Opening

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It was a normal day in Ponyville.

The sun beat down on Applejack and her sister as they bucked the trees of Sweet Apple Acres. She didn't mind the heat; she welcomed it actually. It made her work harder. And it would make her enjoy her ice cold glass of apple cider that much more. Applebloom was not so optimistic. "Applejack, why doesn't Big Macintosh have to help harvest today?," she pouted. Applejack sighed and gave the tree a buck. Ripe, shining apples cascaded from the branches, and fell into Applebloom's expertly maneuvered basket. "Ah' told ya' Applebloom, Big Mac is doing the taxes," replied Applejack. "But why can't Granny Smith do the taxes, like usual?" Applebloom inquired. Applejack was losing patience. She must have explained this once already. "Applebloom, you know Granny's no better at them fancy mathematics than you or me. Big Mac is more useful in there than out here." Applebloom frowned, defeated. She knew that this meant as much as twice her daily farm work. AJ took notice of her sister's sad expression. "Cheer up, sis," she said, glancing at the sky, "It's about time for lunch. Why don't we head back to the house and see how Big Mac's doing?" Applebloom visibly brightened up. "Okay!" she said.

It was a normal day in ponyville.

The clouds floated through the sky, peacefully resting on air. Nature had decided that today would be a wonderful day for rain. The weather team had other plans. The clouds were darkening, drifting closer to one another. If they had been faster, they may have managed to have a light sprinkle over town square. But for a cloud, being faster than Rainbow Dash is a pretty tall order. She swooped in, flying directly for the largest cloud. Putting on an extra burst of speed, Rainbow punched through the cloud, dissapating it. Flying to the next largest, she turned and bucked it hard. Rainbow Dash zoomed to the last of the large clouds, and with a not-so-gentle push, sent it spinning towards Sweet Apple Acres. "How was that?" asked Rainbow excitedly, "What was my time?" Cloud Kicker checked her watch. "9.8 seconds." Rainbow Dash punched the air with joy. Under ten seconds three times consecutively. If she kept this up, she would have to invent a new word to classify how awesome she was. No, wait. Inventing words sounded like Twilight's job.

 "Whatever!" Rainbow exclaimed, "We have nothing else to do today. I'm going to get something from Sugarcube Corner. Weather team..."  she was prepared to say 'weather team dismissed,' but Rainbow noticed that it was only her and Cloud Kicker. "Hey, where is everyone today?" she asked Cloud Kicker. The gray pony raised her eyebrow. "They didn't come today because, as usual, you did the job yourself. I only came to measure your time." Rainbow was impressed with herself. Was she really that good? The doubts were erased as soon as they surfaced. Of course she was! She was Rainbow Dash! She waz the winner of the Best Young Fliers Competition. She was a hero of Equestria. She was... Hungry. Rainbow hadn't realized the appetite she worked up. Oh well, she thought, only one way to fix that. She sped towards Sugarcube Corner.

It was a normal day in Ponyville.

Fluttershy was just beginning her daily chores. She had already fed Angel, the impatient bunny had awakened her for that express purpose. She checked the chicken coop. The fowl were resting peacefully. Fluttershy counted each one to ensure that none had wandered off in the night. One, two, three, four, five... All twelve! Good. Now to check the mail. As she trotted to the mailbox, she hoped desperately that the old mailpony hadn't mixed up her mail again.  Being too shy to correct the mistake, she now owned several editions of Playcolt, all of which she had hidden without even taking a peek. She couldn't help but wonder who was ordering them.

Regardless, the old stallion had delivered the correct mail. Fluttershy opened her mailbox to find what she had been waiting for: Her monthly copy of Nature Nurtures. The yellow pony gripped the magazine in her teeth and galloped back to her hut. She bolted the door behind her. She did not want to be disturbed. Relaxing, Fluttershy sank into her sofa. The animal lover was very happy to have her new issue. She opened it hastily, pouring over every tip, suggestion and how-to for anumal care.

It was a normal day in Ponyville.

