Discursive Formations: phantoms forever

by TheRedFox

Rating: teen
Tags: Mystery, Tragedy, Horror, Wonderbolts, Spitfire, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other
Length: 4687

The following document has been classified under orders of the Royal Guard. Please contact the Records and Registration Office of the Royal Guards for more details.

The following document contains a transcription of the events that occurred during the Everfree Incident involving the Wonderbolts and the Wasteland Explorers. Investigation into the events is ongoing. This document is classified under orders of Captain Shining Armor. Redistribution of this document is prohibited. Unauthorized access to this document is prohibited. Phantoms forever.

Special thanks to Juno Keter for beta reading and editing.

My second submission for the Barcast's Halloween in April contest.

Published 2020-04-10 17:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-04-10 17:40:01 UTC

Transcript One: Everfree

“Everypony ready?”

“Alright, let’s rock and roll. Cleared for insertion.”

“Ladies first. So Soarin’, you’re up.”

“Quit your whining and get your ass through the portal.”

The Wonderbolt Unit passes through the portal.

“We still in one piece?”

“Well, speak for yourself.”

“Copy that. Looks clear. We’re still in the Everfree. Looks pretty much the same as it did before. Hey, Keter, your guys are clear to enter.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, you’re right. Something’s up with the trees here. It’s like all the leaves rotted off and died or something.”

“Well I don’t know, do I look like a botanist to you?”

“Hey, Keter, you read me? Command, I’m not reading Keter.”

“Command, you copy? Well, this is going spectacularly. Brand new technology my ass.”

Captain Keter is informed that there appears to be a technical issue with Captain Maverick’s equipment. The Wasteland Explorers unit crosses through the portal.

“Hey, Keter. About time. You picking me up?”

“No, I can’t hear Command. Were they reading me at all or…”

“Okay. Hey Command, Keter’s trying to reach you but it doesn’t look like his stuff is working either. He says you can still hear me, but I can’t hear you. (To Keter) Did they want us to go back and try to get it fixed?”

“No, just continue. Got it. What’s up, Soarin’?”

“...Shit, you’re right. Keter, look at this. All the plant life is dead. Even the grass.”

“I don’t… right. Okay, keep your suits on everypony. We don’t know what we’re dealing with here.”

“What are you thinking? Some sort of magical spell? Bioweapon of some kind?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, let’s assume that this place is the same as our Equestria. That means there’s that one zebra’s hut nearby, right?”

“Yeah, Zecora. That’s the one.”

“Alright, lead on then. Command, we’re going to try and locate any inhabitants and get information on what exactly this place is.”

“No, you’re right. It’s really, really quiet. Shouldn’t there be bugs or birds or something?”

“What’d you find?”

“A bird? Is it alive?”

“Huh. Wonder how it died.”

“Hey, Windy, get a picture of this.”

“Am I in the frame? Oh. Am I blocking anything important? Just Soarin’? Alright, cool.”

“Woah, more birds. Geez. This is weird. It’s like the whole flock just fell out of the sky or something.”

“Right. Command, it’s looking like all plant and animal life here is dead. Don’t know why yet. We’re going to keep moving towards the-- woah.”

“Yeah. That’s a timberwolf. One of the big ones too. Timberwolf King, is it?”

“It’s dead, Fleetfoot. Stop being such a pansy.”

“Question is, what killed it?”

“Let’s not stick around and find out. Keter, you want to take samples?”

“Right.”

“Hey, you holding up alright, Wave?”

“Me too. Never liked this place, but it’s just… weird. It’s never this quiet.”

“That’s the hut right there.”

“So? Knock on the door. What, do I have to tell you how to do everything?”

“Body.”

“I don’t know, I’ve never met her, but I’m pretty sure she’s the only Zebra living in Ponyville.”

“Pretty confident that’s, uh, her.”

“Uh, Command, we located Zecora. She’s, uh, gone. No signs of any struggle, no wounds on the body, nothing. It’s like she’s just keeled over and died.”

“Yeah, see? Eyes still open and everything. It’s… ugh. Weird. Like, I’ve seen bodies before, but they’re never like this.”

“Hey, Soarin’. Come here. Look at the date on this newspaper. Today’s the 25th, right? This paper’s dated the 15th. Assuming time hasn’t been screwed up, she’s been dead ten days.”

“Right, but why hasn’t it decomposed yet? Nothing has. It doesn’t make any sense. Only post-mortem discharge, that’s it.”

“Yeah. Well, at least her record player’s still going… wonder what song this is. Huh. No labels or anything on it.”

“Bag it? I mean… sure, why not.”

“No, the record, not the body. Dumbass.”

“Take samples, do whatever. I… I’m going to wait outside.”

“...”

“Huh? Oh, hey Wave. What’s up?”

“You holding up okay?”

“Oh, first body. Yeah, first one’s always rough.”

“Mine? Uh, walked into a recurit’s room to find them... hanging from the ceiling. Yeah. Still don’t know why.”

“Shit’s fucked.”

“... no, it doesn’t get easier. Trust me.”

“Heh. Yeah, I know.”

“I want to go home too. But hey, we got a job to do.”

“Stay strong, Wave. We’ll get through this.”

“Keter, you done?”

“Alright. Looks like we’re on our own out here, and we still don’t know what’s going on. Let’s head into Ponyville, see if anypony there can shine some light on what’s happening. Hopefully whatever this is is localized in the Everfree.”

“Yeah, wishful thinking, I know. Let’s just… let’s just keep moving.”

Author's Note

A scout team was dispatched to Zecora’s cottage. No record or record player was located. Zecora stated that she never owned a record player in her life.

Transcript Three: Farm

“On approach to Sweet Apple Acres now, Command.”

“Yeah, looks like no activity from here. I’d say it’s like, what, seven or eight in the morning right now? Sun’s starting to come up.”

“Well, no, that’s a good thing. Means that Princess Celestia’s still alive. I think.”

“Uh, sounds good. Let’s start at the farm.”

“Where? Oh, yeah, I see her. Up on the porch in the rocker.”

“Kind of a peaceful way to go, you think? Just sitting on the porch, knitting, watching the sun rise… I guess I can think of worse ways to go.”

“Yeah, I know. This means it wasn’t just in the Everfree. It spread to here too.”

“Uh, yeah. You guys do what you gotta. Wonderbolts, let’s clear the house.”

“Kitchen clear. No occupants.”

“Shit, this place belongs to one of Crash’s friends, doesn’t it?”

“Applejack, yeah. That’s the one.”

“I dunno. She’s a farmer, so probably out in the field or somewhere. We don’t know what time this happened either.”

“Whatever.”

