Twilight believed she was Princess Celestia's most faithful and only student – until the day that Sunset Shimmer stole her crown.

Surely, she thought, that that was the end of the students of whom Celestia had neglected to tell her.

But a package delivered to Twilight's door brings evidence that even Sunset wasn't the first, and worse still, that she wasn't the only Royal apprentice to mysteriously disappear!

For the first time in her life, Twilight is rocked by doubt regarding her mentor. Is the package a warning? Can Princess Celestia be trusted? Is Twilight the next apprentice destined to meet an untimely end?

Thanks to Lightning Farron for prereading, and heavy thanks to Dafaddah for a ton of editing.