Rainbow Dash trotted into Sugarcube Corner. It was the same as always. Same comfy chairs, same sugary decorations, same Mr. Cake and same Mrs. Cake. But there was someone absent. "Where's Pinkie?" Rainbow asked, trotting to the counter. Mr. Cake sighed deeply. "She's dealing with an existential crisis right now." he responded. "Again? That's twice this week! Have you been leaving her with drying paint lately?" Mr. Cake shrugged. "What can I say? She's Pinkie Pie." Rainbow let out an exagerated sigh. "Alright then, I'm going to take a nap. When Pinkie solves her dillemna, tell her I'll see her tomorrow." With that, the blue coated pegasus flew out the doors of Sugarcube Corner.

It was a normal day in Ponyville.

Rarity was just putting the final touches on her newest creation. It was an extravagant dress, with a light gold cloth lined with deep velvet. Rubies were set into the fabric on the back, forming a heart shape. The dress came with a silver neckless  studded with a massive sapphire. Rarity had no doubt that this fashion would be all the rage in Canterlot. It was not as elegant as she would have liked, but Hoity Toity would certainly be pleased. She stepped back, admiring her handiwork. It was beautiful. It was perfect in every- wait, is that a spot? Looking closely, Rarity realized that the had spilled a few drops of blue dye on the side of the gown. She quickly used her stain-removing spell to get rid of the unsightly blotch. There! All done. Just then Rarity heard a crash from the kitchen. She groaned. Was Sweetie Bell trying to cook again? Rarity poked her head in the kitchen and saw that her little sister had, indeed, been attemting to make... Something. The result was a singed can of tomatoes, a warped spoon, half-cooked elbow noodles and a comically mishapen carrot. "Sweetie Bell, what in Equestria were you trying to cook?!" Rarity asked. "Soup!" Said her sister with a smile. "Sweetie, ah- well, um- Darling, I-" Rarity let out a sigh. "I'll clean this up."

Applejack was tired. She finished a full day's work in a morning, and she didn't look foreward to repeating it in the afternoon. The farmer pony sat in her bed, grimacing at the thought of the work that lay ahead of her. On top of that, Big Macintosh didn't seem to feel very good about the taxes. He was great at mathematics, but he obviously prefered the hard, honest work of a farm pony.

Glancing at the wall clock, AJ determined that it was time to get back to work. She stood up to trot out of her bedroom when something caught her eye. In the center of her floor lay a scroll. Immaculately clean, it shone from her dusty floor like a beacon. It bore the royal seal of Canterlot. But it was different from the letters the Princess normally wrote. It was... Darker, somehow. But the darkness didn't seem evil. Applejack was puzzled. What in Equestria could this mean?

Fluttershy put down her copy of Nature Nurtures with a contented sigh. Fluttershy already knew most of the tips in the magazine, but there were always some new tricks. And Fluttershy was looking foreward to trying them out on Angel! She scanned the room, looking for her pet bunny. But, in searching, she found something else. In the center of her living room floor sat a scroll, bound in dark blue cloth and sporting the Canterlot Royal Seal. Fluttershy frowned, confused. She could have sworn that the scroll hadn't been there when she sat down. How had it gotten there?

Rarity was exhausted from cleaning up her little sister's mess. Sweetie Bell was a darling, but Rarity had never met another pony who could accidentally burn soup. She collapsed into her favorite lounge chair. Her eyes drifted closed and she was about to daze off when she felt something. It was a twinge, a feeling in her horn. She knew it well. How could she not, being friends with Twilight Sparkle? It was the ferling of magic. Opening her eyes, Rarity saw before her a pristine scroll, bound tightly and bearing the royal seal. She also noticed the magic softly radiating from it. It was different from the Princess's letters. Whereas a letter from Celestia would practically burst with the glow of magic, this letter had a glow more subtle. Rarity concluded that this letter could not have been sent by Celestia. I wonder, mused the unicorn, Who sent this scroll?

High up in the clouds, Rainbow Dash was preparing for her daily nap. Her usual resting spot was currently the place of residence for some bluebirds, so she would make do with a cloud. Rainbow glided along lazily, looking for the right cloud. Most of the clouds today were small, and not suitable for naps. And as she searched, her eyes happened upon a strange sight. Resting atop a gray cloud lay a scroll. Rainbow flew in for a closer look. Her eyes widened. It had the royal seal on it! Rainbow Dash frowned, puzzled.  Why was it on top of a cloud?

