Ponyville, Castle of Friendship
Two months after the Storm King's Invasion

"Twilight, I think you should see this."

Spike was holding an assortment of office supplies as he walked past the Cutie Map room when he noticed a strange glow from within. As he entered, he felt unsettled as the map began to glow ominously.

"Spike, this better be important!" called out Twilight, "I still have to plan a meeting with the architects about designing the School of Friendship and I'm in the middle of drafting the school criteria for the EEA to read over."

"Believe me, Twilight. This looks very important."

Twilight made her way into the map room. As she enters, she also sees what is unnerving Spike. The entire map was glowing red. Deep. Crimson. Red.

"Spike," a nervous croak was heard in Twilight's voice, "find the girls and get them here quickly. We might have an emergency."

Canterlot, Blueblood's Manor
Several hours earlier

"Miss Rarity, once again thank you for agreeing to this venture deal."

Prince Blueblood and Rarity were finalizing a business deal over dinner. "I know we've had a rocky start all those years ago, but I hope this deal will finally make amends between us. After all, one must separate business from personal matters."

Roll for Deception
17
"Yes, I suppose one mustn't hold a grudge for such a minor misbehavior all those years ago." Rarity kept a confident, convincing smile, hiding her irritation.

Blueblood sighed with relief, "Oh good. I was afraid you still held my mistreatment of you against me all those years ago at the Gala."

Roll for Insight
11
Blueblood gave a sheepish smile as he apologies. Somehow, Rarity sensed a touch of guilt in the Princes' eyes, giving her the impression that he was indeed sincere. "Oh Prince Blueblood, there was no need to worry about such pasts. It is water under the bridge after all. I'm sure once our agreement finally comes forward with you promoting my shops and me supplying you with our finest line of fashion for the nobles here in Canterlot, we can all look back and laugh about."

Blueblood gave a polite chuckle as Rarity joins in. Suddenly, the manor's butler walked in the room and whispered into Blueblood's ear. The Prince gave a deep sigh and rubbed his forehead with a hoof.

Noticing that there might be some trouble, the white unicorn stood from her seat. "Well I suppose I should be going now and I have a train to catch."

She gave a polite bow and extended a hoof, "Thank you for the dinner, good prince. And thank you once again for our deal."

Blueblood looked up and gave a weary smile as he shook her hoof, "No, the honour is mine, Miss Rarity."

As she made her way out the door, she was stopped for a moment. "Before you go," Blueblood called out, "on your way out of Canterlot, could you perhaps do me a favour?"

Rarity turned to look at Blueblood, "And what would that be?"

"A caravan of traveling ponies have been seen outside the gates of Canterlot. No matter how much we tried to ask them to leave, they refused to do so. Normally the guards would have them cleared, but each time we sent them they come back in some sort of daze. I wouldn't bother Aunties Celestia and Luna to deal with them (after all they are just commoners) but I honestly don't know how to clear them out without causing a commotion. And since while you're here and as the Bearer of the Element of Generosity, perhaps you could..."

"Ah ah! Say no more," Rarity interjected, "I would gladly see what I could do."

Ponyville, Castle of Friendship
Present time

"What's goin' on, Twilight?"

"Yeah, what could possibly be so urgent? If it's another of your egghead ideas for the school, I'm leaving. I have to check the weather factory first thing tomorrow, so I need to sleep in early."

"And I have yet to find my missing confetti cannon from our victory party against the Pony of Shadows, AND I'M STILL LOOKING FOR IT!"

"They are all I could find, Twilight." Spike panted (clearly a sign he ran all across town), "I couldn't find Fluttershy and Rarity is still in Canterlot for a business deal with Blueblood."

"Y'know, 'Ah still can't believe she even agreed to meet with him, especially since she still held that grudge from the Grand Galloping Gala all those years ago," said Applejack.

Rainbow Dash scoffed, "Yeah, no kidding. I would have figured she would've just bucked the hay out of him on sight."

"Um Twilight?" Pinkie started twitching all over, "My Pinkie-sense is giving me a doozy all over. Does it have something to do with the map glowing with an obviously threatening red colour that looks like blood and would later point us to go to a dangerous and life-threatening adventure to solve a sort-of friendship problem in a place where friendship might not exist and we might have to risk our lives to fix it?"

