The Second Renaissance

After a day of waiting, Twilight’s article about the cherry blossom festival appeared in the Ponyville newspaper. However, the front page was reserved for the news that the royal guards were stationed at every corner of Canterlot Castle. Twilight’s article was on page three, which was fine with her, until she read the news about it. On the front page was a photograph of the guards stationed at their post at the wall, and a headline printed in large black letters.

It took everyone by surprised that day, especially Twilight Sparkle. Her thoughts dwelled on the disturbing news from her hometown. Princess Celestia hadn’t so much as sent her a letter explaining why this was happening. The news troubled her greatly that not even an afternoon picnic with her friends eased the tension. A breeze settled with the ponies, which sent a chill which coursed through Twilight’s spine.

She was joined by Spike, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash was performing tasks for the weather team. Pinkie Pie was supposed to be with them, but as usual she was fashionably late. The ponies and the dragon sat on a large red and white checkerboard blanket, each bring a basket of goodies with them.

Rarity decided to start a conversation to help take Twilight’s mind off of things. She began to talk about the events from the day before at the Carousel Boutique. Nopony at the picnic thought it was the least bit interesting, but it was nice of Rarity to be the first to lighten the mood. When Rarity finished it was Fluttershy’s turn. She talked about her volunteer work at the bird sanctuary, then Applejack talked about her farm work at Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight listened to them - as a good friend should do, but her mind often drifted off to what was happening in Canterlot.

“So darling, I believe that you’ve been writing for the Ponyville Gazette lately,” said Rarity. “This morning I saw your article on the paper.”

“Oh yeah… about the cherry blossom festival. On page three,” said Twilight. She seem to be in a daze. “Yeah… I worked very hard on it. I’m glad the editor liked it.”

“The parade is supposed to happen this Saturday, I think,” added Applejack. “Apple Bloom and her little friends from school is supposed to be in it.”

“Oh that will be a sight to see,” said Rarity.

“Yeah. Parades are nice,” said Twilight.

Twilight tried to put on her best smile, then a little bit of her sandwich. The rest of the ponies and Spike glanced at each other, realizing their efforts in small-talk have failed. In that moment another option presented itself.

“Twilight, if there’s something on your mind, don’t be afraid to tell us,” said Rarity.

“I don’t think --”

Rarity raised her hoof. “We are friends. Just let it out.”

“Well… all day the only thing I’ve been thinking about is Canterlot. I’m pretty sure all of you heard the news about it, right?”

“I think they’re just being extra careful about things,” said Applejack. “Since the Changelings and whatnot, anything could happen.”

“And don’t the Prince of the Deer Kingdom,” said Rarity. “Maybe the princesses believe the Castle needed extra security. There are surely madponies running about in big celebrations such as this, especially when someone of interest arrives.”

“This whole thing will blow over, you’ll see,” said Applejack.

“I hope so,” added Fluttershy.

Spike was about to add something to the conversation, but for some odd reason he thought about Pinkie Pie, mainly her Pinkie-sense. She was able to detect danger before it happens, she told them. On the day her Pinkie-sense was triggered she couldn’t figure out what was happening on that day. Then Spike finally remembered; she believed it had something to do with the festival. And now Pinkie wasn’t here. His mind was making connections to what was happening in Canterlot to Pinkie Pie. Was it possible, Spike wondered.

Another breeze came toward them, shivering as they felt chills on their skins. They raised their heads to gaze at the sky, seeing there were clouds about. Most of them were attempting to cover the sun.

“Mighty breezy for April, don’t you think?” said Applejack. “Didn’t Rainbow Dash said she was helping the weather team?”

“I’m sure they’re doing the best they can,” said Rarity. She searched for basket with her magic and wrapped a warm scarf around her. “However, you are correct. This is unusually cool weather for April.”

Although the ponies agreed that the strange weather was nothing to worry about, Spike wasn’t satisfied with their answer. Chills ran up and down his back, and it wasn’t from the breeze. He thought about Pinkie Pie some more, and he became nervous as the clouds brought momentary darkness.

They heard a loud, high-pitch voice coming from the distance. Heads turned and approaching them rapidly was Pinkie Pie. Her running was interrupted by weird body movements. Spike noticed; her Pinkie-sense hadn’t stopped, he realized.

“It’s good to see that Pinkie Pie is finally here,” Applejack said, irritably.

“Guys, I have something to tell you!” said Pinkie. She was out of breath.

“What is it?” asked Fluttershy. “Is something wrong?”

“Twilight, remember when you said my Pinkie-sense might have something to do with the cherry blossom celebration?”

“I never said that,” Twilight said.

“Well, when I woke up this morning my body began to shake. It was like… weird, you know? Then I started to hear things.”

“W-what kind of things?” Fluttershy asked nervously.

“Something like strange voices! They told me… they’re coming!” Pinkie answered in a hushed voice.

Spike gulped. “W-who are they?” he asked. He was just as nervous as Fluttershy was.

“... I don’t know. But I do know one thing - whatever is supposed to happen, it’s happening today! I just know it deep inside my gut!”

The events leading to this moment flashed through Spike’s mind, all the way from Pinkie’s Pinkie-sense, the news of the upsurge of security in Canterlot, the weird April weather to Pinkie’s warning. The wind picked up, the grey clouds blocked the sun, once again bringing darkness. He put a hand to his stomach. He felt nauseous.

“May I interject?” said Twilight. “Pinkie, don’t you think you’re probably imagining this?”

“I couldn’t have! I heard voices, Twilight! Voices!”

“I am very much concern for you,” said Twilight.

Before anypony else said anything, there was an eeriness surrounding the air. The wind continued to blow, but there was no howl or whistle. When they looked up the sun disappeared. A cluster of clouds collided and piled together. Something like the roar of a monster… or an engine, hid beneath them.

“What is going on up there?” said Applejack. She was astonish by what was happening.

Twilight and the others looked back, and to their horror saw that Pinkie twitched, shook, and bounced all at once.

“Now do you believe me?” Pinkie asked as her body reacted to the phenomenon.

In the midst of their terror they heard another voice coming from the sky. Pinkie looked up, believed for a moment it was the ones who came to her. The shouting voice had a familiar, tomboyish ring to it. Suddenly, Rainbow Dash appeared over their heads, panting like she had just flown a marathon, trying to keep herself from falling to the ground.

“Rainbow Dash, what’s wrong? Why is this happening?” asked Twilight.

“What are you guys still doing here?” Rainbow Dash shouted. “You have to leave now! It’s an emergency! Go indoors or something!”

“What kind of emergency?” asked Twilight.

“Like a high-level category… whatever emergency! Leave now!”

Then she sped off without so much as a goodbye. The ponies and Spike gave each other nervous looks. Then they gazed at Pinkie Pie, who suddenly stopped shaking and bouncing.

“You stopped. Is it over?” asked Spike.

“... No,” Pinkie answered gravely. “I think it’s just getting started.”

She pointed to the dark sky. Everyone looked, and their ability to scream was taken from them. Time seem to stop as they kept their eyes to the large black vessel that came out of the clouds. Even Pinkie Pie herself couldn’t believe what she was seeing. As for Twilight, everything she thought she knew about the world changed drastically. A chill ran up her spine as she became witness to the greatest event in history.