It was panic in the streets and her poor, short legs ached with pain as the moon started its rise into the starry sky. She had never had to run so much and so far in her life, but the screams behind her made her keep pressing forward. By Celestia, those screams... Ponies behind her were dying, while the ponies before her that were faster clung to the hope of escaping with their lives, but all she could hear were the screams, and the sound of flesh being torn from bone.
The smoke monsters had just appeared that night. Her older brother had always told her that there were monsters, but she never believed it. She’d always thought it was just part of a harmless prank he pulled on her, that stupid jerk!
“Run, Lily, run!”
That stupid, brave, dead jerk..
Distracted by her thoughts, the filly tripped and fell. She scrambled to get up against her aching, protesting body as the almost ethereal but certainly sinister snarls got close. Looking back, she could see it too clearly again; the glowing green eyes, the body of disgusting smoke, somehow taking a predator form, and its maw. The mouth was the worst: the horrible and all too real teeth, sinister and curved, ready to tear the flesh off her young bones.
A group of three of the monsters slowly approached her, blood ceaselessly dripping from their jaws as they looked at her eagerly, deciding that she would be a tasty morsel for a hunger never sated. Their muscles tensed and the lead monster, bowed slightly, then pounced as the filly screamed...
He had been running since the attack had started, no breaks, no rests. He had to keep going. He had to make sure it was known. The sleepy town of Foal's Field, in the fiefdom of Hoofshire had fallen to fell, unknown beasts.
The guards opened the gates as he approached, his messenger's insignia glowing in the night, and he dashed on past. He had to tell the princesses!
A bolt of red magical energy smashed into the monster and threw it back into its hunting mates as a stallion, wearing the armour and cloth of the Equestrian Guard stood over Lily, his horn still glowing and ready to fire. Stepping forward, he didn't glance back at the poor filly as he gave his orders.
“Get the heck out of here! We're being overrun! Go t-”
The young filly screamed as the monsters took advantage of the stallion's distraction; all too large and terrible jaws dug into his side as he yelled in surprise and blasted one of the monsters away. Kicking the monster off his flank, he brought his magic down on the third while screaming at her to run.
She didn't even think about it, and allowed her tired legs to carry her as far as they could as she focused on ignoring the blasting sounds of combat spells cast, the tearing sounds of teeth in flesh and the gurgling of a voice cruelly silenced.
The doors to the castle opened and the messenger stumbled in, too exhausted to do anything else but keep himself upright and moving. Leaning against the wall, he headed down the Midnight Wing, the branch of Princess Luna, the Princess of the Night. Stumbling into the office of her chief advisor, he dropped the note from his jaws to the floor.
“Sir.. Word from Foal's Field.”
A stallion approached from his desk, his cold, analytical green eyes staring at the messenger until he came to stand in front of him. Using his hoofs to carefully unseal the note and lowering his head to the floor to read, his face changed through several successive expressions as he read the message. Surprise, pity, disgust, fear and urgency played in his eyes, and he rolled up the note, picked it up with his mouth and dashed out the door.
An older foal she once played with was pulled down from alongside her, dragged to the floor screaming and begging for help the disgusting howls and the nightmarish sound of flesh being carved from bone filled her ears, and she blocked it out.
'Strong girls don't cry..'
Her eyes disobeyed her thoughts, watering no matter how hard she tried to stop them. She tried to run faster in an attempt outrun the sounds of her friends, her home, begging her for help. More Equestrian Guards dashed past her, not sparing her a glance as the gates were in sight.
A monster pounced from the shadows to the side, ripping at her lucky green dress, loving made and labelled for her by her grandmother, but failed to grab her. A blast from a guard knocked it to the floor, and Lily allowed herself from hope. She was going to make it!
The grey furred, blue mane and green eyed advisor to the Princess of the Night charged into her quarters, flushed with fear and exertion.
“LUNAR POOL. WHY DOEST THOU INTERRUPT MY REPAST?!” Luna questioned in her still sometimes used Royal Canterlot voice, causing the young stallion to wince at the volume.
“Your Highness, a most urgent message has been delivered. It needs your immediate attention.” He spoke coolly, despite his underlying emotions and anxiousness. Releasing the note so that she could use her magic to lift it, he bowed as he waited. The note hovered in front of Luna's face for a few seconds and then she turned to look at him, orders about to be spoken.
As the reinforcements arrived, they stared at the horrible sight that played out as if in slow motion before them. The streets were stained with blood and littered with bodies. The air was cold, as if the pained spirits of the dead lingered in their agony and unrest. When the first of those to escape reached the outpost miles out from the small town, they had immediately mobilised and moved out to mount a defence. But they were too late.
