Orphaned

by Limey

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Sad, Adventure
Length: 5778

Equestria. The original home of ponykind. Or is it?

Equestria. A land steeped in heritage and mystery. A land which has a rich history that spans over no less than three thousand glorious years. But what about before that? Why are the ponies of Equestria so different to the world around them? Why do they feel the need to tame the land and weather, and bend it too their will? Why is it that they fear the Everfree forest? Because it is able to exist without the need of order and harmony? Why are such concepts completely alien to their natural psyche?

What if the ponies of Equestria are not alone in the universe? What if, among the stars, others like them exist? What if their peaceful land is merely one in a thousand worlds, scattered across the cosmos?

When a strange stallion appears, clad in ornate power armor, equipped with deadly high-tech weaponry, and armed with an unshakeable faith in his so called 'Queen', one thing is for certain.

The very foundations of Equestria's origins will be shaken to the core.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-05-30 19:24:52 UTC

Foreword

-The Ancient Cosmonaut Theory-

-foreword by Dr. Strawmane Tsoukalos-

Aliens.

They have been the focus of Equestrian fiction for many generations, capturing the imaginations of both adults and foals alike. There is something about the unknown which both terrifies and excites us all.

Alien stories tell the tales of creatures from planets beyond our own who have come to our peaceful word for reasons beyond our understanding, be they benevolent or malevolent. Their physique is almost always completely foreign to our own. They might have multiple heads, insect-like antenna, they might even be a cloud of sentient gas, in the most mind boggling cases.

They always posses a level of technology far more advanced than that of our own. Ray guns, Flying saucers, automatic doors and limitless lifespan are all recurring themes in the science fiction genre.

Sometimes the author will make them skilled in powerful, strange magic, as alien to ponies as they are themselves. They may also posses an understanding of life above our own, the same way as the Zebra seem to think they do. They may even have ascended to a god-like state, able to blink everything we hold dear out of exsistance with the stamp of a hoof (or foot, or a tentacle, or a claw, as the case may be).

But what if WE are the aliens?

At first, this question seems absurd. Of course we are not the aliens. How can we be the aliens? We have lived in Equestria for longer than anypony can remember, even the Princesses. We do not posses the powerful technology and god-like understanding that extra-terrestrials from the stories do.

But before you jump to conclusions, tossing this book aside and dismissing it as merely the ramblings of a silly old gentlecolt with way to much time on his hands, let me present the facts to you.

Firstly, what other species on the face of Equestria are like us? What other creature do you know of will gain a magical marking on their flank when they learn their calling, their so-called 'special talent'? Our genes and innate magic is unlike that of any other known species on the face of the world. We have no genetic ancestors or relatives other than the Zebra, fact. I personally spent years of research on the subject and I can tell you with absolute certainty that this is 100% true. But what about the Zebra, you ask? Don't worry, I'm saving the best till last.

Most other sentient races on the planet do not see eye to eye with us psychologically either. They do not understand the way we think. They believe us to be cowards. Although I could write an essay on the subject (and any of the others I have mentioned on this page, for that matter), for the purpose of persuading you to buy this book, I will cover this in greater detail in later chapters. Instead, I will focus on the one thing that all ponies fear: The Everfree forest.

For those of you who don't know, the Everfree forest is one of the few untamed areas within Equestria, situated to the north-west of Ponyville. There, the laws of nature, rather than the laws of Canterlot are enforced. The place is rumored to be infested with all manner of terrifying predators, and it is easy for one without the blessing of flight to get lost within it forever. Ever since I was turned to stone by a Cockatrice when I was but a young colt I have had horrible nightmares about the place.

Five years prior to this book's publishing, I faced my deepest fears and led a small scientific expedition into the Everfree to try to find out the real reason why the 'dark forest' was so horrifying to ponies. It can't have just been the stories, for even ponies who have never even heard of the place tend to stay as far away from it as possible. After a week in under its canopy, taking down my thoughts, asking my companions (of which I will give a full mention at the end of the book for their bravery) what they felt, I came to a startling conclusion.

It was not the threat of the Ursa Majors or the Manticores that they feared. I made specifically sure that the candidates I picked had no prior knowledge of such creatures or the Everfree itself (they were mainly from Stallionrad, hundreds of miles north of Ponyville. It seems that the town council does not like to advertise the presence of the forest to the outside world) but simply nature itself. Unscheduled rain, falling leaves, the lack of constant light. All contributed to their phobias.

