The New Steed

   In an ever expanding darkness two figures sat. It was a hollow place; it had no beginning, it had no end in sight. This place existed, but it did not. It was here, there, but nowhere all at the same time. The only sign of life was a towering beam of light without source; that shown down on the two figures. They were without shape, and form. They did not resemble any one particular thing, only constantly twisting shadows that barely let themselves be touched by the dim beam that illuminated a perfectly square board of unknown make, design and purpose. resting on this board was a collection of different sized colored pieces. every now and again, one of the figures would move a piece to a different position on the board. This in turn would make the other dark, shapeless form move another piece in kind. While it may appeared as just a game to the players at hand, it was all to apparent that the ramifications of their actions were to be taken as seriously as possible.

   "He is getting old you know?" the first figure said in a voice that rang out as if thousands of individuals had said the words in stereo. After saying this, it took one piece from the board, and placed it to the side; where it slowly disintegrated to dust, and blew away.

   "Yes," the second figure answered in a voice much akin to the first one's tone, as he made his move on the board. "I have been aware of the fact for some time now." A long silence fell between the two for quite some time, each one taking their turns at the game that was being played.

   "So, what do you plan to do about it?" the first one commented as he watched his opponent make a rather skillful maneuver on the board, causing several pieces to vanish, while more came to take their place.

   "Oh, the same thing I have done many times before I would imagine. Though it will be difficult to be sure." This made the second figure laugh as he spoke. "He has become very," he paused for a few moments as he made a single move on the board. "Cranky."

   A new silence came over the pair, as the board itself changed from a square shape, now to a long rectangle; changing the pieces, and patterns on it's surface all together. The two continued once more, taking turns moving the many pieces one by one. "Well, he was always that way, if I remember correctly," the First One said, making them both chuckle to themselves, and at each other.

   "He is quite the character. I have enjoyed his company over the time we have had." While saying this, the second figure let out a long sigh as the first one took a very serious advantage on the board.

   "You have found his replacement then?" the First One said with a voice that let it be known how pleased he was with himself at the sudden change of power on the field. The Second One didn't answer, though a long tapping noise could be heard through out the eternal expanse. The First One did all he could to hide his joy at the current state of the game. As very rarely would the Second One make such a mistake.

   "You see!" the Second One blurted out in a loud shout as he moved several pieces to, and fro on the board. "This is what happens when you get to comfortable with what you have. Mistakes are made, compromises have to be forged. Eventually you find yourself on the losing end of things.

   "You have been in worse situations before," the First One said as he made his move, still confident in the way things were moving. "You didn't answer my question," he asked again.

   "What question?" the Second One asked as he pulled a figure back across a glowing pattern on the board.

   "His replacement. You have found one?" Upon saying this, the board shifted it's shape once again, becoming a multicolored triangle with flowing color schemes, as new pieces came forth to the board, joining the ones that were already there.

   "Yes, yes," the Second One said as he moved just a single piece across the lines on the board. "Though this one is very unaware of the situation." The two didn't speak for some time, until the Second One's turn, where he cause several of the First One's pieces to vanish from play. "I think I should make the new one aware of how things are going to unfold, personally." After saying this, the First One made a sound that would suggest a nervous clearing of the throat; though he had no throat to clear.

   "That's a measure bordering on the drastic side. Wouldn't you agree?" the First One said as he made a series of counter moves to the Second One's actions.

   The Second One just let out a laugh that echoed throughout the endless void. An action that in it self made several of the pieces on the board change color, and even shape. "I don't think I would consider it drastic if I was the one that suggested it." He now took on a new strategy by placing his pieces in a solid defensive formation. "Besides, it would be good to get out I think. Always cooped up here seems to be taking it's toll on my focus. As you can see," he finished by taking one of his pieces, and placing it on the First One's side of the board. The First One did not say anything for a long a period of time, only making his moves as his turn came about. "Don't be so gloomy. It's not like you haven't gone to those places when it suited you," the Second One said with a laugh at his partner's childish silence.

   "That is completely different," the First one said, in a calm, but agitated tone. "Examples needed to be made. Certain Denizens had to made conscious of situations that required them to know of greater things at hand." While he tried to make his argument as valid as possible, the Second one just let out a rapid chortle.

   "Then I will use your point to make mine. I need to make my new one aware of situations that will ultimately affect the greater things at hand. Taking a personal approach to it seems only logical. Plus, It has been such a great time since I have been out, and about."

