All is normal in Equestria, life is simply goes as it always has, only with the Elements of Harmony helping Princess Celestia safeguard the safety of Equestria's subject. Life couldn't seem to get any more grand, Nightmare Moon was finally defeated and Luna restored, Discord has been surprisingly tamed, the Changelings lay defeated and scattered, and the Crystal Empire is ruled over by the gentle and Equestria-friendly hoof of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. But unknown to the ponies of Equestria, or even to the Princesses, is a threat that is gathering to Equestria's south, a threat that has not been seen since Equestria first came under the rule of Celestia, a threat that is even greater than anything Nightmare Moon, Discord, and Queen Chrysalis could ever hope to be. A threat that when it last reared its head, plunged Equestria in such turmoil that even after it was banished it caused problems by leading to the rise of Discord, Sombra, and Nightmare Moon. But nopony knows this threat even exists, nor even know it ever did, all but Celestia and Luna, but even they think this threat died long ago... Behind every history story, there lays two things, the truth, and what the victor said, and sometimes, the truth can be a whole lot more terrible than was ever made out to be... (Alright guys, remember the rules, and act as if you are going about your daily lives. I shall take care of the progression of the plotline, all you have to do is react to what circumstance I put you in. Remember, no one knows about the coming threat to Equestria.)
Intrude didn't like Ponyville. Oh, it wasn't like there was no love there. Everypony has a little affection of the place where they grew up, but the place was so... boring. She walked down the street, brother trailing behind, and waited for him to catch up.
Snow Mark looked out the window of her simple two story house much like all the other ones in Ponyville to the garden in her front yard. She definitely wasn't your typical Canterlot-raised CEO unicorn in charge of a huge powerful company, she usually spent most of her time gardening, relaxing, or simply giving away her money to charities and random ponies on the street, after all, it's not like she was going to use it, so why keep it? She sighed contently and looked back to the letter she had been reading from her sister in the Royal Guard. Snow hadn't seen Dark since the Changeling Invasion of Canterlot, but she always heard about what she was doing to bolster security with a minimal visibility ideal in mind and how Canterlot was now the safest city in Equestria for any event because of her work and Celestia's lenience towards her actions because of the Changeling Invasion. "I'll see ya soon little Dark." she muttered to the letter before getting up, after all, it was a beautiful day outside, why not walk around town?
Quickstar gazed around casually at the town that was to be his home for the next year. He'd been meaning to take a sabbatical from Celestia's School, and finally decided that Ponyville would be an interesting enough place to do so. After all, there seemed to be a disaster here every week, and there was sure to be enough mystery and excitement to keep him occupied if the trend continued. He arrived at the house he was renting, unhitching himself from the wagon and starting to bring his belongings in. Some books, a few knick-knacks, a couple bags of bits, and several other personal belongings he didn't want to leave in Canterlot for an entire year.
Kleft rose out of his bed, smacking his lips together and tasting that familiar morning breath. He dropped out of his bed and groaned, sliding across the floor to grab a drink of something with caffeine in it. After downing whatever he had premade from last night, he wiped his mouth and stepped outside, basking in the light of the moon above. Lunar Island's moon had to be the most beautiful thing on the planet. Oh Luna, he thought. If only you weren't such a crazy witch, eh? If only... He trotted along the dirt path by the beach and took a deep whiff of the saltwater lapping upon the shores. The smell always made him feel thirsty, which probably made it counterproductive to do. He continued past to the house of the Chancellor and saluted at the guard outside. "I'll be taking duty now, you may leave." The guard looked him over and nodded before walking away. As Kleft took his post, he felt his stomach rumble and frowned. Forgetting to eat breakfast was one way to start the day.
Dreamer stood on the roof of his house, looking up into the sky. "Today is the day I fly without wings and magic! I can feel it!" he said out loud to no one in particular. He jumped up and closed his eyes, only to come crashing down into a hay pile. Dreamer quickly took off, not feeling like hearing his neighbor rant at him about the hay pile for the third time this week. 'I was so sure I had would get it this time... there was so much in my favor... oh well, its still possible, someday.' He thought to himself as he slowed down, sure he was outside of his neighbor's field of vision.
Tyler decided to take a stroll into town. When he got to town he decided to grab something to eat so he went to Sugarcube Corner.