But surely, if we grew up on this planet we would be used to nature? Why do we fear the natural, the unscheduled and the unpredictable?

Since its creation, Equestria's ecosystem has been carefully maintained by the citizens that reside within it. Winter wrap-up, the running of the leaves, just to name a few of the fun but vital festivals that allow our nation to function, not to mention the weather teams that dictate the, well, weather.

Once again, this is more definitive evidence that the Ancient Cosmonaut theory must be true. That we are in fact a foreign species, trying to bring our homeworld's stability to the wild planet that we live on today. We have lost our mastery of technology to the erosion of time, but our base instincts remain. Many of the more extreme of my peers believe that the ancient equine civilization that we hailed from to be still around, just waiting for us to rediscover it. Personally, I believe such ideas to be fanciful and unrealistic.

Still not convinced? Still believe that all of this is merely a coincidence? Well, this final piece of evidence may just sway you.

You will most likely be aware of the recent (or not so, depending on time of reading) events involving the resurfacing of the ancient Crystal Empire. Of how the Elements of Harmony and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza defeated the evil King Sombra and freed the city of its terrible affliction. You will be most likely aware, or maybe even had the honor of visiting the glorious city, visiting its attractions and its friendly, upbeat crystalline residents.

Being a scholar, I jumped at the prospect of visiting the city's extensive and well stocked library, even larger than the world famous Canterlot archives, containing many rare tomes that had been lost to the wider Kingdom.

While searching for books that could aid me any way in my quest for knowledge, I stumbled across a tome that almost instantly caught my eye, in one of the more secluded sections of the library. It was laying in at the bottom of an empty bookshelf, and was falling apart at the sides. Many of its pages were gone or heavily damaged. When I inquired the librarian about it, she seemed at rather strange herself, having never even seen the book before. It was as if fate had placed it there for me to find.

Upon recovering the book for closer inspection, I found that it was well over three thousand years old (tested using magical dating techniques), way before the beginning of the classical era. The fact that a book written over three thousand years ago had even survived to the modern era is a testament to the skill (or technology) of the original makers.

Many traits of it seem completely alien to me to, suggesting off-world origin. The heavy cover was made of a solid but flexible material that is unlike anything any bookmaker has ever seen before. Also, the tome was protected by high tech locking mechanism that regrettably meant that I had to damage the cover considerably to get it open.

When I finally opened the book, I was met with a title page which read - 'Zebris Genetica'.

What is interesting is that the title is written in classic Equestrian, and it roughly translates to 'Genetics of the Zebra' in modern Equestrian. A book on Zebra genetics? How does that prove anything you may ask?

The book spoke of the great plains south of the great Macintosh hills, the ancient homeland of the Zebra tribes. Many of you may know of how this place is only habitable to the Zebra, of how almost everything thing there, from the flora to the water supply, is inimical to Ponies and highly toxic. Only the creatures that reside there are immune to it's effects, as if the place is trying to ward away outsiders.

It detailed a very complex plan of manipulating Earth Pony DNA and the DNA of a local insect known as the Zebrii ant (now extinct, however specimens can still be found preserved in resin) to create a genetic hybrid capable of surviving the hostile environment without the need of respiratory equipment or magic. If what this book is detailing is true, then I think this can go along way to explain the Zebra's also rather elusive family tree. It's certainly far more plausible than the current theory of a one night stand between a stripey ant and a drunk Earth Pony. The rest of the book was too heavily damaged for me to read, however it's clear in my mind that whatever they were trying to do with these experiments, they succeeded.

Another interesting point about this book that I insist on repeating is that it is over three thousand years old. That's a whole thousand years further back than the history books currently go. How could somepony over three thousand years ago, when the ancient ponies were using cave paintings to communicate and written language wasn't even a thought, manage to write a book, in perfect classic Equestrian, on the subject of genetics of all things. In the field of science, the concept of genetics is a relativity new concept, the double helix itself only being proved to exist by Dr Rosebud Franklin around fifty years ago. The fact that somepony was aware of it over three thousand years ago is astonishing.

