The morning the sun did not rise in Equestria initially was not cause for immense public outcry. This is not to say that ponies were not confused and eventually quite flustered; many, awaking at their normal hour but seeing that the sun had not yet risen, simply thought little of it and fell asleep, thinking they had awoken early and had more precious time in which to doze.
Eventually, the denizens of each individual town began to wonder what, exactly, had occurred. They stared incredulously at their alarm clocks, wondering why they were sounding for a third or fourth time, despite the view out their abodes' windows still being quite darkened and noticeably sun-less. Had there been a power outage that disrupted the usual order of things? Had the wiring of their clocks somehow malfunctioned? Why was it apparently the time of morning during which most would be fully awake and heading to work, or school, or wherever, when in fact the sun had not yet risen, and figures outside were still lit by the celestial shine of the full moon?
Once it was determined that multiple ponies in a given town were experiencing this issue (and multiple towns as a whole were experiencing the same issue as their neighbors, though this was not yet known by mere villagers), calls were made to each area's respective power stations, at which there was the bare minimum of workers, as their usual morning shifts had not yet arrived due to the strange phenomenon of the lack of a rising sun. No stations reported any such outages, but as tends to happen in times of budding panic, these claims were not exactly met with open arms.
And so, the grievances were shuttled to the main station located in Canterlot, at which point it was determined that a power outage had indeed not been to blame. Unless some sort of strange, invisible force had tinkered with each and every clock in Equestria, something thought extremely unlikely (but completely possible, if you asked a few of the land's more diligent conspiracy theorists), the reason for disorder was simple: Princess Celestia had not raised the sun that morning.
It was then that they found him: Lieutenant Locksmith, one of Celestia's royal guards. The unicorn was found near his assigned post, which for that night was to be outside one of the castle's most important rooms: the sleeping quarters of the princess herself. On that particular night, only Locksmith himself had been prescribed to stand on duty, so that other guardsponies could rest. But instead of him keeping watch, hurried entrants into the hall outside Celestia's chamber found the white stallion paces away from the door, unconscious. His headplate had been knocked from its usual resting place, lying beside him in a crumpled, dented heap.
Shocked and suddenly quite animated, those who had come to check on the state of things rushed into Celestia's room, which was ever-so-slightly ajar.
A faint breeze whirled within the confines of the chamber from a wide-open window nearby. The wind rustled the sheets and blankets atop the princess's bed, which on a normal day lay pristine, even with Equestria's ruler beneath them.
But instead, the sight to behold garnered apprehensive gasps and startled outcries. The bed's contents were disheveled, pillows and sheets strewn about with little care.
Most importantly, Princess Celestia was nowhere to be found.
xxx
A purple blur permeated the now-bustling town of Ponyville, dodging in between bewildered, standstill ponies as it darted through the town's darkened passageways. She knew where she was going - she had traveled the route hundreds of times since calling Ponyville her home. But it seemed as though the entire town had left their homes to congregate outdoors, creating more than a few unwanted obstacles.
A second, similarly-colored figure raced behind her, struggling with all the might a baby dragon could muster to keep up with his friend. Spike had expected Twilight Sparkle to react in a related manner the second he first heard the news from the castle, but the reptile had not been prepared for this.
"T-Twilight! Slow... down!" the dragon called, though he was certain his cries would be in vain. And, indeed, they were. The mare was simply too quick, outstretched wings a formidable comparison to his younger, tiny limbs, and Spike had never considered himself much of an athlete. Twilight was becoming smaller and smaller in his line of vision, and soon he lost her, having run smack into an inattentive Cheerilee, who fell to the ground with a pained grunt.
With an aggrieved moan, the pony wobbled to a stand, shaking her pink mane from in front of her emerald eyes. "What on -" she began, brushing herself off and glancing down to see Spike sprawled out before her. "...oh, Spike! Terribly sorry, I... must not have been paying attention!"
Spike groaned as he stood, massaging the part of his head that had contacted the pony most soundly. "It's okay, Cheerilee. This darkness... can barely see a thing. I shouldn't have been running, but Twilight -"
"Was that Twilight Sparkle? I thought I saw a pony zoom by," said the fuchsia mare, nodding. Then, a thought hit her. "What's wrong? Does Twilight know what's happened? Do you know why the sun hasn't come up, Spike? Both of you are close to the princess, no?"
