“See, Rainbow Darling, I told you that a hoofacure was the Best . . . Thing . . . Ever!” said Rarity with her usual dramatic flair as she and the rest of her friends walked out of the Ponyville Day Spa, where they had spent the last several hours.

“Yeah, yeah”, Rainbow Dash replied from her place in the air as she flew along above the group “It did feel good, but it’s way too girly for me. I’ve got a reputation to maintain and I can’t be seen at the spa! Nopony will take me seriously ever again!”

“Um . . . it wasn’t that bad . . . right, Rainbow?” stammered Fluttershy as she walked next to Rarity. “It can be really relaxing and. . . Eep!” The last part came out as a squeak because Fluttershy was suddenly pounced on by and disappeared under a blur of bright pink.

“Yeah, Dashie! I was baking all morning and was super-duper sore because I was standing the WHOLE time!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie as she bounced along, now next to Fluttershy.

“Pinkie, you never just stand anywhere or anytime. Ah think ah speak for us all when ah say that you’re never still, sugarcube.” Applejack spoke up as she walked next to Twilight on the other side of Rarity. The rest of the girls started giggling.

“Ugh, Twilight, help me out here!” Rainbow wined.

Twilight was still caught up in her giggles but managed to squeeze out a reply. “Sorry Rainbow, I like a good massage every now and then. I mean . . .” Suddenly she froze.

That got the attention of the girls. They all turned to her and asked “Twilight?”

Twilight didn’t answer. Instead, she spread her wings and launched herself into the air. “I really hope that’s not what I think it is.” She muttered to herself as she hovered above the girls. She closed her eyes and focused her magic and her senses on the disturbance she felt from Canterlot. Unfortunately, she didn’t sense anything that did not confirm her worst fear.

Twilight knew there was no time to waste. From her place in midair, she gathered her magic and cast a long distance teleport straight to Canterlot Castle.

“What the hay was that all about?!” asked all of the girls at the same time.

After a moment, Applejack said “Let’s go to Twilight’s castle, maybe Spike’ll know somethin’.”

“Good idea,” Rarity replied “Even if he doesn’t, he can send a letter to Princess Celestia and ask her what’s going on.” The other girls agreed and headed in the direction of the Castle of Friendship.

Meanwhile, Twilight came out of her teleport in a flash of purple light. She looked around only to find the throne room of Canterlot Castle in a state of chaos that would make Discord proud.

Next Chapter: Chapter 2 Estimated time remaining: 36 Hours, 49 Minutes