   "It isn't as simple as that," the First One argued. "The Denizens take my presence as a great thing, something to be remembered." He quickly made a fast move on the board, causing several pieces to fade away. "When you appear, they panic." That statement just made the Second One laugh again.

   "Well, that is not entirely my fault. Our duties put us at odds with those that view us in their own opinions. And I am not always viewed with fear, and panic, I will have you know." Then in a quick move, a single piece raced across the board, causing several of the First One's pieces to suddenly burst into flames, and blow away. "Besides, where I plan on going to get the new one. Well, let's just say they are accustomed to seeing strange things."

   A combination of what just happened on the game field, and the reveal of where the Second One would be going made the First One let out a long oddly amused sigh. "So you are going to that place then?"

   "Well," the Second One started as he quickly took hold of one of the First One's pieces, and crushed it. "Since I am looking for a new steed. It only seems to make since to go to a place where steeds are abundant." For a long passing of time the Second One looked down at the board. His pieces then made several sweeping motions across the glowing patterns of the board. Suddenly many of the First One's pieces were knocked away, while others became the same color of the Second One's pieces, where they all came back to rest on his side of the board, before the board itself took on a new configuration. "Yes," the Second One said as he heard a long sigh of disappointment, and irritation come from the First One's area. "Equestria."

*****

      The party was in full swing thanks to Pinkie Pie's expert planning. It was a young filly named Fall Leaves's cutecenera, and every pony in attendance was dancing, and having a good time. All except three other fillies, whose spirits were down quite a bit due to the fact that their recruitment drive had everything it needed; save for the recruit.

   "Man, this blows!" Scootaloo sighed out as she kicked a round yellow balloon that had rolled her way.

   "Agreed," was all that Sweetie Belle said in response while in turn punting the balloon that Scootaloo just hooved over her way.

   "Now come on ya'll," Apple Bloom said in a forced chipper tone, while stretching a long smile across her face. "Just because Fall got her cutie mark. It don't mean the end of the world or nothing. We should be happy for her!"

   "I never said I wasn't happy for her. It's just now, our plans for seeing if we can get our cutie marks by recruiting others into a club is completely shot!" Sweetie Belle said as she downed another cup of Pinkie's famous hay, and orange punch.

   This made Scootaloo sigh out again, "Don't you think it's kinda weird, and counter productive to try to get our cutie marks by getting Ponies to join a club that is all about not having your cutie mark?"

   "No," Apple Bloom answered. "I think it is weird that you know how to use 'counter productive,' in a sentence."

   "Pfft, whatever. Miss Cheerilee taught us about it in class. Plus, Rainbow Dash said using big words is totally awesome."

   "Yeah well, I think it's dumb," the little yellow Earth Pony huffed out as she closed her eyes in a pretentious manner, then stuck her tongue out at the Pegasus.

   This made Scootaloo get a large snarl on her muzzle as she shoved her face into Apple Bloom's. "Oh yeah? Well I think you're stupid!"

   "You're stupid!" Apple Bloom yelled, back. Putting her face as close to Scootaloo's as possible, matching her mean look, and even adding a small bare toothed growl.

   "You are!"

   "No, you are!"

   "Girls, girls!" Sweetie Belle interjected, wedging herself between the two, and pushing them apart with her hooves. "Look!" she said in a whispered tone of shock, and surprize. Suddenly, all three of the markless fillies forgot all about the altercation that was in the works, and they all dove in a flash under the table behind them. It was Scootaloo who was brave enough to lift the still flapping table cloth, so they could all glimpse what had gotten them so startled. What they saw was a diminutive little light purple unicorn, with a short blonde mane, tail and friendly round gold eyes.

   "Would any of ya'll mind telling me why we are acting more scared than a jack rabbit because of Dinky Hooves?" Apple Bloom commented as she rolled her eyes at the other two.

   "It's not because we're scared," Sweetie Belle answered in a defensive tone. "But look!" she said pointing once again at the tiny little Pony. "She doesn't have her cutie mark yet. We can still turn this recruitment drive around!" She then paused for a moment while placing her hoof up to her chin, as a thoughtful look came to her large green eyes. "I'm not sure why we ran under the table though."

   "Duh!" Scootaloo laughed out as she jumped out from under the table. "It's because you are both fraidy fillies. I totally wasn't scared." By this time the other Crusaders had gotten out from underneath the table, just in time to see their flightless friend strike a pose of poise, and courage.

   "Look! It's the Headless Horse!" Apple Bloom shouted while pointing at a blank wall.