Of course, if such information were to become public the implications could be massive. Relationships between our noble kingdom and the Zebra tribes could be severely damaged, not something our government would want to happen considering how dependent our economy is on trade with them (This book you hold in your hooves was published in the Griffon Kingdom, so to avoid any legal complications.) However, I am strong believer in free information, and this is vital for the acceleration of our understanding of science, our environment, and our place as a species.

If you're still reading this book, then I thank you. I thank you for being open minded enough explore avenues that would be considered absurd by the ignorant majority. Believe me, I realize how far fetched this theory sounds. I was a skeptic myself once. But maybe, just maybe if we looked beyond what we knew, and peered into the deep well of the unknown, we could find something truly amazing. Is such a thing possible? Yes, it is.

I end this foreward with a quote from Sugar-Crates, the great philosopher -

"There is only one good, knowledge and one evil, ignorance."

Shockwave

"Twilight"

"Twilight!"

"Twi-light!!!"

Twilight Sparkle closed the book she held in her forelegs. She yawned heavily and stretched her wings as beams of gentle light seeped through the crack in the curtains and onto her face. She turned slowly and groggily to the anxious form of Spike, who was tugging at the cover of her bed with his claws, his big green eyes gazing into hers with considerable concern.

"What's the matter Spike? I'm just doing a bit of midnight reading." She said. She pointed her hoof to the book that was now sitting closed on her pillow. "This book I just got in from the Griffon Kingdoms is actually really interesting, if a little far fetched."

Spike looked at Twilight hopelessly. "Twilight, it's eight o'clock in the morning. When were you planning to get some sleep?"

"Oh!" She blushed. "I guess I got a little carried away. It won't happen again Spike, I promise"

"You're lucky that isn't a Pinkie promise. Breakfast is ready downstairs. I made hay-cakes, your favorite." Sighed Spike defeatistly. He was getting very close to popping sleeping pills into her drink before she went to bed. Not that Twilight even touched it once she started reading.

The purple dragon made his way down the stairs and into the kitchen, picking up the plate of fresh hay-cakes in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other. He carried it to the table, where he placed it down in front of Twilight's empty seat. He watched as the young Alicorn carefully made her way down the stairs, finding it hard to balance with her huge new wings. She had only ascended to Alicornhood about two weeks ago from now, and despite her apparent grace during her coronation, it had been revealed that Celestia had been using her own magic to help Twilight all along.

In actual truth Twilight's unicorn body was not so accustomed to her new wings as everypony thought. She was only just regaining her ability to walk without toppling over onto one side. Flying itself was completely out of the equation for the time being, much to Rainbow Dash's disappointment. Fortunately, Twilight managed to make the descent down the stairs in one piece and trotted over to the table, where she began to down the mug of coffee.

"Hey, that's four days you've gone now without falling down the stairs!" Beamed Spike, returning from the kitchen with a bowl full of his favorite cereal, Diamond Puffs. "I think you're getting the hang of this, Twi!"

Twilight acknowledged Spike's appraisal with an incomprehensible gurgle as she continued to glug down the coffee. After a few more short seconds she placed the empty mug down on the table and made a long sighing noise as the caffeine revitalized her.

"Thanks Spike." She repeated now her muzzle wasn't submerged. "Sometimes, I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I try my best." Gloated Spike, as he lifted a spoonful of cereal to his mouth. "Hey, maybe it's time you moved onto flying!" He said in-between mouthfuls.

"Ummm, no."

"Oh come on Twilight! You've got to try sometime. I'd kill for a pair of wings like yours!"

"I will, I will! Just not...now. You saw what happened last time I tried flying lessons with Rainbow Dash!" Said Twilight. Spike giggled under his breath at the memory, which earned him an angry glare. "My point exactly."

"Speaking of Rainbow Dash, do you know how she's been coming along with her training? I hear she's been preparing some new stunts for the upcoming Apple family reunion." Twilight said, she lifted one of the hay-cakes to her mouth, the smell irresistible.

"Oh yeah! She's been coming along with her new stunts really well. She said she wanted to show you what she's got in store personally, so I've been sworn to secrecy. But let me tell you something Twi, it's really, really cool." Spike placed the spoon back into his already empty bowl. It never ceased to amaze Twilight how ravenous that dragon really was, even when he wasn't even that hungry.

