Author's Notes:

Here it is everypony! Episode one of season one! Let me begin by saying that as I've said before, this is my first MLP fan fiction, and I am doing it in an unusual style. So it may not be my best work, but in the end I will not post anything unless I am proud of how it turns out. This first episode begins the actual story. It connects to the prologue in a few ways, but is meant to go out on it's own as well. I was going to post the two part season premier together, but due to some time constraints and all, I could only get episode one up today (1/10/13). So episode two will be posted next Friday, once again by 6pm. I hope you all enjoy this, as I have enjoyed writing it. Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day.

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5 Years Ago
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The alluring Equestrian sun brightly shines in the center of the noontime sky as the bustling Ponyville Marketplace rings out with overwhelming excitement and jubilance. Ponies of all ages and colors have come out to shop for the freshest foods in all of Ponyville, home grown by the world famous farm families of the land. Amongst these excited ponies perusing the stands is one quiet, yellow mare. A small hand-woven basket held tight in her mouth, she slowly passes through, trying to slip past the everyday ponies without being noticed. However, her triple butterfly cutie mark is quickly recognized, and captures the attention of all around.

Her name is Fluttershy. She is the last remaining member of six destined ponies from ten long years ago who wielded the Elements of Harmony and protected Equestria from numerous threats. And it's been these ten years since she last left her house for any reason. She had fallen into a deep depression following the mortifying loss of her friends, crippling her into becoming a recluse. Many other ponies would do their best to help her get whatever she needed, but never did they ever see her face to face, nor even speak to her once.

Every time one would come to visit the shy young mare, they'd be met with either a note or a grocery list. They were glad to help her get what she needed, but felt sorrowful that she was in such a state. When they brought food to her door, they were greeted by her pet Angel Bunny, who would take the food in and slam the door behind him. Eventually, less and less ponies came. Only a certain few kept up the help, and even they are getting tired of it. Naturally, everypony believed her to never leave her house again. So it comes to no surprise that they stop and stare in shock and awe as she shyly walks through the market.

"Miss....Miss Fluttershy?" a voice calls out to her through the enthusiastic murmurs of the crowd. The shy pony flinches in fear and unease, cautiously turning her neck to look behind her. Standing there is a pegasus pony with a faded purple coat. Her dark purple mane is beautifully styled, and a headband adorns the center of it. Sapphire eyes shine from her face, along with a smile of kindness and joy. Standing nervously behind her is a dark blue pegasus filly, hair striped in black and gold.

Stuttering for a moment, Fluttershy squeaks out and turns away, trying to ignore the ponies as she continues on. However, the two of them begin to follow her, which only increases her unease and fear. What could they possibly want with her? She only wanted to get some food for Angel Bunny, not talk to anyone or anything. Soon she realizes though that they aren't going to give up, and she turns around to face the followers, quietly asking them why they're following her.

The older of the ponies brightens up instantaneously, eyes glimmering with exuberance, as she rushes forth, asking, "Don't you remember me? It's me, Grace Storm. I was Rarity's apprentice ten years ago before her death. I run the Carasoul Boutique now."

Fluttershy is taken aback by the sudden outburst, but smiles out of kindness. She remembers Grace now, but it's been so long she just didn't recognize her. Back when Grace was just a filly, Rarity took her under her wing. The beautiful ivory pony had been looking for an apprentice for a long time. She had considered Coco Pommel at first, but she had become quite the fashionista herself back in Manehattan.

It was during one of her shows that she met Grace, a self-proclaimed super fan. Rarity instantly knew that this young filly would be her apprentice, since Sweetie Belle had no interest in clothing design. After that, Rarity taught Grace everything she knew, and then some. When she died, Grace was heartbroken, but she decided to become the best she could in order to make Rarity proud. Years later she would reopen the Carasoul Boutique and honor her mentor's memory in the most beautiful of ways.

"I never expected to see you out here," Grace exclaims, hugging Fluttershy tightly, "It's been so many years since the last time you left your cottage. Some of us were worried you might not even be alive in there, and we were just running errands for Angel."

As Grace says the word "alive", Fluttershy begins to sulk, tearing up as she falls to the ground. Instantly realizing her mistake, Grace comforts the sorrowful pony and lifts her back up, embracing her in a loving and comforting hug. She releases a minute later, and introduces Fluttershy to her younger sister Star Rider, who is still hiding behind her and trying to avoid direct eye contact.