“I’ll take upstairs. Shout if you need me.”

“... great, just me and my thoughts. It’s the Academy all over again.”

“Alright, Command, if you’re still reading me we’ve entered Ponyville. Looks pretty dead, we’ve identified a few bodies already. Same as Zecora, no discernible cause of death. It’s like they just… dropped dead for some reason. Uh, anyways, Keter and his guys are working the orchard, getting samples and stuff. Other than that…”

“... sorry. There was a record player in the room. Same one as Zecora… had… wait, if it’s been at least a week since whatever happened, how the hell is the record still--”

“--playing. What the hell was… Hello? Is somepony there?”

“Fuck!”

“Soarin’, geez. Scared the shit out of me. I… thought I saw somepony in the closet. Yeah, I know it’s empty. I dunno. Must have been my imagination or something.”

“Just… just get a picture of this room and let’s get out of here. Where’s Keter?”

“Yeah. It’s giving me the creeps too. I’d almost rather fight Tirek again then do this.”

“Everyone good? Anypony find anything?”

“Okay. Let’s regroup.”

“Keter! You guys done?”

“Well, you take your time, then. We’ll hit up the town.”

“Let’s try to find the rest of the bearers. Keter will finish searching the farm for Applejack, I’ll take Soarin’ and find Rarity. Windy, Misty, take the castle and find the Princess. Wave, Fleetfoot, go find Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash could be anywhere right now, we’ll look for her later. If you’re done, come back here. And… stay safe out there. Please.”

Author's Note

Captain Keter's transmitting equipment was temporarily detected after a technician arrived to fix the equipment. The only sentence heard was 'I'll go if you go.' No further transmissions were received.

Transcript Four: Carousel

“...”

“What?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s just… hitting me now, I guess. I mean, I’ve seen bodies before, but… never like this.”

“It’s… Soarin’, everything is dead. Everything. Even the fucking bacteria and shit that does the decomposing. It’s not… natural. And isn’t the record player thing freaking you out?”

“Dude, it’s been a week. How are the records still playing music? You seriously don’t think it’s weird?”

“They can do that now? Huh. Still… I dunno. This is just-- oh, Celestia. Look down there.”

“Poor pegasus fell right out of the sky. She must have been flying when…”

“...”

“Hey, uh, we’re dead too then, aren’t we? I mean, shit, I was in my office today. Doing paperwork and filing reports. You think we should…”

“... yeah. Heh. Thanks.”

“It’s the one that looks like a carousel.”

“I hate these suits too. I’ve had an itch on my maw ever since we got here. Can’t scratch it though.”

“You think Keter will be alright? We still don’t know what the hay it is we’re up against.”

“... I guess.”

“...”

“Stop that.”

“Humming. Stop it.”

“... what do you mean you weren’t humming?”

“Don’t fuck with me now, I’m not in the mood.”

“I… just… fuck.”

“No, I swear I heard humming.”

“Why would I fuck with you? You’re the one who always--”

“...”

“Right. Calm down. Sorry. This is just getting to me, you know?”

“Yeah. Yeah. Thanks.”

“Uh, that’s it right there.”

“Did you really just get scared by the bell? Oh, Celestia, I should have picked Fleetfoot to come with me.”

“There! That music, you hear it? I swear, every building we’ve been to has been playing that stupid song.”

“Is it popular? I’ve never heard it before.”

“Whatever. Check upstairs, I’ll take the back.”

“...”

“GAH! Fucking stupid fucking ponyqueins!”

“... no. Not again. This fucking music.”

“Well, you probably can’t hear it, but this music is fucking unnerving me. It’s, like, pretty loud, but it’s muffled too. I hear a singer… can’t make out the words though. And a piano. Maybe a violin too--”

“Soarin’? That you?”

“... Soarin’? Don’t fucking do this to me right now.”

“Hey! Hey! Who are you! Wait--”

“... the fuck? Where did…”

“Okay, Command, you’re probably thinking I’m crazy, but I swear to Celestia I saw a pony. She was standing right there in the doorway. Dark gray coat and black mane. Couldn’t see their face, but I swear I saw her.”

“... yeah, no sign of her. What the fuck is… oh, and the music stopped. Great.”

“Command, I’m applying for hazard pay when I get back. I might also need a psych eval.”

“Yeah! In here!”

“You found her?”

“Bedroom, huh? Right.”

“I don’t doubt that.”

“Well, Command, it’s not looking good. Whatever did this took out the Elements, too, and we’re still no closer to figuring out what happened.”

“Let’s head back to-- woah.”

“Hey, Soarin’, was that there when we came in?”

“I don’t remember either, but I swear that wall was blank.”

“Right. Well, it’s probably nothing, Command, but on the building wall somepony spray painted the words ‘Phantoms Forever’ in red paint. Don’t know what that’s about. Maybe we should check to see if that’s there in our world?”

“Let’s head back. Lead on.”

Author's Note

A scout team was dispatched to the location described by Captain Maverick. No such graffiti was located.

Transcript Five: Academy

“Okay, Command, we’ve regrouped at Sweet Apple Acres. Since you’re still silent for me, I’m taking the reigns here. We found all the Elements except for the Princess. We found her assistant dragon though, dead as everyone else. We, uh… we didn’t go into the… the school of friendship, or the, uh, schoolhouse. Figured there’s… there’s nothing there. We’re going to head for Wonderbolt Headquarters. Then probably to Canterlot. Keter’s team is going to stay here and get samples, hopefully they can get some intel as to what’s going on here.”

“Alright. See you soon. Wonderbolts, let’s… let’s go.”

“You guys holding up alright?”

“Yeah, I know. Me too.”

“Yeah. There’s nothing else up here. Just us and the clouds.”

“The Weather Factory? It’ll probably automatically shut down. It’s got failsafes and stuff built in.”

“Hey, Fleety, where’d you find Rainbow? I… I want to see her.”

“Let’s go.”

“Heh. Napping. Of… of course she was. I… Sleep well, Dash. Celestia knows you earned it.”

“... I’m fine.”

“I… we can’t go home. Not yet, Wave. We need to make sure whatever happened here doesn’t happen to us. Because this isn’t our Equestria. We have to remember that.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“... you… you’re kidding.”

“Not you guys too.”

“Yeah, yeah, we did. Okay, this can’t be a coincidence.”

“So, my guys are saying that they found the words ‘Phantoms Forever’ spray painted around Ponyville. Don’t know what it means, or who did it, but… hey, you guys hear any music while you were out there?”

“Yeah, I’ve been hearing it too. Stay on guard. Have you guys… seen a pony? Gray coat, black mane?”

