I can't believe I'm making this story at all. But I thought of something while getting into the MLP fanbase, no one has lost anything (except Applejack and that it was really recent) that had impacted their lives and was permanent. Something that can make them better and stronger than they were before an incident. So allow me to... experiment with the concept on a more personal and physical level.
Disclaimer: Other than OCs, all characters are owned by Hasbro. The amount of gore will only be for necessary drama purposes (pretty rare) and no sexual content. I would say no nudity, but their naked anyway. This also takes place a month after Fame and Misfortune. With that thought and the setting basically set, let us begin.
Prologue: Missing
The sun rose into the sky, shining down upon the purple alicorn that was sound asleep. As it got closer to her face, Twilight Sparkle mumbled to herself along the lines of certain books and new spells for her to use with Starlight Glimmer. She soon awoke from the sunshine and started stretching her legs before getting out of bed. The princess then stretched her legs once more and her wings, getting a few pops from her limbs. She walked to the bathroom and did her ritual of showering, brushing her teeth, and brushing her hair before she went to start cooking her breakfast.
She decided on a plain meal of scrambled eggs with some milk for her breakfast. Twilight turned on the stove and, as it was heating up, teleported to her front door for the mail. Seeing that it was a medium sized pile, she went through them to weed out the important ones from her standard junk mail. The ones that stood out were an invitation to a royal party in Canterlot, a letter from her sister-in-law, and an unmarked letter. The last one was very puzzling to the Princess of Friendship, but she set the important ones down on her table to finish cooking her meal.
'Mmmm. A standard meal of scrambled eggs with cheese and with some fresh milk. Healthy and delicious.' Twilight thought, her stomach grumbling happily for her homemade food. Teleporting back to her table, she sat down and began to eat while looking at the her two most important, looking at the last one until later. The invitation was pretty standard, sounding optional and saying as though it'll be the party of the century and was hosted next week. The letter from Cadence was a sort of update on current events and how she would like Twilight to visit her sometime.
After she was done eating, the princess debated on whether or not to open the letter now or later. She decided that it would be best if she got her friends in case it was something important. Everyone except Starlight, who was on a magic show tour with Trixie and Discord going to every corner of Equestria and beyond. Her first visit would be Rarity, knowing that she might've gotten some unmarked letters ever since she became well known.
Twilight came up to Carousel Boutique to see quite a lot of people outside. Listening in, she heard that these people were waiting to get their orders of clothes that they asked Rarity to make. Confused, the alicorn teleported into the Boutique and walked around for any sign of Rarity. After a 30 minutes of searching, she couldn't fine the fashion designer anywhere. Though, it would make sense for Rarity to get out for some personal time before returning to her shop.
Teleporting outside, she headed to Sugarcube Corner to see if Pinkie was there and get her while waiting for Rarity at her castle. Walking in, she was greeted by Mr. Cake, happy to see the pony who saved Ponyville countless times.
"Morning, Twilight." He said.
"Good morning, Mr. Cake." Twilight said with a smile. "Is Pinkie here?"
"Not that I know of. After she helped with the last of the baking quota last night, she went to her room and that was about it." Mr. Cake said, somewhat worried for his assistant. "But she probably snuck out for some 'her' time, which isn't a surprise after the whole Friendship Journal debacle."
"Yeah, that whole thing was crazy. Though, what's weirder is that Rarity is gone, too."
"They probably worked together to enjoy themselves. I'm sure they're fine." He said with a smile.
"I hope so, too. Thanks, anyway." She said as she waved goodbye to owner of Sugarcube Corner.
"See you around, Twilight." With that the purple pony walked out and headed to Sweet Apple Acres. Thinking on the disappearance of Rarity and Pinkie Pie, she figured that Mr. Cake's assumption is the most likely that happened. But knowing Applejack, she must be working hard, even with the whole Friendship Journal event still fresh in their minds. Heading to the barn, she saw that Big McIntosh and Apple Bloom were taking a break from their morning chores, but didn't see Applejack anywhere in sight. This caused some alarm bells to ring in her head, but hopefully her siblings knew where she was.
"Oh, hey Twilight!" Apple Bloom said excitedly. Big Mac just waved at the princess while he smiled.
"Hello, you two. You don't happen to know where Applejack is, would you?" Twilight asked, surprising the two siblings with such a sudden question.
"Nnnope." Big Mac said.
"Though, we think that-" Apple Bloom started to say.
"She might've snuck out in order to have a break from work." Twilight said, making both siblings surprised once more. "That was the same conclusion that Mr. Cake said for both Pinkie Pie and Rarity. I just hope they're okay."
"Well knowing them, they might've worked together to sneak out." Granny Smith said. "To be fair, they are the most hard working ponies out of your little group. No offense."
"Oh, I definitely agree on that. It makes more sense because of the Friendship Journals." Twilight said, happy to know that there's a common link to the current missing friends.
"We always did deal with a lot of people from Equestria coming here at one time. But with it all year long, it's a stressful environment. Ah'm sure my grandkid's alright and having fun on her break."