"You know Miss Fluttershy," Grace warmly says with a smile, "she reminds me of you and your friends from back in those days. It was actually her that spotted you. She got so excited. She idolizes what you all did in the past. Hearing all of your stories, from your defeat of Nightmare Moon to even that time when you stopped the return of the Crystal Empire's former dictator, King Sombra. It seems she's a bit shy right now though. I guess it's because you're actually right here in front of her."

Quietly peering around Grace, Fluttershy meets eyes with the young filly that's been watching her. Star grows red and squeaks as she hides further behind her older sister. After some gentle coaxing from Grace, she proceeds to slowly step out into the view of the mare she idolizes. Looking at the little filly, she sees something she hadn't in such a long time. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and in the soul of this Star Rider, though she can't quite explain why or how, Fluttershy can see hope. Something about her puts this shy pony at ease, and for the first time in many years, she's no longer sad or angry. Everything is alright again, and so with a gentle smile, the pony bearing the spirit of the Element of Kindness greets the filly. Her decision to come out today was no mere conscious thought, it was destiny.

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Current Day
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The front door of the Carasoul Boutique loudly swings open with a thunderous crash. One by one, boxes of all shapes and sizes, filled with many different types of things, are thrown out haphazardly onto the front porch. A muscular brown stallion stands there and smiles as he begins to load the boxes onto a moving cart along with everything else that's already on it. Two more stallions come from the front of the cart, having just finished securing a couch, and go to assist him. Back inside of the building, a dark blue mare with black and gold hair wipes the sweat from her brow as she finishes throwing the last of her boxes out.

The day has finally arrived. Star Rider is moving out of her sister's house and is going out into the world to be on her own. This is a day she's been awaiting for so long now. And it isn't that she doesn't love her sister, it's just that she doesn't want to be under her care and protection forever. She wants to be able to take care of herself for the first time in her life; to be a responsible young mare. However, while she's more than ready for this huge adventure, her sister sees things quite differently. Trotting up, Grace Storm approaches her younger sister with teary eyes. This is a day she's been dreading.

"Are...are you absolutely sure about this Star? Can't you stay for one more year?"

"You said that last year sis," Star sighs, bringing her hoof up and resting it on her forehead, "and if I did, then you'd just say the same thing next year too. I want to do this. I NEED to do this." She notices that Grace begins to sob as she says this, so with a smile she places a hoof gently around her older sister's neck and adds, "You've always been there for me since mom and dad died, Grace. You watched over me and made sure I always had family to come home to. Even though we'll no longer be in the same house, I promise that I'll always be there for you, sis. We'll always be family."

"O...ok," Grace quietly replies with a warm smile, pulling the young mare into a bone-shattering hug. Despite her sister's unbelievable strength, Star manages to push her way out of the embrace, and smile as she shakes her head. She then reaches her muzzle back and into the saddlebag she's wearing, pulling out a green flier which she gives over to her sister. It advertises the upcoming Flankspeare play that's coming to the Ponyville Playhouse tomorrow night, MacHoof. She assures her sister that no matter what, they're still going together tomorrow, and she'll even spend the entirety of the day with her.

"By the way, did you ever get that big order finished for the toad guy?" Star asks, changing the subject to something she knows will cheer her sister up. And it works. Tears drying at the mention of the order, Grace smiles and laughs a little.

"Star, his name is Sir Frog Finest, not Toad. He's a very important client from Canterlot. But yes, I did complete his order. He picked it up just yesterday while you were at work. He simply loved his outfit for the Gala. Some of my finest work if I do say so myself. Lady Rarity would be proud!"

Chuckling to herself, Star rolls her eyes. Grace has always been this way, very proper and polite. She's always referred to her late mentor with the title of Lady. She even does the same thing with their good friend Fluttershy. Always calling her Miss and everything. To be honest, Star can't understand it. It's not like they're princesses or anything. She finds it a bit annoying, but in the end it's just part of what makes Grace who she is. So with one last hug, Star heads out of the open door of her sister's house, but only until Grace stops her once again.

"Wait Star, I forgot about something! Miss Fluttershy was looking for you. She didn't tell me why, but she seemed rather sad for some reason."

