For centuries, ponies have wondered about the sinister forest just outside the Gryphon border. How did it get there? Why is it there? Why is everything so different there? Only three ponies alive remember the horrifying origins of the Everfree Forest...
It was bound to be another beautiful day in Equestria. That was, if the princess could convince herself to get out of bed and raise the sun. A knock came at the doors to the royal chambers, and Starswirl the Bearded trotted in rather hurriedly. “Princess…” he said with a sigh. “The sun was supposed to be appearing over the mountains an hour ago.”. Princess Celestia grumbled rather childishly and reluctantly pulled herself out of bed, stumbling over to the balcony which overlooked most of Equestria. She gave a tired sigh as her horn started to glow pink, summoning all of her power to raise the giant red star. At first, it appeared to cautiously peek out over the mountains, as if unsure how it would be welcomed. With a little ‘encouragement’ from the princess, it soon was on a steady course across the sky. Princess Celestia smiled as thoughts of every pony rubbing their eyes awake entered her mind. Her joy turned sour when she realized that she couldn’t go back to bed, as she had many royal duties to attend to. “Princess, might I have a word with you before you take your throne?” Starswirl asked. Celestia turned to him and smiled, saying “Starswirl. I’ve told you many times before to call me Celestia; we’re old friends, why can’t we act like it?”. Starswirl blushed in embarrassment and continued. “Celestia, last week I felt a breach in the magic barrier near the Gryphon border. I sent a squad of soldiers over to investigate, but I still haven’t heard back from them. I’m worried.”. “A week ago? Starswirl, why am I only hearing about this now? If the Gryphons broke through we could be fighting a battle inside the castle at any moment!” the princess exclaimed. Starswirl dragged his hoof across the floor nervously and replied “I didn’t think much of it because the breach closed after a brief second; definitely not long enough to sneak an army in.”. Celestia closed her eyes, deep in thought on how to handle the situation.
“Starswirl,” she began worriedly. “I need more time to think. If the breach didn’t last long enough for an invading army to sneak in, then we have nothing to worry about; yet I can’t help but feel something terribly wrong is about to happen…”. Starswirl accompanied Celestia out of the royal chambers; the doors swinging shut rather heavily. As soon as they had gone, a lump in the bed next to Celestia’s started to move closer and closer to the edge until Princess Luna’s dark blue snout poked out from underneath the covers. Having sniffed around a bit, she climbed out of her bed and trotted over to the balcony. She simply stared out at Equestria before taking one look back at the door, then spreading her wings and flying off towards the Gryphon border.
Princess Celestia sat on her unnecessarily huge throne, her eyes aching as she struggled to keep them open. She had already seen twenty seven of the ninety-five ponies who had requested an audience with her today, and the sun wasn’t even fully out from behind the mountains. She felt honored that every pony admired her and came to her for advice, but she wished that they would learn to solve some of their own problems for once. “Bring in the next pony.” She said calmly. A gray stallion with a box cutie mark trotted in and sat down before her. “Princess Celestia, one of my friends went missing while picnicking near the Gryphon border yesterday. She’s not the practical joker type, and she’s also not the type to scare her friends like this. We’re all afraid to go looking for her ever since the town wizard warned us not to go near there.” He said, bowing his head respectfully. Celestia’s ears perked up at the mention of the border. “What town wizard? And what exactly did they say?” Celestia questioned. “The fabulous and amazing Dixie; or at least that’s what she calls herself. And she warned us that a great darkness was coming from the north, so we started blockading the town.” He explained. “I haven’t heard of this ‘Fabulous and amazing Dixie’. How many times has she made predictions that have come true? And you needn’t blockade the town; I’ll send some soldiers to protect it if you’re all really that worried. I’ll also look into your missing friend, as well.” The princess promised as she dismissed the pony. She leaned to her side and whispered to a guard, who then took a step forward. “The princess has suspended all audiences until after sun high.” He announced rather loudly before taking a step back. Celestia sighed at the over formality of the whole royalty thing and called for Starswirl and her sister. Soon, her old friend was by her side, but Luna was replaced by a guard who informed them that she was nowhere to be found in the castle. “When was the last time you saw her, Celestia?” Starswirl questioned. “This morning