Peace, love, laughter. How strange ponies are... to use it all so recklessly, so... in abundance.

It was a bright and sunny day in Equestria. Located in a small rural village within the eastern forests, ponies frolicked and laughed. They were filled with cheer, laughter, and love. Such days were all too common in Equestria. Most subjects wanted for nothing, and all the races who called the land home were united. Though this was a village of just ponies, it was well known that no ill will existed in the land of Equestria. Unlike days past where evil was a steady occurrence and often times world threatening, the younglings of today could barely even fathom the word. Selfishness would never be fully erased but such things were fixable, unlearned, and ultimately petty in the grand scheme of things. These were surely Equestria's Golden Days to be had.

A gathering in the village center was so full of life, as young couples touched muzzles and fillies played. Older folks sat on benches and witnessed the abundance of energy exuded, whereas many of the adults went about conversing. A giant lantern hung at the center, elevated by magic to keep the party alit. The architecture of the village seemed to be one of an abundance of smaller treehouses, all connecting to one another as well by hanging roots. A perfect natural wonder. Yet the village lacked nothing of technological advancement in this pony era. They had still the commodities known in places well visited such as Ponyville. A popular town.

As one old pony sat on a bench with a warm smile on his face, he couldn't help but notice a shrouded figure somewhat off in the distance. This figure seemed to merge perfectly in with the background forests, not seemingly hiding, but also not trying to make themselves known. This caused the old pony's eyes to widen, before he rose from the bench shakily, and started trotting his way over. Unbeknownst to the visitor.

The shrouded figure continued to watch; their appearance masked in shadow yet their vibrant turquoise eyes completely visible. They stood still as a statue, homed in on the ponies at the village center. Almost obsessively.

"Well, it's not often we have a mysterious youngling wander into our village. There's no need to be shy."

The shrouded figure's eyes snapped wide, before their gaze darted towards the source. An older pony who stood not far off. As the shrouded figure acknowledged him, their eyes calmed as they spoke, unveiling a softer natured feminine voice. Though it was raspy, tired. "A-Ah yes... shy. Perhaps I am shy. Would it be normal for me to go there?" The figure focused on the ponies at the center again, curiously. "I wish to go there. But... I cannot tell if it is the right thing to do." The shrouded figure looked to the older pony. "Can you teach me?"

This youngling spoke with such... oddity? The old pony couldn't help but let laughter escape him. "Oh child, you're a strange one. Teach you? Come along then, though my bones are old and frail so keep up!"

The shrouded figure did not understand the sarcasm, and simply nodded and kept beside him. The two began very slowly strolling further and further into the village. Ponies practically surrounding them now on all sides as they were all preoccupied with their own happenings. "Is it... always like this? Happy here? Laughter here?"

The old pony chuckled. "Yes child, though you would be hard pressed to find anywhere in Equestria unlike this. Perhaps besides the griffons! They are a stubborn folk, but their leader Gilda is hard pressed to change things due to the help of one of our greatest heroes! Rainbow Dash herself. Those two go far back, supposedly."

The shrouded figure listened intently to him, and then focused ahead once more. "Happiness is everywhere?"

The old man nodded, "Yes, though sadness never drifts far behind... these are mostly happy days child."

The shrouded figure nodded as well. "This is good... very good. I have... been 'not happy' a long time."

The old pony let out a light gasp, "A-Ah is that so? Child... that surprises me. What reason have you to be sad!?"

The shrouded figure lowered its head. "I know not." She paused, "Why are ponies so happy?"

The old pony pondered the question for but a moment, before glancing around at his fellow villagers then back down at the shrouded one. "Ah there are many reasons, but I'd have to accredit it to our wonderful leadership here in Equestria." He made a grand gesture, "The Princesses! We are so loved as subjects... and they have done everything in their power to care for us. The land is healthy, the conflicts resolved, and almost any sense of threat we've faced has either been dealt with or given up due to our princesses' tenacity." He began rubbing his chin some, "Though I would say the latter half is primarily due to our Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle and her friends. Such a wonderfully talented mare." He smiled warmly, closing his eyes with a nod.

The shrouded one looked up at him. "Twilight Sparkle is happiness then? Princesses are happiness then?"

There was a moment of silence between the two, as the old pony pondered the question.

The old pony rubbed at the back of his neck, before looking gently towards the surrounding crown. "Well... it's complicated. Happiness is many things child. It is something one must find on their own but at the same time, it's much easier to find when the world which surrounds us is at peace. Happiness is now practically laced within Equestria's fabric. This is widely due to our Princesses efforts, especially Princess Twilight Sparkle."

The shrouded figure kept her focus now on the surrounding villagers. "Thank you, Mister."

The old pony smiled, looking down at the shrouded one before muttering. "Oh child, do not thank me."

The shrouded figure began lowering its hood, allowing her features to be unveiled in the sun.

The old pony continued to smile, before that smile turned to subtle horror and shock. "U-Ugh!"

The shrouded figure grinned up at him, eyes squinted with absolute glee. The whites of her eyes seemed dried, almost cracked as the turquoise pupils were fogged like a cloud on a rainy day. Her mane dried and lacking life, an almost sickening gray. Her coat pure black, as a twisted horn protruded from her head. "Then I'll thank the Princesses." Her horn started to glow, as a gray cloudy aura spewed forth, shooting straight into the sky.

The old pony cowered, as suddenly all the villagers gasped looking up towards the sky and spread into a panic.

Almost like a whirlwind the gray magic spread and surrounded the entirety of the village, entrapping everypony inside with no escape. The once shrouded figure held her forehooves to the sky, grinning menacingly as she felt she finally understood. As she was practically standing, it could be seen her figure was withered, almost skeletal in appearance. Her magic continued to spread, soon reaching out to scattered villagers like tendrils grasping at their prey. Every pony they touched would send them into a trancelike state, before dropping down to the floor unconscious. Meanwhile the shrouded one continued to grin with glee upwards. For they are my happiness.

The Princesses will surely bear the weight, of what my magic brings.

Author's Note

Thank you for joining me in this story. I hope you enjoy it, dear reader.