"Oh...well, that's understandable, considering what day it is," Star solemnly tells her sister, head lowering and staring sadly at the floor below, a new sorrow brought to the forefront of her mind. Looking curiously at her sister, Grace decides not to push any further. Instead she just wishes her sister the best of luck in the real world, and tells her to send word when she gets all settled in. Once again, Star rolls her eyes, but agrees to oblige to this simple request as she walks out the doors of the Carasoul Boutique. Standing there are the group of stallions, already hitched to the cart and ready to go. However, now Star has something much more important to take care of before she can even consider going to her new home.

"Hey guys," she says to them as she walks up and hands them each a few bits for their troubles, "thank you so much for all your help. Can you take this all to the new house without me for now? I just remembered that there's something I have to do first. My best friend Bri should be there though. She'll help you guys unload and get everything in. I'll get you all some snacks for afterwards as thanks for all the help."

"Of course, we'll see you there then," the lead stallion tells her before they run off with the cart, leaving the young mare standing there deep in thought. Her smile slowly fades and a singular tear falls from her eyes as she begins to walk in the opposite direction towards the rightfully forbidden Everfree Forest. She's heard the tales of the creatures who live in it. Manticores, cockatrices, even timberwolves. She doesn't even want to imagine what would happen if she ever entered those dark trees. It terrifies her to even consider such a horrible thing.

Trotting on, she changes the focus of her mind to that of what happened three years back, and why this day of all days is so hard for Fluttershy. Of course, it's hard for everypony who happened to know Angel Bunny. His death was sudden and unexpected, which made it so heartbreaking for Fluttershy and everyone else who considered him a friend. Unfortunately it's true that bunnys only live for about twelve years on average. By those standards, Angel lasted a lot longer than he should have. It must have been the love from Fluttershy that propelled him to continue on past his time. He was a strong little bunny.

Star makes her way to Fluttershy's cottage, but quickly realizes that the quiet mare isn't home. So she continues onward, and soon enough arrives at the gates to the Ponyville Pet Cemetery, which Fluttershy herself sanctioned. It's only about two hundred feet from the front gate of the cottage, so it's easy for her to visit it at any time she wishes. She tends to be there a lot these days. Whether it's to visit Harry Bear, Avery the Squirrel, or even Angel, she's always mourning the loss of one of her many friends.

Standing there at the front gate of the cemetery, Star looks out and sees Fluttershy seated among the grave stones, in front of a specific rabbit-shaped one with the words "An Angel Who Has Earned His Wings Rests Now In Heaven". Stepping up, Star takes a seat beside her friend and pulls a carrot from her saddlebag, placing it in front of the tombstone as she too cries tears of bitter sorrow. Looking over, Fluttershy sees her young friend smiling back at her, and gently smiles herself as she unfolds her wing and pulls Star in with it. Her eyes are reddened from all the crying, but she seems overjoyed for her friend to have come to be with her in this time. They embrace, and the older mare thanks her young friend for coming.

"Of course. I miss him too. We all do."

"You know Star," Fluttershy quietly says as she looks into the sky, "you're one of the only ponies I have been able to truly feel comfortable around since the incidents fifteen years ago. Since all my friends either died or disappeared, I've just felt disconnected from everypony else. Then, five years back, destiny pulled me out of my cottage and I met you."

"You've told me before that I remind you of all your old friends. What were they really like? Do the stories do them justice?"

This question seems to turn Fluttershy's mood right around. Her head drops and she begins to mope. Tears fall to the grass below, and the mare refuses to speak any further. Star understands, so she drops the subject. This is obviously something that Fluttershy is still not ready to fully discuss. It's too hard for her to remember them like that. So, looking back at the grave marker, Star smiles and remembers a joke her sister had once told her. She doesn't know if it's quite appropriate right now, but hopes that maybe it'll cheer her friend up anyways, even if just a little.

"You know, when my parents died, Grace told me that if I wished hard enough, I could make their tombstones come to life. She told me that they'll run away in the middle of the night, and then in the morning they'll have returned and be decorated with the most beautiful of flora."

Fluttershy begins to laugh and shake her head as she asks the young mare, "Whoever heard of a living tombstone?"