"I look forward to it." Smiled Twilight as she took a bite out of her hay-cake. The taste was amazing.

"Mmmm, wow Spike, how do you cook so well?" Said Twilight, chewing slowly as to make the most of every ounce of flavor in the hay-cake.

"Well, you know what they say about dragons."

"Never give one too many gifts?"

"Oh, can you please stop going on about that? It's been at least a year now!" Huffed Spike, picking up his empty bowl and skulking out into the kitchen. Twilight giggled. Of course, Spike's giant growth spurt and attack on Ponyville hadn't been funny at the time. Those old memories seemed a lifetime ago now, and Twilight looked back to her wings uncertainly. Despite getting used to having them attached to her body, they still seemed so foreign whenever she looked at them.

"Spike? Do you really think I'm ready to be a princess?" Asked Twilight. There was a loud thump outside the tree-house and the pair were momentarily distracted before continuing their conversation.

"Of course you are, Twilight. If the princesses thinks you're ready, you can bet I do. You've really got to stop doubting yourself and just embrace it." Said Spike as he returned to the table. He might as well wait for Twilight to finish her breakfast before he began the washing up.

Twilight smiled. "Yeah, I guess you're right Spike. It just still doesn't seem real." She lifted the Hay-cake back towards her muzzle, but just before it met her watering mouth it dropped back onto the table with a splat. Spike rolled his eyes.

"Caffeine is no substitute for a good night's sleep." He said. Twilight shook her head in distress, bringing her hoof up to her forehead as waves of pain forced their way through her mind. Instantly, Spike's joking mood changed to one of concern as her realized something was wrong.

"Twilight? Twilight are you OK?"

"Augh." Moaned Twilight, wincing as more waves hit her. It felt worse than any headache she'd ever experienced before, as if her very mind was falling apart. "My head." She opened her eyes carefully, sucking in air through her teeth to show her discomfort.

"I'll get you a glass of water. You stay right there!" Said Spike as he rushed to the kitchen. He returned with a glass of clear, sparking water. "Here." He said as he held the glass towards Twilight, waiting for her to pluck it out of his claws with her telekinesis.

The glass unsteadily shook as Twilight tried to get a grip on it. It hovered towards her for a few centimeters, before it dropped to the floor and shattering, Spike jumping back in surprise.

"I don't get it." Said Twilight as the pain in her head finally began to subside. "Where's magic gone?"

"Your magic?" Asked Spike.

"Yes, it isn't there anymore!" She said, the pitch of her voice rising as she began to panic uncontrollably. "Where's it gone? Where's it gone!? I can't live without my magic!"

"Calm down Twilight! I'm sure it's just a side affect of your transformation into an Alicorn. It'll probably return in a minute." Said Spike, but he didn't sound too sure. Twilight had been pretty much dependent on her magic to do everything since she joined Celestia's magic school, the only other times she'd lost it being the poison joke incident and Discord's maze. But both those incident's had been somewhat explainable, even if the initial theory to the poison joke had been a little off. This had come without any warning whatsoever.

Twilight got up from the table quickly, knocking over her chair in the process. She rushed over to one of the bookshelves, tripping over her own hooves a couple of times on the way there.

"Come on Spike!" She she said in-between short, quick breaths, grabbing books with her hooves throwing them off the shelves. "Help me try to find that book on unicorn ailments. Oh, I wish I'd sorted out the books last night-ahhh!"

Twilight was cut short as a the flailing form of Rainbow Dash crashed through the roof and straight onto Twilight's head. As the dust cleared, Rainbow Dash was already on her hooves, albeit a little unsteady. Twilight however lay on the floor, groaning with a mixture of pain and annoyance.

"Rainbow Dash." She spluttered as she pulled her self to her hooves. "Did you really have to do that?"

"It wasn't my fault!" Rainbow Dash shook the dust out of her mane similar to the way a dog shakes it's fur to dry off. "I was having my morning flying session, practicing for my awesome stunt show in Apple family reunion when I reached your house. Since there was a stray cloud that the weather team must of missed yesterday while I was training, I decided it wouldn't hurt if I took a little nap on it. And then few seconds later I found myself falling through the cloud and onto- I mean into your tree-house!" Said Rainbow Dash. You couldn't help but admire the way she'd just fallen straight through the wooden roof of the tree-house from Celestia knows how far up and managed to act like nothing bad had happened.