The dragon paused to study the schoolteacher for a moment, arguing internally whether or not he could tell her what was occurring. Deciding finally that Cheerilee was one of the more trustworthy ponies in Ponyville, he nodded ever-so-slightly, and motioned for her to lend an ear to his level.
Once she had relented, Spike stood up on his toes and whispered the reported happenings to the attentive pony, whose eyes widened with each word.
Alas, either Spike's hushed words were a bit too loud, or the pony that had sauntered up beside them had impeccable hearing, for once the pink earth pony known as Lily overheard the most imperative bits of their conversation, the conversing dragon and pony heard a sudden, rapid intake of air, followed by a fearful shout: "Princess Celestia has gone missing?! Oh, whatever shall we do?!"
Spike and Cheerilee exchanged anxious glances, the dragon smacking a claw to his face in disgust. "That's my cue, I guess," he announced, taking off in the direction he had last seen Twilight. "Nice bumping into you, Cheerilee!"
The earth pony stood bewildered on the spot, as a sea of multi-colored blurs rushed about in panic. A cacophonous cry rose from the spot as the mayor of Ponyville jumped up on a nearby stair ledge. "Please, everypony, remain calm!" shouted the mayor, her expression twisted into a look of pure frustration. "There must be some sort of rational explanation for this!"
No sooner had Spike left than he was joined in his gait by a light orange pony, her yellow mane bobbing atop her head as she galloped astride him. "Spike, what in tarnation is goin' on here? Ah came into town to see what was happenin' and saw Twilight fly by, but ah couldn't get to her in time before ah lost her, 'cause somepony was blockin' my way."
"Can't... talk... now, Apple...jack!" Spike huffed and puffed. "Gotta catch... Twilight!"
"Well, y'sure-as-sugar ain't gonna catch'er on foot, at the pace you're runnin'. Here, hop on."
The duo slowed, allowing the dragon to grab hold of Applejack, throwing himself over top of her. He wrapped his arms gently around her neck, and sensing that her passenger had a firm-enough grip, the earth pony sprung into motion once more.
"Where'd'ya see her last?" Applejack asked mid-gait.
"I dunno! I had her in my sight, but I ran into Cheerilee and lost her. It's so dark out..."
And it was only becoming darker as the pony and dragon left the boundary of Ponyville. Moonshine was effective as a sufficient form of natural light, but only to an extent. The path before them was only barely noticeable, but Applejack had traveled the road many times before, so her inherent knowledge of the area would have to be enough.
"Can y'see her, Spike?" the apple farmer asked, her eyes squinted, her gaze scrutinizing the ground in front of them.
"No, I can't," replied the dragon, sighing. "But I'm sure she went this way. She has to be going to Canterlot, that's where she said she was going. I can't figure out why she wouldn't just teleport there; if she'd just let me talk for a sec..."
"Why d'you reckon she's headin' to Canterlot?" asked Applejack bemusedly. "Is what the other ponies were sayin' true? Has the princess gone missin'?"
Before he could answer, Spike was distracted by a multi-chromatic wave of color which soared above his head, a ripple of wind following. Soon, Rainbow Dash was in line beside the duo, her usual blistering pace slowed so that she could keep with the galloping Applejack. "You guys, what's going on?! Cloudsdale's having a fit right now because the sun won't rise, and everypony in Ponyville is going crazy, too!"
"Princess Celestia's gone missing, Dash!" exclaimed Spike. "Twilight went ahead, and we're following her. She's probably heading toward Canterlot," he said, shooting a look toward the kingdom, which stood, well-lit, on the mountainside beyond them. "Do you think you can round up the others?"
"I'm on it! See you two there!" And as quickly as she had arrived, the rainbow pegasus was gone, back toward the town, in search of their friends.
The earth pony ran in silence, the purple dragon on her back, for a long time, during which the lights of the royal city drew closer and closer. From their vantage point, Canterlot seemed tranquil, much as it normally did on any given night. To think of the chaos that had to be occurring at the kingdom on the hill was unsettling, let alone the idea that the supreme ruler of Equestria had disappeared without a trace.
