Into the Abyss

Bystanders cleared the way as the train rumbled into Canterlot Station. Once the Friendship Express halted, allowing several ponies to exit the locomotive, a lavender hoof stuck out of the front door. Trotting out was the indigo mane (with a pink hair stripe, she always tells us to mention that) and joyous face of Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship. She cantered off the station, gazing at her home city with awe. She was excited today unlike any other, namely thanks to a little letter she received from her former mentor, asking her to visit Canterlot Castle in regards to otherworldly events. Ever since Hotel Nebula made an appearance in Equestria, Twilight had begun focusing her studies towards universal studies. Sure, she had experience in the Human Parallel world, but to think that there were even more universes with infinite possibilities, it was enough to make her mind explode! Without delay (and avoiding the sometimes irritating escorts that came with being royalty), the lavender alicorn cast a spell and transported herself to the Castle. Her aim was exact, as she appeared right before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, who had just finished sending off a noble petitioner. Seeing her former student appear, Princess Celestia smiled warmly, and gave her guards a tell-all nod. After the last of the guards filed out of the room, the three Princesses stood together, nuzzling affectionately.

"I'm so glad you could make it, Twilight." Celestia said. "And much faster than anticipated."

"Well, when your letter said it involved something beyond Equestria," Twilight said, blushing. "I could only assume it was relating to the Hotel."

"Yes, Hotel Nebula." Celestia said, seating herself at her throne. "What did you think of that experience?"

"Phenomenal!" Twilight exclaimed, slightly hopping midair. "I mean, we had just experienced an interaction with species and creatures beyond our very universe. Sure, there's the Mirror World where Sunset Shimmer lives, but that's only a parallel world to ours! Mr. Tab Keeper and his friends are very lucky to be exploring the very cosmos and beyond." The Solar and Lunar Princesses exchanged grins, putting everything into place.

"Well, what if we were to tell you that you could have that same chance?" Luna suggested, snickering as Twilight's jaw dropped to the floor.

"R-really?!" Twilight exclaimed, before calming herself and blushing. Chuckling at the new princess' actions, Celestia reached out with her magic and levitated an envelope from a stand, bearing a red wax stamp.

"Right after the Hotel departed from Equestria," Celestia explained. "A mysterious figure *ahem* delivered a letter to us." She levitated the letter over to Twilight, who in turn took it in her magic. "Give it a quick read-through and tell me what you think." Opening the letter, Twilight saw a fine written script in Equestrian, but it appeared to be done not by hoof or magic, but possibly by hand.

"'You are cordially invited to a multi-universal event beyond a realm that is not your own.'" She read, eyes agleam. "/This get together is intended to bring various species and groups together under a common banner, and your home universe of Equis. You will be treated to rooming, dining, and comforts of home for three days at the home base of the AoA, one of the largest and most active Universal Powers, located in the universal region known as the Abyss. A chariot will arrive in precisely three days of this letter arriving, and one guest may attend. We expect you to be there. Sincerely, Mask.'" The letter ended with a strange icon similar to the wax stamp: a theatrical mask with the letters "AoA" where the mouth should be. Twilight looked at Princess Celestia and Luna, beaming widely. "Is this really happening, because I hope it is!"

"It indeed is, Twilight." Celestia said, smiling with her student. "This is our chance to get into the universal community. Guardian may deject Equestria's requests to join with him, but if this AoA is willing to give us notice, then we'd be foolish not to reject it."

"However," Luna interjected, raising a hoof. "We can't just rush into this blindly. For all we know, this AoA could be an evil organization who wants to conquer Equestria just as we're recovering from the Tirek attack."

"But that doesn't mean we can't at least give them the benefit of the doubt, sister." Celestia said, glaring at her sister.

"Look at the signs, sister!" Luna shouted (not at Royal Canterlot Voice levels, but still pretty loudly). "The letter is signed by somepony called Mask, the insignia is a mask with creepy eyes, the messenger wore all black, and need I point to the mark above your throne where the letter nearly killed you?!" Luna finished by pointing at the aforementioned groove where the mysterious assailant delivered his message. Twilight's ears folded back in nervousness, now knowing of how dangerous the stakes are. The two Princesses continued to argue about the implications of interacting with an unknown factor, until finally just glaring at each other and turning to face the lavender alicorn.

