Author's Notes:

It's finally here everypony! Episode 5 of Season 1! This is the longest episode yet (in terms of word count) and one of my favorites to write. It reveals new information and new mysteries. It introduces new characters and even has another guest star. I hope you all enjoy it, and as always, feedback is appreciated. And also as always, the official website has been updated! Check it out for new bios and even a new location added to the Equestria section!

http://mylittleponyfriendshipofgenerations.webs.com/

A wide smile quickly spreading across the whole of her face, Bri Happer gleefully trots onward down the side of Clipper Street with the slightest bounce in her step. She thinks about the huge news that she cannot wait to tell her friends about, humming a simple yet beautiful little song to herself. It happened just yesterday evening; against all odds she managed to secure herself some tickets to the upcoming Detrot City Music Festival! She's wanted to go to it for so many years, but has never been able to due to her travels always taking her out of the way. This year it's going to be headlined by Kid Trot, DJ Pon-3, Octavia Melody, Forest Rain, Mic the Mic, and even Ponyville's own Sweetie Belle all in one massive three day concert! Of course, there would be other minor artists playing, but she honestly isn't interested in them. Her favorite artists ever are headlining, so they're who she wants to see.

Of course, the concert is still months away, and the excitement is killing her. All she can do is count down the days. With each rise of the sun, that's one day closer to paradise. She got tickets for all of her friends as well, so that she could finally share her love of music with them. She wants her friends to see her as more than just an adventure-loving mare who's always running off to try and find somepony she's never even met. She does love adventures, and wishes so hard that she'll one day find Pinkie Pie and bring her back to Ponyville, but she's so much more than that. So far, Star is the only one to know this side of her, and only because of how long they've known each other.

Star...what could she have been so eager about this morning? Upon awakening, Bri had opened her front door to grab the paper when she found a note taped to the outside of it, signed by her long time friend. It seemed to be urgently written, and told her to meet everypony at the Princess Twilight Sparkle Memorial Library as soon as she could. She can easily and rightfully infer that when the letter mentions everypony, Star was referring to themselves as well as their other four friends. However, why didn't she say why they were meeting? It's been bothering her this entire time. Star usually isn't the one to ask of something without explanation. Could something have had happened? Did somepony learn any new information regarding Oblivion or the dark stars? Maybe it's something deeper than that. With Star, she really can't be completely sure. She can only hope that nothing is truly wrong.

The worrying begins to overtake her mind, filling her overactive imagination with terrible thoughts. She imagines her friends tied to operating tables with their cutie marks having been cut right off of their flanks.
Feeling dizzy and a bit nauseous, Bri picks up speed as she pleads aloud to no one in particular. She wants her friends to be safe, and not be in any kind of mortal danger. She trots quickly on when she's suddenly greeted with a warm, gentle smile by a young, orange-coated filly. A black and orange scarf wrapped around her neck, she begins to trot alongside Bri, who can only assume that Star had left a note on her door as well. So, deciding not to bother Chupa to question her about why she's there, she instead focuses on getting to the library as quickly as possible, and not have any more gruesome thoughts.

They don't speak to each other at all, walking along in complete silence that's nearly unbearable for the mare. She didn't want to wait until she got to the library to tell somepony about the concert anyways, so she breaks the awkward moment by telling her friend with a joyous smile, "Hey Chupa, I scored some wicked tickets to this music festival coming up in Detrot in a few months from now! I happened to get tickets for all six of us, and the best artists around will be performing!"

"Anypony I might know?" Chupa curiously asks as the two of them walk right on by Sugarcube Corner, glancing inside to see Pound and Pumpkin serving an older unicorn stallion. Bri begins to tell the filly all about the different artists who are going to be there, making sure to highlight the six big ones. Listening quietly and respectfully, Chupa nods and walks slowly onward, smiling over at her friend. However, as Bri finishes up, the filly can't help but tell her, "Well, to be honest I don't like those kinds of music. Octavia's the only one there I'd be even a bit interested in. My flora seem to really enjoy her music, growing faster and stronger when they listen to it. So I occasionally play it for them, but those others are just too rough sounding. The plants just don't like them, and I don't either."

