ƥ ą ŗ ą ɭ ę ɭ ɭ

"Ugh..."

This is lame! Where has Twilight gone? It's been weeks ever since Big Mac and I hung around the castle when the rest went on the map's quest. Did something terrible happen to her? I don't know.

This place is big, but closed in as well. I haven't been outside since then, I'm usually uneasy about strangers. No pony entered the castle, fortunately, but I desperately needed fresh air. I cautiously headed for the huge golden doors.

Until I got a letter from the princess.

"URK!" I received the scroll from the emerged green flames. It was in its usual form, tied up with a red ribbon. I opened it and read.

My Dear Spike,

Things are not going well in Canterlot. We all are in grave danger; Twilight has been gone, from what I hear from the Ponyville residents. I need you to travel to Canterlot immediately, my guards will be waiting in front of the train station. If things go wrong, send me a letter.

Your Fair Ruler,

Princess Celestia

I quickly took a scroll and quill just in case, and ran out as fast as I could.

As soon as I saw what was out there, I stopped.

The sky was a dusty brown, but still leaving streaks of blue behind. The air smelled a little less clean, and the buildings of Ponyville were covered with...equal signs? Whatever, Spike. Just focus on getting to the guards.

I could also see various ponies with huge grins on their faces, with the same equal signs replacing their cutie marks. Okay, I'm not gonna lie when I say I'm very much creeped out right now.

Phew, there it is, the train station. Wait, I don't see the guards!

"Why, hello there, little dragon," a gentle voice greeted me from behind. She appeared to be a pink unicorn with a dark purple mane, with two green stripes down the middle parting her bangs. She also had that same equal sign like everypony else.

"I've heard you are friends with our princess, hm?" I didn't answer, I was so confused of what was going on. The creepily smiling ponies wouldn't help either. I smiled nervously and nodded, but still having no idea who their "princess" was.

Then, she approached me.

"Oh! Spike! I'm so glad you decided to join us!"

"T-T-Wilight..."

I ran as fast as I could. I don't know what I just saw, it went by so fast. I quickly wrote on my scroll while still running.

CELESTIA ITS SPIKE! THE GUARDS DID NOT SHOW UP SOMETHING HAPPENED HELP!

It sent with the help of my flames.

"Get that dragon!" Somepony called.

Oh Celestia, help me!

"OOF!" I tripped on some small pebbles. The group of smiling ponies surrounded me, so I couldn't get away. I couldn't believe what had happened next.

Twilight had spoken to me. Her mane was different, and her colors were desaturated. Was this real?

"Spike! It's Twilight! I know I haven't been here in a while, but me and Starlight Glimmer are on a quest to spread equality across all of Equestria! You're going to love our new Ponyville!"

What was she talking about? Equality? Does that explain why everyone has those equal signs?

"W-what's going to happen to me?" I stuttered.

"You'll see," Twilight chuckled. "Now, just relax and follow me."

"N-no! I'll never be like you all!" I wanted to run as far away from them as I could. The pink unicorn stood in front of me again with a relaxed smile.

"Now, now, little one," she hushed me. "It's alright. Just follow us and we will-"

Suddenly, a flash of white light surrounded the area, and the next thing I knew was that I was in the Canterlot Castle throne room, with Celestia, Luna, and Cadence.

"Y-your Highn-nesses!" I panicked while my breathing quickened.

"Please, calm down, Spike," Cadence set a hoof upon my back. "It's alright. You are safe with us." Her soothing eventually calmed me. I was away from that nightmare of what had become Ponyville. I might as well tell them what was wrong.

"I h-have something to tell you three," I got anxious again. "You might not like it, but it's very important."

"Go ahead," Luna spoke.

I gulped. How would they react?

"W-well," I began. "When I received that letter from Celestia, I went outside. Ponyville was...different. Everypony in town had equal signs replacing their cutie marks, and they were all smiling in a creepy way!"

"I see," Celestia spoke gravely. "Did you manage to find Twilight Sparkle?"

"Yes," I told her. "Well, not exactly. She had that same equal sign on her, and a pink unicorn was standing by her. Her colors were darker than usual, and she looked very happy. But, how could she be happy like...that? Where are her other friends? I..I just-"

"Calm down," Celestia ordered. "We just need to figure out how Twilight became this way, now that we know she is alive. Did you happen to know the name of this other unicorn?"

"No."

"Very well, then," Celestia turned to face her throne, then spoke again. "Luna, go ahead and raise the moon, it's late. Cadence, Spike will be staying with us, so escort him to one of the spare rooms."

Cadence beckoned me to follow her, as I did. I still looked very panicked, so she had some concern.

"Spike..." Cadence asked. "What does Ponyville look like now? Can you give me any more detail on Twilight's change?"

"I...um," I tried to think. "The pink unicorn was next to her, and it seemed like Twilight knew her very well. She had said something about spreading equality across all of Equestria. Explains why they've got those equal signs on their flanks, but I still can understand why they were all smiling!"

We had made it to the guest room once I finished talking. The bed was covered with a thin purple sheet, along with nicely decorated pillows with patterns of crystals.

"Hey, uh, listen," I said to her. "Let's just talk over this tomorrow, alright?"

She nodded, heading for the door. "Goodnight, Spike, we'll handle this mess tomorrow.

"Goodnight, your highness." The door shut.

I let out a soft sigh.

Why was everything so different?

I miss you so much, Twilight...