They came from the Everfree

Few approached the Everfree Forest. Even fewer dared to penetrate it. And no matter what anypony says, Fluttershy IS scared by it. In fact, Zecora was probably the bravest being in Equestria. She knew every pathway and trap in it, and it remained the same for a long time. So one can picture her confusion when a flight of manticores thundered towards what she knew was a place they avoided. Despite her knowledge, she couldn't fight off a legendary beast herd, let alone a single one. For the first time of her life, she was paralysed by fear. Said fear turned into shock and hesitant relief as they flew past her.

But the relief slowly died away, as she saw the reason for such powerful beings fleeing their home. The Everfree was rotting right before her. The most mystic and powerful place she was aware of was slowly dying away. Not hesitating a single second, she turned around and ran as fast as she could. She bolted past her house, aware of the numerous things she would have to leave in order to survive. Finally, she saw the exit, alongside Fluttershy's cottage. There was a lot of explaining to be done ...

In the depths of the currently doomed forest stood six ponies : two Earth ponies, two pegasi, a unicorn, and a small alicor, the leader, apparently. "Anypony dead ?" She casually asked, as if it was an everyday formality. Not waiting for an answer, she walked around what she thought was the Everfree Forest. "Except much better ..." She thought aloud. This place was filled to the core with dark magic. She turned to her subbordinates. "Let's go cause some chaos ..."

As they crept through the wood, they couldn't help but to notice the lack of killable things. In fact, the previously lively and dangerous forest was spookier than usual, but also more silent. And it was worrying. Fortunately, as they marched, they didn't notice the small black and purple liquid dripping down the leaves of the withered forest's trees. Space-time liquid in its missing_texture form was known to be dangerous. More dangerous than pure australium.

Nopony was there, nopony knew what would strike them.

"Doctor, why are we leaviiing ?" Asked Derpy Hooves, the local mailmare, in her usual goofy tone. Hidden from anypony's sight stood a big blue box, labeled 'Pony Box'. A brown coated stallion smiled sheepishly whilst opening the box.

"No reason ! Come on, let's go !" He said. And thus they went inside the box, which made a VERY loud noise as it faded away from reality. As it completely disappeared, purple thunder struck its previous location, revealing six mares. "PEELS !" Joyfully said one of them, jumping on a small can.

"I wonder how these got here ..." said the purple alicorn. "But that isn't important. What have we got here ..." in front of her stood Ponyville, her hometown. "I guess we got back after all ... girls, let us politely greet our friends ..." she declared evilly, smiling like a madmare.

Ponyville was now used to its latest inhabitants and guardians. Captain Shining Armor went back to Canterlot with his guards for unspecified reasons. Everything was calm, until an uncommom sighting came into view. The 'evil enchantress' also known as Zecora-that-one-zebra-we-were-all-worried-about-being-a-potential-witch entered the town, alongside the Element of Kindness, Fluttershy. Before they could scream like in the good ole' times or ask any question, they both bolted inside the library, closing the door firmly behind them.

"Oh, hello !" Said Twilight to her unexpected guest. "Zecora, did you have any trouble through town ? Nopony screamed ?"

She shook her head, but not a second later, dozens of ponies outside cried together "The horror ! THE HORROR !" And soon the streets of Ponyville were empty.

"Oh my ... um ... delayed reaction ?" Said Fluttershy, though nopony heard her.

Twilight was about to say something, but was interrupted by Zecora, standing by the window. "By my thumbs !" She declared. "Something oddly familiar this way comes !"

Not bothering to understand what 'thumbs' were, Twilight and Fluttershy walked to the window. What they saw was ... awkward. At the entrance of the town, stood six mares. It would've been an average day, if two of them weren't so ... "Is that ... m-me ?" Whisepered Fluttershy weakly, pointing a hoof at a pale near-white yellow-coated mare with a tall hat, a red mane and a white tail. She was grinning like a maniac, much like her friends. At least Fluttershy assumed they were her friends. She looked horrifying similar to her.

The second one was Twilight Sparkle's business. She was an exact copy of herself. Except for the fact that she had a murderous spark in her eyes, and was an alicorn. This was wrong. The three only known alicorns of Equestria were Cadence, Celestia and Luna, and since it had been proven by Star Swirl the Bearded himself in his 'Guide To What The Regal Sisters Will Kill For Writing' that one becomes an alicorn and isn't born one, she must have passed by the flux of harmony, and accepted by it. That, or she was exposed to intense quantities of chaos magic. Which made perfect sense actually, so Twilight gathered all of the air she could in her lungs, and shouted "DISCOOOOORD !"

Almost instantly, the spirit of chaos appeared right before her. "Why hello, my dear ! I've been waiting for any damsel in distress to beg for help since my reformation !" He joyfully declared, spawning an iron helmet on his own head and a cliché pink pointy hat on Twilight's. "So, how doth my help be requested ?"

"I don't have time for games !" She spat, removing the silly hat, only for it to float back on top of her head. "Ugh ... anyway ... where was I ... ? Oh that's right ... CLEAN THIS MESS RIGHT NOW !" She shouted, pointing her hooves at the six newcomers.

"At your service, ma'am !" He said, before popping out of existence, re-appearing in front of the undesired guests. Not so long later, he crashed through the window, wearing several amounts of bandages which came out of apparently nowhere. "Let your tears fall upon your cheeks, and say 'Thrice welcome, beaten Discord' ! 2spooky4me, sorry but I'm out." He declared dramatically, before slowly fading away from existence.

Meanwhile, the leader of the 'visitors', also known as Brutalight Sparcake, slowly but surely made her way towards the library. Inside, Twilight Sparkle gulped, and called for Spike. "I'll need you to take a letter real quick ! AND I MEAN IT !" Her eye twitched, earning a step back from Fluttershy and Zecora.

Meanwhile, at Canterlot's castle, Celestia and Luna were casually chatting- I mean discussing serious business. "Dear sister," said the latter, "did you sense a trouble in magic all around Equestria too ?"

Celestia blinked. "No, I don't have these powers. Do you ?" She asked.

"No." Answered Luna. "I was simply wondering if you did."

Taking both of them aback, a trail of green smoke came in through a window. "Ah, Twilight must've written to me. I hope the situation in Ponyville is fine ..." declared Celestia, whispering the last part. She ripped the letter open and promptly read it. Her eternally calm gaze became worried for a split second, before turning into a stern look. "Lulu, gather the ones calling themselves Demopan, Painis Cupcake and MeeM. We're heading towards Ponyville right now." On that last word, she teleported away in a shining light of glory, leaving a confused Luna behind.

She looked at the folded paper. On it were written these words :

"Dear Princess Celestia,

I, unfortunately, do not have a friendship report today, however, I am worried because OH FAUST BUCK FORMALITIES EVIL CLONES IN TOWN HELP !"

Not even a signature.