It was a calm night in the land of Equestria, and in the quiet town of Ponyville, ponies were all tucking their children in for the night. And in one particular cottage, Fluttershy and Ashley were tucking in Toby and Serenity in to bed, "Alright you little rascals, its time for bed," Ashley said, as she scooped the two up, and placed them in their respective beds, as Fluttershy tucked them in.
"Alright my sweet angels, good night," Fluttershy said, as she and Ashley kissed both of them on their heads.
Both children giggled, and simultaneously said, "Goodnight Mommy, we love you!"
"We love you too," Fluttershy and Ashley said in unison, as both children rested their heads on their pillows, and went to sleep. As soon as the two were asleep, Ashley and Fluttershy quietly tiptoed out of their room.
Toby's Dreamscape:
As soon as he fell asleep, Toby found himself in Ponyville, but it was different than it normally was. Ponyville was completely desolate, not a soul to be found, "That's weird, where is everyone?" Toby wondered, as he started walking around. After trying to find someone, Toby finally came across his friend, Lyra, but she was completely fatigued, "Lyra? What's wrong?" Toby asked, rushing over to the green unicorns side.
Looking up, Toby shuddered at the sight of Lyra's eyes, they were pale, as if she had been completely drained, "Toby, what are you still doing here?!" Lyra asked.
"What do you mean?" Toby asked.
"You have to get out of here, get out of Equestria before HE captures you!" Lyra warned.
"Who's he? My Daddy?" Toby asked.
"Worse, a terrible evil has returned, as is draining everypony of their magic!" Lyra explained.
"But, Auntie Celestia and the others, they can stop this evil, right?" Toby asked.
"No, they can't. He already drained them and banished them to Tartarus, so nothing can stop him, even Discord," Lyra replied.
"E-even Discord?! But, what about the others?" Toby asked, now getting scared.
"Don't worry, Eris transported them to an alternate dimension where HE can't get to," Lyra replied.
"But who is 'he'?" Toby asked, as a crash came from behind him. Turning around, Toby cowered at the sight. It was a large black creature with red arms and a red face. His eyes were black with yellow pupils.
"She means me, Lord Tirek! The rightful ruler of this pathetic land," the monster replied, as he used his magic to grab both Toby and Lyra, "And you, are nothing but a little insect for me to step on, but first," Tirek said, turning his attention to Lyra, "Thanks for telling me about the whereabouts of the others children!" Tirek said, as he threw Lyra away, much to Toby's horror. Just then, a flash of bright light descended upon the two. When the light faded, it revealed Princess Luna. Luna gasped at seeing Tirek.
"Vile cur, what do you think you're doing, showing your face again?!" Luna demanded in her royal Canterlot voice.
"Save it! I'm back, and this time, I plan to make everypony's lives miserable!" Tirek said, as Luna's horn flashed, erasing Tirek from Toby's dream.
"Toby, art thou alright?" Luna asked her nephew.
"I'm alright, but what about Lyra?!" Toby replied, worried about his friend.
"Don't worry, she is fine. But this troubles me," Luna said solemnly.
"Who was that?" Toby asked.
With a heavy sigh, Luna knelt down, "Have you ever wondered how Twilight's castle came to be?" she asked.
"No, I thought it was built like any other castle," Toby replied.
"Well, I shall tell you about it later, but for now, you must awaken, and inform your mothers and sister," Luna said, as she lit up her horn.
"But, what about the others?" Toby asked.
"Worry not, I will inform them myself," Luna replied, as light engulfed Toby.
Toby shot up with a yelp that was loud enough to wake up Serenity, "Toby, what's wrong?" she asked.
"No time, we need to get Momma and Mommy," Toby replied, as he got out of bed, and ran to the door, with Serenity following after him, "Serenity, you go get Momma, while I get my Mommy," Toby said as both siblings knocked on their parents doors.
Opening up her door, Fluttershy was surprised to see Serenity. Ashley was just as surprised to see Toby, "Serenity, Toby, what's wrong?" Fluttershy asked.
"We've got trouble," Toby replied.
"What sort of trouble?" Ashley asked, starting to get worried.
"Apparently, an evil guy by the name of Tirek is back," Toby replied, which made Fluttershy and Serenity gasp in horror.
"Who's Tirek?" Ashley asked.
"Equestria's greatest evil. He saps ponies of all their magic, just leaving them drained and powerless. Toby, how did you find out about Tirek?" Fluttershy asked.
"I had a nightmare, where Tirek captured me and Lyra. But he just threw away Lyra like a forgotten toy," Toby replied, before remembering what Luan had said, "Oh, and Auntie Luna wants us to meet at Auntie Twilight's castle," Toby added.
"Alright, go get your shoes on sweetie," Ashley said to her son, who dashed off to get his shoes on, "Fluttershy, is there any way to stop Tirek?" she asked the butter yellow Pegasus.
"There is one way. it worked once before, so I'm hoping it'll work again," Fluttershy replied.
"I hope so too," Ashley said, as Toby came running back.
"Alright, lets get going," Fluttershy said, as she, her children, and Ashley all left the cottage. However, they didn't notice a pair of sinister eyes were watching them.
'That's right, run away and lead me to the others,' Tirek thought to himself, as he silently followed them in the shadows.