It's incomprehensible to the mare that somepony could say that they don't like artists like Sweetie Belle or Mic the Mic. They're so amazing on stage, and have some of the best vocals of any musician. She wishes to respect her friends differing opinion, but this would be like saying she wanted to eat animals. It's just inconceivable. She continues to keep up a false smile, however, as they soon reach the giant golden oak tree, finding the door to the library wide open for them. They enter one after the other, finding the remainder of their friends having already arrived. She wonders why Chupa was so late as well. She had gotten her cast off the other day. She herself had been busy, still unpacking from her last trip. A trip that once again led absolutely nowhere in her search for Pinkie Pie. She remembers it was Chupa who cheered her up when she first returned to Ponyville. Though they may have different opinions for music, she can't thank the filly enough for her kindness.

The mare takes a quick look around the room, seeing that all of her friends are looking over various books and scrolls, studying hard and showing her that this is another of Star's endless research sessions. She really does understand completely why her friend wishes to find out everything that she can, but sometimes she just feels that this is getting to be a bit too much. Star's always been a book worm though, ever since she first read the Diary of the Six. It's still surprising to her that Princess Twilight's will said she wanted the diary of her and her friends to be published after her demise.

Now it seems like they're studying as hard as the lost Princess did back in the day. They never just hang out anymore. They don't go out for hayshakes, or frequent Wonderbolt rallies. It's not that they're splitting apart, but they've definitely lost their closeness. She just finds this all too disheartening, especially as her friend notices her and trots up. Not greeting her with a smile or hug, Star hands her a book and explains that they're doing research on Oblivion and the dark stars, and that they need to work doubly hard to make up for lost time.

"We must find any and all information that we can," she tells Chupa and Bri, "if we're to ever stop Oblivion, we will need to be fully prepared. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find much as of yet. Whenever I look this all up, all I find is information about the Great Pony Wars that occurred over a thousand years ago. I love history and all, but right now we need to learn about this evil force before it can destroy everything."

Sighing, Bri nods her head and trots over to one of the free bookshelves, beginning her completely unwanted research. Chupa has also joined her friends, taking a smaller shelf on the left side of the library. Star then smiles at them both and returns to her own shelf, flipping through whatever books she can grab at unhealthy speeds. Suddenly, the sound of a book slamming hard against the floor surprises her, and she looks over to see Agelian angrily glaring back at her.

"This is a waste of my time! I'm scheduled to take part in a very important race today, you know! Now you're forcing me to say here and look at books!? Athletes don't read books, eggheads read books! Do I look like an egghead to you!? I need to go to this race so that I can meet Wonderbolt Captain Scootaloo! I'm telling you right now Star Rider, if we don't make any sort of headway in this by two, I'm leaving and there is nothing you can do to stop me!"

"There are much more pressing matters to worry about right now, you selfish idiot!" Star snaps back, shutting the book she had been going through with great force. The two get right into each others faces as she tries to explain how important it is that they defeat Oblivion, as they are the six ponies destined to do it. She tells Agelian that they need to do strenuous research on their enemy before they can hope to go against him, and that no race is as important as saving the world from destruction, not even if the winner gets to meet with the captain of the Wonderbolts.

"Then answer me this, oh wise one! Why are we even in this library!? Why aren't we out there in the real world looking for the Elements of Harmony!? Didn't the Princess tell us that we NEED those in order to stop Oblivion and save the world!?"

They begin to close the gap in between them, getting so close and showing so much blind rage towards each other that the others turn to watch, beginning to wonder if they're about to get into a full-fledged brawl. However, right at that moment, a bright light begins to shine right into the library from the open door, blasting itself inward and garnering the attention of not only Star and Agelian, but the rest as well. As they look over at the threshold of the doorway, Princess Aurora walks in, her beautiful pink hair flowing behind her in an endless breeze. A different flower adorns her hair than the last time they had seen her, and right behind her, outside of the library, they notice some armed pegasus guards standing beside the royal carriage. They all begin to bow before her, but smiling, the Princess tells them to rise and insists that they need not bow to her.

"You are both correct, my little ponies," she says as she walks up to Star and Agelian, looking between them with sterm, yet still bright and hope-filled eyes, "when faced with an overwhelming adversary, research is not only welcome, but a necessity. Going in blindly against any enemy would be a most terrible mistake, and could easily cost you your life, or the lives of those closest to you. However, you too are correct Agelian. The Elements of Harmony must be found as quickly as possible. I appreciate your interest in research Star, but will it not be all in vain if you cannot find the one thing that will be able to put an end to it all? But that is not why I am here."