In the back room of Sugarcube Corner, a bright pink pony stood completely still, her glazed eyes staring into the distance. She blinked, coming out of her trance. The bowl doesn't stop existing, Pinkie Pie realized, it just becomes less organized. Her once blank face broke into a familiar smile. Who would have thought that dropping a bowl on the ground could start an existential dilemna! Pinkie leaned down and began to collect the shards of ceramic that once contained her lunch and put them on her tray. The bowl, or rather, the lack of a bowl, would come out of her salary of course. Pinkie knew that, and she was happy with it.  She placed the last bit of ceramic on the tray and turned to the site of the accident. Before her eyes Pinkie saw a scroll, bound in dark cloth bearing the royal seal. When had that gotten there?

Five ponies, all far from each other, grabbed five scrolls. Five ponies broke the seal and unwrapped five scrolls. Five ponies read:

PONIES,

I wish to speak with all six of you regarding a matter of great importance. I will be in Twilight Sparkle's library at nine o'clock.

The fate of Equestria is in your hands once more.

                                                                                        Luna

 Twilight Sparkle opened her door to see her five friends standing before her. They seemed concerned. "Uh, hi girls," said Twilight hesitantly, "What brings you here?"

"Darling, you did recieve the Princess's letter, correct?" asked Rarity.

Twilight had a rush of clarity. "Oh! I see. You wanted to discuss what Luna might be up to."

Applejack looked at her curiously. "Uh, actually Twi, we were going to just let her tell us."

Aaand there goes the clarity. "What do you mean?" The unicorn asked, "Did you invite Luna here?"

"Didn't you get her letter?" asked Pinkie, "She said she was going to come to your library at nine o'clock to talk to us!" The party pony giggled excitedly, "She said it was SUPER important."

Twilight's eyes widened. "Oh no no no no NO!" Twilight shouted, "This is bad. This is very, very bad. Girls, listen to me-"

The clock struck nine. And suddenly, Luna was standing there. She had teleported, but not in a brilliant flash like most ponies. It involved no smoke, no awe factor. One moment she was not there, the next she was. The six mares stared for a moment, mouths agape. Breaking the silence, Luna spoke, "Greetings, friends. I apologize for calling you all on only a day's notice." Twilight gritted her teeth. Luna seemed troubled, but she continued. "The matter of which I speak to you is of great importance. The fate of Equestria depends on this." The six friends were disturbed and intruiged. Is Discord back? wondered Applejack. Is it the Changelings? Thought Rainbow. "Is this a fanficton?" asked Pinkie. The ponies in the room looked at her, confused. "Mmm, yep, definitely a fanfiction. Carry on."

Luna continued, "Before I tell you more, you must swear to never tell another pony this information."

The mares were hesitant. How could they swear to keep a threat to Equestria quiet?

Pinkie Pie stepped forewards. Giggling, she swore, "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. I promise!"

Rarity took a step foreward as well , and said, "I will not tell a soul, Princess. Trust me, I can keep a secret."

Applejack stood her ground, but swore nonetheless, "Ah promise, yer Highness."

Fluttershy cowered on the floor. She had always been terribly afraid of Luna. "I p-p-promise,"  Fluttershy managed to say, regardless of her terror.

"I swear I won't tell anyone, Princess!" Shouted Rainbow triumphantly, as if there was a contest to see who could swear the loudest.

"Good," Said Luna. "Now, Twilight..."

Luna turned to the student. Twilight's horn was glowing violently. "Twilight? What-" The purple unicorn let out a blast of dark purple magic, striking Luna in the chest. The Princess flew backwards, knocking into a bookcase. An avalanch of books fell on the dark pony.

A chorus of voices cried out at the suddenly violent unicorn.

"Twilight! What in tarnation did you do that for?"

"Twilight! Oh dear, what did you do? You could have hurt the poor Princess."

"Oh no! Of all the worst things that could happen, this is The. Worst. Possible. Thing!"

"I really hope this isn't a grimdark fanfiction."

"Twilight! What the heck! You just shot a Princess!"

Twilight held up her hoof, silencing them all. "Earlier, you asked if I had gotten the Princess's letter," She said, "And it's true. I did get a letter today. It was from a Princess."

She turned to her friends. "But while you got a message from Luna, mine was from Celestia. It had three simple words on it. Three simple, awful, frightening words." Twilight's horn started glowing again, brighter than ever.

 "Beware of Luna."