There was an awkward silence that filled the room, only to be broken as Twilight cleared her throat. "Well Pinkie, I'm pretty sure that the map would never lead us to something so dangerous we couldn't handle it. I mean, when has that ever happened? Besides, it has yet to call any of us to anywhere."

"So then why did you call us here?" said Rainbow Dash.

As though on cue, the crimson colour of the map vanished and is replaced by the Cutie-mark symbols of the six of them as well as Spike's head Spines.

A nervous laugh from Twilight as she turns to the map, "In case this happens."

Their Cutie-Marks (and Spike's spines) were floating over the Everfree Forest.

PonyVille, Fluttershy's cottage
Earlier that afternoon

"Okay everyone. Are you all ready for dinner at Discord's place?"

All the animals in the yellow pegasus' cottage nervously nodded, to which some later shook their heads rigorously.

Fluttershy sighed, "Look, I know how many of you feel about Discord but it should be high time you all start getting along with him. This dinner party should be the perfect opportunity to do just that."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "Hmm, I wonder who could that be?"

Fluttershy makes her way to the door and carefully unbolts the many locks on her door. As she opens, a strange fog engulfs the area outside and slowly creeps into her cottage. Standing within the fog before her doorstep is a figure of a brightly coloured Earth-pony with an old-stylish hat that hangs askew, hiding his eyes in shadows. All the animals but Angel Bunny and Harry the Bear hid in terror from the... fog? Was it the Fog or the Pony they were afraid of?

Roll for Insight
9
Fluttershy wasn't sure why they were afraid of the Stranger, he wasn't exactly too intimidating (Well at the very least, she found him intimidating) and normally her animals weren't as easily startled as her. All with the exception of Angel Bunny and Harry who began to snarl and take a defensive stance. They stood between the stranger and Fluttershy.

"Now, now, you two. We mustn't be rude to strangers," Fluttershy tries to reassure her loyal defenders, "For all we know, he might need our help."

Roll for Animal Handling
Natural 20
Naturally, she managed to calm Angel and Harry down but then she notices that they seemed to be looking past the stranger. She turned to the Pony in question, "I am so sorry about that. They aren't normally that defensive unless they know that I'm in danger. Can I help you?"

With a strange accent that one would normally hear from Thestrals (bat-ponies for those unfamiliar) he spoke with a gentle but stern voice, "I have been sent to deliver a message. If you be a creature of honour, you would come to my master's aid before the sun sets. It is not advisable to travel to the Svalich Woods at night."

He reached for his chest and patted around his barrel as though he was searching for something, only to stop for a moment like something clicked in his mind and reached under his hat and pulled out a scroll. He passed it to Fluttershy who took it with one of her wings.

"Take the path through the Forest," he pointed towards the Everfree, "and journey west from there."

Fluttershy's eye's widened with fear. "Y-you m-m-m-mean, th-th-through the Everfree Forest?"

He smiled reassuringly, "Fear not, no creature shall come near you so long as you keep to the road. It will be a five hour march from there until you reach the Svalich woods. There, you will find my master in Barovia." And with that, he turned, walked into the mist and disappeared from sight.

Fluttershy stared into the mist as he vanished, still shaking from fear. She took a look at the scroll and noticed a curious seal she's never seen before. Breaking the seal, she opened the letter as it reads;

Hail to thee of might and valor,

I, a lowly servant of Barovia, send honor to thee. We plead for thy so desperately needed assistance. The love of my life, Ireena Kolyana, has been afflicted by an evil so deadly that even the good people of our village cannot protect her. She languishes from her wound, and I would have her saved from this menace. There is much wealth in this community. I offer all that might be had to thee and thy fellows if thou shalt but answer my desperate plea. Come quickly, for her time is at hand! All that I have shall be thine!
Kolyan Indirovich, Burgomaster

Outside the Gates of Canterlot

Rarity walked out the drawbridge to see the caravan encampment. She saw a campfire lit and noticed ponies singing and dancing to tunes strange and exotic to her. Well, they sound like a merry group. she thought to herself. As she approached the merry campers they began to take notice. The music, singing and dancing did not stop however.