"How'd y'find out about this?" Applejack asked finally, breaking the silence.
"I got a letter from the palace a little while ago, around when everypony was starting to gather outside. Twilight was still inside... she insisted she could fix her clock, and that that was what had to be the problem," replied Spike. "Once I finally got her attention and told her about the princess, she shouted that she had to get to the castle, and that was it."
"So, what d'yathink happened? Was the princess kidnapped?"
"They didn't say."
"Well, ah don't see how anypony could kidnap the princess even if they wanted to, y'know? Princess Celestia's the most powerful pony in all of Equestria. Maybe she left without the guards knowin', and she's off all safe 'n' sound somewhere else, not knowin' she's bein' looked for!"
"Even if that was it, why wouldn't she raise the sun?" Spike asked.
"Ah, shoot, good point," said Applejack with a sigh.
Eventually, the duo found themselves at the gates of Canterlot. Having run with such reckless abandon, Applejack was at the point of almost near-exhaustion, collapsing into a heap once they arrived, tongue lolled out to the side as she breathed heavily.
Within Canterlot's boundaries, the scene was decidedly less chaotic than it had been in Ponyville, though perhaps it had something to do with the abundance of royal guards, who stood watch outside the city's many structures.
"Hey! Who are you?! Freeze!"
Spike, having stepped off Applejack's heaving frame mere moments prior, froze on the spot. Applejack, meanwhile, took no issue with this command, continuing her rapid intake of air against the cool ground.
Two pegasus guards, both white-coated and with a stern aura about them, walked up to Applejack and Spike. Looking down at the dragon and pony with searching gazes, one spoke again. "What is your business in Canterlot this morning?" the guard asked. "The city is currently on lockdown."
"I beg your pardon, sir," spoke Spike. "My name's Spike. I'm Twilight Sparkle's assistant. She should have been through here a little while ago."
The guard who had spoken turned to his accomplice, who nodded. "Yes, the princess came through here not too long ago," said the second guard. "I remember you now, too. And your friend... she possesses one of the other Elements of Harmony, correct?"
Spike nodded, as did Applejack, albeit weakly.
"Good, very good. I will escort you to the castle personally. Are there more of you en route?"
"Yes, sir. Four more should arrive soon, I hope. Two pegasi, a unicorn and an earth pony, possibly all in one group."
The guard nodded to his accomplice. "Wait for the others, then. I'll see that they make it to the castle and then rejoin you and the other guards."
With help from the two guards, Spike assisted Applejack to her hooves, and together the two ponies and dragon set off toward the palace.
Canterlot was eerily quiet, and even the interiors of the homes they passed did not seem to harbor much activity. Occasionally, Spike would notice a face peeking out at them from behind a drawn curtain, but the pony was back out of view within seconds. A plethora of guards lined the undisturbed streets, some of Celestia and Luna's pegasi fleet, others from the unicorn faction. A few eyed Applejack and Spike curiously, while others seemed to at least partially recognize them from official business and the like.
"Any word on what's happened?" asked Applejack of the guard.
"I have been told very little," replied the guard, maintaining his stern, forward gaze as he spoke. "The princess has vanished, and a guard outside her room had been knocked unconscious. Inside her chamber, the princess's bedsheets had been disrupted, and one of the windows had been left open. That is all I can say."
"What about Princess Luna? Is she safe?" Spike asked.
The guard nodded. "Princess Luna was found in bed, sleeping peacefully, following her evening presiding over the night. Whatever happened to Princess Celestia, the same fate did not befall Luna, nor, it appears, was she ever in any danger."
"So... can she raise the sun, then? If her sister could handle both, I'm guessing so could she..."
"That I cannot say," said the guard, "but it is my understanding that it would be a tougher task for Princess Luna than it would be for Celestia."
Finally, they reached the castle, outside which four more guards stood watch. "This pony and this dragon are both authorized," the guard spoke to his acquaintances. "Grant them entry."
