One

Dear Princess Celestia,

I’m writing to you to request your immediate intervention. Something terrible has befallen Ponyville.

I awoke this morning to find the library empty. By that time, Spike would usually be in the middle of cooking the two of us breakfast, but there was absolutely no sign of him. I had not yet realized anything was wrong, so I went to find a good book to read while I awaited his return.

It was when I went to grab my first edition copy of “Of Mice and Mares” when I noticed the layer of dust covering the bookshelf. A quick once-over of the room revealed that everything else was under the same coat of grime.

Spike was always on top of his chores. There’s no way he’d just leave the library in this condition.

I searched every square inch of the house with no luck, so I went out to find him. Nothing could prepare me for what I’d find instead.

The first thing that hit me wasn’t the sight of the empty, desolate streets. It was the silence. Even when Zecora used to scare everypony into hiding, you could at least hear the ambient sounds of the countryside. The singing of birds, the buzzing of insects, the occasional croak of a toad; there was none of that. The only thing I could hear was the occasional breeze that blew through town and my breathing.

I did my best to ignore the unnatural silence assaulting my ears. My number one priority was finding Spike. I could figure out where everypony else went after that.

I went to Rarity’s first. If Spike was going to be anywhere during this, it would be at Carousel Boutique. During the journey there, I didn’t encounter any signs of life. It was as if everypony just dropped whatever they were doing and left to destinations unknown.

I passed by Sugarcube Corner on the way. The front door was hanging ajar. Its hinges squeaked as it swung in the wind. I couldn’t see much inside, just the unoccupied front counter. I could smell the scent of rotten sweets leaking out of the building.

I continued on and eventually made it to Rarity’s, only to find it deserted. It was a mess. Clothes and sewing supplies lay scattered across the front lawn. I searched through the house in desperation, finding it unoccupied and trashed. Rarity’s belongings lay scattered all over the place. The air was musty, and a thick layer of dust covered everything. Clearly, nopony had been there in weeks.

I left and continued my search elsewhere. I doubled back and searched Sugarcube Corner for Pinkie Pie, only to find it in the same state as the Carousel Boutique.

I searched throughout the town for any signs of life. I looped the entirety of Ponyville three times over before I had to call it a night. I didn’t find anypony. Just a desolate town, its streets clogged with belongings and forgotten supplies.

I wasn’t able to check on Applejack, Fluttershy, or Rainbow Dash before the sun set. I’ll report back after I see if they’re missing.

I hope you’re safe. Please, write back to me as soon as possible.

Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle