Ponyville
Quintilis 26th 1090
4:37pm
Ponyville, a small secluded village at the centre of the grand kingdom known as Equestria, was enjoying a day of peace.
The birds were chirping and the critters gathered food. A pink pony known to the locals as Pinkie Pie was hopping down the many pathways with her Pegasus friend, Fluttershy.
They were out delivering muffins to the many members of the community on the way back from Sweet Apple Acres to the south, where Rarity, an artistic Unicorn, was helping Applejack, a work-horse, with her dress for her cousin Braeburn's wedding in Appleloosa.
Whilst bouncing through the centre of Ponyville, cheerily throwing muffins left, right and centre, the friends looked and saw a cyan Pegasus zoom through the sky, performing many amazing feats of daring acrobatic ability.
Nearing their final destination they noticed a purple Unicorn practising some new types of transmogrification spells with her dragon companion.
"Twilight, are you sure this is safe?" Spike concernedly asked.
"Of course, Spike..." Twilight replied, raising her eyebrow. "Don't you trust me?"
"Yes..." Spike replied hesitantly.
Twilight lifted her horn, and suddenly a bright magenta aura materialized around Spike, lifting him off of the grass.
She closed her eyes and gripped her hooves tight, a beam of energy emerged from her horn - the next moment, Spike flailed around in clear distress and with something strangely wrong with his limbs.
Twilight's eyes remained closed.
"Hi everypony!" Pinkie Pie shouted, hopping up to them both. Upon hearing Pinkie's voice, Twilight's eyes opened...
...but before her, for some peculiar reason, she could see nothing but endless white.
As Spike dropped from his levitated state he watched his limbs slowly reshape themselves to their normal position. Pinkie and Fluttershy stepped forward.
"Twilight?" Fluttershy asked. "Are you alright?"
At that precise moment, Twilight snapped out of her strange trance. Her eyes returned to normal and spiralled into focus, viewing her two friends in front of her. Strange buzz aside, she turned to Pinkie in outrage.
"PINKIE!" Twilight shouted, turning to face the young mare. "WHY DID YOU SNEAK UP ON US?!" She sat down on the grass in a huff, next to Spike.
"We came to give you these muffins, silly!" Pinkie said joyfully, revealing a basket full of delicious home-baked muffins - which made Twilight's ears perk up.
"Wow, they look delicious! Thanks for making- whooooa!" Twilight's thanks were abruptly cut off as, out of nowhere, the basket was lifted up. Slowly, but surely, it was rising into the air. Pinkie and Fluttershy both looked at Twilight - but no, she wasn't making it levitate. Somepony, or something, was making it lift up into the sky.
And from the thin air in front of them, there appeared a mysterious being, with apparent hold on the basket of muffins. Floating off into the wind, the ponies were sure they heard it say the word "Muffins..." as it vanished. Fluttershy turned to Twilight, evidently mystified by that strange event, but with the feeling she needed to apologize.
"Oh, we are very sorry for bothering you Twilight."
"That's okay, Fluttershy. I needed a break from practice anyway," Twilight responded. "What was that thing?"
"Ooh, another guessing game? Whee! Maybe it was-," Pinkie was just about to launch into a list of names before Twilight shushed her.
9:48pm
"Well it has been lovely catching up with you girls," Twilight said a few moments later back at her library. "I think I should retire now, though."
"You aren't that old yet, Twilight," Pinkie joked, making Twilight giggle.
"No, Pinkie," Fluttershy said, "She means she should go home."
"Okey-dokey-lokey!" said Pinkie.
After a quick hug, the three said goodbye and began to head back to their homes. However, as they looked upon the sunset, all three of them stopped for a moment - something seemed out of place.
That sunset came a little bit too quickly.
Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy couldn't quite tell what it was, but it was as if the very air around them had turned alert. They looked into the distance, looking for something that was seemingly wrong, but none of them could put a hoof on it.