"Ah, hello there stranger!" An elderly, grey Earth-pony wearing a brown vest, large earrings and has a long goatee-beard approached Rarity with a huge welcoming smile. "Come! Join us around the fire! We have good wine, and beautiful songs. Perhaps you can join us with a dance or two?"

Rarity hesitated. These seem like decent ponies just having a good time. Dancing, Partying and Singing, they mean no harm to anyone. On the other hoof, they do need to leave because the city needs these fields for up and coming events that Canterlot have planned out for. The thought then came, perhaps I could humour them in joining their customs in hopes to gently inform them that they have to leave. Then again, the last train to Ponyville is about an hour from now and any plan on staying might result in me having to book a hotel room in Canterlot to stay for the night.

She gave another look at these travelers and watch their smiles of genuine welcome. No, these ponies deserve respect and I will give as much time as I can spare to inform politely that they need to leave. Who knows, maybe they'll let me stay with them for the night.

She cleared her throat, made a polite bow and said, "I would be honoured to join you. Mr.... Oh sorry, I didn't catch your name."

The old Stallion smiled, "Stanimir. My name is Stanimir," then he pointed to the rest of the camp, "and we are the Vistani!"

"Stanimir," the Unicorn smiled, "such an unusual and exotic name. It's rather romantic! My name is Rarity; Fashionista of Carousel Boutique." Rarity began to notice the clothes that all the stallions and mares were wearing and her eye glimmered at the sight of them. "My word, your sense of fashion aesthetic is most curious and vibrant! They are so ragged yet elegant! Almost a perfect blend to Vagabond and finesse! A chaotic elegance, as it were."

Hearing this, most of the Vistani laughed whilst other were heard giving a scoff at Rarity. Stanimir gave a wheezing cackle like a dusty squeeze box. "You are not far off to how we are taken by many peo- I mean ponies. We are a Vagabond race, we go where we please however we wish. Eventually though, we must return to our homeland."

"What is your homeland like?" Rarity's voice was drenched with curiosity.

A shadow was cast in Stanimir's eyes as his jovial smile faded into a melancholic frown. "It was once a beautiful land. Majestic mountains and emerald forests surround a wonderful valley. Now, a shadow of mist and despair engulfs it."

"Oh my," the unicorn placed a hoof over her mouth in shock, "I'm sorry to hear that. Pray tell, what happened?"

One of the Vistani called out, "Story! Let's have a story!" At this, the merry tunes being played ended along with the singing and dancing. In it's place a soft melancholic tune as everypony gathered around the campfire.

Stanimir took a deep sigh and exclaimed, "Ah, we might as well tell the tale of Barovia. Everyone gather around!" As soon as all were seated around the campfire, he stood up and began to tell the tale.
Stanimir fills his mouth with wine, then spits into the fire. The flames turn from orange to green. As they dance and sway, a dark shape appears in the bonfire's core. Rarity's eyes widened with wonder excitement but remained silent.

"We come from an ancient land whose name is long forgotten-a land of kings. Our enemies forced us from our homes, and now we wander the lost roads."

The dark shape in the fire takes the form of a biped-creature being knocked from a horse, a spear piercing his side. Rarity puzzled as she never saw such a creature before, only to gasp as the figure was pierced by the spear.

Stanimir continues. "One night, a wounded soldier staggered into our camp and collapsed. We nursed his terrible injury and quenched his thirst with wine. He survived. When we asked him who he was, he wouldn't say. All he wanted was to return home, but we were deep in the land of his enemies. We took him as one of our own and followed him back toward his homeland. His enemies hunted him. They said he was a prince, yet we didn't give him up, even when their assassins fell upon us like wolves."

Deep in the bonfire, she sees the dark figure standing with sword drawn, fighting off a host of shadowy shapes.

"This ma-stallion of royal blood fought to protect us, as we protected him. We bore him safely to his home, and he thanked us. He said, 'I owe you my life. Stay as long as you wish, leave when you choose, and know that you will always be safe here."

The figure in the dancing fire vanquishes its final foe, then disperses in a cloud of smoke and embers.

Stanimir's face becomes a somber mask. "A curse has befallen our noble prince, turning him into a tyrant. Now, we alone have the power to leave his domain.""

