It all started with a letter; a request to meet with the princesses of the sun and moon. Their writing lacked many characters, but the message was clear.
"Twilight, your presence is required at Canterlot castle. Please, make haste."
"This is really unusual, Spike. It seems more desperate than I'd expect from either of them."
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"No. I have a feeling you'll be safer here."
"If you're sure."
"I am."
"Should I tell the others to meet up with you there?"
"There's no need. If the princesses require my presence, it's likely they'll send for everyone else as well."
"Okay. I'll stay here and guard the home front."
"Unless it's our friends, don't let anyone in."
"Right."
Twilight left her residential palace and flew towards Canterlot.
"Twilight! Thank goodness you're here," Celestia exclaimed.
"What's going on?"
"We've been watching Earth's energy fluctuations since your first journey there," Luna replied.
"Is there some sort of anomaly?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
"There is hardly any energy left to monitor now," Celestia cut in.
"What does that mean?"
"The majority of living organisms on the planet have gone extinct in a matter of just one day."
"ARE YOU SERIOUS!?"
"I'm afraid so."
"How could this have happened!?"
"Unfortunately, we no more know the answer to that question than you."
"What organisms survived!?"
"It seems the planet itself is the only remaining being. The trees and grass still thrive, and the oceans appear normal as well."
"What do we do now!?"
"Our reason for summoning you here is actually a request."
"Request?"
"We need you to go in and figure out what occurred to cause this disaster."
"How?"
"Your body adapted to the environment last time, correct?"
"Yes."
"We've prepared a device for you to communicate with us and transfer reconnaissance data. It's been shaped in the form of a necklace for efficiency. We've begun making the final preparations."
"We would think it wise for you to spend your remaining night here." Luna suggested, "We will send for your companions right away. This may be the last night you see them for some time."
"Why can't they come with me?"
"A group might draw too much attention if there are still any other organisms left," Celestia admitted.
"Great. So I'm basically alone."
"I'm sorry. This is the best way we can approach the situation at the moment."
"Just don't hold it against me if I call you often."
"We won't."
"Be diligent, Twilight Sparkle," Luna advised, "Even information retrieval carries many risks of its own."
"I understand."
"Come. We shall escort you to your chambers."
"Okay."
Twilight's last night on Equestria was spent conversing with her friends about the situation. There was a great amount of concern. All of them ended up spending the hours of darkness together, embraced by sleep. When morning came, they were awakened by the sun princess."
"Good morning, princess," Twilight greeted her former teacher.
"Good morning, Twilight."
"I guess it's time to go, huh?"
"Yes."
"Alright."
"This is lame," Rainbow protested, "We should go with her."
"It's not possible as of this point in time," Celestia replied.
"I know. Still, I'm worried."
"So am I, Rainbow," Rarity mentioned, "but we must trust her highness's judgement."
"We will remain in contact with Twilight throughout her mission. If you would please follow me, we'll be giving her a briefing. You're all welcome to join.
"Of course we're gonna' see her off," Rainbow stated.
"Well then, let us be on our way."
"This device is a two-way communicator and scanner. The red button will open a magically-charged hologram projector within the castle so you may speak with us," Celestia informed her ex-pupil, "The blue button will scan the surrounding environment for any unusual organic material and substances."
"My sister will maintain interaction," Luna confirmed, "I will be closely monitoring the objects you scan personally."
"Okay. I got it loud and clear."
Luna levitated several objects over to Twilight.
"As with any important task, there are potential threats to life and limb. The arrows that come with the bow have been reinforced for multiple uses. Remain on guard at all times."
"Yes, princess."
"We're counting on you, Twilight. When you retrieve enough data, return to Equestria and we will go over everything you found."
"Understood."
"Stay safe, Twilight," Spike practically commanded her.
"I'll be okay, Spike. Don't worry. Shining taught me everything he knows."
"I hope you're right..."
Twilight stared to the portal, then back at her friends.
"I guess It's time to get moving. Take care, guys. I'll be back ASAP."
"Goodbye, Twilight," her friends all responded at once. With no more reservations, the purple princess set out into the unknown.
Upon arrival in the now empty world, Twilight was immediately met with bluish-grey skies. The wind was slow, but forceful. Somehow, it felt many times more ominous than any stormy weather she'd ever encountered back home. The only sound with range of her ears was a piece of paper being blown through the air.
"Guess I should test this thing."
When Twilight reached for the necklace to open communication, she noticed something odd. Her body hadn't changed the way it did on her previous adventures here.
"Good. At least I still have access to my magic."
She called the princesses.
"What's the situation, Twilight," Celestia asked.
"You weren't kidding. There's literally no one here. I haven't changed either. Something's definitely off about this place."
"Affirmative. Your first task is to search for any remaining lifeforms around the city."
"Copy that."
"Try to scan anything you find for genetic material. We can identify the organisms that have recently disappeared."
"I will."
