Trailside Banquet

One Year Ago - Town Hall, Ponyville, Equestria

The Ponyville Town Hall was filled to its max capacity. The room was abuzz with concerned voices as ponies from all corners of the town gathered. A sense of anxiety was in the air, and the normally cheerful denizens of Ponyville were riddled with unease ever since the grounds outside of the Everfree Forest began to change.

At the front of the town hall stood a podium. Mayor Mare approached it, her glasses precariously perched on the bridge of her snout, reflecting the lights above. In a seat next to the podium sat Princess Celestia - her presence commanded attention and as she lifted a wing, the crowd became silent.

Mayor Mare tapped the microphone a few times and cleared her throat before speaking, “Mares and gentlecolts, thank you all for coming on such short notice. As you all are well aware, we are gathered here today to discuss a matter of grave importance.”

She paused, allowing her words to settle over the crowd. The hall remained silent, with everypony’s eyes fixated on the bureaucratic, charismatic mares. She continued.

“In the past few days, the land between the Everfree Forest and Ponyville have been a cause for concern. An unknown magic aura has been reported in the area by a few of our citizens. Some of these initial reports contain certain-...” she would pause briefly here to figure out how to phrase the following to her citizens “...-things of interest that are outside anypony’s current knowledge of the Forest and its magic. As mayor, I have been in close communication with Princess Celestia, who has graciously agreed to be with us today and address our concerns.”

She took a couple steps back and nodded to Princess Celestia, signaling to her that she had the floor. The mayor bowed as the Princess stepped forward gracefully. Her calm and soothing voice filled the room, easing some tension.

“My dear subjects, I thank you all for your patience and, more importantly, your unwavering bravery during this time. I understand that the appearance of this magical anomaly has caused both fear and confusion here in Ponyville. But rest assured, you are not alone in this.” She looked over the crowd before glancing at the front row with a smile. Here, sat Twilight Sparkle, Spike, and her friends - the Elements of Harmony.

Celestia continued, “We have assembled some of the most knowledgeable and skilled ponies in Equestria, who will be working tirelessly to understand this anomalous magic, its origins, and its potential impact on both Ponyville and Equestria at large--”

A voice from the crowd broke the usual silence that the Princess had grown accustomed to in her speeches. “And what of the Changeling Empire?!”

Celestia cleared her throat, not expecting an interruption. She paused briefly to keep her composure and addressed the question. “Princess Luna and I are currently working on stabilizing the Changeling Empire after Queen Chrysalis’s defeat. This, of course, is a matter of national security that requires our utmost focus. With that said, in my absence from Equestria and during our diplomatic visits to the region, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends will investigate the affected area on my behalf.”

She looked to the crowd for any more questions before continuing her talking points that she relentlessly rehearsed on her trip to Ponyville. “From now until the mystery of the affected areas are resolved, they have free reign to cross the established border markers at will. I have no doubt in them that they’ll resolve this situation just as they’ve had for many others, not including their recent victory against the Changeling Queen.”

There was a murmur of relief among the crowd; they’re well aware of the Mane Six and their adventures, and the almost countless times they’ve saved Equestria’s hide. But the sense of worry had not entirely dissipated.

“Until Twilight and her friends provide me with more knowledge, I urge all Ponyville residents to avoid the area at all costs. We have a few guards and barriers set up around the current suspected perimeter to keep any potential threats to Ponyville out. Until the Equestrian government - be it myself, Twilight and her friends, or Mayor Mare - deem it safe, the affected area will be known as the Aetherial Anomalous Zone, or the AAZ. I encourage everyone to remain vigilant, and report any unusual activity immediately.”

As she concluded her speech, Celestia nodded to Mayor Mare, signaling that she once again had the floor. Mayor Mare took the podium, and with a quick clearing of her throat, began to address the crowd once again.

“Thank you, Princess. Citizens, in the coming days, we will be organizing community support to help anypony who has been impacted by the sudden appearance of the AAZ. Normal trade routes will be detoured, and we urge anypony once again to report any unusual activity immediately. Please know that the safety of all of you is my top priority as Mayor. Ponyville is a town known for its sense of community. Together, we will face this challenge and overcome this as we've done so many times before. We are all in this together.”