when we were talking, but- Oh, Starswirl…You don’t think she heard us and went off towards the border, do you?” Celestia exclaimed. “I wouldn’t put it past your sister…” he sighed. “What will you do? Your guards are spread thin, being in Ponyville and at their castle stations.” Starswirl continued. Celestia trotted over to an open window and stared out into the distance, trying to form a plan in her crowded mind. Why did she have to attend to such petty things like a flower patch not growing? Or paint not drying fast enough? She rudely cursed the ponies she had seen earlier under her breath and immediately regretted it. She had a duty as ruler to take care of all the ponies in Equestria; no matter how petty their problems seemed. She stomped her hoof down triumphantly as she figured out a plan. “Starswirl,” she growled. “Send messengers to Cloudsdale and Ponyville announcing a militia volunteer request. I’m putting an end to this nagging issue once and for all.”. Starswirl bowed his head respectfully and galloped off. Celestia was tired of the suspense around the issue of the breach in the magic barrier; and she was about to get to the bottom of it.
It had been three days since the recruitment process began, and twenty-four furious pegasi joined the Princess’s Militia along with sixteen worried earth ponies and four distraught unicorns. Celestia gathered her militia in a clearing outside of Ponyville and explained the situation to them. “My dearest subjects; last week, the head wizard of Canterlot, Starswirl the Bearded, felt a breach in the magic barrier near the Gryphon border. He sent a troop of pegasi and unicorn royal guards to investigate the matter, and they have not returned. We have no idea what we’re up against; whether renegade ponies, or a frightening monster such as the Manticore. As some of you may have noticed, the sun has not set since the recruitment booths went up. My dear little sister took it into her hooves to investigate the matter herself and has also gone missing. Today, we discover what broke through the magic shield. Today, we bring all those missing ponies back home. Today, we fight for Equestria!”. All the ponies cheered and reared their hooves into the air, inspired by the princess’s speech. Celestia turned and led the charge towards the border.
The ponies crept along through new foliage and behind young trees as they neared the border. Some wondered aloud where these plants had come from, but they were hushed by others. Celestia soundlessly called for a halt and sent a pony forward to investigate. Not soon after, the sound of a whip came to Celestia’s ears. And then a scream, followed by a whooshing noise, as if the pony was sent flying up through the air. Not wanting to lose any more beloved ponies, she let out a battle cry and charged forward. What she saw would’ve frightened even a Manticore. In addition to the pony she sent forward being stuck in a net and hanging from a tree, Celestia noticed several bipedal creatures all running around, some towards the new ponies. They had metal sticks in their hands that they held with these…Things on their hooves. They seemed to blend into the scenery, but when caught in the light, Celestia noticed how it seemed they were wearing a forest. Several ponies charged forward and leapt onto these strange new creatures. Metal sticks were raised and out came more nets, trapping the brave ponies. Celestia looked around frantically, unsure of what to do in this pressing moment. And then she spotted cages. Metal cages all lined up in a row and nearly her size. Metal cages with moving bodies of ponies inside of them. Celestia rushed towards the cages and hit one dead on with her hooves. She let out a cry of pain and anguish as she realized she couldn’t break them. “Sister!” cried a voice from behind Celestia. She turned and pressed herself close against her sister’s cage, crying softly. “Oh, Luna! Are you alright? What have they done to you?” Celestia cried out, noticing bruises and scabs. Princess Luna fought back waves of tears as she nuzzled her sister, silently begging for her to save them all from these terrible creatures. Celestia had had enough. No more scared or hurt ponies. No more terrorizing Equestria. These creatures had to be stopped, now and for good. She turned to view the battle and immediately wished she hadn’t. Only a few of her volunteers had managed to avoid capture, mostly pegasi flying in quickly to swipe at the monsters before flying away to a safe distance. Celestia turned back to the cages full of sullen and hurt ponies, crying softly as their eyes bore into her mane. She let out one last tear before letting her rage take over her fragile body. Her hooves beat relentlessly at her sister’s cage until they were bruised and bleeding. Luna crawled out from a small space and leaned up against her sister. “Everypony retreat! We’ll come back for you all, I promise!” Princess Celestia called out as she limped away with the remaining ponies.