"That's just Terrible!" Rarity started sobbing, "That is just THE WORST POSSIBLE THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED!" She stood up with tears dripping away with traces of mascara and turned to all of them, "My mind has made up! I shall come with you! Do not tell me otherwise! I swear to Celestia, I will join you to save your prince from his curse!"

Ponyville
Meanwhile

"Where did all this fog come from?"

Twilight stared all around Ponyville as it was enveloped by the mist. All eyes then turned to the cyan pegasus for an explanation.

Roll for Nature
10
"How should I know?" Rainbow Dash yelled, "It was like this all afternoon and none of the weather teams have any idea what could have caused it! We tried getting rid of them but more just kept creeping in!"

"Y'know Twilight," Applejack turned to the purple alicorn, "Ah'm more surprised you haven't noticed it! Did you lock yourself in that castle 'ov yours again?"

"I was busy organizing for my planned School of Friendship! I didn't have time to look around outside!" Twilight pointed at Spike, "Besides, Spike didn't say anything about the fog, so how should I know?"

Spike crossed his arms, "Twilight, I told you five times around noon about the weird fog and every time you said, and I quote, "Don't worry about it, Spike. Let Rainbow Dash and the weather teams deal with it.""

Roll for History
17
Twilight rubbed her mane and smiled sheepishly in embarrassment, "Whoops, I kind of forgot about it."

"Wait a minute," Rainbow Dash looked around, "Where's Pinkie Pie?"

Everyone, Roll for Perception with disadvantage
18(RD), 14(S), 13(AJ), 9(TS)
"I can't see through this fog!" said Twilight
"I can't find Pinkie Pie," said Spike
"Same here," said Applejack
"Over there!" called out Rainbow Dash

Pinkie Pie was seen running towards them with... Trixie's wagon?

All eyes were fixed at Pinkie Pie with disbelief. "Pinkie," Twilight broke out of her bewilderment, "Why do you have Trixie's wagon? You wouldn't have stolen it from her, would you?"

"Of course not, silly," Pinkie Pie waved off the comment, "I did her a really important favour for her some time ago so I asked if I could borrow her wagon in return."

"You better return it back in one piece! The Great and Powerful Trixie demands so!" A voice could be heard from the fog.

Roll for Insight
Natural 20
"First off, what kinda favour could that possibly be for her to part from that there wagon?" inquired Applejack, "Two, what need would we have for a wagon? An' Finally, what did you do exactly to convince Trixie of all ponies to part for what is essentially her home?"

"First, a Super-important Secret that only she must know. Second, Duh, we emptied the wagon to put in all our saddlebags and supplies in case it's going to be a looooooong friendship quest. And lastly, I pinky-promised that she could be in charge of the castle while we are gone."

Twilight's eye twitched hearing that last statement, "I'm sorry, did I hear that last part correctly? I thought I heard you say that you let her be in charge of my castle."

Pinkie let out a genuine smile, "That's because I did say that she could be in charge of the castle while we're gone."

A "Whoohoo" could be heard inside the castle. "I am Princess Trixie Lulamoon!"

A croaked gasp came out of Twilight before she vanished with a purple light signifying her teleportation.

Outside the Everfree Forest
One "Rules and To do list for Trixie" later

"Everything is going to be fine. She won't cause too much trouble. It's not like she will go out of her way to touch potentially dangerous artifacts and tomes, again. I mean, what's the worst that could happen? Reorganize my books to purposefully mismatch them? I mean she wouldn't do that, would she? And besides, Starlight Glimmer will be there to keep an eye on her if she gets into trouble ~~or causes trouble~~. But then again, she could..."

Twilight began muttering to herself worryingly with a manic expression lodged in her face.

"Um, Twilight." Spike spoke up, trying to reassure her.

"But what if she uses a spell and tampers the map, like what Starlight did?"

"Twilight."

"I mean, she might not mean to do it, be she could do it because of her clumsy tendencies..."

"TWILIGHT!"

Finally snapping from her maniacal panic, Twilight stopped on her tracks and looked to Spike.
"They'll be fine. Besides, we have other things to worry about." Spike points towards the Everfree Forest.

"Hey, is it just me or is the fog getting thicker?" Applejack pointed out.

Roll for Nature or Perception
Nature 11
"Yeah, actually. Now that you mention it," the cyan pegasus, "It is getting thicker around here."

The party stopped on the path next to the forest.