   "Where?" Scootaloo screamed as she turned into an orange blur that placed itself back under the table.

   Both Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom let out long laughs of enjoyment as once again, Scootaloo poked her shaking head out from under the cloth. "Well, I'm going to go talk to her," Apple Bloom said as she started walking towards the little purple unicorn who was still standing just past the door way.

   Dinky was trying as hard as she could to not let all four of her knees knock together as she stood there, and surveyed the party scene. She didn't know why her mother had insisted on her coming to this place. She barely knew anypony here, and the ones she did recognize was just a matter of everypony knowing them. However, her mother did not want her spending all her time in the house while she was out delivering the mail, so here she was.

   "Why aren't you just the cutest thing!" a full grown mare said as she saw the miniscule filly while she walked by with her stallion friend in tow. "And just what is your name little cutie?" she asked as she leaned her head down closer, placing an adoring grin on her muzzle.

   As much as Dinky wanted to say something, she stood there frozen in place, while her mouth just fell open with not a word or sound coming from it.

   The two adults looked down, at the unicorn filly for a moment, then back to each other; then back down to Dinky once more. "What is the matter dear? Aww, are you shy?"

   "Her name's Dinky Hooves," Apple Bloom said as she, and Sweetie Belle arrived with in the group.

   "Oh I see," the mare said as she recoiled away from the small filly. "That's umm?" she said as her gaze went to her stallion.

   "Derpy's daughter. You know, the mail mare?" the stallion answered.

   "Yes!" the mare shouted, making all three fillies bring their heads back towards their shoulders due to the volume of her voice. "Well that's just precious. Are these two your little friends?"

   "Three!" Scootaloo bellowed as she suddenly appeared right next to Dinky, an act that made both Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle get long confused looks on their faces.

   "Well it's just so adorable I might just die!" The mare then reached out, and clasped Dinky's face in her hooves, and squeezed hard enough to squish the fillies cheeks forward on her face. "With your cute little faces!" she said in a rather obvious baby voice. This caused all three of the Crusaders to exchange a series of meaningful glances with one another, before Scootaloo quickly took hold of the panicked eyed purple filly, and attempted to yank her away from the offending mare's death lock.

   "Well, time to go," Apple Bloom said as she helped her friend liberate Dinky from a horrid fate.

   "Yeah, lots of kids stuff to do you know!" Sweetie Belle added as she took hold of the others as well, adding her strength to the pulling.

   "Very well!" the mare said as she let go of the filly, causing her, and the other three to fall backwards. "But since I have you here now Dinky. I would very much like to give you my address, so you can pass it along to your mother. It just seems she keeps putting my mail two doors down is all. Perhaps if she had my address with her, she could be just the tiniest bit more accurate."

   "Yeah right, like that'll happen." the stallion laughed to himself, followed by a pompous snort through his nose. This caused the mare to toss him a rather nasty look, while at the same time thrusting her front knee up into his ribs, causing him to go wide eyed, and let out a burst cough. She then slung her saddle bag forward, to where she could get her muzzle into it. She shuffled around for just a few moments, then came up holding a small business card in her mouth.

   "Here you are darling," the mare said while leaning down to hand Dinky the card. While the purple unicorn took the card out of courteousness, she couldn't help but let a wave of sadness come over her at the stallion's words about her mother. A seemingly small detail that was missed by the adult couple, but was all to clear by the three fillies in attendance. "Now you girls enjoy the party," she said with a cheerful tone, then her eyes turned to ice as she glared at her stallion. "Mister Rude here and I will let you play." She then reached up quickly, and snatched the stallion's ear in her mouth, and began dragging him away as he whined out in protest.

      "You alright?" Sweetie Belle asked as she, and the rest returned to their little corner they were at previously.

   "It's not her fault you know," Dinky mumbled as she spit out the card she was given, and watched it float down the ground. She thought for a moment to snatch it up again, and crumble it up, then throw it in the trash to make sure nopony else would find it. Then she remembered how on several occasions how her mom had told her to try to keep an eye on her temper, so she just let it lay there on the ground, taking comfort in the fact that it would probably get trampled through out the course of the day.

   "Not who's fault?" Apple Bloom asked with a cocked head, and raised eyebrow.

   "My mom's," the purple unicorn answered with a sigh. "She doesn't see very well, and she is kinda silly. But she was just born that way, and it doesn't mean she's stupid!" The three Crusaders glanced once more at each other, each of them feeling the anger that was building in the tiny Pony's voice.

