Prologue: A Kingdom of Friendship, A World of Despair
Equestria was never a breeding ground for crime and war. In fact, the very notion of those concepts haven't been a massive integration in society for hundreds of years. Of course war still exists. We've had them, and with developments in magic and technology, they have gotten bloodier and bloodier as years go on. Crime isn't a inconceivable action, we have thefts, assaults, robberies, and yes, murders. They don't happen everyday, in fact we can go months without one occurring, but yes, they happen. That is the fundamental difference between ponies and the rest of the world. We aren't like Griffons, whose greedy tendencies cause wars and coups every few years. Society can't keep anything constant, leaving them with terrible living conditions and an isolated culture. We aren't like Dragons, whose entire monarchy is based on strength and strength alone, where the leading monarch is decided by tests of brawn and daring. And while the leading Dragon Lord now is establishing order to the dragons, they still oppress and pillage ponies from time to time. No, we are different because the foundation of our society isn't power, greed, tradition, or feeding. We, as ponies, build our entire world around peace. Ponies have simply lived their lives trying to promote peace whenever possible. That's not to say that all ponies are the friendliest and nicest creatures in the world. There are bullies, manipulators, cheaters, over-competitive ones, liars, and as previously mentioned, criminals and murderers. But they are the exception, not the rule. Anypony can deviate from the standard of living. If a griffon showed up and did all the jobs in Ponyville for absolutely no pay, I'd still consider griffons as a whole a greedy species by nature. I know this because it's happened, strangely enough. And ponies, by nature, are peaceful. There are a countless number of things that could lead them away from that peaceful nature. But at their core, I believe that ponies, no matter how bad they can seem, whether corrupted by dark magic, filled with jealousy, loneliness, thoughts of grandeur, or met with any other circumstances to cause a pony to lose their way, always have that sliver of peacefulness inside them...
That is my belief
My name is Twilight Sparkle. While my title may be the Princess of Friendship, that's not important right now. I always hated ponies addressing me formally anyway. I never felt like I deserved that level of formality. Either way, I guess I should say a little bit about myself. I like to consider myself a studious pony. I enjoy reading and studying about pretty much anything and everything, despite how lame it may sound. I'm not a complete shut in book nerd, at least, not anymore. I have my friends to thank for that. I mean, what is the Princess of Friendship without her friends.
My friends are, let's just say diverse. But they are beyond important to me, and important to Equestria as well. They are the Elements of Harmony. I'm one to, but it'd mean nothing without them. I embody the Element of Magic, pretty fitting considering my talent of studying and using magic. I wouldn't call myself a master, but I'm no slouch when it comes to difficult and complex spells. Learning and studying has always been a big part of my life. I’m always looking for something new to read about or experiment with. I try to keep that enthusiasm at bay, but as my friends would tell you, that doesn’t always work out.
Well that's me in a nutshell, but what's really important is where I am right now.
"Harmony Point Academy...*sigh*"
I couldn't help but say it aloud. It...means alot to me. Well I should probably explain what it is first. It used to be Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. It was an esteemed institution which trained young and gifted unicorns to become excellent users of magic. There were plenty of different fields one could study in like transformation magic, construct magic, medicinal and healing magic, as well as a more general class that studied a well rounded assortment of different spells and magic, just to name a few. They do teach normal math, history, and language courses as well, but they hold a back seat to the magic courses. There is no entrance fee, only an application that needs to be filled out and an examination of talent, where the pony has to perform a magical test. If they impress the judges, than they are let into the academy. I was lucky enough to have attended the school and graduated as not only valedictorian, but Princess Celestia's very own pupil as well. It was probably the crowning achievement of my life. Everything in my entire life sprouted from this school, so I owe a lot to it.
However, this isn't Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. This is the Equestrian Academy of Harmony, otherwise known as Harmony Point Academy. It was changed about two years after a...certain event. While it was a different name, not a lot changed. It was still one of, if not the most respected school in all of Equestria. Ponies say that graduating from that academy guarantees success. With claims like that, it's no surprise ponies strive to make it into this academy. But it's not that simple. What's special about this school was its enrollment. There is no entrance exam or enrollment fee. The school scouts for ponies with talent. No specifics, just talent. While it's not as focused as the previous establishment, its prestige is unchanged. Any kind of talent is accepted; music, art, academics, athletics, magic, anything. Talent may seem like broad term, but it's a pretty narrow margin. As long as you are the very best at what you do, that is the requirement. Then and only then can you be dubbed an Ultimate.
Let me explain. So say my talent isssssss...music, and I am invited to Harmony Point. Then I am now the Ultimate Musician. This means I am the most talented musician in all of Equestria. Of course, this is all hypothetical. I'm a little old to be in this school, even though they accept all ages. Most of the students that attend this academy are the average freshman to sophomore age when they come here, some slightly older. It all depends on when you are invited. But what is truly special, is the scout. The one who finds this talent young ponies and brings them to this place. It just so happens to be Princess Celestia herself. I don't know how she finds the time in the day to do it, but she manages to find these talented ponies and watch them to ascertain their Ultimate status while ruling the entirety of Equestria. I suppose it's just another reason for ponies to admire her, but I suppose I'm a little biased. However, as it is the middle of June, school's out for the summer and all the students are either visiting home for the break or at the dormitories located a few blocks away. There are some dorms inside the school, but they are closed for the summer due to the school having to prepare for the next year.
So, it begs the question, if the school is closed, then why am I here. Well, it just so happened that Princess Celestia invited me herself. She sent a letter to my castle telling me to meet her inside Harmony Point. It seemed like a normal letter with her signature and everything. However, there was something that bothered me about it. Not the content of the letter itself, but how it was sent. Usually her letters are sent via my assistant, Spike. Anything sent that way arrives almost instantaneously and has no chance of being lost through mailing. So why she decided to send it like any other letter baffled me. Either way, I had very little reason to doubt the letter, other than the aforementioned method of sending. So here I am, standing in front of the designated meeting place to talk to Celestia. As for what she wanted to discuss, well, I couldn't quite believe it at first.
