Prologue
The large creature took Equestria by storm, ripping through Phillydelphia and Manehatten as if they were nothing. Celestia’s personal guard were obliterated, Canterlot was in flames. The Princess approached the reptile, her horn glowing, swirling with magic. There was only one thing to do, if she wanted to save her little ponies. Never before had Equestria seen such raw, powerful evil, and never again could Equestria see it.
******
Rainbow Dash gulped, swallowing her nerves as the Wonderbolts paced in front of her and two other finalists.
“Everypony knows the flying test required to become one of us, but you three are standing here to partake in the final trials.” Soarin stopped and looked the three of them in the eyes. “All of you are high-octane, take-things-into-your-own-hoofs types of ponies, which is why you have made it thus far. What you are about to face will stretch you to your limits.”
Rainbow wondered what the test had been, she had aced the flying test, but recently her brain had been swamped by an excess load of information, and she wasn’t sure if she would have the mental capability to handle the last test. Wait a minute, what am I talking about? I’m Rainbow bucking Dash, coolest pony in Equestria! I’ve waited a life-time for this, and Celestia help me if I let my brain ruin this for me!
The rest of the Mane 6 watched from the bleachers, wondering what could be so important that it would have to be held behind doors.
“T-they sure have been a while... I sure hope she’s okay...” Fluttershy nervously tossed her mane back and scratched the ground.
“Are ya kiddin’ me? Rainbow is bai far the best pony in this here competition! She’ll win this hoofs-down, dont’cha worry now Sugarcube!” The familiar drawl of Apple-Jack could be heard from all corners of the stadium as she proudly held her head high. Twilight nodded in agreement, Pinkie, however, was too engrossed in the possibilities of what lay behind the mysterious curtain to offer a response.
“What do you ponies think it could be?! Maybe they’re battling a GINORMOUS monster! It’d be all ‘RAWWWR’ but Dashie would go ‘POW’! Heheheheh!” The Pink Party Pony collapsed to her seat in a fit of laughter, the softer giggles of her companions only adding fuel to the fire.
“WAIT!” Pinkie bolted up, the gears in her head turning.
“Pinkie...” Twilight began, only to be cut short.
“What if-”
“Thats a bad-”
“We go look!”
“Idea...” Twilight put her hoof on Pinkie’s back. “Pinkie, there’s obviously a reason we aren’t allowed to see, don’t break the rules!”
“Okayyyy Twilight, you’re such a party pooper!” She plopped down on her seat, “Wait, where’s Gummi? Has anypony seen him?”
Fluttershy gasped, “Oh no, poor Gummi could get hurt with so many ponies around, we have to go rescue him... if that’s alright with you ponies of course.”
“I didn’t even know you brought Gummi,” Twilight looked underneath her bleacher in search of the reptile.
“Well what are we waiting for, I’ve been dyiiiiing to stretch my hooves, and sitting around in this scorching heat is horrible for my complexion!” Rarity daintily wiped the sweat off of her head and fixed her mane.
“Rarity, how is this heat worse for ya then that spa ya’ll go to everyday?” Applejack raised an eyebrow in confusion.
“Oh my dear Applejack you see...”
“Rarity! Applejack! Focus, let’s go find Gummi everypony!” Twilight held up a checklist of places to search, and pointed to the first item, “Let’s head to the concession stand.” Pinkie Pie watched as her friends started off, then grinned.
“Time to see what’s behind that curtain!” She stealthily bounced her way past the security and lifted the curtain. “Oh. My. Celestia.” Was all she could manage.