“Slow down, and tell me everything again.” Starswirl remarked soothingly as Princess Luna caught her breath. “I…I went out towards the border after I heard you two mention a breach…I just wanted to make sure nopony was at risk…But then I saw these tents and I went closer to look for banners. I was just looking through a bush when all of the sudden the ground moved beneath me and I was caught in a net!” Princess Luna explained. “I kicked and screamed, and then those things came and they cut me down. I bucked and bit at them and they hit me, then they threw me into that awful cage.”. Princess Celestia slammed her hoof down at the thought of her sister’s treatment. “Luna, it’s impervious that you tell us everything you saw there; these creatures aren’t anywhere in my books. What did you think they were doing? Did they talk?” Starswirl pried. Luna lowered her head and began to cry a bit. “Starswirl; she’s had a rough few days. I think it’d be best if we let her be for a while.” Princess Celestia said quietly. “Of course, your majesty.” Starswirl agreed as he backed out of the room. Celestia was too sullen and angry to correct her friend once more. She shut the doors to the royal chambers and pressed herself against her little sister. “Oh, Celestia! It was so awful; I was so scared!” Luna sobbed as she pressed her snout into her sister’s mane. “It’s alright, little sister. You’re safe now…”. Celestia promised. “There were so many of them, they just kept coming through this portal, and I tried to-“ Luna continued, but was interrupted. “Wait, a portal? You mean these things aren’t from Equestria?” Celestia asked, shocked. “Starswirl, get back in here, quick!” she screamed, and he came running through the doors. “Starswirl, these creatures aren’t from Equestria!” Celestia exclaimed. “What?! T-Then where ARE they from?” he questioned in disbelief. Celestia turned to her little sister, eyes filled with hope. “I…I didn’t see all of the runes, but I did recognize one…” the younger princess said nervously. “What was it, Luna?” Celestia and Starswirl whispered. “It was…”.
Princess Celestia descended the long and narrow staircase hidden behind the large, detailed portrait of her mother. Step after step, she ran the situation through her head over and over. Creatures from another dimension had invaded Equestria, but for what reason? They had kidnapped and beaten ponies, but why? They had planted seeds of young trees and bushes, but why? Their presence confused her; their possible intentions even more. Celestia pushed away her dark thoughts of what she’d do if she managed to get a hold of one of those creatures as she reached a wooden door with a barred window. “Wake up.” She growled. A dark and raspy cough sounded from beyond the door. “What do you want, ‘your highness’?” the voice asked mockingly. “You have been imprisoned for eons. You can be imprisoned for many more. Only two ponies know of your existence; and only one is allowed down here. I suggest you cut the rudeness and listen to what I have to say.” The princess snapped. The voice laughed darkly in amusement at the princess’s torment. “There are creatures from the Earth realm that have been kidnapping and beating ponies-” “What do I care? You and I both know I’d rather enjoy seeing all of Equestria burned to the ground, and every pony turned to nothing more than dust.” The voice interrupted. “Silence you ignorant mongrel! If these creatures take over, you’ll die with every other pony!” the princess shouted, her voice echoing up the stairs. The voice laughed softly and continued. “Then what would you have me do, Princess? Burn their mongrel hides? Or perhaps you’d like me to hang pieces of them all around Equestria? And even better yet…” the voice drifted off, as the creature it belonged to suddenly pressed its face against the bars. “Eat them all alive, and send their bloody corpses raining down on the world from whence they came?”