Prologue: Distorted Memories

"Likely story!" Twilight remarked.

But Princess Cadenza arose, determined to prove that it was her. "Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves–"

"...and do a little shake!" Twilight paused, then grinned the widest grin. "You remember me!" Twilight exclaimed, and Cadenza received her in a hug.

"Of course I do! How could I forget the filly I loved to sit for the most?"

Together, they hugged and they hugged, but then, from the distance came maniacal laughter. A gleam also caught Cadenza's eyes—perhaps a distant exit from the caves.

"We have to get out of here!" Twilight remarked. Her voice now possessed determination. "We have to stop her!" she added with urgency.

Neither Twilight nor Cadenza made it far. The two of them rounded the corner, and they confronted four unicorn guards. The maniac's laughter returned, and the eyes of the guards glowed an eerie sage.