   "Hey," Scootaloo said as she placed a hoof up on Dinky's shoulder. "Don't sweat it kid! Grown ups say dumb things all the time. They can't help it really, I mean, everypony except Rainbow Dash of course."

   This made Apple Bloom roll her eyes at yet another attempt to fit Rainbow Dash into a conversation by Scootaloo. "Well, besides all that," she quickly said before Scootaloo started to try and get Dinky to join her Rainbow Dash is Awesome fan club. "We're fillies. We don't even get any mail, so there's no way your mom could deliver anything wrong to us any way." After saying this, all three of the Crusaders gave the purple filly a grand smile, which in turn made her smile back at them.

   "Thanks guys," Dinky said in a small voice, though showing her gratitude through the large golden globes that were her eyes.

   "So," Sweetie Belle started, putting a business like tone in her voice. "Have you heard of the Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Dinky just slowly shook her head back, and forth, as she watched all three of the fillies look down on her, getting large grins in unison on their muzzles.

   "Well I think you are going to love it!" Apple Bloom cheered out. "We have a clubhouse!"

   "And capes!" Sweetie Belle added with an over joyous voice crack.

   "And free membership to the Rainbow Dash is Awesome club! She's my acting big sister you know? So you are totally in." This caused the other two to lose their smiles as Apple Bloom pushed Scootaloo away, and out of Dinky's line of sight.

   "Anyway," Apple Bloom grumbled while still looking in Scootaloo's direction. "All you need to be is a colt or filly without their cutie mark, and you are in!"

   "So what do you say hmm?" Scootaloo said with a sly grin as she slid in by Dinky's side, and placed her front leg across her back. "You want to join the biggest, most fastest growing club in all of Equestria?"

   "Well, I mean I guess so. It's not like I don't have anything." Just as Dinky was about to finish talking, she was suddenly cut off by the front door being slammed open, as the yellow pegasus know as Fluttershy came soaring in at a great speed, while at the same time letting out a long cry as she blew past all those in the crowd, and latched her shivering body completely to Pinkie Pie.

      "Woo! Random hugs!" Pinkie shouted as she wrapped all four of her legs around the wide eyed, and teeth chattering Fluttershy, making them both fall to the floor. All eyes were on the two now as Pinkie continued to mistake Fluttershy's terror for affection, and she gave her closed eyed, smiling nuzzles.

   "What in the name of Celestia's mane is going on out here?" Applejack bellowed out in a confused, and irritated voice as she came out from the kitchen, her face, and mane smudged with dough from making her families renowned apple pies for the party.

   "M-m-m-m-m-m-m-m," Fluttershy stuttered, completely unable to get the words out of her mouth as she clung to the still hugging Pink Earth Pony wrapped around her.

   Applejack approached the two, looking down at them with one lowered eyebrow. Her gaze then turned to all the other Ponies in the room, as they as well turned their heads to try and catch what had the pegasus completely off her rocker. It was then Applejack looked at the open door, and saw the only thing that could have caused Fluttershy's hysteria. "What in the hay is that?" the orange Earth Pony said, asking herself the question more than anything.

   "M-m-m-monster!" Fluttershy squeaked out as she buried her head into both her own mane, and Pinkie's neck. Applejack then went into a quick dash as she ran out the door, coming to a sudden halt just a few feet outside the house, followed by the complete party, as they all filed out, and gasped at what they saw. It wasn't just the party goers that were in a sudden state of shock, and awe. Many other Ponies, mare, stallion, colt and filly alike all were in a dead stop in their paths as they took in the sight of Ponyville's newest visitor.

    A very pale skinned creature was standing in front of Daisy's flower cart. He was tall, and skinny enough to appear frail at first glance. The top of his head sported black hair, cut short except for the few bangs that fell in front of his hairless face, and brushed lightly against a pair of thin lensed, small framed glasses. He stood on only two legs, and covering his entire body was a finely crafted suit, and tie that was all black as well, save for a long white silk scarf that hung untied from his shoulders. While many of the Ponies that were witnessing the appearance of this new strange creature, some of them even mumbling to one another, or completely fleeing the situation all together. The thing standing there paid absolutely no mind what so ever to the countless prying eyes. He even reached out with his black gloved hands, and gently picked up a white lily, took in a deep inhale as he held it up to his nose, and then let out a happy smiling sigh as he placed the flower in his lapel.

