A dark figure easily bypassed the security guards, slipping past quietly without making a sound. The figure knew the layout of the palace, even after all those years. As soon as she reached the huge door, she pondered the problem of the lock. It required powerful alicorn magic to open.
A light bulb went off in her head. Celestia had taught her many powerful alicorn spells when she had shown the potential to, even at such a young age as a normal unicorn. Using much of her magic reserves, she managed to unlock the door and quietly take out the box. She opened it and was amazed at the brilliant shine they gave off. As she was admiring the Elements, she heard hoofsteps close by. She quickly stuffed the necklaces into a sack, cleared any evidence she may have left behind and teleported out with her remaining magic just as a guard peeked around the corner.
"What did Celestia call us for?" Rainbow Dash inquired, flying by Twilight's side.
Twilight sighed. "I don't know, Rainbow. I still don't know after the 382 times you've asked me."
Pinkie Pie was excited. She was listing off a variety of things. "Maybe she's inviting us for a picnic! Or a theatre play!" she gasped. "Or a PARTY!" Pinkie Pie started bouncing around Twilight while she walked. "Please, darling, refrain from being so uncouth. It's no way to meet a Princess." Rarity was wearing a fancy dress reserved for special occasions.
Once they reached the palace, Celestia was out front. "Twilight! I'm glad you made it so quickly! Come!" Celestia quickly led them down the halls. "What's the matter, Princess?" Twilight asked, worried. Celestia stuck her horn into a big lock and opened the box that once kept the Elements of Harmony. The Mane Six gasped. "The Elements are gone! Somepony must've snuck in at night. I need you and your friends to go and retrieve them. I managed to trace the trail the Elements left and...they led into the Everfree Forest."
The six ponies gasped. “Don’t worry, girls. I’m sure the thief didn’t go too far.” Celestia reassured them. Twilight turned to the others. “Get ready everypony. Make sure you’re prepared in any way possible. Who knows what the Everfree will throw at us?” Twilight said confidently. They nodded, except for Fluttershy who was hiding behind her mane.
They reached the entrance of the Everfree Forest. Fluttershy was shaking violently. Rainbow Dash put a reassuring hoof around Fluttershy. “Don’t worry, Shy. If anything happened to you, I’ll kick their butt!” she motioned, punching the air. Fluttershy was shaking less, but still nervous. They entered the Forest, readying themselves.
It wasn’t quite as bad as they had anticipated. It was actually quite pleasant, like a walk in the park. “What if there’s ghosts?” Pinkie Pie looked around. Twilight turned her head and stated, “Pinkie, really? There’s no such thing as ghosts!” At that moment, they stopped and pricked their ears when they heard a rustling sound. “Who’s there?” Rainbow yelled, flying in front of her friends. Applejack stepped forward as well in an attack stance.
“Look at them (look at them). They’re pathetic (pathetic).” whispers echoed through the treetops, chilling the six right to the bone. “Hey! I ain’t no pathetic pansy!” Applejack growled, searching for the source of the voices. “So pathetic (pathetic). What are they trying to do here?” the voices mocked them.
“We’re looking for the Elements of Harmony, thank you very much.” Rarity replied, annoyed. Fluttershy hid behind Applejack, quivering. “The Elements (Elements)? You won’t find them (won’t find them).” The voices were agitating the Six more than ever now. They decided to ignore the voices and continue, the voices following in a dark blue mist.
After a while, Pinkie Pie broke the silence. “What time is it? I’m sleepy!” Everypony stopped and looked at her. “I guess you’re right, darling, we should rest. I feel like my hooves are going to fall off!” Rarity agreed, falling back onto her rump. They sighed and sat down. Twilight casted a protective spell around them while they rested. They all set their heads down to rest.
Before Pinkie Pie could close her eyes, strong whispers flooded into her ear. She decided to ignore it and lay her head down. The whispering came back, stronger this time. Everypony else was already out like a light. Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes and stood up. “Could they just shut up already?” she muttered under her breath, stepping out of the protective circle.
“This way (this way). The Elements are over here (over here).” Pinkie Pie perked up. “Really? Lead the way!” she bounded towards the dark blue mist, glad to finally find the Elements of Harmony and get out of this creepy place. Maybe the voices were useful! They led her to a clearing, far from her friends, flooded by moonlight. She looked around, even digging a few holes here and there. Finally, Pinkie Pie stopped searching and cocked her head. “Where’s the Elements?” she called out. No answer, so she called out louder. “HELLO?!”
Pinkie Pie heard whispers coming from behind, so she spun around. The spin caused her legs to get tangled up and she tripped. When she tried to get up, she felt wispy hooves roughly shoving her back down. Pinkie Pie yelped before her face was buried into the dirt, cutting off the oxygen to her lungs. She flailed her arms around, blindly kicking and punching the air. Oxygen was quickly leaving, so Pinkie Pie tried her best to stay still.
She felt the hooves leave the back of her head. With the remaining strength she had, Pinkie Pie lifted her head and took a huge gasp of air. She tried getting up, but she found her hooves chained down. Pinkie Pie started panicking and screaming out. “RAINBOW DASH! APPLEJACK! TWILIGHT! RARITY! FLUTTERSHY!” Somepony walked around in front of Pinkie Pie’s face. Pinkie Pie strained her eyes to look up. A tall pony was standing before her.
“Hello, Pinkie Pie.” The voice sounded female. She was a brilliant orange yellow colour with a messy maroon mane and long flowing tail. Her pupils were slit and were a dark blue colour. The tip of the mysterious mare’s ear was missing. She had half a horn and her wings were that of a batpony’s, folded at her side. Pinkie stared at the pony’s flank. There was no cutie mark. She was leaning down, face to face with Pinkie Pie. She was smiling, most sinister. “LET ME GO!” Pinkie screamed, squirming around in her bonds.
“Do you have any idea who I am?” the mare hissed, a forked tongue darting out and in like a snake. “I am Lustrous Eventide! You will suffer for your insolence!” At that, Pinkie was knocked out.