Suddenly, as if by transcendent means, there appeared something on the horizon. It was a dark, intimidating aurora, similar in appearance to a dark storm cloud, but with a very unnerving presence. The ponies watched it for a moment, somewhat expecting it to pass by, but they soon realized that the dark haze was approaching Ponyville with alarming speed. It was swallowing up the orange sunset, shrouding Ponyville in a dusky gloom - it was as if night had come quickly, but the atmosphere was distinctly malicious - and for Twilight, Pinkie and Fluttershy, they were extremely unsettled. Twilight was quick on the mark - this could be one of many evil forces that she'd already faced, and this time she'd be sure that it was put to an end before any serious dangers appeared.
"Pinkie, I need you to round up Rarity and Applejack," she instructed.
Pinkie nodded, and bolted off towards Sweet Apple Acres - just as other ponies were peering out of their windows wondering what had happened to the sky.
"Fluttershy, I'll need you to fetch Rainbow. She should be at her house at this time."
"Okay," Fluttershy said quietly, but with as much confidence as she could.
She fluttered up to Rainbow's cloud house over in the fields, as more ponies spilled out onto the streets to look up at the troubling shade of their normally twinkling night. This wasn't the dark blue sky that Luna would put up - this was a sinister grey.
"What are you going to do Twilight?" Spike asked, having just come out of the library.
"I'm going to gather up the Elements of Harmony, just in case. Then I'm going to find Discord, and see if he can help."
Pinkie Pie appeared at Sweet Apple Acres, hoping to find Rarity and Applejack. A speedy search of the farm winded up with them nowhere to be found. Fluttershy was faring no better, as Rainbow Dash wasn't in her house either. What both ponies did find, however, was a note. They both read:
"I'm at the town square. Meet me there if you're looking for me!"
Upon reading it, both ponies raced back to the town square. Fluttershy flew down from upon high and fluttered over the town square, scouring the area for any sign of her friends. Just as was written on the note; Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity were at the town square, evidently rattled, along with other ponies trying to meet up with their own friends.
Fluttershy spotted a pink haze weaving through ponies crash into Applejack and Rarity, being tossed aside into boxes and bags. She winced as barrels came toppling down upon the three ponies.
Fluttershy flew over the growing crowd to her friends, helping them up from their accident.
“Now what in tar'nation?” AppleJack pondered.
"Yeah, what is going on?" Rainbow said aloud, flying a few feet up in the air.
Pinkie let out a shrug, “Well I'm not entirely sure.”
"Well, um, I'm not sure either," Fluttershy said. "Twilight just told me and Pinkie to gather up everypony so that we'd be safe."
"Oh, what in Equestria is this dreadful night?!" Rarity said dramatically.
"Simmer down Sally," Applejack said. "I got a hunch."
The group left the puzzled town square, and headed for Twilight's library. As they entered, they saw Twilight up on a shelf. Twilight immediately threw them their Elements of Harmony.
"Okay, girls! I believe I have found the cause of this strange occurrence," Twilight said, putting on as stern and serious a voice as she could.
Her five friends listened in as she announced:
"It is Discord!" There was silence.
Fluttershy stepped forward, "Ar-Are you sure, Twilight?" she said quietly. "I mean... he has changed."
"I am sure he has, but you haven't seen him do terrible things, as I have," Twilight responded. "Plus, if he is behind this, we can use the elements against him to reverse everything."
"B-but what if you're wrong?" Fluttershy pressed with a mixed tone of disbelief and anxiety.
"Well... if I AM wrong, then nothing will happen. The aurora will still be here. Then, well, we can just release him no harm done! Is everypony in agreement?"
They all nodded, donning their Elements of Harmony.
The fields just beyond Ponyville were even darker than the main town, as no lights from windows could make things visible. This became evident to the girls as they reached the fields after they came from the library in search of Discord.
"I better create some light," Twilight said, using her horn to create a magical light - but just as she did so, all six jumped back in fright.
Discord, as menacing as could be, was standing there in delirious laughter.
"You really thought I changed, didn't you?" Discord said maniacally.
"Discord! I knew it!" Twilight shouted. "Alright, girls, let's show him! Elements activate!"
