"Good morning Twilight!" Spike's unusually chipper voice calls out. Why can't he leave me to sleep!? Doesn't saving the world nearly once a week mean I get some sort of extra sleep privileges? I mean, come on. The sun isn't even up, is it? Oh wait, my eyes are closed. Never mind.
I crack open one eye only to shut it instantly due to the blinding sun light. When I open it again I see Spike's face up close. "AHHHHHHH!" Spike and I jump a mile, me because I didn't expect him to be so close and him because of my scream. "Spike! What in Equestria are you doing!? Are you trying to wake me up or give me a heart attack!?" That may have been a bit harsh, but I was startled. Luckily Spike doesn't seem to be hurt, in fact he is smiling that infuriating smile you get when you've had a good night sleep and your friend hasn't. I know I shouldn't have eaten all of those hay and cheese sandwiches before bed, but they were so good.
"Sorry Twilight, I just thought you'd like your mail". He held out his left claw that had my morning mail in. Once I woke up more fully I started to smile. Using my magic I took the post from him and looked through the letters.
"Looks mostly like a bunch of adverts to me. Oh, look at this one, 'Would you like immortality with your loved ones? Then come on down to the Church of Ares. Happiness is one prayer away'. Seriously, it is too early to be converted." Spike just shrugged. I let out a sigh and continue reading though them. "An invite to another one of Pinkie Pie's parties, a new restaurant has opened in Canterlot, what else is new?" Then I spotted a golden envelope at the bottom of the pile with a red seal on it. I open it and was shocked by what it said.
Dear Twilight,
Me and Luna believe there is an attack on Canterlot quickly approaching. We are not sure who it is or why they are attacking but from what we know it will be a disaster if we do not stop them. Please bring your friends and Spike to Canterlot as soon as possible. We will give you more information when you arrive.
From Princess Celestia.
WHAT! Why hasn't she told me sooner!? As quick as a flash I lifted up the covers and dash out of bed, sadly this caused Spike to fall off said bed and land on the floor. But that's not important now!
"Spike! We're going to Canterlot! I'll pack a bag, you go tell the others, tell them to pack a bag for a week and to get over here NOW!" Poor Spike looked confused and scared, but he did as he was told and ran out to find the girls. In the mean time I stuffed as many books and essentials as I could into two suitcases, one for me and one for Spike. I re-read the letter, placed it on top of everything and shut the bag.
What could it be? Why hadn't she said anything sooner? These were the questions running through my just woken mind as I paced outside the door of the Golden Oak Library. Why hadn't she sent it through Spike? Why had she sent it by post? Why are they taking so long? Why is Pinkie throwing another party? Why would someone set up a church for the God Ares? Why have I gotten so drastically off topic!?
Before I could ask myself anymore questions I spotted Spike followed by the girls. Each one was carrying a small saddle bag of stuff, except for Rarity who seemed to have three bags levitating in her magic, but that was to be expected. They all ran up to me, each looking equally confused and worried (Fluttershy even more so).
"Here they are Twilight, now can you please tell us what the problem is?" Spike panted out of breath, I feel sorry for making him round them up but it was necessary.
"Yes Twilight dear, whatever is the matter?" Rarity asked, her three bags now on the floor by her side. I then proceed to tell them what the letter had said, they gasped and looked quite pale. I wonder if that is how I must look, after all I have just woken up. My mane must be a mess... You're going off topic again Twilight!
"Well let's stop standing around and get over there now!" I nod to show my agreement with Rainbow. We then run to the train station which is unbelievably still open at this time of the morning. That's when I spotted the clock on the platform and see it was 11:30 am. Oops. The ponies don't ask for any money when we tell them were we are going. Free train tickets is a perk of saving the world once a week, even if a lie in is not.
As we rode to Canterlot we talked about what dangers we could face. A plethora of creatures came to mind, but it was probably something much worse. Every pony was worried, even Pinkie didn't seem to be taking this lightly. I'm scared, but I'd never tell them that. Me, the element of magic, isn't allowed to be scared. Crazy, but not scared.