After several hours, Quickstar finally finished unpacking his things. The books were on the shelf, the sheets were on the bed, and his magical workroom had been set up with all his tools and personal projects, and had 10 layers of passive shielding placed upon it. After all, every research unicorn knew that the workroom should be the most heavily shielded room in a house to ensure any accidents were kept contained. Still, raw power had never been Quickstar's specialty, and he was ready for some rest and food. He remembered passing a bakery called Sugarcube Corner on the way into town, so after tossing a few bits into his saddlebag, he went off to grab a meal and relax.
Snow walked through Ponyville, just generally enjoying her walk, then she noticed Sugarcube Corner. She instantly froze, that beyond insane pink pony that lived there, Pinkie Pie, always tried to do two things with Snow: Get Snow to cook some of her special White Hope cupcakes, and just smother her in conve-no, not conversation, just constant blathering from her. "I think today's a market day." She said to herself before madly dashing away from Sugarcube Corner and that pink maniac.
As Quickstar approached the bakery, he saw a pony hastily walking down the street and instantly noticed two things about her. First, there was what he usually called 'the manner born'. It mostly had to do with how a pony held themselves, the rigidness of their back, the straightness of their neck. It was an unconscious thing, but it was something he was familiar with from his dealings with the Canterlot elite that tended to be a sign of nobility. However, her pose seemed to lack the arrogance that usually accompanied it, so what exactly it meant had yet to be seen. And the second thing he noticed was that she was moving with great purpose in the opposite direction of Sugarcube Corner. Hmm...I wonder what has her so nervous about that bakery, he thought before heading inside. After a few seconds, an enormous drawn-out gasp was heard from within the structure. A couple minutes after that, Quickstar emerged carrying a slice of cake and a cup of tea, eyes glazed over, and sat down at the nearest table to collect his wits. For the first time in years, he had difficulty fully comprehending something he had just experienced. All he knew was that he had somehow become friends with a pink blur that spouted words like a geyser. Deciding it was better to think about it later, Quickstar decided to relax, enjoy his purchase, and watch the ponies walking by.
As Dreamer walked through town trying to avoid any largely populated areas, he eventually found himself at one of the usually crowded restaurants, Sugarcube corner. He glanced over the crowd, making sure it was clear of anyone he agitated the week before, and noticed someone who stood out. 'Is that one of the people from my dream... no... well, there's a 50-50 chance...' he thought to himself, starting to debate whether he should approach the new pony.
Intrude watched Snow. "March, look." she said, gesturing. She watched Snow pause, and face Sugarcube Corner, then run in fear. Barely containing a laugh, she saw a confused colt go in, only to come back obviously very... Pinkie Pie'd. She couldn't hold it in. She erupted in low laughter. It wasn't like her to laugh so heartily, but March joined in, giggling, despite not really knowing what was going on.
Quickstar noticed the young fillies laughing at him, and given the expression he was probably wearing when he walked out of the bakery, he couldn't really blame them. Chuckling along with them, he called "Excuse me miss, do you think you could help explain to me just what happened in there? I'm not sure I can do it on my own, and you certainly seem to understand."
She walked up to him. "I assume you just met Pinkie Pie? Bright Pink pony, speaks like.." she changed her tone to be very high, and excited. "Ohmygosh! Hi! I'mPinkiePie!It'sjustsonicetomeetyou!WhatcanIgetyoutoday?Wouldyoulikeachimmycherrychonga?" She looked at him expectantly.
"That fairly accurately describes what I just experienced, although there was something in there too about parties and me being new in town...It's still a bit fuzzy, I'm afraid. I take it that's a fairly common occurrence around here?"
"She's a party pony with little concern for other's sanity. But you'll be fine. My name's Intrude Cranium, and my brother is March. What's yours?"
"Professor Quickstar, a pleasure to meet you." He reached out a hoof to her. "I'm taking a year off from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns to rest and do research, and I decided to come here to do it." He noticed her brain cutie mark, and made an educated guess that her talent had some scholastic or scientific aspect to it. "Say, do you happen to know a pony named Twilight Sparkle?"
'Okay, both of them were in my dream. no way.' Dreamer looks around nervously contemplating how to approach the two ponies he'd never met, but seen in his dream.
"Twilight? Yeah, she lives in the library. She's best friends with Pinkie, actually, but I find her much more... civilized." she said, shaking to hoof.