The ponies stood firm, and their Elements of Harmony began to shine brightly.
A wondrous glow came from Twilight's eyes, and she began to levitate, lifting her friends alongside her.
And in the most amazing burst of power, there exploded a familiar yet magnificent rainbow, which leapt across the sky and smashed down on Discord.
He raised a paw against the colourful onslaught, but couldn't do anything as he slowly but surely turned into the stone statue of his origin.
But it didn't end there - after the rainbow faded, another, even larger rainbow leapt from them.
It shot up high into the sky and exploded cataclysmically, sending rainbows in all directions, cutting through the thick aurora and restoring the natural night.
The ponies were exhilarated.
As they touched down back on the ground after their powerful double rainbow, they all cheered at their success... apart from Fluttershy.
"Umm, girls? The- The Elements..." The ponies turned away from Discord, wondering what Fluttershy was talking about.
"Hey, you're right - The Elements! We're not wearing them anymore... where have they gone?" Twilight looked around, searching for where they might have gone.
"Th-that was what I was saying, um... look," Fluttershy timidly pointed to something on the grass.
The ponies looked at where she was pointing - and saw the Elements of Harmony; in pieces. Destroyed.
"Oh no, The Elements!" Twilight darted over to them, looking at their remains in despair.
This couldn't be possible - their double rainbow was incredibly powerful, but how could the Elements of Harmony have been shattered?
As Twilight desperately tried to restore the Elements of Harmony back to their seamless state, Fluttershy carefully stepped through, over to the fallen statue of Discord.
She laid her hoof upon the stony figure, holding back her tears.
"Goodbye, friend." Twilight stopped, and looked over at Fluttershy. She realised the most enormous bond, even if she didn't feel it herself, between Fluttershy and Discord. Twilight trotted over to her and placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Fluttershy. I'm sure we'll find a way to release him," she said softly. She turned towards the restored night sky.
"Someday." Fluttershy allowed herself a small smile - Twilight could be so reassuring to her at times.
Looking down once more at the broken Elements, clearly irreparable, she slowly walked back to her cottage.
Area Unknown
10:17pm
"My Queen; the decoy was a success," a raspy voice said. "Those meddling mares have imprisoned the rogue Draconequus."
The queen, sitting quietly on her throne, spoke two words without looking up from her dark floor gaze;
“Very good.”
She rose from her throne, hovering over towards a balcony.
"What of the elements?"
The subject responded, head bowed down in respect, “Destroyed.”
The Elements of Harmony, destroyed – for this queen, such brilliant news could only bring her to laugh maniacally with glowing eyes of evil. As her laughter grew ever louder, she was caught unaware by a ringing echoing throughout the throne room. Ears perked in recognition, the Queen stepped sideways, craning her neck to look at a small, green orb at the back of the room hovering over a table. She stepped over to the orb and placed her hoof on top.
There came a cold voice; "Chrysalis, I assume everything went to plan?"
"Of course it did," the Queen responded. "One of the streams should be heading in your direction."
"Mm, yes... I see it now."
The cold voice looked up from his green orb; he could see the rainbow-coloured wave head across the air.
His horn glowing a bright yet dark colour, he fired a sinister bolt of magic into the oncoming spectrum – to which it transitioned from its multiple vibrant shades to a single, pitch dark and malicious tone.
'Soon my slaves, very soon you shall return to me' he thought, licking his lips.
The King watched the darkened shock wave slowly but surely invade the starry navy of the night – watched it collide, unexpectedly, with what appeared to be a lone Pegasus up at the same altitude.
He allowed himself a grim smile as he saw the grisly effects of the distorted wave take place – the Pegasus had turned a fiery red with an enormous glow, and had proceeded to viciously raze a nearby town.
The Sovereign spoke back into his orb; "Chrysalis, it seems as if we have succeeded."
"Excellent. Enjoy the show?”
"Yes, it was...enlightening."
