Chapter 1

The Royal Mission

The Sun rose above Ponyville that morning like it did every other day. As the roosters began crowing, ponies of all kinds began to wake up and go about their daily business. Earth ponies and unicorns began picking their gardens and opening stores and marketplaces. The Skies began to be cleared by Pegasai and the word came down from Cloudsdale for the daily weather patterns. All in all, it seemed like a fairly normal day for the citizens of Equestria.

On the road outside of town, an orange earth pony with a cowboy hat was busy taking her apples to market. Apple Jack had gotten up before Celestia had raised the sun so that her and her brother could pick the days harvest and get a jump on the day before it started. She was always happy when they worked together, and she was really grateful that he was willing on helping her that morning. Everything went well and she got on the road as the light broke over the horizon.

One thing bothered her though. As they picked the trees, they noticed eaten apples around the base of one of the tree trunks. Normally, she would have dismissed the munched fruit as the work of those pesky squirrel and rabbit friends of Fluttershy. Those critters were always getting into mischief around her property. The thing that bothered her the most though was the way the apples were eaten. There were large teeth marks in the fruit, much to big to be the work of the small woodland creatures around.

Her older brother, Big Mac, told her he would ask their younger sibling, Apple Bloom, if her or her friends new anything about the situation. She decided to put her mind at ease and relax. As she trotted down the road, she hummed a tune that her Granny Smith sang to her before she went to sleep years ago.

Soon, the downtown of Ponyville came into sight. There was already a bunch of ponies in the marketplace doing their daily shopping. Apple Jack rolled up to her stall and was just about to start unloading the produce when a very familiar sight came streaming across the sky. The fast approaching rainbow colored trail made it obvious who it was. Before she knew it, a blue Pegasus with rainbow colored mane and tail came to an abrupt stop in front of her.

She just tipped her hat back and addressed the newcomer with her southern drawl. “Well howdy there Rainbow Dash. What brings you by my stall so early?” She said, “I'm not open for business just yet.”

With an out of breath voice, Rainbow Dash responded. “Letter... from Princess Celestia... At Twilight's... need... go!”

“Wow! Princess Celestia sent another letter to us? Must be important. I need to let Big Mac know...”

Rainbow Dash cut her off. “ Already stopped by your place looking for you and let him know. He is coming out here with Apple Bloom to take over. Now lets go!” She began pushing Apple Jack along.

“Hey now, no need to shove.”

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As the two approached the library, a pink earth pony was standing by the front door. “They're here!” She said in her high pitched voice.

Apple Jack turned to her. “Hey there Pinkie Pie. What's happening?”

A white Unicorn with purple mane walked up to her and in a very polite and proper tone said, “We just got a letter from Celestia. It seems important.”

A Yellow Pegasus who was standing there said in her super shy tone, “I wonder what it could be?”

As the group of mares were talking, a purple alicorn flew down from the ceiling and landed on the floor. All 5 of them bowed to her. As one they said, “Princess Twilight.”

The purple pony looked at them. “For the last time, please, stop calling me princess. Your my friends. It's just Twilight!”

Apple Jack looked at her and said, “Alright then, what's with the letter? What does it say?”

The other ponies started chiming in with excitement and curiosity when Twilight spoke up. “Hold a moment and I will read it for you.” The group gathered around ready to listen to the letter from the leader of their land.

Dearest Twilight and friends,

A new threat faces Equestria. I went to check on Cerberus on the Gates of Tartarus to see if he was doing well when I noticed that he was knocked out and two of the evil creatures that had been imprisoned inside years ago had escaped. The two that are missing are brothers to each other. The first is a beast called Revenge. He can cause ponies to hold grudges and cause sepration between friends by utilizing unforgiveness. He can also implant himself in a ponies mind and hop from pony to pony, leaving thoughts of hate in the last place he abode. The younger brother is called Remorse. Unlike his older, beast-like sibling, he looks like a pony. He can change shape, appearance, and uses his victims past to claim victory over his enemies. When my sister and I defeated them years ago, the elements of harmony alone was barely enough to stop them. These two will cause great problems for Equestria if we don't capture them or defeat them. I am counting on you to do what is necessary to stop them. The fate of Equestria is in your hooves.

Princess Celestia.

The six stand around in silent. The Princess had asked them to go on assignments before, but nothing like this. This was a massive undertaking. Before, it was to dispel a single villain, but now, there were two, and both had incredible powers. How would they do it? Where would they find these two? If they elements of harmony could barely take down these two before, did they stand a chance?

After a few minutes, Twilight spoke up. “Well, we know what we must do.”

Rarity stepped forward. “What shall we do?” She said.

Twilight looked at her. “We will do what we have always done.”

Pinkie chimed in. “If the princesses could barely take them with all their princessey powers and alicorn magic, do we have a shot?”

Rainbow Dash flew in. “Of course we do! This is nothing. We have taken many villains down before, and we did it together!”

Apple Jack optimistically jumped in. “Yeah! Remember when we faced the Flim Flam brothers who tried to take my farm?”

Rarity joined in. “Or when we defeated those ruffians the diamond dogs?”

“Or smashed Sombra?” Rainbow Dash added.

“Or changed Nightmare Moon and Discord to good!” Pinkie Pie said with cheeriness.

“And don't forget the time we sent Queen Chrysalis flying!” Twilight said.

“Trixie?” Fluttershy said with timidness in her voice.

“Yes Fluttershy. And when we came together to stop Trixie. When we work together, we can do anything!”

The group cheered together in a new found courage. The joyful sound was cut short by a rare sound. Fluttershy was shouting over the top of them. When they stopped and looked at her she went timid again. “You don't understand. Trixie.” She pointed at the door with her hoof.

Standing in the doorway, was the blue unicorn with a tatered up cape and hat. “Um, hi... I was wondering...” She went quiet for a moment contemplating something before speaking up again, “... If you don't mind and would be open to it... could I stay here.”

The room was quiet with an awkward silence that seemed to linger.