Prologue

The night was still as Apple Picker look over his latest loot. He just got done picking the left half of his orchard and was understandably hungry. He sat on top of his cart and pick what he consider the best out of the bunch. He was pretty good at what he does, as it was his special talent. As he took the first bite out of his apple, a small crackly noise rip through the air. He looked around but saw nothing. He shrug and was about to take another bite when a slight louder crackly noise happen again, this time to his left. Apple Picker didn’t know much about storms but the Pegasus had said there wouldn’t be any storms for the next day or so.

Before he could think about it any further, a loud pop and a blinding light hit Apple Picker right in the eyes. He stumble off his cart and slam into the ground hard. As he started to recover, he look to see he was not alone anymore. Standing at were the light had come from, was a pony wearing some type of armor, huddle on the ground. He had seen the armor of the royal guards but this wasn’t it at all. He pick himself up and walk towards the strange pony.

“Excuse me, are you alright?” Apple Picker ask as he got closer to the strange pony. He smelt burnt hair and the smell of magic. The pony has started to get up and Apple Picker saw that the pony was wearing a helmet of some kind, blocking him from seeing the Stanger’s face.

:”Where am I?’ The pony ask, allowing Apple Picker to at least recognize as a female pony. He step a little closer to her and lift out his front right hoof.

“You’re about six miles out from a small town called Ponyville. I was about to head there myself when you…” Apple Picker started to say but felt magic wrap around his throat before he could finish. He let a startle gasp as he felt himself being lifted into the air. He look to see that the unicorn’s horn was glowing a deep purple with red lightning flashing inside it.

“Six mile, you say? Next question, do you recognize this pony? She said used her magic, still holding him in place, to pull out a fade picture from her pocket. Apple Picker look at the picture and shook his head no. The female pony tilted her head at this and Apple Picker can almost hear the smile behind the voice.

“Well, that mean I have no further use for you. Well, except for one more thing.” She said. Suddenly, the magic surrounding Apple Picker turn a blood red and he felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time. His very energy was being drain. He remember when Tirek did this. But unlike Tirek, she wasn’t stopping. He felt the world get colder and his vision started to blur.

“Wait... You’re… killing…me.” Apple Picker gasp. The last thing he heard before he left the world of the living was, “Won’t be the first time.”

(Royal Palace, Same time)
Celestia awoken with a start, as the echo of her dream left her mind. She had felt this power before but not like this. This felt ten time more powerful and angrier. She got out of bed and race towards the throne room. She knew that her sister had felt it and if it was from the same foe as before…

“Sister, please tell me that wasn’t who I believe it to be.” Luna ask as soon Celestia flew into the room. Luna was using the throne room like every night to watch over dreams and keep the moon in its place. She felt the wave of power just as clearly as her sister but not its source. Celestia was pulling out scrolls and magic books from every direction.

“I don’t know if it was Tirek but I set up some precaution since last time. I left a squad of loyal guards at the front of Tartarus to keep an eye on things. I’m going to use a spell that is supposed to commutate over long areas.”

“Or?” Luna said with a raise eyebrow. Celestia look a bit annoyed and sighed.

“Or I switch heads with the pony I’m trying to talk to. But I have no time for cation. I need to know if it him.” Before Luna started to protest, Celestia started to chant.

(Meanwhile, The fort outside Tartarus)

Two guards were standing outside, one with a spear and the other holding a crossbow like weapon. As they stare into the night sky, the speared one spoke out loud.

“Do you ever wonder why we’re here?” He asked his comrade. The other guard didn’t even look away from the sky.

“No, I don’t ever wonder why we’re here.” Crossbow guard said quickly. The last time they got in discussion, He won’t shut up about how it was stupid for them to be there or how…

“I mean, I know I can fight off a couple of bandits, the occasional monster but do you think we stand a chance if Queen Chrysalis, or even Tirek broke out. I get Celestia want us to warn her if they escape but how am I supposed to do that?” Spear Guard asked, kicking a stone across the dirt path way. Crossbow Guard sighed and was about to answer when a fire ball pop right in front of the two guards. They quickly drew their weapons but watch as the fire open up, revealing the face of Celestia.

“Hello? Hello, can you hear me?” Celestia voice drifted in and out of the fire. The two guards’ instinctively lower their weapons and stand at attention.

“My Queen.” They both response as they lower their head in a bow.

“At ease, my soldiers. I only have a few minutes with this spell so I’ll be quick. Has Tirek escape from captivity?” Celestia call out from the flames. Both the guards look at each other and turn back to the fire ball.

“No, My Queen. None of the prisoners has escape from their cells.” Crossbow Guard answer. The image of Celestia nodded at the news but it was clear to the guards that she was worry.

“That is good news. Please, stay at your post and alert me the second something seems off.” Celestia said and with that, the fire ball disappeared. The two guards look at the smoke left behind and stood in silence. Like before, Spear Guard broke the silence by asking, “And how are we supposed to do that?”

“Just shut up and stay on point.” Crossbow said in a tired voice.

(Back at the palace.)

“So if it wasn’t Tirek, sister. Then who could have possessive that much power?” Luna ask as soon as the spell ended. Celestia look at her sister and then back to the night sky.

“I don’t know and that is what scare me the most.”

Author's Note

Next chapter: Keepers of the time laws