The youngest member turned away and lost the contents of his stomach, but none of the veterans could blame him. By Celestia, the stench! The foul smell of death permeated everything, befouled both the living and the inanimate and stood as a horrifying testament to what had happened here.
The report would be bleak, and it would be sickening. The captain would later write the full extent of the carnage caused by these unknown beings and the indiscriminate manner they had attacked all the ponies that sought to flee with their lives. And he would be forever haunted by the sight of the filly in the green dress.
A quick Author's Note: This chapter might be a little heavy in some of the politics of Equestria. It's mostly just to set things up for the next chapter and add a bit of detail, but fair warning all the same.
The store front was alight with colours both dark and bright as the shy mare tended to her shop. Her gentle eyes examined each and every one of the beautiful and fragrant flowers that surrounded her, her keen mind already at work designing new displays and arrangements. That kind of joyous enthusiasm for her work just energised her for the day ahead. The cream toned mare shook her luxurious red mane out of her face as she smiled happily, taking in the scents around her once again and being reminded why this was her dream job.
After finishing her rounds of the store for a quick inventory, she casually walked towards her work surface, neatly tidied and with only two small boxes resting on it and got to work. This was a very special order for some young ponies from Ponyville and placed by the one and only Miss Rarity herself – only her favourite designer ever! That had been a week ago, and the fair florist had only just decided on what to do. Thankfully, just in the nick of time as the order was due to be picked up soon too!
It wasn't extravagant, but it didn't need to be. This was not for a ball, or a royal display as many of her orders were. Simplicity matched the celebratory event in question: a small party marking the anniversary of an strong unbreakable friendship between six mares. Gently taking some yellow roses, symbolizing friendship, the she placed them into the box, followed by equally beautiful flowers of purple, orange, pink, blue and white. With her special talent, she was able to arrange them into a stunning swirl pattern that snaked around the box, giving the illusion of depth and movement, and yet was so intertwined and it perfectly reflected the bonds of friendship between these girls.
The creative task had taken her less than an hour and when she was done, the florist stood back and examined her unique work with a happy smile. The smile grew slightly as she heard the bell ring, informing her of a customer making their entrance.
“Miss Rose, darling?”
It was her! It was Miss Rarity! Oh my...what excitement!
Walking softly to the counter, boxes in tow, she flashed her favourite fashion designer a shy but friendly smile, wondering if she would ever get her mane to look at well coiffed as Rarity’s.
“Hello, Miss Rarity! Here for your order? I just put the finishing touches on it. And please, just call me Scarlett, if you don't mind.” Scarlett Rose's voice was soft as she spoke, as it always was, and carried a tone of joy that spoke of her love for her work. Lifting the boxes onto the counter, she pushed them forward to Rarity for examination.
“Oh my, is this it? It's a rather simple design, but it's absolutely fabulous, and I know fabulousity! How much do I owe you?” The white fashion designer reached for her purse, placing the amount of bits the shy florist stuttered out to her. “This is simply amazing, darling. Thank you ve-”
“Is it done yet? Is it done yet?”
A cheerful pink pony bounced into the store, her grin was so wide it was infectious and the genuine happiness that shone in her eyes was a joy to behold. Ignoring Rarity for a moment, she sped around the store, looking at all the flower displays and taking in their scents, like a hyperactive child on a sugar rush. She stopped in her tracks when she saw the flower creations that had been expertly crafted for her and her friends.
“Ooooooh.. You sure know how to pick 'em, Rarity!” The pink mare smiled as she turned to her fashionable friend.
“But of course, Pinkie Pie, darling. I accept only the best for my friends.”
Scarlett, almost forgotten by the two mares, blushed at the praise and grinned timidly at the two of them, her hoof moving in a circle on the floor as she averted her gaze down.
“Miss Rarity, Miss Pinkie Pie, you flatter me too much. It's nothing, really. I’m just glad you like them.”
Like a shot, Pinkie Pie zoomed up to the desk, voice energetic and loud as she spoke.
“Nuh-uh! This is totally something, and that something isn't candy, which is awesome, but this is just as awesome as candy, which means it’s got to be pretty awesome! And what's with all this 'Miss' business? I'm just Pinkie Pie to my friends, and I'm friends with everypony, so that means I’m friends with you!”
The fair florist just smiled at the party mare, feeling a little overwhelmed by her energy and a little too flattered by all the praise and the declaration of friendship. She was thankful to be saved from having to say anything by Rarity.
“Come now, Pinkie Pie, don't overwhelm the poor dear. Now come along, we have a party to set up and enjoy!” Bidding farewell to Scarlett, she left the store with a Pinkie Pie in tow.