Without hesitation, the stallions stood aside, and the doors to the palace were opened. Applejack turned and nodded a quick thanks to the guard, Spike following suit, before the two entered the great entrance hall of the castle.
As the palace doors closed behind them, Spike immediately noticed a familiar face nearby. "Twilight!" he exclaimed, rushing over to the unicorn. Twilight Sparkle, who had been listening intently to two of Celestia's advisers, barely noticed the dragon when he reached her, and when she finally did notice him, it was only for a brief moment that she acknowledged him at all, before returning to the advisers. There was a glazed, faraway look in her eye.
Applejack walked toward the group hesitantly, not wanting to impose, wondering internally if her presence there was even required. Certainly she wanted to help Equestria in any way she could during the crisis, but she did not know if her services were at all necessary - after all, the palace had a royal guard for a reason, and Twilight was a princess. The orange pony eased slowly across the palace floor, which was dimly lit by a few overhead lights. It gave one the feeling of being inside an immense town hall, like one in which the vikings of Neighfoundland were said to have presided in times past.
Celestia's advisers did not know much; all they could tell the group was of the princess's activities the night before. "She had taken a walk in the courtyard," spoke a tan-colored unicorn mare, "which is fairly standard for the princess. She retired rather early, probably about twelve hours ago by now."
"Before she slept," said the other adviser, a light blue stallion with a black-as-night mane, "she had me go over today's agenda, which was to include a trip to Fillydelphia involving the new dam they are installing outside the city boundaries. I was to send for her early in the morning; the princess should have been halfway to the city by now. But when my assistant reached her quarters, she found the unconscious guard Locksmith, and ran to tell us immediately."
Twilight emitted an audible sigh, her features sagging as her head turned downward. "Thank you, ma'am, miss," she said. "Thank you for the information."
She turned to Spike, and saw Applejack for the first time. At first she seemed momentarily excited to see her earth pony friend, but her happiness soon turned to dismay, as she frowned down at her dragon assistant. "Spike, I told you to gather everypony. Where are the others?"
"You told me to get everypony? I couldn't hear you, Twilight! You flew away so fast, that's why I tried to catch back up to you," cried Spike. "And flew! Couldn't you have teleported here? The both of us?"
The purple pony paused briefly, and grinned sheepishly at the dragon. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Spike," she said, sighing. "You know how I can get carried away and all. And I was halfway to Canterlot before I remembered I didn't need to fly there; it was like I'd lost my marbles. Still..." her stern gaze returned, "we need the other four here so that we have the Elements of Harmony at our disposal."
"Settle down, Twi," said Applejack. "Rainbow's s'posed to be gettin' the others. They should be here soon... ah hope."
"Oh... good."
Sure enough, the rest of the cavalry arrived a short time later. "I'm so sorry we took so long," apologized Fluttershy in a small voice. "We had to... um..."
"Rarity made us carry her," Rainbow Dash growled, massaging her forelegs as she winced with fatigue.
"Hmmph! It's not my fault I couldn't walk that far," said the white unicorn defensively. "Did you really expect me to walk up that mountain by myself? You both have wings!"
"I bounced the whole way up, Rarity! It was great!" laughed Pinkie Pie, delighted. Apparently, she had yet to rid her bouncing spell from her system, as she was still hopping in circles around the otherwise tired group.
"Oh, please," Rarity said, rolling her eyes.
Twilight smiled around at her friends. "Anyway, I'm glad all of you could come. I'm sure Canterlot really needs our help."
"Actually..." began the female adviser with unease.
The unicorn whipped around. "'Actually' what?! What do you mean?"
"...this is something the royal guards are spearheading," said the stallion adviser matter-of-factly. "We merely sent the message to you, Princess Twilight, due to your royal status and relationship with the princess. Princess Cadance had been similarly informed."
"The guards allowed you in, I'm sure, because of your notoriety around these parts, and if you want to remain here and help out however you can, I see no issue," said the tan pony. "But in terms of what is actually decided to go about finding Princess Celestia's whereabouts, the higher-ups of the royal guards are taking care of that as we speak."
Twilight could not speak, her mouth agape in utter surprise. Her help was not required? As a princess? Not even from the rest of her friends?