Dear Twilight,
It has been some time since I've written to you. I hope you and your friends are quite well. I know you have been busy recently but there is something I want to ask of you. As you know, I am the headmaster of Harmony Point Academy, and that the school year just ended. A few staff members will be retiring now and I need to bring in some new teachers and faculty. I know you don't have a degree, but you have been a brilliant teacher to Starlight Glimmer. I see no reason why you can't teach traditional students as well. Twilight, I would like to offer you a position of magic teacher at Harmony Point Academy. Meet me at Harmony Point's main lobby two days from now at 12:00 PM. I eagerly await your arrival.
Princess Celestia
I had to read that letter a few times before I was positive what I was reading was real. A teacher...at Harmony Point Academy. It...just sounded so crazy. I had two days to process it and even then I still couldn't believe it. I also wasn't sure what I was going to say. I didn't want to disappoint Celestia, but...I didn't know if I had the ability to teach the future hope of Equestria. The students of this academy aren't just destined for success, they are beacons of harmony for Equestria. Ponies who will build up and spread peace around the world. This schools creates harmony, creates peace,...
creates hope.
I wasn't sure I could put the fate of that hope in my hooves. It was a big responsibility, one I shouldn't take lightly.
"Well, the only thing I can do now is go in and see what she has to say" I said, still unsure about my potential new role. I began to walk toward the main gate, looking at the massive structure in front of me as I did. It was remodeled after changing its curriculum two years ago. The building's walls were all a sleek white, with navy blue tiling for all of the roofing. It had one main tower and smaller structures on either side. It's ground floor was wide, a solid base for a building of this size. There was a two floored building that connected to the main one by the ground floor. I assumed these were where the dormitories were located. The whole building was roughly the size of my castle, but I could tell this was a lot more spacious. One the very front of the school, was an emblem. It was the Tree of Harmony with all of the Elements of Harmony, in the original hexagonal forms, placed on the five branches and center, with the emblem of the royal sisters behind it.
"..."
"I can't think about that right now." I thought, trying to clear my mind. "Celestia is waiting for me."
With one more step, I placed my hoof on the other side of the main gate, ready to move my other three similarly. But once I stepped into Harmony Point, the world spiraled and collapsed around me.
"Wh-what the?!"
I couldn't move my body, no matter how I tried, my muscles refused to cooperate with my brain, which seemed to also be shutting down on me. Everything started to swirl and blur together. My eyelids felt like they were being weighed down, closing like curtains of darkness over my eyes.
"What is...happening?"
My balance felt skewed, not helped by my unresponsive muscles. I could feel myself falling over, my consciousness fading. Unable to even think at this point, I blacked out.
"Prin....ce........lest....."
Darkness consumed me, and the world disappeared from my perception. Unbeknownst to me at this point, the world I would return to would not be like the one I was in before. My world would be a land void of the bright pleasantries I had before. It would be a world void of hope.
It would be a world of despair
"Err..huh?"
I felt my mind begin to reactivate as I struggled to open my eyes. Everything was swirling together, forming a picture that was hard to piece together. As I attempted to wake up and put myself back together, I tried recollecting what happened before I passed out. I continued to recount these events, piecing everything together as I finally was able to raise my head up.
"So I was in Canterlot...outside Harmony Point...and then I...tried going inside but..." I said to myself, trying to trigger my memories. "So if I never got inside, then where...?" Before I even finished my sentence, my head shot all around, taking in my surroundings. I was in a room, dark yet not pitch black. There was a dim light on the ceiling and some pouring through a small window on the door behind me. Desks surrounded me from all angles. There were five rows, each row with four desks, making a total of 20 desks all together. One large desk was placed at the very front of the room with a chalk board right behind it. I looked down, seeing that I was in one of the seats.
"So how did I...get here?" My mind was still foggy. Trying to check your surrounding after blacking out isn't the easiest thing in the world when you have a pounding headache and heavy eyelids, two things I was suffering from after first coming to. As I was trying to wake myself up, I noticed something on the desk to the left of me. It was a pamphlet, one that would usually be on the reception desk at a hotel or travel agency, detailing the activities and sites at popular vacation spots. This, however, was most likely not for a sunny beach fron or popular resortt. I tried to levitate it over, but all it did was worsen my already splitting headache. Groaning to myself, I reached out a hoof and lifted it up, since it was dangling off the side of the desk. I placed it in front of me and read the cover.
Welcome to Harmony Point Academy
Under the title was a picture taken from above the school, most likely taken by a pegasus pony.
"So does that mean I'm inside...Harmony Point?" I questioned. It seemed pretty obvious. I passed out right in front of the school and now I'm inside a classroom. It'd make sense that this classroom would be inside Harmony Point.
"So did somepony bring me inside after I collapsed?" I thought to myself. It made sense at first, but after thinking about it...
"No, I don't think that's it. They would put me in a nurse's office if somepony found me passed out, not in a dark classroom by myself." I began to see that something strange is going on. Finally feeling awake enough to get up, I turned left and got out of the desk to get a better look at the room. Something immediately jumped out at me as being odd.
"What the...?"
All the windows in the room were covered up with large slabs of metal bolted to the wall around them.
"What are these...iron?" I deduced. "Well, that explains why it's so dark in here. But why would a classroom have windows covered up with iron plates?" It seemed pretty extreme to bolt all of the windows shut for no reason. There had to be some sort of explanation.
"That's not all that's strange." I said to myself. "That pamphlet..."
Welcome to Harmony Point Academy
"Not only am I confused why it would be on a desk in a classroom, it's the middle of June, school just ended and won't start again for 3 months. Why would it say "Welcome" if school just ended."
I looked at the chalkboard quizzically to find large letters spelling out "WELCOME" in all capital letters
"Who are they welcoming?"
I decided to ignore that for right now and looked around a little more. I looked up in the rooms back right corner to find another surprise, although this one was a little more puzzling. There was a yellow rectangular object connected to the ceiling via a long grey pole. I looked at it for Celestia knows how long and still was puzzled to what it was. I did, however, notice what appeared to be a lens on the front of it.