   "H-hey!" Applejack called out trying to stifle the odd sensation of fear in her belly. She quickly took in a deep breath, and stamped her hoof on the ground as a deep furrow came to her brow. "Who are you? What are you? What are you doing over there?" Her questions rang out over the courtyard that had by now become all to vacant, but all the new visitor did was raise a single finger into the air to suggest the Earth Pony should stop her shouting. He then leaned down, and took another long, and deep whiff of the flowers on the cart. Raising up from his small bent posture, he pushed up the glasses higher on his nose, then started walking towards the group of Ponies while straightening his waist length over coat.

   "Very sorry for interrupting you Applejack," he said as he stopped just a few feet from the gawking crowd of silent Ponies. "You see, it has been just such a long time, since I had actually smelled any thing so lovely. I just had to stop and take them in." Once more he pushed up his glasses as he looked at the still motionless crowd, and gave them all a long friendly grin. "Now, to answer your questions. Who I am, what I am; well those are difficult concepts, and can get rather complicated. So I will spare you the details. Now I can say as to what I look like; which would be a Human."

   "What's a Human?" Apple Bloom asked with an inquisitive tone as she pushed herself through the bunched up herd.

   "Can they do magic?" Sweetie Belle chimed in as she too emerged from the crowd.

   "Can they do cool stunts?" Scootaloo said while she was jumping up and down in the back of the crowd, being unable to join her friends in the front. This made the newcomer let out a loud laugh as he clapped his hands together from the amusement of the complete lack of fear from the young Ponies.

   "Get back in the house girls!" Applejack commanded in a stern voice. This caused all three of the fillies to let out a disappointed groan while they retreated backwards, being swallowed up by the herd. The Earth Pony then turned her vibrant green eyes back to the still smiling stranger. "Alright partner, you're a Human, that's fine, and all as we try to be kindly to all the folks that visit here. Still didn't catch your name though."

   "My name?" The stranger brought his covered hand up to his chin, and made several stroking motions. "Well I have many to choose from. It is rather hard to pick something that would be easy to remember, but still have the kind of presence one would hope for when they hear their name being spoken. Let's see, let's see." The creature that called himself a Human simply stood there for a while, seemingly completely lost in the quandary that had befallen him. Applejack couldn't help but feel some of the tension flee from the current situation, as many of those in her group, and from around town alike started to talk amongst themselves, and inch in closer. "Ah!" the Human shouted as he snapped his fingers, making several Ponies jump back from the sudden action. "Since I am appearing in this manner before you, it seem only appropriate that I call myself, Samael. Yes, that should do just fine."

   "Samael huh?" Applejack repeated. "Well that'll do okay I reckon." That's when something came to her suddenly, something that this Samael had said the very first time he spoke to her. "Say Samael. Have we met somewhere before? Cause I could have swore you said my name just a few moments before." This caused many of the other Ponies to look at one another, agreeing with the fact that he indeed said her name before any introductions were made.

   "Did I?" Samael said with a confused look on his pale face. He then nodded his head as he too remembered the event. "Well indeed I did. Well don't worry yourself about it. I just happen to know everyone's name." He stopped for a second, and looked around at the current population, then let out a quick laugh. "Oh do forgive me. Every Pony, as the case would be. Yes, it is just a simple trick I know. Nothing to fret about at all." After giving his explanation, Samael knelt down to one knee, so he could be more eye to eye with the brave Earth Pony. "Now as far as us meeting before? I am afraid not. You and I were not supposed to meet for a very long time. However, certain circumstances have brought me here."

   "Uh huh. And what circumstances might those be?" Applejack said with a sarcastic tone as she wasn't to terribly impressed at the use of magic, and the cryptic sayings he was using was coming off as more annoying than anything else. Though there was still this gut tightening feeling she had that he was being dead serious under the charming smile he wore.

   "Well the first thing is to apologize to little Fluttershy there," Samael chuckled as he raised back to his feet, and waded through the herd of Ponies, who were all to inclined to part a way for him to pass. "It seems I appeared right beside her. I was afraid I had sent the poor thing to an early grave from the look of shock on her face." By the time he had finished speaking, he had reached the shuddering pegasus, and the still very much hugging pink Earth Pony.

   "Hey there mister," Pinkie Pie blurted out, not paying one second of notice to the completely new creature standing before her. "We're hugging! Do you want a hug too? Ooo are you that monster that she has been talking about?"

   "That, Miss Pinkie Pie is completely a matter of opinion," Samael said as he chuckled at the lack of fear the little Pony had towards him, something he found very refreshing to be sure. Even still, he once more came down to his knee, and leaned in a little further. "Now Fluttershy," he began as he cleared his throat some. "I really do have to make amends for giving you such a startle back there. Do I have your forgiveness?"