The two share a great laugh, and Fluttershy once again thanks Star for coming and supporting her during this hard time, and for also cheering her up in the midst of all this sorrow. Star shakes her head and tells Fluttershy that she wants to thank her for thinking of her today and wanting her to join her at the gravesite to honor Angel's memory. Smiling, the two just sit there for a moment, taking a moment of silence for their fallen friend, and all else who have left them in the past. Star then smiles and hugs her friend again before climbing to her hooves and telling her that she unfortunately has to go.

"I'm moving out today, and I have to get to the new house so I can help Bri and the stallions unload everything. I'm holding a party to break the new house in though. It's next week and you're definitely invited. Pound and Pumpkin will be catering it, so you know it's gonna be good."

In the north-west end of town, far away from the pet cemetery, a small but beautifully built house stands. A white picket fence surrounds it and a small garden sits beside the front porch. A couple trees sit in the yard, providing some great shady spots for relaxation. The front door of the house is wide open, propped by a rock so that the movers don't have to keep opening and closing it. The stallions themselves are carrying a few boxes into the house, and along with them is a wild looking young mare with a light blue coat and thick hair of pink and purple. She wears a dark blue outfit with red designs that appears to be made of a loose and breathable material.

The strength of this little mare is unbelievable. As she walks backwards into the house, she balances a heavy chair on her back while at the same time pulling a large wheeled table, on which sits about six boxes, by a single rope in her mouth. She brings it all in and sets everything up the best she can, a grin spread across her face as she wipes the sweat from her brow. An audible laugh escapes her as she heads back out and returns to continue helping.

As she returns to the cart, ready to carry more in, a voice begins to call out to her. She turns her head to see her friend running towards her from the south-east. She laughs again and rushes out to meet Star half-way. The two reach each other within record time and embrace with laughter and joy. It's been a long while since the last time they saw each other after all. So, stepping back, Star smiles and asks her, "How was the trip to Mustangia, Bri? Have fun? Meet anypony new?"

"Oh, it was bloody brilliant!" Bri replies with a loud, booming laugh, "I 'aven't had this much fun in a long time! It was definitely a lot better than Manehattan for sure! But I swear to ya Star. There was this barmy bird there. Her eyes were all screwy and all. But enough about that, it's fantastic to see you again!"

Briance Happer is an adventurous young mare with a wild, carefree attitude. She came to Ponyville about five years ago from Trottingham. It happened shortly after Star and Grace met Fluttershy at the market. Bri is known for sometimes leaving her home for weeks and weeks at a time just so that she can travel to different parts of Equestria for the sheer adventure of it. She always packs light, and goes for the journey, not the destination. One time she even went to the Tenochtitlan Basin and ended up meeting the famous A.K. Yearling herself. Of course, Bri was more interested in exploring the mysteries of the vast forests than talking to an author.

Star actually met her completely by chance. She was on her way home from work one day when the energy-filled mare nearly ran her over. They talked for a short time, as Bri was on her way out of town at the time, and they found that they have a lot in common with each other. For example, both of them adore the stories of the six legendary ponies from fifteen years ago. However, Star shares equal respect for all of them. Bri seems to hold the most love for the former owner of the Element of Laughter, Pinkie Pie. And though she's embarrassed to admit it, it's actually why she began traveling in the first place.

Bri has this belief that if she travels to every known part of Equestria, all of the unknown parts, and everywhere beyond, she'll eventually find the pink party pony who ran away fifteen years ago and hasn't been seen or heard from since. She dreams of one day locating and meeting her hero, and honestly, Star can hardly blame her. Eventually, Bri had gained a love for adventuring itself, and though she definitely hasn't forgotten about her search for Pinkie, she now tries to focus on enjoying herself instead. Hoping and believing that if and when destiny wills it, she'll find Pinkie when the time is right.

"Mustangia itself was brill! I tell ya mate, you need to go with me one of these days! An adventure with you at my side would be fantastic! I haven't explored Hollow Shades yet, or Saddle Arabia. Ooh, maybe we could go to the Frozen North and do some exploration there, what do ya say!?"

"I say we focus on this right now," one of the stallions suddenly grunts, capturing the attention of the two mares. They laugh as they continue to help unload the cart and get all of Star's things inside. They can worry about the specific arrangements of everything later. Right now their only mission is to get everything into the house. As the two continue to assist the stallions, Bri suddenly brings up the big play going on tomorrow, and mentions the specific star of the production, Sevulva Star, who is set to arrive in Ponyville sometime today.

