Phase two

"Apple Bloom hasn't left the farm".

Upon hearing those words come out of Octavia's mouth the others sighed.

The element of Generosity however despite having spoken those words looked far from concerned. Regardless such a matter as this needs to be addressed.

"It's been four months since the funeral you would think that something would change by now" Rainbow dash muttered with a drink held in her hoof. Out of all her friends, she was the one who was most concerned though she tries her best to hide it. Not that the other elements didn't know this already. Taking another sip Berry punch the element of Honesty spoke. Her voice was quiet and Solem.

"I imagine that a loss like that isn't something you get over even with time".

"Well, we can't sit here and do nothing!" Vinyl Scratch the element of magic shouted slamming her hoof on the table. While she was fairly concerned like the rest she was more angry and frustrated than anything else. Especially when they were in the dark about what was exactly happening. All they do know is that some pony or something was out there hurting ponies and it was directly connected to Princess Luna. If they didn't figure things out now then Vinyl had the feeling that something very bad was gonna happen. Something that they aren't gonna come back from.

"Sunny Flame a pony who was just granted the element of laughter not that long ago due to complications with the previous owner raising a hoof.

"Excuse me?"

They looked at her. Eyes judgemental as well as mourning a loss that still affected them.

Pinkie was a good mare,

But she was sick,

And now Sunny was forced to wear her shoes whether she liked to or not. It wasn't her choice, but the choice of the element itself. One that confuses Sunny along with the rest to this day. Sure the mare liked making others smile and laugh, but she wasn't nearly as gifted as the pink mare was. Instead of parties and baked sweets, all she had were knock-knock jokes and cherry cream pie. Sure she was good at making friends and had some decent connections, but to say that she brought joy to the heart of Ponyville would be far from a stretch.

It also didn't help when it felt like the others hated her.

"As long as Apple bloom isn't alone all we can do is wait and provide our support when it's needed"

"Gee thanks Sherlock" Rainbow mutters with a barely hidden sneer. The look on Sunny's face almost made the Rainbow mare regret her words.

The key word being almost.

Octavia was quick to interject before things get out of hoof.

"Regardless I managed to get in touch with some smart ponies in Canterlot who might be able to help us. All we can do as of right now is wait and try to keep levels heads".

She glanced over at Rainbow dash when she said the last part.

"Whatever".

The mare in question continued to drink.

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Far from Ponyville in the very depths of the Everfree Forest where monsters of all kinds lay and wait until the opportunity presented itself was a unicorn.

This unicorn hummed a merry tone to herself as she swings a wooden stick around In the air using her magic. Behind her following mindlessly was a giant of a pony clad in dark armor. Its eyes glowed light green and its expression was utterly blank the only thing to point out was the way its mouth hung open. Allowing flies among other insects to feast on the dead flesh inside.

It was disgusting

It was horrific,

But to the mare, it was beautiful majestic almost,

And funny.

Oh, it was hilarious!

Hence why she couldn't stop a few chuckles from escaping.

"You know big guy digging you out was a pain but knowing what you can do and just how many ponies will be unfortunate enough to find out makes it more than worth it".

If the dead being could speak he didn't.

The mint green only grinned as if the silence itself was the response she was looking for.

"I only hope that your desired bloodshed will follow our fair madam's plan".

Rolling her eyes the green pony turned to see an oh-so-familiar figure walking toward her. If it wasn't due to their past ties Lyra would have enjoyed gutting this mare before shoving said pony's spilled guts down the pretty mare's throat. Unfortunately, that won't be the case.

Ah, a madmare could dream.

Rolling her eyes Lyra nods in an overdramatic manner.

"Of course oh so great hoof kisser I haven't forgotten our boss oh so amazing plan she had yet to tell us about. Then again if I had to guess it's probably gonna be something overly cliche".

If Night's mother AKA Bon-Bon was offended by those remarks she didn't show it. Instead, the mare simply stopped in front of Lyra before gesturing to the mare to continue forward.

"True destiny awaits for no one don't you agree?"

"You mean the kind that involves me skewering the so-called gods of this world along with those who refuse to reach their true potential?"

Night's mother smiled.

"Did I stutter?"

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It didn't take them long to reach their destination. It took them less to notice a pony clothed in black standing out in the open. With their clothing as well as the hood that drenched their entire face in darkness it was nearly impossible to tell what kind of pony was hiding underneath it all.

Not that it mattered. In the end, they had a goal to achieve, and all they cared about was reaching it. No matter what or who they had to work with.

"I see you completed the task".

The pony spoke. Their voice was distorted in such a way it made it difficult to place a gender

Bon Bon bowed her head in a submissive gesture while Lyra on the other hoof offered a weak wave.

"Yes, from what we were able to gather the elements seem to be solely focused on an enemy that has yet to make a move. I also convinced many to join our cause".

The hooded figure nods before patting Night's mother's mane affectionately.

Lyra nearly threw up upon seeing the surreal look on her partner's face.

"As of now the ponies of this town are lost and confused including the elements. With this in mind now is a great opportunity to cause even more heartache and fear to those who dare sleep soundly knowing that danger is always near".

Lyra raised a hoof before waving it around wildly like a foal high on sugar.

"Oh! Excuse me! Excuse me!"

The hooded figure lifted its head to look at her.

"I was just wondering that since we have a powerful undead why don't we just you know go and outright kill the elements? Or better yet the one who's related to the undead zombie?" Now THAT would be funny".

Picturing it in her mind Lyra began to laugh like someone who said their final goodbyes to sanity.

"HehehehahahaHAHAHA!"

A hoof making contact with the ground ceased her laughter almost immediately.

She blinked.

Only to realize that the hooded figure now stood towering over her like a predator to its prey.

"SILENCE!"

The Everfree itself went readily quiet.

For a long moment, no one moved or breathed. As if the stillness itself was its monstrous demon you did not want to enrage even if it meant refusing to take a breath.

It was only when Lyra tore her gaze did the hooded pony moved to speak.

"We are not dealing with ponies playing tag or your typical gangster on the street. No, we are battling against beings who are far older and far more experienced than you can imagine. If we are to move now it is in a way that they won't suspect. A move that they didn't account for".

"What would you suggest?" Night's mother asked in an attempt to help her friend.

They moved away from Lyra and instead choose to look out into the distance. An ominous aura surrounded them.

"Simply we hit them where they least suspect it".

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Daisy hated paper.

Unfortunately, her job has her surrounded by it.

Signing for the tenth time today the mare proceeds to stamp a letter that was pending approval.

It was times like these that the old mare wished for something exciting. Something that takes away from the boring routine of her day. Unfortunately having worked here for 14 years the mare knew that her wishes were not.

A pencil slips out of her grasp.

Groaning the old mare goes to pick it up. Shaking her rear a little for a certain stallion whose workload was not far from hers.

"Where is?.....ah there".

Daisy stands back up.

Only to come face-to-face with a pair of glowing green eyes and the stench of rotten skin.

Daisy screamed.

Or at least tried to.

Before she could even so much as take a breath a hoof grabbed her bottom jaw.

Daisy struggled, trying desperately to escape.

The undead stallion?

He pulled.

Hard.