"Hey Twilight," Pinkie Pie was looking inside the wagon, "was it really necessary to pack all these books into the wagon? It's taking up a lot of space, leaving little room for our food supply."

"Yes Pinkie, it is important that we pack all these tomes into the wagon. They contain all the possible spells that could be a problem if Trixie gets her hooves on it! Also, that food supply of yours is just cupcakes! Not all of us share the same sugar-full-diet as you!"

"Is that the same reason why you decided to bring the Storm King's Staff?" Spike pointed out.

This surprised Twilight. "I-I didn't put that there." She looked to Pinkie who only shook her head. Then to Rainbow Dash and Applejack. "Don't look at me." "Ah wouldn't touch that doohickey." they both said respectively.

Roll for History
Natural 20
"Oh right, now I remember! I must have grabbed it by mistake while I was packing the books into the wagon." Twilight puzzled at the staff, "Well, it's too late now to put it back and I don't want Trixie meddling with it anyway." I could have sworn I didn't mean to carry it with me.

"So why are we waiting out here?" Spike asked.

"Yeah Twilight," Rainbow Dash joined in, "what are we waiting for?"

"I know Rarity is still in Canterlot so we can't wait for her. As for Fluttershy, she wasn't at home and she wouldn't stay outside at night (especially with this fog). So wherever she is, she's probably on her way to the castle for being called by the map. I left a letter on the castle door in case she already made it there."

Everyone, Roll for Wisdom Saving throws with disadvantage except Spike
14(S), 3(RD), 5(TS), 10(AJ), 15(PP)
Roll for History
15(S), 21(PP)
"Uh, yeah. Twilight, about your Cutie-marks," the Baby Dragon recalled, "Shouldn't they be glowing when you guys are called to the map room?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention about that!" Pinkie Pie added, "I was wondering why our Cutie-marks didn't glow when they showed up in the map. I mean Spike doesn't have a Cutie-mark because he's a Dragon, but the spikes on his head would usually glow like that one time when Ember and Thorax showed up. Anyway, I wanted to mention that but then everyone was like rushing to move the story along and so I decided to borrow Trixie's wagon off screen and I kind of just forgot to mention it since everypony was in such a hurry. (Gasp)"

Twilight's jaw dropped, "Why didn't you tell us this earlier?! This could be important!"

"Forget that!" Rainbow Dash was practically screaming at this point, "If Fluttershy is not at home then wherever she is, she is out here, out of her wits scared for her life! We need to find her!"

"You need not bother, Rainbow Dash."

All of them turned to see a figure coming out of the Everfree Woods, and what they saw shocked them. The pony-shaped form of a mare limped out of the fog and into view. She was covered with claw marks and bites, her barrel suffering the most with deeper wounds. Leaves were protruding around her and slowly falling off to reveal even worse wounds indicating she used them as bandages. And as she approached the party, she left a trail of blood dripping from her body.

"I was escorting Fluttershy, until she vanished like a flash." spoke the shambling body of a Zebra as she collapsed in front of them.

"Zecora!" They shouted in unison as they rushed to her.

Rainbow Dash was the first to reach her. The cyan pegasus held Zecora up with her hoofs and with gritted teeth she asked the Zebra, "What happened to Fluttershy?"

Outside the Everfree Forest
Earlier that afternoon

"Oh, I hope Discord won't be too disappointed when he shows up. I hope the rest of the animals give him the letter I left for him."

Fluttershy was nuzzled by Harry the bear, reassuring her whilst giving her the look that screams you don't have to do this. Angel Bunny on the other hand, started twitching and acted like a sentinel; keeping watch for what may come out of the mist. The Fog at this point was becoming thicker than when she first met the strange pony which unnerved her further.

Roll for Nature
23
Fluttershy knew for a fact that there was something wrong with the fog. All of her animals felt it, and now that she is closer to the Everfree she too felt it. Ever fiber within her screamed that something about the fog did not feel natural. Fluttershy was always a coward, but being in the presence of this fog while it did make her more terrified than usual somehow kept her composed. As though she was compelled to follow through.

She hugged Harry and picked up Angel and gave them a reassuring smile, "Thank you, both of you for keeping me company. I know you are both scared, just like me. But I need to do this! Somepony from the next town needs my help, and while I've never heard of Barovia, must be a nice village hidden on the other side of the Everfree. As I said before, you don't need to come with me, so here is your last chance to turn back now."