"Be on your guard. From what I can see of the surrounding environment, something fairly destructive may have happened."
"Right."
"I'm cutting the line now. Please, figure out what's going on."
"You can count on me."
"Thank you."
With nothing left to say, they ended the call. Twilight began moving forward, but she stopped when a strong feeling made its way into her being.
"The school. Maybe there's something there."
Turning back towards the structure, Twilight began walking carefully. Once she made her way inside, rain began to drench the landscape.
"Sheesh. This rain doesn't let up."
Twilight scanned the surrounding environment for what genetic information she could gather. So far, it seemed the wildlife was also gone.
"I hope Flash is okay..."
There's no real telling how long Twilight was exploring the city before she made it to the beach. The best measure would be in hours.
"Is there someone out there...!?"
Out in the distance, a small figure could be seen. It was a pale shade of white. She needed to get closer. Step after step, the distance between them closed. She stopped just a few feet away so as to maintain discreetness. Taking the necklace, she scanned the being. The information it displayed increased the tension by an infinite amount. It read as follows.
"Desecrator: A former human who fell victim to death and reanimated to seek vengeance on all who draw near. Extremely dangerous. Proceed with extreme caution."
A shadow was cast over the hologram. Twilight looked up into the empty eyes of the monster.
"AAAAGH!"
The monster raised its bone-like claws and struck. Twilight guarded with her foreleg just in time to save her face. Unfortunately, she was heavily damaged.
"Houston, we have many problems," Luna yelled out to Celestia.
"What's wrong, sister!"
"I think we just found the cause of the mass extinction!"
"Did Twilight send something!?"
"We'd say she did! See for yourself!"
Celestia rushed to her sister's side in the monitor room.
"Look!"
"Oh my goodness!!!"
The creature displayed onscreen with the text was almost like a skeleton, but it seemed to still possess it's skin and muscle definition. It's monstrous appearance came from it's eye sockets and matted hair. It looked like a wild animal.
"I must contact Twilight immediately!"
"Go! I'll keep watch here!"
Twilight had jumped back far enough to steady her bow. She took the shot and hit the desecrator in the throat.
"Thank goodness..."
Her false sense of security was quickly erased, however, when the monster started moving again.
"No no no no!"
Being paralyzed with fear, there was something she failed to notice; the monster was moving much slower than before. Unknown to her, poison had an adverse effect on it. Just then, her necklace beeped. She quickly answered.
"Princess Celestia, it's kind of a bad time right no-EEP!"
"Twilight, go for it's heart!"
"WHAT!?"
"It's weak point is its heart! Fire your arrows there!"
"Okay! If you say so!"
Twilight aimed at the left side of its chest and fired. The desecrator stopped dead in its tracks. What should have been blood spurting out was a thick, black fluid. After thrashing and screaming in agony, it fell to the ground.
"Twilight, are you okay!?"
Twilight's breaths were heavy and frightened. All she could muster was "I'm still alive..."
Secret #1: Poison Upgrade
The long halls of the school building were devoid of light. With nothing at her immediate disposal, she was forced to cast an illumination spell. Thankfully, with her developed magical energy and the low consumption of light spells, she would have plenty of time to explore the construct. She grabbed the necklace and pressed the blue button. Green laser-like lights began to emit from it. When they faded, a hologram appeared above the necklace.
"There's genetic material everywhere in here, but where is everyone? Better keep moving."
Twilight began to explore the building, one room at a time. Eventually, she came across the science lab. While observing the objects in the room, something caught her eye.
"An arrowhead...?"
Thinking fast, she scanned the arrowhead.
"It looks like they were testing different types of poisons on this thing. It's deadly to the touch. Better not mess with it."
As Twilight was about to exit the lab, the necklace started beeping, indicating a transmission.
"Princess?"
"Twilight, do you read me?"
"Yes."
"Luna just received the imagery of the arrowhead. She says you should take it and replace one of your stock heads with it."
"But it's too dangerous to move."
"Not with your magic. A levitation spell should do the trick."
"Of course! Why didn't I think of that!?"
Twilight took one of her arrows and removed the tip before screwing the other other one on.
"There. Nice and sturdy."
"Excellent."
"What did you guys gather from the genetic information I sent you?"
"It's definitely human. Any luck figuring out where they are?"
"No. My guess is as good as anyone else's."
"I see."
"Sorry."
"Don't apologize. We knew this might not be a cut and dry case. Just keep looking."
"Right."
"By the way, you mentioned there was something called the infirmary in the school, right?"
"Yes. Why?"
"This could be a long journey. You should brew a few health and energy potions."
"That's a good point. I'll head there now."
"Stay sharp."
"Roger."
After further exploration into the architecture, Twilight found the infirmary room. There were several pain-numbing and healing medications. She mixed the liquids together for first aid and combined several energy medications to restore her magic.
"Maybe I can come back here if I need anything else later."
With the bottles she'd made placed into her satchel, she was on her way.