"Well, it was good meeting you all. See you later." Twilight said as she made her way back to town.
"Hold on, your highness." Granny said, making the princess stop in her tracks. "Big Mac, could you go get one of the freshly picked apples?"
"Eeeyup." Big Mac said, running in the house to get said apple. The red pony came back with a small basket that had a red delicious apple in it and gave it to the princess.
"Aw, you shouldn't have." Twilight said, taking the basket with her magic.
"We know, but it's a sort of apology for wasting your time." Granny Smith said.
"Oh, it's no big deal. But thanks for the insight and the apple anyway. See you around." With that, the others said goodbye before continuing their chores around the house. Thinking of where to go next, Twilight decided to visit Rainbow Dash next.
She teleported to the Cloudominium and knocked on the door. Hearing no answer, she opened the door, which was unlocked by Rainbow forgetting to lock it sometimes, and looked around the house for her friend. Like the last three, she was nowhere to be found. Twilight didn't see Rainbow in the sky and knew that she didn't have training today, so she decided to look for Fluttershy and see if she was at her cottage at least.
Teleporting to the cottage, she didn't see Fluttershy tend to any of the animals outside or in her home. The alicorn asked the animals if they knew, but they just shook their heads in disappointment. She then tended to the animals for the morning routine and hoped that Fluttershy would be back soon. Seeing no other lead as to where they might've went, she teleported home and went inside. After a full two hours of searching, the princess was simultaneously sad, confused, and a little mad if they all secretly went somewhere to relax without her. Sitting at her table, she decided to eat the apple to calm her down. She took a bite and was immediately treated to the sweet and tart flavor of a fresh apple.
Twilight looked at the letter and decided to open it to see what it said. Just as she was about to take another bite, her face went from boredom to pure fear. As she read the short letter, she dropped her apple and started to put two and two together. As soon as she was done, she dropped the letter and ran as fast as she could to the train station, nearly hitting Spike on her way out as he said "hi".
"What's her deal?" Spike said, making his way to the dining room. Seeing the apple and the letter on the ground, he picked up both and started to read the letter. Just like Twilight, he dropped the apple before he could get a single bite. He looked to the front door and prayed that Twilight would make it in time. "Please, save them."
The alicorn never ran so fast in her life. With her friends' lives in danger, she couldn't slow down for a second. She needed to save her friends. She hoped that they weren't hurt when she got to her destination. Finally, she made it to the train station, seeing a train about to leave without her. She needed to get on that train, her friends depended on it.
"Wait, hold on!" Twilight said, getting the partial attention of the ticket booth pony.
"Yes, how my help." The ticket pony said, not looking away from his book. He had a silver coat with a black mane and tail and wore a typical blue uniform.
"Need to... get on... train. Friends in... danger." Twilight barely said, the exhaustion hitting her hard.
"I'm sorry, but you'll need to wait for the next trai-" The booth pony dropped his book as he saw the Princess of Friendship and savior of Ponyville. "Oh my word, Twilight!?" Immediately, he put two and two together and ran out to stop the train from leaving. "Stop, stop the train!" The train squealed to a halt, making the conductor march out in rage to the booth pony.
"Really, Silver Lining!? The train is already late, so you better-" The conductor said before she stopped herself. She had a yellowish-greenish coat with a curly blonde mane. "Princess Twilight Sparkle!? What are you doing here!?" The conductor was very much shocked to see a princess before her.
"My friends... are..." Twilight tried to say, but was too exhausted to speak, coughing a little.
"The rest of the Mane 6 are in danger!" Silver Lining said. Twilight heard that name before, though now it's starting to sound more and more official since the Friendship Journals.
"What!?" The conductor stammered a bit before looking back at the princess. "Where is it you need to go?"
"Somewhere near Cloudsdale is fine." Twilight said, finally catching her breath.
"Alright, there's an old station that's pretty close to there, but it will take some time with the other passengers between here and there."
"As long as it's before the moon rise, I'll be fine." With that, the conductor got back to the train and waited for Twilight to get on. The alicorn was about to give the booth pony some money, but he rejected it instead.
"Your friends need you. I can handle being yelled at. Besides, you did save Ponyville and the world countless time. We owe you." The booth pony got back into the station and Twilight got on the train. Her only concern was how many delays there might be on this ride. Fortunately, the train ride was only an hour and a half before the sunset, giving her ample time to find the meeting place.
The ponynapper looked through the window to see a train go by. Using a monocular, he spotted the purple creature in the window, worried for her friends. He was very much excited to finally meet this winged unicorn.
'Everything is working out perfectly.' He thought hissing in delight. He walked into the room of his captives, touching the blue one's face. 'Soon, you will be my salvation to something new.' He hissed with even more delight and started to laugh maniacally. He will soon have a new prize to his collection.
So, I decided to go and split it at this point since it'll be a good point for narrative purposes and also that I don't bombard people with a lot in the first chapter. And thus, my first prologue was born. Also, this will be on both FiMfiction and Fanfiction. Might as well capitalize on these for this story and the next ones to come. See you all very shortly for Chapter 1.