Princess Twilight was reading in her castle library with Starlight Glimmer. Starlight was currently reading a novel of a legend that seemed to catch her interest. That is, until Spike rushed into the library.

"Twilight! Twilight!" he called frantically, waving his little talons around wildly. One of which was holding a small scroll that still had the faint smell of smoke lingering on it.

"What is it, Spike?" Twilight asked, still absorbed in her own book on transportation spells.

"I've got a message from Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!" the little dragon replied nervously. "It says to get your friends over to the castle A.S.A.P. They'll probably need to hear about this."

Twilight's head snapped up at the mention of the princesses' names. "Say no more, Spike. Starlight, help me gather up the others." Her new student stood up and nodded, knowing the matter must've been serious. Twilight used her magic to get Spike onto her back as Starlight put away the two books. With all said and done, the two mares and young dragon rushed out of the castle to round up the other wielders of the Elements of Harmony.

Once everyone was gathered in the great hall of Twilight's Castle, Spike handed the scroll to Twilight to read it. Picking it up with her magic, the Princess of Friendship read the scroll aloud.

"Dear Twilight and Friends,

I'm very sorry to bring this up to you on such short notice, but we've discovered a troubling issue. Every night, something seems to reverberate through Canterlot's streets. Many of Luna's soldiers have reported of maniacal laughing, screams of pain, and several other sounds that give the notion that something cruel is happening. Unfortunately, Luna and I are unable to investigate anywhere outside of Canterlot.

Not only are there threatening sounds heard at night, but also a strange, ominous song that echoes through the shadows. It unnerves ponies that stay up late during my sister's time, but it doesn't seem to pose a threat. In fact, it sounds as if somepony is longing for help. Please, can you and your friends help find out the cause of all these strange noises at night? I fear that it's something that only the Elements of Harmony can do away with, should it get... difficult for you.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

P.S. There is a legend that sounds much like what's currently happening near Canterlot. It gives a sense as to what is happening. It is called Nightmare Orphanage. ~Luna."

"My word," Rarity shuddered, appalled by the message, "a regular ghost story in Canterlot, of all places?"

"Actually," Starlight spoke up, "I'm reading the book Princess Luna's talking about. Nightmare Orphanage is about an orphanage with mentally ill owners that tortured orphaned ponies instead of caring for them. The little ones were locked inside, forbidden from leaving the building, which was in the middle of nowhere to begin with. All that escaped the walls were the agonized screams of the little ones, the laughter of the owners, and the sounds of the weapons as they collided with their victims. The thing with the song is new, though."

All the ponies (and dragon) gaped in horror at the summary of the story. None of them could imagine little ponies being tormented in such a style. "It's settled then," Twilight stomped down, breaking the silence. "We're going to find the source of what's causing those noises in Canterlot. We're probably going to need you, Starlight. I've actually never gotten along with that legend; I thought it wasn't real. But this one mission might change everything; after all, some legends we've heard of have well turned out to be true. Spike, send a message to Celestia that we accept her mission. Get ready, everypony, 'cause tonight we're going to Canterlot."

"Right," the others replied simultaneously.


(Meanwhile…)

Echo was racing through the halls, trying not to drop the precious food that was in a bag slung across her streaked back. She was also trying to be absolutely silent, so as not to disturb Crimson Ice or Velvet Tear, who were both taking their afternoon nap. She had to get the food to the other orphans, who were just as emaciated as she was. If she managed to get there without trouble, she'd be fine.

Figures those two demons-masquerading-as-Pegasi would refuse to feed us, the unicorn thought bitterly. But soon, it'll all be over; tonight will be the night. We will leave this accursed place and the demons who own it. We will be free.

She was cut out of her train of thought when Hemlock Berry came into view. The little blank-flank unicorn with her unmistakable red coat, forest green mane and tail, and dark eyes brought a surge of relief to the indigo unicorn. She slowed down to meet up with the filly, showing her success in getting food.

"Thank you, Echo," Hemlock whispered happily, leading her older-sister figure to the largest room where all the foals were gathered. They all silently cheered that the oldest orphan managed to get the food for everyone. The food was evenly distributed to the young ones, and they all ate their fair share, thankful that food had been acquired at all.