"Is that...a camera"
If it was, it was unlike any camera I've ever seen. It did have the lens to be one but...
"Where is the film? I can't imagine it's just there to take pictures. It's probably one of those movie cameras. But if that's the case, where are those big rolls of film. That camera is too small to be holding them inside." It didn't make sense to me, no matter how I looked at it. It seemed way too advanced, even if this was Harmony Point. But that wasn't the only thing strange about it.
"If this is a camera, then what is it doing here? This is a classroom, what would anypony be filming in here?"
With every new strange thing I encountered, my signature paranoia kicked in more and more. Something was wrong. It all was too strange to not be. What was wrong, however, was yet another mystery. I, fortunately, had learned to not let this paranoia get to me.
"It's probably nothing. I mean, this is Harmony Point. I'm just overthinking it. Either way, I'm not going to figure out anything by just sitting here in this dark room"
I knew that I had to get out of this room, but the the nagging skepticism in the back of my mind kept me there for longer than I care to admit. Even as my magic, now finally working, enveloped the doorknob, my brain started playing scenarios in my head, both good and bad, fighting for control. Finally I shook my head and barged through the door. The resulting light stung my eyes a little, but only for a few seconds. Once my eyes adjusted, I looked around. I was in the middle of a hallway, blue floors and white walls, very smooth color pallette. To my left was a wall. Just a normal wall. In front of me was another door, but based on the sign above said door saying Classroom 1-B and the sign right above me saying Classroom 1-A, I knew I wouldn't be seeing anything new in that room. So, by process of elimination, I turned right. I saw the narrow hallway continue a for a little bit, Classroom 1-C and 1-D on the right and left sides respectively. I could see, though, that the hallway eventually opened up into a larger room. After assessing my surroundings, I planned my next move.
"Where did Celestia want me to meet her?" I asked myself. After a few seconds of thinking, I remembered. "Ah, that's right, the Main Lobby. I should probably head there, she might still be there, after all. Wherever "there" is, that is."
I began to trot down the hallway, taking my time in hopes of not missing anything important. The silence was anything but comforting. The only noises I could hear were my own hoofsteps and breathing, the latter being a little faster than usual, which in turn, caused me to increase my pace. I reached the end of the narrow hallway and turned into the larger part of the room. There were six pillars in the room, with doors on every wall. It took me a second to take it all in before I noticed a large door at the very end of the room.
"That has to be the door to the Main Lobby." I confirmed with myself. I did notice a hallway directly across from me with a similarly large door, however I dismissed it after reading the sign above door, which said "Gymnasium". I turned back to the main door and began to trot toward it a little faster than before. It wasn't intentional, I just didn't want to be alone anymore. I didn't know what it was, but I hated feeling isoltaed in these hallways.
I reached the door, and took a good look at it. It was a large white, wooden door with black, metal door handles. I knew I had to walk through it, but for whatever reason I once again began to stare aimlessly at yet another door. At the time, I didn't know why I kept doing it, but I know now.
It was fear.
Which is weird seeing as how I had nothing to be afraid of. I was in the school I went to as a filly and admired, despite the layout being a little different. I was invited by Celestia, my mentor. And the only thing that gave me any cause to worry was some strange things in a classroom. So why was I so afraid? Well, it was exactly the fact that I had nothing to be afraid of that I was so afraid. My hope was that Celestia would be on the other side and we would discuss the princess's offer, maybe have some tea and talk about whatever was on our minds. That was my hope. But my fear came from that hope. The fear that that hope would be shattered. The fear that everything would go terribly wrong. The fear of the unknown.
"What am I so scared of" I asked myself subconsciously. “Everything will be fine”
“Everything...will be...fine”
With that, I pushed open the doors with a determined huff. But what I saw on the other side changed my look of courage, into a face filled with bewilderment.
I was expecting, or rather hoping that Celestia would be on the other side of this door, casually and patiently waiting for me to arrive. If not that, I pictured a large, empty lobby area, maybe a janitor or two. What I saw was slightly more...crowded.
As the sound of a wooden door collided with the adjacent wall. Not one, not two, but 23 pairs of eyes turned toward me. Eyes that were all too familiar. 23 ponies gathered in the center of the lobby, almost all of them I recognized. While it confused me beyond belief, I can't lie that it was a relief to see some of them, let alone another pony. But all I could think in those first couple of moments was "why?" Why were they here?
"Twilight?" a very familiar voice chimed from the group, coming from from one very colorful pegasus. One that I knew very well.
"Rainbow Dash?" I asked, my voice being a mixture of happiness and confusion. While the rest of the ponies kept looking in my direction, I directed my gaze at one cyan pegasus directly in front of me. And as a the pony developed a jovial smile on her face, I couldn't help mirroring it with my expression. Especially when four more ponies began to gather around her. At this point, the relief I was feeling at not being alone anymore suppressed my confusion, that relief also moving my hooves, not in a walk or canter, but a run to those five ponies who I cared for so much. That run ended in a hug they prepared for with open and outstretched hooves as the six of us were buried in our embrace.
"Applejack! Rarity! Fluttershy! Pinkie Pie! Rainbow Dash! It's been so long." While it may sound strange, it has been awhile since we've all been together. My time has been spent more and more in Canterlot, and all of my friends have been getting busier and busier as time’s gone on. Of course we write to each other and I see Fluttershy and Rarity for tea every other week. Plus I see Rainbow Dash pretty often seeing as she's a Wonderbolt. Either way, it was nice to see all of them again after us being a little distant for the last couple of...months.
"Well it's good to see ya too, sugarcube." Applejack said, replying to the six-way hug that she was involved in.
"Yes, It has been awhile since we've all been together in one place, hasn't it?" Rarity asked rhetorically.
"Heh, let's not do this for too long. I don't want everypony here thinkin I'm soft." Rainbow Dash said, eyes looking around the room, trying to gauge the reactions of the rooms occupants to the embrace.
"Aw, is Dashie embarrassed." Pinkie chimed in with rejuvenating joyfulness in her voice. A smile was plastered on her face, probably enjoying us reuniting as well.