"Why are you here, your majesty?" Star asks, taking a seat on the floor as she sorrowfully sets down the book she had been holding in her hooves. Standing tall, Princess Aurora tells the six of them that over the past few days, she had spent the majority of her time researching into things as well; both for information on Oblivion AND whatever she could find about the Elements of Harmony and where they might have disappeared to fifteen years ago. She also mentions that even the Canterlot Archives have had very little on the Elements, and absolutely nothing on Oblivion. It's as if all the books about these topics disappeared, but the count stayed the same somehow.

"I fear that Oblivion, whoever he is, might be a mystery lost in the pages of Equestria's history forever. But there is still one thing you can do Star. I want you to go to Canterlot yourself as soon as you are able. I have made arrangements for you to meet with a certain few ponies who might just be able to give you some insight into the events that occurred fifteen years ago. I have a theory that those very incidents, the deaths and disappearances, were caused by Oblivion somehow. Because of this, I want you to meet with these ponies. They might have memories from those years ago that could prove not only useful, but crucial in saving our world."

"Who are they?" Star asks.

"The family of Princess Twilight Sparkle," Princess Aurora replies, leaving Star standing there in complete and utter shock, "do not fret my child. This is a mission for Equestria that I am leaving on your shoulders. I trust you."

"Wait just a moment," Agelian suddenly speaks up, continuing to show his immense rage and irritation at being in the library, "why didn't you just meet with them yourself? You're the Princess, so why does Star have to do it?"

"The truth is, I shall be away from Canterlot for a while. I am off to Trottingham after I leave here. I am to meet with the city's mayor and discuss plans to protect their city from anything that is to come from Oblivion in the near future. I have already met with Mayor Mare here before coming to the library, and following Trottingham, I shall be visiting all the other cities of Equestria so that they may be protected as well. The well-being and safety of my country is my first priority. Your friends may join you, and you shall all be accommodated in my castle while staying in Canterlot."

Seeming satisfied by the answer, but still frustrated as he has been, Agelian quietly grunts and falls back. Looking down at the floor, Star bites her lip and shows clear anxiousness over the entire mission she had been given. However, Princess Aurora brings her to her hooves and assures her that everything will be alright. With that, she leaves, getting onto the carriage outside of the door and flying off towards Trottingham. Despite the Princess's reassurance, Star continues to mope. Meeting with the family of Princess Twilight Sparkle is something she never could have even imagined. To meet with such famous, amazing ponies like Twilight Velvet, Night Light, and Shining Armor is an honor she was not ready for, but she wants to make Princess Aurora proud, so she shall fulfill this mission to the very best of her ability.

"So...what do you all think?" Star asks, turning to face her friends and get their perspective on all of this. At first, none of the other ponies speak at all. They just look at each other, trying to take in everything they had just heard. None of them could have expected the Princess to give them a mission now, much less one like this. On top of that, the Canterlot Archives have NOTHING on Oblivion? Those archives have the most resources and information in all of Equestria. If they don't have anything, then there is nothing. This is disheartening news, especially for Star, who had put all this time into looking only to find out it was practically worthless to do so.

"I think we need to do it," Agelian says, completely different than how he had been only minutes ago, "this is a very important task. Meeting with ponies who were there will likely give us invaluable information. And Star, I'm sorry for the way I was acting. I have faith that you know what you're doing, and I hope that when you speak to the family, you can get the information we need."

"No, I'm sorry," the mare replies, "you were right. We do need to begin looking for the Elements of Harmony as Princess Aurora instructed. I'm also sorry that you have to miss your race for this. I know you love to race, and that meeting Scootaloo is a dream of yours."

The two of them quickly embrace each other in a forgiving hug, after which they turn to face the other four. Pacing before her friends, Star begins to discuss their plans, telling everypony that they need to get ready to leave for Canterlot right away. She notes that there will be a train leaving the station in exactly an hour, and asks her friends to meet her at the station before then. She then dismisses them, and the six ponies quickly head out of the library, dispersing to their respective homes so that they may get everything they'll need for the trip. As the six of them get out of sight of the large golden oak tree, the sound of light footsteps echo within. Suddenly, illuminated in the light coming through the windows, a purple scaled dragon slowly comes down the stairs, sobbing to himself as he remembers a friend from long ago.

The Ponyville Train Station bustles with mid-day activity as ponies of all varieties line up, ready to board the coming Friendship Express as it returns from Manehattan. The front doors to the station slide open, admitting entrance to the six ponies and their packed bags. Deciding only to stay for the night, they packed light and only brought the necessities. They need all the information they can get, but they cannot stay away for too long. From their jobs, or schooling for one certain little filly, to the search for the Elements of Harmony, they have too much to do.

