a huge grin spread over his face.
“Well what are waiting for, let’s go to the crystal empire!”
******************
It was a cold night in Fillydelphia, and the streets were surprisingly vacant. A dark brown earth pony with jet black mane was trotting along the sidewalk mumbling to himself.
“Maybe I should just give up. I’ve been hunting these things since I was filly and I’m still no closer to even proving their existence then I was back then. Everypony mocks me cuz I believe in them. Maybe I should just hang up my gear and find a normal job.”
He stopped trotting and raised his head up before giving himself a pep-talk.
“What the hay am I saying? I’m Phantom Seeker. I got my cutie mark while I was hunting these things. From this day forward I vow that I will prove the existence of supernatural entities.”
He punctuated his commitment by stomping his hoof on the ground.
“That’s a pretty tall order don’t you think?”
Phantom jumped back slightly, startled by the sudden noise. He looked in its direction only to see a dark alleyway next to him. He reached into his saddle bags and pulled out his trusty EMF meter as he walked toward the source of the voice.
“Ya it is but I’m up to the task. What’s it to you?”
A dark red unicorn with a two-tone black and silver mane and tail stepped out from the shadows and used his horn to illuminate the area.
“I was just curious.” He said while walking up to Phantom.
Phantom let out a long sigh, half from relief and half from frustration.
“Jeez man I thought you were a ghost or something. What are you doing back here anyway?”
The unicorn before him simply smiled and said, “Waiting for you.”
Phantoms suddenly felt his hooves go cold. He couldn’t move his legs. He started and the unicorn as he walked closer to him.
“What do you mean you were waiting for me?” Phantom said now truly scared.
“It funny really. You actually think you can tame the dark powers your hunting. You my friend, believe it or not, are ill-equipped to tame the dark energy you seek.”
The mysterious unicorn suddenly leapt forward, bringing his face mere inches away from Phantoms.
“Do you truly think you, or any creature in equestrian is ready for the darkness to rise. Do you think you can truly defend yourselves from it. You…..and all of your kind, can’t even imagine the full extend its power.”
There was a sudden flash of red light from the unicorn. And Phantom suddenly found himself alone in the dark alley. He was terrified now. Upon realizing he could move, Phantom turned tail and ran as fast as he could toward the Fillydelphia City Police Department. As he did, A dark red unicorn watched from the shadows. He quietly snickered to himself before being covered in a dim red glow. He then walked out of his hiding place, only now he was a green Pegasus with a spiky blue mane and tail. As he flew off he said one thing.
“And so it begins."