"N-no! I'm just...concerned about my image." Rainbow Dash replied, cheeks red with what can only be described as embarrassment, however much Rainbow may protest.
"Hehe. Its good to see you all." Fluttershy added quietly, yet sincerely; Fluttershy's signature tone. After that, we all separated from each other, our faces still filled with joy from seeing each other.
"It's good to see you to Fluttershy. It's so great seeing all of you. We've all been so busy these days." I added, wanting to express to my dear friends how much seeing them means to me.
"Hey Twilight." Another familiar, yet unexpected voice chimed. They said it pretty sheepishly, probably not wanting to interrupt our moment of reunion.
"Starlight Glimmer?" I said as I turned to see her emerging from a small group of ponies. She looked the same as when I saw her two days ago. I had called her to my castle, which she moved out of...at some point, getting her own house in Ponyville, to ask her about the offer Celestia gave me. She was the student Celestia said I was a “brilliant teacher” for. I wanted to see what she had to say about me becoming an actual teacher. She said she couldn’t think of anypony more suited for a position like that. I could think of a few, but it was reassuring to hear her say that. Now here she was, right in front of me for whatever reason.
Before I could figure out that reason, Starlight and I met halfway for yet another embrace, and seeing my student, no matter the circumstances, is always a reassuring thing.
“Starlight, what are you doing here?” I asked after we let each other go, still in an enthusiastic tone. “What am I doing here? You should know.” Starlight began, raising one of her eyebrows in intrigue. “Huh? What do you mean...by that?” I asked. At this point there were just too many questions darting around in my head. But before she could answer…
“Alright, enough with the hugging” somepony said while rolling their eyes.
“Yes, while I’m happy for your...touching reunion, we really should assess our situation.” Another one said, trying not to sound like a jerk.
“As if! I barely know any of you. Why would I waste my time talking to all of you.” A third pony said, angrily gazing at the rest of the rooms occupants.
And as another pony was about to reply, somepony walked out from the back of the group. “Well how about we remedy that.” she said. Her eyes were determined, yet compassionate. Her voice was sharp, yet meaningful. And I recognized that voice and those eyes immediately.
“Sunset Shimmer?” I asked, almost used to these familiar faces at this point, but seeing her, who I thought was in another world, startled me a little bit. She turned to me and gave me a nice, reassuring smile. “It's good to see you again, Princess Twilight.”
Before I could say anything, the third pony butted back in. “What do you mean by ‘remedy’. I’m not talking with a bunch of ponies I’ve never met in a place like this.
“Then how about you meet us.” Sunset said turning back to the rude pony.
“Huh?” The pony said, clearly confused.
“We should all introduce ourselves before we do anything. If we are gonna figure out what’s going on, communication is key. We should at least know each other’s names.” Sunset said, looking around to address everypony in the room.
“I...guess you have a point there.” another pony said, realising there was some merit to what Sunset was saying. Most of the ponies in the room began to nod their heads, while some just closed their eyes and turned away.
I found myself rather impressed with Sunset. I could tell she had learned a lot from her time at CHS, though I still didn't understand why she wasn't still there. I knew since I was the only pony there that actually knew her, I had to back her up.
“I agree, we aren’t going to find anything out by just standing here. We need to introduce ourselves and then figure out what going on, seeing as how none of us seem to know.” I was curious about why all of these ponies were here, but I could figure all that out when I talk with them.
“Well if the Princess thinks it’s a good idea, then I’ll go along with it.” chimed a new pony.
The aggravated pony from before added in with a sigh, “Fine, whatever, lets just get this over with.” She then turned and walked away.
“Well I guess we gotta go and say ‘hello’ to all these folks. I already know some of these ponies but I might as well get started.” Applejack said turning to my friends and I.
“Well I'm always ready to make new friends!” Pinkie beamed as she hopped in place. "I see you haven't lost that charisma of yours since we've last met, Pinkie Pie." Rarity added with a small laugh. All of my other friends laughed before they walked off in different directions to go introduce themselves to others, with Fluttershy being notably slower and less eager to find somepony. I stood there alone, preparing myself for the waves of introductions that were about to cascade over me. Of course, I knew almost everypony in the room, seeing as how I’ve seen them once or twice before.
“Well, I won’t be able to solve any of these mysteries unless I talk to all these ponies. Might as well get started.”
But as I raised my head from thought, and began to take a step forward…
“Why hello there, princess” a boisterous voice came rang out behind me, making me jump with surprise. I immediately turned to identify said voice and was greeted with a flashy eyesore.
A blue unicorn with a silver tail and mane was grinning at me, her smile as sharp as a kitchen knife. It was her clothes, however, that stood out over all. She was garbed in a purple cape with a matching hat, a wizard’s hat to be more specific, which was covered with blue and yellow stars. Her cutie mark, barely visible under her cape, was a silver cloth paired with a star shaped wand of the same color. I knew this pony, and I knew her well.
“Hello there...Trixie.” I said with a sigh. My expression was the definition of unenthusiastic. It couldn’t help but be. I couldn’t be overly excited to see the mare that almost ruined my life and only barely apologized for it. While I did agree to forgive her, and I was trying my best, I still couldn’t welcome her with fully open hooves.
“Ah, you sound disappointed to see the Great and Powerful Trixie!” Trixie observed, shouting her name at the end, gaining attention from some of the surrounding ponies, who almost immediately turned their heads back toward whoever they were talking to.
“Not disappointed, just confused is all.” I said, obviously disappointed.
“Well don’t be, Trixie is just here to meet the princess. Oh, not you I’m afraid. Princess Celestia herself.” Trixie stated, visibly proud of herself.
“Princess Celestia? Why were you here to meet Princess Celestia?” I asked. I obviously knew she was here, but why did Trixie know?
“This is wierd. I doubt the princess would ask Trixie of all ponies to be a teacher as well. So how does she know she was going to be here.”
“Why so confused Twilight? Think Trixie isn’t worthy enough to see Celestia, in all her glory?” Trixie asked, donning a fake look of sadness.
“No Trixie, that isn’t it.” I began, growing tired of Trixie’s games. “I’m just curious how and why you knew Celestia would be here of all places?”