. Celestia reeled back in surprise at the creature’s face. She had been told of the pony locked deep within the Canterlot dungeon since she was a little girl; as it would be her duty to keep it locked their until it was time to pass the responsibility onto her little sister. But the horrid stories about the evil deeds it had committed did not prepare her for the creatures face. The pony’s color was a horrid mesh of purple and black, with cuts all over it seeping out red blood. Its teeth were still sharp after eons of imprisonment; tufts of mane still stuck between its teeth from the first few unfortunate ponies to encounter this monster. Its eyes were bloodshot, black ooze forming like tears from under them. Its horn was broken long ago to prevent the use of magic to escape. “What, princess, afraid to see an old family friend? Pardon me for my poor hygiene, but I rather like it if I do say so myself.” The pony snickered. Celestia ignored her disgust and continued on. “We are at the end of our rope. No more ponies are going to be harmed today, and you’re going to make that happen.” She stated loudly. “And why should I help you?! Your family locked me in this god forsaken hole eons ago! Alone, furious, and with nothing to do! I’ve sat here, pondering my existence, and your own, while every other pony sings and laughs in the real world. Leave me to my misery; or I’ll cause it for you!” the pony screamed. Celestia’s eyes started to water as she looked into the pony’s dark cage. “When I was a little filly, and the sun was going down…I always feared that creatures with hearts as dark as yours would sneak into my room at night and terrorize me. I told my mother about these fears and she told me a story. Your story. Do you remember it, after all this time? I wish I could’ve been there for when you were so sad and lonely. I wish I could’ve stopped you from doing those horrible things to him.” Celestia said, a tear rolling down her cheek. “I wish I could’ve been there to show you true friendship…” she whispered. “DON’T YOU DARE MENTION HIM EVER AGAIN! HE’S DEAD AND GONE AND HE NEVER LOVED ME LIKE I LOVED HIM! LET ME OUT OF THIS CAGE SO I CAN RID YOU OF THOSE CREATURES SO YOU’LL LEAVE ME THE TARDIS ALONE!” the pony boomed, taking Celestia completely by surprise. The pony turned and started to buck at the door, but to no avail as the door was sealed by powerful magic. After a while of slamming her hooves against the door, she collapsed at the foot of it and lay there weeping as Celestia stood by. And then the unimaginable happened.
Celestia unlocked the magical door and stepped inside. The stench of more than one thousand years was overwhelming, but Celestia stomached it and lay herself next to the seemingly fragile pony. “No pony knows of your existence. You can start again, Darkorus…You can have a new life filled with happiness, love, and friendship. I can remove the eternal life spell and set you free from this prison. You can live the life you’ve always wanted.” Celestia whispered, fighting back tears. Darkorus didn’t fight her tears. “All I ever wanted is for him to have loved me…” she said softly, pressing herself close to Celestia like a child to its mother. “I know…But we cannot change the past; only fight for a better future. But there will be no future if you do not fight.” Celestia explained. “And what would you have me do…?” Darkorus asked as she stared at the pool of tears below her.
Darkorus breathed in the sweet summer night and nearly fainted from the pureness of it. “You can expect more wonders than this if you complete your quest.” Celestia promised quietly. “Refresh my memory again, your m..Ma-jesty…” Darkorus said, choking out the sincere words. Celestia giggled and led her to the Canterlot bathing house. “You will sneak into their encampment under the veil of night. You will find the portal and chant these words very carefully: Klaatu, Barada, Nikto. It’s impervious that-“. “Impervious?” Darkorus interrupted. “It means very important.” Celestia replied. “It’s impervious that you recite those exact words, or the portal won’t close.” Celestia told her as she submerged himself in warm spring water. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a bath?” Darkorus thought allowed. Celestia smiled and suddenly caught a stream of water to the face. “Or even had fun?” Darkorus giggled, taking another gulp of water into her mouth. Celestia stood stone faced, eyes burning through her dark mane. Celestia noticed something flash in her eyes as she lowered her head and let the water out, but she ignored it. “Darkorus, this is no time to be playing around. It’s time for you to leave. Are you ready?” She asked, helping her out of the pool. “Which way to the border?