"But there's also that mare playing Lady MacHoof," Star says with excitement, "I heard she portrays the character wonderfully! She's said to be the most beautiful stage actress in all of Canterlot you know."

"Oh, I know love. I've heard the stories too," Bri laughs as she pulls in Star's couch by herself. With the two of them helping the stallions, they finish unloading the cart fairly quickly. A hard days work completed in such a short time. As promised, Star goes to one of her boxes and pulls out party bowls she made especially for the movers this morning. Filled with fresh vegetables and fruits, there's an amazing assortment. She gives each of the stallions a bowl, then hands one to Bri as well. She takes one for herself last, wishing to make sure there's enough for everypony else first.

Smiling, the young mares go to the front porch to rest, and take a seat on the chairs set up specifically for that reason. The sun above them has begun to shyly hide it's face behind some passing clouds, leaving just enough light without being too bright. The two of them enjoy their snack and catch up with each other as time ticks on by. Star learns that while Bri was in Mustangia, she met this interesting guy who was there on business. According to her, his name was Fancy Pants, and he was an older stallion but very refined and still quite lively for his age.

As they continue to chat amongst themselves, the stallions have begun to prepare to leave. But before they can, a purple pony with berries on her flank suddenly runs through screaming her head off. At first none of them understand her, but she runs through again, yelling out that Sevulva Star, the famous stage actor who only minutes ago Star and Bri were talking about, has finally arrived in Ponyville.

Now of course, neither of the two mares or any of the stallions believe her at first. This is Berry Punch after all, the town drunk. She's done more than her fair share of running about and yelling random things for no apparent reason. But when they really stop to think about it, this is a rather big piece of news. Sevulva's coming to Ponyville has been talked about for weeks now, and it doesn't seem like the kind of thing somepony would shout out in an inebriated stupor.

A moment later, they soon realize that Berry hadn't been just spouting her usual nonsense as they had originally thought. For over the hill in the road just beyond the house now comes the stallion himself. Grey coat, black and white hair, and a black vest and cape. 2000 bit glasses cover his eyes, and it's more than apparent that this is Sevulva Star himself. He carries himself with a smugness as he trots on, the kind of attitude one would find in the snobbiest of Canterlot ponies.

The two of them drop their party bowls and rush in to join the increasingly growing crowd that's surrounding the sides of the street. Sevulva seems to ignore them as he passes by. He is followed closely by a couple of large stallion guards, both unicorns. Their horns are aglow with magic already, so it's best not to even try and get any closer. Star turns to her friend and gleefully mentions that a few years back she and Grace managed to get tickets to a performance of his that was playing on Bridleway in Manehattan called A Summer Sunrise Night's Dream.

Smirking back at Star, Bri flaunts the fact that she had seen his very first performance back when she was a young filly. She tells Star that it was The True Tragedy of Trotter III. Laughing hysterically at their one-upmanship, the two watch on as Sevulva just continues to walk by, ignoring the cheering fans and everypony who he considers to be beneath him. Once again, Star thinks of the pretentious Canterlot snobs she had heard of and seen before.

The two of them are about to head back to the house when suddenly, a blood curdling scream rings out through the air, breaking the excitement of all the ponies around and causing them to look around in confusion and shock. That's when they notice Sevulva. He's fallen to his flank, as have all the guards following him. His glasses have slipped from his face and he stares wide-eyed at the sky above, pointing up in absolute terror. Soon, ponies all around begin to look up at the sky, towards where he's pointing, and scream as well.

At first, both Star and Bri are confused as to what's going on. However, they too look up to the sky, and instantly understand the terror filling the hearts and minds of everypony that is now running throughout town screaming. In the center of the sky, right in front of the sun, sits a black star. A dark light seems to emanate from it, giving off the most eerie and unsettling of glows. At that moment, more black stars begin to seemingly appear out of nowhere, covering the entirety of the sky. The ponies of Ponyville panic worse than before, running about and trying to hide from whatever horrible disaster is on the horizon. Star and Bri just stand there, eyes as wide as dinner plates, before the former of the two lets out a scream of her own.