When they meet with Princess Twilight's family, they're going to have to get right to the point. Whatever information they can get out of them will help, and they cannot afford to waste time getting to know them; not when the fate of the world is at hoof. A loud whistle rings through the station, alerting them that the train is on it's way, and so the six destined ponies head towards the tracks just as the giant steam engines pulls in.

"Are you ready for this everypony?" Star asks them, wanting to make sure they didn't forget anything they might need. The others nod, beginning to board as the doors to the train open and the passengers already in get out. It doesn't take long for them to find seats, getting comfortable in the third car back. Star pulls out a book to read on the ride to Canterlot; a biography written about Princess Twilight Sparkle. She figures that it will be good research to know, and can maybe help her connect with the family so that she can find out more information.

Devlin and Agelian take a seat beside each other and begin to talk. Their discussion turns to the race that the latter of them was to take part in today, at which point Devlin tells him, "Don't worry about a thing. I didn't have a lot to pack, so I quickly met with the race's sponsors. They agreed to reschedule it for next week so you can participate."

"Really? You got them to do that for me?" Agelian asks, surprised but immensely thankful and overjoyed.
Smiling back at him, Devlin just nods and responds, "What are friends for?"

Sitting a short distance away, Chupa clips off loose limbs of a small bonsai tree that she brought to give to the family as a gift. It's one of her favorite types of plants, as it requires constant care and work. She's found that pruning it every now and again is essential to keeping it beautiful and healthy. Beside her sits Bri, who holds a photograph of Pinkie Pie in her hooves. In fifteen years, no one in Equestria seems to have seen or heard from the party pony, and as the train pulls out of the station, the adventurous young mare wonders if she might be in Canterlot. It's one of the cities she has yet to check, as she thought it'd be too hard to hide in such a place.

Looking up, she sees Terra on the other side of the hall. Dressed in his old elite royal guard armor, he seems more excited than anypony else. Not only will he be meeting Shining Armor, brother of Princess Twilight and a former captain of the guard, but he will also be meeting the pony who took his place as the current captain. The look on his face tells it all. He is more ready for this than any of them.

The ride remains peaceful, and not much talking occurs between the six other than with Devlin and Agelian, who tell each other stories of their past exploits; from Devlin helping during Apple Bucking Season at Sweet Apple Acres to Agelian meeting Rainbow Dash once as a colt, before her untimely demise all those years ago. Star remains focused on her book, and Chupa has stopped pruning her bonsai and instead does some of the homework Miss Cheerilee had given her. Bri is looking out the window of the train and thinking about Pinkie Pie, while Terra is trying to go over in his head who his replacement could be.

It's hard to believe, as on the map the two cities seem so close, but after a long, tiring trip, the train pulls into Canterlot Station. It takes them a minute to grab all their bags, and make sure they don't forget anything, but as they do the six of them get off the train. They don't even have the time to look around though, as right in front of them are members of the elite royal guard, led by a dark blue pegasus pony in silver armor. An upgraded look from Terra's armor, she stands there at full attention, smiling as she watches them trot up. Terra looks at the mare and smiles. This is the perfect choice for the new captain. Strong, intelligent, and never willing to give up, she was his best soldier when he was in charge. There couldn't have been a better choice.

"Good evening ponies," she says, her voice emitting a wave of power. Every word she speaks seems to hold force and a commanding presence to it.

The six of them greet her with respect, and she nods back, continuing, "welcome to Canterlot. My name is Captain Everglade, and I shall be your escort during your trip here. I understand that you are to be staying at the castle, so we have prepared two rooms; one for the mares and one for the stallions. You are permitted on the castle grounds at your leisure, and have access to the private chef and all royal servants. You are our honored guests, and we wish to make you feel at home."

"Thank you, Captain," Star says with a courteous bow. Everglade nods again, then turns to Terra and smiles, greeting her old captain with a hug and pat on the back.

"It's good to see you again, Captain Terra," she says, saluting him.

"I'm not the captain anymore Everglade, that's your honor now. And from what it seems, you're handling it well. I'm glad Princess Aurora chose you as my replacement."

"You flatter me Terra," she laughs, "now let me show you and your friends to the castle."