Harry shook his head with a gruff snort and Angel stomped his foot, crossed his front paws and scowled at the idea of leaving her to danger.

"Oh thank you, both of you." Wiping a tear from her eye, Fluttershy steeled herself and entered the Everfree Woods, accompanied by her two most loyal bodyguards.

Everfree Woods

True to the stranger's instructions, Fluttershy's company followed the road deep within the Everfree. Much to their surprise, none of the monsters were seen let alone heard by them, which puzzled her. Not even the birds could be heard here. What is going on?

"Fluttershy!"

The yellow pegaus turned to the voice of Zecora who held a horrified expression on her face and a heavy panting as though she had been running. "What are you doing here, we must fly! Something has stirred within the woods and through the mists I have seen strange things in cloaks and hoods!"

"I can't, Zecora. I received a letter telling me that somepony needs help!" Fluttershy pulled out the letter and showed it to the zebra.

Zecora carefully read the letter, puzzlement and confusion appeared on her face as she returned the note to Fluttershy. "I have never heard of a village or town near the woods with the name Barovia. Are you sure this is not some elaborate prank or trick by this Burgomaster or Ireena?"

"I'm certain of that Zecora," Fluttershy pocketed the letter into her saddlebag, "The Pony who gave me the letter looked very serious and gave a sense of urgency about him. Besides," she turned to her two companions and smiled at them, "I'm in good company."

The zebra stared at the two of them and noticed the nervous looks on their faces. She took a deep sigh and turned back to Fluttershy, "If what the letter speaks is true, then against my better judgement I shall accompany you. These woods hides strange new dangers as of late. The Fog itself feels made by dark forces that wait."

And with that they journeyed deeper into the woods.

Outside the Everfree Forest
Present time

"Hours later, we were separated as the fog thicken. Next thing I knew, I was clawed at and bitten."

Rainbow Dash's pupils dilated to pinpricks. Just knowing that Fluttershy of all Ponies is most likely aimlessly wondering alone in the Everfree Forest was making her panic. She flapped her wings and sped for the woods.

"Rainbow Dash, wait!" Twilight called out, stopping the cyan pagasus from her tracks, "You can't just go in there!"

"Fluttershy is in there, Twilight! She is in there alone, afraid and potentially surrounded by monsters! I have to find her!"

"Oh no you're not, Sugarcube!" Applejack stepped up to her, "Not alone anyway!"

All four of them gathered around Rainbow Dash to reassure her. "We stay together!" Pinkie Pie declared while thumping a hoof on her chest, "Besides, it's bad luck to split the party!"

"We'll find Fluttershy and we will find her together!" Spike followed the same gesture as Pinkie.

"And you can't do this alone!" Twilight leveled with the cyan pegasus and gave her a pat on the back, "We must go together. Besides, I have a feeling that whatever lead Fluttershy into those woods might have something to do with this fog."

The Alicorn then flew to Zecora and picked her up with her hooves. "I'll teleport you into town to have you treated," she said to Zecora and then turned to her assistant, "Spike, send a message to Princess Celestia. Tell her the situation and request security for the town."

"Got it!" the little dragon saluted and began drafting a letter.

Twilight vanished with Zecora as Spike finished the letter and burned it with his breath.

Everfree Forest
Several hours later

"Y'know, Zecora was right about the Everfree. It's too quiet."

"Yeah. I could barely imagine what is going through Fluttershy right now. Oh, I hope she's alright."

"Twitchy, Twitchy tail. Twitchy ears. Twitchy tail."

"Girls, do you hear that?" Spike lifted his claw, signalling all to stop.

"What is it Spike?" asked Twilight.

The Party has spent the full duration of the night trudging through the woods, following the path they suspected Fluttershy took. A faint footsteps could be heard approaching ahead of them. Then they grew louder. Soon many noises followed, footsteps heard sounded like running, then began to thunder like a stampede.

"Everypony, in the wagon! NOW!"

As they all took shelter within the wagon they saw the figures running; Timber wolves.

Roll for Initiative
22(TS), 21(RD), 17(S), 11(AJ), 10(PP), 8(TW)
All of them held action as they braced themselves for the Timber wolves to...... Run past them?