"But that doesn't make any sense..." Said Twilight, sounding a little more confused than panicked as her mind frantically began to piece the information together. "Pegasus magic stops you from passing through clouds...unless..."

"Unless what?" Asked Rainbow Dash. Another crash was heard from outside, this time accompanied with a yelp of surprise.

"Spike, take a letter." Said Twilight. Spike went to grab his quill and a parchment from Twilight's desk.

"You won't be needing the quill." Said Twilight. "I just want you to send a plain parchment." Both Spike and Rainbow Dash stared at Twilight with bewilderment.

"What the hay is the point of sending the princess an empty letter?" Asked Rainbow Dash, with Spike nodding in agreement. Twilight sighed. "Just do it Spike."

Spike shot Twilight a 'If you say so' kind of look before raising the rolled up parchment to his face. He took a deep breath in, feeling his lungs fill with oxygen, and breathed out as hard as he could. However, instead of a green flame emerging from Spike's lips and engulfing the parchment in magical green fire like it would normally, all that emerged from Spike's mouth was a small cloud of soot, followed by a coughing fit.

"Aha!" Said Twilight, pushing her way past the coughing Spike. "Exactly as suspected!"

"Could've fooled me." Muttered Spike, bashing his fist against his chest. Twilight ignored him.

"Err, for those of us who it ain't too obvious to, do you mind explaining?" Asked Rainbow Dash.

"Well, it's very simple really-"

"Not in egghead language." Interrupted Rainbow Dash quickly. Twilight snorted.

"Well, magic helps me to do stuff with my horn, right?"

"Right."

"Magic helps you to fly right and walk on clouds, right?"

"Right. But it's mostly down to skill."

"Whatever. And magic is what helps Spike send letters and friendship reports to Princess Celestia. Right?"

"Oh, I get it..." Said Rainbow Dash, nodding slowly. "So all the magic is gone?"

"Exactly. Well, of course there's more to it than that, but in the most basic sense you're spot on." Said Twilight, beaming.

"Twilight, you don't seem too worried about all this." Said Spike. He hopped onto a table and began to peer out the window.

"Well, you'd be right. For one it shows that it isn't any fault of my own that I can't use my magic, which is a big relief. Secondly, it shows- "

"Twilight, the town." Deadpanned Spike. As if on cue, another loud thump was heard outside, followed by another howl of pain.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash ran to the front door and flung it open.

Ponyville was a mess. Everyday objects such as hair brushes, apples, and fruit juice cartons littered the ground where they had fallen from the grasp of Unicorn telekinesis, the Unicorns themselves looking down upon them with great confusion. The town clock tower, which had been under major repairs due to a recent incident involving the crusaders now once again lay in ruins, the combined removal of Unicorn magic and the Pegasi holding temporary supports in place proving to much for the delicate repair operation. Pegasi lay everywhere, limp and moaning in pain as Earth ponies flocked round them to try and offer some sort of help. At first, it seemed that the Earth ponies were unaffected, however this was not the case.

Many Earth ponies who happened to have been carrying things had fallen to the ground under their weight, the Earth Pony magic that had given them the extra strength they needed now absent. Big Macintosh lay in the middle of the road outside Twilight's tree-house, panting in exhaustion. He was hitched up to a cart full of red apples, fresh from Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was sat by her brother's side, trying to sooth him. However, it was evident from her expression she was far from relaxed herself. She beckoned over Twilight, Dash and Spike.

"Twilight! All the magic's gone!" She called. "Poor Big Mac's been half-crushed!" She said, pointing down to the large red stallion with her hoof. He was in a sorry state, his face matted with sweat.

"Ee...yup." He managed.

"It seems to be happening with everypony." Said Twilight, looking around the town in dismay. Applejack took her gaze from Big Mac and looked around too.

"Hell, I didn't notice that. Guess I wus per-occupied with mah brother's safety. What a mess."

"Have you seen the others?" Asked Rainbow Dash.

"Can't say I have." She said, pushing her hat up with her hoof. "You guy's are right, this thing seems heavier than it used to be." Rainbow Dash couldn't help but snigger a little.

