Dawn's Story

Canterlot was just as deserted as Ponyville was. If seeing Ponyville abandoned was eerie, seeing Canterlot like this was downright disturbing. It was filled with overwhelming senses of emptiness and depression. Seeing my hometown like this was crushing, but I had to keep it together.

While Starlight was getting her bearings, the other three huddled around and started whispering, occasionally glancing over at me. That can't be good. I thought to myself. I tried to ignore it.

"I'm assuming we're supposed to go to the castle." I stated, approaching Starlight.

"You're probably right. I just can't shake the feeling that it's a trap."

"What other choice do we have?"

"We don't."

"Oh, by the way, I wanted to ask you something."

"What's up?"

"Do those three always act like that?" I asked, using my eyes to motion towards the trio.

Noticing what they were up to for the first time, she looked puzzled.

"No... No they don't. They might just be feeling a bit paranoid. Their friends are missing, after all. Should I ask them about it?"

"If we bring it up, they might think we're onto them, which would only make their paranoia worse. Unless it becomes a problem, be should probably just let it alone."

"Makes sense to me. We should probably start walking. The castle is a good half-hour from the station."

"I'll follow you."

As we drew near the castle, I thought of something that worried me. It was more of a worst case scenario than anything else, but I wanted to avoid the risk.

"Hey, Starlight? Do you think we could make up an excuse, so I don't have to go in there?"

"Why wouldn't you want to... oh, that's right. Well, maybe Celestia is in a forgiving mood?"

"With so many ponies missing, she's more likely to be in a panic. Seeing me might make things worse. She might even think I'm behind all of this."

"Good point. How about this: you can branch off, and I'll tell the others that you're looking for other potential friendship problems."

"That could work."

"Just meet back outside the castle by the time we're done talking to the Princess. It shouldn't be long."

"Guess I'll see you in half an hour-ish."

We parted ways, and when I looked back, I could see the other three, who were loosely following us, staring after me.

Not five minutes passed, before my mind started to wander. There were so many things to think about. First I thought about how odd Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy were. I tried to think of reasons explaining why they were behaving that way, but they just felt off. Then my mind moved to the missing three, and I wondered if they were just as strange.

Then, thinking about all six of them, I remembered the map they had. Starlight had told me many things about that map, like how it sensed friendship problems, how it knew which ponies were needed for the job, and how it could almost communicate with the six, in order to let them know if they were needed.

Wait... the map could alert the ponies it needed. If that were the case, then why did we have to go and get them...

I bolted through the castle doors, right into the throne room. Sprinting to the end of the hall, I skidded to a stop beside Starlight. Applejack looked over, and seemed puzzled.

"Weren't you--"

"Yes, I was, and I found one." I cut her off. "It's something that requires Starlight's attention, but not you three." I said, pointing to her.

Starlight walked over to me, and we took a few steps away from the group, in order to have a somewhat private conversation.

"What's going on? I thought you were staying outside."

"I was, but something came up."
e "Is something wrong?"

"Yes, very. You remember telling me about the Cutie Map?"

"Sure."

"Then you must remember telling me that the map can alert anypony it needs to in order to solve friendship problems."

"what's your point?"

"Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy were called by the map."

"Yes, and..."

"When we went to get them, they had no idea that the map had called them."

Starlight's eyes widened as she started putting pieces together.

"Plus, we both noticed that they aren't acting like themselves." I continue.

"What do you think is going on?"

"You told me that you defeated Chrysalis, and she vowed to have her revenge. I'm thinking that this is her revenge play. And, to make matters worse, I'm fairly certain that she wants to destroy me after I betrayed her."

By now, the other three had gotten impatient, and Celestia was trying to figure out why she had seen me before. The only thing that kept her form figuring it out already was that Starlight was in her way, and she couldn't get a clear line of sight. Strangely, Luna was nowhere to be seen.

"What do we do? Should we tell the Princess?"

"Of course we should!" I whisper-yelled.

Starlight spun around, and took a step to the side , finally giving Celestia a good look at me. As soon as we made eye contact, I could see that she recognized me.

"What are you doing back here, you traitor?! I thought I banished you to Tartarus." She prepared to order the Royal Guard to arrest me. I had to act fast.

"Wait! I have something I need to tell you!"

"What could you possibly have to tell me?"

"I think the last remaining Changelings have-- wait, why did you think you banished me? I got away. You should have known that."

I lightly nudged Starlight, and we both began to slowly back away. We had three quarters of the room to cover, and Celestia would surely notice that we were backing away before we even got halfway. Still, any head start we could gain would be helpful.

"Of course I knew that! I was just-- oh, who am I kidding? You've already figured me out. That's why you're trying to get to the exit. Well, at least I don't have to look like this anymore."

After she said this, she emitted a green aura. In a matter of seconds, it as no longer Princess Celestia standing in front of us. Where she had stood, there was now a monstrosity I had met only one other time: an abomination known as Queen Chrysalis. She turned towards her guards, who now looked like Changelings, and yelled.

"Get them, you fools!"

"Dawn! what do we do?!" Starlight asked.

"You shouldn't need to ask me! RUN!