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The Mysterious Pony
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Downstairs in the ballroom the Starlight Ball was in full swing. Tables were piled high with a pony's favorite treats, like chocolate cupcakes and berry twists. Bowls were heaped with colorful punches that shone like jewels. A gigantic seven-layered cake, coated with pink frosting and silvery stars took center stage, decorated with sugared fruits and honeyed nuts. A group of Pegasi was playing harps in a corner, Medley leading the way.
"A-one, a-two, a-one two three four!" cried Medley to her Pegasus friends. Four different harps sent out lilting music into the pink and purple ballroom. Ponies were already dancing with their friends, with Glory and Moondancer performing their 'Dance of the Ponies' in the center. Magic Star and Baby Abracadabra had the attention of all the Baby Ponies as her wand exploded in a rainbow flash of flowers. Baby Abracadabra winked and a long row of ice cream sundaes appeared for the ponies, she herself happily joining in with them for an extra lick.
Starswirl was sipping rainbow juice from a long crystal trough, and Twilight popped a popcorn ball into her mouth.
"You're right, Star, this is great. Dream Valley is the perfect place."
Suddenly the great doors banged open, wind and rain whipping through the hall. The ponies screamed in terror and every harp stopped. The Baby Ponies began to cry. Wind Whistler, Lemon Drop, and Wysteria galloped across the hall to stand before them protectively. Wind Whistler rose up into the air, batting her wings quickly, glaring at the dark figure. All of the Ponies first turned to the figure, and then to Majesty, queen of Dream Castle.
The white and blue pony rose from her throne and stamped a hoof, her mane whipping in the gale. Her daughter Baby Majesty struck the same pose, mimicking her mother with a touch of royal bravery.
"Who are you?" screamed Majesty over the wind. "Who are you and what do you want?"
A dark pony moved from the shadows and stamped his hoof. The lights flickered back on and the gates shut with a crash. The other Ponies examined the newcomer curiously. He – for it was obviously a he, with his feathered hooves and huge body – was a heavyset gray Pony with a long black mane, soaked with rain and streaked with the grays of age. He wore a brown leather pouch on a cord around his neck, and his symbol was a faded and scarred black storm cloud. He flipped his mane and glared through a curtain of black hair dripping with water, eyes narrowed. Lightening rumbled in the distance, though only moments before the night had been clear and free of clouds. He gave a derisive snort at the party before him.
"Perfect," said the stranger, "But not for long."
* * *
Downstairs in the ballroom the Starlight Ball was in full swing. Tables were piled high with a pony's favorite treats, like chocolate cupcakes and berry twists. Bowls were heaped with colorful punches that shone like jewels. A gigantic seven-layered cake, coated with pink frosting and silvery stars took center stage, decorated with sugared fruits and honeyed nuts. A group of Pegasi was playing harps in a corner, Medley leading the way.
"A-one, a-two, a-one two three four!" cried Medley to her Pegasus friends. Four different harps sent out lilting music into the pink and purple ballroom. Ponies were already dancing with their friends, with Glory and Moondancer performing their 'Dance of the Ponies' in the center. Magic Star and Baby Abracadabra had the attention of all the Baby Ponies as her wand exploded in a rainbow flash of flowers. Baby Abracadabra winked and a long row of ice cream sundaes appeared for the ponies, she herself happily joining in with them for an extra lick.
Starswirl was sipping rainbow juice from a long crystal trough, and Twilight popped a popcorn ball into her mouth.
"You're right, Star, this is great. Dream Valley is the perfect place."
Suddenly the great doors banged open, wind and rain whipping through the hall. The ponies screamed in terror and every harp stopped. The Baby Ponies began to cry. Wind Whistler, Lemon Drop, and Wysteria galloped across the hall to stand before them protectively. Wind Whistler rose up into the air, batting her wings quickly, glaring at the dark figure. All of the Ponies first turned to the figure, and then to Majesty, queen of Dream Castle.
The white and blue pony rose from her throne and stamped a hoof, her mane whipping in the gale. Her daughter Baby Majesty struck the same pose, mimicking her mother with a touch of royal bravery.
"Who are you?" screamed Majesty over the wind. "Who are you and what do you want?"
A dark pony moved from the shadows and stamped his hoof. The lights flickered back on and the gates shut with a crash. The other Ponies examined the newcomer curiously. He – for it was obviously a he, with his feathered hooves and huge body – was a heavyset gray Pony with a long black mane, soaked with rain and streaked with the grays of age. He wore a brown leather pouch on a cord around his neck, and his symbol was a faded and scarred black storm cloud. He flipped his mane and glared through a curtain of black hair dripping with water, eyes narrowed. Lightening rumbled in the distance, though only moments before the night had been clear and free of clouds. He gave a derisive snort at the party before him.
"Perfect," said the stranger, "But not for long."
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