“I’m not insane. I’m just asking.”

“HEY! I am still your commanding officer!”

“Look, we all need to take a step back and breathe. We’re going to get nowhere fighting.”

“Wave, I mean it. Stop.”

“Yeah, I see it. Smoke. Something’s on fire down there.”

“It looks like… what was her name? The one pony with the airplane?”

“Cherry Berry, yeah. That’s the one. Well… at least she died doing what she loved.”

“... that’s what I’ve been saying. It’s weird. There’s so much death, but there’s no rotting, no smell, nothing. It’s… I don’t know."

“Hey, heads up, we, uh… we’re probably going to find ourselves in there. If anypony wants to wait outside, I won’t hold it against you.”

“Last chance.”

“Alright, let’s head in.”

“Welcome home, I guess.”

“Uh, yeah. Go wherever. I don’t care.”

“Found me, huh? Okay. Let’s… let’s do this.”

“No, I’m fine. Look, whoever’s in there is not me, okay? Because I’m me. Just open the door.”

“Yeah, that’s… that’s me. And there’s Soarin’ and Fleetfoot. We were having a… meeting or something stupid.”

“... I don’t have a record player in my office. And I sure as shit don’t own this song.”

“Fucking thing is creeping me out, dude.”

“Then wait outside. I’m going to look through the files and shit.”

“...”

“Looks like… yeah, files are the same as I’ve got. Even the… yep. That’s… yeah.”

“... fuck me, it’s hard to remember this isn’t my Equestria. My Equestria is still alive. My friends and family are still alive. This… this isn’t home. It can’t be.”

“... Soarin’? That you? Fleety?”

“Who’s out the-- Ohfuckme.”

“Let me guess, you going to just fucking vanish again? Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

“What? No, I just… thought I saw her again.”

“No, earth pony. Yeah, I know that’s not possible. I just… fuck. We done here? Where’s Wave and Windy?”

“He what? Shit.”

“Wave, talk to me. What’s wrong?”

“Hey, don’t give me that. Let me help.”

“Look, this shit is fucking me up too. But if we don’t figure out what happened here, it could happen to our world too.”

“You’re fine. You’re fine.”

“We’re going to get through this, Wave. I promise you that.”

“Okay. Let’s… let’s go to Canterlot. If we don’t find anything there we’ll leave.”

“I know.”

(Unknown) Phantoms Forever.

Author's Note

The last line was not present in the recording. The transcriber does not recall adding it to the transcript.

Transcript Six: Canterlot

“... on approach to Canterlot.”

“...”

“... yeah.”

“...”

“... I dunno.”

“On approach to the castle. I can see a few bodies from here, looks like guards.”

“... uh huh.”

“Just… go wherever. I don’t care. I’ll take the throne room or something.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just go.”

“I don’t fucking care.”

“Okay! Geez.”

“I’m being hissy? Fuck you! You’ve been on my ass ever since we’ve got here!”

“Bitch, listen here--”

“...”

“Only if he apologizes first.”

“Fine. I… I’m sorry.”

“Let’s just… let’s just go in.”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“No. No fucking way. This can’t… it’s not…”

“Uh, Command. We found, uh, Princess Celestia. She’s uh…”

“...”

“... yeah, she’s gone. Fuck.”

“It’s… weird. Seeing her just slumped over like that.”

“I… yeah. I dunno.”

“Fuck this. Command, we’re leaving now.”

“Where’d Fleetfoot go?”

“She found a what?”

“Show me.”

“... fucking music again. This can’t be natural.”

“What?”

“You see her too?”

“Behind us. Right. Of course she is. Come on, let’s go.”

“Fucking-- what, you’re going to disappear again? Fucking gray mare. See, I told you I’m not--”

“Phantoms Forever.”

“--what the fuck is--”

P̶͉̀h̷̳̅a̴̠͛n̸̪̐t̵̏͜o̷̯̓m̷̨͝s̷̹͠ ̵̪͆f̵͎̌ŏ̷̬ȓ̵͈e̴̟̒v̴̘͂e̴̩̍r̵͎͌
“--Soarin’, get back! Don’t--”

P̸̡̧̘̜̼͍͚̟̯̂̀͌͗̽̒h̷̡͈̬̥̦̼̘͕͊ͅa̷̡̅͂̍ͅṇ̴̡̞̣̘͈̍̉̎͋̅̔̇ţ̷̥̙̹͑̀͐o̵͊͛̐̔͂̓͗̓̒̇͜m̷̳̤̥͎͉̪̣̃͒̽̾̔̉̍̈s̴̫̈́̃̍ ̴̯̾f̸̗̻͓̫͖̼̜̦̤̰̪͂̉͆͋̽̂̇̅͘͘̕͝ǒ̴̞̮͌̈́̋͝͝r̸̠͎̻̗̗͆̒̅̐̉̾͐̀͝ê̸̡̛̳̻̝̭̺̗̠͕̣̬̌̿̑́͊̃̂̏̚̚v̸̨̛̳̘͉͐̍͐͛̃̔́̃̐͝ȩ̴̛̩̘̦͚͈̖̈́͐̔̊̾̈́̚͝ͅr̷̎̌͐̔̌̔͐̆̐

“Run! Fucking run!”

ỷ̷̨͈̗͇̰͕̣̙͈̃͠ỏ̶͚̘̬̪̮͖̱̈́͛́̏͜ù̵̢̪̯̲͇̙͔̯̞̼͔̤͈̬̝͚̥̬͉̄́͆͂̓͆̓̈́͂͒́́͋̿̔̐̈̄̑̏͌̄̒̑͂͝ ̴̢̜̼̗͖͇͚͍͙̪̊̽̐͜ͅċ̶̡̬͈͎͎̖͔̲̠̉̓͐̔͝ͅȁ̴̡̫̼̦̖̞̫̭͍̩̜͓̰̐́̉͂̐̍͗̏̈́͛̈́̒̕͜͠ņ̶̧̹̳̥̠̝̽͌̏̈́̊̍̄̇͌̈́͐͊͐̃̀͝'̵̡̧̡̧̛̮̝̼̤͍͇̮̥̝̫̣͚͎͍̮̤͉̯͚̥̣̟̊͂̔͆̒̏̀̒̄͛̅̐̈̌̿͌̾̊͐̃͝ţ̴̛̮̣̥̣̂͛̀

“What the fuck was that?!”

“Shit me! Command, we have possible hostile contact. Gray mare, uh, black mane. Her face is… Celestia, what was wrong with her face?”

“Fucking-- scared the shit out of me, Fleety. What did you find?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Give it to me.”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“Shit.”

