Incessant rustles of the forest bushes and fluctuating beams of white light followed behind me restlessly.

I did not own a beating heart. And I was not burdened with worrying about abundant stamina or physical obstacles impeding my path. And yet, I mimicked the habit of a pony with labored breath and felt a rush welling up from within.

Why? The reason was quite simple, really.

In the background, persistent hoof clops resounded from the thickets.

“Remain in formation! And precisely aim your throw flashlights straight ahead! At all costs, we must catch up with the target and secure them inside the Anti-Phantasm box! If it escapes, who knows how long it will take us to find it again?!”

“Haa… Haa… Haa...”

Because I was scared.

Clop! Clop! Clop! Clop!

“Sir, it’s too fast!”

“Don’t let up!”

Ponies in black and white tuxedos, black shades, and mini hidden microphones had chased me for hours nonstop. Their pursuit began in Manehattan, so I floated and rushed across the fields of corn, wheat, grass, and such, but it wasn’t enough to shake them off my trail. The open fields provided a clearer view, and they glimpsed me, slipping away into the cityscape of Fillydelphia, its towering structures and populated liveliness serving as my refuge.

I was safe for a while but decided not to stop there. I kept going south, drifting through another woodland of oak trees.

With the dark blue sky and many stars, the half-moon cast a gentle light on the forest floor, helping to reveal the woodland critters. A wolf dipped its snout into the calm pond, owls’ whooed’ and perched on tree branches, and a raccoon stared at me from within a bush.

What are you looking at?

I relentlessly bolted for my freedom and finally succeeded. If I kept going at that rate, they could never capture me. I would keep going until they had no choice but to call off the search.

Then, upon reaching the end of the forest, I stumbled into another view of a different, bustling city of light. I wasn’t tired, but exhaled a breath of relief nonetheless. “No point in stopping here.”

Untrustworthy stupid agency ponies. Because you’re alive, you had no chance of catching me in the first place. Whatever happened to Equestria being the Land of Harmony?

Anyway, I bid farewell to the peaceful forest and ventured into the lively city of Baltimare, where the sights of colorful billboards and nightlife ponies awaited.

Heh. Little did I know what awaited me in the city’s heart. No, in me.

Author's Note

This prologue took place shortly before the attached prequel. The rest of the story occurs the day after.