"I..."
"Now, listen here," announced Rainbow Dash, whisking ahead so that she was just a few inches from either adviser's snout. "In case you've forgotten, we are the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and we are basically Princess Celestia's most trusted pupils. We've saved Canterlot's butt a couple times already - again, in case you've forgotten." Her dark pink eyes were intimidatingly narrowed.
"She's got a point," Applejack added. "If ah were the princess and ah were kidnapped, ah reckon ah'd want us on the job - certainly Princess Twilight here, if not the rest'f us."
The mare adviser glanced over at her stallion accomplice irresolutely. The pony merely shrugged, and looked slightly past Rainbow, over to Twilight. "We'll... bring it up with Princess Luna, my dears," he said. "While Celestia is away, she will have the final say -"
"The final say on what, Winter?"
The voice caught everyone in the room off guard, and many cowered to the floor in fear as the echo reverberated through the immense entrance hall.
Princess Luna shook her head as she came down the great staircase before them, her long, flowing mane trailing behind her as though a light wind swept through the interior corridors. "Sorry, sorry!" she said apologetically. "I keep forgetting. Especially not in here."
Once she reached the ponies and dragon, she turned to the two advisers. "Now, again. Winter Wood, whatever shall I have the final say on?"
Before the stallion could answer, Twilight broke forward. "Princess Luna, I'm terribly sorry to bother you right now as I'm sure you're quite busy. But I just... I figured..."
"Let me guess: you want to help?"
"That's precisely it!" Twilight looked up, beaming.
Luna looked over the six ponies and dragon standing before her, studying each one before returning to Twilight and smirking. "Of course you are welcome to assist, my fellow princess, as are the rest of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony" she stated. "However, the palace's royal guards have already been enacting search parties around the immediate area, with no such luck. We've alerted all wayward forces, and... well, for the time being, we feel as though that is all we can do."
"But... we can use the Elements..."
"But what for?" asked Princess Luna. "Until we know what we're up against, the Elements are useless. Should the time come that we necessitate them, we can alert the six of you. But until we know where my sister has gone and who, if anyone, has taken her... this is simply better left in the hooves of those who reside in the palace. I called you here, Twilight, because as a princess of the land you should be informed, but we do not need immediate action otherwise. I am... sorry."
"Then what are you doing right now?!" Rainbow Dash demanded. "Who's looking for the princess?!"
"As I stated, forces stationed in other parts of Equestria are currently searching. We have also alerted the Wonderbolts, who will be doing some work for us from the air."
"Th... the W-wonder..." Dash's eyes were suddenly much larger.
"Whoa girl, settle down," said Applejack, nudging her multi-colored companion.
"Well, is there anything we can do, then?!" Twilight looked truly troubled by then, her eyes wide with longing as she pleaded to the princess. Luna sighed. She sensed the absolute fervor and passion the purple alicorn felt toward her sister, and though she still felt that the six ponies could not do much of anything at that very moment, she knew that the likelihood of them taking anything but a 'yes' for an answer was rapidly declining, especially with the rainbow one now drooling over her mention of the Wonderbolts.
After juggling with a few ideas in her head, Luna nodded and turned to the two advisers, who still stood nearby listening. "Winter Wood, Cream Medley," she said, "find our guests indefinite accommodations. They will aid us in our search for my sister, in whatever way they can."
Twilight nearly leaped higher than Luna's entire frame upon this news, an infectious grin plastered across her face. "Oh, thank you, thank you, Luna! I promise they'll be on their best behavior, too. I'll be so... did I say thank you yet? Thank you!"
The grayish blue alicorn grimaced, quickly nodding off Twilight's affections. "It is no problem, Twilight, really."
She turned to Spike and to the other five ponies, who watched their princess intently. "You'll have to excuse me, everypony," she said, shaking her head warily. "I must raise the sun in the place of my sister. I cannot say if I will be able to accomplish this, nor if my powers will keep it shining for long; I am tired, after all, after a night spent tending to the land. I will see you all again soon, though. You have my word."
And with one more nod, she turned and galloped back up the grand staircase, off to carry out the job her sister had done every day for so many centuries prior.