“Hehehe.” She snickered “That is because Trixie has received the most fabulous of invitations. Celestia invited me here to what she called “The Masters of Stage Magic Gathering.” It said only the best of the best magicians in all of Equestria were invited. Celestia even signed it herself, haha!” Trixie explained, bragging all along the way. “I assume you were called to help plan and organize the event and what not, seeing as how you aren’t a stage magician.” Trixie said, the most grounded, while still hopefully unintentionally rude, thing she had said thus far. I, however, found it very unamusing.
“Trixie, nopony here but you is a stage magician, how do you explain that?” I asked, not buying the story partially.
“Wait, invitation? She got a letter from Princess Celestia telling her to come here to? And for an entirely different reason? How is that possible? What is happening?”
“What, you don’t believe Trixie!” she asked, shocked that I would imagine doubting her. But then she continued. “I wouldn’t blame you, I’m just as confused as you are. She really did invite me here, but maybe it was just a joke. I wouldn’t be surprised. I should’ve known that I would never be declared the best at anything. It just had her signature and I thought…” Trixie lamented to me, ceasing her tendency to refer to herself in the third-person. I couldn’t help but frown. I knew she messed up in the past. I knew she brought it upon herself. But I couldn’t help but feel bad for her. She so rarely referred to herself in the first-person, usually only in times of stress or anxiousness. Either way, it was obvious she was being serious.
“Trixie, don’t short-change yourself like that. I can’t say anything about the legitimacy of that letter, but you are a great magician, I’ve seen it first hoof.” I complimented, hoping she wouldn’t go back to her unbearable gloating again.
“Heh, once again Princess Twilight Sparkle shows me the light.” Trixie said with a small chuckle and surprisingly grounded grin. I couldn’t help but laugh with her, not only happy that she had seemed to make progress since befriending Starlight, but admittedly amused by her comment.
“Hehe. You don’t happen to have the letter with you, do you?” I asked her, a smile still resonating on my face.
“No, Trixie checked when she woke up, but it wasn’t under Trixie’s hat where she left it.” She explained, going back to her signature way of referring to herself. She gained a somber look again, probably thinking I would start doubting her again.
“That’s weird, mine is…” I started, but immediately had a shockingly fast moment of realization, my face going from normal to wide-eyed in a fraction of a second.
“W-where is my letter? I had it on me when I came in here! Where did it go!” I asked nopony in particular. I sporadically looked around seeing if it somehow got on the floor, I even checked my mane in case it found its way up there.
“I was so flustered by waking up in that classroom, I didn’t notice the saddlebag I was wearing had completely vanished. Who could’ve taken it?”
“Wait, you had a letter to?” Trixie asked, questioning my words, most likely startled by the lack of sharp and sarcastic words.
“Wh...yeah. It told me to be here at noon.” I replied, only paying half-attention.
“From who, For what? For a pony who explains as much as you do, that was a shocking lack of information.” She said, admittedly, understandably annoyed.
“Well...Celestia also invited me. She said she would meet me in this room.”
“Huh! She told me to meet her in this room at noon! What kind of joke is this?” Trixie asked, face filled with shock. “She told me that she wanted to see me half an hour before the meeting.” Trixie continued.
“This just gets stranger and stranger.” I said, wondering how many more mysteries could possibly reveal themselves.
“Sooooo, what did she invite you for?” Trixie asked, almost like she was looking for gossip.”
“Uh, nothing, she just wanted to see me, it didn’t say anything specific.” I lied. It was a believable lie. I had no reason to lie, I just didn’t want to have to explain my possible position to anypony, let alone Trixie. It would just complicate the whole situation.
“I better wait until I know exactly what’s going on before I start saying I have a potential connection with this place. I don’t want everypony flocking to me with accusations and questions.”
“Huh, Trixie can believe that. You were her teacher’s pet or something like that right?” Trixie, almost instinctively asked in thought. I couldn’t help leaving my train of thought to scowl at her insensitive comment. I reboarded almost immediately and tried to rationalize what I just heard.
“So we were both asked to meet Princess Celestia here, in this lobby, on the same day, at the same time...for different reasons.” I reconfirmed, hoof placed firmly on my chin. “That doesn’t...make sense.”
“Maybe it was some kind of scheduling error.” Trixie asked, obviously trying to help, which was very pleasant to see. “She does seem like a mare with a lot on her plate.”
“That could very well be the case. She also could have just wanted to talk to us both at the same time for convenience. Either way, it's too early to say for sure. I’ll have to ask around to see if anyone has gotten any strange invitations.” I surmised, looking back up at Trixie.
“Well, it’s as they say; two’s a coincidence, three’s a pattern.” Trixie stated with a smile.
“Yeeeah, thats right. I honestly didn’t expect something like that to come from you Trixie.” I admitted, shocked she said something so observant, clever, and relevant.
“You’ve gotta give Trixie some credit, Princess. Still a little tilted about that.” She replied with a wink and a mumble. I couldn’t help but grin at her...less gaudish personality, while still being so undeniably Trixie. Just then Starlight called out to Trixie with a wave. Trixie turned to greet her friend.
“Well Twilight, it's been fun, but Trixie’s got others that need her for pressing matters. Until we reunite!” She yelled before tipping her hat and running off.
“*sigh* She’s still her ‘Great and Powerful’ self deep down.” I sighed, still processing this new information in my head. I couldn’t wrap my head around why Celestia would write two different invitations for two different things at the same time. She was too organized and methodical to make an error like this. I kept my hoof up on my chin in thought, the idea of introducing myself jumping out from my mind.
“Princess? Are you ok?” asked a smooth, male voice from behind me. His question made me jump and immediately spin around as he shattered my train of thought. I looked up to see who was talking and was greeted with another familiar face with a suave smile. His white coat with blue mane and tail went perfectly with his black suit, with his purple bow tie bringing it all together. He was the stunning image of a noble, and his cutie mark made that crystal clear, being three gold crowns.
“Fancy Pants...yes, I’m fine. Just thinking about something.” I answered, remembering the last time I saw him.