"Hey, ah didn't say it wus that heavy. Just Heavier!" Barked Applejack, stressing the end of the last word.

"Cut it out you two!" Shouted Twilight, glaring at them. "This is serious! Dash is right though, we need to find the others as fast as we can. Maybe Celestia has some idea what's going on."

"Woah, guys?" Said Rainbow Dash.

"We need to get to Canterlot as quickly as possible." Said Twilight, ignoring Rainbow Dash. She wanted to get this explained quickly before anymore interruptions. "Does anypony know if the trains are running?"

"Guys, help!" Said Rainbow Dash, sounding worried. Twilight groaned and turned back to Rainbow Dash, who was hovering in midair.

"Good thinking Dash! You can fly to the station and...wait, what?" She said, as she and the others watched Dash in surprise.

"I'm not doing anything! They're beating all by themselves!" Panicked Rainbow Dash as her wings began to beat faster and faster. "I can't control them!"

"Who-o-oooaaa!"

Spike, Applejack and Twilight spun round to see Big Mac. The huge stallion was now on his feet, and galloping faster than was even thought possible, the apple cart he was hitched up to taking off behind him.

"What's going on?!" Cried Applejack, giving chase to Big Mac. "Big Mac, come baaaaaaaaaaaaack!" Trailed off Applejack as she too broke into an uncontrollable subsonic gallop, disappearing into the main town leaving an orange blur behind her. Next to Twilight and Dash, Spike began to belch green fire everywhere.

"Twilight! *FWOOSH* Rainbow Dash! *FWOOSH* Help! *FWOOSH*"

"Everypony's magic is coming back!" Explained Twilight. Around the town, she could see the stunned Pegasi taking off like rockets, knocking back the Earth ponies gathered around them. Sparks flew everywhere as unicorns tried in vain to control the amount of raw magic flowing through their horns, and Earth ponies raced around the town with amazing speed, their legs merely a bur to the naked eye.

"Oh, I can feel a s-sonic r-rainboom coming on!" stuttered Rainbow Dash, as her body shook and vibrated with raw energy. Her blurred wings were glowing with heat.

"Get down!" Cried Twilight, grabbing Spike's fire spewing head and throwing them both to the ground. She shoved his face into the dirt so no more flames could be released.

SHWOOOSH!

Twilight felt an intense rush of heat pass over her head as Rainbow Dash took off like a space rocket, leaving a vibrant trail of multicolored light in her wake. A deafening explosion made Twilight cover her ears as Rainbow Dash sonic rainboomed, but she still kept going, higher and higher until she was no longer visible. Another quieter explosion and burst of faint light signified that she'd rainboomed again.

Twilight pulled herself to her feet, still holding one hoof under Spike's jaw.

"Spike, run." She whispered through haggard breaths. She could feel the build up of magic in her horn.

Spike didn't need any more instruction than that. As Twilight let go of her assistant's jaw, the dragon ran as fast as his little stubby legs could carry him, burping up green flame every few seconds.

Twilight lowered her head in pain as she felt the magic in her horn build up to almost uncontrollable levels. She wanted to buy Spike as much time as she could before she let loose, but she well knew that if she tried to hold it in for to long, her horn could shatter, or even worse.

"Ahh-AHH!" She cried in pain as raw magical power flowed through her body as she reached almost bursting point.

There was a giant explosion of purple fire as Twilight released the magical build up in her horn. Sparks of white energy flew everywhere, casting randomised spells on everything they touched, and strong winds whipped around her glowing form, pulling in any litter unfortunate enough to be in range. As they entered the hurricane-like winds, they instantly combusted from the raw heat radiating from Twilight, who was now screaming in intense pain. As the winds finally subsided, they were thrown out in every direction, setting fire to the grass, the tree-house, and anything else unfortunate enough to be nearby.

When the dust finally settled, A steaming Twilight was laying limp in the middle of the road, which had warped and melted under the intense heat. Pockets of purple fire still burned strong in the grass and the tree house. A purple and green dog ran up to her and began pawing at her stomach, ignoring the heat.

"Woof!"

Twilight groaned, and pulled herself to her hooves. Despite everything she'd just been through, she seemed to have gotten away with just a singed mane. She looked down at the dog.

"Sorry Spike. I held off for as long as I could."

The dog grumbled and then barked loudly.

