"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ponyville, central Equestria. June 25th, 2038. 0700 hours.

Under the early light of Celestia’s sun, Ponyville was already bustling with energy. Ponies trotted along the main streets, stalls opened up for the day’s business, and cheerful greetings filled the air as friends and neighbors wished each other good morning. In the heart of this peaceful town, nestled within the sturdy branches of the Golden Oak Library, Twilight Sparkle was indulging in her favorite morning ritual: a quiet moment with a good book.

The book in her hooves was an in-depth study of Equestria's wildlife and evolution. Twilight’s eyes sparkled with fascination as she absorbed each page, tracing her hoof over the meticulous drawings of pony skeletal structures, muscle diagrams, and theories on how ponies had evolved from simple animals into the intelligent, magical beings they were today. The narrative painted a sweeping history of ponykind, depicting them as pioneers, as creatures that had climbed to the pinnacle of civilization on their world.

As she turned the page, a warm, proud feeling stirred within her. Ponykind—her people—had come so far. From the icy expanses of Yakyakistan to the blistering deserts of Zebrica, their influence stretched far and wide, their knowledge and culture touching every corner of the continent. They were builders, dreamers, and guardians, carrying the light of harmony wherever they went.

But as she sat in quiet contemplation, her mind began to wander. What if there were others who could reach the same heights if given the opportunity? The Griffons were a close rival in terms of civilization level, but their reliance on physical prowess and the lack of magic seemed to set them apart. What might the world look like if magic had been woven into the lives of all its inhabitants?

While her mind danced between these possibilities, a familiar figure waddled into the room, balancing a tray stacked with a tower of golden pancakes and a steaming kettle of tea. “Good morning, Twilight!” chirped Spike, her ever-loyal assistant, his voice carrying a warmth that matched the morning sunlight filtering through the library’s windows.

Twilight looked up, a delighted smile spreading across her face. “Good morning, Spike!” She leaned forward, her curiosity piqued by the delightful aroma wafting from the pancakes. “Oh, these look amazing! Did you make these?”

Spike set the tray down, rubbing the back of his head with a small, bashful grin. “Well… I might’ve borrowed Pinkie Pie’s secret pancake recipe,” he admitted, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

Twilight chuckled, raising her tea cup with a spark of magic and pouring herself a steaming cup. “Pinkie’s recipe? No wonder they smell so good!” She took a bite, her eyes widening in delight as the soft, fluffy pancake practically melted in her mouth. “Spike, this is incredible! Maybe I should ask Pinkie for her cupcake recipe too—I’d love to taste something like this again!”

They settled into a comfortable breakfast, the warm hum of their conversation filling the room. Twilight shared stories from her latest visit with Fluttershy, where her friend had introduced her to a family of rare birds she’d recently discovered. Spike laughed as he recounted Rarity’s latest attempt to use Rainbow Dash as a model for a new line of activewear—much to the pegasus’ chagrin.

“…and then she tried to put these fancy sequins all over Rainbow’s wings,” Spike said, stifling a giggle. “You should’ve seen her face—she looked like she’d swallowed a lemon!”

Twilight burst into laughter, nearly spilling her tea as she pictured the scene. But just as Spike was in the middle of his next story, a familiar sensation tugged at his chest. With a sudden, uncontrollable reflex, he reared back, his cheeks puffing before he released a burst of green flame. The flames quickly coalesced into a rolled scroll, sealed with Princess Celestia’s royal insignia, which dropped onto the table.

Twilight’s eyes widened with surprise, a mix of excitement and curiosity lighting up her face. “A letter from the Princess? This early in the morning?” she mused, glancing at the seal. Could it be a reply to her latest friendship report? She’d sent it just yesterday, recounting an insightful lesson she’d learned from helping Applejack and Rarity resolve a small disagreement.

Carefully, she used her magic to break the seal and unfurl the scroll, the parchment crackling softly in the stillness of the library. But as her eyes scanned the elegant script, her cheerful expression began to falter. Her brows knitted together, and her smile slipped away, replaced by a look of confusion and growing fear.

The letter’s contents were unlike anything she had ever received.

My Dearest Twilight,

I hope this letter finds you well on this bright morning. I must ask you, dear Twilight, to come to Canterlot at your earliest convenience, along with your friends. There is a matter of great importance that I wish to discuss with you all.

A few nights ago, Luna encountered a troubling vision in the dream realm—an unusual presence from a new species that has made its way into Southwestern Equestria. Though this may sound strange, our initial understanding is that they do not come from any known land and have ways unlike anything we have seen before.