Area Unknown
Quintilis 27th 1098
2:47pm
The rain poured down hard upon Ember, a grown Pegasus, who tried to find shelter under the branches of a great oak. Ember was actively dodging lightning strikes that were jumping down. Despite his fiery name and game, something about the rain made him feel distressed. The pouring weather hitting his mane and tail caused it to sizzle.
But not this night, however – after merely a few moments, Ember heard something. It was distinctly different to the sound of rain and thunder. It sounded like a deranged laugh. Seeking knowledge, he flew off into the sky, hoping to investigate.
Before he could find the source of the laughter, he heard the sound of two ponies travelling through the forest.
"Do you think we'll find it?" said the first, attempting to make her voice soft yet audible over the rain.
"Oh, I don't know," the other replied, "But I hope we do... this forest is creepier than the Everfree.”
The first one stopped in her tracks, a gap in the canopy opened up - revealing an ensuing storm. It was not long before she caught a glimpse of a Pegasus up ahead with apparent flaming wings.
"Hey look up there!" the first exclaimed, pointing towards Ember.
Ember, returning the notice of the two ponies, had completely forgotten about the danger of lightning at his height.
Out of nowhere, a furious bolt struck Ember directly between the shoulder blades.
The Pegasus, paralysed by the ferocious shock of the lightning, could do nothing but fall limply down into the forest. He could just about see and acknowledge the rapidly approaching foliage through disoriented eyes - but before he crashed, he could feel himself being caught.
It took him a while to realise that he had been saved from his doom - by a mysterious Pegasus. Ember caught a small glimpse of the now retreating forest canopy, and allowed himself an exhausted and relieved smile before he fell unconscious.
-
Ember slowly opened his eyes – one of the ponies looked back into them.
“I think he’s coming to,” she said to her friend, who quickly came over to Ember.
"Y-You..." Ember said with drained strength, lifting his hoof up to the rose coloured mane of his saviour, then passing out.
36 hours earlier
Canterlot Grand Quarters
Quintilis 26th 1098
2:28am
Within the many rooms of Canterlot’s royal castle, Princess Celestia lay asleep after a day of watching over her kingdom. The princess was unmoving, and looked completely at peace.
That day had been a particularly good day.
It was a surprise for the Pegasus royal guards, consequently, to hear a strange yet sinister sound wave coming from her quarters. Two royal guards went to investigate, and were shocked to see the princess tremor violently on her bed, her shining bright mane developing a dark outline.
The guards, acting on instinct, rushed over and held her down, so that her powerfully flailing limbs would cause no damage. At the same time, through an illuminated passageway into the room, Princess Luna also came in.
Upon seeing her big sister slowly taking on an evil dark tinge, she immediately rushed over.
“Guards! Keep her in that position. Don’t let go!”
The guards complied and put all their power into securing the shaking princess in place. Luna placed her night-blue horn so that it was connected with Celestia’s, and cast a powerful spell from stored-up magic. The surge, however, spawned a terrifying voice into Luna’s mind – a piercing scream. Luna was launched backwards across the chamber, hitting the wall with a bang.
"Your Highness!" one of the guards shouted. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, fine,” the princess replied, picking herself up.
"If you beg my pardon, Your Highness," another guard calmly responded, "How come you don't go into her dream directly?"
"A bold question," the princess answered, "but it has a simple answer. We—“
A calm voice suddenly rose from behind the bed stands. “She is forbidden from doing so.”
The guards turned round – and upon seeing who was standing there, they bowed their head in unison, all saying “Your Highness!”
"Sister!" Luna shouted. "You are unhurt!?”
The princess looked down on her younger sister, smiling.
"I am fine. I am not sure what happened--" an explosive scorching pain within her mind broke off her sentence. She raised her hooves to her head in clear and excruciating discomfort.
Luna acted quickly.
"Captain, take your men outside and secure the perimeter," Luna commanded. "We will aid our sister." The captain nodded and ordered his men through to the throne room.
"Captain," Celestia responded.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Please send for Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie from Ponyville." Confused from the request, the Pegasus bowed his head in agreement, and exited the royal chambers.
