Canterlot Castle

All was quiet in Canterlot Castle as Luna's moon glistened wonderfully in the sky. Most of the city below was asleep aside from the few enjoying the night life. Among the sleeping was Princess Celestia, but her slumber was anything but peaceful this night...

Fire crackled as buildings collapsed, unmoving ponies lay around Celestia as she stared in shock at the carnage. A giant white crack burned brightly in the sky through the orange haze produced by the flames, a crack that was consuming all.

"Hello?" Celestia called out hoping beyond hope for survivors.

Through the haze a figure began to emerge, Celestia couldn't make out much but it was the unmistakable silhouette of a mare.

"Here my little pony, I'm here!" Celestia called out to the lone figure.

"Celestia," A distorted sound comprised of several different voices projected from the figure, "How do you like the fireworks?"

Drums began to sound around them in beats of four.

"You? You did this?"

"Yep," The voice sounded almost proud, Celestia could make out several unidentified male voices and one female voice with an odd accent, the last voice was almost recognisable but Celestia couldn't quite pin how.

"Who are you?" Celestia demanded of the figure.

"Oh Celestia, have you forgotten me already? After all these years we've know each other? I am hurt... but that no longer matters. She is gone now along with her pathetic ideals of friendship and I have returned as Master of all!"

"And what is that?" Celestia pointed a hoof at a crack.

"Oh nothing major, just a crack in reality that erases everything it touches. Consider it my going away present! Goodbye Princess, just remember to say something nice."

Before Celestia could do anything the figure disappeared. Above the crack began to widen threatening to swallow Celestia whole as a blue figure watched from a distance in shock.

Celestia awoke with a start, it was all a dream! No... it was a vision.

Immediately Celestia jumped out of her bed quickly applying her regalia and paced out of her room aiming to find her sister.

She didn't have to look far for as Celestia walked down the hallway she almost stumbled right into a blue alicorn walking in the opposite direction.

"Celestia!"

"Luna? Judging from your urgent manor I assume you witnessed what I did?"

"I did sister, I was performing my duties in the realm of dreams when I saw yours were giving off some unusual qualities. While I assure you I do not usually sift through your dreams this time I made an exception, and was met with fire."

"That was no dream, much like when Tirek returned it was a vision. However, this time it was of what could come to pass rather than what is."

"That mare? Who was she?" Luna inquired

"I do not know, but we must be vigilant lest she unleashes whatever that strange crack may be. I want you to send a message to Twilight requesting her presence at once."

"And what of Cadance?"

"She may be a bit out of reach to be of any use that far north, but send her a letter never-the-less to make her aware of the situation."

"At once Tia"

"Can I help?" Another voice sounded behind the pair, a voice belonging to a brown Earth stallion who was standing with a grey Pegasus mare.

Dear Princess Twilight

It has come to our attention that a yet unknown enemy will soon threaten Equestria and we request your aid in discovering this threat before it can be realised. You may bring the other element bearers if you wish but that will be off your own initiative as they may not be required should we act quickly.

Your friend

Princess Luna

Twilight read over the letter again. She and her friends were currently situated in a private carriage on the friendship express bound for Canterlot. She was trying to distract herself from the pounding headache that was resultant from the odd drumming noise that had been plaguing her since the previous day.

"So do you think it's going to be a giant monster we get to fight?" Rainbow said in excitement punching the air with her hooves.

"Ah hope not, hopefully it's jus' some evil shadow pony who we can simply apprehend before any trouble begins," Applejack said.

"You're no fun AJ, where's your sense of adventure!"

"My idea of adventure and yours are quite different Rainbow..."

"I agree with Applejack, no monsters would be nice..." Fluttershy said shyly.

"Well Princess Luna did say we possibly wouldn't be needed darling so I wouldn't worry too much," Rarity comforted her timid friend.

The four kept talking among themselves while Twilight looked over some guard reports she had Celestia send over to see if there was anything subtly out of the ordinary.

Twilight finally noticed what Pinkie Pie had been doing for the past hour.

Pinkie was looking between Twilight and the watch that hung around her neck with a unusually stoic expression. It made Twilight uneasy to see Pinkie act in such a way.

"Are you okay Pinkie?" Twilight asked her friend.

The other four stopped talking, all noticing Pinkie's demeanor for the first time.

"The watch, where did you get it?" Pinkie asked in an almost accusing manner.

"Um, I don't remember. Spike found it among a bunch of my old things from fillyhood."

"You're hiding something..."

"Huh?"

"You may not know it but you are, my Pinkie sense from last night is much clearer now."

"Do you know something we don't sugarcube?" Applejack asked

"I don't know, but I suspect." Pinkie explained.

"Pinkie you're freaking me out," Twilight said nervously.

Pinkie didn't answer, but just continued to stare. She remained this way for the entire journey and the other five sat in confused silence each pondering over Pinkie's out of character behavior.

Finally the train pulled into Canterlot station, a small escort of Solar Guards waiting to escort the Princess to the castle not taking any chances with Canterlot on high alert.

Above them a blue shield descended around Canterlot, it was at this moment the six element bearers realised the threat they faced was perhaps a bit more dire than Luna had described.