With that, the meeting was drawn to a close; however, many ponies had more questions than answers, and more worries than assurance. What could have caused this to appear? Is Ponyville safe? Could Twilight and her friends fix this?

Some of these questions were questions Pinkie herself had as she approached Twilight’s castle after the town hall meeting. Ever the optimist, she saw this as a mystery to solve, a puzzle to finish, and a reason to celebrate once they figure out what all this is about. As the doors of the Castle of Friendship opened, she and her friends gathered in the throne room. There, they find Princess Celestia with a lighthearted smile. She waved for each pony to take a seat in their respective spots, as she herself sat by the Cutie Map.

Once everypony had sat down, Celestia began to speak, her tone still lighthearted, but with a slight sense of urgency.

“Thank you all for coming. I know that the last few days have been fraught with worry. With Chrysalis’ defeat and thus, the collapse of her government, and now this Anomalous Zone - I cannot help but shake the feeling that my little ponies are entering a new chapter of Equestrian history.” Her eyes flickered with worry, but she remained smiling as she spoke to the Mane Six. “Your dedication has not gone unnoticed. The appearance of this Anomalous Zone is unlike anything we’ve ever encountered before in Equestria, but I am glad I have you all to help us.”

Twilight responded, with slight concern in her voice, “Princess, I’ve scoured my library for any books that may help us, and even ordered some from Canterlot to look into with no success. If we’re going to proceed, we’ll need more than just theories. We need to look at the area firsthand.”

Celestia nodded in agreement before speaking, “And that is why you are all here, my faithful Student. I was not lying when I said you all are the strongest and most capable group of ponies in Equestria. With that said, however, going hoof-first into the Anomalous Zone may not be the best of ideas. Not without careful planning.”

Rainbow Dash piped up, and everyone turned to her. “Whatever’s out there, we can handle it! Just point me in the right direction!”

Applejack raised a hoof to Rainbow Dash’s shoulder to rear back the pony’s gung-ho attitude, “Easy there, Dash. This is what the Princess is warnin’ about. We can’t go up in that Zone’s business without knowin’ what’s in there. We gotta be smart about this.”

“Applejack is right.” replied Celestia, “The Anomalous Zone’s true nature remains a mystery, and while I admire your courage Rainbow Dash, we must not underestimate the possible dangers that lie within.”

Rarity spoke up, her own worries temporarily reassured by the presence of her friends. “Princess Celestia, what exactly should be on the lookout for in our first exploration into the AAZ? Surely we’re not marching into the unknown blindly without a specific goal in mind.”

Celestia pondered a moment before responding to Rarity’s inquiry. “Your first task is reconnaissance. We will need to observe the Anomalous Zone’s magical power, especially any anomalies you might encounter. If this first expedition proves fruitful, we may be able to discover the source of the Anomalous Zone’s unusual magic in no more than a few expeditions.” With her magic, Celestia raised an all too familiar chest, and opened it, revealing the crown and necklaces the Six have worn so many times.

“I advise you all to bring the Elements of Harmony with you on your expeditions - I would hope you would not need them, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.”

“So…we’re just going to trot right into the spooky place, see what’s what, and get out?” asked Pinkie.

Celestia replied, “That is correct, Pinkie Pie. But rest assured, you will not be alone in this.” Her reply was followed by a regal chortle. Motioning a wing, she pointed to a seventh pony who sat by them, and had been for some time. The lilac mare brushed purple and blue hair out of her face with her magic as she silently ruffled through various notes. “Starlight Glimmer will join you as an additional source of magical expertise. Her knowledge of unconventional magic is invaluable to understanding the Anomalous Zone.”

Starlight Glimmer looked up when her name was called, and briefly slammed the papers neatly against the table before setting them down and addressed the group. “I’ve already begun an initial study of some of the magical fluctuations near the AAZ, at Celestia’s request.” She paused, a look of worry flashing on her face as she looked at the stack of notes, before she took a deep breath and turned back to the group. She continued, “They’re unlike any magical reading I’ve seen before. But, I believe that I can help stabilize some of the anomalies around us during our expeditions for field study. It’s risky, but I’m fully prepared to take that risk.”