They watched with utter disbelief that the most notorious predators of the Everfree was ignoring them and ran past their wagon. What's even more bewildering was that they weren't alone. Manticores, Hydras, Cockatrices, even Uras Minors and honest to Celestia, Ursa Majors. Accompanying them were other manners of common animals, joining the stampede. It was clear to everyone; They were running away from something.

Spike climbed on the roof of the wagon to get a clearer view of the sight. It was then the wagon was slammed by one of the running creatures. It was a familiar purple, mustached sea serpent. "Oops, sorry! I must flee!"

"Wait!" Twilight knew this creature, "Steve, is that you? What's going on?"

The sea serpent recognized the party, "Oh ladies and dragon, what are you doing here? We have to get out!"

"Why, what's got every critter runnin' for the hills?" Applejack inquired.

"Wolves, darling! Beastly, horrifying wolves!"

This confused everyone. "Wolves?" Spike spoke incredulously, "as in just, common wolves? Like, not even Timber Wolves?"

"Oh these are anything but common wolves, baby dragon. They're relentless! They attacked anything and everything they come across with reckless abandon! Even though they get taken down, more come in their place! They already took down 2 hydras, 10 manticores, a lot of other lesser monsters, even the Timber Wolf Alpha and a family of Ursas!"

"WHAT!?"

"And we'll soon join them if we don't hurry out. Sorry, but I've got to run!" And with that, Steve joins the stampede as they disappear into the mist.

"Okay, now we have to find Fluttershy, STAT!" Rainbow Dash jumped out of the wagon and strapped on the harnesses.

"Wait, there's something else coming from behind us." Spike looked into the fog.

Suddenly out of nowhere, a caravan of wagons rushed past the party and raced into the path ahead of them as it disappears into the mist.

Twilight could hardly believe what just past them, both the stampede of scared monsters and the caravan that rushed towards the direction the creatures were running from. "What in Equestria?"

"AFTER THEM!"

Pinkie Pie screamed, pointing at the caravan as she began to twitch all over. "Twitchy head, shaking flank, SHIVERING HOOFS! THEY ARE GOING TO WHERE FLUTTERSHY IS!"

While everyone was still trying to process what the pink earth-pony was saying, Rainbow Dash wasted no time and rushed the wagon after the caravan.

Everyfree Forest, Vistani caravan
Meanwhile

"Oh darlings, I can't wait to see all the sorts of fashions your homeland has to offer. All the wonderful and vibrant exotic styles they could provide!"

"I would not want to be the one to disappoint you, Rarity, but not all of Barovia shares our taste of vibrant colours."

The White Unicorn was conversing with the Vistani Damia who happens to be Stanimir's daughter. She was a grown mare a little older than Rarity who somehow felt a motherly aura about her.

"I hope it was no trouble to have you join us, seeing as though you appear to have prior engagements." Damia apologetically smiled at Rarity, who was too enamored with looking at the different designs of Vistani clothing.

"Oh think nothing of it, darling. I was asked by the authorities to request your caravan to move someplace else anyway," Rarity waved off the comment and eyed at her own pile of luggage, "I'm more grateful that you allowed me to carry all of my luggage."

"Oh no, it was the least we could do. Considering you are going out of your way to help."

Rarity gave the mare a passionate look as though a thought just occurred, "Oh dear Damia, you just gave me an idea!" The porcelain unicorn grabbed one of her suitcases and flung it open revealing *a layered dress sown together with braided cords embellished diagonally from the shoulder to the hip and around the waist in a colour of lime green and a dark dusty blue. (*Reference courtesy to my sister, go like her deviant art page. It's awesome.)
"Please, put this on."

"A-are you sure? I-I wouldn't..."

"Nonsense! Put it on and let us have a look at you, darling!"

One fitting later, Damia gave the dress a twirl around as instructed by Rarity, revealing the Vistani in all her feminine glory. The Unicorn's eyes glittered as she held her by the hooves, "Darling, you fit perfect with this ensemble!"

Damia gave a nervous blush, "I-I do? This doesn't make me look older, does it?"

"Pish-posh dear! You look absolutely fabulous!"