“I’m dreadfully sorry if I interrupted you from anything important. I would have spoke to you sooner, but it appears that magician pony beat me to it.” He said with a smirk. For a noble, he did seem very genuine and nice, but ever since my last meeting with him, my opinion of him went down quite considerably.
“Yeah, right.” I said, almost ignoring him. He raised his eyebrow slightly.
“Is everything alright, Your Majesty? I didn’t mean to impose, I just thought since we were acquaintances before you would-” he began. I turned, however, and gave him a glare.
“Acquaintances? Do you not remember leading a mob of angry ponies to my door at the Grand Equestria Pony Summit?! You embarrassed me, yourself, and the entirety of Canterlot along with us with that stunt. ” I accused, not yelling, yet still raising my voice for emphasis. Fancy Pants just stared with widened eyes. I expected to yell back in retort, but instead, he closed his eyes, sighed, and reopened them with a somber face.
“That was not my...proudest moment.” he said looking down. “But you must understand Your-” “Please, just call me Twilight.” I interrupted, intrigued and at the very least, and happy he admitted his wrongdoing. I hated ponies calling me that anyways. He nodded and continued.
“You must understand Miss Twilight, Hundreds of ponies were gathered in Canterlot, my home city, with me as Canterlot’s delegate. So imagine my dismay when I find out how many things had gone wrong thanks to your assistant, ending in the flooding of the castle’s main hall. It was a mockery of our capital. And all day that dragon had been walking around, saying all his orders came from you. Anyone would be more than heated after hearing the one responsible for this destruction was asleep in her room. I may have taken things a little too far, as I’m sure you are aware, but I felt I had no other choice.” He said in his defense, he ended with a nod, not of superiority, but of resoluteness. I couldn’t help but sympathize with him. Spike did mess up pretty bad, and to an outside eye, it would seem that I yielded the blame and still rested in my room. I sighed and looked up to him.
“You have a point. While forming a mob may have been overkill, I can see how much Canterlot’s reputation meant to you. Just...no more angry mobs please.” I sighed, recounting the stress I went through that day. “Duly noted.” He said with a slight chuckle.
We kinda just stared at each other for a bit, not really knowing what to say to each other now.
“Soooooo, Fancy Pants. What brings you to Harmony Point?” I asked, partly just to get a conversation started, and also out of my own curiosity. Trixie had a very similar story for being here as me, so I just had to wonder…
“Well it just so happens I was invited.” He answered warmly, which, despite the nice tone he had, made me shake a little due to the frightening implications this had arisen. “Invited?” I ask, expecting to hear a certain answer.
“Yes, in fact it was Princess Celestia herself who wished to meet me in this very lobby. 12:00 I believe was the meeting time. She never appeared however, and the invitation she sent me, which I kept on my person the whole time, disappeared as soon as I entered the building, believe it or not.” Fancy Pants recalled, looking confused as he rattled off everything that happened. It was the same story. Celestia invited him at 12, he was asked to meet in the Main Lobby, he lost his invitation. It was the same as me a Trixie. And I was willing to bet everypony in that room had a similar, if not the same story.
“And something else strange happened if I recall.” He added as I was in my personal thought bubble. I turned, looking back at the gentlecolt. “Something else?” I questioned.
“Yes. As soon as I entered through the front gate, I was overcome with...well I suppose I can only call it a wave of drowsiness.” He stated, unsure of how to describe the phenomenon. His words sufficed, because as soon as I heard drowsiness, my face went pale.
It was the same. It was all the same. Everything was the same.
I had experienced the exact same wave of tiredness and fatigue when set hoof in this place. It couldn’t be a coincidence anymore. I knew for certain that everyone in this room had experienced the same thing. Trixie, didn’t mention anything about this, but then again, it was Trixie. It probably slipped her mind the second she had the chance to one-up me. But I knew if I asked her if she passed out when she walked in, she would reply with a resounding ‘yes’. I gulped and stared at Fancy Pants again, who had taken notice of my paleness.
“You didn’t happen to...pass out and wake up in an-”
“Empty classroom, yes, yes I did. It was the strangest thing. I assumed that somepony saw me and helped me inside, but when I left the room there was nopony around. That’s also when I realised the invitation I had had vanished. I assume something similar happened to you, Miss Twilight.” Fancy Pants explained, which caused me to gawk a little at how attentive he was. He was able to pick up on what I was saying and thinking almost immediately. I suppose you can’t completely judge all of those Canterlot elite types the same way. I blinked before going back to exchanging information.
“Yes, the exact same thing actually. I passed out as I was walking in and when I woke up I was in a dark, empty classroom with the saddle bag I brought completely gone.” I said. I was trying to make myself sound as professional and calm as possible, despite how much my brain was telling me to go into freakout mode.
“Interesting...I can’t say for sure what is happening, but I can say that this is most likely not a coincidence.” He said with his hoof raised to his chin. “I’m terribly sorry Miss Twilight, but you must excuse me. I need to ascertain if anypony else has experienced this phenomenon.” He said, looking back up at me, hoping he hadn’t offended me. “Of course.” I replied with a nod since I had no reason to refuse his excuse. I also wanted to see if anyone had experienced something similar. Fancy Pants gave a quick bow and walked off to see if anypony wanted to talk. I looked on, before a loud voice stole my attention.
“HA! As if!” The voice yelled. I think I registered it as familiar. Honestly, I’m not sure. I had only heard that voice once before and only briefly at that. I identified it as the voice that was arguing with Sunset earlier and it seems she was still just as ill-tempered. When I looked over, along with many other ponies who heard the exclamation, saw two ponies glaring at each other, one with a cocky smile and one with an irritated scowl. The scowling mare happened to be the prismatic mare, Rainbow Dash. And the one across from her…
“Sweet Celestia, Lighting! Just shut up and drop it.” Dash said, clearly mad at the mare in front of her. She had a minty green coat with a cutie mark that seemed awfully similar to Dash’s. The same lightning bolt, but instead of multicolored it was white. It came adorned with three yellow stars underneath it as well. Her mane, tail, and eyes all came in the same shade of orange and her mane in particular stood out as just being...wild, I guess is the best way to put it.
