The morning hours had come and gone by the time I had made it to my computer.  My dreams in a way had spoken to me; it was a sort of psychedelic retelling of the previous night’s events which for some reason ended on an odd note.  It merely showed my computer screen with Twilight on it which soon transitioned into her pushing her hoof into my reality.  I’m no expert, but I think some serious biz is going down.  At the time I didn’t know how right I was.

*

Twilight was distressed to say the least as she stared at the sky while her friends chatted behind her.  The sky had not cleared since they had begun their journey to Canterlot.  At first Twilight thought it was some sort of strange weather patterns, but now she realized that something more sinister was at work.  Eventually the train arrived at Canterlot station and the ponies made haste to the castle.  Upon their arrival they were met by Princess Luna who was distressed to say the least.

Princess Luna bowed her head quickly, “Twilight Sparkle it is good that you have arrived. Everypony we must convene with my sister at once.”

Rainbow Dash flew beside the Princess and asked quickly, “Does this emergency have anything to do about the earthquake?”

Luna nodded, “That and more.”

Upon entering Princess Celestia’s chambers they all gazed upon their monarch who was looking quite ill.  She mustered a smile as they approached her.

The concern in Twilights voice was evident when she spoke, “Princess, what’s wrong?”

Princess Celestia looked to the side then back at the group, “I assume that you all felt the earthquake many minutes ago?”

Fluttershy nodded, “Oh yes, it knocked EVERYTHING off of my shelves and tables.”

Princess Celestia sighed, “It’s also safe to say that you all have come to the conclusion that the earthquake was not natural.”

Applejack nodded slowly, “Ah had my suspicions.”

Princess Celestia gazed with a troubling glance at the sky, “I am afraid to inform you all that the worst is yet to come.”

Rarity was shocked, “What could be worse than an earthquake?”

Princess Celestia didn’t answer at first, but instead she turned to look at some compiled notes, “As of late, very strange happenings have transpired all throughout the land.  Crops have begun to vanish, towns consumed and forgotten, and ponies vanishing without a trace.”

Twilight was intrigued but worried by this revelation, “What’s causing this?”

Celestia became quiet, “Something powerful and dark. This creature was born of fear, doubt, and despair.  There isn’t a mention of it in any history book and I and Luna have never seen it before.  As far as we can tell it has no name.”

Pinkie Pie thought for a moment, “Well if we’ve discovered something new, why don’t we name it?”

I paused and thought upon the name.  I wanted something ominous and foreboding, something that would bring fear to all who spoke it.  Then I nodded at my conclusion.

Princess Luna shook her head then remembered something, “The Capricorn.”

All ponies looked at the night Princess as she explained her reasoning, “The thing my sister had yet to mention is this creature consumes whatever it wishes to grow in strength.  The first thing it consumed were the stars, the first being the constellation Capricorn.  So I thought it would be more fitting.”

Princess Celestia nodded, “That does make sense, but nonetheless.  The Capricorn grows stronger each day and as it does Equestria weakens and is destroyed.”

Rainbow Dash flexed her wings, “What do we have to do princess?”

Princess Celestia became troubled but nodded as her sister encouraged her to continue, “You must seek out The Equestrian Oracle.  It alone holds the answer to what will stop The Capricorn.”

Twilight glanced at the elements and became downcast, “But the elements?”

Celestia shook her head grimly, “They will not be strong enough.  I’m afraid time is of the essence, you must depart immediately.”

Luna produced an ancient map and gave it to the friends, “The Oracle lies north of the Crystal Empire.  Be warned, the road ahead hold many perils.”

Twilight became confident, “We won’t let you down Princess! Let’s go!”

*

I thought of stopping.  Everything was back on track and no weirdness for about an hour.  But it was getting too good, so I cracked my knuckles and continued.

*

Deep in the Everfree forest, within a series of darkened caverns a beast stirred.  It could hear its master’s call and commands.  It opened its twin orbs of red light and surged forth from its den and out into the world.  The creature had long awaited its purpose to be set into motion and now it was going to get its wish.

*

Twilight and her friends had been travelling for close to a week and had decided to stop for a moment to rest in a clearing.  The flowers cast a curtain of fragrance upon the slumbering ponies who all sighed in content.  Fluttershy’s ear suddenly flicked as she opened her eyes slowly and gazed around.  She could swear she was hearing something, almost like someone humming a beautiful melody.  

Fluttershy looked from side to side, “Hello? Is somepony there?”

I stopped humming The NeverEnding Story theme.  I then switched on my TV and continued to write as it droned on.

Everypony else awoke and Rarity asked with a questioning tone, “Fluttershy, who in Equestria are you talking to?”

Fluttershy gazed somewhat embarrassed at her friends, “Nopony, I thought I just heard something.”

Twilight checked the map and smiled, “Alright girls we just continue forward and we’ll reach the halfway point.”

*

I then yawned and sighed afterwards.  I had been up longer than I had suspected, so I decided to hit the hay.  I knew from here on, things were going to get pretty interesting now that things were up to code and back on track.  I then quietly crept upstairs and got some water.

*

The Creature came to a vacant clearing and gazed around in anger at having lost its query.  It smelled their scent and proceeded to follow the trail in earnest.