The other Vistani who shared the wagon all added their agreement with Rarity, with some going so far to say that she looked even younger with the dress. Just then, Stanimir opened the wagon door seat, "Friend Rarity, we are about to arrive in..." The old stallion looked stunned at the sight of his daughter in the dress.

"D-does it look bad?" Damia nervously asked.

Stanimir's eyes watered as he smiled proudly, "Oh look at you, all grown up. Becoming more and more like your mother every day."

"Oh papa." They both shared a hug much to the joy of Rarity and the rest of the onlookers. There was even a collective Awww! from the Vistani.

"I told you it fits you perfectly, darling!"

Stanimir released his embrace from his daughter and turned to the Fashionista, "This dress was yours?"

Rarity smiled, "Not anymore," and she winked at Damia, "Keep it dear. Consider it a gift from yours truly."

Stanimir suddenly gave Rarity a welcoming hug while smiling widely, "You are truly a good friend to us! No, not a friend. Family. Our clan welcomes you as one of us! Whatever you need, we shall assist however way we can!"

Rarity blushed at the invitation. "Why, how generous of you. I would almost decline at such an honour."

The elderly Vistani laughed, "Considering the generosity you showed us, it is only right to offer it in return."

"Well, then. Who am I to refuse?" She politely bowed to Stanimir, "I would be honoured to accept your welcome."

Suddenly the wagon driver called out, "We are entering Barovia now!"

Stanimir's expression shifted to stern and worrying and held a hoof on Rarity's shoulder, "As we are entering Barovia, there was something that we forgot to mention. Firstly, magic works far differently here. Whatever spells you might cast will appear different from how it usually does but will still operate the same function."

Rarity begins to notice a strange glow from the Vistani. "Secondly, while your generosity is highly valued, one mustn't give your wealth and possessions away so freely or you might as well leave yourself poor and homeless."

The glowing began to envelope the Vistani as they began to slowly morph into something. Rarity felt fear as to what was happening, only to feel a twinge of pain all around. "And lastly, as we enter Barovia, we will change form to suite the land."

Wait, change form? She stared at her hooves as they glowed with the same light and slowly morph into claw-like limbs. She stared at Stanimir's hoof on her shoulder as it morphs to a similar form. And looking at his head, his muzzle begins to flatten along with the rest of his face while his mane slowly compresses higher atop of his head.

Filled with horror and overcome with pain, Rarity opened the back of the wagon and instinctively jumped out into the mist, much to the desperate protests and shock from the Vistani.

"Twilight, what the hay is happenin' to us?"

Pain. Pain was all everypony (and dragon) felt. Twilight and Spike shared a gaze. They knew this sensation before. Back when they came to Sunset Shimmer's world. THEY KNEW WHAT THIS MEANS.

"I can't carry the wagon any further!" Rainbow Dash winced from the agony she was experiencing, "It's getting too heavy and-AAGGH!!!"

The wagon swirled from the road as the pegasus cries in pain and crashes onto a tree.

"A-Angel Bunny....... Harry...... What's happening to m....... AAAAGGGH!!!!!"

The rabbit and the bear surround the exhausted yellow pegasus as she glows brightly underneath her cloak.

"D...Discord. I-I'm sorry."

Somewhere else in the mist
Meanwhile

"Pest, where by the Nine Hells are we?"

"Not Waterdeep! Not Waterdeep!"

"Bah, of course I would be stuck with a Kenku in a fog out in the middle of nowhere! (Sigh) Might as well start looking around."

"Look around! Look around!"

(Sigh) Why must this bird live up to his name?"

A man in a strange room closes a book and looks forward. He fixes his sunglasses and straightens his red shirt.
And that is where we will end our session.

Author's Note

What eldritch horrors awaits them? What Classes should they be? Find out Next time in Hearts of Harmony: Into the Land of Mists!

On a serious note, as much as I enjoyed writing this chapter, the many POVs was a total pain to put together, which should tell you all why you should never split the party. Overall, let me hear your thoughts and give me your worst criticism because by Lothander, I need tough advice to motivate me to keep working with these projects. I will assure everyone that from here on out, the chapters will be shorter. This intro needed to be longer because, well, point of entries and character setup needed to be done in order to give everyone a hint as to what they are getting into (for the uninitiated). Part 2 will most definitely complete the intro of the tale.