“Maybe next time don’t say such ridiculous nonsense! First you ruin my life and now you’re blabbing about being friends with a princess.” she replied, adding a sarcastic tone to the last word. “Please! I bet you cheated your way into being a Wonderbolt anyway. You never had what it took to be a great flier.” Rainbow’s expression grew angrier and angrier.
“What is your deal! Didn’t you see Twilight when she walked in? How my friends and I greeted her? You- *sigh*. It doesn’t even matter anyway! You're just mad I sold you out after you nearly KILLED MY FRIENDS!”
“Yeah, well if I had the chance I’d throw you into a tornado and see what’s left! You ruined my life! Stole my dream! No princess would ever…”
“What seems to be the issue?”
I couldn’t help myself. I remember Lightning Dust being arrogant and cocky, but this was different. What she was saying was just...awful.
“Oh, Princess, Get a load of this!” Lighting said, just smiling and sounding just as insufferable as before.
“This Rainbow-maned moron is saying you and her are best friends! Ha! Its hysterical!” she laughed. I wasn’t a fan of formality, but I had half a mind to tell her to bow and address me properly, just to spite her. It was a disturbing thought, but one I look back on and realize it was just the stress talking.
“Wow, this girl is worse than Trixie.”I thought to myself with an internal eye roll.
“And what’s so funny about that?” I said unblinking. This, Thank Celestia, got her attention. Her eyes went wide for a split second, and she did a double take back at me.
“W-well it's ridiculous. Why would someone as i-important as you be friends with someone as lame as her.” she ended spitefully.
“You mean the accredited Wonderbolt and Element of Loyalty? That ‘unimportant pony’?” I replied with an eyebrow raise. Her eyes widened once again and turned to Dash.
“Element of….that was you!” she almost yelled. “That’s….that’s impossible!” she stuttered. She was getting increasingly more upset with every word she spoke and Dash noticed, moving over next to me incase she did anything reckless. "There is no way she is one of the Elements of Harmony! Its impossible!"
“You don’t seem to know this pony too well. If you did you would know that she actually is my friend, and remember you actually did almost kill me and my other friends.” It may have been a little cold, but at the time it seemed tame compared to the threats she was spewing.
“Wait, you really are Dash’s friend! Why would you ever associate yourself, a princess, with this failure of a flyer?” She retorted, getting more and more agitated by the second.
“While its none of your business, I’ve known Rainbow for years, even before I became a princess. She’s always been there for me and despite what you say, she’s one of the best fliers in Equestria. Like I said before; Accredited. Wonderbolt.” I was getting tired of this pony. I remembered her as being egotistic and overbearing but this was just harsh.
“Heh, like I’d ever believe somepony as lame as Rainbow Trash could save the world. And I can’t believe somepony as important as you could be so stupid as to be friends with this coward. It doesn’t matter anyway. She never had what it takes to be a great flier: Do whatever it takes. Fake Wonderbolt or not, I’ll always know you’re just a Ponyville nobody with no spine. And I will get you back for ruining my life.” She said walking forward getting right in front of Rainbow, scowling. It was such a generic bully line, but the way she said it was cold, almost heartless. Surprisingly, Rainbow wasn’t scowling back, she just looked at her, almost disappointingly. I, however, couldn’t take it any longer.
“Now listen here Light-”
“It’s fine, Twilight.” Rainbow had stepped in front of me, hoof outstretched, never taking her eyes off Lightning, who was still scowling. I had noticed how quiet she had gotten when Lightning had started talking to me, and I was about to see why. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them and slowly walking forward, beginning to speak
“Lightning, I understand that you are mad, and I understand why as well. I took away your one chance to live your dream, and then got to live that dream in your place. I know you’ll never forgive me, but understand you put the lives of my friends on the line. I couldn’t turn a blind eye to that.” Rainbow had gotten right in front of Lighting now, who was still filled with rage, even more upset that the pony she hated the most was right in front of her, giving her a lecture.
“My friends are more important to me than that Wonderbolt uniform. And just so you know, I was planning to quit the academy. It was Spitfire who made the decision to kick you out for being reckless. I never wanted you gone, I just wanted you to stop putting ponies in danger. I never hated you Lightning, I was just upset. I know you didn’t mean to put my friends in danger.” I couldn’t fathom how Dash was so calm. I think it was safe to say she had learned a lot from the Wonderbolts.
But know this…”
*Smack*
“...No one insults my friends. Ever.”
With the calmest look on her face, Dash had smacked Lightning across the face. Ponies who were looking on had gasped, surprised somepony so calm would be the one to throw the first punch. Lightning looked shocked, just putting a hoof to her cheek, taking her a few seconds to look back to Dash, still surprised she had hit her. She had grown less sure in her rage as Dash had talked about what happened, but from her expression, it wouldn’t surprise me if she forgot all of what Dash had said once she hit her. I know I almost did.
“Now get out of my face.” She said, turning around to walk back toward me, noticing the equally shocked expression on my face, almost mirroring the mare she had just turned from. Lightning just wiped her muzzle and began to turn.
“Pshh, whatever.” she mumbled with a back glance as she walked away.
When Dash had walked back to me, she had a tilted head and a confused expression.
“You OK Twi? Don’t tell me Lightning got to you. She doesn’t know who she’s messing with.
“How can she possibly be so relaxed?” I asked myself before shaking my head and looking Dash in eyes, still a little shocked.
“No, no, it’s not that. I just can’t believe...I mean you-”
“Hit her? Yeah, so?” Dash interjected, apparently unaware how startling it was.
“Yeah, I guess. I’m honestly more surprised how you carried yourself.”
“Really? I thought I was doing great. I was just trying not to slam her to the ground after minute one, so I’m considering that a win. Why did I do something wrong?”
“No, that’s why I’m so blown away.”
“Wh-Hey!”
“That’s not what I mean. You were just so...calm. I almost thought it wasn’t actually you.”
Dash just chuckled slightly with a nod and reached in for a quick hug.