Sweet Apple Acres
5:47am
The night was overhead, and every pony in Ponyville was fast asleep. Ten miles south, an expansive farm land spanned many acres. A gamboge coloured earth pony trotted out of the large red barn.
Stretching her hind legs, she exclaimed, "Ah, beginning of a lovely new day!"
A young olive coloured mare galloped out from between the older pony’s legs.
"C'mon, sis!" she said. "The Pigs aren't gon' feed themselves.”
The elder pony looked upwards into the sky.
"Guess yer’ right.” The two sisters proceeded to head towards the pens, with the older one seemingly getting rather distracted.
"Somethin' the matter Applejack?" the younger asked.
"Ah... it’s nothin', sugar cube," she responded.
"C'mon sis, I know something is troubling ya," the younger pressed, watching her older sister look up at the sky again. "It’s the elements ain't it?"
"Uh-huh," Applejack nodded.
"Tell ya' what, you go enjoy the sunrise while I fix you up a nice breakfast."
"Ya' know what, that’s a mighty fine idea! Thank' ya' Apple Bloom.” The elder sister hugged her younger sibling and galloped over to her favourite apple tree, to watch the princess raise the sun.
Apple Bloom headed into the kitchen to prepare her sister’s favourite breakfast.
'Now where is that apple syrup?', scouring the kitchen she looked through all the cupboards before coming to a sudden realization. 'Pinkie...'
Applejack, having just got comfortable underneath the tree, looked out into the sunrise.
Watching the sun slowly appear over the horizon in a graceful switcheroo with the moon always pleased her. Applejack was staring calmly over at it rising, before the sounds of running startled her.
"W-Who's there?" she called out into the orchard behind her – but then Apple Bloom trotted out from behind a tree, leaving Applejack to lower her guard.
"Here’s yer' breakfast!” Apple Bloom said, sitting alongside her.
Applejack felt ever so peaceful. With the aroma of her favourite breakfast, a sister by her side whom she loved to bits, and a sunrise just about to begin – it felt like nothing would ever go wrong.
Canterlot Castle Gates
6:37am
The chariot dropped into the castle grounds with a thud, one tired pony stepped off delicately, whilst another fell flat on her face, waking herself from her slumbers.
"Quickly the princess looked in great shock, last we saw!" The captain ushered on his men to secure the area, whilst escorting the VIPs to the grand chambers.
Rudely awakened the unsuspecting duo followed on.
"What do you think is up?" the first whispered.
"Oh I don't know," the second yawned, stretching out her hind legs, "But it doesn't sound promising".
The two friends followed on behind the captain up towards the main hallway where they were asked to wait. Minutes passed before they were summoned; travelling down the many secret hallways which hung a plethora of ornate paintings from years past. The chandeliers swung in unison, never crashing, never altering. They entered the bed chambers in which, at first glance, they saw Luna comforting Celestia. Stepping forward, the ponies bowed their heads.
"Come now you two" Celestia said weakened, "Come forward." The two did as instructed and moved forward towards the regal princess' beside. "Luna, if you may?"
Luna immediately turned towards the guards, ushering them from the bed chambers. All the guards fell back towards their posts, "All except you dear Captain." Re-buckling his uniform, he closed the doors and trotted back to the four ponies. Once all five of them were in private, Luna closed her eyes and a stream of cobalt circumfused around all present.
Upon being completely cut off, Celestia began to speak.
"Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, I am quite sure you are wondering why I have summoned you at this hour." The two ponies simultaneously nodding, rubbed their eyes.
"None of this information is to leave this room?" She said looking at all four listeners, nodding. "Some of you may know that I have been having some terrible nightmares of recent", Luna and the guard began to nod, whilst Fluttershy and Pinkie were left bewildered.
"What kind of nightmares?" Fluttershy questioned.
"Well, it's hard to explain entirely, so let me show you" The princess lifted her horn illuminating the room with shining gold. As the light dimmed, both Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie gasped, realising that they were no longer in Celestia's bed chambers. But had been magically transported across space and time.