On their trot from the station to the castle, Captain Everglade gives them a tour of the city. Showing them the amazing architecture of the buildings, she points out many of the city’s biggest tourist spots, such as the Canterlot Theater, Canterlot Colts ball park, and even the Museum of Equestrian History. The six friends look around in awe, wondering if maybe they should have agreed to stay longer so that the could check everything out. However, they're reminded quickly of the reason they're in Canterlot and remember that the have to focus on that, then get back to Ponyville for their lives, as well as their research into the Elements of Harmony, to continue.

Upon arrival, they didn't know exactly what to expect. They knew they were getting rooms at the castle, but thought they would be walking there themselves. The royal escort isn't something they planned on, though they don't plan to complain. It's nice to feel like celebrities for once. Just that sense of importance the ponies around town are getting from them excites them. Though Terra has felt it before, being the former captain of the guard, and Agelian has had some fame as a racer. For the rest of them though, this is completely new and unexpected. Walking through the capital city of Equestria, having the ponies all around staring and muttering amongst themselves is so different from their everyday lives.

Arriving at the castle, they enter the large door to find themselves in the main hall. Everglade stops in front of them and turns, welcoming them to the castle and telling the six of them, "This is the main hall of the castle. I wish for you all to meet back here an hour after you get to your rooms for briefing. The family of Princess
Twilight Sparkle will be here soon, and we need to discuss a few things. Now let me show you to your rooms."

She walks them through the hallowed halls of the castle, past portraits of previous rulers and sets of armor lining the walls beside them. They pass by the entrance to the castle gardens, exciting Chupa who looks out the window at the amazing flora and wildlife. They go through the chamber of Princess Twilight, in which pictures of her and all her friends sit on the walls. Bri looks up at a picture of Pinkie Pie and sighs, thinking back to her trip to Germaney and how much of a bust it was. They see Fluttershy's picture, and how different she looked fifteen years ago. Star smiles, wondering how somepony can seem to have changed in such little time.

Moving on, they soon reach the bed chambers and are led to the two set aside for them. Right next to each other, the two chambers are massive. The beds are made of a high quality material they could never find in Ponyville, and the beautiful covers are so soft and light. Each room has small rooms within them, and even a private study and kitchen. The stallions and mares go to their respective rooms and take it all in, realizing that until they leave tomorrow afternoon, these beautiful rooms are all theirs. Add the fact that they have the servants and private chef at their beck and call, and there's nothing that can rival the magnificence of this trip. It's better than they could have ever imagined, and it's only just begun. Everglade once again reminds them to meet in the main hall in an hour, then heads out to leave the ponies to unpack.

An hour seems to pass by so quickly, and before they know it, the six ponies are standing back in the main hall. It's as if they had just begun to look at their rooms. Everglade stands there with a couple of other guards, smiling as they trot on up. Looking at them, she begins to brief them on what's to happen; that when the family arrives, it will be Twilight Velvet, Night Light, and Prince Shining Armor only. No other members of Princess Twilight's family will be showing up. She adds that she doesn't want them to bother the family too much, as this will be a very sensitive topic for them. It may have been fifteen years since that day, but how does one just get over the mysterious disappearance of a loved one, followed by the gruesome deaths of her friends?

"I don't know exactly how they'll react to your questions," Everglade tells them, "so tread carefully. They know why they were asked to come in, but just try and take it easy. And Terra, I know it has been a dream of yours to meet Shining Armor, but try to not lose yourself. Keep your composure, just as you had once taught me."

Terra smiles and nods, knowing that what she says is true. While he's always dreamed of this day, he needs to focus not on his own admiration, but instead on the problem that plagues Equestria and finding out how they can stop it. Suddenly, the main doors swing open and a guard rushes in, galloping up to Everglade as he nearly yells out, "Captain, we've caught him! We've finally caught Psycho Joe!"

"Really? Well that is certainly good news."

"Who's Psycho Joe?" Terra asks, curiously looking at his replacement with genuine interest. Everglade sighs and explains that "Psycho" Joe is a pony who once was a respectable member of Equestrian society. Something in him snapped in the last year however, and he became a serial murderer, committing six murders in Canterlot over the past few months. She tells him that she remembers finding the first victim herself; a young colt who's throat had been ripped out and stomach sliced open so that his innards would pour out. Each murder was more terrible than the last, and the most recent victim, a socialite mare, was found with mutilated head sliced off and shoved down the neck, hooves cut down the middle and back with chunks missing...chunks that still haven't been found.

