Chapter 1: Calm Before the Storm
Many know the wonderful stories that have been told of Twilight and her friends in Ponyville. But not all of the stories have been told. And not all of those stories are as happy as the ones from the televised series stories, that humans from the alternate dimension housing Earth have heard and seen over and over again. This story is of a darker tone then you may expect. I'm writing down everything that's happened to us throughout these horrid events. And seeing as how my memory is sooooo good, it's only natural that I, Pinkie Pie, the sole chosen pony to write out this drama, am the one writing all this. It all began on Twilight's birthday; three months after her coronation...
Twilight was sitting around all of us, eagerly opening our presents. She had already opened Spike's present; a hard to find spellbook; and Princess Celestia and Princess Luna said they'd give her theirs at the Canterlot Castle. Twilight was opening my present right now, carelessly tearing apart the red wrapping paper.
"I can't wait to see what it is!" Twilight declared. Applejack chuckled and said,
"Knowing Pinkie Pie, it could be anythin."
I merely smiled as Twilight opened the white box containing my present. Twilight gasped and blurted,
"Pinkie! HOW did you GET this?!"
She held up the purple crystal I gave her, admiring it with awe. It was the size of Spike, and quite heavy. Rainbow Dash looked at the crystal and said "It's just a rock."
"Just a rock?! JUST a ROCK?! This rare crystal is only, rumored mind you, to be found in the darkest, deepest depths of a ravine near the Everfree Forest! Do you know how much folklore surrounds this thing?"
Everyone looked puzzled, then shook their heads. Twilight ranted on.
"Not to mention the innumerous magical applications that this thing can be used for! Powder for potions, spell augmentations, focus crystals, energy balancers..."
She trailed off as she saw the others' confused looks. She sighed.
"Nevermind. I'll just set it aside on the table here."
After setting down the crystal, Twilight asked her question again.
"But seriously Pinkie. How in Equestria did you GET that?"
I laughed then asked
"Like it?"
"Very much so...But you're still dodging the question."
"Oh yeah. My bad. Zecora gave it to me to give to you. Said something about a present for a job well done on all the lessons you've been taking with her."
"Well thank you Pinkie Pie. And please thank Zecora for me. I'm afraid I can't stage a visit, what with Princess Celestia summoning me to the castle."
Twilight dragged Rainbow Dash's present in front of her to get ready to open it. Just then, Spike came into the room with a plate of sandwhiches.
"Anypony hung--" he began, but stopped short upon eying the gem on the table I'd given Twilight. His mouth began to water and his eyes went wide.
"Am I gazing upon Heaven?" he asked.
"No," Twilight put simply. "You are gazing at a crystal that is VERY rare, and that is to ONLY be used for my research. No eating it. I don't even want to see you smelling it. Got it?"
"But--"
"No buts. I'll get you a gem basket later."
"But how can you get me a gem basket if you're going to Canterlot Castle? The gaurrds will be here to pick you up in less then ten minutes."
Rarity groaned, then asked,
"Do you all think my abode is tidy enough? I don't want royalty to see my botique and think I'm some ruffian slob."
We all laughed, except Rarity and Spike. Twilight put a hoof to Rarity's shoulder.
"Oh Rarity," she began, "your house looks fine. I'm sure the gaurds won't think you're messy. Besides, they're just here to pick me up and take me to the castle."
Twilight opened Rainbow Dash's present and held it up. It was a wing care kit. She gave Rainbow a skeptical look, to which Rainbow reacted to by blushing and rubbing the back of her head with her hoof.
"Uh, yeah..." she began. "I just though, you know...Since you have wings now and all...I mean...It's not easy caring for them, I mean...well...."
Twilight held a hoof up which quieted Rainbow Dash.
"It's fine Rainbow Dash. Thank you. I'm sure it wll be useful."
She set it aside, then grabbed Rarity's present. However, knocking, and a deep voice calling for Princess Twilight stopped her.
"Oh no. Sorry girls. I have to go. Have Spike...Have Applejack deliver the presents to my house. I'll open the rest when I get home ok?"
We all nodded and I shouted,
"Bye Twilight! Happy Birthday!"
She smiled, then left the botique to go to the castle. Little did we know, what would develop there that night, was the most unexpected thing we've ever encountered...