"Welcome to Trotworth".
Trotworth
Decembris 17th 438
9:17am
Fluttershy and Pinkie looked in awe, whilst the captain stood in attention.
"Relax captain."
Upon hearing the order, the captain began to stretch out his quad muscles. "I have brought you here to explain my nightmares, and why I have called upon you" Celestia explained, "Now Luna, if you will." Luna's horn brightened and everypony was lifted off the ground by an unimaginable force, inside a deep blue bubble.
The group began to gain altitude and then, as if flying, they travelled through the town of Trotworth looking in awe and gasping .
-
"Many Centuries ago, Trotworth was a once prosperous nation. It was led by its then King and my dear friend, King Pybba, until he died" Celestia informed the others as they floated over Ancient Trotworth. "He left reign over Trotworth to his eldest son, Penda, who gave control of the armies to his younger brother Eowa."
-
The group arrived at the castle, at the time of Penda and Eowa's coronation. Inside Luna's field, the group was unnoticeable by all. Looking over the coronation was a much younger, Celestia.
"Greetings everypony" she beamed, "Please be seated". All the ponies sat down and the ceremony began.
The group, following the elder Celestia, watched from the confines of Luna's field. They watched as the young princess crowned the brothers.
Pinkie began to tingle and tremble all across her body, when she burst through the field keeping them hidden, heading straight into the village square.
Noticing the escaping mare, the captain gave chase after the young mare before Celestia called out.
"Remember Coltwulf, nopony must suspect a thing", He nodded and proceeded into the town.
Coltwulf ventured further, deeper into the village, blending into the shadows enough to not be spotted by the inhabitants. He could feel the cool chill of the winter's air upon his neck, trudging through the snow he looked far and wide for any sign of the rogue equine.
The captain surveyed the centre of the town square.
'How can it be this hard to find a pink pony?!'
Looking down, he made out peculiar marks in the snow, as he lifted off his dragon-stone encrusted armour and examined them closer he discovered hoofprints. Kneeling down to investigate, he noticed a string of pink fibre .
'Ah! A trace of that blasted pony, she must be close by'.
Lifting himself from the ground, he saw a young mare trip over a hidden slab, running over to assist the damsel he also tripped over hidden obstacles. The two equines slowly lifted their heads, and their eyes met.
After a short pause, the captain regained his composure.
"I am terribly sorry. Here, let me help you" he said, reaching for the young mare's luggage.
"Why, thank you."
"Fair maiden, may I take your name?" Coltwulf questioned, giving the mare a smile.
"My name is Ælfflæd. And yours?" She replied, wiping her drenched mane from the front of her face.
"Ælfflæd....." Before he could continue, he saw a flash of pink in the corner of his eye. "I am very sorry for this, but I must leave you. May our paths cross again".
As he rushed over to grab his armour, he left a dumbstruck mare to fend for herself in the pouring rain. Eyes left wide, surprised, she shook herself of what just happened, but before she could do anything her mysterious helper swooped past and handed her an umbrella and a wink.
Trotting towards a nearby building, she blushed and sighed, thinking about what he said:
'May our paths cross again'
Canterlot Gardens
Quintilis 27th 1098
12:13pm
In the Equestrian capital of Canterlot, a sunny day was taking course overhead. A violet unicorn, out in the palace courtyards, was merrily leaping over the many hedges that made up the garden furnishings. On a summer day such as this, she was at complete ease.
Taking a particularly mighty leap over a larger hedge, she began to gallop forward – except, for some reason, she wasn't actually moving forward. Looking down, it was apparent that she had never actually touched the ground... this was quite something.
Reasoning that it was probably an experimental enchantment, she did not at all expect the coming events – from thin air, a sparkling energy field encircled her. She tried running out of it, but she simply could not do so – the field dragged her out of the courtyard and into one of the shadowy, uncultivated corners, where a lone pony was secretly residing.
The mare looked around the field and noticed that it started cracking; sensing it to be a turn in her favour, she struck out with a spell. Her horn brightened – and enormous fissures began to appear across the courtyard, the force of which knocked down the unicorn she had brought to her.