"I didn't need to know that," Devlin says, feeling nauseous. The other five nod in agreement, and even Everglade herself looks light-headed and pale after explaining the murders. The guard who had told her of the capture also mentions that the family have gotten off the train and are on their way now. Thanking the stallion, she turns to the six and wishes them the best of luck, heading off to follow the guard to where they have the murderer locked up. Turning to her friends, Star begins to talk to them about what they're all going to say, and suggests that they make it as quick as possible, but at the same time, get as much information as possible.

The main doors soon open up again, and led by some guards, three ponies walk into the hall. The two stallions on each side of the mare seem to be staying strong, though it's obvious that they're still sorrowful over having to relive the events of fifteen years ago. In between them, Twilight's mother seems to be downtrodden as well, but has a very calm appearance. As the three walk up, Night Light greets the six of them, who then greet their visitors back. Shining Armor sighs, but tells them that they're willing to answer any questions, especially if it'll help them find and capture Oblivion, as well as learn what happened to their Twi and Cadance.

The nine ponies head to a large table set up for them by the royal guard, and take their seats. Silence comes across them all for what seems like the longest time. It's Star that breaks the nervous quiet of the group, explaining to the family exactly what happened in Ponyville a couple weeks ago with the stage actor Sevulva Star. She tells them exactly how they know Oblivion to be behind this all, and the events that have occurred since, including the possession of Cobalt Sky. She then asks the three if they wouldn't mind starting at the beginning, and explaining what happened in the days that led up to the disappearance of all the Princesses.

"Well, it was funny actually," Shining Armor replies, trying to hold back his tears as he remembers those days, "Twily and Cadance were preparing for a summit with some ponies from Tasmaneia. It was to be a very important meeting to unite the two lands and make Tasmaneia a part of Equestria. Naturally, my sister was stressing herself out, worried about making the best impression possible. She even studied up on Tasmaneian culture, learning everything she could about them, and had her friend Rarity make an authentic Tasmaneian dress for her."

"She wanted her friends to take part as well, so she invited them all to stay at the castle with her and Cadance overnight. Later on, both Twily and her friend Fluttershy were walking down one of the hallways. They had to get something for Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy had brought Angel with her, and looked away for a second to check on the bunny. When she looked back, Twily was...she was...gone."

Breaking down, Shining Armor begins to sob into his hoof. Velvet and Night hug and comfort their son, giving him the strength to continue, "The guards searched the entire castle, the grounds, and all of Canterlot. She was never found, and nopony could explain what happened. It soon was brought to our attention that Princesses Celestia and Luna disappeared at the exact same time, and I began to get worried. Three princesses gone just like that? It didn't seem believable. I was so scared, and began to search for my wife. I couldn't find her either."

"Did any of you three have direct contact with Princess Twilight before her disappearance?" Star asks them. She wonders if they had been around her in the days, or even hours before she vanished. This could lead to some possible clues about what happened. Velvet is the one to respond this time, telling them that all three of them were at the castle during this time as well. She says that Twilight wanted them all there for some reason, even though she and Cadance were the only ones who would be taking part in the negotiations with the Tasmaneians. Night Light then speaks up, adding that they had seen her only an hour before she disappeared, and that they and Twilight's friends were all having a party at the time.

"The reason they left was to get streamers for Pinkie Pie, who had planned the party," Shining Armor quietly says, "she had forgotten them at home. I think that's why she eventually ran away. She blamed herself for Twilight's disappearance, and the deaths of her friends that happened because of it."

"Actually," Terra says, "we believe that Oblivion caused those deaths. We don't yet know how, but something is telling us that he's just got to be behind it all."

"Yeah, and it's not Pinkie's fault! It just isn't!" Bri yells out, tearing up and getting emotional. She refuses to believe that her idol, whom she's been searching for, would be behind all of those horrible incidents, even if on accident.

"Did any of you happen to meet Sevulva Star prior to Princess Twilight's disappearance? Or did she herself know him?" Star asks, changing the subject as she angrily eyes Bri for the outburst. Twilight Velvet is the first to respond, noting that she had received a letter a week before she came to Canterlot back then. It was from her daughter, and said that she had gone to see one of Sevulva's plays with her friends. She asks Star how she thinks Oblivion could be behind all of this, and what it's got to do with Sevulva Star.