Spike, too, stood up. “And I’m coming too.” He held up his hands and wiggled his fingers. “You might need claws with thumbs to, you know, carry supplies and someone to scout ahead. I can handle it.”

Fluttershy spoke to her friends, her quiet demeanor broken by a voice of concern. “I just…I just hope that we can go into the AAZ without hurting anything. The creatures that live in the Everfree; they could be affected by the magic too, right?”

Celestia nodded gravely in response to Fluttershy’s inquiry. “The Anomalous Zone’s magical effects are largely unknown, but yes, they could very well be affected. But I trust your judgment, Fluttershy. Your compassion will guide you on how to handle any potentially affected creatures, I am sure.”

Twilight looked to Celestia before speaking, “We’ll take every precaution, Princess. If we can map the AAZ’s anomalies and gather enough data, we can find a way to contain it - and even reverse its effects.”

Celestia closed her eyes, appreciative of Twilight’s optimism before addressing the group, “Thank you, my faithful student. I believe in each and every one of you and your abilities to tackle the Anomalous Zone. But please understand this, this is not like the threats we have faced before. It is not Chrysalis, it is not Tirek, or even Discord. This is something else entirely - an ethereal force that bends the very rules of reality itself. I would not send you if I believed there was another way.”

Rainbow Dash spoke up in boastful confidence, “We’ll figure it out, Princess. You can count on us!”

“Thank you, Rainbow, I always have. You all are the ever present light in times of darkness.” Celestia stood up from her spot near the map, stretching her wings as she continued, “But promise me this as you prepare for the first expedition into the Anomalous Zone: if at any point, you feel the situation is beyond your control, do not hesitate to return. This is not about heroism, it’s about research.”

She paused to let the next words she spoke carry their weight to all of the group present, “You go with my blessing. May harmony guide your steps through the unknown, and please…be careful.”

Twilight looked to her friends, then to Celestia, and nodded. “We will, Princess. We’ll bring back the answers we---”

Suddenly, Twilight’s words faltered, her eyes widened. They snapped to a new symbol that popped up above the Cutie Map. Her face tightened with confusion and unease as she interrupted her own sentence. “Wait…what is that?”

Everypony looked at the direction of the map in front of them, their eyes drawn to a symbol that hovered just above where Ponyville bordered the Everfree Forest - the location of the AAZ. It was a symbol never seen before on the map: a haunting arrangement of three jagged, sickle-like triangles each splayed out from a central black dot, like sinister blades of a warped windmill. It pulsated in a deep, sickly yellow hue that shifted and wavered. It was as though the map itself recoiled from its presence. It was sharp, angular, and alien. To the ponies there, the symbol felt wrong. It felt un-Equestrian.

Rainbow Dash leaned in on the map to get a better look at the symbol, “Is that…a cutie mark?”

Rarity responded, “It looks dreadful. What does it mean?”

Twilight shook her head in confusion, “I don’t know. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s not a Cutie Mark, that’s for sure.”

Applejack could not help but stare at the symbol’s heartbeat-like pulsing, “Looks like a bad omen from Tartarus itself.” She spoke in a low tone, this new development internally shaking her to her core, but outwardly she remained stoic.

Starlight quickly jotted down the symbol in a notebook, her curiosity piqued at the appearance of the symbol before them. She asked curiously as she finished drawing, “If the map is showing it then - does that mean the AAZ’s power is growing? Could it affect all of Equestria?”

The air became dreadful at the thought of this. Starlight managed to ask the one question that no pony present had, or wanted to know, the answer to.

Celestia quietly spoke, her tone regal and commanding as she addressed Starlight’s question. “It may reach other parts of Equestria - we simply do not know. But the AAZ appears to be contained within the Ponyville outskirts-Everfree area for now. And with what knowledge you gather in your expeditions, we can prevent its spread. We must remain cautious, my little ponies.”