As the sun rose and its light spread across the slumbering forest, greeting a new day, the birds were conspicuously silent. Not a single song was sung, nor a single note warbled out in the grim and tense silence. It was as if the whole forest was on edge, holding its breath waiting for...something.

That something was the odd entourage tentatively making its way through the forest. At the forefront of the convoy was the bipedal figure that many of the inhabitants of the forest came to know as "The Shadowy Horror," and at its heels trotted the ponies of the nearby town. They were making steady progress through the forest, when one of the smaller ponies cantered up to the man and asked him something. In response, the man nodded and slowed down for a moment to bend down and pick up the little pony. As she was raised off of the ground, the little filly giggled in foalish delight, her little wings buzzing with glee. With a heft and a huff, the man had hoisted the filly onto his shoulder providing her with a excellent perch. It was in this silent manner the group progressed through the woods, but this silence was interrupted by a soft but curious voice.

"Mr. Farren?"

"Hmm? What is it Sweetiebelle?" Farren replied, turning his head to glace at the filly in question.

After a brief pause, she looked up and asked with a serious look, "Why did Princess Celestia and Princess Luna leave last night?"

"What brought about that question?" he countered, eyebrow arched in curiosity.

"Well," said Sweetiebelle, "Didn't they really miss you?"

"They sure did little one."

"Then why didn't they stay? You would think that they would stay with their long lost uncle for longer than a single afternoon." she wondered, looking up to Farren with a confused look on her face.

"Ah, well Sweetie, they couldn't stay long because they have duties to other ponies. For example; they have to raise the sun and lower the moon each and every morning, but that feat takes alot of energy so they need their sleep." as he explained he gestured to the rising sun in the east, its light becoming more and more radiant with each passing moment.

On and on they trudged their way through the forest, with each step bringing them closer to the end. Finally, after what seemed like an age, they could see the bright entrance to the forest. With a sigh and a tentative step forward, Farren left the Forest. His long time home seemed to heave a sigh of relief as well, and moments later the morning air was thick with the calls and warbling songs of the birds in the trees. Making their way onto the road, they followed the dusty dirt path leading to the cozy little town of Ponyville. Passing the Apple family farm, Twilight sidled up next to Farren.

"Ahem, um, Mr. Farren?" said Twilight, looking up to the human.

"Please Twilight, Mr. Farren was my grandfather, just call me Farren."

"Very well. Farren, when we get to the town I must warn you, the ponies there can be quite...excitable." As she said this they passed by the town outer limits and were now on the main road to the town center.

"Excitable how? 'Good excitable', or 'ahh its a monster kill it with fire' kind of excitable?" Farren asked with a raised eyebrow, "I'd hate to have to go into hiding again."

"No, nothing like that, but they are easily, frightened." Chimed in Rainbow Dash from above, "Especially the flower ponies. Come to think of it, they always are the first to panic and when they do everyone else panics..."

The rest of the group nod in agreement as they arrive in the bustling town square. Looking around they could see that today was market day, and ponies where everywhere. Each stall was positioned around the circular town hall, each one had a pony shouting about their goods and excellent deals. Making their way to the center where the town hall stood, there was a certain stall that was set up right next to the entrance. The stall in question was very different from the others, as a veritable forest of flowers was placed around the stall, becoming substitute decorations that rivaled even the gaudiest of stalls in the marketplace that day. Another key difference was that the stall had three specific ponies behind the counter. At the moment they where chatting merrily away with a customer about the price of petunias. However, one of the flower ponies happened to spot the approaching party of ponies, and so she brought up her hoof to wave, but quickly froze in horror, her face becoming twisted in fear as she saw a massive creature thundering behind them. So, like any respectable flower pony with a delicate disposition to match, she took a deep breath and emptied her impressive lungs screaming bloody murder.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! MONSTEEEEEERRR!!!! THE HORROR! THE ABSOLUTE HORROR!"

For a moment, the entire town froze, a city of statues...and then their brains caught up with the words. Pandemonium was putting it lightly, it was like the second coming of Discord. (Who, in fact later admitted that it was this very event that may have tripled his power and also allowed him to summon living creatures...like flying pigs.)

Amidst this chaos was an island of calm, the small group of ponies and the human that had set it all off looked on in various shades of amused, concerned, embarrassed, and nonplussed. Well, to be honest Pinkie Pie was the only one that found the whole sordid affair amusing. As one would expect, this whole hullabaloo went on for quite some time, and on, and on, and on it went, until a certain lavender alicorn had just had enough of this whole ridiculous kerfuffle.

"Enough!"

The town square became silent, and tensions ran thick and heavy in the air. Then, as if nothing had happened, the townsfolk went back to normal...which is to say they went back to screaming their heads off and running around aimlessly, bumping into each other frequently.

Farren then put a consoling hand upon Twilight's shoulder, "Well, you did try. Why don't we head inside?"

Looking around them one last time, the intrepid group of ponies and their human escort strode into the town hall, leaving the panicking townsfolk to their panicked selves.

Author's Note

Finally done! First off, I want to apologize for taking so long to make this chapter. A lot of things have happened, mostly family matters. But I was unable to write anything for the longest time. But now that school is almost here, I gotta get ready for that as well, so I might not be able to write another chapter so soon. But know this: I AM WRITING! AND I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU GUYS!

Also, if you do have ideas for characters, or want me to put in a character of yours, message me and we can work something out. Again, thank you for being so patient with me.