"Sevulva is being controlled by Oblivion," Star replies, remembering what had happened when the dark stars appeared over Ponyville, "and he probably has been for a long time now. He is the main vessel for Oblivion right now, and I fear he might have somehow kidnapped the princesses. If this is true that Princess Twilight and her friends saw his play a week before the disappearances, then it can be inferred that Oblivion had been planning this. It can't just be a coincidence."

"But how would he do it?" Shining Armor asks.

"Probably some kind of teleportation spell. Although Sevulva Star is an earth pony, since he is being controlled by a magical force, he can use spells like any unicorn. He's probably even as powerful as an alicorn. My guess as to where they were teleported to is as good as yours. Wherever it is though, I'm sure it's wherever Oblivion is at right now."

"That makes sense," Night Light states, quietly looking down at the floor. Shining Armor tells them to consider how much magical power something like that would take, especially since the princesses weren't all in the same place at the time. If they were indeed teleported simultaneously from various locations, the magical abilities of Oblivion would have to far surpass that of an alicorn. Looking at Twilight Velvet, Star narrows her eyes. She hadn't been listening to Shining Armor at this point. Something's been bugging her since the three ponies got there, and now she knows what it is.

"One more question," Star says, looking at the three, expression having become scarily serious. She gets up and walks around the table, approaching Princess Twilight's mother and getting into her face, "who are you, because it's certainly not the real Twilight Velvet. It's been bugging me this entire time. I would expect you to have been reacting the worst to all of this. On the train ride here, I read over the biography of Princess Twilight, and it talks all about her mother and how emotional she is, especially in sad situations. You have been almost emotionless, and I know that it's been fifteen years since the incident happened, but a mother as loving and emotional as described in that biography would have been crying a lot more than you have."

Twilight Velvet looks up at her accuser, then at the surprised faces of all around her. Shining Armor and Night Light are appalled, on their hooves and ready to defend Velvet's honor. All of Star's friends are even shocked, at their hooves as well and silently staring at the scene with open mouths. At that moment, a wicked sounding laugh escapes Velvet's throat, and a voice not her own speaks; A dry, raspy, evil sounding voice that breaths dark intentions with every word.

"Good job Dreams, you're more observant than I gave you credit for. It looks like between Honor finding me out before, and now you seeing through this guise, that I am not as good an actor as Sevulva Star. Oh well, ces't la vie. Doesn't matter anyways. It's not like you even have a chance of stopping me."

"Oblivion," Star growls. Shining Armor and Night Light back away in fear and surprise, wondering what happened to the real Velvet. All of Star's friends get ready to fight, knowing full well what Oblivion is capable of.

"Yes, that is correct, but tell me something Dreams. If you suspected me all this time, why in Equestria did you continue to milk information out of these other two? It did give me everything I needed. Oh, and speaking of you two, Shining Armor and Night Light, do not fret. This is the body of Twilight Velvet. I've just, well, gotten in her head a little."

"What are you planning Oblivion!" Terra yells out, grinding his hoof against the floor, ready to charge when necessary. Castle guards begin to come up as well, including Everglade, and everypony surrounds the possessed mare. However, Oblivion just laughs and suddenly, Velvet's mouth opens and a dark energy escapes it, flying out and then over to the now open door to the outside. Flying out, Oblivion escapes the blockade, leaving Twilight Velvet's body to slump to the floor. As Night Light and Shining Armor rush out to help the guards chase the evil force, Star and her friends help recover the passed out mare. She then looks out the window to see the two stallions running off into the city in the direction that Oblivion had gone.

It's getting worse, she thinks to herself. Oblivion is doing his research as well, and it's obvious now that he's planning something big. He had somehow taken Twilight Velvet over without either Night Light or Shining Armor noticing, and controlled her since they arrived. He's getting stronger, and more courageous. Unfortunately their trip left more questions than answers, and with everything that's gone down, they know it wouldn't be wise to question the family any more. They've got all they're going to, and she can only hope that it's enough. But now something else bothers her. Oblivion had referred to her as Dreams, and to Terra as Honor. What could this mean? She remembers hearing how when he possessed Cobalt Sky, he called Chupa by the name Peace as well. This has to mean something important, she just knows it, and she has to figure it out soon. But her first priority is to find the Elements of Harmony, because otherwise, with things looking as bad as they are, the world might be doomed.

Preview for the next episode
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It's been fifteen long years...and I've been so alone. All these books don't help me. I don't even want any gems. I just want my friends back, I just want Twilight.