These creatures, as reported by the residents of Whinnypool village, have disturbed the natural flow of the nearby river. The villagers are concerned, as this interference is causing unexpected changes to the water’s quality, making it unfit for use. Luna and I both share these concerns, especially given that the river is vital to the surrounding lands.

To ensure this disturbance was handled swiftly, I dispatched a team from the Royal Guard and some trusted agents from Canterlot to peacefully investigate and understand these newcomers’ actions. However, to our dismay, they faced unexpected hostility upon making contact.

Please do not be alarmed, my dear Twilight. I tell you this only to impress upon you the seriousness of the matter. I believe that with your knowledge, compassion, and wisdom—qualities you and your friends embody so wonderfully—we may find a way to resolve this issue for the safety and well-being of all.

I await you in Canterlot, where I will provide further details and introduce you to some of those who first witnessed these newcomers. For now, rest assured, you are safe. Travel when you are ready, and do not carry any unnecessary worries.

With all my love and confidence in you,

~ Princess Celestia

Twilight Sparkle stood motionless, her eyes glued to the parchment in her hooves, the words of Princess Celestia echoing through her mind like a distant thunder. A strange new species… hostile, unknown, and attacking the Royal Guard. Her heart raced, her stomach twisted in knots. She had faced creatures of the Everfree, dragons, changelings, but this was different—these creatures were something Celestia herself could not fully describe.

Who were they? Where did they come from? Why did they attack? Her mind swarmed with questions, each one a mix of fear, curiosity, and duty. The thought of an injured guard tugged at her heart, and worse—could anypony have been… killed? She pushed the thought away, but the possibility sent a chill down her spine.

Twilight’s trance was broken by the sound of snapping claws. Spike was standing on the table in front of her, waving a claw in front of her face, his brows knit in worry.

“Twilight! Are you okay? You’ve been staring at the wall for, like, five minutes.”

“Oh!” Twilight blinked, shaking herself back to reality. “Sorry, Spike. I… got lost in thought.” She glanced back at the letter, still unable to process it all.

“What did Princess Celestia say?” Spike asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and concern.

Twilight looked at him, trying to find the right words. “Spike, there’s a… a new species. A dangerous one. And it’s threatening Equestria.” She took a breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “Princess Celestia wants me to gather everypony and go to Canterlot as soon as possible. We’re needed there.”

Spike’s eyes widened, and he straightened with a salute. “I’m on it!” Without another word, he darted out the door, his little feet pattering against the wood floor before he disappeared onto the streets of Ponyville.

Twilight watched him go, then glanced at the half-eaten pancakes and tea still on the table. She sighed, her appetite completely gone. She would need her strength, though, so she took a quick sip of tea before getting up. She could feel her heart hammering with a sense of urgency as she trotted to the bathroom, quickly scrubbing down her coat and mane and drying off with a towel. She looked in the mirror, her mane slightly damp but neatly combed, her violet eyes reflecting the flicker of worry.

The saddlebag felt heavy on her back, even though it was filled with only a few essentials—some bits, a notebook, a snack, a copy of Equestria’s Magical Defense, just in case. She adjusted the strap, giving herself one last glance in the mirror, trying to calm the uneasy feeling twisting her stomach.

“Goodbye, Owlowiscious,” she said softly to her pet owl, who blinked at her from his perch with large, wise eyes. He hooted gently as if sensing her unease.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the Golden Oak Library and closed the door behind her, the familiar creak of its hinges somehow feeling final. The library had always been her sanctuary, a place of knowledge and safety. But now, standing on the dirt path outside, it felt like the world had grown just a bit colder.

The sun shone brightly over Ponyville, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets as the village bustled with its usual morning routines. Ponies were tending to market stalls, carrying baskets of fresh produce, and chatting in groups with friends. But today, their laughter and cheerful voices seemed distant to Twilight, as though she were already miles away.

Twilight’s hooves echoed against the ground as she made her way toward the train station. She glanced back at the library one last time, her heart heavy with an inexplicable sense of dread. She couldn’t know it yet, but when she returned, the Golden Oak Library would be little more than a charred memory, a relic of a world before the arrival of these mysterious creatures.

She turned forward, her pace quickening as her mind filled with images of Canterlot, the great towers and shimmering halls, where Celestia would be waiting.

Author's Note

We're going to take a break from Edward Snowden and his team for a while. I need help on how to move the plot forward, do any of you have any suggestion?

By the way, I plan to give Fluttershy PTSD later in the story