Once everypony was finished eating, they all gathered in a semicircle around Echo, who was sitting by the gap in the wall that passed for a window. It was their nightly routine to listen to Echo as she sang the song that fit her name so well.*

"Hello, hello;anypony out there? Cause I don't hear a sound
Alone, alone; I don't really know where the world is but I miss it now

I'm out on the edge and I'm screaming my name like a foal at the top of my lungs
Sometimes when I close my eyes I pretend I'm alright but it's never enough

Cause my echo, echo, is the only voice coming back
Shadow, shadow, is the only friend that I have.

Listen, listen; I would take a whisper if that's all you had to give.
But it isn't, is it?You could come and save me and try to chase the crazy right out of my head

I'm out on the edge and I'm screaming my name like a foal at the top of my lungs.
Sometimes when I close my eyes I pretend I'm alright,but it's never enough.

Cause my echo, echo, is the only voice coming back;
Shadow, shadow, is the only friend that I have.

I don't wanna be an island; I just wanna feel alive, and get to see your face again.

I don't wanna be an island; I just wanna feel alive, and get to see your face again.

But 'til then …
Just my echo, my shadow;you're my only friend and

I'm out on the edge and I'm screaming my name like a foal at the top of my lungs.
Sometimes when I close my eyes I pretend I'm alright,but it's never enough.

Cause my echo, echo…
Oh my shadow, shadow…

Hello, hello; anypony out there?"

The little ponies were soothed by the beautiful voice of Echoing Shadow. The melody's indirect call for help echoed through the nearby city, the way it did every night.

"We told you already to shut your muzzle!" two strong, cruel, slightly slurring voices rang out from the hallway. Everypony froze; the little ones' eyes were wide with terror, Echo's eyes narrowed as she stalked to the front of the group. Her horn was pointed to the entrance while she stood in front of the group protectively. She did so with good reason, too, as Velvet Tear and Crimson Ice were both at the door, each holding a weapon. Velvet Tear held a long whip; Crimson Ice held the longest switch they had. They were clearly intoxicated, judging by their bloodshot eyes and voices; Echo could even smell traces of the fermented drinks they obviously had earlier.

"Looks like you still need to be taught a lesson," Crimson snarled. "All right, you worthless foals, get out to the courtyard! You then will see what happens to those who dare anger us for too long." Without a word, all the orphans walked out to the courtyard of the building.

"Did you remember the berries and blowpipes, Hemlock?" Echo asked in a whisper, too quiet for the owners to hear. The filly in question nodded once. "Good, because tonight's the night it happens. I'm glad you could get all those poison hemlock berries; we may need them."

Once they were all in the courtyard, the little ones formed a circle around Echo and the owners. Velvet made the first attack, lashing across Echo's body and legs with her long whip; the unicorn cried out in pain. Crimson rushed in, knocking the victim about the head and front with the switch. Echo took the beating, waiting for the right time. She waited, crying out in pain, letting her power build, until she felt it click.

Her eyes blazed as her horn lit up as if it were ghost fire. She used her magic to set both weapons on fire as Hemlock handed each of the fillies and colts a small blowgun and a pouch of poison hemlock berries. Velvet and Crimson shot into the air and dove toward the unicorn in blind fury.

Big mistake.

Echo tilted her head, aiming her horn at the pair. Pouring every bit of her magic into her spell, she fired a beam of magic at the Pegasi. The beam got both of them in the chest, striking them out of the sky. They fell to the ground, getting shot in the jaw as the young ones made use of the poison berries. Whether it was the berries and/or the blast, their bodies fell to the ground, lifeless. Echo was glad that the two were finally gone, but then her vision began to spin.

Twilight and her friends were wandering through the moonlit streets of Canterlot. They suddenly heard snaps of a whip, and distinct cries in pain coming from the forests surrounding the royal city. Without a second thought, all of them rushed to where the sound was coming from. They were guided by a strange beam of light that shot up from a clearing in the forest. Once there, they all saw a huge circle of little ponies, the bodies of two Pegasi off to the side, and an indigo unicorn in the midst of the group; all gathered in front of a black stone building.

Starlight Glimmer staggered when the unicorn in the middle glanced at them with agonized, hazy eyes. The stranger was starting to stagger, and the visitors rushed up only to be met by a small group of the little ones, each armed with a loaded blowgun. The starved unicorn collapsed to her side, much to the fright of the little ones. The last thing that rang through the darkness that night was dozens of young voices crying out one simultaneous word:

"ECHO!"


*The original song is "Echo" by Jason Walker. If you don't know the melody, you can search it up. I just touched it up to make it sound more "Equestrian."