“*sigh* It’s good to see you again Twi.” I was a little taken aback by the sudden hug, but I just smiled and patted Dash’s back.
“Me to Dash, me to.”
After we separated, she just rubbed the back of her head and sighed.
“I understand what you mean though. A year or two ago I probably would’ve lead with a jab. But Spitfire’s done a great job of...channeling all that intensity.”
“You mean through the Wonderbolts?”
“She just showed me that throwing kicks and all that won’t get me anywhere most times. There is a time and place for everything, and a confrontation doesn’t always mean...confrontation. I don’t know, I just feel...calmer. Who woulda thought the military would help me cool off, huh?”
I was so happy. Seeing how Dash had grown, how she had matured. It struck a chord with me. A chord that's been waiting to be played for a long time. I had nearly forgotten the odd situation we were in, and how I had a question I had wanted to ask Dash. I just looked on at Dash giving a friendly smile and heard the quiet sound of a small drop of something. It only took a hoof to my eyes to realize I was shedding tears. Only small ones, but tears of joy all the same. It was just so good hearing how happy Dash was.
“C’mon, Twi. Don’t get all sappy with me now.”
“I know. I know. No emotions around the unstoppable Rainbow Dash. I just have one question.”
“Shoot.” Dash replied with a quick nod and a chuckle.
“If Spitfire taught you all about being calm in these confrontations and all that, why did you hit Lightning?”
“Cause no one insults my friends.” Dash said, adopting a serious expression.
“Lightning could’ve insulted me for the rest of the day, but I wouldn’t stoop down to her level. But once you start messing with my friends, that's when the gloves come off.”
While it may have sounded brutal or hypocritical, I could only grin. It was good to see Dash was still Dash.
“Good to know I’ve got someone watching out for me.” I said with an honest smile.
“Heh, yeah. Even in a weird place like this. What’s up with this place anyway. Its so...creepy how there’s no one around.”
The alarms went off in my head when Dash mentioned our surroundings.
“That’s right! I need to ask her about why she’s here. I need to stop getting so easily distracted.”
“That reminds me, I need to ask you something.”
“Even more questions, huh? Should’ve expected that from you.” She replied with a coy smile. I just grinned and shaked my head slowly before looking up.
“Why are you even here. It’s great to see you and all, but it’s a little odd seeing you here of all places.”
Dash looked a little more serious now and turned toward the rest of the ponies in the room.
“I could ask everypony else here the same question. It’s so weird.”
“What do you mean.”
She turned back to me and answered.
“I mean none of these ponies should even know to come here. My invite said it just be Wonderbolt personnel here. I mean, there are some Wonderbolts here, and some reserves as well, but where’s Fleetfoot and everypony else?”
“Wait, wait, wait. Invite?”
“Yeah, it said we would be scouting the area since we were planned to fly here when school starts back up. A little show for all the students. My invite said be in this room by 12 p.m, sharp. And when I get here, a bunch of random ponies are gathered around with like, two Wonderbolts.”
“Just like I thought…”
“So you got an invite to…”
“Huh! You got one! But the invite said it would just be Wonderbolts. Why would…” Dash had leaped into the air and hovered with her wings right above the ground, obviously confused.
“Stay calm Dash. Let me explain.”
I explained what I had deduced from talking with Fancy Pants and Trixie. She still seemed frazzled, but I could tell she was calming down when she landed back on her hoofs.
“So you think everypony else in this room was invited to this room for a different reason. Creepy.” Dash said, side glancing everypony else, who were all off having different conversations. All except Lightning, who was leaning against a wall rubbing her cheek.
“Yeah, I don’t know what Celestia has planned, but I think-”
“Wait, Celestia?” Dash asked with an outstretched hoof. I paused and gave her a curious look.
“Yeah, Celestia, the one who invited everyone. Fancy Pants, Trixie, and I were all invited by Celestia, so logically-”
“Uh, I was invited by Spitfire, not Celestia.” Dash said, probably getting confused again. I, meanwhile, had froze.
“What?”
“You….what?” I stuttered.
“Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts. You know, Spitfire. She signed the letter.”
“But...But that doesn’t make any sense!” I yelled.
I had just started to make sense of all this. I wanted to scream, I was so confused.
“Ok...so...Both Celestia and Spitfire invited different ponies here, for different reasons. But what I still don’t get is that I’m pretty sure Spitfire is here! Was she just expecting Wonderbolts to be here or did somepony else invite her!”
“Woah, Twilight, deep breaths, okay?” Dash said, putting a hoof on my shoulder. I looked at her, and sighed loudly.
"You're right."
"Twi, all of the Elements are here. If something fishy is going on...I'm just saying." Dash said, looking at the Elements of Harmony, my friends, scattered around the room.
"If it is something like that, we can handle. We've dealt with far worse than a creepy atmosphere." I replied with hoof on Dash's shoulder.
“Ok...We’ll just go and ask Spitfire what’s going on and-”
“Why, you! You take that back this instant!” A pony from across the room hissed. Both me and Dash looked over, as well as everypony else in the room.
I looked over at the argument across the room and wondered what else could possibly interrupt me. What else could possibly happen at this school. I still didn't even know what time it was anymore and I was already tired. I just wanted all the confusion to end.
I couldn’t have possibly seen it coming, but things would soon get a lot more chaotic than shouting fits. Things were about to get serious.
Deadly serious.
Author's Note
Welcome to Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Harmony!
I am a massive fan of the Danganronpa series and wanted to bring this kind of mystery thriller into a fic, and what a better night to start it than Halloween! Normally, there would only be 16 characters but I decided there were too many good choices, so I added a few more.
This is NOT replacing RWBY: Shadows of Our Past, but it will be existing alongside it, with me writing for which ever one I'm more invested in at the time. I will try and finish the prologue by next week, which will only be one more chapter, and then work on another chapter of RWBY.
If you are a fan of the Danganronpa series, I'd love to hear about it in the comments. Just, no Danganronpa V3 spoilers, for those who haven't finished it yet 
And if anyone would be willing to edit or proofread the story, or even just help out with the writing process, feel free to message me.
That's all for now, cya soon!