Author's Note

I̷̡̬͒̇̆̔͘ ̶̭͊̉̓͘c̷͉̪͍͉͌̈́̀̈́̓̈̍͜ă̷̢̖̣̰͜ǹ̶̜̈́͋͑͋͘ ̸̧̘̦̖͚͒̄̈́͋͆̓̑̉̈́s̷̳̽̾̈́̅̎͂̚͠e̷̡͚̱͆́̐͒͋̋̓͜͠͠ȩ̶̛͖̻͖̤̋̎̍̐͐̚ ̷͙͕͓͉͚̪̐̈́̓̉̌́ͅṫ̸̨̠͕̮̝͇̬̫̈́̉͛̉̋̃h̶̟͛͂̈̽̌͝͠ę̷͍̻̼̩̲̙͖͗͒̓̊ ̶̤͐͆̐͒̑̈ļ̷̛̹̘̪͊͗͌͂̕i̸̫̠̝̕͠g̵̟̤͓̫̦̊h̶̨̧̯͙̼̳͈͓̣́͑̅t̵̢̢͍̬̰̜͇̰̅̈̉͠!̷̨͙͓̹̤̣̊̒̀̾͂̐ ̸͈͛̏́͜I̶̢̙͚̤͌ț̷̳͙̤̯̥̖̂͛͂͘̕ͅ’̸̳̪͖͉̭̪͕͛̉̓̽͝s̸̢͇̙̻̳̯͍͑͋̓͋͝ ̵̠̣̳̺̹͈͑̀̉ć̶̨̧̻̪͎̘̯̼̆̆̈́̾͐̔͠ͅḁ̷̡̛̏̈́̀̅̈́͆̿̚ͅl̴̨͔͓̙͈̲̽̄̆̅́͝ͅl̷̛͙̖̈́̑͐̂ī̷̲̏̍n̴̬̻̦͙͓͛̏̌g̵̛̮̼͇̓̏ ̴͕̦̮͓̟̒͆̽ộ̶̧̘̟̠̣͉̠̰̂̿ü̸̡͔̥̽t̷̢̡̗̽̑͊͐̂͠͠ ̸̼̓ț̸̛͋̒͆̀ŏ̴̺̠̍̒̀̄̏͑̾͠ ̸̩̱̪̘̩͕̮̞͐͆̓̃̍̍̚̚m̵͎͍͈̖̾̇̋̄̒̈̀̚̚ȩ̶̬͎̏͒̍͂̈́͌̚!̵͖̰̑̏͋̀͛̀̊̑͂ ̶̳̱̟̲͈͕̜̇̈́̒̾̃̋̔͒̅ͅI̸̭̾͋͛ ̷̞̜͔̪͔̀̾̀̏̈́c̷͍̭̻̃̃̏́͐̔̕̚͜ą̵̤͈̎́̐̑n̶̨̰̥̣̘̠̘̼̐̒̅ ̶̯͎͖̯͂̃͗̓͑̚͝s̶̨͔̠̪̯̪̮̺̺͂e̸̠̖̞̞̾̆̈́̚ë̵̱̬̰̱̮̖̒̉̍̚͠ ̷̡̥̖̾̄͂ĭ̶̧̘̫͚̯͚̤̫̆̎̽̆̉̋ṭ̸̭̽́͂̍͘ ̵̧̥͍͆̃͗̿́̍̚͝į̸̰͍̮̅͂͌̅͜n̴͓͍͍͓̞̲͔̥̣̒̓͛̀͗ ̵̢̳̫̞̲̮͎̳̅̈́͋̀ͅa̴̻̅̊̊̓̓͛͆̕̚͜l̴̮̐̌l̶͖̹͉̘̙̺̺̲̩͐͆̿̕ ̸̥̬̜̟̝̄̋̐ớ̸͍̲̺͒͑̑̆͘͘͝f̷̡̊̋̿͒ͅ ̷̹̾̑̀̑̓͗̄̒ị̵̧̹̝̬͔̲̌t̴͇̱͇̥̀̈s̵̞̗̙̻̰͛̇̅́ ̵̨͙͑b̷̺̾̕ŗ̸̡͎̰̱̈̈̋̊̍̿̔̏͝ͅi̷̧͚̞̲͇̻̮̍̃̒̃͗ĺ̵̡̫̜̖͛͌l̵̗͔̟̠̀̈́̋͆͌̊͐̋̀i̸̖͍̮̳̘͕͑ä̸̳͚͖͎́̇̀n̴͍̣̪͈̋̀̓̂̐̈č̶͕̘̕ę̵͉͖̰̫͚͚͗!̴̧̳̝̔ ̷̺̯̫̞͓̞̎͊̈́Ṯ̵͗̎͋͂̉͘ḫ̴̦̜̣̜͙̹̥̫́ę̸͓̖̺̱̝̱͉͕̚ ̴̜̣̋̿́̃̀̎̚͝f̴͓̝̰̭̒̈́ë̷̼̞͇̮̜̬̺̜̂͂̈́͋͘e̸̡̨̨͓͓̣̦̰͒l̷͈͉̺̟͕̭̔̊̐͐͜į̶̓̓͒͗͐͋͑̏͠n̶̝͕͙͂͛͒͌̾̏̎̇̍g̷̮̰̟͕̭̐́̄͜͜͜ͅ ̵̨͓̪͈̽̓̚͝i̵̢̜̟͍̹͉̫̩̊̑͛̆̐͂͠s̴͇̩͑͆̀͆̉ͅ ̶̢̗̠̣̺͊̔́̊ş̴̢͖̙͖̫̆ư̸̳̻̈̎̈̃̈́̓̚r̸̪̃̒͂̂̾̍̈́̌͝r̸̢̨̺̭̯̠̋̆̓͆̈́͑̅̕͜e̸̫̝̦̣͙̜̭͊́͐̏̈͑̄̚̚ͅa̷̹̙̍̍͊l̴̛̗̬̦͉̝͔̦̿͊̈́̈́̿̇͛̽.̴̢̢̞͉̦̗̜͇̄͂͂͒̊̐͝ ̴͓̱̱͉̠̝́̅̀̏͝I̴̲͙̊̍̈͆̾̓̎ ̸̹͖̃͐̎̔̄̿̕ĥ̸̙̰̜͔̉̅̈́̈́͐͗̿͠ė̵̫̯̺̑̌̄̉͝͝a̷̪̳͗̇̀̈́̎̇̀̊͠r̷͉̺̜̘͛͌͑́̂̌̕ ̵̛̩̹̪̭̹̭͓̃͌͛̈́h̴͇͇̞̼̝̟́̚ͅe̵̛̙̮̲̳̺͑͒͐͠r̴̤͗͛͊̌͒͠ ̴͇͎͔̮͕͙̿͂͜͝͝v̸̛͚͍͇͉̌͊̃͋͂̚o̷̱͔̳̦̜͎̙̍̃̈́̊̔̊i̸͔̱̻͉͌̓̎̓͋̌͌̉͑c̶̹͇̔̾͐͆̄̾̿̆͝ẹ̶͂̌͝,̸̨̧̢̢͉̹̂̆͗̐͐̋̓ ̸̛͍̫̺̯̀̓̂̈́͠s̶̳͚̲̤͖̳͖͑͗̓̓̄̅͌í̵̡̛̳̇̚n̵̡͖͉͓͕̓̐͜ģ̴͇̦͆̍̚i̶̫̞̗̠̘̳̻̭͛͂̒̍̔̓̕ͅn̶̻̞͗̿͘ǵ̷̮̰̖̰͗̀̌̄͒͂͗ ̷͓̠̫̗̦͖̺̪͋̂͌ͅẗ̴̃̃̀̍̌̕͜͝͝ͅh̷̙́ȓ̸͈̰̀̓͊͒͘ò̵̹̊̊̃̆̆͝͝u̸̧̹̻̼̺̞̓͋̈́g̸̖̈͌̉͑̄͋̍̚͠h̶̛̼̲͉̜͕̱̲̩͋̄ͅ ̶̨͉̟̻̩̩͔̗̻̎̋͝t̸̺͍͉͔͂ḥ̵̼̙̙̥̥̺͐̓̀̍͊͘e̸̢̛̱ ̸͕̟͎͓͖̖̙͍͘͠s̷̭̞̈́͐͂͐̎̉͠h̸̟͌͂ă̴̜͎̼̆͐̆̾̅͘d̷͍̮̿̒ȯ̴̦̿̆̐͗̌͘ẅ̴͓̀̍̈́̿s̵̭̘̬̯̪̘̩̳̏͠.̶͎̉͛̅̀ ̷̢̞̪͇̭͂͑̆̉̽̏͝I̸͖̽͛̕t̶̛͙̜͉̱̺̭̳͗̈́́̑͘͘͝’̵̡̱̪̥͖̖̆̆̿s̷̲̍̄ ̷̡̗̗̥̗̻͆͗̓̀̅̇͘̚b̵̨͈̥̰̥̳̲̣̤̍́͑͋̒͘ê̸̮̬̅̑̃͜͝͝ạ̵̢̡͈̜̝̳̦̔̃͜u̴̢̢̨͔̩̪͆̔̾̃̿͗̒ț̶̀̂̓̔͠ì̸̡̗͎̮̕͜f̵̫̪͔͚͎͔͆̆̃̐͝ủ̴̮̫͇͙͇͙ͅl̴̲̯̹̞̟͖̈́̾̏͗̏,̸̲̎̿ ̶̖̦̻̩͉̤͜͠s̴͕̘̈́̌̒̍͘̕ô̵̤͎͚̟͈̖̼͉ ̶̛̠̠̅̓̄̇̍̐̕͝b̶̨̙̳͌̃͐̃͆̄͝ë̵̻̾̅́̀͐a̷̙̪̙͖͌̐͗͛̅̈́̽̕͝ų̵̺̘̯̜̯̯̼̰̓t̸̼̳̱̑̿̈́̈́̽͑́̚͠ì̷͎̃́ͅf̴̨͙͖̈́͂u̸̡̳̬̝̎̂̿̀̃́ͅl̵̟̺̹͍̰̳͐͐̄̚…̴̹͙̼̫̜̘̄͑̓̔̔̽ͅ ̵̧̝͖̭͕̳̦̺̃͒͛I̷̳̖͗̓̒̅̈́ ̶̢̧̱̫̤͒͑ĉ̷̢̹̾̎̈͠ä̴̧͇̪͙͔͕̞́̾͗̏̽́̉̌͠ͅͅn̸̜͈̽̾̌̿ ̶̬̜̝̯͚̣̪̻̓̐̉͠s̶̭̔͐e̸̳̹̓̔̂͘͘e̶̲̲̦̺͊̎͋̀̑̇͝ ̴̡̧̲̺̱̝̱̥̘͛̀͌͋̽̉͝h̴̰̮̘̟̹͙́̍́͘ẹ̵̢̯̰͓͔̻͒̑̽̏̅́r̵̜͇͚̬̔̚͘͜͝ͅ ̵̪͉̗̯͈͕̥̃͌̆͜c̷̪̼͎͓̭͙̰͍̎͠ǫ̶̞͈̹̥͍̞̳͉̈̈̈̎̚m̴̡̨̰͚̦̗̠̀̓͋̈́ḯ̶͚̺̟̰͐̈́͝n̴̛̠̐̔́̓͋͝g̶̘̪̞̼̎̆̉̾̏̈̓͜͜ ̴͔̦̝̫̍̒͛̍̿f̴̰͔̥͍̗̮̉̊̅̾̑̈́̃̈̀o̵͚̲̜͖̤̖̲͋̐̾̚͠ͅr̸̢̓͐̽̅̚ ̴̟̹̭͍̥͆͊m̵̡̛̲̝̥͍͕̓͋̀̓̄̽e̸͇͉̮̘͐̅̽͌̓̈́͜͝ ̴̳͍̘̩͎̎̂̿̓͂̃̅̏̆ņ̵̻̌̀̆̇ợ̸̇̀́̈́͝ẁ̸̢̧̰̈́͊̍̀.̴̨̟͙͐͛͊̽̀̉̂̚ ̷̧͍̬̆͒̽̈́͋͐͊̉A̸̰̋̏͐̊͒ẘ̵̢̨̼̦̠̻̇̒̐̀̀͑̃͜͝a̴͖̋̑̓͐̎̅̂̏͘k̵̼͎͓̘̳̣̃̉͗ȩ̴̪̗̹̬̀̉͛̍ ̸̛̻͕͒͆̓̑̉͠ͅą̶̺́̾̈́̇̑ṋ̵̛̦̪̗̰̜͚̝͙͋̈̒̈͝d̸̃͐̊̈́͛͜͝ ̴͍̾̀̓̏̆̈́͝ù̶̃̔͑̃͌̓̈́͜͝n̵̟̰͚͎̠͈̫̔͐̈́͠ͅa̶̧̫̩̞̳̾̃͋̔̽͗͘f̵͈̅̀̎̎̆̽r̵̪̝̽͋͌̑̅̈́͐̽̍a̸̺̹̐̒̄̀͂i̴̯͍̻̟̟̘̩͐̓̐͑̈́͝d̷̗͓̬̥̑!̶̧̛̠̫̼̗͓̘̍̒̀̐͒̑ ̷̢͍̜̩̳̪̮̇A̶̧̗̲̗̻̦̍̔̋̒̑͝s̶̭̄͋̀͆͂̃́̂ĺ̴͓̺e̸͙̔̌̆͠ȩ̷̠͚̯̜̈́͑̇̅́͘͝p̴͕̝̥̻͎͙͕͚̼͋̇̈́̑̄̿ ̷̛̘̹͖͕̇̇̈̒͑̂ở̴̡̛͓͙͉͈̥̲̙̐̋̔̂ŗ̸̠̻͉̇̒̀̔͠ ̴̡̼͈̣̬̰̓͜d̸͙͛͑̑̃̅̃͝ȩ̶͚̳̥̖̓̀́̒̌a̸͎̱͋̓̒̒̄͒͐͘d̵̛̫̣͔̙̙̥̙̉͊͘̚?̷̩̺̂̐̀̊̉̀͘͜ ̶̻̏̿

