In the beginning... The beginning was so simple. Life was good. Ponies were happy. Until...Until the day it all went awry.

It all started on a sunny mid-afternoon, in a field just outside Ponyville. The girls were playing a game. Dodgeball, or rather, dodge-apple, of all games. See, after the big cider situation a little while back, the ponies of Ponyville had had enough apple products to last a lifetime, or so it felt. For the moment, no one had a need, or want, for apples. So, what better to do with leftover apples than throw them at your friends?

The game had just started, and it was Applejack, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash on one side, with Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and a somewhat reluctant Fluttershy on the other. Rainbow Dash had just pegged Rarity with an apple. Rarity squealed with dread and disgust, and her dodge-apple uniform was splattered with apple bits and juice. Rainbow Dash was so far into her laughing fit that she got hit by a softly thrown apple, from none other than Fluttershy.

" Did...did I win? " Fluttershy asked no one in particular.

Rainbow Dash's laughter immediately stopped as she grumbled off the field. The game was down to two on two. Pinkie Pie whipped out her party cannon, and fired. Tons of apples rocketed toward Applejack and Twilight.

" Hey, that's not fair! She's using a CANNON for Celestia's sake! " Rainbow shouted.

" I got it covered Rainbow Dash! " Shouted Twilight, as she used her magic to stop the apples in their tracks.

" Well SHE'S using magic! Also not fair! " Whined Rarity. After a brief verbal tussle, both teams agreed on a compromise: No more magic, and no more cannons.

Pinkie Pie had been sneaking along the sidelines during the argument, and she snuck in a toss towards Twilight, hitting her mark. Twilight trotted off the field. Pinkie Pie was too busy dancing and celebrating to notice Applejack kick two apples toward her. The first missed, and she whirled around, looking for it, and in her confusion, got hit by the second. She pouted off the field.

It was down to Fluttershy versus Applejack.

" O-o-o-oh m-m-m-my... " Fluttershy stuttered. Applejack advanced slowly.

" I-I-I-I c-c-c-can't do it! " Fluttershy squealed as she cowered under her hooves in fear. Applejack stopped just before the midline. She frowned. She was all for fun and games, but she couldn't hit sweet, timid Fluttershy with an apple while she cowered like that. She walked forward.

" Don't do it AJ! We'll lose if you cross the line! Urgh! " Yelled Rainbow Dash. Applejack kept walking. Then, she stepped over the midline, and walked before Fluttershy.

" Come on now partner, you won, see? " Applejack said to her scared friend. Fluttershy stopped shaking and looked around in disbelief. Her eyes fell to the midline, well behind Applejack. She smiled her thanks.

" You know, RD, winning ain't everything. You gotta learn sportsmanship too. Now come on everypony, let's go get some dinner! My treat! " The group started to walk back to Ponyville, but they wouldn't make it back for dinner. As they started walking, they were teleported.

They reappeared in a grand hall. It seemed familiar, almost too familiar...Then, everyone realized they were in the Royal Palace in Canterlot! From behind the grand throne, Celestia appeared.

" My little ponies, I called you here for a very important reason. Ponyville, no, all of Equestria is in danger. And the danger is very close. There isn't much time to explain, but once I do, you must go back and warn all of Ponyville, and Cloudsdale too. "

" What is it Princess, what's wrong!? " Twilight pleaded.

" My little ponies, I fear...I fear something is coming. Something horrible, widespread, and unavoidable. "

" Just tell us Princess! Trust us, we can deal with anything, just like we have before! What's coming?" Rainbow Dash said.

Princess Celestia hesitated, then said in a quiet, almost defeated voice: " War. " Next Chapter: Chapter 2: Disaster strikes Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 8 Minutes