"Let us consider this," Celestia said. "Twilight, you yourself sent me a friendship report ages ago about learning not to judge a book by its cover. I simply think we should take their offer, and you should be the one to attend this get-together." Twilight was stunned, although rather unsurprised by this. Her teacher had often sent Twilight and her friends on various life-and-limb missions, so this was nothing new. But to practically represent all of Equestria to an unknown universal group whom could only be associated with a mysterious letter and a haunting assailant was unbelievable.

"You want me to go to whatever this is?" Twilight asked.

Celestia nodded. "As the Princess of Friendship, it is your duty to spread the Magic of Friendship across Equestria and beyond. This would also be a test of diplomacy and negotiation, of which Luna and I have had years of experience."

"We'd come to a conclusion that you, a new princess," Luna said. "Would be best to sway whoever this 'Mask' is, and hopefully would earn his favor." Twilight stood still for a moment as Celestia placed an alabaster hoof on her shoulder.

"This is a lot to ask for," Celestia condescended. "And there is no shame in saying no. Take as much time as you want to decide."

"Or she can decide now because the invitation expires in an hour." Said a mysterious, almost hissing voice. Gasping in surprise, the three Princesses turned and saw the shadowy messenger from before, standing in the doorway. Its features seemed a little more recognizable, but the most they could tell he was indeed some kind of grey human wearing a hat and trench coat. Luna snarled, stepping down from the throne.

"You've returned," Luna said, wings flaring. "Come to deliver more lethal messages?"

"Only if you call simple words lethal," The messenger spoke, his raspy voice sending a chill down Twilight's spine. "I was simply sent to send and accept the message from my master."

"I presume you represent the one who sent this letter, then?" Celestia asked. The grey figure chuckled, tipping his hat and further obscuring his face.

"That I am." He hissed. "The Grey Man, at your service." He lifted his hat slightly, showing something shocking: he had no face. "And the Grey Man wants to know if you ponies will accept my lord's offer."

"You can't just rush a decision like this!" Celestia exclaimed, standing beside her sister. The Grey Man simply laughed an eerie chuckle.

"Yes I can." He coldly stated. "In fact, as a Creep, I can do pretty much whatever I want. And what I want," In an instant, he vanished from sight, causing the Princesses to gasp in surprise. Then Twilight felt a cold chill down her spine as something rubbed her back. "Is an answer." Slowly cranking her neck, Twilight saw the Grey Man standing right next to her, staring with a non-existent face. "And I want that answer," Vanishing again, he appeared at the throne, standing atop the golden chair with arms crossed behind his back. "Now."

"What are you?!" Luna shouted, her horn flaring up in magic. Before she could attack this unnerving man, Twilight raised her hoof, and stepped forward.

"What happens if I accept?" She asked.

"Then a Chariot will arrive exactly 22 hours from now," The Grey Man explained. "And you will spend three days at our headquarters."

"And if I refuse?" The Grey Man stood still for a while, unmoving and not saying anything. Then, he started laughing loudly, doubling over and clutching his sides. After a good five minutes of laughing, the Grey Man stood upright and immediately regained his composure.

"Don't." Twilight's eyes darted left and right, whilst the Princesses stared headlong at the frightening messenger. "Tick, tock, ladies. My master isn't a patient man, and he requires an answer in the next few minutes."

"You can't just waltz in here and start making demands about-" Celestia said.

"I'll do it." Twilight abruptly said, stamping her hoof. The two alicorns turned towards the young princess with wide eyes as the Grey Man began rapidly applauding.

"Very wise choice, Princess Twilight Sparkle." The Grey Man cheered, striding towards the lavender mare. Standing before her, the shadowy Creep raised his gloved hand, which Twilight reluctantly took and shook it. "A chariot will arrive tomorrow, pack enough for three days, and come alone, thank you!" Quickly, the Grey Man strode off, vanishing into the shadows and leaving behind three perplexed princesses. Silence was the only sound heard in the throne room for the longest time, as everypony was unsure of what exactly to say. Finally, the newly crowned princess cleared her throat and began trotting towards the door.

"I'll get packing."