Transcript Seven: p̴̨̙̣̪͔̳̦̝͖̳̥̎̊̀̆̐͛̿͋͝ĥ̵̡̹͎͎̆̋á̸̯̥̳͈̲̪̫͉̰͈̗̌̃͊̓͛ņ̷̧̳͓̯̩͚͍̫̠͉̜͍̟̼̭̺̙͉̀͊͗͜t̶̡̢̘̪͈̦̱̼̖̠͚͉̪͈̯̹̖͔͍̲̼̫͉̯̟̺̔͗͑̾̾̿͑ͅo̵̹̟͎̓͛̾̈́̓̋͒̈̄̀̾̀́̌͘͠ṃ̶̡̭̣̟͕͔̭̙͍̺̫͉̝̜͓́̆ͅs̵̪̯̪͉̲̰̗͈̘̟̰͉̩̹͙̿͒̅̅̽̄͌̉̌̋̈́̎̽́͆̑̌̐̈́̐̀́̃͑̒

“Where’s Wave Rider?”

“Which way?”

“Okay. Watch out for the gray mare. She’s definitely hostile.”

“Soarin’, how’s your leg?”

“Okay. It’ll have to hold until we can get back.”

“I don’t know, Fleety. She just… touched him. No, that’s not right. Her hoof just… went through it.”

“He’s saying he can’t feel it anymore.”

“No, you stay with him. I’ll go find Windy and Wave.”

“Yeah, you too.”

Five minutes of silence.

“Oh fuck.”

“Windy! What happened?”

“Who? Wave?”

“W-why?”

“Shit. Hey, hey! Stay with me! Stay-- Windy! WINDY! SHIT!”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten... Windy! Windy, stay with me!”

“...”

“... FUCK!”

Captain Maverick’s transmitter ceases functioning. Technicians determine that Captain Maverick switched off her device for unknown reasons.

Approximately five minutes later, the device was reactivated.

“Hey, Command. We, uh, we’re in the Canterlot Royal Armory right now. I used my access codes to get in. Don’t have much time to talk, but I’ll try to sum everything up. We, uh… we can’t go back. Through the portal, I mean. If we do, we bring her with us. The note said-- actually, let me read it real quick.

“It says, ‘To whom it may concern: my name is Twilight Sparkle, student of Celestia and Princess of Friendship. Not that it matters anymore. Because I killed my world.

Today a portal opened up in the Everfree Forest. I went through by myself to investigate. I found a dead world. Everything, from the ponies to the animals and plants to the very bacteria in the earth was dead. So was Celestia, Luna, and myself. Everything. Dead.

Then I crossed back over to my world. My home. My Equestria. And everything there died too. Because she followed me through that portal. The Gray Mare.

You’ve probably seen her. Out of the corner of your eye, maybe. Or you hear her music playing in the streets, or see the words ‘Phantoms Forever’ painted on the walls. I don’t know why she’s doing this. But if you go through the portal you bring her with you.

And when she goes with you, she takes everything. Her magic is far beyond anything I could ever conjure. I checked the Royal Archives but can’t find anything on her. The best guess I can give is that the Gray Mare is death herself.

It… it reminds me of a story I once read. Discord was attempting to appease Princess Celestia. Then he showed his true form and said ‘now I am become Death, destroyer of worlds.’

I guess what I said earlier is wrong. When you cross through that portal, you don’t bring death. You become death.

I’m going to try and close the portal. If you’re reading this, then I’ve probably failed. The Gray Mare hasn’t been actively hostile towards me, but I fear that she will. So I’m leaving you my notes and hope that you, whoever you are, will succeed where I’ve failed. Celestia be with you.”

“... yeah. So we’re arming up right now with Guard equipment. Two objectives: first, we need to try and close that portal. Twilight left us some stuff to work with, don’t know how well it’ll go since we’re not unicorns.”

“Second objective… Second objective is Wave Chill. He lost it. Couldn’t take it anymore. He’s going to try and cross through the portal. We’re going to try and stop him. Whatever the cost. He… he killed High Winds trying to escape.”

“If you see him, kill him. You can’t let him through. Just… just kill him. If we don’t make it.”

“So, yeah. That’s that then. We can’t go home, ever. It’s… I… can you tell my mom I love her? And… and that I’m sorry? And tell Rapid and Blaze that I miss them. And that… and that I love them.”

“Tell everypony. Tell their families that we love them. Tell them we’re sorry. Tell them… just… just tell them.”

“I… this will be my last transmission. I can’t fit this gear over my armor, so I’m leaving it here. We’re ready to go now, so… goodbye, I guess. It’s… it’s been an honor serving Equestria. Celestia be with us all. Spitfire out.”

Approximately half an hour after the last transmission, Site Command reported movement on the other side of the portal. Captain Maverick was seen wearing battle armor and carrying an unidentified weapon. Traces of blood were seen on her hooves and in her mane. An unknown noise described by site personnel as ‘muffled singing’ was heard, prompting Captain Maverick to turn around. She tossed a bag through the portal and reportedly said ‘I’m sorry.’

Captain Maverick then detonated an unknown device, resulting in a massive discharge of energy and closing the portal.

The bag was recovered by site members and contained the polaroid camera issued to Captain Maverick with a hoof written note. The note read: “Keter’s team is dead. Soarin’ died on the way here. The Gray Mare and Wave Chill are still out there. Don’t let them through.”

Several photographs were also recovered, although their images were heavily distorted and damaged.

Royal Mages reported no trace of the energy signature from the portal. Royal Guard teams remained on site for four more hours before the situation was deemed over. The Wonderbolts and the Wasteland Explorers were deemed lost.