   "S-s-sure," Fluttershy squeaked in an almost incoherent voice, as she shoved her face deeper into her mane.

   "I am sorry, I didn't quite catch that?" Samael commented as he raised his hand to his ear, and leaned down further. He gave off a smile as he knew he heard something akin to a word come from Fluttershy's general area, but the voice she was using was just so soft, he could not even begin to make it out.

   "She said she was sorry. Now come on back out here, fraid you have gone and made a bunch of Pony folk all nervous." His head turned slowly on his neck as he heard the bold command come from Applejack, who was quite obvious the leader of the group, and was more and more letting her initial shock of meeting him start to fade away.

   "Well, as you decree fair maiden. I will trouble this one no longer." With that, he raised to his feet, and started to walk back out of the house. Not before his eyes caught the sight of the four little fillies that were sitting all in a row in the room. As he passed them by, he gave a slight lopsided grin, and let out a short chuckle from his closed lips. Once more he found himself outside standing next to Applejack, and a few other Ponies that were feeding off her stalwart nature to confront any strange occurrence that befell them. Though all he did was slip his hands into his coat pockets, and look about the town before him as he lifted himself up on to his toes, then back down. "So, how about a tour?"

   "Uhh," Applejack stammered while looking to other Ponies in the area as they started to come closer still, some of them even opening their doors, and windows again. "Well sure. Wouldn't be very neighborly of us to not show some good 'ol fashioned Ponyville hospitality."

   "Outstanding," Samael said as he, and the orange Earth Pony started walking off towards the town square, where she quickly started giving him an almost rehearsed history of the town.

*****

      With a strong violent gasp, Princess Luna sprung up from her bed. Her breathing was hard, and rapid. Her deep black coat shimmered with sweat in the bright Sun's rays. She quickly looked around her room in a panic as she desperately tried to find the source of the dread that filled, and woke her up in the middle of the day. She could not remember having a nightmare, or any dream really for that matter. She just knew that there was something terrible in her land now, and strong enough to make her feel an actual fear swelling to great proportions in her heaving chest.

   The doors to the Moon Princess's room swung wide open as Luna dashed down the hallway in a fast trot. She was in such a hurry to get to the throne room that she did not even take the time to put on her crown, chest plate, or any other adornments she normally wore. All else became invisible to her as she tore head long to her destination. She completely disregarded all the other Ponies that filled the corridors, all of them making quick jumps to remove themselves from her path, while others gave quick bows, and acknowledgements as she sped by.

   The two unicorn guards that stood outside Princess Celestia's throne room barely had enough time to open the doors to the great hall as Princess Luna blew past them as if they weren't even there. "Tia!" Luna shouted as soon as she broke the threshold of the massive wooden doors. She was given no response. Just the sight of her elder sister standing by a large window. "Sister?" the Moon Goddess asked as she slowed her run to a small long step, and came up to her sister's side to see a shaking look of horror filling the Sun Princess's slender pink eyes.

   "Something is here Luna," Celestia said with a quiet whimper. "Something that isn't supposed to be here. Something that should have never come to this world, or any world." This only made Luna's anxiety even worse, in seeing how distraught her sister was. Never the less, she too turned to look out the window, having to squint her eyes slightly from the light of the Sun.

   "I know Tia, I felt it as well. It pulled me from a dead sleep." She shook her head a little as once more the feeling that came over her tried to return. "I don't ever remember feeling such a way."

   "Nor I little sister," Celestia responded while continuing to glare blankly out the window, towards the horizon. "However," she said as she pulled her eyes from the scene outside in an almost forceful manner. "You and I are old enough to deal with such things." With several quick steps, the Sun Goddess returned to her throne. "Guards!" she shouted, making several golden armor clad Ponies appear in an instant. "Find our fastest flyers, the Wonderbolts if need be. Tell them to find, and instruct Princess Cadance, and Princess Twilight Sparkle to come to Canterlot without delay!"

   "Yes your Highness!" the guards shouted in unison as they deeply bowed their heads, while backing out of the room at the same time.

   "Tia, I don't understand. Why bring the other Alicorns here? Are we in danger?" Luna asked as she came up the small steps of the throne, and sat by her sister's side.

   "I can't answer that Luna," Celestia said with a sigh while sinking lower into the tall, red cushions of her chair. "All I know is that I want all the Alicorns with me. When I go to Ponyville."