AUTHOR NOTE: THIS TAKES PLACE BEFORE SEASON 3. Other than that, please review, follow and favorite! Check out my other MLP:FIM stories! I'd really aprreaciate it! Meow! :D

Chapter 1: A Strange Pattern

Twilight looked at her best friends gathered together in her private study. "I have brought you all here today to address a very important issue. As you remember, last year when Nightmare Moon returned, there were signs. I've been noticing a rather strange pattern in the stars lately. They look like the signs in the stars of the coming of Nightmare Moon, but that can't be right. I don't know what it means..." Twilight explained.

Applejack tilted her head to the side and shrugged. "Well, sugar, sometimes the stars're just stars." she replied.

"Yeah, I hate to say it, but AJ has a point." Rainbow Dash added.

"I know, I know! It's just that the patterns of the stars are practically the same every year I can't help worrying. Has anybody noticed anything else strange?"

Fluttershy spoke up. "Well, um... Angel has been acting really strange, sorry... He's been so loving to everyone. You know how he, um, usually is." the yellow pegasus quietly murmured, barely loud enough to here.

Rarity shuffled her hooves. "A strange order came to my attention the other day. I received a call placing an order for an absolutely abhorrent dress. I always accept orders, but this time I seriously considered saying no. The order was so... gruesome. Utterly unappealing."

Applejack sighed. "Now wait just a zap-apple jam minute. These're all just by coincidence. Maybe Angel just swallered a bad veggie an' got sick. An' maybe that over-the-phone pony just wanted to avoid all the rush an' order a Nightmare Night costume early. Ah' know it's mighty fun to think something's amiss, but it's just nothin'." Applejack huffed.

"Fun? Did you say fun? I love fun!" Pinkie shouted as she started to hop around. She began to sing.

"I love fun, yes I love fun, it's fun to spread around.

I love fun, yes I love fun, fun is hopping around!

I love fun, yes I love fun, I have fun with my friends.

This was the fun song, so let's sing it again!"

Pinkie Pie started talking again. "So where's the fun at? Is it -"

"Not that kind of fun, Pinkie. Mystery an' excitement an' adventure fun, more's like." Applejack corrected, cutting off Pinkie Pie. "Mah apology for a cuttin' you off while you were speakin', sugarcube."

"That's okay!" Pinkie Pie giggled.

"So, anything else any pony has noticed?" the purple unicorn asked. All was silent, for a moment.

Rainbow Dash flapped her wings lightly while still on the ground. "Well, the mayor of Cloudsdale hasn't outside his house for a week. All the other Cloudsdale officials have been gone, too. It's a little fishy." she leaned in and whispered.

"Thank you, Rainbow Dash! Now, if you think something weird is going on, raise your hoof!" Twilight instructed.

Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Rarity raised a hoof.

"Oh, this is a game? Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie Pie giggled, raising a hoof. "C'mon, Applejack!" She tried lifting Applejack's hoof in the air. But no matter how hard she tried, the hoof stayed firm on the ground.

"Ah'm not buying into your pony tales. Y'all can act like little fillies if y'all want to. Ah'll be at the farm if y'all change your minds."

With a stomp, she walked out.