On March 5th, all Wonderbolt and Wasteland Explorers team members were posthumously issued the Star of Equestria for their service.

Author's Note

í̷̺͙͖̦̻͈̱̤ ̶̨̛̹̻̝̱̤̣̐̈̎̽͜g̴̜͉͍͎̝͓̹̋̿̌͝͠a̴̛̯v̷̞͚͓̑̈͜͝͝e̴̛͓̜̟͇̪̓̀̉ ̷̢̡̛̘̤̪̪̖̋́͋͗͘͜y̸̝̖̬̦͈̮͎͔͊̐̊̿̓͂͛͘͝o̸̢͈̖̺̙̪̥̳͊͂̇̄̈́u̴̡̱̻̽̅̾̕ ̸̛͕̦͈̻͊̾́̈͜b̷̢̖͎̳̑̑̆̇́͘͜ļ̸̭̗̳͈̯̏̄͂ö̶̞͖́̊͘õ̵̧̼͑̓͑ḑ̸͉̩̭̗̙̺̰̫̆̌̀̇͛̅̕
̷̝͈̺̜̥͚̯̬́̐̒̐̂̚͝i̸̭̘͆͊̋͊̔̚̚ ̶͕̼͈̬͖͕̹̭̆̈́̅͊͆̍̈̈́͜g̴̲̻̬͎͇͈̿́̐̎̿̑̔͒̄͜a̸̡̡̟̥̘̔͐͘v̴̛̦͈̦̞͓͍̣̻͈̐̏͂̏̕̚e̸̻͓̬̩͐̆͝ͅͅ ̸̼̥̏ÿ̶͚͈o̸̡̤̭̗͑͂̏́̽͂̅͊͜ͅu̷̬̮̇̃͘͝ ̵͔̙͎͌̉̾͑̕l̴̼̰̯̉̑̓͒͗̍̅̋i̴̩̻̣͕͈͑f̴̠̝͎̮̗͈͔̱̥̂͗ë̸͈͕̥́̆̀
̴̗̥̈̌̆͒̏͗͝i̷͔̊͒̉̊̈́͝ ̵̬̠̣̤̱̋̑͆̉̎̎̕͝͠ͅğ̵̡͖͓̫͓̰̓̈́̐̕͜͝a̵̠̿̈́̕͝͠v̵̢̙̰͔͎͍̖̠̞́̒̄̓͛̽͘͝͝e̸̢͕͈̫̦͔̻̬̞̊͋ ̵͓̣̟͖͕̲͉̐͊̃͌̍̉̿͠͠y̴̨͇̑̄̓͛͗͠o̸̻̫̺̭͕̞̗̎͋̃̾̾̿ű̸̱̃͗͐͒͐̈́͘̕ ̵̘̬̹̤̗̟̤̻͙͐̓̈́͗̾ṡ̵̢̧͙̫̙̤͎͚̱̀͆t̸̳̝͕̝̤̞̬̣̬͛͘͝ṙ̵̨̢̰͇̤̻̙̯̄̊̂̇̓͛̕͝ê̶͈ǹ̶̛̩̠͈̰̻̽̉̂́́ͅg̵̡̢̱͒̊͌̚t̸̼͛͛͠ḫ̶̞̻̪̭̅̓̏̅̉̓̒͝
̴͚͓̤͖̠̰͈̫̉̔̿̾̀̌̅̅t̸̙̼͎̕o̷̧̤̻̳̔̾̾̄͗͑̋̓ͅ ̸̨͔̟̪̣̻̜̺̃͊͊̋̀͂̋̈́͂ͅb̶̮̗̪̘̉͜͜ë̸̡̡̞͕͖̺͕̩͍́̀̊c̸͔͖̦̪͖̟̹͉͆̑͂̚o̸̧̻̤̲̖̰͐͋͐͂̎̿̚͝m̵̨͍͎͉̼̑͊̿̈́͐̉̕ͅè̷͙͔̭̭͈̑̈́̓͐͋̓͑͋͜ ̵̡̟̯̬͖̤̗͈̻̒͒͐̀̓̀̈̎o̴̩̘̤̠̫̼̜͓̣̊́͒͌̽̏̽ň̸̫͑̿̚ȅ̴̝͊̀̃͛͌̐
̴̡͓̱͑̔̋̎̋̈̏
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̷̮̖͉͊̉y̴̧̙̜͙͉̠̬̘̆ͅo̷̭͇̎͋̌̽ṵ̵͚̱̈́͌̇̂̇ ̵̪̬͈̊̋̏ṱ̷̡͙̦̱̮̬̻̫̊̆̑͒̉͆̌͝͝o̶̢͗̿͛̂́̀̆͒o̷̮̣̱̥̙͌̀̊̄̽̏̆͠͠k̶̪͂͊̈́͆̎̌ ̶̫͍̐̊̅͛m̷̱̗̗͙̥͂́y̷̧̥͚͍̪̱̿̈́̈́̇̕ ̶̡̛̜͉̱͔̏̈́̎̈b̵̧̢̛͈̮͖̖͉̌̋̾͌̃͛̉͝l̴̦̈́͛̋̋̋́̅̀̕o̵͇̱̟̚͜͜ơ̷̜̑͂̀̿̐̆̅͠d̶̺̖̄̈̃͐͘
̷̧͇͈̻̺̘̈̓̃͐̐̾̈́̇ͅỳ̷̪͙͍̼̳̀̅̇̌̒̊ͅő̸̝̪͕͓̪̯̃̏̒͐̉̌̔͝u̷̢͇̿̒̔͂̀́ ̵̼̋t̶̟͙̬̬̰͙̑̐̈͌̊́̈́͆͝o̶̞̳͓̰͓͌͒͋̍̊͋̀̚͝ö̶̭͙̫̥̪̜́͆̈́k̷̳̼͉̫̦̦̳̝̯̄̏͛̓̅̄͠ ̷̭͕̜̞̺̦͎̘̯̈̿̽̅m̴̩̖̱͂y̵̗̠͚̳̒͛̈́̔̑̋͒ ̶̨̧̥̹͇̣̅͆̾ľ̸̢̧̲̀͠͝i̵̹̘̤̅̉̈́f̷̘̞̖̀̃̏̀́̕ȩ̴͈̟̜͙̈́̀͐̒ͅͅ
̵̫̾̌̾̀͜y̶̱̯̜̬̭̓̅́͌̆͝ő̵̙̟̗͖̙̖̮̭̊̚͝u̸̧̲͙̫̪̜̯̫̓̿͆̚͜ ̵̨̎͆̀̀̕̚͠t̴̨̲͍̗̮̺̬͕͔͋̇͐̚͝o̶͍̙̝͓̗͔͋̅o̴͈̭̠͒̀͛̕͠k̴̡͉̣͉͎͍̲͖̗̃̄̐̈́̀̉ ̷̞͈̰̦̜͙͚͙̤͗̃͆m̴̥̺̮͙̪̘̖͔͕̽̉̈͐̑̓y̴͚̗͑͌͆̓͘ ̴̪͎̪̰̦̟͍̬̿̉̋͑̍̕̕ṡ̵̡̺̯̼͋̅́̓̐̀̈́̚t̶̨̨̹̝̠̪͇̽͗͂̎̀͊̚͝r̶̢̺̮̤̼͓͚̲̗̎ë̴̻͔́̇̇̍̈́́̉͜n̴̻͓͋̑g̷̡̻̩̯̰̗̳͈̍͌͗̎͑͐͋͘t̶̝͔̗͍̏͗͆͊͊͝h̵̻̘͍͇͓̙̝͎͋͛̊
̴̗̹̌͗͑̅͑̈͠ḁ̸̢̓̔̒́̃̉̎̍͘ǹ̴̪̆d̷̖́͝ ̵͉̩̜̖̭̑͒n̶̞̰̯̤̔͊͊̂͘͠o̷̡͈̲̮͓̦̦͔̓ẃ̶̛̝̮̱̩̹́̀̒̈͊͌ ̶̧̡͖̬͙̹̣̻͋̀͑͐ẏ̸̰̤̫̓̂́̄̎͆ŏ̶̠̜͓͔̉̅̐̂u̶̻̟͕̔̇͘͝'̵͇̹͉̟̺̿̉̇̈̚͘r̷̢̻̹̊̎̓̃̓ͅe̷̜̭͕̜̒̂̓̑͂͐̃̏͠ ̶̮͍͋̀͛d̷̖̈́̐̎̇͛̌̉͜͝o̵̤̯̜̞͠n̷̪͈̖̈̋̅ẹ̸̪̳͚̗̋̍̈͌͌̃̎͘ͅ