Smiling to herself, the fair florist shook her head and got back to work. That young man from the noble district need a bouquet by that afternoon and she had the most perfect flash of inspiration for it.
The purple unicorn known as Twilight Sparkle smiled to herself as she gave directions to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. She couldn't believe it has been two years since they had met. Two years! It felt like a lifetime to her, like most of the times before were grey and colourless compared to the times with her friends. So many years she had wasted alone, trying to be the best at everything; at magic, at academics. So many years, and she had thrown away every opportunity to have friends. Sure, she had Spike, but his was a different kind of friendship, it felt more like having an annoying but endearing younger brother.
“Twilight!”
'Speak of the devil..'
“Hey, I was just speaking to Rarity, she and Pinkie have the flowers, now all that's left is the rest of the food!” The young dragon smiled at the intelligent mare, his mouth almost watering as he thought of all the different kinds of foods they would soon be able to eat.
“That's great! We're on track! Heck, we're ahead of schedule.” Twilight grinned to herself, pleased with the results of her organisational efforts as she crossed a box off on her checklist. Hearing voices from the corridor that sounded awfully familiar, she hastily said thanks to Spike and headed out. She didn’t want to waste a chance to thank one of the ponies there letting her use a room in Canterlot Castle for the party.
“Princess Luna!”
The purple mare trotted up to the Princess of the Night and noted she looked a little worse for wear. Fatigue and stress were etched into the regal features of the princess and Twilight quickly voiced her concern.
“Princess, are you okay?”
“Twilight Sparkle.” Luna put on a smile, trying to hide the fatigue away with a brave face as she reminded herself to speak as normally as possible as Twilight had shown her to. “We ar- I am perfectly fine, I assure you. And what of you? Is your party going as planned?”
As Twilight opened her mouth to answer, eager to speak with her friend but not convinced at all that she was fine, a stallion she recognised as Luna's advisor and the author of a reference book she sometimes used, stepped forward. His expression was serious and his voice brooking no dissent.
“Your Highness, you don't have time for this. The court is expecting you, and the situation is-”
“Dire, I know, Lunar Pool.”
Twilight glared at the stallion for interrupting, then looked at Luna with a curious glance. Before she could ask, Luna gave a quiet apology and continued on her way. Watching the princess trot away with her advisor, she frowned to herself as worry started to rest in the pit of her stomach. Her brilliant mind was already ablaze with ideas as she started to think about what the problem could be.
“Twilight? You coming back in, sugarcube?”
Letting out a silent sigh, she plastered on a smile and willed it to become genuine. The troubles could wait, she decided as she headed back into the party room: it was a day of celebration, not worry after all.
The doors to the Court Chamber, where the court of lords met, swung open and Lunar Pool stepped through them.
“Presenting Princess Luna, Lady of the Night.”
The dark pony stepped into the room, her mane sparkling and flowing as she held her head up high, her expression one of control. All the fatigue that previously had hung heavy in the air was forgotten as her elegant form garnered respect from all present, including her sister. Celestia let out a smile at her younger sibling, proud of how she had grown since that fateful night Nightmare Moon had escaped her prison. Over the years, she Luna had earned the loyalty of the people and of the lords on her own merit, proving herself worthy of her place in the Principality as Celestia's co-ruler.
At the beginning, the Principality of Equestria was easy to establish, thanks in part to the respect garnered for defeating Discord. That victory had united ponies far and wide, who in turn had sworn fealty to the princesses in appreciation and recognition. Celestia and Luna had ruled the land absolutely in the early days, as personally involved with each decision as they could be, but quickly learned that their land was too large for them to manage on their own. Around that time, the horror that was Nightmare Moon came to life and after Celestia had reluctantly banished her sister to the moon, she could no longer manage an entire nation on her own, especially not with her heart so broken. Celestia maintained her power and her decrees would continue to be law, but the land of Equestria was then split into regions, counties or fiefdoms, depending on who you would ask, to be governed by others who would report to her.
The lords of these counties and fiefdoms were varied, as would be expected and they had great leeway in how they conducted their business as long as the ponies under their care remained happy and well cared for. If the any pleas or complaints for a constituent were to reach the Princess' ears, there wasn't a pony alive that wouldn't fear the potential wrath.
Celestia nodded to her advisor, causing the dark orange mare at her side step forwards and speak clearly.
“This session is now in order. We are here to address the spree of mysterious attacks in the region of Hoofshire.”
A respectful looking, elderly stallion, known to all present as Buckhoof, the reigning lord of Hoofshire for the past fifty years, stood up, his voice shaking slightly out of fear as he spoke, something the others took note of.