"Look on the bright side." She said, enveloping the dog in her characteristic lavender glow. "It looks like my magic's back to normal." The dog nodded thoughtfully.

There was a flash of light and the dog was gone. In his place was Spike.

"Twilight!"

Twilight turned to see Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy racing towards her. Fluttershy was struggling to carry a dazed Rainbow Dash in her hooves. Rarity ran up to Spike and gave him a long cuddle.

"Oh my Spikey-wikey, are you alright?"

"I am now." Smiled Spike happily.

"I found Rainbow Dash outside my cottage." Said Fluttershy bluntly. Rainbow Dash groaned as she was lowered gently to the ground. "Do you think she'll be alright?"

"She'll be fine, Fluttershy."

"Yeah...I'm sure she'll be...fine." Puffed Pinkie Pie. Twilight winced. If Pinkie Pie was puffed out, then only Celestia knows what she'd been like when the magic had returned. She wouldn't be surprised if Sugarcube Corner was no longer standing. She looked around the ruined town. She'd thought Ponyville had looked bad before, it was nothing compared to what it looked like now. Small fires were everywhere, and litter and rubble coated the streets.

"Twilight, you look awful." Said Rarity. "Are you sure your alright yourself?"

"Yes, I'm fine Rarity."

"Speaking of fine, did you guys see that?!" Said Rainbow Dash, jumping off the ground and hoof pumping the air, seemingly recovered from her 'fall'.

"See what?"

"That Double Rainboom! Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh tell me you guys saw it! It was awesome!"

"Sorry Rainbow." Said Twilight, scratching the back of her head with her hoof. "I only really saw it out of the corner of my eye, I was kind of pre-occupied." The others nodded too.

"Sorry darling."

Rainbow Dash said nothing, letting her disappointed face do the talking for her.

"Oh look, there's Applejack!" Squeaked Fluttershy, breaking the silence and pointing towards the center of town. Sure enough, Applejack was running towards them.

"Hey Applejack! Uh, where's Big Mac?" Asked Twilight. Applejack sighed.

"Stuck in the side of the school building. Miss Cheerilee said she'd look after him while I went off to meet the princesses with you guys."

"We're going off to meet the princesses? Oh, goody!" Beamed Pinkie Pie.

"Of course we're going off to meet the princesses! We need to talk to them about this. Who knows what this could mean?" Said Twilight.

"What about the town? Shouldn't we stay and help?"

"I'm sure they'll do fine without us Applejack, solving this mystery will be of more help in the long term anyway." Twilight looked down towards Spike. "Spike, you stay here and look after the tree-house."

"Aww, what?" Protested Spike.

"Sorry Spike, but I need somepony to put out that fire." She said, pointing to the fire that was slowly spreading through the leaves of the tree-house. "Thankfully, I did look forward to such an occasion and put a fire resistance spell on the tree, but it won't stop it for good."

"Yes Ma'am." Said Spike, trudging back towards the tree-house.

"Thanks Spike, you're the best" Said Twilight, before breaking out into a trot towards the direction of the train station, the others following. "Does anypony know if the trains are still running?"

"Ah don't see why they shouldn't be." Said Applejack. "Trains are mostly run by Earth Ponies anyway, and we don't seem as affected by this as you Unicorn and Pegasi."

"Where's Big Mac again?" Snarked Rainbow Dash.

"As. Affected." Stressed Applejack.

The six made their way through the town, taking in the sheer scale of destruction on the way there. Windows were smashed, roofs caved in and junk lay everywhere, as if a tornado had passed through the town. Many of the townsfolk flocked around the ruined clock-tower, shaking their heads. Others stood in a huge queue outside the hospital, which simply wasn't built for the amount of casualties that needed medical attention, the injured ponies gazing mournfully at the mane six as they trotted passed. It worried Twilight greatly how dependent on magic pony society really was. What if this happened again, but permanently?

After what seemed like hours walking through the desolate town, they arrived at the train station. Thankfully, it seemed relatively unscathed compared to the rest of the town.  A passenger train waited on the tracks, filled to the brim with panicking ponies who, despite the fact the disaster was over, still felt the need to evacuate the town.

"ALL ABOARD!"

"Jes' like ah said." Leered Applejack at Rainbow Dash. Dash stuck out her tongue in response.