Dusting herself off, she smiled. “Nice use of the force field spell, apprentice - however you will have to do better than that to surprise me!"
At that moment, the unicorn stepped out of the shadows, revealing a coat of brilliant azure.
"Of course."
She lifted her pointed hat off of the ground beside her and placed it on her head. "Shouldn't we get moving, master?"
The two unicorns were walking together towards a boutique in Canterlot Square, belonging to a unicorn named Rarity.
"You know you don't have to call me master, Trixie."
"I know, but I still remember all those horrible things I did to you and your friends all those years ago. I feel as if I should be... well, humble.”
The violet mare looked up at the other mare’s glum expression.
"Come on, Trixie, that’s all in the past. You should put it behind you.”
The two mares decided to cut through the side gate to the quiet Canterlot gardens to pick up some lost time. Upon reaching the shimmering garden gates, and using much magical force from Twilight to open them, the unicorns took on a rough pathway leading forward.
"Don't forget to close that gate, Trixie," Twilight said. "And try to do it quietly, that gate looks like it hasn't been opened in a very long time."
Trixie held her horn up high and started to work on closing the giant gate, whilst Twilight trotted ahead, kicking a few pebbles in front of her. Trixie’s pale magenta magic swallowed up the ancient gate, but even after concentrating fervently she couldn't completely close it before slumping down from overwork.
'Come on Trix, you can do it, Twilight trusted you to do this'.
Digging her feet into the gravel, she pushed harder. A stray drop of sweat, complimentary of her exertion, was enough to distract her and cause her charm to fail. The half-open gate crashed shut with an enormous clang, prompting the mare to examine the gate for any damages.
“Phew. No damage as far as I can see.” Trixie stepped back from the gate before unexpectedly being caught on the head by a falling object that had seemingly dropped from absolutely nowhere.
"Ouch!" she exclaimed, rubbing her head. Wondering what had hit her so abruptly, she passed a look over the area. Finding nothing, she double checked to see if everything was fine – before hearing a distinct ting noise.
'Huh?' Trixie looked down and noticed a mossy, metallic object. Wiping away the overgrowth revealed seven letters inscribed in capitals – D I S C O R D.
'I wonder what that means...maybe Twilight will understand'. The mare began to head in her companion’s direction before she was stopped by a loud scream.
"Twilight!” she yelled, rushing over to her friend. To her complete shock, she found Twilight to be unmoving, at a complete standstill – and encased in stone.
The frightened mare surveyed the garden, looking desperately for anything that could have done something such as this. She felt terribly exposed.
“Oh, what do I do?” she said, pacing. “We were supposed to be at Rarity’s half an hour ago.”
She was on the verge of going into total panic, but then suddenly – Rarity. That was it.
“Rarity! Of course!”
Trixie lifted up her stone-cold friend using her weakened, yet still utile, magic. She proceeded down the cold, cobbled pathway. The strain of carrying her friend descending down upon her.
Ahead, an array of looming statues stood either side of the path. Trixie couldn't help but feel as if they were silently observing her – or, come to think of it, whether they had always been statues.
She arrived at the main gatehouse, sparkling in the sunlight. Setting Twilight down, the mare clenched her teeth and pushed the gate with her remaining strength, gaining entrance to the marketplace.
The market lay in the centre of Canterlot, overshadowed by the castle to the north. It was busier than ever today. Trixie, still carrying her friend, spotted some stray blankets which she quickly used to cover the statue and discourage the staring eyes from others. Moving forward slower, she noticed a familiar face in the corner of her eye. She turned to see a large purple dragon out on the street buying supplies.
"Spike!" she called. The young dragon turned his head wondering who had called him, and saw the mare gesturing for him to come over. She weakened under her depleting magical strength she was using to keep Twilight up, and sunk down onto the ground.
"Trixie, are you alright?" Spike asked politely, rushing over.
Trixie looked up, faintly, back at Spike. “Twilight... is in danger... get Rarity... get help!”