Upon Luna's exit, the stallion, Winter Wood, cleared his throat. "Well, then," he said, "I did say that the princess has the final say. Come with me, then!"
He and Cream Medley led the ponies and dragon up the staircase as well, but once they were at its top, they led the group in the direction opposite from that which Luna ventured - to the left.
They were led into a long corridor, brightly colored and with a delectable sheen that gave a polished luster to each object they passed, down to the well-kept tile flooring. The corridor seemed to continue for miles, though the ponies had not a chance to explore its entire length, for a small time after they had entered, the two advisers stopped them at a series of doors.
"These are a few of the guest rooms in which we allow visitors to stay while at the castle, at the princesses' behest, of course. There are two beds in each room, so pair up however you'd like," said Cream Medley, nodding her head at three separate marble doors that stood nearby.
"I'd still lay low, if I were you," Winter Wood added. "Until we get further word on the search for the princess and how it will go about, stick around here. Someone will contact you when your presences are required. Princess Twilight, of course, you are exempt - do what you wish."
"Ah'm roomin' with Twilight!" announced Applejack quite soundly, bounding into the nearest room, into which Spike had already entered. The alicorn did not seem to mind this, following behind soon after. Moments later, particularly after it was explained to Rarity that she was not too important to warrant her own room ("But I have required quarters to myself since I was a filly!" she demanded), the ponies were settled in, and the princess's advisers breathed a sigh of relief.
After making a note of their whereabouts, the ponies walked briskly in the direction of the entrance hall, after which they would locate the other palace advisers. "Maybe they'll know something by now," Cream Medley whispered. "You think?"
"We can only hope," responded Winter Wood solemnly, shaking his head in frustration. "This has been a trying day for us already. Let us hope it will not become any worse."
"Winter! Cream Medley!" a voice called from far ahead of the ponies.
Cream Medley sighed disgustedly. "What were you saying about things becoming worse?" she sighed.
Ahead of them was Thunder Sprint, a fellow adviser for whom neither Winter Wood nor Cream Medley had much affection. The yellow pegasus was new to his job, and had become a bit of an annoyance in recent weeks, asking a question of them every chance he could get.
But they had been spotted, and in a narrow corridor such as the one they were in, there was no escape. "What do you need, Thunder?" Cream Medley called out finally.
"Hold on! Wait 'til I get to you! You're gonna want to hear this, it's important!"
The two ponies looked each other and rolled their eyes. Importance, to Thunder Sprint, usually meant something along the lines of an eagle making its nest at the castle's highest tower, or a new basket weaving class opening in the city.
Finally, the pegasus, whose lightning bolt cutie mark glistened radiantly against the well-lit hallway, came to a halt before them, positively out of breath. "Big... news," he heaved, swallowing hard before continuing. "Problems."
"If this has to do with the princess disappearing, Thunder, we already know," said Winter Wood, tangibly annoyed.
But Thunder Sprint only shook his head. "No! Of course I know that. It's... it's the other princess! Princess Luna!"
The two ponies' attention snapped quite suddenly to their acquaintance, their eyes searching him. "What on earth do you mean?" asked Winter Wood finally. "We just saw Princess Luna. What could have happened?"
"Oh, it's amazing, Winter, truly amazing!" exclaimed Thunder Sprint, barely able to contain each word before they spilled from his mouth like a waterfall. "Apparently another guard came to talk to their leader - Lieutenant Shrouded Veil was his name, I think! He was guarding Princess Luna's room yesterday while she did her nightly duties, right? Well, well, apparently he doesn't remember barely anything of what happened last night - like, it's all a blank, you know?!"
"Well... that's strange..."
"Yeah, and that's not even the best part! He says that he can remember one thing: he remembers being laid up against the wall, right, and then seeing a pony go by him! But it wasn't just any pony. He thinks he saw Princess Luna - no, it wasn't her, it was Nightmare Moon walking past him, out of Luna's bedroom! And now they about to question Princess Luna! Oh, I told you guys, truly amazing! What if Luna abducted her own sister? What if she's trying to retake power over Equestria? See, I told you guys - amazing."