After an hour long ride we finally stop at Canterlot station. We get off the train with our bags and stand on the platform.
"What now?" Applejack asked.
"We need to get to the castle, that's were the princesses will be". With that we run the the castle. I carry Spike on my back and three bags in my magic (I offered to carry Fluttershy's bag as well as our own). The streets are surprisingly quiet, not a pony in sight. Perhaps Princess Celestia has told them to stay inside. I think we're doing very well considering we only found out about this less than two hours ago, and my sleepy mind has most definitely woken up now. Who needs an alarm clock when you got possible world ending terror?
We finally get to the castle, and that's when I knew something was very wrong. The Royal Guard surrounded us, their eyes were glowing green and devoid of emotion. They pointed their spears at us, non of them said a word.
"What's going on?" Fluttershy asked timidly. Rainbow tried to fly up but some pegasus guards stopped her from going very high.
"I don't know". I really didn't, but I've got a feeling I'm about to find out.
They started herding us inside the castle, we walked inside with them, after all it's not like we had a choice. Then I saw what I had been dreading ever since we'd been surrounded. There in front of us were the two princesses, chained to the floor and not moving. It had been a trap. That's why the Princess didn't sent the letter through Spike! Why hadn't I seen it sooner?
Just then we all heard an evil laugh (of course it was evil, what else would it be?). I looked up to see Queen Chrysalis looking at us with unadulterated delight. I sighed and hung my head, a tear rolled down my cheek but I didn't care.
"Well well well, look what we have here. The Elements of Harmony, how lovely of you to drop in". I was so ashamed, I should have known. Why did I bring them here? Poor Spike, he doesn't deserve this. I looked up to see the villain we'd be facing, she looked down at me looking smug as ever. I just wanted to punch her, but I never would.
"Let us go you parasitic scum!" I hear Rainbow cry at our captor.
"Now why would I do that?" I hate it when they act smug. "I have simply asked you here for a, how shall I say? A trade".
"What kind of trade?" I spat out.
"Your surrender for their freedom". She gestured to the princesses with a tilt of her head. Why should we trust them!?
"No way!" Applejack shouted.
"What about it Twilight? Your life for theirs?" She looked deep into my eyes. That's when I snap out my self pity. Why would I ever trust her!? Once she looked away I gave a subtle looked I convoy my plan to the girls, they nod in understanding. Game on.
"Ok Chrysislis, we surrender. You are just too powerful". I let out a sob to act more convincing.
She smiled. "I knew you'd do the right thing". Oh, they really can be so stupid sometimes can't they? At that point we kick out at the guard surrounding us. They fall backwards like sacks of hay, I suppose that mind control spell doesn't make them any stronger, or smarter for that matter. I take advantage of her surprise and freeze her in a bubble of magic. It worked! We won! Wait, that was too easy.
That's when I hear a buzzing sound above us. Gulp!
When we look up we can see millions of changelings hovering above us. I see green flames out of the corner of my eye, I turn to see the princesses had changed into two more Changelings. It was a trap, another one! We were surrounded. And what do you do when you're surrounded? You lash out!
We kicked and punched every changeling we could. I told Spike to hide, he didn't need to be told twice. Applejack kicked, Rainbow Dash punched, Rarity held them back with her magic. Pinkie, well, she used her party cannon to defend herself. Even Fluttershy was fighting in her own way. I used my magic to seal them in bubbles. It seemed to be working, but it wouldn't work forever.
After a good ten minutes we were starting to lose. We were tired and aching. Even though I had sealed a good 45% of them in magic bubbles there were still hundreds left. I was tired and worried for Spike, I hope he's ok. I became weaker and weaker. Why am I so tired?
"TWILIGHT LOOK OUT!" I hear Rainbow cry out. I looked to my left to see a changeling about to kick me. I felt it make contact with my head. Then everything went black.