“Foal's Field was attacked by unknown creatures last night, with few survivors. The garrison was not able to defend the town. I have a report here from Captain Iron Horn here, detailing everything he found when reinforcements from Fort Gallop arrived.”
Faces quickly started to pale as the elderly lord recited the captain's words and the description of the carnage. The Principality of Equestria had seen little of war and although beast attacks and violence weren't unknown, never had an entire settlement, save a few survivors, been wiped out. It was a disquieting feeling for these lords and ladies, to be reminded that nowhere in the world is fully safe.
The lord of Hoofshire's recital came to a close, and he opened his mouth as though to speak, before but choose to sit down again instead. Celestia, along with her sister and her advisor, looked at the stallion lord with unfettered sympathy, knowing this that being a first hand witness to the destruction of the land and ponies he cared so much about was hard for him. The elderly stallion, ever since he inherited his title and authority, had bucked the expectations of his father and tried to bond with his people. His lands were rural and rustic and over his long career, he had come to know many of the ponies personally. He had earned their respect and loyalty through hard work, toil and for his dogged defence of them, not for his own wealth and stature. The rash of attacks were like a stab to his heart and weighed on his shoulders severely.
As the final words were spoken and the mental images they created tortured the minds of the assembled Lords, silence continued in the chamber for almost a full minute. Then, all too suddenly, the rest of the lords began to argue, from the honourable lord Ironmane shouting with his great and frightening voice to the soft-spoken lady of Fillymede pleading for quiet and order. With so many attacks happening, each lord began to look to the defence of their own lands and began to demand an increase in Equestrian Guard garrisons. The pale advisor to Luna shook his head, even as though he understood their feelings.
The Equestrian Guard didn't have massive numbers of armed forces these days, as not many ponies wished to join the small military of the Principality. There simply weren't enough stallions and mares in service to meet the current expectations of these frightened lords. Looking to Luna with an unhappy smile, Lunar Pool mentally sighed at the obvious way the situation would be resolved. The lords reserved the right to conscript ponies into regional guard duties. It hadn't been used since the rash of dragon attacks a few centuries ago, but with the fear in this room, he knew it would inevitably happen within the week. It didn't matter if throwing untrained bodies to the wolves would work or not, the lords were too scared and they were too stupid and now that there was a problem, people would be looking to them for solutions. With the exception of the prideful and honourable Ironmane, the lords wanted to look as if they were doing something while they cowered in their castles, safe from assault.
Luna returned her advisor's look and shook her head, motioning for him to pay attention and deciding to tease him about his staring later. She then returned her focus to the shameful clamour in front of her, eyes narrowing as she opened her mouth to speak, using the Royal Canterlot voice, and volume, to silence the arguing.
"SILENCE!"
Many of the lords flinched at her voice, but all took head to become quiet and still. They looked at her with a reverential fear in their eyes and appeared as if they would desperately ask her what to do if they weren't so frightened at the thought of crossing her. Even Celestia looked to Luna, curious to see what she had to say and what solutions she would offer.
"The attacks are along the very edge of Hoofshire, at the border of with the marshland expanse that separates us from one of our neighbours, the mountainous Hegemony of Draconia. Foal's Field is the furthest attack thus far. I propose that we set up a perimeter in that area and evacuate the towns still inhabited near the border. To accomplish this, troops from other regions would be needed." Luna raised her hoof to delay any objections, her expression demanding that the lords indulge her until she had said that which she needed to. "To replace the troops deployed, I would motion that the Reservist Laws be used. Reserves will be called into garrison duties, and able-bodied former service ponies will be temporarily drafted. With my sister’s permission, I will put this issue forward for vote. As you will all be affected and there are other options available, I feel it is only right to give you all a say in the matter."
Stepping back after her statement, she looked to her sister and blinked as she saw a proud smile on Celestia's face. Although Luna had seen that smile so often since her return, this was different. As the lords voted on and agreed to her motion, Luna realised that this was the first time she had been proud of herself.
The lords at court discussed for the rest of the night and went unknown to the group of six friends who celebrated the magic of their friendship that night.
Leading a dance, Pinkie Pie entertained and amused as she always did, making sure everyone had fun as they enjoyed the room so carefully decorated by Applejack and Rainbow Dash, following the design of Rarity. Twilight pushed her worries to the back of her mind and Fluttershy showed the fun loving side of herself only her friends ever got to see.
They partied on into the night, loudly and pleasantly, unaware of the meeting or the decisions made during it. This was their night and unbeknownst to them, the last one before their world would seem to turn upside down.