Addendum

On March 22nd, 2020, an energy signature similar to the one originally reported during the Everfree Incident was detected from within the Everfree Forest. The 66th Detachment was deployed accompanied by the Elements of Harmony.

Upon arrival, teams reported that another portal had been opened. Units report seeing two ponies engaged in combat on the other side. Descriptions given match that of Captain Maverick and Senior Airpony Wave Chill.

The Elements of Harmony have been instructed not to cross the portal and backup has been requested.

All available Royal Guard and Equestrian Army units in the area have been dispatched. The Princesses are also en route.

Secondary reports from team members stated that there appears to be a third pony in the far back. The pony is described as having a gray coat and black mane. Reports state that this pony is “looking through the portal, at them.”

Under the order of Princess Celestia, no pony must be allowed to cross through the portal. All units are authorized to use whatever means necessary in order to preve

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Author's Note

There are fourteen hidden additions to this story: eight video/external links and six supplementary chapters. They are all hidden within this story, and some links lead to others. Try and find them all, before the Gray Mare finds you.

Preface

The following document refers to the Everfree Incident which took place on February 25th, 2020.

On February 25th 2020, at approximately 3:45 AM Equestrian Standard Time, the University of Canterlot detected a massive surge of magical energy centered around the town of Ponyville.

This was followed by a report from the Mayor of Ponyville that a large disturbance was sighted originating in the Everfree Forest. Due to the unavailability of Princess Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony, the 66th Battalion of the Royal Guards was dispatched to investigate.

At approximately 4:30 AM, the 66th Battalion reported locating a portal eminating an unknown energy. Mages with the Battalion were unable to identify the energy or the source. The 66th Battalion was ordered to establish a base camp around the portal and await further instructions.

After deliberations, Captain Shining Armor authorized the deployment of the 29th Detachment (“Wonderbolts”) of the Equestrian Air Force and the 35th Detachment of the Equestrian Army (“Wasteland Explorers”). Both detachments were instructed to cross through the portal and report on their findings, and, if possible, locate the source of the energy and determine the level of threat, if any.

The Wonderbolts unit consisted of six active members: Captain Spitfire Maverick, First Lieutenant Soarin’ Windsong, Second Lieutenant Fleetfoot Nimbus, Master Sergeant High Winds, Senior Airpony Wave Chill, and Senior Airpony Misty Fly.

The Wasteland Explorers unit consisted of four members: Captain Juno Keter, Second Lieutenant Joppa Indiana, Specialist Manifest Destiny, and Specialist Indigo Keller.

Each team member of both units was equipped in special biohazard and magical protective suits and standard weaponry. Captains Maverick and Keter were also equipped with experimental equipment designed to allow two way communication between base command and team members. Teams were also equipped with a standard issue polaroid camera.

Both teams crossed the portal at approximately 5:00 AM. Due to an unknown technical issue, Captain Keter was unable to transmit or receive communications. Captain Maverick was able to transmit messages but was apparently unable to receive messages from base camp.

The following is a rough transcription of the messages received by Captain Maverick.

Transcript Two: Cottage

“Cottage on the clearing. That’s where, uh, what’s-her-face lives.”

“Fluttershy. That’s the one.”

“Uh, quiet yellow pegasus. Tends to animals.”

“Looks pretty quiet. Keep an eye out, though. I know she usually has animals in there… guess it won’t matter if they’re all dead though. You know what, disregard.”

“What are you waiting for?”

“Fine, I’ll go first. You all need to grow a pair.”

“Watch your step. That’s a, uh, rabbit in the doorway.”

“Holy--”

“Yeah, that’s a bear alright. How… Know what, I don’t want to know.”

“Alright, Command, we’ve entered Fluttershy’s cottage. All the animals are dead. No sign of-- oh. Disregard. She’s in the kitchen.”

“What in Celestia is that?”

“Uh, something’s splattered all over the walls. It looks like paint or something? Smells like blood though.”

“Wait, wasn’t Discord living with her or something?”

“I mean, he is the Lord of Chaos. You think he’d die a normal death?”

“... shit, if this got fucking Discord…”

“He’s supposed to be immortal, isn’t he?”

“Fuck.”

“What’s that soun-- oh. Record player. Huh. Guess it’s a thing in Ponyville or something.”

“I don’t… let’s just leave. There’s… there’s nothing else here.”

“Well, there’s that farm isn’t there? Let’s head there next.”

Author's Note

After contacting Princess Celestia, Site Command was able to confirm that Discord was present at Fluttershy's Cottage during the incident time frame.